allergies

Leave a comment Posted on March 5, 2015March 6, 2015 Health, Uncategorized, vegan

What I’ve Learned From Being A Vegan For The Past 2 Years

It was March 6, 2013 that I accidently decided to become a vegan. Wow, that was a quick 2 years!

In hindsight, I definitely went through a self-imposed, self-advertised, and awkward public transition during the first couple of months that followed. You could say I may have been a little too zealous about my lifestyle change at first; on Facebook, in particular.

Since then, I have grown up; not only in how much more reserved I’ve become on Facebook in general, but also how I communicate regarding stories about my vegan lifestyle.

Over the past 2 years, I’ve learned to become more inviting (and less bold) when it comes to sharing about it all.

It doesn’t help, as I’ve recently learned, that I have a “D” personality; according to the DISC personality test. In other words, I have the most aggressive personality, so I am learning to control how my passion comes across to others.

At first, I was so eager to prove the vegan lifestyle to the entire world.

These days, I simply want to be known as the token go-to vegan in everyone’s social circle. I’m not eager to convert anyone. I’m just simply here to offer information to anyone suffering from chronic sinusitis and/or dyshidrosis (eczema); both of which I am cured of now that I discovered this lifestyle.

For example, being a vegan for 2 years has taught me a simple concept: Mucus in, mucus out.

No one wants to think about this, but ultimately, both milk and eggs contain a certain amount of mucus, from a foreign species.

When a human ingests that mucus (which is a product of the endocrine system, which truly is disgusting when you consider what else the endocrine system is responsible for), it can definitely have negative effects; as mucus itself is a defense mechanism the body to uses to fight off foreign substances.

Therefore, roughly 20% of the American population has chronic sinus and allergy issues (like I did for 22 years). According to my theory here, it’s because they are ingesting the foreign-fighting mucus of a foreign species.

This is not the sort of thing I openly talk about on Facebook, like I did at first. Instead, I reserve it for open-minded/curious people who care enough to actually read an entire post like this.

In addition to learning to be more reserved in my communication about it, another thing I’ve learned is how my psychology has evolved.

I see now that my relationship with food has transitioned from an emotional relationship to a functional relationship.

Well, obviously I’ve survived the past 2 years without eating any animal products (eggs, dairy, meat, etc.). Granted, I had already been a vegetarian for more than a year before my vegan conversion, and had been kosher (no pork or shellfish, etc.) for several years before that.

While some people have assumed it must take extra discipline to live my life this way, I actually believe the indirect opposite is true:

I don’t have the discipline it takes to only say “yes” in moderation to certain foods. But if the rule is consistent, that I can never have certain things (anything that registers 1% of my daily cholesterol or greater), then it actually takes the temptation away.

In the past 2 years, by default, I’ve learned the importance of getting all my necessary nutrition from 6 things: vegetables, fruits, grains, beans, nuts, and seeds.

I’m happy. I’m never hungry. I eat all the time. It works for me.

If you have any questions, I am happy to answer. I want to be known has the friendliest, least annoying, most helpful vegan you know.

You might also enjoy these other vegan-themed posts I’ve done as well:

Dairy And Egg Free Testimonials: Nick Shell- A Year And A Half Later

I Survived A Year Of Being A Vegan, Part 1

I Survived A Year Of Being A Vegan, Part 2

How To Stay Fuller But Eat Healthier This Year (And Still Eat Meat): A Starter Plan

Ask A Vegan Anything: Is Dairy Related To Allergies And Sinus Problems?

Ask A Vegan Anything: “Where Do You Get Your Vitamin B12?”

Ask A Vegan Anything: Here’s Your Chance

How To Have A Vegan, Vegetarian, Kosher Or Plant-Based Christmas

Vegan Friendly Review Of Atlanta, Georgia

Vegan Friendly Review Of Ponte Vedra Inn And Club At Pompano Beach, FL

Vegan Friendly Review Of Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe

Vegan Review Of The Farm House In Downtown Nashville

Vegan Recipe Review: Quinoa And Pinto Bean Sloppy Joes

Review Of Dandies Vegan Marshmallows By Chicago Vegan Foods

5 Reasons Your Facebook Friends Are Going Vegan

Dairy And Egg Free Testimonials: Ben Wilder, 6 Months Later

3 Comments Posted on October 10, 2014October 25, 2014 Health, Uncategorized, vegan

Dairy And Egg Free Testimonials: Nick Shell- A Year And A Half Later

Hi, I am Nick Shell, the creator of Dairy And Egg Free Testimonials, and this is the update to my story.

By now, you’ve probably read some testimonials of my converts: both Ben Wilder (6 months) and James Hardy (1 month).

But of course, I myself took the “48 Hour Dairy And Egg Free Challenge” a year and half ago… and I’m obviously still committed.

Like the other guys who I have featured here on Family Friendly Daddy Blog, I decided to take the challenge to find out if it were true that by eliminating dairy and eggs for just 48 hours, my sinus and allergies would noticeably improve.

Well, here I am, a year and a half into the 48 hour challenge with no dairy and eggs. I haven’t been sick once since then, nor have I suffered from sinus pressure, nor have I produced sinus congestion. Period.

It’s not a coincidence, considering before the switch I suffered from 22 years of ongoing sinusitis, sinus pressure, and allergies to pets. Obviously, all those problems went away and have stayed away for the past 18 months.

But I also want to address another issue. For more than a year before I went “dairy and egg free” back in April 2013, I had already been a vegetarian.

What I am telling you is that for nearly 3 years, I have not eaten any meat, including fish. And for the past year and a half, no dairy or eggs.

I just want to serve as physical evidence that if a person focuses on the right nutritious food groups (veggies, fruit, grains, beans, nuts, seeds), they don’t have to rely on animal products to be healthy.

At age 27 in 2008, the year I got married, I maxed out at around 178 pounds, which took its toll on me, being 5’9”. That extra “beefiness” also came with “medically incurable” eczema (specifically called “dyshodrosis, which covered both my hands; plus acne, and again, constant allergy and sinus issues.

It wasn’t until in hindsight that I could actually see the change in the mirror and in pictures of myself. I just assumed it was a “bad camera angle” that I looked heavier.

In desperation, I prayed to God to just show me what I needed to do and I would do it; that I would gladly serve as a spokesman to help others if I could just be cured on my haunting eczema (dyshodrosis).

That prayer led to a journey a few years long, in which I was gradually shown that becoming a vegan would be that cure I was so desperate for.

I didn’t do it “cold turkey” (bad pun)… it was a gradual process.

On Thanksgiving Day 2008, I went kosher- meaning I stopped eating pork and shellfish. By December 2011, I had sort of accidentally become a vegetarian. Then of course in April 2013, I became vegan. (Not to mention, 6 months later in September 2013 I permanently gave up caffeine.)

Now at age 33, I am consistently around 142 pounds and have been since I went dairy and egg free 18 months ago.

I went from a size large shirt to a medium; from a size 34 waist to a very comfortable 31. But it’s not about the weight I’ve lost, it’s about the medical issues I lost when I lost that weight.

Yes, I do exercise too- but I don’t work out in a gym. I take at least two 10 minute walks each other, mountain bike during my lunch break, and try to run 2 miles at least once a week.

And I’m healthy. I’m not sick. I’m not hungry. I’m not weak. I don’t feel light-headed.

I have more energy than I did before all these changes. And I get plenty of protein and nutrition from veggies, fruit, grains, beans, nuts, seeds.

Being fully vegan means you consume no cholesterol. Yes, there is a microscopic amount in the fats found in plants, like nuts and seeds, for example.

But it’s not even enough to register as even 1% of your daily intake. Compare that to the daily percentage in just one medium chicken egg; around 62%.

Again, that’s 62% for just one egg!

I’m happy. Why would I ever go back now?

Becoming a vegan, or simply cutting out dairy and eggs, isn’t for everyone. But for anyone who is curious about heading in that direction, please feel free to let me know if I can help answer any questions.

Just leave me a comment or send me an email. I’m here to help… or at least, entertain.

Were you interested in what you just read? Was this post a strangely pleasant distraction to other things popping up on your Facebook or Twitter feed? Ya know… you could always like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, or even subscribe to Family Friendly Daddy Blog by clicking on the appropriate icon on the left side of this page. No pressure though…

3 Comments Posted on October 6, 2014 Health, Uncategorized, vegan

Dairy And Egg Free Testimonials: Ben Wilder, 6 Months Later

A week ago, I introduced a new series of mine called Dairy And Egg Free Testimonials, in which I am collecting stories from those who have accepted my personal challenge to go dairy and egg free for just 48 hours.

If you read Ben Wilder’s testimonial last week in my intro to Dairy And Egg Free Testimonials, you know that he actually ended up becoming a vegan because of it. Interestingly, his conversion was actually 6 months ago.

That means today I get to share with you his newest testimonial, looking back on the past 6 months:

The biggest challenge was a week-long family reunion in Florida 3 months into my altered diet. Grilled fish. Coke floats. Pancakes. Pizza. Burgers. Food I would’ve indulged in had I not jumped in with both feet on a challenge from my arch nemesis Nick Shell late March 2014. But avoiding those meals wasn’t difficult at all. No, it was explaining why I felt the need to bring bags and a cooler full of my own food for the week. It wasn’t just about being competitive (Nick challenged me to a dairy-free weekend). It was about making a positive change in my diet. What I didn’t know at the time was that it’s also changing my life.

My dad’s dad had a heart attack in his 60s. My dad had a heart attack in his 50s. I suspect my brother and I will, too, at some point. I can’t believe I sat on that information for so long without thinking what I put in my body can, at the very least, maybe help me avoid the same fate. Thankfully, they both survived, but I don’t want to survive a heart attack. I want to avoid it at all costs. Did I think this way 7 months ago? Not so much. But 6 months ago the wheels started turning, thanks to that challenge from Nick I mentioned. Since I suffer from allergies, Nick proposed that eliminating dairy might reduce the symptoms of these attacks. I thought, “I’m on board with that!” My unofficial motto became, “I hate allergies more than I love ____.” Fill in the blank with cheese, milk, ice cream, whatever.

Long story short, I took it a step further by adopting a “vegan plus” diet for at least a month. It’s been that way for over 6 months now. The “plus” is because I eat honey, and I don’t think vegans smile upon that. Whatever. I like local Tennessee honey. For me, it’s not about saying I’m a vegan, it’s about having a healthy body. But the craziest thing happened… this diet didn’t just change my meals, it’s changing my life. I’m almost ashamed of what I used to eat. I even have recurring dreams where I eat a burger, or most recently, a Gigi’s cupcake. Even in the dreams, I feel remorseful after. Waking up is a feeling of relief! And that’s exactly what this has done for me. I had to wake up. Funny that it wasn’t my dad’s or granddad’s heart attack, but it was a friendly dairy challenge that woke me up. Whether you’re a vegan, vegetarian, just want to shed some weight, or you’re curious how food can affect your overall health, there’s basically an alternative for everything you currently enjoy. But you have to want it. You have to love your goal more than you love the food your giving up. I’m also beginning to see how what I eat relates to sleeping better, playing sports better, being stronger, being a better Christian, and with hope, avoiding any sort of heart failure later in life. Not to mention, I haven’t taken an allergy pill since day 1 of this challenge and only recently have dealt with sinusitis (which I believe is unrelated to allergies, although it has similar symptoms).

Half of this journey is about adding in healthy food, but the other half is about cutting out unhealthy food… things like boxed dinners, pop tarts, soda, frozen pizzas, high fructose corn syrup, any sort of dye, etc. I recently stumbled upon some information that I can’tnot share. I’ve been editing a documentary about Autism produced by a friend of mine (click here for the trailer), and have been enlightened on the disorder in many areas. One of which is diet. It seems that food plays a major part on the behavior of kids and adults who have the diagnosis. And what’s even more startling, the very disorder itself might be caused by the diet of the parents before conception! There’s a lot of talk about dyes in food, artificial food coloring, heavy metals in food, sugar, gluten, casein, and more, that play a direct role in the behavior of people with autism. That stuff has got to affect the behavior of every person, don’t you think?

This all started with a dairy-free weekend challenge but it’s become so much more. Whether it’s learning about my own diet through an autism video, discovering that I don’t crave the food I once did, or loving God more through treating my own body well, 2014 is about getting roots. Digging into a healthier way of living that will change the rest of my life, and possibly generations to come. That’s enough motivation to keep on keepin’ on.

Please feel free to share your testimonial as well! Leave a comment sharing your “100% dairy/egg free testimonial.” I may even be interested in featuring you in an upcoming “Dairy & Egg Free Testimonials”. I am looking for people who are as passionate as I am about showing the link between eggs/dairy and mucus/sinus/allergies.

My email is nickshell1983@hotmail.com.

I want to make it public knowledge that “cheese makes you sneeze.” In other words, consuming dairy and eggs is the reason why people have mucus that is any other color than clear.

My goal is to create a legitimate online community where people can share and learn about how going “dairy and egg free” can be very beneficial. Let’s just see what happens…

Were you interested in what you just read? Was this post a strangely pleasant distraction to other things popping up on your Facebook or Twitter feed? Ya know… you could always like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, or even subscribe to Family Friendly Daddy Blog by clicking on the appropriate icon on the left side of this page. No pressure though…

1 Comment Posted on September 30, 2014October 1, 2014 Health, Uncategorized, vegan

Dairy And Egg Free Testimonials: James Hardy’s Asthma- Week 1

By now, you’ve probably already read my own testimonial as well as my 1^st recruit Ben Wilder’s in Dairy & Egg Free Testimonials: Introduction Featuring Ben Wilder.

Today I want to introduce another one of my “human science experiments,” named James Hardy (pictured below).

What I am trying to accomplish with him particularly is to show that even if you’re not full vegan like I am, there are still so many benefits of cutting out dairy and eggs alone.

James has agreed to send me regular updates to share with everyone. Here is the 1^st of several of them.

Journal entry date: September 13^th, 2014

My name is James Hardy and I am making a huge change in my diet to better my health. I have had asthma and allergies my entire life and I was told something as simple as a diet change could help me finally be rid of the curse of asthma and allergies.

I was told all I had to do was cut dairy, eggs, and soda for me to finally have the upper hand on my asthma and allergies. This diet change will also be a benefit of my natural body building and power lifting hobby.

The spark that ignited this change was when I had to pay for my inhalers, which are over $400 with insurance. I’d rather pay a bit more on groceries a month than $400 any day.

This was also inspired my friend and colleague Nick Shell who noticed improvements in his health when he became a vegan. I will never go vegan but I will try this diet and see how my health changes.

Diet changes are never easy but after looking at the science behind these changes I can see why these changes are the key. I first cut soda out of my diet. Many people with asthma suffer from acid reflux as well. I was told by my asthma and allergy doctor that asthma and acid reflux almost always go hand and hand. After cutting out soda my acid reflux does still act up but it is almost unnoticeable now.

The next step I did was cut out eggs. This actually isn’t that hard. Eggs are a mucus membrane substance and can cause an increase and thickening of mucus in the human body. By removing eggs from my diet I can thin out the mucus that clogs my bronchial tubes and cause me asthma issues. This will also lower some of the sinus reactions I get from allergies.

The last and by far the hardest diet change is cutting out dairy. So many things I eat have dairy. Desserts, cheese, butter, milk and all protein supplements are based on milk and eggs. Milk has been proven to thicken mucus.

Studies show it has no effects on creating more but the thickening is the issue that hurts my asthma and allergies. The fat in milk is not a mucus, but the stuff that comes out with the milk is. There are far more worse things in milk other than mucus you need to be worried about.

I will track my health, weightlifting performance, asthma and allergies as I make this change and see how they change with it.

We’ll check back with James soon. As you can see, his journal entry was from a few weeks ago, meaning I can publish his 2nd and 3rd entry dates sooner than a week from now.

My email is nickshell1983@hotmail.com.

I want to make it public knowledge that “cheese makes you sneeze.” In other words, consuming dairy and eggs is the reason why people have mucus that is any other color than clear.

Were you interested in what you just read? Was this post a strangely pleasant distraction to other things popping up on your Facebook or Twitter feed? Ya know… you could always like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, or even subscribe to Family Friendly Daddy Blog by clicking on the appropriate icon on the left side of this page. No pressure though…

Leave a comment Posted on June 29, 2014November 2, 2014 Health, Uncategorized

Vegan Recipe Review: Quinoa And Pinto Bean Sloppy Joes

Let me introduce myself. I am Nick Shell. I am a daddy blogger who happens to be a vegan. For years I suffered from dyshidrosis (a rare form of eczema which causes painful blisters to form on the palms of the hands) and severe allergy & sinus issues.

But now that I live 100% plant-based (since April 2013), those problems are now a thing of the past. I am not one of those annoying vegans who tries to show you pictures of animals being slaughtered. Nor am I the kind who wants you to become a vegan- what you eat is none of my business. That changes, however, if you end up visiting my website to learn what our family thinks of Quinoa and Pinto Bean Sloppy Joes. In that case, I’m going to have to tell you how awesome these things are! Quinoa and Pinto Bean Sloppy Joes are one of our family’s favorite recipes. Since discovering them, we pretty much have them once a week. And they even make great leftovers. We base our recipe from VegKitchen:

1/2 cup raw quinoa, rinsed
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1/2 medium green bell pepper, finely diced
15- to 16-ounce can pinto, drained, rinsed, and coarsely mashed (or 1 1/2 cups cooked)
1 cup tomato sauce
1 medium tomato, finely diced
1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce or tamari
1 teaspoon agave nectar
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro, plus more for topping, optional
Shredded baby spinach leaves
6 whole grain English muffins

We add avocados though- I highly recommend doing so. They are the secret ingredient that really puts this recipe over the top. These Quinoa and Pinto Bean Sloppy Joes are so filling! Man, I want some right now- seriously. And again, they are made with all plant-based ingredients; meaning you consume less than 1% of your daily cholesterol. Even aside from the technical 0% cholesterol is the fact that by making the sauce yourself, your not feeding your family GMO high fructose corn syrup that the leading sauce brands are full of. Please take my word for it… this is a good recipe. Not to mention, the prep and clean-up is very minimal. Make them, then, please… tell me what you think. I want to know.

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