My first trip to Whataburger

I just finished the last bite of my first ever Whataburger hamburger.  “Big deal, Adam”, you might be saying.  Well shut it, it is a big deal.  I am currently en route to meet up with some friends at Disney World in Florida, and I decided to stop here for lunch based on the strong recommendations of several friends.  So how was it?

First of all, the staff is really friendly here.  I asked the lady that took my order what she would recommend for a first-timer like myself.  She said to keep it simple.  I got a Whataburger meal, which is a burger, fries, and a drink.  I added cheese, bacon, and jalapenos to spice it up some.

What a great hamburger considering that it’s fast-food!  Look at this lovely meal:

Looks good, eh?  How about this shot:

That was one good burger.  Now I need to get back on the road, but I wanted to make sure you all know about this Whataburger thing and how good it is!

(Sorry, Paul (the one on the left), but I didn’t have room for a shake.  Too full!)

5 Reasons to Quit Drinking Soda

…or Cokes, for all of us Suth’nas.

There is a good article I found a few days ago that goes into 5 different reasons to not drink soft drinks.  s a Diet Coke addict, it was a little tough reading these.  I agree with most of them, but I think this is geared mostly towards people that drink the full-fledged Coca Cola all day long.  I will have a Diet Coke with lunch and sometime dinner, but some of this still applies.

Here are the reasons, along with my thoughts on #5:

1. Counteractive to Weight Loss Efforts.
2. Stains and corrodes your teeth.
3. Limited hydration.
4. Artificial stimulant which alters your mind.
5. Causes insomnia and sleeping disorders.

About that last one… I have been really trying to cut down on my caffeine intake, especially in the evenings, and I have discovered #5 to be true.  Since cutting back, I have slept a LOT better at night.  Look at this:

The most important long-term problem (of caffeine) is the effect (it) has on sleep. Adenosine reception (sleep inducers) is important to sleep, and especially to deep sleep. The half-life of caffeine in your body is about six hours. That means that if you consume a big cup of coffee with 200 mg of caffeine in it at 3:00 p.m., by 9:00 p.m. about 100 mg of that caffeine is still in your system. You may be able to fall asleep, but your body will probably miss out on the benefits of deep sleep.

I can confirm that this is really true.  Lately, I have been having water or some kind of caffeine-free drink with dinner, and it makes a big difference!  If you are trying to do cut back, I would really recommend finding the caffeine-free version of your favorite soft drink if it’s available. Once you become less dependent on it, it will be a lot easier to switch to water as your beverage of choice

Read the article (with descriptions of each reason) here

The Water We Drink

I know people that cringe at the thought of drinking water out of a faucet.  When given the choice between that and paying $1.50 for a bottle, they will choose to buy it every time.  I read an article a few minutes ago that points out the fact that almost 10 years into the 21st century, almost 3 BILLION people worldwide do not have access to safe drinking water.

When I hear things like that, it makes me wonder at how as a society, we can become so ungrateful at times for what we have in front of us.  I am just as guilty as the next person, so I’m calling myself out here as well.  But who are we to think that we are “too good” for drinking water out of the faucet in our kitchen, while at the same time, there are countless people that would give everything just to be able to do that?

I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with buying bottled water.  In fact, I buy it quite frequently.  I also refill the bottles with tap water and re-refrigerate them.   Just remember to respect what most of us have such easy access to:

Respect your water. If the water that comes out of your tap is clean and affordable, be thankful. Be thankful when you drink it. Be thankful when you wash with it. Be thankful when you cook with it. Every time you open a faucet, remember that you’re doing something beyond the reach of almost 3 billion people.

Here’s the article

/soapbox

One more fat picture…

I know I have posted a few of these before and after pictures recently (hey, I’m happy, what can I say?), but here is one more.  I saw this picture and was a little disgusted:

That was many pants sizes ago!

Ok, no more “I used to be fat” posts for a while…

Parenting Fail

Apple is funny

This past Tuesday, Apple gave a sneak peak at the new iPhone software coming out this summer.  One of the new features of the software is the ability to copy-and-paste, a much-anticipated feature of the iPhone.

Look at what they were using to demo it:

In case you don’t get it, “Oceanic Flight 815” is the flight they took on LOST that ultimately crashed on the island.  Also, if you didn’t get it, go watch LOST and get hooked like the rest of us.

What a difference a year can make!

About a year ago I decided to start getting into shape.  I knew I was a little overweight, but until I saw a picture from that time, I didn’t know just how big I was.  Here is a before and after for your viewing pleasure.  Click to see the full size:

I can honestly tell you two things.  First of all, I am disgusted that I ever let myself get to that point.  Secondly, I can’t believe that the person in the “before” picture is really me.

Seriously folks, it has come down to a matter of burning more calories than I take in every day.  And not even every day. On weekends, I don’t eat like I probably should, but I try and be good throughout the week.  That, and a little walking/jogging, and that’s it!

Thanks, Carlos, for the whole RagammuffinTop Challenge thing.  You just might have saved a life 🙂

Movies off by one letter

There was a Photoshop contest over at Worth1000 recently where the theme was taking movie posters, altering ONE letter, and making a new one from it.  The results were hilarious!  Here are 2 of my favorites:

See the rest

How to open ANY file on your computer (for free!)

Ever come across a file on your computer that you can’t open? Maybe you don’t know what in the world you would need to open it, or maybe you can’t afford to buy it.  Chances are there is a free way to open it.

OpenWith.org is a website that has a searchable index of every file type on the planet, along with links to free programs you can use to open them.  They also have a stand-alone program you can have on your computer that does the same thing.

Check it out (OpenWith.org)

“Slow Fade” – Lyrics that punch you in the gut

I just listened to a song that hit me like a ton of bricks.  Basically, it is for anyone that has ever done something they knew they shouldn’t be doing.  We can all think of something that fits that description.  Anyways, it talks about how with that kind of temptation, it is not a sudden thing.  In fact, sometimes is subtle things that lead us down that wrong path.  See for yourself: (press the “play” button to listen):

Slow Fade (by Casting Crowns)

Be careful little eyes what you see
It’s the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it’s the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It’s a slow fade, it’s a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you’re thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what you see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see

Amazon MP3 Link