T H E 6 T H F L O O R

Life in 6 Land

Match Day 38 was Premier!

It’s called The Premier League for a reason and Match Day 38 culminated in one of the best climax’s in English football I have seen. Many announcers commented on the excitement this season as Manchester United and Manchester City battled with 18 other teams, which came down to 5 minutes of extra time before the league champion was crowned.

I am sorry to say most American’s can’t understand the excitement of football…soccer as many know it as. Not sure why, maybe because 45 minutes of continuous action is too long to follow. No commercials, means no beer runs. For some it’s the lack of scoring, a 1-0 game can be a thrilling game, much like a pitchers duel in baseball. Many I know find the game of football…err soccer boring. That’s fine. Many people give me about 3 minutes of watching the beautiful game with me, while at work, make a few comments and move on.

Fair enough, but today’s action some of the most amazing football I have seen played! It came down to the final day as both teams came in tied on points, but Manchester City had the goal differential advantage, a number that Manchester United would not be able to overcome. Unfortunately Manchester United let a lead slip away between Match Days 33-36, scoring only 3 points to Manchester City’s 12 points including a shocking loss to Wigan Athletic and derby loss 1-0. Either one of those games go for 3 points, even a 1 poin and Manchester United would have won their 13th Premier title, but it wasn’t to be today.

Queens Park Rangers played all out today, especially after thug, Joey Barton was sent off with a red card for an elbow thrown at Carlos Tevez in the 55th minute. Just 7 minutes prior Djibril Cisse had tied the game at 1-1, after a defensive lapse by Joleon Lescott. It would be 11 minutes later that would change the course of the game as Armand Traoré made a run past the Man City defense down the left side and his cross found an unmarked Jamie Mackie, who’s diving header put QPR up 2-1.

It was the 10 men defense of QPR and the play of Paddy Kenny that kept QPR on top, as Manchester City dominated possession and the shot advantage, but they came out without their shooting boots on. Yet Kenny came up with very big saves until the end of the game.

Thanks in part to Joey Barton’s red card and the ensuing drama getting him off the pitch, 5 minutes of stoppage time were added. This would be costly for QPR and conversely Manchester United, who played out their 3 minutes of stoppage time, defeating Sunderland, 1-0 and claiming the Premier League. Their celebration was very short lived.

Back to back goals in the 94th and 95th minute of the match sealed the victory and the league for Manchester City. Edin Džeko came off the bench in the 69th minute and his head found the ball off a corner kick, which brought Etihad Stadium to it’s feet! On the ensuing kickoff, QPR gave up the ball and went back into it’s defensive posture, which had been very good since going down to 10 men. Unfortunately the last minute of stoppage time saw Sergio Aguero beat the slide tackle of Taiwo and launch a shot near post, which found it’s way past the defense and Kenny to seal the victory for Manchester City.

It was truly an amazing end to an amazing season. Hopefully the Champions League Final between Bayern München and Chelsea prove to be just as exciting. For those who watched the semi-final between Barcalona v Chelsea, today’s Man Cit v QPR game was similar in nature, as Chelsea played down a man for much of the second half in that game and turned back every attack that Barcalona (arguably the best team in the world) threw at them. As a result of the 2 goals today, QPR gained a bit of respect and will remain in the Premier League for another season, avoiding relegation.

I can’t…

“I can’t” or “I won’t” are two of the most frequently used terms I have heard since changing my diet. When I say diet, I mean how I eat overall. I am now more conscious when making decisions at the market reading labels and ingredients as well as when I am cooking. But for some it’s hard to look past this “diet” and see an extreme shift in lifestyle since making the decision not to eat meat, dairy and oil. Then I read a story saying, “a study funded by the CDC and released on Monday projected that by 2030, 42 percent of American adults will be obese, compared to 34 percent today and 11 percent will be severely obese, compared to 6 percent today” (source). America is fat and only getting fatter!

While I wasn’t obese, based on charts and numbers I was overweight for my height. At one point on 2011 I weighed in at 221 pounds. Today, I tip the scale at 180 pounds. How did I do it? It was a simple plan, but one which doesn’t include the words, “I can’t” or “I won’t.” For me health I needed to make wholesale changes in what I ate. If I didn’t, I could end up being one of those 42% that will be obese by 2030. It could of happened very easy because of how I ate.

Since they don’t teach you good nutrition in school or television,  you must do the research and make the decision to change. Package labeling can be misleading and if you don’t know how to read labels, you are only contributing to the problem. Phrases like “all natural,” “fat free,” made with real fruit,” and “low sugar” are just a few. It’s not easy, I’ll admit it, there were times I wanted to eat a block a cheese or chow down on a piece of steak, but I would only be letting myself down and taking two steps backwards, based on the progress I had made.

We all hear the word “moderation” thrown around when it comes to food. Olive oil in moderation is okay. Meat in moderation is okay. Cheese in moderation is okay. In other parts of the world it might be, but America doesn’t know how to moderate its intake when it comes to food, especially unhealthy food. Here are a few numbers from registered nutritionist and dietician, Jeff Novick (source):

The items we know that are causing harm to Americans right now are the excess consumption of added sugars, refined grains, sodium, fat, and saturated fat.

So, how much does the average American consume of these?

Added Sugars – 242% over the recommended upper limit.

Refined Grains – 200% over the recommended upper limit.

Sodium – 229% over the recommended upper limit.

Saturated fats – 158% over the recommended upper limit.

Solid fats – 281% over the recommended upper limit.

America then wonders why it’s so fat and the outlook on individuals and the medical establishment are not favorable. I’ll be honest, changing your diet to cut out oil, dairy and meat might not be the answer for you, but to avoid turning into a statistic, you might consider some changes. Yet when I talk to people about my weight loss and improvement in my health, they respond with, “I can’t” or “I won’t” in regards to making changes to their diet.

As Americans consume excess added sugars, refined grains, sodium, fat, and saturated fat, they don’t consume enough good foods. “There are items that we know are very beneficial, that we should be consuming a certain amount of in order to gain their benefit.  These are fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fiber” (source):

 So, how much does the average American consume of these?

Fruits - only 42% of the recommended minimum intake.

Vegetables – only 59% of the recommended minimum intake.

Whole Grains – only 15% of the recommended minimum intake.

Fiber – only 40% of the recommended minimum intake.

Combine not eating in moderation and a lack of exercise and it’s no surprise that Americans continue to pack on the pounds and end up being a burden to the medical establishment that continues to see medical procedures and costs rise. In reality a change of emphasis on diet could have great benefits to an individual and society as a whole. Unfortunately when people don’t have a desire to change, say “I can’t” or “I won’t” change won’t occur.

I don’t push my plant-based lifestyle on anyone. I do enjoy the benefits I have experienced the past 6 months since taking on this lifestyle. In all honesty, I don’t miss the meat, but miss the cheese. I have overcome my dependency on using oil in cooking. I am now enjoying the flavors of new and different foods I now cook. Moderation has taken on a new meaning to me. Vegetables, grains and starches now dominate my daily diet. When it comes to food, words like “I can’t” or “I won’t” are no longer in my food vocabulary. I am open to try many foods I never have eaten before. This healthy change has produced excellent benefits, but it’s up to each individual to make a change to improve their own health.

Foiled Again!

“There is a high likelihood that [the bomb] would have been detected had he boarded a flight in the United States.” Does Big Sis really have THAT much confidence in the “thousands standing around” at airport security checkpoints across the United States? Pretty bold statement, but I don’t believe she was in much a position to say otherwise. But a top law-enforcement official insisted, “They would not have gotten him” (source). We have no further information as to who this official was, based on the details of this case, as we know it, I agree this underwear bomb would have successfully made it through.

With the dog and pony show infringing on our rights at our nation’s airports, it won’t take much more for screening procedures to be revised again when it comes to how travelers are screened prior to entering a “sterile” area at the airport. I have yet to read a story in which TSA actually deterred or prevent an act of terrorism at an airport, but this latest attempt could have Big Sis rethinking procedures.

For metallic items, like guns and knives the old x-ray machines and now backscatter machines are acceptable. We have seen a few You Tube videos including a detailed example from Jonathan Corbett who runs TSA Out Of Our Pants. Unfortunately individuals like Richard Reid, the show bomber in 2001 and Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the underwear bomber in 2009 both failed at their attempts, but this time a a CIA informant was the individual chosen for the suicide mission. Unfortunately, “current technology is not good enough to find nonmetallic explosive devices like the newest underwear bomb.” Thankfully the bomb is now in the hands of the U.S. authorities as we wait for further details to emerge.

Here is another example of how government agencies foiled a terrorist plot and NOT the TSA. Contrary to what Big Sis thinks and states on the record TSA screeners would not have have suspected this underwear bomb. “This bomb was put into the equivalent of briefs, so it was much tighter and form-fitting and harder to see” (source). How would an intrusive pat-down, using the back of your hands detect something sewn into a pair of briefs? The AIT machines would have been worthless in detecting this. “The only surefire way to detect nonmetallic explosive devices is using bomb-sniffing dogs, but that’s impractical at crowded airports.”

So score another victory for our alphabet agency, the CIA. As for the TSA, it’s time to review current procedures. Terrorists groups, like Al Qaeda are continuing to revise and improve their bomb making techniques and looking at delivery systems. This time, the U.S. dodged a bullet. What about next time? How long before travelers are submitting to further invasive touching or probing in order to make sure we are not a delivery device.

Surgery: The Day After

It’s been just over 24 hours since I had my left knee surgery. While the procedure was considered “minor” by the orthopedic surgeon, it was a considerable tear I was told after the fact. Today, I am really feeling the effects of the surgery. My knee is in tremendous pain, but I am trying to hold off taking the prescribed pain medication (Vicodin). I was told to use them as needed for the pain, but the side effects are not friendly and it would really make me worthless at home.

I have a follow up appointment already scheduled for Monday when he will remove the sutures. While I was up and moving earlier this morning, it wasn’t at a breakneck pace. The release paperwork said to get up and walk, if possible so I did that this morning while running a few errands. It might have been too much as the knee is throbbing as I sit here with two bags of peas keeping it cool.

I might looking into a water aerobic class to start next week, depending on the pain. Very little stress on the knee while in the water and it could provide a nice work out. Not sure how this class will work into my work and personal schedule. As for the exercise, I figure I will take the rest of this week off and hopefully get to the gym on Monday for some weights and maybe 30 minutes of easy bike riding.

I figure a few weeks and the knee will be back to normal and I will be doing everything pain free. Until that time, I will be a bit slowed by the swelling and pain that currently hampers me. Thankfully it was the right decision to get the knee fixed and not live with the pain.

Surgery Today!

Finally! And to think, it only too the medical establishment 2 months to make the correct diagnosis. I probably should have pushed for an MRI sooner, didn’t think the orthopedic would decide to take the easy way out, citing “arthritis” instead of trying to resolve my pain. Only the bright side, he did try to push Big Pharma on me, which I rejected.

I had a pre-operation appointment with the orthopedic surgeon yesterday and he quickly explained the 45 minute procedure to repair…well remove the torn part of the meniscus. Unlike the ACL replacement on my right knee 3 years ago, today’s procedure is “minor” in his words. I should not be couch bound for too long anyway. I am hoping to be back up and walking around later today or tomorrow. At any rate it’s back to work on Thursday, as I am not planning any time off from work.

There will be three arthroscopic incisions made around my knee. Unlike the previous surgery, which required a piece of my patellar tendon to replace the torn ACL, today’s procedure won’t both any of the ligaments, tendons or muscles or so I was told. Hopefully I will still have feeling in the left knee when the procedure is completed. So hopefully by tomorrow the inflammation, swelling and most importantly the pain will be gone and I will be to a pain free lifestyle.