BREAKFAST OR BUST?

I have developed a pretty typical morning routine that I prefer to stick to (read this as I get real cranky otherwise). I drink two cups of water, crack open a can of diet pop and then sit at my laptop to email my mom then check my favorite new sites (Fox news is always first, then CNN etc) but today all that came to a screeching halt when I read this article (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,473072,00.html) The headline grabbed my attention. Kid who eat breakfast lose their virginity later. No, not later in the day after their Wheaties have settled but rather an average of two years later. That is pretty significant. As a mother of a 16 year old boy this hit home. I try to encourage my son to eat breakfast because I know it is healthier. Now armed with this ammo that kid isn't getting out of here without an omelet or other healthy fare. I know it isn't just the partaking of a morning meal that delayed the teens in the study from having sex. It is more to do with the home environment. Kids who grow up with someone who cares enough to provide them with a nutritional breakfast is more likely to be providing them with other essentials such as role modeling, support, love etc. In my eyes I provide that to my son but perception always rules over reality so who knows what he really thinks. Making him breakfast in the morning won't ever change but the menu will. I am thinking that subliminal messaging might just affect the teenage mind so I am striking a few things from the breakfast menu. No more pop tarts or french toast, definitely no sticky buns and absolutely no hoe cakes ever.

PAMPERING MYSELF HEAD TO TOE

The economy is in the dumps, money is tight. Blah, blah,blah. That is nothing new but darn it I needed some ''ME'' time and some sprucing up. I decided to give myself an early Christmas present without blowing the budget so I went to the closest beauty school in Omaha. First thing I figured it out is they sure don't like being referred to as a beauty school. They are an aesthetic academy or some such thing. It looked like a professional spa. Very modern decor, super clean and crazy busy. They offer all the services of a day spa from haircuts to body wraps, facial peels to French manicures. Every service you can get at a spa but for a fraction of the cost.

I started with a pedicure and loved the leather spa chair with built in massager. Considering it is wintertime and no one is going to see my feet I opted for purple polish and rhinestones. I love having some bling on my toes! Next it was off to mow my unibrow. Ok, maybe it wasn't that bad but they did require some serious landscaping. The stylist to be was a bit nervous about cutting my hair since I wanted more than a trim but I reassured her that since hair does grow back and whatever she did was not as permanent as let say a tattoo that I would be just fine. Off she went like a less psychologically damaged Edward Scissorhands and relieved me of a good portion of my hair. I had checked into donating it but it fit neither Locks of Love or Wigs for Kids guidelines so there it lay in lumps and clumps on the floor around the chair seemingly dejected. It was over processed had split ends and now low self esteem since no one , including me, wanted it anymore.

Call it beauty school or aesthetic academy one thing to keep in mind is it takes longer for whatever you have having done. A lot longer. The students must have the director or their trainer check and sign off on all their work. I think the time is worth it though. Two and a half hours later I emerged refreshed and with a different look for quite a bit less than I would pay elsewhere.

FORGET PETA WE NEED PETP !

PETP is not nearly as catchy as PETA which stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals but I thinking we need People for the Ethical Treatment of People.

PETA which is against wearing leather, fur, eating, zoos, animal experimentation and the circus. They vehemently claim animals have rights too and will go to extreme to voice their opinion. Sure they violate peoples rights in the name of standing up for animal rights but that just shows how important their cause is , right?

Throwing paint on people wearing fur coats, tossing flour on Lindsey Lohan for wearing fur doesn't do much for me in terms of seeing things their way.

I wonder if any of the protesters would refuse any medicine that was produced via animal testing if they or one of their loved ones would be stricken with a possibly fatal disease. Would they say no to a potentially life saving chemotherapy drug because the company manufacturing it used animal testing? PETA's latest advertising campaign is interesting to me , actually I find it obnoxious. If features Khloe Kardashian who is ''famous'' they way many young people in Hollywood are these days. Her father was one of OJ Simpsons lawyers in his murder trial, her sister has , as Joel McHale says , a big ass and a sex tape which in California leads to the inevitable reality show. ( Keeping up with the Kardashians) throw a DUI in there and now Khloe is famous! Famous enough to be exploited by PETA at least. Their ad features Khloe sans clothing stating ''I'd rather go naked than wear fur.'' Between their demeaning use of only beautiful , thin women in the ''go naked'' ads, intimidation ploys and sneak attacks I guess PETA saves all its ethical treatments for animals because they way they treat fellow humans is shameful.

MY BUTT NEEDS A BAILOUT

I don't get it. The autoworkers haven't run their business well and admit mistakes. They are floundering financially and are asking for a ton of cash from the government similar to the financial bailout that some banks and financial companies received. There are some Americans who will qualify for assistance to avoid foreclosure too thanks to recent developments in Washington. I was reading a University of Pennsylvania study that indicated participants fared better and lost more weight in employee wellness plans when there was financial incentives at stake. Now there is an idea. Obesity is becoming more prevalent and according to the Center of Disease Control it costs our country more than 117 billion dollars each year. The way I see it The Big Butt Bailout would benefit chubsters such as myself twofold. I would have added incentive to lose weight and the extra incentive money I would spend on purchasing smaller sized clothes therefore helping the economy.

I feel so patriotic coming up with this plan.

THE NOT SO SWEET TRUTH

Years ago I had read an article about High Fructose Corn Syrup and how its use is becoming more prevalent. No kidding! These days it is hard to pick up any prepackaged food without it being listed in the ingredients. Ketchup, bread, cereal, yogurt all may contain HFCS.
There is a bit of debate between nutritionists and the Corn Refiners Association (who make HFCS) about the risks of HFCS. Many scientists and nutritionist believe that HFCS contributes to the growing obesity epidemic in our country. The CRA even launched an advertising campaign to supposedly clear up the facts and enlighten consumers about HFCS. The commercials try to turn their bad rap into a silly urban myth with no basis in truth. The funny thing about facts is sometimes the more detail you go into the less ''factual'' the claim can be. For example the CRA states ''IT IS MADE FROM CORN'' that indeed is a fact. However, it is refined using artificial agents making it no where near as nutritional beneficial as an ear of corn.
''IT IS NATURAL'' . Whoa nelly, it starts out natural but the Food and Drug Administration's labeling guidelines let this one squeak by as nothing artificial is added to the final product but a bevy of artificial and/or synthetic agents are used to manufacture HFCS. Nice loophole! Another claim touted in the television commercial by the CRA is that ''LIKE SUGAR, OK IN MODERATION'' . There have been enough lab rats with organ abnormalities for this to give me pause but even without conclusive scientific evidence that HFCS is bad for you I would say that given that this is found in nearly 80% of prepackaged foods that it is very difficult to consume it in moderation if your diet consists of those types of foods. It is in foods you might not suspect such as :
Pepsi
Tropicana Smoothies
Wonderbread
Kellogs Corn Flakes
Powerbar
Miracle Whip
Nabisco Fig Newtons
Delsym Childrens Cough Syrup
Kraft Cheese Nips
Nabisco Wheat Thins
Cool Whip
Yoplait yogurt
Smuckers Grape Jelly
Wishbone Ranch Dressing
A1 Sauce
Bullseye BBQ Sauce
Stove Top Stuffing


This is by no means an inclusive list. It is just a tiny sample of where HFCS is. It is not limited to brand types or specific food groups. Now one can see how ''moderation'' would be difficult to achieve. Until the FDA tightens their guidelines and more conclusive research is done it is up to the consumer to diligently read labels and decide if that prepackaged food is worth the convenience or if there is another product on the shelf that doesn't list HFCS on its ingredients. Write to the manufacturer and tell them you won't buy their products with HFCS. I avoid it whenever I can and remember next time you push your cart down the aisle of the grocery store... CAVEAT EMPTOR (let the buyer beware)

A VERY BLACK FRIDAY INDEED

I didn't go out shopping the day after Thanksgiving. I just don't think the long lines and crowds are worth saving a few extra bucks even if the item advertised is in stock. Limited quantities and over hyped sales apparently are enough to get the masses to flock to the store in the pre-dawn hours and wait in line . I have never thought that Black Friday was that great. If there is an item that is a great bargain then most likely there is not enough of it to go around. I have blogged about this before (http://www.thatswhatisay.today.com/) but now I find myself more disgusted than ever when I read about the 34 year old man working at a Walmart in Long Island who was trampled to death by shoppers when he unlocked the doors Friday morning and hundreds of shoppers stampeded in to buy more made in China crap that they could ever want or need. I can't imagine that a TV, crock pot, blow dryer or video game was worth that mans life. Just like that Jdimytai Damour's life was stomped out by people wanting to save a few bucks. Police are scrutinized the security tapes and are considering pressing charges. I wonder if the people in that mob think it was worth it now. I doubt it. If I wasn't already against the Black Friday craze this incident would definitely make up my mind to never be a party to that mad rush again.

THANKSGIVING ALPHABET POEM

A Thanksgiving Alphabet

T...Turkeys, tablespreads, being together,

H...Happiness and homes to protect us from all weather,

A...Aunts and uncles, a reunion in Fall,

N...Nieces and nephews, family members all!

K...Kind-hearted kin coming over for dinner,

S...Surely you'll have fun, but you won't get thinner!

G...Gourds and pumpkins, mouths open wide.

I...Indians and Pilgrims we remember with pride.

V...Very special times-there could even be snow.

I...Imagine what it was like at Plymouth long ago.

N...Never forget how the settlers led the way,

G...Giving thanks and blessing this special day.

Author Unknown

I liked this so much I thought I would pass it along. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

My Big (not so) Fat Greek Dinner

As I am prone to do in my weight loss endeavors I began a new diet today. The GI Diet is based on the glycemic index. After years of trying to get to my pre-Mothra Invades Tokyo weight I have learned to stay away from any diet book,group, plan or theory that promises miracle weight loss, weight loss without incredible amounts of effort or eliminates an entire food group.

This book categorizes common foods into three groups of green, yellow and red.

Eat mostly from the green category which includes grapes, broccoli, raw almonds, egg whites, lima beans, pears. Ok, I can do that. I like those foods. This is not the entire list mind you.

The yellow category are foods to have less of but are still part of your eating plan such as instant oatmeal, couscous,popcorn,brown rice, sweet potatoes, bananas, sweet corn. The red group holds no surprises that doughnuts, bagels, jelly beans and ice cream are on the list but some foods on the red side did surprise me such as potatoes , honey and peanut butter. Dang! Those are foods I like but I think I would like being thinner much better so I am going to give this a shot.

Here is what I had for my first dinner on the plan:

Greek salad comprised of chicken breast, calamata olives, reduced fat feta cheese, romaine lettuce, roma tomato topped with balsamic vinegar. Three wasa thin crisp breads (20 calories each) with roasted red pepper hummus on top.

Yum! For a total of 445 calories

I was so proud of it, I took a picture!!

I am pretty suave

These days I am feeling rather suave. No, not him! Suave, as in the almost generic but not quite personal hygiene products. I can only hear so much on the news about the downward turn of our economy before figuring out that it is going to affect me so some cutbacks might be in order.

Did I really need shampoo (and coordinating conditioner) that is fifteen bucks a bottle? They smell so good in the shower but my hair certainly doesn't retain that smell all day so the question is really would another product work as well. I went shopping to my local Target (I love Target) and bought shampoo,conditioner,face wash, deodorant and body lotion for a total of about seven dollars. Half the price of ONE bottle of my former shampoo. Wow, that means a savings of, um, well. Really I am bad at math but seriously over a year this will save me some money. After a week I can say that my hair feels exactly the same and the lotion works well on my dry skin. The deodorant didn't fair as well so I went back to my original brand. Maybe math isn't the only thing I stink at!

Safe Haven Law is an oxymoron!

Between July of this year and today there have been 36 children brought to or dropped off in Nebraska by parents seeking immunity via the Safe Haven Law. This law has made headlines on the national news front. Viewers are shocked and astounded that parents would be driven to such extremes. Not all of these children were from Nebraska, some were from California, Florida and Michigan. Can you imagine driving anywhere from seven to fourteen hours to relinquish your child? The drive would give you a lot of time to think, many miles for second thoughts but those parents still did it.

As of today though that has changed. The State Haven Law in Nebraska has now been changed to infants thirty days old or younger. States that do have Safe Haven Laws most are aimed at the thirty day old mark. How is that some magical number? What happens to families in crisis now? Just because the law is not there does not mean the need is not. I do not believe the law should have been changed until there was services put in place to help these parents who would feel they have no other choice. How many headlines like missing Caylee Anthony, Precious Doe do we have to read before our state takes actions to help families in dire need of support?

I think Nebraska's stance is making a statement that only newborns are deserving of intervention and rescue.

Achooooo!

Instead of the usual morning sounds I was greeted with coughing and sneezing. Both of my kids woke up sick this morning. This puts the brakes on all plans I had for the day. Sure it is just a cold but they feel miserable and need lots of tlc.

Relying on the tried and true, orange juice and chicken noodle soup are on the menu for lunch. It might be an old wives tale but I am convinced it helps.

I am so glad we can cuddle up in our pajamas on the couch with lots of blankets and watch a movie.

Days like this I am so thankful to be able to stay at home with them. I don't have to call into work (if I had enough sick days left) or pack them up and send them to Grandma's or school. Finances were easier when I used to work but parenting was so much harder. I think the pay cut was worth it!

Feeling Flakey

It is November and it seems that each day it gets a little bit colder but where is the snow? This time of year when Autumn is ending but Winter is just not quite here yet is my least favorite time of the year. The grey cold sky is the same color as the pavement. The trees have lost their leaves and lawns are losing their color. The chilly gloom is depressing. I can't wait for a nice fluffy blanket of the white stuff.

If I am going to be cold I might as well have fun in it. I love playing with the kids, building a snowman and then coming inside with our noses running, eyeglasses steamed up,socks soggy to have hot chocolate with mini marshmallows. The sled is hanging in the garage. I have our snow boots, hats and mittens lined up and ready. Now I am waiting. It is November, it is Nebraska, come on already - LET IT SNOW!

Blog rehab?

http://www.bukisa.com/people/sandywalker

I discovered this site today. Now I have another blog. Good gravy! I can sense this has the potential to be addictive. I say that like I am not already losing sleep because I am up writing or thinking about writing. Perhaps there is a twelve step program that I can look into if this gets entirely out of hand.

So far my husband doesn't mind. It is much less expensive than shopping and the blogs take up far less room in the closet than shoes (my previous obsession). I don't need a new bag to match my blog either.

For now I will enjoy my new obsession of writing about writing and blogging about blogging until I am just a shell of my former self. Then you can cart me off to blog rehab. (As long I can take my laptop with me!)

Check this out!

http://thatswhatisay.today.com/


Yes. A blog. Thus my foray into the world of paid writing begins. I am very pleased with this. It's not much. Seriously, that is an understatement!
It is a start that is what is important. The first steps onto an unsure but exciting path.

Read it, tell me what you think. Write one yourself and I will tell you what I think.
Kind of like a ''I'll show you mine if you show me yours '' schoolyard dare. Less creepy though.

When I was your age...

Usually anything that starts out with ''when I was your age'' or similar involves a dreadful tale of walking to school uphill both ways in the snow with only one ill fitting shoe to wear. I can't quite stretch it that far but I do think kids these days have it easier in respect to technology. The simple act of adding a widget (Or was it a gadget?) to my blog had me pulling out my hair.

I did not have computers in high school. My first home computer was a hulking noncompliant frustration device encased in thick white plastic. I knew I would have to learn how to use one, almost every job I was applying for at that time required at least familiarity with computers. It is hard to imagine that just ten years later nearly every job has opportunity or necessity of using a computer. Have you noticed the registers at retailers and grocery stores are more computer than just plain old cash registers.

When I was in Junior High we had to walk to each others houses. Now it is Middle School and they have cell phones. Text messaging each other in indecipherable shorthand and emoticonsfaster than I could have ever asked permission to go down the block.

It is amazing yet somewhat embarrassing that I am turning into my mother as I marvel at the progress of technology. I can't wait until this happens to my kids!

It is but it isn't

Before I went to bed last night I knew Obama had won the Presidential election. I called my Democratic friend Tam and offered my concession speech. I then switched gears and began to support Obama. Not agree with the man mind you, just support him. I think that too much liberty is taken with free speech (pardon the pun) and disparaging the President just because you can undermines the strength and confidence of our country.

I will pray daily for our President to do what is right for our country, our people and especially Isreal. Foreign relations is tricky. I can't even get along with my inlaws for a week, I can't imagine the stress our leaders face trying to get along with so many other leaders. Like a Thanksgiving dinner that lasts for four years.

This election also taught me something about myself. If I wanted McCain to win so badly what did I do to help his campaign? I prayed for him which is nice and of course I cast my vote for him but I did not contribute my time, money and I doubt my Facebook profile button hardly counts as a yard sign. Next election I am going to do more to support my candidate then win or lose I know I at least did my part.

I don't want to take away the most important thoughts of this day though. We live in a free country where we can vote and worship as we please and that is an awesome, awesome gift.

The other is that blacks got the right to vote in 1870 but unpleasantries such as poll taxes, literacy tests and intimidation at the polls by the KKK prevented many from voting until 1964 when the Civil Rights Act was enacted. A whole lot has changed in 44 years and that is what makes this a good day.

God Bless America!

Where are the fireworks????

I feel like it is Independence Day!

My laptop is up and running. Two different wireless routers and one trip to the Geek Squad (they are uber smart by the way) and I am connected.
Our home PC had increasingly become the hot spot in the house. My son loves Facebook and You Tube. My daughter wants to have her turn on it to play with her Webkinz and visit Noggin's website. Often my husband needs it to log into work, check bank account balances or see how his Redskins are doing.
There now is one less swimmer in that pool thanks to my handy dandy laptop. It was a hand me down from the in laws.
Big and clunky. Kind of like a teenager getting a granny car for their first vehicle. As long as it moves and I am driving it - it's cool!

HONK HONK Watch out, here I come!

Trick or Treat

My princess is ready to go Trick or Treating and it isn't even 8 o'clock yet. She woke up and was ready to get going. I think today is going to be a long day!

We have her costume ready, the bags of candy for trick or treaters , pumpkins on the porch and skeleton lights in the window.

Now I just have to keep her distracted until dusk.

Once the Trick or Treating is done then for a couple weeks we will have mini battles and much discussion over how many pieces of Halloween candy she can have each day.

I love Halloween but I am glad it only comes once a year.

Monday Morning Motivation

I am all gung ho and on the wagon on Monday mornings. Full of motivation and successful musings. Somewhere around three or four in the afternoon my Monday morning motivation train has left the station, derailed and is now a hazmat scene.

As a veteran dieter I try all the tricks such as drinking enough water to fill a man made lake, brushing my teeth and chewing gum. I must have an extra 'self sabotage' lobe in my brain that kicks in and replaces the stick to itness with start tomorrowness and leaves me eating too much or the wrong food. Often it leaves me eating too much of the wrong foods and the next morning my carb hangover leaves me bloated and wallowing in caloric remorse.

Two steps forward and one step back is frustrating but at this point at least I am 40 lbs lighter than I was. I try to focus on that instead the 20 lbs that I so very much want to lose and am struggling to.

Early Voting

This presidential election is truly historic and I wanted to make sure I was part of it.

Usually I wait until election day to vote but this year I voted early. There are plenty of reasons to get in on the action early. It is more convenient if you have a hectic schedule. Going on a day when the weather is nice instead of taking a chance on it being a rainy or snowy November 6. Avoidance of long lines. There were only four people ahead of me and I was done very quickly.

This year I took my mother with me to vote early. She enjoyed the process much more with the shorter line and pleasant fall weather.

So whether you take advantage of early voting or feel the excitement and energy of voting on election day please vote! Be a part of history. Have your voice heard!

Fontenelle Forest

We took a short jaunt to Fontanel Forest. Perfect time of year for it. The trees seemed to vie against each other for colorful bragging rights. We hiked a short loop to view the Missouri River. Taking my mom along we walked single file along the path listening to her stories of the hikes she took as a child growing up in Indiana. Clean, brisk autumn air was the perfect complement to the crunch of dried leaves under our feet. We listened to Grandma's stories of the Great Depression and how times were tough but the people were tougher. The economic hardships her generation faced helped them recognize what was truly important to them. People, love, relationships. Buying things, getting stuff was not part of her childhood. She has fond memories of the games they played,songs they sang. Hikes and campfires. She is homesick now for Indiana but her sisters and parents have passed away. The farm she grew up on is no longer there. She longs to go back for a visit but the reality is that there is no one and nothing left to visit. As we walk under the trees their falling leaves remind us that there is always changing seasons and to enjoy each one as much as possible.

Keeping Halloween Happy

Despite the plasticising and commercializing of it I still love Halloween. Running in the conservative Christian circle that I do I put up with the tight lipped frown of disapproval from those that don't participate in the holiday. Dressing up and getting candy does not make my children pagans anymore than swimming in the ocean makes them dolphins.
Walking around on a chilly night gathering candy in complete and giddy anonymity is such an ingrained childhood memory I can't imagine not passing it down to the next generation.
Scratchy plastic masks and cheaply made big box retailer costumes is the easy way to go but with more imagination and less money the night can be made even more interesting. My triangular foam pizza costume has lasted for years. Cardboard boxes can be spray painted or covered in poster board to transform little ones into cars, dominoes, TVs, cell phones, robots,
computers to an infinite list of easily recognizable costumes with a bit of time and a fraction of
the cost.
Singed vegetables is not one of my favorite aromas and trying to keep stringy pumpkin guts on spread out newspaper is an impossibility so we have taken to decorating our pumpkins without carving them. Using paint and permanent markers is a great alternative to bludgeoning an innocent orange orb for the sake of a lopsided face and a top that invariably caves in. Keeping the pumpkin whole is safer, less messy and keeps it fresh longer.
The way to go in my book!