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Texan’s are Getting Fat! and This Fat Is Happening Fast!

April 13th, 2012

We have 7 billion people on earth and 2.3 billion are expected to be obese by 2015. Wow! Doctors are not telling people to lose weight because of some conspiracy to make money.

Doctors are letting people know that you should try and lose weight because you will die much earlier than you may otherwise want to.

Heart disease is the number one early killer by a long shot and cancer is way down there in 2nd place. The point is that cancer should not be the scary disease you try to avoid, it should be becoming a fat obese person.

I am in no way the skinny guy pointing the finger and neither are several of my relatives who have found themselves in the fat category. Most of us here in Texas can relate and by 2015 over 30% will be in the obese category. Not overweight, OBESE! ¡Ay, caramba!

In several examples in my own family we have seen a steady easy decline in becoming less fat and no longer obese.

That word obese sounds really bad! It should sound bad because it causes heart disease and if you want to die in your 40’s – 60’s depending on how long that fast working heart can hold out you just keep on eating that ice-cream my friend.

But don’t let this hard talk discourage you, I realize there are some very weird and bizarre completely out of this world psychological reasons why the ultra-obese can’t seem to break the habit of eating so much.

I am not about to pretend I understand these underlying deep psychological reasons that keeps people on the continual road of obesity. I feel for you and I admit I don’t have the answer for you and I don’t pretend to think it will be easy for you to change your lifestyle.

For many of us who are not ultra obese you should be thankful…you don’t have these psychological issues that morbidly obese people have to contend with. For you a simple high protein diet during breakfast, more protein for lunch and a low calorie dinner before 7 pm is all you need.

Combine this perfectly healthy diet with a workout routine of only 30 minutes a session 3 times a week and you have made some life changing habits.

So this is about all I have for you regarding being a fat Texan…most of us have been there including me. It isn’t just about trying to stay skinny and healthy but life is about much more than that…check out these very helpful tips for a much more fulfilling well rounded life. 30 Habits that will Change your Life

Also please come by Tony Cruz XTC Fitness & Sports, where I have been working out. I have lost 25 pounds, my sister in law has lost 42.4 pounds and my brother in law has lost 20 pounds.

Royal Lube in Tyler TX

May 17th, 2011

Royal Lube in Tyler TX

Like everybody I go in to an oil lube place every so often and get an oil change for my truck.

I know there are some people that drive around with sludge in their engine for years but I need my car to last.

Last time I came in to Royal Lube I didn’t go with my usual Pennzoil but tried Royal Purple instead.

You can go many more miles when you use Royal Purple and although it is more expensive you don’t have to get an oil change as often.

Today I decided to go with Royal Purple again. It did well for me and I have no reason to change now. Some of my relatives go on and on about this stuff and use it in their sports cars so I figured I would become an avid fan as well. Why not, it works and saves me money.

Royal Lube does not just have a wide selection of oil but a friendly, courteous, and capable staff. I must have been going here for a decade or longer and I have never had a mishap. These guys always do a great job.

Next time you need an oil change go to the corner of Amherst and Broadway. They are close to this intersection and across the street from Mundt Music. They are also next door to the newer Shoguns restaurant.

Pregnancy Resource Center

April 7th, 2010

Pregnancy Advice and Free Sonogram Service

1003 South Baxter Avenue
Tyler, TX 75701-2212
Phone: (903) 592-4495

When you are a teenage girl the world of pregnancy is intimidating and lonely. I do not think that anyone can really understand that statement unless they have been there themselves. I can say this. I remember finding out that I was pregnant and only being 18 years old. I felt so alone even though so many people were around me supporting me. The truth of the matter is that no one around me had been there. I had no idea what to do, what doctor to go to how to get on insurance or Medicaid. I was like a deer caught in head lights. The world seemed so empty and I could see disappointment every time someone looked me in the eyes. I felt like there was no one to talk to about my concerns. But there was someone.

As I walked into the Pregnancy Resource Center I thought that I knew what to expect, because I have grown up having relatives work there and my Bible study group even met there at one time. As I walked in I thought I would get the looks of disappointment and condemnation. After all, I grew up in an extremely Christian home, went to a Christian school and I did and still do have a very true relationship with Jesus Christ. How could I screw up? How can I be pregnant? I figured that they would not understand that everyone sinned; I just wore the evidence of my sins under my shirt. I did not just want to be preached to, but I needed to be heard, and understood.

They handed me a couple sheets of paper to fill out, so that they understand where I am coming from. After a few minutes of waiting, they led me to the small bathroom and handed me that small cup to fill up for the pregnancy test. As I figures the test was positive and instead of words of condemnation, they offered an embrace of love. I had no idea how I was going to face the world, but right at that moment I felt loved and cared for. After they quickly talked to me about my plans of parenting, adoption and discouraging against abortion (which was never ever an option), they let me talk. They answered questions of how to break the news or where to go from here; they ended my time by praying for me. I knew I was going to raise my now two year old daughter, I just did not know where to start. Since I had no insurance they talked to me about how to get on Medicaid and where to go for the best health care. They gave me numbers and even made a few calls for me. I was great to have a little understanding of how to start my new life with this child.

After a couple months they asked me to come back in for a completely free sonogram. That day was one of the most memorable days of my life. I was preparing for my wedding that was going to take pace in a coupe weeks, through all the chaos this day seemed to slow everything down. As I was asked to lie on the padded table, I began to get anxious to see my child. The room was packed by my family and my now in-laws. This was the first day I saw my little girl. I knew she was real. I saw her hear beat, her hands moved, and her legs kicked in excitement. It was almost like she knew I was watching her. When the lady told me that my child was a girl, tears quickly filled the room. I loved her more at that point. I could not afford a sonogram at that point, but the Pregnancy Resource Center in Tyler Texas made it possible for me to see my little girl for the first time.

To this day, I am very thankful for the help that the Resource Center offered to me. I am only one of the many young girls that they support. The women that work there do not do this for a paycheck. They volunteer everyday because they want to help the young women of our society, and to make a difference. Every pregnancy test is free, and every sonogram is free, and run by professionals. They are there for you. To show the love of Christ to women of all ages. I have heard many stories of woman whose lives were changed because they decided to go to the Pregnancy Resource Center. I am just one of those women.

The Portrait Studio at JC Penney

January 28th, 2010

4401 S Broadway Mall
Tyler
903 561 7000
Open from 10am

When my baby was born I was given a coupon for a portrait sitting and a free 8×10 photo and I thought ‘Why not?’ Our baby is so cute that I thought I really should let someone who knows what they are doing behind a camera take some pictures of him too.

I scheduled an appointment with a photographer at JC Penney. Although I wasn’t used to doing this, ‘Tiffany’ instantly made me feel at ease. She was warm and friendly and seemed to have all the time in the world for me and the baby. Even though my little fella didn’t really oblige us with great smiles, Tiffany managed to take some cute shots. There was no pressure for me to buy lots of photos and she advised me to come back when he was sitting up. The next time I went to the studio, Tiffany remembered us and knew exactly what sort of pictures I was looking for. This time we had more success and I wanted to buy a few more of her pictures. It was incredible – each sheet of photos was only $3.99. I bought a few for myself and treated all of my relatives to a picture of my little fella too.

The next time I went back with all 3 children. Tiffany had a colleague with her to help. He was called Wade and he was quite exotic looking but just as personable as Tiffany. He managed to get all the kids looking the same way as she took the pictures. They were quite busy that morning so they gave us coupons for a free sandwich at Chick-Fil-A while they loaded the images onto the computer and enhanced them. When we went back the older kids watched Toy Story while I looked at the pictures. I was really delighted and this time bought a portrait package which had the added feature of ‘pictures by wire’ which meant that family overseas could view and order photos over the internet.

My final challenge for the photographer at the Tyler Texas JC Penney was to take my family and my brother in law’s family for a portrait sitting for Christmas presents for my husband’s mother and grandmother. There were 5 adults, 4 children and a baby to take pictures of. Once again, Tiffany rose to the challenge and took great shots of everyone.

I think the JC Penney store in Tyler has a great crew of photographers. The studio is really accessible and best of all, the prices of the portraits are really affordable. There are more expensive options – different backgrounds, text and collages but if you buy the traditional sheets, one 8×10, two 5×7, four 3×5 or wallets then they are just around $4 each.

I heartily recommend Tiffany and Wade as photographers and JC Penney portrait studio as great value.

Sacred Spur Ranch – A rustic authentic Cowboy ranch restaurant.

January 17th, 2010

Barbecue GrillWe went to Sacred Spur Ranch on Friday with relatives in town from Canada to give them a Texas experience. Sacred Spur is unlike anything you may have encountered such as a Texas Roadhouse experience. This place is like a barn in the middle of a real Ranch.

Call for reservations: 903-295-4364
Address:
117 Michel Rd
Gladewater, TX 75647

When we walked in we were greeted with live entertainment. The singer was singing some very good country western music. For a Friday the place was about a quarter of the way full.

The steaks are cooked on a gigantic homemade grill made out of a lot of welded metal. The grill on top of the fire hangs from a chain and seems to do a good job. Sacred Spur Ranch

I ordered the Ribeye steak because they were out of T-Bones and it came with a baked potato. The steak and potato were very good. I was sitting next to the metal barn wall so I started to get a little cold in there. As you can see this was an authentic barn ranch style experience. If you are wanting cookie cutter Texas Roadhouse than this is not it.

Sacred Spur Ranch is only open Friday and Saturday’s and is located in East Mountain, population 500. It will take you close to 45 minutes to an hour to get here. Plan on making this an all evening event and prepare for authentic, rustic or whatever you want to call it.