How to Lose Weight Consistently Without Starving

Posted on by Jeff Cassman

On January 1st, I decided it was time to address the issue of my weight gain over the last three years.  The cause of my weight gain was simple (I stopped running, stopped lifting, and ate and drank everything I wanted), so the solution was simple also.

In six weeks I’ve lost approximately 15 pounds and dropped two pant sizes.  My BP has dropped from, shall we say, “Go to the ER”, to ‘high normal’.  I still eat almost everything I want.  If I got serious I could lose another 15 pounds in 30 days, but because of my lifestyle choices, the number of birthdays we celebrate and various other excuses, I will probably take 60 days to lose the next 15 pounds, and I’m okay with that.

I’ve done this before and it works, so I have confidence and patience.    It helps that my Wife usually prepares my meals for me.  It doesn’t help that my children enjoy surprising me with martinis they’ve made for me to see whether I can tell if it was shaken or stirred.

My point is:  this works.  I did it before to lose 60 lbs successfully.  Go off the plan, and I can put it all back on.

Note:  Google has asked me to put a disclaimer here.  The disclaimer is:  these results are not typical.  I can’t promise you will experience the same results.  You may lose more, faster, if you have more to lose.  You may lose less and more … Read the rest

The Catholic Church’s Teaching on Voting and Political Discernment

Posted on by Jeff Cassman

Gerry Matatics is a internationally recognized scriptural scholar and apologist for the traditional Catholic faith who was once a Presbyterian minister.  He graduated from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, studied at Biblical Interpretation from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, has taught at Christendom College, Aquinas College, St. John’s in New York, Notre Dame Graduate School of Theology, St. Joseph University, University of San Diego, and Our Lady of Guadalupe International Seminary and now writes, lectures and teaches in defense of the Catholic faith.

I had an opportunity to interview Gerry this morning regarding the 2016 Presidential election tomorrow.  He explains in detail what the Catholic Church teaches about:

  • Our obligation to vote
  • The ‘lesser of two evils’ argument
  • Whether Donald and Hillary are both unacceptable choices
  • How to commit a mortal sin in the voting booth

It’s an interesting topic.  Let me know what you think!

… Read the rest

Anti-Gouging Laws Hurt the Vulnerable and Increase Suffering

Posted on by Jeff Cassman
The approaching Hurricane Matthew has led to news reports that governments are warning residents and businesses in Florida about price gouging. It brings up a question related to my recent post on FB about a narrow question of economics. Do anti-gouging laws actually hurt people?  Or is that just a myth of the cultural Marxists to scare people from helping one another and turn instead to benevolent Uncle Sam for rescue?
 
Here’s the very real scenario: people hit the stores to stock up on the essentials: beer, milk, bread, etc. Consequently, the stores run out of those essentials. Entrepreneurs who are beyond the danger zone of Hurricane Matthew see an opportunity, buy up beer, milk and bread, buy coolers and ice, load up their trucks and vans, and drive into the danger zone to sell these supplies.
 
Naturally, they do not sell them at the same price they bought them for. They want to make a profit. First, they add the cost of the ice, the cooler, and the gas, and if they are smart, they add the value of their time for the shopping, loading, driving and working, meals on the road, lodging, and then they set a price above this amount which would represent some hoped-for profit margin. The price could easily be double or triple the normal price.
 
Now, the state would consider this gouging. Many on the Left and Right rage against the practice. And yet, aren’t these entrepreneurs actually doing the consumer a fabulous service?
… Read the rest