Jeffrey Joseph
Bio
Vegan Chef, animal rights supporter and recovering alcoholic trying my hand at something new and sharing my experiences.
Stories (10)
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How Do You Help Someone with an Addiction?
There are many debates raging on right now about how to help struggling addicts or people with possible addictions. From safe injection sites that reduce the risk of death from overdose, to raising the legal drinking limit, to using fear campaigns to scare you straight. Yet at the same time the government has made addictive substances, like alcohol, more readily available by allowing sales in grocery stores, offering "buck a beer" deals, and legalizing marijuana (not that I'm against that last one) all the while cutting funding to fight the onslaught of addiction. What we really need are more well informed media campaigns, more front line staff, and most importantly, people who understand how to help an addict in their own way. So what should and shouldn't you be doing to help someone struggling with addiction?
By Jeffrey Joseph7 years ago in Psyche
Cooking: An Omnipotent Being or Utter Malarkey?
Why is it that some people can make the most amazing creations of culinary wonder while others can only seem to burn water? Is it the lack of knowledge? Skill? Is it just by sheer luck? Chance? Or is it something more profound that we cannot truly even begin to understand?
By Jeffrey Joseph7 years ago in Feast
5 Minutes
It was my first day off after a crazy Black Friday weekend at work. I was looking forward to sleeping in and engaging in some enjoyable activities and all around just relax. The day started out good, but as with most of my stories, sure didn't end that way.
By Jeffrey Joseph7 years ago in Psyche
Alcohol Detoxing
Have you ever done a detox? I mean any kind of detox. Maybe like a body detox by juicing or trying to give up caffeine? How do you usually feel while going through it? With anything that we are physically or mentally addicted to, when we decide to stop "using" that thing, it usually comes with some detoxing side effects.
By Jeffrey Joseph7 years ago in Proof
True Love: The One
True love is a Western society invention, or so I've been told. For countless centuries people were married to one another based on societal status, social class, through arranged marriages, or just for the survival of the human species. "She has some nice child baring hips. I shall make her my wife." Crap like that. It was never about a feeling. So when did real love, or "true love" come along and does it even really exist? And if it does, what is this nonsense about "The One?" (No, I'm not talking about Neo and The Matrix.)
By Jeffrey Joseph7 years ago in Humans
Recovery Sucks
The road to recovery is paved with good intentions. Wait, that isn't right. It's the road to hell. Meh, same thing. In case you missed the title let me say it again, recovery sucks. Yup, that's right I said it. I mean any kind of recovery is a good thing but recovery from addiction actually sucks. Now granted, it's better then the alternative of still using your substance of choice, but that doesn't mean it sucks any less. Just hear me out here. This has nothing to do with going to groups or doing counseling. Those are great. And I'm not saying it sucks cause you can't or won't be using anymore. Trust me, being enthralled in that addiction is much much worse. But recovery isn't much fun either.
By Jeffrey Joseph7 years ago in Psyche
The Demon
It's almost 2 AM and I just came back from my latest hospital stay. I think this one only lasted three days. Or maybe it was four. It's kind of a blur. I remember or I wish I could remember the number of times I've visited the hospital for this same thing. I know I've done it in at least four different cities now in three different provinces. I'm laying here thinking about how I'm gonna pay my rent in four days after blowing all my money on this last bender, if I still have a job (probably not) and about the latest girl I've lost. It's always the same things. The usual cycle of insanity. It repeats itself over and over. Like I'm stuck in an endless loop. My own version of hell on earth. It just doesn't stop. The demon has struck again.
By Jeffrey Joseph7 years ago in Proof
My Time With McNish
Part 1: Getting Back Into the Groove Have you ever learned something that took years of practice, training, and dedication to achieve only to suddenly have to toss it out the window and start from scratch? 'Cause that's basically what my first couple of weeks working with McNish has been. Actually, I'm being kind of dramatic here. Let me rewind just a little bit. If you haven't read my previous story, "From Graveyard to Sanctuary," I'd suggest you start with that and come back to this one. Here's the link: http://bit.ly/2yWqBED. If you just want to continue here, then I'll give you the abridged version.
By Jeffrey Joseph8 years ago in Feast
From Graveyard to Sanctuary
I don't know if my story is all that much different from others that have gone vegan. Well, that's not fully true. I initially tired it to impress a girl. Yes, I tried to stop eating meat to impress a girl. Now, I know that's not the best reason to do anything in life, but like most guys courting a beautiful young lady, I wanted to put my best foot forward to stimulate her interest in me. I met her online and one of the first things I found out was that she identified as vegan. At the time, I had a basic understanding of what being vegan meant. They don't consume any animal products, they love animals, blah blah blah. I even looked up the definition of the word which said: a vegetarian who omits all animal products from their diet and a person who does not use any animal products such as leather and wool. Okay, that's good, but I'm the type of person who "goes hard or goes home" and since I really wanted an opportunity to date this girl I dove deep into the world of veganism and got a lot more then I bargained for.
By Jeffrey Joseph8 years ago in Feast
