A couple days back, my friend and I were getting in his car and driving away, when two rather cute women approached us on Linwood. They asked us if we would like to exchange cards. Turned out they were not really hookers but were out proselytizing.
I thought it was a very interesting strategy. Pick fairly attractive young people to spread your virulent message and target a younger population - not with the traditional "could you spare a minute for us" but rather "hey there! would you like to exchange cards/numbers with us (broad suggestive smile)?!"
You have to wonder at what drives these nutters to pound the pavement and attempt to convince random strangers that the strangers' families are in mortal danger if they don't belong to such and such a religion/cult-group. Maybe we should take their cue and roam the streets yelling at random people about how smoking will kill them and their friends and why they should eat more fruits and vegetables.
What really worries me is do we already sound like this? Do people listen to us politely and then go home and shake their heads about how unlikely they ever are to change their lifestyles? What does it take for people to stop, think and change? I wonder if the tipping point towards religious commitment or adopting scientific lifestyles are similar. Do personal inexplicable losses lead to a more religious outcome while scientifically explained losses lead to conscious changes in lifestyle - for the better?
Tinypliny's Journal
My Podcast Link
04/30/2010 18:10 #51481
Aggressive sisterhood.Category: buffalo
04/28/2010 22:01 #51469
Less things. More space!Category: goals
I gave away my corner table and two chairs today. I am 3 steps closer to my absolute-minimal clutter-free goal.
My next elimination target is the pile of books, magazines and notes - about 3/4th of which I have digitized. I don't think I have ever re-read any of my class notes from mandatory coursework. I wonder why I have kept them so long. All my really useful notes and ideas are online or on the pages of books and pdfs I scribble on.
I love the wonderful feeling of living and breathing floors without those annoying chairs or that table that I didn't need anyway.
Yeah, if you wondered, that evil clutter fairy is banned from my flat. She better quake at the sight of my curtainless windows.
My next elimination target is the pile of books, magazines and notes - about 3/4th of which I have digitized. I don't think I have ever re-read any of my class notes from mandatory coursework. I wonder why I have kept them so long. All my really useful notes and ideas are online or on the pages of books and pdfs I scribble on.
I love the wonderful feeling of living and breathing floors without those annoying chairs or that table that I didn't need anyway.
Yeah, if you wondered, that evil clutter fairy is banned from my flat. She better quake at the sight of my curtainless windows.
04/22/2010 19:21 #51438
:-)Category: flat hunt
04/11/2010 21:00 #51377
Super-tasty and easy cabbage stir fryCategory: eating in
I think this is the tastiest cabbage stir fry I have EVER had in my life. It's also probably the easiest and the quickest to make. I made it from scratch in around 20 minutes - the time it takes to steam the lentils and bulghur.
Before I forget, the exact recipe:
1. Steam brown lentils and bulghur in the rice cooker: 1:1
2. While they are steaming, add a generous amount of olive oil to the fry pan, add a pinch of cumin seeds, finely chopped garlic, green thai chillies and dried red chillies (crumbled into the oil).
3. Saute till garlic turns almost light brown. Scrape everything to a side.
4. Add chopped zucchini, sprinkle salt on it. Stir-fry for 2 min. Scrape to the side. Mix with garlic et. al.
5. Add chopped carrots, pour minimal amount of soy sauce over it. Stir fry for 2 min. Mix with everything else.
6. Add green chopped cabbage. Toss and saute with everything else. Add a little more soy sauce.
7. Add the steamed bulghur and lentils. Stir and toss till evenly mixed.
8. Turn off heat while cabbage is still crunchy.
ENJOY!
Before I forget, the exact recipe:
1. Steam brown lentils and bulghur in the rice cooker: 1:1
2. While they are steaming, add a generous amount of olive oil to the fry pan, add a pinch of cumin seeds, finely chopped garlic, green thai chillies and dried red chillies (crumbled into the oil).
3. Saute till garlic turns almost light brown. Scrape everything to a side.
4. Add chopped zucchini, sprinkle salt on it. Stir-fry for 2 min. Scrape to the side. Mix with garlic et. al.
5. Add chopped carrots, pour minimal amount of soy sauce over it. Stir fry for 2 min. Mix with everything else.
6. Add green chopped cabbage. Toss and saute with everything else. Add a little more soy sauce.
7. Add the steamed bulghur and lentils. Stir and toss till evenly mixed.
8. Turn off heat while cabbage is still crunchy.
ENJOY!
04/12/2010 20:28 #51389
We really don't have an excuse.Category: opinion
My advisor sent out the latest CDC statistics on obesity to our group today. This is not just true for the US. It's true for countries around the planet. In India, children who are 13 years old have myocardial infarctions and plaque-induced coronary artery disease. By 2015, India will surpass US in the number of people with Type II Diabetes and atherosclerotic diseases.
How did this happen? I can't, for a moment, believe the excuse that greater than 30% of the population is genetically prone to obesity or have comorbid conditions making us obese. Our genes have not changed that much in the past 25 years. A good proportion of us just want to believe that we are helpless because it's easier to blame genetics than take personal responsibility for the environmental inputs that we have consciously selected.
Why can't we stop this epidemic?! Is it SO hard to cultivate and maintain healthy habits? Do we always have to blame advertising and prices? Why are we waiting for a magic pill or that "one weird trick" to make it go away?!
Can't we just take one small step at a time and just say no to constant splurging on carbohydrates, snacks and processed foods? Can't we avoid buying whatever processed crap that is on display and use our discretion and good sense for once? Can't we walk a bit more and faster rather than always fire up our cars and whatnots to get anywhere and everywhere?
The one thing that we are always ready to do is spend a fortune on every new weight-loss fad that comes along. And of course, make excuses about how costly healthful food is - which it is NOT. You only have to take a stroll in the produce section of pricerite to get a general idea of how much a meal without processed food would cost.
I fall almost in the lowest earning income group in this country and I still manage to eat ALL the healthy food I want and still save. You could argue that I don't have kids and other expenses and that would be true. However, even factoring in kids and expenses, fresh food costs less than processed because processing is an overhead cost. And don't even tell me that eating fast food is cheaper - because that is another flawed perception. One "combo meal" on an average costs around $4 with taxes. For that price, you could get 1lb of carrots, 4lbs of apples, a serving of oatmeal/bulghur AND a serving of lentils. $4 can go a LOOONG way if you really want to eat healthier.
Yes. I think smoking and overeating are pretty much the same. We know the risks. We know the costs. Yet, we don't care. We are addicted AND we won't take any steps to cure the addiction. We have become a bunch of weak-minded people who comfortably get everything we want. We just can't make any resolve and stick to it.
We love food and smoking too much. We constantly feel the need to justify our addictions and assert that life isn't worth living without "little indulgences". The cost our "little indulgences" are incurring are conveniently ignored. There is no such thing as a free lunch. What it really means today is that free or not, that super-serving lunch is going to zoom right into our adipose stores, because we didn't need so much to start with and additionally, we haven't really done anything to burn it.
I am ranting because this makes me sadder than anything else. Our conceit and excuses are leading us to a catastrophe in terms of health. How can we change if we don't want to face this problem and examine our lifestyles??
How did this happen? I can't, for a moment, believe the excuse that greater than 30% of the population is genetically prone to obesity or have comorbid conditions making us obese. Our genes have not changed that much in the past 25 years. A good proportion of us just want to believe that we are helpless because it's easier to blame genetics than take personal responsibility for the environmental inputs that we have consciously selected.
Why can't we stop this epidemic?! Is it SO hard to cultivate and maintain healthy habits? Do we always have to blame advertising and prices? Why are we waiting for a magic pill or that "one weird trick" to make it go away?!
Can't we just take one small step at a time and just say no to constant splurging on carbohydrates, snacks and processed foods? Can't we avoid buying whatever processed crap that is on display and use our discretion and good sense for once? Can't we walk a bit more and faster rather than always fire up our cars and whatnots to get anywhere and everywhere?
The one thing that we are always ready to do is spend a fortune on every new weight-loss fad that comes along. And of course, make excuses about how costly healthful food is - which it is NOT. You only have to take a stroll in the produce section of pricerite to get a general idea of how much a meal without processed food would cost.
I fall almost in the lowest earning income group in this country and I still manage to eat ALL the healthy food I want and still save. You could argue that I don't have kids and other expenses and that would be true. However, even factoring in kids and expenses, fresh food costs less than processed because processing is an overhead cost. And don't even tell me that eating fast food is cheaper - because that is another flawed perception. One "combo meal" on an average costs around $4 with taxes. For that price, you could get 1lb of carrots, 4lbs of apples, a serving of oatmeal/bulghur AND a serving of lentils. $4 can go a LOOONG way if you really want to eat healthier.
Yes. I think smoking and overeating are pretty much the same. We know the risks. We know the costs. Yet, we don't care. We are addicted AND we won't take any steps to cure the addiction. We have become a bunch of weak-minded people who comfortably get everything we want. We just can't make any resolve and stick to it.
We love food and smoking too much. We constantly feel the need to justify our addictions and assert that life isn't worth living without "little indulgences". The cost our "little indulgences" are incurring are conveniently ignored. There is no such thing as a free lunch. What it really means today is that free or not, that super-serving lunch is going to zoom right into our adipose stores, because we didn't need so much to start with and additionally, we haven't really done anything to burn it.
I am ranting because this makes me sadder than anything else. Our conceit and excuses are leading us to a catastrophe in terms of health. How can we change if we don't want to face this problem and examine our lifestyles??
metalpeter - 04/25/10 14:35
Just had to add that you are so right about prevention. The reason is that Medical stuff is for profit and if you go after prevention people don't get sick (as much) and it is much cheeper and no one makes any money.
Just had to add that you are so right about prevention. The reason is that Medical stuff is for profit and if you go after prevention people don't get sick (as much) and it is much cheeper and no one makes any money.
metalpeter - 04/25/10 14:31
I thought Repo Men was great. If you read my post about it I have a link to the fact that the idea came from a musical I want to see that also. What I think makes Repomen such a good movie is that it one of those sci-fi that you could see happen and during your own life time, and yet it also holds ideals that are true currently.
In terms of dying. Here is the philosophy. "hey I'm going to die" "Everyone dies" "Something is going to kill you" so "You might as well enjoy yourself". Who says that eating bad is what is going to kill you. I could get hit by a bus Or go to a Sporting event wearing the rivals Colors and get into a fight, or even catch a stray bullet as a drug deal goes bad.
The thing is that our society has changed. There used to not be suburbs. These changed everything. You work one place, the kids go to school some place else, maybe you shop someplace else, often there might only be one parent. The pace of life has changed. The Best example I can give you is. When I was growing up Vans where cool think the A-team. Or Metal Vans with hot chicks painted on them. Now they are Mini Vans and made to hold 8 people. The Pace of the family has changed and with that eating habits as well. It used to be that Fast Food was a treat. Now it is often the norm.
I thought Repo Men was great. If you read my post about it I have a link to the fact that the idea came from a musical I want to see that also. What I think makes Repomen such a good movie is that it one of those sci-fi that you could see happen and during your own life time, and yet it also holds ideals that are true currently.
In terms of dying. Here is the philosophy. "hey I'm going to die" "Everyone dies" "Something is going to kill you" so "You might as well enjoy yourself". Who says that eating bad is what is going to kill you. I could get hit by a bus Or go to a Sporting event wearing the rivals Colors and get into a fight, or even catch a stray bullet as a drug deal goes bad.
The thing is that our society has changed. There used to not be suburbs. These changed everything. You work one place, the kids go to school some place else, maybe you shop someplace else, often there might only be one parent. The pace of life has changed. The Best example I can give you is. When I was growing up Vans where cool think the A-team. Or Metal Vans with hot chicks painted on them. Now they are Mini Vans and made to hold 8 people. The Pace of the family has changed and with that eating habits as well. It used to be that Fast Food was a treat. Now it is often the norm.
tinypliny - 04/25/10 11:02
Oh and healthcare IS greedy. In the end the people who control healthcare are no better than people who receive healthcare - because we are the same population.
NO ONE wants to push prevention as a commodity. There is NO funding for research/trials/lifestyle engineering if some drug company is not making profits out of patented costly drugs.
I saw these trailers/posters for some film called Repo Men and I thought to myself - Yes, that is exactly what the future will look like.
Take a look:
:::link:::
:::link:::
:::link:::
:::link:::
:::link:::
:::link:::
:::link:::
:::link:::
Oh and healthcare IS greedy. In the end the people who control healthcare are no better than people who receive healthcare - because we are the same population.
NO ONE wants to push prevention as a commodity. There is NO funding for research/trials/lifestyle engineering if some drug company is not making profits out of patented costly drugs.
I saw these trailers/posters for some film called Repo Men and I thought to myself - Yes, that is exactly what the future will look like.
Take a look:
:::link:::
:::link:::
:::link:::
:::link:::
:::link:::
:::link:::
:::link:::
:::link:::
tinypliny - 04/25/10 10:53
When time comes to die younger, I am sure no one really wants to die younger. They point fingers at how the healthcare is greedy and not doing enough to save them. Nice.
When time comes to die younger, I am sure no one really wants to die younger. They point fingers at how the healthcare is greedy and not doing enough to save them. Nice.
tinypliny - 04/25/10 10:52
Good points, (e:metalpeter).
You save time - but use that save time for what? Is your lifestyle SO busy that you don't want to devote sometime to parent your kids about good lifestyle and healthful future habits? Don't you want to spend ANY time nurturing them? Is your time SO precious that you don't want to invest some of it in your OWN HEALTH??
Yes, time is money. But most of us don't spend 24 hours making money. We just don't want to spend our time investing in the future. :/
I don't get this logic. Probably, never will.
Good points, (e:metalpeter).
You save time - but use that save time for what? Is your lifestyle SO busy that you don't want to devote sometime to parent your kids about good lifestyle and healthful future habits? Don't you want to spend ANY time nurturing them? Is your time SO precious that you don't want to invest some of it in your OWN HEALTH??
Yes, time is money. But most of us don't spend 24 hours making money. We just don't want to spend our time investing in the future. :/
I don't get this logic. Probably, never will.
metalpeter - 04/14/10 19:08
There are a few things I need to say.
In Terms of cheapness bad food (that I eat) is cheaper in a way. Say I go to McDonalds as an example with the family. How much time would it take you to make a meal at home and if you are a single parent with say a couple of kids it will take some time.
Yes there should be more education in the schools about healthy foods.
Advertisers like to try and trick you. What the hell does Lite mean and low salt. They put all these big things on packages but to see what is better you have to read labels of different brands and americans don't do that very often we just don't.
I think you need to understand that there is a part of the population that thinks I would rather eat what a want and be happy now and die younger then not enjoy what I eat. That is a Choice and a life style. What makes things tough is you don't know if people are in this group or the people who would like to eat better.
There are a few things I need to say.
In Terms of cheapness bad food (that I eat) is cheaper in a way. Say I go to McDonalds as an example with the family. How much time would it take you to make a meal at home and if you are a single parent with say a couple of kids it will take some time.
Yes there should be more education in the schools about healthy foods.
Advertisers like to try and trick you. What the hell does Lite mean and low salt. They put all these big things on packages but to see what is better you have to read labels of different brands and americans don't do that very often we just don't.
I think you need to understand that there is a part of the population that thinks I would rather eat what a want and be happy now and die younger then not enjoy what I eat. That is a Choice and a life style. What makes things tough is you don't know if people are in this group or the people who would like to eat better.
tinypliny - 04/13/10 22:15
(e:Heidi), I was stuck in a research rut. Your comment helped me dig further and look what I found: :::link:::
I don't think I would have found this, had I not read your comment and been driven to see if there was evidence to support Oliver's approach. In general, I think the TREC approach to research gives me hope that we can make a difference to that map and maybe stop it from getting any worse.
I am getting more and more interested in the genetics of energy metabolism (my latest grant is on an exciting hypothesis - we should talk about it when we get together next. It's even more exciting than my dissertation research!!) So this has added more fuel to the fire. :) Thanks!!
(e:Heidi), I was stuck in a research rut. Your comment helped me dig further and look what I found: :::link:::
I don't think I would have found this, had I not read your comment and been driven to see if there was evidence to support Oliver's approach. In general, I think the TREC approach to research gives me hope that we can make a difference to that map and maybe stop it from getting any worse.
I am getting more and more interested in the genetics of energy metabolism (my latest grant is on an exciting hypothesis - we should talk about it when we get together next. It's even more exciting than my dissertation research!!) So this has added more fuel to the fire. :) Thanks!!
heidi - 04/13/10 21:43
I'm sorry, (e:tinypliny), I shouldn't have responded with a badly written article and a lack of coherency.
I'm sorry, (e:tinypliny), I shouldn't have responded with a badly written article and a lack of coherency.
tinypliny - 04/13/10 21:00
For (e:heidi): :::link::: (Save as PDF) It's a recent peer-reviewed research that mirrors Jamie Oliver's approach.
For (e:heidi): :::link::: (Save as PDF) It's a recent peer-reviewed research that mirrors Jamie Oliver's approach.
tinypliny - 04/13/10 00:08
By the way, I am part of the proportion of the population who wants to blame genetics and comorbidity as primary (instead of contributing) factors that are responsible for the epidemic. But wanting to believe something and being correct about that belief is not compatible. :/
By the way, I am part of the proportion of the population who wants to blame genetics and comorbidity as primary (instead of contributing) factors that are responsible for the epidemic. But wanting to believe something and being correct about that belief is not compatible. :/
tinypliny - 04/12/10 23:42
LOL @(e:libertad) - you also walk quite a lot ;-)
Also, if you look at my earlier posts, there are posts where I have been obsessed with twizzlers and hot fries and other crazy stuff. However, I haven't stocked up on them just because I happened to like them at that point in time.
Moderation is a word that should be used time and again.
LOL @(e:libertad) - you also walk quite a lot ;-)
Also, if you look at my earlier posts, there are posts where I have been obsessed with twizzlers and hot fries and other crazy stuff. However, I haven't stocked up on them just because I happened to like them at that point in time.
Moderation is a word that should be used time and again.
tinypliny - 04/12/10 23:35
Re: Save me from myself...
It seems as if whoever wrote that article has a blinding hatred for Jamie Oliver. I am not sure I would call it a balanced critique.
It is highly sarcastic in tone and
manages to invoke every cliché of an ill-supported argument. 40% of the article quotes directly from the show. As a reader, I cannot be sure if all the quotes are being presented in context.
The article starts with a broad contempt for British shows, in general - regardless of what their subject matter might be. While Jamie Oliver may not think he is bettering "stupid fat people", the author of that article definitely thinks so - and has spelled it out in so many words.
Also, it is a show - not an documentary. Aren't shows, by definition, meant to be sensational and emotionally maneuvering to raise some awareness? Don't you think the author is missing the point as she mocks Jamie Oliver with his own words and actions? Mocking - definitely. Critique - not really.
I am also not sure I am "blaming the fatties". I am blaming our collective failure as a society to recognize that personal decisions make a substantial impact in who we have become.
This is true for everyone - researchers, non-researchers, fatties, non-fatties, obese, non-obese, smokers, non-smokers. Each group does not communicate with the other because they are busy defending how the environment and lack of time have made them who they are - non-empathetic and oblivious to the condition of the other groups.
There has to be a way to break this impasse. Each of us has to stop and take a moment about how each of our personal decisions is affecting us and others around us.
If we continue to passively blame our environments for this epidemic, the map is going to be searching for newer colours to represent >70% very soon.
Re: Save me from myself...
It seems as if whoever wrote that article has a blinding hatred for Jamie Oliver. I am not sure I would call it a balanced critique.
It is highly sarcastic in tone and
manages to invoke every cliché of an ill-supported argument. 40% of the article quotes directly from the show. As a reader, I cannot be sure if all the quotes are being presented in context.
The article starts with a broad contempt for British shows, in general - regardless of what their subject matter might be. While Jamie Oliver may not think he is bettering "stupid fat people", the author of that article definitely thinks so - and has spelled it out in so many words.
Also, it is a show - not an documentary. Aren't shows, by definition, meant to be sensational and emotionally maneuvering to raise some awareness? Don't you think the author is missing the point as she mocks Jamie Oliver with his own words and actions? Mocking - definitely. Critique - not really.
I am also not sure I am "blaming the fatties". I am blaming our collective failure as a society to recognize that personal decisions make a substantial impact in who we have become.
This is true for everyone - researchers, non-researchers, fatties, non-fatties, obese, non-obese, smokers, non-smokers. Each group does not communicate with the other because they are busy defending how the environment and lack of time have made them who they are - non-empathetic and oblivious to the condition of the other groups.
There has to be a way to break this impasse. Each of us has to stop and take a moment about how each of our personal decisions is affecting us and others around us.
If we continue to passively blame our environments for this epidemic, the map is going to be searching for newer colours to represent >70% very soon.
libertad - 04/12/10 23:00
Oh, and please don't read my last journal about southern fried chicken, collard greens (slow cooked with bacon), macaroni and cheese, corn bread and bananas foster.
Oh, and please don't read my last journal about southern fried chicken, collard greens (slow cooked with bacon), macaroni and cheese, corn bread and bananas foster.
libertad - 04/12/10 22:55
I don't think you are targeting anyone in particular, except all of us who don't take care of ourselves. It isn't just about obesity as you pointed out. I don't think you came off as insensitive. It was more just in your face which can be hard to deal with. You are right in telling people that they are harming themselves because you really do know that they are. Being a woman devoted to the Science of keeping people healthy you really have a lot of authority as to what we should be putting into our bodies. You are also right about the cost of eating healthy. We can be healthy on a low budget.
I don't think you are targeting anyone in particular, except all of us who don't take care of ourselves. It isn't just about obesity as you pointed out. I don't think you came off as insensitive. It was more just in your face which can be hard to deal with. You are right in telling people that they are harming themselves because you really do know that they are. Being a woman devoted to the Science of keeping people healthy you really have a lot of authority as to what we should be putting into our bodies. You are also right about the cost of eating healthy. We can be healthy on a low budget.
heidi - 04/12/10 22:41
I'm really not okay with the "blame the fatties" attitude here. A better critique than I can write, particularly regarding Jamie Oliver: :::link:::
(e:tinypliny), your cheap eats require skill, planning, time and interest in cooking. My cooking interest ebbs and flows largely dependent upon the other demands on my time, attention and skill.
I'm really not okay with the "blame the fatties" attitude here. A better critique than I can write, particularly regarding Jamie Oliver: :::link:::
(e:tinypliny), your cheap eats require skill, planning, time and interest in cooking. My cooking interest ebbs and flows largely dependent upon the other demands on my time, attention and skill.
tinypliny - 04/12/10 22:10
I couldn't agree more with you (e:jenks). It's fine to treat children as independent decisions-makers but it is DEFINITELY the responsibility of parents/adults/care-givers to make sure these are INFORMED decisions and not just, "Oh, I love pizza, so I am just not going to eat anything else." It is sparing the proverbial rod that is driving us to such a state of ill-health. If we give in to whatever kids believe they need, then what good is our role as adults and role-models?
And we are not even talking about "overweight" here. These statistics are about the truly obese - the ones who surpass the extremes of the normal weight curve, regardless of the whole issue about BMI not being a proper construct/measure of obesity.
Personal responsibility is something that is completely lacking in this issue. It is becoming more and more of a "political correctness" issue. I wonder if this is a manifestation of our collective excuse-making as more and more of us become obese.
I think the media is grossly misinformed if it's trying to point out parallels between societies where "being plump" is considered a sign of social wealth and "being obese". I bet, if these societies were faced with a truly obese person, they would share the same sentiments as the rest of us.
I couldn't agree more with you (e:jenks). It's fine to treat children as independent decisions-makers but it is DEFINITELY the responsibility of parents/adults/care-givers to make sure these are INFORMED decisions and not just, "Oh, I love pizza, so I am just not going to eat anything else." It is sparing the proverbial rod that is driving us to such a state of ill-health. If we give in to whatever kids believe they need, then what good is our role as adults and role-models?
And we are not even talking about "overweight" here. These statistics are about the truly obese - the ones who surpass the extremes of the normal weight curve, regardless of the whole issue about BMI not being a proper construct/measure of obesity.
Personal responsibility is something that is completely lacking in this issue. It is becoming more and more of a "political correctness" issue. I wonder if this is a manifestation of our collective excuse-making as more and more of us become obese.
I think the media is grossly misinformed if it's trying to point out parallels between societies where "being plump" is considered a sign of social wealth and "being obese". I bet, if these societies were faced with a truly obese person, they would share the same sentiments as the rest of us.
tinypliny - 04/12/10 21:51
:( Yeah, I was harsh. I feel like we are fighting a losing battle sometimes. People think we are targeting them and pointing fingers at their personal habits - so they are very defensive and the excuse-stream starts immediately.
We are part of this problem. The very fact that I came off as harsh and insensitive is part of the problem. I don't think we have an effective way to wake all of us up YET. You could say that researchers don't empathize enough - but how can you empathize when in your heart, you don't agree with what you are seeing? I think we need a rethink about how we communicate our results and how these results are translated to public health.
(e:uncutsaniflush) - that site is pretty impressive. The foundation to good nutrition starts in childhood. Maybe this is approach we need. I guess I needed to get all the negatives out before I plunge into a rethink. :)
:( Yeah, I was harsh. I feel like we are fighting a losing battle sometimes. People think we are targeting them and pointing fingers at their personal habits - so they are very defensive and the excuse-stream starts immediately.
We are part of this problem. The very fact that I came off as harsh and insensitive is part of the problem. I don't think we have an effective way to wake all of us up YET. You could say that researchers don't empathize enough - but how can you empathize when in your heart, you don't agree with what you are seeing? I think we need a rethink about how we communicate our results and how these results are translated to public health.
(e:uncutsaniflush) - that site is pretty impressive. The foundation to good nutrition starts in childhood. Maybe this is approach we need. I guess I needed to get all the negatives out before I plunge into a rethink. :)
jenks - 04/12/10 21:42
grrrrrrr don't even get me started.
I read an article the other day that said that they're about to consider jamie oliver's food revolution [the show where he's trying to overhaul school lunches in west virginia and prove that it's possible] a failure 'because the kids don't like it and they want the pizza and nuggets back'.
The article went on and on about how the school 'has to' put back the food the kids want.
until the best line of the article- at the end when they said "No they don't. that's what being a kid means. the adults get to say "i'm sorry you don't like it, but that's what's for lunch".
And then the other night I saw some documentary about obesity...
started with some 650 lb man.... this man has not left his bed in a year. Which means his wife is 100% feeding him what he wants.
Then a bit about how in Mauritania, fat is a sign of wealth etc, so skinny girls are undesirable, and how they force feed daughters milk in an effort to make them obese. Because of course, this is africa, where there is not a ton of fattening food available everywhere you look. hell, even the cows were skin and bones! But these girls were crying and gagging and puking up their milk, while their mothers pinch their toes in these sticks.
But then it had some 450lb model who was insisting "i'm fat and gorgeous and healthy". The nutritionists begged to differ. And I'm all for people being comfortable with themselves and having self-esteem and all that. And I also certainly understand how easy it is to become a little overweight. And by that I mean 20, 30, 50 lb. Not 300lb.
But they were going on about 'fat acceptance' and how 'fatism' is the same as racism. Um, no it isn't. You can't control your race. You can control your weight. not saying it's easy. But it's possible.
They also had 'fat admirers' saying how it's not fair, and how 'what they eat is none of your business and isn't hurting anyone else'- to which they responded with the argument that yes, indeed, it is hurting others- as obesity-related illness eats up a HUGE proportion of health care dollars.
And it is not the media's fault. it is not america's fault. it is not society's fault. it is your own damn fault.
ugh, sorry for the rant, but it's been on my mind.
And again- I don't mean to sound like some preachy skinny bitch. I've always been a fat girl, and believe me, I know it's hard to get under control. But there's a difference between weighing 150-200lb and 400+.
grrrrrrr don't even get me started.
I read an article the other day that said that they're about to consider jamie oliver's food revolution [the show where he's trying to overhaul school lunches in west virginia and prove that it's possible] a failure 'because the kids don't like it and they want the pizza and nuggets back'.
The article went on and on about how the school 'has to' put back the food the kids want.
until the best line of the article- at the end when they said "No they don't. that's what being a kid means. the adults get to say "i'm sorry you don't like it, but that's what's for lunch".
And then the other night I saw some documentary about obesity...
started with some 650 lb man.... this man has not left his bed in a year. Which means his wife is 100% feeding him what he wants.
Then a bit about how in Mauritania, fat is a sign of wealth etc, so skinny girls are undesirable, and how they force feed daughters milk in an effort to make them obese. Because of course, this is africa, where there is not a ton of fattening food available everywhere you look. hell, even the cows were skin and bones! But these girls were crying and gagging and puking up their milk, while their mothers pinch their toes in these sticks.
But then it had some 450lb model who was insisting "i'm fat and gorgeous and healthy". The nutritionists begged to differ. And I'm all for people being comfortable with themselves and having self-esteem and all that. And I also certainly understand how easy it is to become a little overweight. And by that I mean 20, 30, 50 lb. Not 300lb.
But they were going on about 'fat acceptance' and how 'fatism' is the same as racism. Um, no it isn't. You can't control your race. You can control your weight. not saying it's easy. But it's possible.
They also had 'fat admirers' saying how it's not fair, and how 'what they eat is none of your business and isn't hurting anyone else'- to which they responded with the argument that yes, indeed, it is hurting others- as obesity-related illness eats up a HUGE proportion of health care dollars.
And it is not the media's fault. it is not america's fault. it is not society's fault. it is your own damn fault.
ugh, sorry for the rant, but it's been on my mind.
And again- I don't mean to sound like some preachy skinny bitch. I've always been a fat girl, and believe me, I know it's hard to get under control. But there's a difference between weighing 150-200lb and 400+.
libertad - 04/12/10 21:32
You really are 100% right on this Tiny. You are a bit harsh, but right. It must be very frustrating for you and for others in your field.
You really are 100% right on this Tiny. You are a bit harsh, but right. It must be very frustrating for you and for others in your field.
uncutsaniflush - 04/12/10 21:29
Jamie Oliver agrees with you. :::link:::
So do I. But you've met me. For a Sumo Wrestler I'm skinny. But alas I'm not Sumo Wrestler.
Jamie Oliver agrees with you. :::link:::
So do I. But you've met me. For a Sumo Wrestler I'm skinny. But alas I'm not Sumo Wrestler.
Yes, I've been trying to counter that Fairy because she keeps sneaking into Rory's mind! Luckily I 'won' on some counts because we have like 7 trash bags full of donations so far, and a few more things to weed out! Congrats on the victory for space over 'stuff'!