The Natural Advantage: Farming, Feeding, Fitness, and Philosophy

About The Work Daily

This program develops your mind, body, and soul. Over the next year you will learn how to be healthy and well through holistic nutrition and efficient physical fitness. You will become your own trainer and nutritionist. You will also learn how to grow healthy food, allowing you to be your own farmer. Additionally, you will learn valuable truths about history, philosophy, and the world we live in. Once completed, you will have proven to yourself that you can improve yourself dramatically and efficiently by actively participating in your own development.

This program requires effort. The path of self-development is often long and winding. Little direction is given to the truly important aspects of our world. For that reason, I have created this program to ensure those who desire to improve themselves have as direct a path as possible.

This program is ambitious and will aid in developing the necessary habit of regular self-study and reflection. Self-development requires reading and contemplation. I heard once, that if you want something that you have never had, then you must do something that you have never done. This is your chance. You are your greatest advocate. Self development is self-driven. You must do the work.

This program is efficient. This program condenses approximately ten years of research into one year of study. The world is full of information. Much of it useless. I have found the sources contained herein to be the most effective and efficient at presenting beneficial information. When combined, a new understanding of our world emerges. The program is broken up into two sections. The first section is designed to take one year and expands upon the material in The Natural Advantage – Health and Wellness Through Natural Farming, Feeding, Fitness, and Philosophy. This section has three tiers. The self-paced further work section covers the material that I suggested at the end of The Natural Advantage and is studied at your own pace. These materials include reading The End of All Evil by Jeremy Locke and The Secret Teachings of All Ages by Manly P. Hall, as well as listening to Mark Passio’s podcast What On Earth Is Happening. Due to the breadth and importance of Mark’s work, his podcast should be started as soon as possible and listened to in order, from podcast one on. I often listened to the podcast at 1.5 speed.
Tier 1: Enter the Kettlebell by Pavel Tsatsouline, Propaganda by Edward Bernays, In Defense of Food by Michael Pollen, The Art of Simple Food by Alice Waters, Power to the People by Pavel Tsatsouline, The Trivium by Sister Miriam Joseph OR Listen to Intro to Grammer and Intro to Logic by Leonard Peikoff, Elementary Catechism of the U.S. Constitution by Arthur Stansbury, and None Dare Call It Conspiracy by Gary Allen
Tier 2: The One Straw Revolution by Masanobu Fukuoka, Pottenger’s Prophecy by Gary Graham, Deborah Kesten, and Larry Scherwitz, Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe, Economics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt, The 5000 Year Leap by W. Cleon Skousen, Crimes of the Educators by Samuel Blumenfield
Tier 3: No-Till Vegetable Culture by Bryan O’Hara, What to Eat by Marion Nestle, The Purposeful Primitive by Marty Gallagher, Watch Mark Passio’s Natural Law Seminar, The Founders’ Second Amendment by Stephen Halbrook, Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo, The Kyballion by Three Initiates, The Creature from Jekyll Island by G. Edward Griffin, The Open Source Everything Manifesto by Robert David Steele

Self-Paced Further Work: The End of All Evil by Jeremy Locke, The Secret Teachings of All Ages by Manly P. Hall, What On Earth Is Happening Podcast by Mark Passio.*
*Due to the breadth and importance of Mark’s work, his podcast should be started as soon as possible and listened to in order, from podcast one on. I often listened to him at 1.5 speed. Mark’s first 196 podcasts were audio. Eventually he moved to video. Due to size constraints, only the audio versions are included. Find the rest at Mark Passio’s website – http://www.WhatOnEarthIsHappening.com.

This program is cumulative. It is possible to live a healthy and full life based entirely off of what is learned in The Natural Advantage – Health and Wellness Through Natural Farming, Feeding, Fitness, and Philosophy. However, most, myself included, benefit from hearing the information multiple times from multiple sources.
Tier 1 requires approximately 20 pages a day of reading, Tier 2 approximately 25 pages a day, and tier 3 requires approximately 30 pages a day. I have tried to add additional time for particularly difficult texts. Each tier covers the same material. Subsequent tiers improve on the depth and breadth of that material. Additionally, you will choose between kettlebell or barbell based fitness. These programs take approximately 30 minutes per day, Monday through Friday.
This program includes daily bible reading and watching videos by The Bible Project. The Bible is covered for context rather than conversion. Additionally, daily reading of the Bible develops the habit of reading longer texts in short chunks.
Note: Not all videos by the Bible Project are reflected in this program. They have continued to develop new material that can be found on their website.
Note: The Work was originally designed using physical books. During Tier 1 you would read about 20 pages per day, Tier 2 is about 25 pages per day, and Tier 3 is about 30 pages per day. Adjust as needed with the digital versions.

This program efficiently develops fitness. This program develops a physically capable individual no matter the chosen physical fitness program. Everyone starts out doing a version of the program minimum in Enter the Kettlebell. The program minimum helps to develop proper movement techniques and Pavel Tsatsouline, the author, is a master educator. After the program minimum has been completed, there are three physical fitness programs to choose from.

The Minimalist. This program utilizes the kettlebell swing and the kettlebell getup. The kettlebell swing is one of the most efficient exercises available. The body experiences minimum wear and tear even with high repetitions. Also, the kettlebell getup teaches the body to work well together and develops whole body strength. From time to time I have lived on a diet of only kettlebell swings and been happy with my general fitness levels.

The Kettlebell program. This programs includes kettlebell presses, squats, and swings. The program will develop strong overall strength and fitness with minimal equipment. Ideal for home training.

The barbell program. This program includes the barbell press, squat and deadlift, as well as cardio with kettlebell swings or other method of your choice. This program will efficiently and dramatically develop your strength. Ideal for training in a gym.
Note: Kettlebell swing volume can be increased by starting with a comfortable number of swings per minute for a comfortable amount of time and increasing the number of minutes until you reach your target, then increasing the amount of swings per minute. For example, you are comfortable doing 10 swings per minute for 7 minutes. Next, try to do 10 swings for 8 minutes, once complete, move to 9 and so on until you reach 20 minutes. Once you reach 20 minutes, add an extra swing each minute. i.e., 11 swings per minute, 12, 13, so on, until you are able to do 20 swings per minute for 20 minutes. Once comfortable, increase the kettlebell weight and work your way up again. High quality kettlebells can be purchased at http://www.StrongFirst.com, http://www.DragonDoor.com, and http://www.RogueFitness.com. They can also be found at your local fitness store.
Note: The barbell program can be done at home with minimal equipment. For pressing, the overhead press, side press, or floor press may be used. If you are side pressing you will need to purchase strong barbell collars to ensure the weight does not slide off of the barbell as you manipulate the bar to your shoulder. I’m currently using Rogue 2.0 HG Collars – magnetic. For squatting, Zercher squats are safe and effective. Some complain of pain in the arms while holding the barbell, I’ve read that some people use pads on the barbell to help ease the pain. Deadlifting platform plans can be found online. Often they consist of plywood and a couple of horse stall mats. The horse stall mats can be purchased at your local farm and tractor supply store. Additionally, traditional barbell exercises can be safely performed by purchasing or building a power cage with properly adjusted safety bars or training with a partner. 300 lb weight sets can be purchased at your local fitness store. In time you can purchase additional weight plates and a better barbell. Rogue Fitness sells great equipment at http://www.RogueFitness.com.
Note: If you choose to run, research barefoot running. The mechanical change in the stride appears to reduce wear and tear on the body.
Note: If you really do not want to purchase any equipment, substitute presses with push up variations; squats with jump-squats and lunges; and your pulls with pull-ups or the superman. These basic programs are efficient and straightforward. They work well for busy people and have the greatest return on your effort. Once you complete The Work, you will have the knowledge necessary to tailor your program to your needs. For now, understand you will be busy reading and training your mind. Get your physical fitness in, ensure you understand the movements, be safe while doing so, improve dramatically, but don’t spend extra mental effort on a complicated program that distracts from completing The Work.

This program develops the self. In addition to learning about farming, feeding, fitness and philosophy and how they interact, the program also includes reminders to consider moral precepts. Benjamin Franklin had a habit of asking in the morning “What good shall I do today?” and in the evening “What good have I done today?” A good habit for all. Also, at one time he attempted to perfect himself. He settled upon 13 moral precepts to regularly consider. This program considers each for a week at a time. The traits are as follows:
Temperance: Eat not to dullness and drink not to elevation.
Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation.
Order: Let all your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time.
Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve.
Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself: i.e. Waste nothing.
Industry: Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions.
Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
Justice: Wrong none, by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty. Moderation: Avoid extremes. Forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation.
Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring; Never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.
Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
Additionally, most people lie to themselves and hold themselves back because of false beliefs. This program challenges you to literally sit in front of a mirror and consider the beliefs that are holding you back. The lies that we tell ourselves hinder our achievement. Two examples include: I am not good enough, or I do not have the time. The truth is that anything is achievable based upon time and effort. Make the decision to achieve. This program will help you to develop the necessary momentum to accomplish, that habit will take you far.

This program makes you think about what you eat. This program contains a daily reminder to consider your diet. There is much contained in the educational materials about diet. I shared my thoughts about a healthy diet in The Natural Advantage. A food diary can be a great way to become aware of your diet. It is not easy to update your diet, but it is life changing to do so. You should progress at your pace.
Also, consider your food sourcing. Do you have a local farmer’s market with high quality organically grown foods? Do you have a health food store? Choose high quality foods and supplements.

This program helps you align perception with truth. Truth is constant – what has actually occurred. Perception is variable – what we think occurred. Our goal is to align our perception to the truth.

This program is just the beginning. Once complete, you will have completed The Work and advanced your understanding of the world far beyond most. However, there is still much to learn. This is why I highly suggest immediately reading the short book titled The End of All Evil by Jeremy Locke. Then The Secret Teachings of All Ages by Manly P. Hall; read it over several months as you did with the Bible, in bite sized chunks – an efficient way to get through longer texts while reading other shorter books of interest. Mark Passio’s work is of such breadth and worth that I suggest beginning his podcast What On Earth Is Happening from #1 and progressing in order, as soon as possible. I often listened to him at 1.5 speed.

This program is written in general terms. If you have developed in an area beyond the scope of this book and program, then continue on your path. This program is an introduction rather than the end. Generally, all will do well on the ideals in this program. For premier performance, individuals will tailor the information to themselves. This program teaches you how to do so. Always remember the general truths. It is easy to fall prey to the specifics, however, you may find simplicity provides greater balance.

This program is rewarding. The individual who takes up the challenge of doing The Work will be rewarded with greatly improved habits and fitness, and an understanding of the world as it is.

Other useful resources (alphabetical):
Epoch Times news at http://www.TheEpochTimes.com (subscription)
The Mises Institute at http://www.mises.org
The New American magazine, an affiliate of the John Birth Society, and other information at http://www.TheNewAmerican.com or http://www.jbs.org (subscriptiomises.org
The work of Alex Jones at http://www.InfoWars.com and http://www.Banned.Video
The work of Gerald Celente at http://www.TrendsJournal.com (subscription)
The work of Manly P. Hall and he Philosophical Research Society at http://www.prs.org
The work of Mark Passio at http://www.WhatOnEarthIsHappening.com
Various authors at LewRockwell.com
Various authors at http://www.ZeroHedge.com

This program is free. I chose to self-publish these works so that they may remain free at all times. This allows access to as many people as possible. Many, if not all, of the other works can be found online inexpensively or for free. If you choose to support my work feel free to visit http://www.ThisIsTheNaturalAdvantage.com to see how. If you have enjoyed this program, please support those that created the works in the program; such as the authors, lecturers, the Bible Project, and Mark Passio.

Finally, none of this information is new. I simply organized this information into a format that tracked my path towards awakening.