P-P-P-Protein

    As I traverse the world of nutrition day by day; there's only one element of it that I truly understand; protein! I have a lot to learn when it comes to eating clean, but there's just something about the process of taking in protein that envelops me in delight whenever I eat. Now I may be wrong as to how much I require, or the effectiveness of the source, but my body takes it and builds off its makeup nonetheless. Let's be honest here, the wonders of protein don't sound nearly as exciting as carbs or fats. Protein is just that guy. With that out the way, here are my preferred sources of protein ranked in a YouTuber-like tier list. 

A Tier: Eggs, Lamb Chops, Chicken

    Eggs, eggs, eggs. What more can we say about these guys that hasn't been said? Regardless of the inflation; diners across America, and households urban, and rural alike need their eggs! Not to mention their track record in versatility; scrambled, sunny-side up, fried, omelet, over easy, poached, boiled- but how boiled? Soft, medium, hard, there's French-style, Ameri- man it just keeps on going! I love eggs, you love eggs, we all love eggs. Enough said. 

    Lamb is actually a meat I've only come to know recently. But even in the few times I've had the pleasure of eating it, I always felt like royalty. There's just something that wakes up inside of me when I peel the meat away from the hot bone with ease. I'm convinced this stuff can actually take away some of your hunger from just looking at it. Serve some of this with a side of steamed veggies, and mashed potatoes and you got yourself a meal fit for a king. Throw in some boiled eggs in there too while you're at it. 

    Besides the fact that chickens are decent people, these guys are the ones that make the eggs! That alone puts them in A Tier. Just like their offspring, they can be cooked in countless ways, and it never disappoints. There may actually be something fundamentally wrong with your cooking if you mess up with chicken. Please for everyone's sake, stay away from the kitchen if this is you. 

B Tier: Steak, Chobani Yogurt, Peanut Butter

    We all know A Tier is for the creme a le creme; but what about B Tier? Well, I like the sources of protein that are in this category too, but I feel a slight guilt come over me when I eat them. For example, steak; for those who don't know this is known as red meat. According to both nutritionists and doctors; the consumption of red meat is linked to cancer, heart disease, weight gain, and a whole range of nasty effects. Google says lamb is a red meat too, but I don't have it in me to accept that. I love a good steak, but the not-so-fun facts give me reason to keep my distance. But, whatever the experts say, I never let them ruin a carne asada for me.

    I only wish I had come across Greek yogurt sooner; many more of my burnt oatmeal days could've been saved. I think. Anyways, Chobani produces a myriad of flavors, and ways of consuming this stuff so you know they're not kidding around. Watch out for the products on the higher end of the sugar scale, and you should be in the clear. 

    My relationship with PB has been complicated, to say the least. There was one point in middle school when I thought I was allergic to this stuff! No one could really explain why the skin on my face was practically bubble wrap after eating a Jiff sandwich. All it took for me to recover was to take a three-month-long break from the food, and I was on my way. From then on I've had a PB phase every year, where each phase consisted of two months every year of me eating as many Jiff sandwiches as I could within twenty minutes or less. I ended this practice a while ago though because I found out peanut butter makes you fat, and fast! Out of the jar, and onto some bread, I can taste it with just having the thought in my head; it's peanut butter, a treat so sweet it is truly like no other.    

 
C Tier: Protein Powder, Tuna, Turkey

    If you mix in the right protein powder with the right coffee, the results will be fantastic. But it has to be iced coffee, or else your concoction will explode and you'll end up with unremovable coffee stains on your ceiling. Other than that, there are just better ways of taking in protein than by some artificial substance in a plastic pot or bag, cmon people. 

    Tuna is a great source of protein, if you're a loser. Seriously though, you need some mayonnaise or seasoning with tuna to get a kick out of it. No amount of protein from a certain source is justifiable enough to eat if there's no flavor. Similar to the powder, humans weren't designed to eat from cans. 

    Another culprit of lacking flavor is our friend Turkey. Sliced turkey is a different game, but a whole turkey? Unless you're Jeremy from Phineas and Ferb, or it's Thanksgiving; there is no great reason for eating Turkey. 

    I'd like you all to know that I have exaggerated my statements on some of these foods for comedic effect. These are all solid options of protein that should be given a shot and enjoyed in moderation. While you make some healthy choices today, I'll be on the lookout for the nutritional knowledge to come.

    Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 

- 1 John 4:11

Goose Story

    Have you ever taken the time to concentrate on how someone walks? I'm not just talking about the style in how they move, but their pace, their cadence. Whenever I catch myself doing this, I look away for a few seconds, then turn back to see where the certain someone is again - and it gets me every time! Moments like these remind me that I still struggle with the thought of time moving along for all of us. 

    A few years ago, when taking a walk between classes; I noticed this goose in solitude; naturally, I wanted to get a closer look. It wasn't until I was within handshake distance of the goose that I learned the poor thing only had one leg! The sighting gave me cause to take a picture to remember the encounter. These actions felt like the only thing I could really do for the animal, apart from wiping away the tears that came out in my sympathy. 

    I just wonder where this goose may be. I wonder where my pet turtle Speedy is, considering how I released him in the wild. It's just brain-boggling to me that in the way we are forced to move forward, these creatures that are so vulnerable and pure; have to as well.

    This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 

 - 1 John 4:10

Jonas would listen to Pink Floyd

    Way back in my days in middle school; I was assigned to someone who would excuse me from class and read me various kinds of books. I was never told explicitly why I was cut into this deal, but any questions I had were buried under the feeling of pride due to me being the only one. That feeling I got brought upon memories of fraternizing with the STEM groups in elementary school, being part of an exclusive team. Middle school was a very alienating period for me; so a little familiarity went a long way in uplifting my spirits. 

    In this case, it was only me, the Reader, and her book. With time, this pattern made me believe I was behind in some way. Mind you, I was left in the dark as to why I was even going through this; and even if I had been told, I'd forget so by now. Each session became less stimulating for me in my ever-increasing lack of interest. I failed to see the value in having someone read to me when I could've been in class with the other students. Regardless, the day came when the Reader told me she'd be leaving, and that she enjoyed having the chance to meet me. 

    Not much comes to mind when I brush up on this day, but what I can remember is that I was already in a sour mood before her announcement. Whether it might've been due to a cold, or a run-in with a bully; I can't remember. As she was getting ready to leave, she handed me a paperback of The Giver by Lois Lowry and said she hoped I'd give it a read. In my seat; my reaction, or lack thereof was quiet and cold. I'd like to think I at least said my goodbyes at that moment. 

    As the years passed by, the book collected dust, and my guilt for my behavior on that day grew. It took a long time, but I'm glad to share that I'm two days into the novel and nearly finished. I'm not sure why it took so long, so because of that, I don't think there's a need to squeeze some kind of life lesson into this story. If anything is certain; I'd take the time to apologize for being rude and give thanks to the Reader for sharing that time with me, even if I didn't see the value of it at the time. I understand now that some gifts take time to reveal their worth; but this experience, in particular, makes me think if there's anything I'm overlooking something in the present day. 

    This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 

- 1 John 4:9

Picture Perfect, Also Not

    Look at the nature in this frame I took; the gray clouds don't sit perfectly between the two rocks. The rough edges of this canyon aren't identical, yet they're breathtaking. Nothing in this world is perfect, but it doesn't have to be. The very same rule applies to us. The little things we see as flaws; the uneven smile, stretch marks, and anything that can be sought in change, make us unique. These so-called imperfections are reminders that we are handcrafted and intentional the way we are. 

    In a world where every detail is observed and scrutinized, it can often feel like we are never enough. The faces upon us will never be symmetrical, our bodies won't ever match the exact look we imagine, and life won't ever align precisely with the plans we make. Despite all this, in God's eyes, we already fit within his design. The Bible states we are made in His image, in His love for us. Take a step back from the pressure to be impossibly more. See yourself through the eyes of God, who made you with care and purpose. Nothing will ever be "perfect" by human standards, yet everything is exactly as it should be. 

    Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
- 1 John 4:8

Damn, my outlet isn't working! Let me go to the Jose Of The Day blog.

     

    Is your outlet not working? Then please call a licensed electrician before you go and do something you'll probably regret. Also, it's the right thing to do if you are uncomfortable making these repairs yourself. I have no idea how these things work in the legal sense; so just know your well-being is in your hands here. Otherwise, here are some go-to fixes you can try before giving up! 

    1.) Check and Reset the GFCI Outlet. GFC-What??
    
    GFCI outlets are the same as regular ol' outlets but with two buttons in the middle: one that says TEST, and another that says RESET. These things are designed to protect us from electrical shock by shutting off power when it detects a minor fault like exposure to water. If you can find one of them near the wonky outlet, press the RESET button firmly to see if that does it. 

    2.) Not fixed? Let's Review your Circuit Breaker Panel. OoOo scary!

    Another one of the most common reasons could be a tripped circuit breaker. This only means that a breaker (the switches that make up the bulk of the inside of your breaker panel) detected an issue, and has shut off in response. This usually happens when you're using more power than you're supposed to, or have poor wiring. Your breaker box can either be found in your garage, basement, laundry room, hallway closet, kitchen, or near an electric meter if you're in an apartment. This isn't as straightforward as resetting GFCI outlets, so here are the steps to go by. 

• Before opening the panel door, ensure you're standing on a dry surface.

• Inside, you'll locate the switch that is tripped (a switch that's stuck in the middle; between ON and OFF)

• Turn the tripped breaker OFF, then turn it back ON. If you hear a click when you do this; power should be returning to the outlet.

    A few notes; don't force a reset if the breaker won't budge, and call for an expert if it trips immediately. If anything else goes wrong during any part of this repair, I had nothing to do with it. 

    3.) Okay, that didn't work either? Well, let's replace the outlet. 

    First, always turn off the power at the breaker panel before inspecting your lame outlet. For security, use a tool called a voltage tester to check for any live electricity. Remove the faceplate (with a screwdriver) and unscrew the outlet to check inside its box for any loose wires, burn marks, or funny smells. Generally, green wires go to your green screw, blacks to your gold, and whites to your gray. Use a tool called a needlenose plier to connect these wires to their proper place by forming the end tip into a hook that can sit under the head of the screw. You can follow this routine to see if that does the trick; and if not, take your connections out and install an entirely new outlet before putting the faceplate on.

 
    Well, that's it! These were three quick fixes you can give a shot at if you're hesitant about calling the pros. Please reach out to them if you notice recurring burn marks, constant breaker trips, buzzing sounds, sparks, or anything out of the ordinary! Stay safe out there. 

    Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

- 1 John 4:7

No, My Mom is not in the National Museum of Natural History

    After a certain point, I've noticed that most of those who've been and still are my supporters have one thing in common: ladies. They've been my teachers, counselors, career planners, advisors, business consultants, you name it. Obviously, I can't forget to mention the unconditional love given to me by my own mom; the buffalo of the bunch. 

    Now I can't speak on any of the statistics drawn up in accordance with women in these workplaces, but I'm aware of the character they bring to the table. It was always like my teachers to make time to show they saw potential in me. And, my counselors throughout the years were always happy to help me navigate my curriculum. Say what you will, but I'd have a hard time believing men would approach this work with the same level of patience and nurturing as women do. You can even consider that values like that are exactly what young, growing minds need. 

    Of course, that's not to say men can't do this work. I'll always back up my brothers; hell, I still consider my 5th-grade teacher Mr. A, to be one of the greatest mentors I've ever had! But, my personal experience makes way for discussion on this topic. So, is it a natural strength? A societal expectation? I don't have all the answers, but I know what I've seen. 

   To close off, I'd just like to conjure up one big thank you to all the ladies who helped me become the man I am today. Thank you for your patience, your guidance, and for believing in me when I needed it most. I wouldn't be here without you; literally. 

    For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

- Psalm 84:11 

Read Me if You're Vegan

    A goal that I have been working on this year is to read more. If you didn't know, reading can help reduce stress, expand your vocabulary, and serve as a form of entertainment. The way I see it, reading allows you to visualize and process the content yourself, rather than everything being spoon-fed to you. Not to say films and shows are evil, but these mediums while powerful in their own right, often condense narratives, potentially losing some of the depth found in their original texts. With that being said; here are some literary works I'm set to get into. 

    1. Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes

    I'm pretty sure all have heard about this classic novel to some degree, but I assume we've always avoided learning more about it because of how intimidating the length of this read is. However, I've come to figure out that Don Quixote explores themes of humor, character development, and imagination; things we can all relate to. It also turns out that in terms of Western literature, this book is considered to be the first modern novel according to scholars and critics alike.  

  

     2. 1984 by George Orwell

    For some reason, this book seems to sell out everywhere whenever Trump becomes commander-in-chief. But even without that factor, copies of this bad boy always fly off of the shelf. Why, you may ask? Well, the tale of a government peering into its citizens' lives through surveillance and control of information can resonate with many in our modern world. I hope that after I'm done with this one, I can take a look around and think "Well, at least I'm not in 1984 by George Orwell".

    3. Confessions by Saint Augustine

    St. Augustine was a theologian who lived during the 4th, and 5th centuries, and was one who struggled with doubts and a search for meaning. According to scholars, Confessions gives us an intimate look into his thoughts of loss, guilt, and redemption in his conversion to Christianity. I believe this synopsis can encourage others to read this piece to reflect on their own lives and beliefs. 

    Ultimately, reading is a journey of discovery, both of the world around us and of ourselves. I'm excited to see where these titles will take me; perhaps I'll consider letting you all know what I thought about them when finished. 

    Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD'S purpose that prevails.

- Proverbs 19:21