Health

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Dear Holly: You Slept through the Entire Night for the 1st Time in Your Life, after Day 5 of “The Cry It Out” Method

5 months.

Dear Holly: You Slept through the Entire Night for the 1st Time in Your Life, after Day 5 of “The Cry It Out” Method

Dear Holly,

Last night made the first time in your life in which you slept through the entire night, from 8:20 PM to 5:40 AM, without ever crying or waking up, whatsoever.

If you had, I would have known, since I had the baby monitor right next to me the whole night; as I have the past 4 nights as well. I myself went to bed at 10:30 PM, and was so surprised when my alarm woke me up a 5:20 AM and realized I had been asleep the whole time without having to get out of bed.

That also means Mommy got another great night of sleep, as she went to bed at 9:45 PM. And of course your brother Jack went to sleep the same time as you, and also slept all through the night; as he always has, since I successfully applied “The Cry It Out” Method on him 5 years ago.

Now that your body has officially adapted to remaining solidly asleep for an entire night, I am confident to believe this will be the norm for you from now on. Granted, I am prepared for the next few following days for you to possibly briefly wake up, but then to fall right back asleep.

But really, this should be it. No more of Mommy losing sleep by having to (illegitimately) feed you through the night.

I had been ready for months to go ahead and sleep train you; but between Mommy being psychologically ready (ultimately meaning she hadn’t yet reached to the combination of “fed up and exhausted”), and you getting sick, and us going on vacation for a week in San Diego, then to Alabama last weekend for my grandma’s funeral, the timing just wasn’t right.

But that all came to a head this week.

I very much appreciate Mommy trusting me to take over. I couldn’t have been successful without her agreeing to let me do what I am wired to do, which is what she is not wired to do.

She never once came upstairs to interrupt me in my craft, as you cried it out for up to 20 minutes at a time.

Clearly, Mommy is the feminine nurturer. And clearly, I am the masculine enforcer.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: I’m So Tired I Could Cry, But You Sure are Worth It

20 weeks.

Dear Holly: I’m So Tired I Could Cry, But You Sure are Worth It

Dear Holly,

These are the days when my lunch breaks are spent sleeping in my car; waking up to the sound of my cell phone alarm after 55 minutes of deep sleep in the passenger seat of my old Honda Element.

These are the days in which Mommy and I try to be in bed by 9:00 PM; knowing that you’ll be waking up 3 more times before we have to officially wake up for work before 5:00 AM.

These are the days where unless we drive nearly 3 hours to Nonna and Papa’s for the weekend, we don’t get a break.

We both work full-time plus we are both fully involved parents.

But none of that is a burden because of the baby. That’s you.

You are so worth it.

How could I look at you and not just melt? How could I not simply be willing to do whatever it takes to make sure my little baby girl is cared for?

I keep reminding myself that to some degree, things will be much easier in about a month and a half, once you’re able to start eating solid foods. Even though there will be more prep and cleaning, the plan is that you’ll be able to sleep more solidly through the night.

So my eyes won’t always be bloodshot and my head won’t always feel like a bowling ball.

But as for now, these are the days of feeling like a zombie. When people ask me how I’m doing, I always positively respond, because I’m so grateful to have a healthy, happy little girl. That’s the part I focus on.

I choose not to tell them how that physically, I’m barely standing up.

Because other parents already know how this thing works.

You do anything for your baby- that’s normal. It is simply being a parent.

Love,

Daddy

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Manly Vegan: I Haven’t Consumed More than Zero % of My Daily Cholesterol Allowance since April 2013 (The Difference between Good Fat and Bad Fat)

Today I introduce the first 5 episodes of my newest video series, Manly Vegan…

Today I introduce the first 5 episodes of my newest video series, Manly Vegan...

The stereotypical assumption from most people when they learn that I’ve been a vegan for nearly 3 and a half years is, “Well are you sure you’re getting enough protein?” However, no one has yet to address this issue: “Well are you getting enough cholesterol?”

The fact is, I’ve consumed less than 1% of my daily cholesterol allowance since April 2013; when I became a vegan. Sure, it’s true that even vegan food contains cholesterol…

Avocados, cashews, and even vegetable oil contain a high amount of fat and therefore, some cholesterol.

But even then, it’s never enough to register as 1% or higher on the food labels.

Prove me right by going right now to your pantry or refrigerator. Look on the back of a jar of peanut butter. Check out the high fat content yet the 0% amount of cholesterol.

Now look at the carton of eggs in your refrigerator. Check out how much of your daily cholesterol is in just one egg. The least amount I’ve ever seen is 56%, but most are closer to at least 65%.

Imagine that. My vegan lifestyle prohibits me from ever being able to consume even just 1% of my daily cholesterol; yet just one egg equates to over half of a person’s daily cholesterol.

However, I’m still eating plenty of fat from plants.

Therefore, it is undeniable that vegans have an advantage in that while we still do consume a minuscule amount of cholesterol most days, it never amounts to even 1% of our daily allowance.

So what’s the difference between good fat and bad fat? That’s easy:

If it came from a plant, meaning it contains less than 1% of your daily cholesterol allowance, it’s good fat.

If it came from an animal, meaning that it likely contains more than 1% of your daily cholesterol allowance, it’s bad fat.

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My Theory Proved True on My “You Can’t Insult Me” Challenge, So I Launched an Anti-Bullying Video Series: Bully Backup

My Theory Proved True on My “You Can’t Insult Me” Challenge, So I Launched an Anti-Bullying Video Series: Bully Backup

Two weeks ago, I released a new video on my YouTube channel which invited the free world to attempt to offend or insult me. I had theorized that since I don’t give other people authority over my emotions, it would be scientifically impossible to hurt my feelings.

Not only did I predict correctly, as indeed no one successfully emotionally attacked me, but hardly anyone even tried.

I did have one Internet troll ridiculously attempt to plant doubts in my mind that my wife might leave me for a younger guy, while implying that I was probably seeing other women (or men) on the side anyway.

But clearly, the comment instantly translated into comedy for me. So yeah… officially not offended.

So that got me thinking. Why is it that no one can offend me? Is it simply because I’m wired this way?

The answer is no. I wasn’t always this way. I became this way over the course of my life, as I made myself more and more familiar with what emotional intelligence is all about:

Emotional intelligence (EI) or emotional quotient (EQ) is the capacity of individuals to recognize their own, and other people’s emotions, to discriminate between different feelings and label them appropriately, and to use emotional information to guide thinking and behavior.

Five years ago, or even two years ago, it was possible to attack my emotions. Not anymore; not after I simply recognized that I could be 100% in control of my emotions, instead of handing the keys over to people.

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After receiving the clever suggestion from a friend to consider doing a video series on anti-bullying, I figured I would give it a shot.

I feel that what sets apart the theme of my anti-bullying series is that I am attempting to help the viewer focus on psychologically preventing the issues. So far, I have created over 10 videos, currently viewable on my YouTube Channel:

It’s Impossible to Offend Me

Being Offended Vs. Constant Mindset of Forgiveness

The “You Can’t Insult Me” Challenge

Psychologically Outsmarting Bullies

Find Your Allies

People Care about You

Do You Respect Those Who Insult You?

Are You a Victim or Victor?

I Know How You Feel

The Proximity Effect

You Too Can Choose Not to Be Offended

In my anti-bullying series, I challenge my viewers in many ways, in hopes they can ultimately outsmart potential bullies through strategy. To summarize it…

Realize that perceived bullies can’t force you to be offended; you have to allow them first. You have to respect their opinion for it to matter to you.

Be ready to openly acknowledge others’ perceived flaws in you, so that when they “attack”, you’re able to beat them to the punchline, surprising them with your lack of emotional response.

Find and create a network of people from the friendliest people from as many different cliques as you can; who will be there to socialize with and support you wherever you are.

I hope my series helps people. If nothing else, I hope I can remind you today that you too can choose to not be offended.

It is my passion to help the world realize the importance of choosing to live like victors, not victims; which is ultimately what emotional intelligence is all about.

Victors versus Victims

Victor: compliments others

Victim: criticizes others

Victor: embraces change

Victim: fears change

Victor: forgives others

Victim: holds grudges

Victor: always learning

Victim: thinks they know everything

Victor: accepts responsibility for their failures

Victim: blames others for their failures

Victor: has a sense of gratitude

Victim: has a sense of entitlement

Victor: sets goals and develops plans

Victim: never sets goals

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Vegan Confession: I Really, Really Don’t Like Kale

Vegan Confession: I Really, Really Don’t Like Kale

Thirty years ago when my mom was a manager at Shoney’s, I was introduced to kale. It was that nearly plastic-looking leafy thing on the side of my plate, next to my Philly Steak sandwich.

My sister and I would dare each other to eat it. Apparently it was just a garnish to “cleanse the palette” at the end of the meal. Eventually I took a tiny bite of it, only to learn it really didn’t taste like anything.

It was… just there.

Fast forward to April 2013, when I became a vegan. As I found myself converting to the plant-based lifestyle, I looked around me and realized that apparently, I was supposed to love kale.

I would see fellow vegans at Whole Foods wearing t-shirts that read “KALE” in the front, in the likeness of Yale.

For half a second I thought to myself, “Well, I guess I’m supposed to get one of those shirts and join the club.”

But I never did. Because I really, really don’t like kale.

However, I force myself to eat it; ideally once a week.

A couple of days ago, I had lunch at Whole Foods, taking advantage of their “5 for $5” special; where I can get a pound of vegan food, in divisions of 4 ounces.

They had all my favorites: the mushroom salad, the sweet potato and olive salad, and the grilled pineapple salad. For my 4th item, I chose the kale.

It was seasoned nicely and I didn’t mind it, especially because it was paired with cabbage.

Yet still, I only ate it because it’s so full of protein and the roughage is good for digestion.

Perhaps it’s heresy to admit it, but I am a vegan who is not a fan of kale. If you can relate to me on lack of passion for kale, just know you’re not alone.