And I must say this, the vegie burger was fantastic.  Had them remove the mayo and add avacado instead.  Think this will be  one of my favorite restaurants for vegitarian food.  Go figure!

Also, they were happy to make grilled zuchini fries for us instead of fried zuchini fries.  They were quite tasty.

 Have a great day,

 Tony Ray

 (520) 631-TONY (8669)

 

 

 

 

In my last blog I wrote about drinking a green smoothie every day for two weeks. 
I kind of braised right over the whole truth about what was really going on.

At my last yearly physical, my doctor expressed a lot of concern.  So much that he waived his finger in the air and use words like, “I am putting you on medication, and you have to get this under control and you’re going to have to take drugs”.  Okay, maybe not those exact words, but that’s what I heard.

According to my tests, my LDL cholesterol was really bad and so were my triglycerides and my HDL and my blood sugar and anything and everything that was connected.  The scores were off the charts and the doc wanted me to start medication immediately.  Of course I said no, so he gave me four months, or else.

Frankly, I was in denial.  I had always been fit; waist size only fluctuated a little here and there over the years.  I thought I ate healthy, six little meals a day.  I always had veggies with meat, dairy and whole grain.  I was great at creating the balanced meal, or so I thought.

Reality is I was eating meat and dairy with every meal.  Thought nothing of it; got to have protein, right?  Well, apparently things have changed and I didn’t get the notice.  I missed the memo.  Michelle Obama, the First Lady of the United States, is teaching children to garden and eat veggies for a reason.  Most all other countries eat meat and dairy as a side dish to veggies (main dish) for a reason.  Me carnivore, me no understand this new way of eating.  That’s not what they told me when I was a kid!

Needless to say, I told my doctor that I would fix it. I didn’t know how at the time, but I would.  And the universe stepped in.  Within a week, my friend, Beth called me from Phoenix and told me that I had to watch a movie called Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead.  I was a little shocked and wondered if I should be insulted.  I had only gained 5 or 6 pounds and my waist size was only up from a 30 to a 32.  Come to find out, she just thought I would love the movie.  I can not thank Beth enough.

I found the movie on Netflix, put it in the queue and watched it the next day.  The movie had profound, life changing information for me and several others whom I have since called.  And that’s how I started the ‘smoothie a day’ challenge.

And the results are in, after just 60 days: LDL Cholesterol, 62.  Yep, 62!  And       triglycerides are down 300 points and everything else is perfect.  No drugs necessary, my pants fit perfect and I feel better than ever. 

How I did it: I did 14 days of green smoothies, 3 times a day.  After 14 days, I drank at least one green smoothie every day and started eating much better food.  I am still drinking my smoothie every day; it has been about four months.  I am drinking a green smoothie (well, today it’s purple due to the  blueberries) as I type this. 

Several of my friends are now doing the same, so we call each other and exchange food ideas and give moral support.  One has reversed her diabetes, just by eating better, and her doctor took her off of her medication. Most of them have lost weight; one has lost, over 40 pounds in just a few months time. 

Please watch Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead.  Also watch, Forks Over Knives.  If you want any information or moral support, call me.  520-631-8669 I would love to help you in any way I can.

As Always, Consult Your Physician and Get Healthy, Tony Ray

(520) 631-TONY (8669)

 

It has been 60 day since I have consumed meat or dairy, for the most part.  Have had a litle cheese in a bean burrito when I am out and about, but thats about it.  I can not believe that I have gone this long.  I definately feel different, better by far.  More clear headed and more agile.  I am especially loving how much easier it is to button my pants.

The first 30 days were tough, we used a little juicer from Target.  It worked well, but we waisted so much produce.  Decided to buy a Blentec, what a difference.  Love that blender!  Juices everything, even makes hot soup and ice cream and the food is still considered raw.

Today's meal is green smoothie: kiwi, green apple, banana, orange, pineapple, carrot, spinach, tumeric root, ginger root, avocado pit and a few scoops of protein powder. 

Have a great day,
Tony Ray          (520) 631-TONY (8669)

"Tucson's real estate market is bad", "Its a buyers market", "No one can get a loan". 

It seems like I hear these comments more and more.  I have to wonder, is this coming from news and media sources or just rumors or both?

So lets look at the first statement, "Tucson real estate market is bad".

Understanding real estate market indicators:
A healthy real estate market usually carries about six months of inventory (MOI). 

MOI is the number of months it would take to sell the current home inventory based on how many homes are currently selling each month.

A real estate market is considered balanced when the inventory of homes (MOI) is 5.5 to 6.4 months, usually expressed as 6 months.

A real estate market is considered a buyers market when the inventory of homes (MOI) is greater than 7 months (6.5 months to be specific).

A real estate market is considered to bad sellers market when the inventory of homes (MOI) is less then 5 months (5.4 months to be specific). 

August 2011 - the inventory of Tucson homes for sale has continued in an 8 month downward trend, dipping to 4.7 MOI.   Not so bad, eh?

"Its a buyers market", Is it really?  Based on the numbers and the amount of multiple offers we are experiencing, some neighborhoods and zip codes are definitely not. 

And the last statement, "No one can get loans".  Then how are buyers buying homes?  Loans of course.  The criteria to buy may be a little more strict, but lenders are and have always been loaning money.  

On that note, a good, experienced lender makes all the difference.
Call me if you need a referral to a great lender.

Have a great day,
Tony Ray          (520) 631-TONY (8669)

 

It seems like yesterday that I wrote my last blog, in fact it was months ago.

In a "bad" market, I have been so busy that I forgot all about my websites and Facebook and all that fun stuff.

Is the market bad?  I would have to say no, due to the amount of buyers and sellers we have helped this year.  Prices are low, rates are low and we have seen multiple offers on the last 6 homes we have sold.  Sometimes as many as 5 offers.  Yesterday we had three offers on our new listing, all of the offers were over the asking price.

I think Tucson has hit the bottom and will soon be considered a sellers market again in many areas of town, like central Tucson.  By soon I mean mid to end of 2012, which is not far off in reality.

I also think I had better schedule more time to play with my websites and social networks.

Have a great day,
Tony Ray

See Tucson Homes for Sale in the Tucson Real Estate Database (MLS)

Free Relocation Package

Facebook.com/TonyRayBaker

Eco Broker, Real Estate, Ecobroker,
NAR green, Tucson Realtor green

Artist: Leftover Cuties
Song: A Sunnyside 

Have a great day,
Tony Ray

 

Tucson's MOI (months of inventory) is back to approx 6.  Economists typically say that 6 is the magic number to indicate a stable market.  This is great news for Tucson.

A little over 1300 homes went into contract last month, this number has been holding steady for the past three months.

The average sold price has been hanging around the $160,000 to $180,000 range all year.  The Median price still about $125,000 to $130,000.

These numbers all support CNN's Money Analysts who ranked Tucson as the number 7 city to purchase a home.

Have a great day,
Tony Ray

 

Just added a new button on the home page so you can search Tucson Homes for Sale any time you come to SeeTucsonHomes. 

Have a great day,
Tony Ray

See Tucson Homes for Sale in the
Tucson Real Estate Database (MLS)

Free Relocation Package

Facebook.com/TonyRayBaker

Eco Broker, Ecobroker, NARgreen, green