The second episode chronicling my experiences with food, weight, and fitness. It picks up after high school when when I was a 300 + lbs non-athlete with terrible eating habits. The next eight years would involve a struggle very common to most American’s situation.  I attempted to lose weight and keep it off through the recommended method of portion control and exercise with minimal efficacy. That is until I was fortunate enough to discover a whole foods approach and paleo.

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This is the first of a three-part series explaining my experiences and resulting perspectives on the most basic of acts, eating. Part 1 begins with some of my earliest recollections in elementary school where I was overweight, had trouble with athletics, and was made fun, through the end of high school when I was a 335 lb 19 year old former athlete, who had to figure out what to do next.

On this episode I talk with my stepson Isaiah about his past and current interest. We talk about his ongoing interest in making YouTube videos and his take away from our last flag football season. He then begins to educated me on professional football. I learned why the Miami Dolphins are his favorite team. He lays down so serious knowledge and insight into NFL quarterbacks throughout the last couple decades, as well as providing so detailed predictions about how the Dolphins’ 2018 season will unfold.

This episode marks what I have heard is a milestone for a new podcast, EPISODE 10. In honor of that achievement I look back at my first 9 episodes. What was done well, what was done poorly, and what I’ve learned thus far in my journey from a lame brained idea to something tangible. No small feat for anyone who has given it a try. I am having fun, and I’m embracing my ugly creation as repetitions toward a hopefully better product in the distant future.

In this episode I described some preparation we are undertaking in the garden in anticipation of spring. Topics discussed include maintenance of a compost pile, hot vs not hot composting, and if you add kitchen scrapes to the pile, is it advisable to exclude meat/carcass leftovers. We established a new raised bed. Use of treated lumber and should old palettes should be avoided as garden planters. I also mention mushroom compost and the potential benefits of using that to amend soil.

This episode was my first in person interview. I sit down and have a lively conversation with one of the most gregarious individuals I know, my good buddy and partner at work Shawn McDougald. Shawn tells me the origins of his passion for hotrod automobiles, which includes junkyards, cut up cars and a list of ever faster machines. He educates me on the history and manufacture of the Ford Mustang,. What his dream car is if money was not a limiter. He also reviles to me his “3Ps” of automobile maintenance.

On this episode I provide review of The Dude and The Zen Master. This book illustrates many deep philosophic concepts within the context of the character The Dude, played by Jeff Bridges in the now cult classic film The Big Lebowski.“The Dude” provides an example for how a person might confront life’s challenges and joys, while always maintaining a peaceful mind. I offer my takeaways on concepts way over my head. If there is one thing I learned, it’s that The Dude abides, and so should we.

On this episode I describe my experience at the 41st annual Central Florida Highland Games which I attended for the first time as a preforming musician. It was around a year before when I began learning to play the bagpipes, and though I’ve gone to the games numerous time in the past, this was the first time I wasn’t on the side of the field simply watching the pipers with envy. I played my bagpipes in several events throughout the weekend, including four massed bands, and a couple informal jam session

On this episode I’m out in the garden preparing for and conducting my first pruning of a two-year-old muscadine hybrid grapevine. I give some backstory on why I began the garden, how it was arranged, and how I began growing grapes in my Central Florida backyard. Good practice for when I retire to own and operate a beautiful, sprawling vineyard. To spend my days in hours of deep, meditative care of my vines, before pulling corks that evening. In preparation I learn about spur vs. cane pruning styles,

On this episode I talk about the magical healing beverage, kombucha. I attempt to provide a brief explanation of what it, the health benefits of drinking it, and description of the basic process for making it at home.