ello, I'm Ted Phelps. As a nutrition, weight loss, and lifestyle counselor, a total vegetarian (vegan), and a life-long avid cyclist, I've often been referred to as "the vegan cyclist". I've been called worse.
   As a Christian, I believe in caring for the body that God has given me. That's also why I choose to eat right and exercise. I heartily recommend a balanced total vegetarian or vegan diet program. But a good diet isn't enough. I know lots of people who say they "eat right", but who are sick, tired, lifeless—they're not healthy! It's my belief that regular exercise is even more important than diet (within reason), and the two combined, along with a few other principles, help to ensure a long, vital, rewarding life.
   The bicycle, when properly utilized, makes and excellent tool for exercise and fitness. Seven-time Tour de´ France winner, Lance Armstrong, entitled his first book a number of years ago, "It's Not About the Bike". Lance was right—the bike is merely a tool. It's strange, however, that in America bicycles are considered "toys", while in the rest of the world they are looked upon as "tools". I seem to have the other world view, as I definitely don't consider an adult bicycle as a child's toy. It is a tool that is used for many purposes—basic transportation, commuting, grocery hauling, exercise and fitness, family fun, and even long-distance touring. I use the bike for commuting to the office, for fast-paced and hilly training/fitness rides, exploring many miles of quiet dirt roads in the nearby wildlife refuge, and for self-contained bike-camping tours.

Ted Phelps celebrating in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. concluding his 4300 mile cross-continental bicycle journey!

September 2006: "Why would you want to do something like bicycle across America?" This question, usually accompanied by looks of curious amazement mixed with a tone asserting my utter insanity, was one of the most asked queries along my 4300 mile route winding from California east to Washington, D.C. I would usually respond with a calm "because I can!" This short answer would usually bring on a silent nod of the head as they simultaneously crossed their arms in a kind of defensive posture. I would proceed to explain that at 56 years of age many of my "baby-boomer" peers have already suffered at least one major medical "wake up call" by now and can no longer participate in physically demanding activities. Many are severely overweight and are enduring the curse of the post-modern American way of life--that is, a sedentary lifestyle and a high-fat, low-nutrition diet. (My own father suffered multiple heart attacks and underwent a triple coronary artery bipass at age 55.)

LIFEFORCE—TOTAL ENERGY & IMMUNE SYSTEM SUPPORT!

     I have to tell you about LifeForce Energy and Immune Support—an incredible "green" nutrition drink that I formulated six-years ago to supply the body with organically grown, natural food-source vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, phytochemicals, and essential trace nutrients.
     I've been a huge proponent of whole-food "green drink" supplements for years. However, I discovered that some of the most well-known of these "super food" drinks contain from 35-70% "nutritional yeast"—a very inexpensive yeast product used as filler and taste enhancer, while minimizing many of the rich "green" nutritive ingredients. And while nutritional yeast does contain B-vitamins, it is classified as an "excitotoxin", or neurotoxic food additive, and should be avoided by health conscious people. LifeForce is Excitoxin free! By eliminating all of the yeast product, I've been able to add more extremely nutrient-rich sea plants and tender green grasses, like Hawaiian Spirulina, Chlorella, Wheat Grass, Barley Grass and Alfalfa Grass; and powerful immune system supporters, like Eleuthro Siberian Ginseng, Astragalus Root, Rose Hips and Dandelion Root; plus vitamin and mineral rich nutritives, like Nova Scotia Purple Dulse, Beet Root, Parsley Leaf, Nettle Leaf, and Spinach Leaf. (For details of each ingredient, GO HERE)
     LifeForce provides complete, digestable protein, energy, and vital nutritional support for athletes or anyone conducting a moderate to extreme exercise regimen. Ideal for strength training and body building programs. Cyclists and runners, put it in your water bottle and take it with you on the road. Also, makes a great high protein, nutrient-rich recovery drink.
     We, at Daystar Botanicals, have vowed to make no compromises just to make a dollar. Conversely, we have gone to great expense in purchasing only the best organic ingredients available anywhere, further ensuring the greatest nutritional potency for you. Needless to say, LifeForce is packed with real super nutrition and we have seen many people, and heard from others, who have discovered the wonderful benefits of this true superfood.

   A balanced diet and regular physical activity are the building blocks of good health. Poor eating habits and too little physical activity can lead to overweight and related health problems. By eating right and being active, you can enjoy good health and remain active throughout your life.
   Whether you are trying to maintain good health, or trying to get well from cancer, you should take a look at your eating habits and try to improve them. Unfortunately, most people in the western world, including many so-called vegetarians, get little or no real nutrition. With the abundance of food available to us, this should not be the case. But you should eat a variety of foods to ensure good nutrition. Good food choices can help to reduce the risk for chronic diseases, such as heart disease, many cancers, diabetes, stroke, and osteoporosis, that are leading causes of death and disability among Americans. Good diets can reduce major risk factors for chronic diseases -- factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol.