Diet Update: I eated sumfing gud

It seems like only yesterday (because IT WAS yesterday) I was lamenting about healthy food not always being super dericious, also making a few readers queasy with my college perfect man game (sorry WannabeVirginia W!)

Last night after a rather intense leg training session with a hot ass kickboxing stud (p.s. I love being so effing Hollywood) -- it was time to eat and I didn't want to ruin everything I'd just done at the gym.

I received a dinner invitation to Real Food Daily, a vegan eatery off La Cienega Boulevard in weho. Most of the menu confused me. While I consider myself to be somewhat adventurous, I wasn't in the mood to experiment with something completely unknown. They had vegan burgers and pasta, but I didn't want a bunch of grains and carbs. Menu surfing can be a difficult virgin experience.

I got that thing pictured above, called the Real Food Meal; made with rice, kale, pickled beets, beans, steamed carrots, cucumber and sea veggies. The plate looked like a bunch of side dishes pushed together. I sort of wondered where the "meal" was but found myself surprisingly full only halfway through.

It was ok, but the vegan nachos (not pictured) were MUCH better. Next time I will probably get a soup and sandwich, plus more of those nachos!

My food experiemnts continue... do you have a favorite healthy food? I'm struggling to find one. HELP!

Healthy Eating Entry: This pickle sucks!

Trying to eat healthy can be an experiment in yuck.

I would not wish some of the food I've tasted on anybody; because even I hated someone and wanted to see them go through some kind of mastication torture it would ultimately still benefit them in some way.

Point is, we all KNOW we're supposed to eat healthy things, it is a matter of actually doing it.

In my quest to eat healthy shit, I no longer accept food through a window. I *try* to eat organic goods, but sometimes that is a big fail. One of the WORST things I've tried was this fruit bar thing from Trader Joe's. Horrible!

Whenever I eat awful shit, it reminds me of this game the gays would play in college called "The Perfect Man."

Basically, the game goes something ilke: Would you date a guy who was perfect in every way, EXCEPT______ (fill in the blank with something gross)

Back in the day, somebody asked: Would you date a guy who was perfect in every way, EXCEPT his dick smelled like pickles? To which my boyfriend replied "I love pickles!" ...to which our friends refered to me as "pickles" at that point on.

Yah, this pickle sucks!

p.s. Sorry, hypothetical perfect man, if you taste or smell anything like that TJ's bar, I would have to dump your fruity ass.

Lifestyle Tip: Say no to prescription drugs

Today marks the one year anniversary of Michael Jackson's death.

It's sad when people die and stuff. Because of this sadness, we often glamorize the infividual and choose to remember only the positive things about them.

Two years ago, Jacko was a joke -- a washed up pop star nobody took seriously. When he died, the majority who had previously ignored him did a 180-degree turn to praise him. He deserved better than that. But what he really deserved was a slap upside the head with the truth. He had it coming.

This may not be a popular sentiment, and it is really fucking strange to be the VOICE OF REASON in a chaotic world, but as somebody who continues to personally bitch slap his worst habits I think I have a point here:

I've seen a common thread with some so-called fans who claim "the media villified Michael and drove him to pills" (actual quote) This sentiment is as disturbing as it is absurd. Nobody makes someone else an addict, plain and simple. While others may certainly contribute to their dependency by enabling them, each individual is ultimately responsible for their own health and well being.

There are all sorts of people all over the world who have to deal with problems -- and they don't turn to drugs. Jacko is not a victim. His case is tragic and rather sad, but that does not absolve him of blame in his own death.

An addict will not seek help until they accept that they have a problem and decide to deal with it. Nobody could have helped Michael, unless he wanted help. He chose to surround himself with "yes" people, chose to pursue treatment he was repeatedly told would harm him AND chose to shut out people who dared deny his every whim.

A brilliant musician and devoted humanitarian, he deserved better than that -- if for nobody else but himself, let alone his three children. Maybe we can learn something here, as we say goodbye to an icon.

Peace out, Michael!

Health update: I still quit smoking

Sometimes this no smoking thing is easy, other times it is SO FUCKING HARD, you guys.

Last Friday, I decided to say fuckets to the week by relaxing my fine ass outside by the pool when I got home in the afternoon. A couple of my neighbors joined me, thankfully bringing out a pitcher of Margaritas *(I already had a cocktail but was getting low on mixers)

About an hour later, I found myself gossiping about one of the other tenants yelling at our landlord (in fact the reason I decided to "sun" myself was so I could better eavesdrop). When I looked down at my hand it was holding a cigarette. All by itself! That's what hands do, but in this case I'm pretty sure I didn't tell it to do that. I'd slipped right back into an old habit and don't even know how. I have not bought any since before my surgery, but my neighbor had a pack laying out. One of them jumped into my mouth. I took a drag (it tasted gross) and then put it out.

Supposedly, falling off the wagon is part of recovery.

Since I'm still struggling, here is some sage advice (I'm trying to follow) from my buddy Cogent Ascending! "I quit smoking a year and a half ago. There are no scerets, no gimmicks, and no chemicals to help. The only way to do it for good is to use good old fashioned will power. The other quit smoking remedies just prolong the time before the inevitable moment when you have to go without nicotine ever again. And a lot of that shit is more toxic or more addictive than the damn cigarettes are. For me it was only about six months before the mental and physical cravings finally dissipated and I had been smoking since I was sixteen. GOOD LUCK!"

Thanks for that! I always tell people to buckle up and do the work, so now I have to take the hard road!

Outdoor lifestyle & green tips with Jason Mraz

Jason Mraz nakedly serenades 33 today. Take your pants off and celebrate!

Jason is a total green freak and has even blogged about proper TP use and disposal.

If you're into it, there's even a handy guide to tell you which brands to purchase & where to get them.

Jason says: "For helpful blogs intended to enhance your life and the lives of others around you, check out SuperForest.Org. It's my personal favorite."

I love nature and stuff too, but I could only get into camping if this hot bitch right here let me wash his boy bits in the stream. Pan lower, camera man!

Weekly fitness post: Lutz get to it

What do we think of totally Neo Nazi ideal Kellan Lutz over here? Is that still a thing? Neo Nazism? I've been out of the mid-west too long to know for sure, but my guess is a resounding "HELL YES."

Kellan has a legion of fans thanks to 'Twilight' and is using his new-found fame as the other buff one to show off his man fruit in underwear ads and take off his shirt for homoerotic men's magazines. Good job!

While not particularly my type, he's certainly fit -- and inspiring to those looking to add some meat to their frame. What I appreciate about Kellan is that unlike many of he female counterparts who pretend they eat cheeseburgers and never go to the gym, he keeps it real: This bitch basically lives to workout, as he tells Men's Health.

Here are Kellan's 4 tips to help him work it:

1) Get a workout buddy
2) Make it a game by competing with yourself or that workout buddy
3) Rest a day between working a specific body part again
4) Workout the entire body, not just one area of focus


p.s. Every Wednesday over at popbytes.com, I blog about celebrity fitness. Go there!

Lifestyle tip: Don't be a closet case

As I've mentioned many times, I have a new goal to clean up my mess. Progress is slow but somewhat steady.

Recently, I cleaned out boxes from my closet that have been there since I moved in 3 years ago. While it may look like all I've done is litterally remove the boxes, I did so much more! I went through each box and tossed old useless shit I'd been keeping for no real reason other than to indulge my stage 1 hoarder tendencies. The box that remains atop the filing cabinet contains all my writing materials (notebooks, journals, etc) and is just awiting the new bookcase I have yet to purchase because there is too much junk in my room to put it anywhere. This is a whole process, you guys!

One of the things that I think stops people from attaining their goals is effort shock. Like sticker shock, in which the buyer bulks at the price of an item, effort shock is the horrible realization of how much work it will really take to meet one’s goals. In the same way we’re all like, holy shit it takes 30 minutes on the treadmill to work off a damn cookie?!?, people can’t handle all the effort it takes to effect change in other areas. I am that people. I am also good writer and knows gramatics.

Effort shock is the very reason I believe in baby steps. Take one small thing, using the least amount of energy, and just fucking do it already.

Here's the before & after:

Tuesday fitness with Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris dips his hot stick in 37 today.

To celebrate here's NPH in his birthday suit, because why not.

Doogie keeps his shit fit by hitting up Equinox gym in Hollywood. He and that bitch he's cheating on me with his boyfriend are also often spotted hiking or jogging around Los Angeles.

Lifestyle/Fitness Tip: Lighten up a little

After a weekend of drinking in the hot California sun at LA Pride, this toon seemed appropriate.

A great many people seem to take health, fitness and diet all too seriously. Lighten up a little!

Before jumping into the festivities, I got my sweat on Saturday morning with a friend (at the gym, pervs!) and then slathered myself with alarmist approved sunscreen. Things kicked off at my pool, I hosted a few friends for sun and sippy. I don't generally go off the rails with food, only once in awhile do I get a craving for fatty junk crap; I stuck to healthy snacks and Subway sandwiches throughout. Even with a good buzz going, I didn't have a single puff of a cigarette; marking my last official day as a smoker as 4/21. Almost two full months!

During the festivities, we found a bullhorn that my friends used to catcall hot bitches on the street. Now I'm convinced people will do (almost) anything you tell them to do over a loud speaker. More than a few shirts came off and random people brought us jello shots at our command. It was like our own mini-parade after the fact. Later we snuck into were invited to a VIP rooftop bash that was a hot mess; beautifully bodied boys everywhere with wide eyes bumping into things and tripping over themselves. These events remind me why I am no longer a "party boy." Embarrassing! You know, for them.

It was important to prove to myself that I could still have fun and keep myself in check at the same time. Rather than be really uptight about it, or not go out at all, I decided to lighten up a little.


p.s. Today's LOL thanks to Juztick ... you should be reading him!

Lifestyle/Fitness Update: I'm a hot hiker

Take a deep breath and suck in the newness!

This little blog just got a redesign (a.k.a. blogger E-Z template for morons). I picked something I felt suited me; colors that I like and the natural environment I enjoy, until it occurred to me that a year ago I made a very brief mention of getting into hiking (buried in a story featuring Channing Tatum hotness) and have never talked about it since.

Hence, the new site design seemed to fall short of representing this blog and essentially, well, ME.

A friend (and superb website designer) reminded me to "tell the story of better by 30 in the design ... take your 'identity' and grandly showcase it."

This sentiment also came up recently, as I aim to clean my clutter. Getting rid of the mess is not the end game, it is only the beginning! Once I get that old crap out of the way, I can fill my space with beautiful things that organize and create a home. Yay shopping! Right now, I have a collection of random things, none of which really say anything about the owner.

When my roomie and I were talking about my room design, I was like; I want clean surfaces! Japanese everything! He bluntly reminded me that while all that stuff looks cool and there are design elements and colors I could incorporate, the style is not really me.

I'm cozier and a little kitschy; eccentric, eclectic, bold, bright, slightly edgy and always trendy.

When I first started my mission to be better by 30, it was never my intent to become a different person. I knew I would ultimately be the same guy, just with an improved life situation (job, car, finances, health, etc.)

In the same way, I'm not suddenly going to transform into an anal retentive minimalist.

I need to represent me.

Right now, I'm just another dude trying to sort my hot mess, get my stress/anger issues under control and remain cigarette free. Also, I love to hike. Starting, like, now, I'm going to post the pics I take on these nature walks out here in beautiful Southern California. It really is a wonderful place to live. That's why I moved here!

These pics (click to enlarge) are taken from a hike in Malibu with my buddy Zach (of ZeeJay's Mix Tape fame)

Half-Nekkid Thursday Lifestyle Tip: Have a little faith

A couple days ago I tweeted: Would you pose nude...??? For the sake of art, or whatever.

I already knew my answer. My naked rule is "Can I explain this to mom?"

Yes = art.

While that doesn't mean she may approve, it does give me a mental parameter to work with. Often times it is difficult to step out of a situation and think on the ramifications of what I'm doing. Especially on the internets, the stuff you put out there is OUT THERE and you can't take it back.

Posing naked is kind of the same way. There were 6 other guys in this shoot, we took a variety of pictures (my favorite being a holocaust-like recreation with a bunch of us sprawled out on top of each other) but they chose this image to use as a promotional billboard for a play called the Gay Times Requim. Where those other pictures are and when they will come back to haunt me only remains to be seen! And yes, I was paid for my work as a model.

Later, a friend of mine was all like; “Wes! I saw you naked! On a billboard!” It was so many months after the shoot I’d kind of forgotten about it (we did the promotional shots before the play was even cast).

So now I’m a naked model.

I think the photo represents the crucifixion of gays couples. We are (almost literally) put on a cross to bear for the so-called sin called love.

Others obviously take this image as a violation or injurious treatment of a sacred object. SACRILEGE!

You may be surprised to know that I consider myself to be a spiritual being and have a personal relationship with God. I was raised in the Lutheran church and have studied various religions all my life.

While I don’t subscribe to each and every nuance of any particular religion, I do believe in a higher power. We are but tiny little ants in the grand scheme of the universe. The thought that we are alone or somehow the most advanced beings in creation only shows the supreme superiority complex of the human race.

My point, if I have one this week, is that art is subjective -- and so is faith.

p.s. you can see the full-size version of the poster by clicking on the image & by now y'all should recognize my tattoo to know which one I am (:

Happy Half-Nekkid Thursday!

See all Half Nekkid Thursday posts

Fitness: How birthday boy Johnny Depp stays golden

Johnny Depp breaks one off in 47 today. Can you believe that shit? He's such a hot piece. What's his secret?!? He's a natural for Better by 30 because while turing 30 is what inspired me to make a life change, the whole point is to ALWAYS look to the future and improve -- at any age.

Turns out Johnny & I have something in common (besides being really, really, extremely good looking) -- we're both butting out. Like many wannabe cool Hollywood types, Johnny and I picked up smoking cigarettes. Separately of course; yet when I say it like that, it sounds like he introduced smoking to me. Let's pretend that's how it happened all those years ago. Cut to: Present day. Cigarette free!

Along with spring cleaning and my anger management issues, nixing nicotine is a big deal for me in 2010.

On staying in shape: "It must be clean living! I don't know. I did a lot of sword-fighting training for 'Pirates Of The Caribbean.' Learning to sword fight is a total body workout without any breaks. After 10 minutes, you're ready to collapse. All that training made it mentally easier for me to want to stay fit"

ON CUTTING BACK SMOKING: "I do feel pleased that I'm in better physical shape because I'm a dad and I've got two kiddies who are rapidly growing up. I just hit 40 and I've been cutting down on my smoking, so you've got to do something to keep yourself active and overcome your nicotine deficit. Instead of having a cigarette, you dive in the swimming pool -- or some other healthy activity!"

On the set of his film Dillinger, he reportedly asked his dressing room to be stocked with a treadmill, weights, and a stability ball for his suite. He also wanted his refrigerator stocked with blueberries, strawberries, pineapple, kiwi, and soy milk. As far as his diet on set is concerned, Johnny asked for thoroughly cooked chicken breast, tuna packed in water, and hard boiled eggs.

Lifestyle tip: Relax, this won't hurt a bit

I'm pretty sure these videos are getting worse and worse. Or is it reverse genius, thereby lower quality equals better content? Yah, I was reaching there...it was worth a try!

Heaven just got a new angel

Last week on Half-Nekkid Thursday I made reference to my favorite 'Golden Girl,' Blanche Deveraux. Today, the actress who played her had a date with God.

I know this silly little lifestyle blog gets kind of random and off topic but I can't always talk about workouts, diet, my dirty ass and rage issues. Plus I really felt this was important to note while the thought was in my head: People die. They die! True story.

It does make me super sad about the whole thing, but Rue lived a full life with celebrated success, family and friends. We should all be so lucky to find the thing we love and spend our lives doing it.

On another note (angel harps), you never know when somebody is gonna get called up to heaven. It can be devastating to lose a loved one when there is so much left unsaid. Tell them all those things NOW because if you wait it will be too late. Call your mom, your grandma, somebody you hold in your heart, to tell them they're special. Yes, it sounds supremely cheesy. Mmm...supreme cheese...

A few years ago, when I'd gotten myself cleaned up, no longer clinging to my party boy ways and finally in stable enough shape to travel back home to Ohio, I was flat broke and had nothing to get a birthday gift to give my dad, grandfather and younger brother as they all share the month of February. Instead, I wrote them an essay detaling how they have influenced me and are a part of my life each and every day. It totally made them cry. Then I cried, and we all cried. Point is, they know how I feel. Not only did I get to say the things I wanted to say, but it changed the dynamtic. Now we always say "I love you" when we talk to each other. It makes a difference.

Goodbye Rue, you will be missed -- but you already knew that (:

Zachary Quinto gets active

Zachary Quinto creams all over 33 today.

Zachary is an outspoken and active supporter of gay rights, performing in several roles to support the community -- including a one-night production of "Standing on Ceremony" in support of same-sex marriage and appearing at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center and acting in a production of The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later.

My favorite of course being his big gay kiss in 'So noTORIous' because, duh. Hot naked mens!




He's also an animal advocate and hosts rescue pet events.

The 'Star Trek' star's own furry friend, Noah, is a rescue dog too.

As I aim to clean up my act and create new goals for myself, being more active is one of those things. I do stuff here and there but I feel I could be more committed to causes that matter to me. ONE thing that I do each day -- use GoodSearch.com instead of Google. Half the revenue generated from the sponsored search advertisers is shared with the charity, school or nonprofit organization of my choosing (APLA).


p.s. Here's how Zac stays fit

As a bonus, I just find this video WTF, HUH? & LOL. Enjoy!

Is your sunscreen giving you cancer?

Now that the holiday weekend is over and y'all probably spent an overly-abundant amount of time in the sun, chances are your sunscreen did more damage than good.

Bitch. What.

And here I thought SPF was my friend.

There's a bunch of science shit explaining potential sunscreen dangers but the moral of the story is that certain chemicals in these products may in fact GIVE YOU CANCER.

Great! Now there is even more crap I need to toss as I clean up my act.

Thankfully, there are overpriced alternatives like UV Natural and California Baby that offer sun protection at only three times the price of your usual cheap drugstore brand. Yay?

AVOID: Oxybenzone (active ingredient/suncreen) retinyl palmitate (a form of vitamin A often found in the inactive ingredients list)

USE: avobenzone, Mexoryl SX, octisalate, Tinosorb M & S, titanium dioxide, and zinc for coverage