Nurturing patience

"How can a society that exists on instant mashed potatoes, packaged cakemixes, frozen dinners, and instant cameras teach patience to its young?"-Paul Sweeney

Mom's (or dad's) Infamous Sayings

I really don't recall my mom having any infamous sayings, but I have friends who do. Anyway, I am starting to come up with some to use on my own kids. The latest one is:

"We don't serve whine here."

What are some of your favorites?

To All Who Choose To Change

In the spirit of fad free month, I would like to quote this post I read a few months ago on diet-blog:

An Open Letter To All Who Choose To Change

A previous post made a call for other diet and health bloggers to come forward. Already the growing list of blogs is fascinating - and leads me to write this "open letter" to anyone who is trying to change themselves.
A perusal through some of the more personal weblogs and journals is both sobering and enlightening. These public narratives represent a microcosm of all those who are trying to change. The various triumphs and heartaches demonstrate the depth of character that is needed to make life-long changes.

To Whomever is Reading,

When it comes to weight loss - or any other kind of physical transformation - there are two kinds of people:

• Those who will try any number of quick-fixes - always looking for a new answer
• Those who have come to realize that their efforts to change will require transformation in every facet of themselves - not just their external physique.

If you are committed to change - then you must reach deep inside yourself. You will face disappointment, frustration, and confusion. The decision to get up and keep going will test your depth of character - demanding that you become a better person - both inside and out.

The modern attitude to life is all about minimal input and yet expecting maximum gratification. This mindset is apparent in our relationships with others and in our relationship with ourselves. We expect an easy road - but life wouldn't be so difficult if we didn't expect it to be so easy.

Through the Looking Glass

Sometimes I feel voyeuristic looking over personal blogs - it's like peeking into someones private struggles. I come away feeling many things: sobered, inspired, amazed, and amused.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with the world. You have made a commitment to change that will demand more than just manipulating macro-nutrient ratios or sweating on a treadmill.

Many people are happy to settle for bland mediocrity. But that's not you - you have made a decision to reach higher and to push further. I congratulate you for that. You will become better for it - both inside and out.

The world is sorely in need of you - because better people make a better world.

My boy loves them veggies!

I have mentioned in previous posts that I am not very gifted when it comes to the task of meal planning. Yet, meal planning has its advantages as you save money and can eat better if you have a plan of some sort. So this afternoon, my husband and I set out to try and put together a menu for the next three weeks.

We started by asking the boys (the baby girl doesn't have a say yet) what their favorite foods were. We also asked them to name their favorite vegetable. Our 4 year old said he liked lima beans. Our 2 year old chimed in and said, "I like jelly beans." :-)

What makes this even more humorous is that our oldest didn't know what chocolate was (actually, he didn't know what it was called) -- let alone jelly beans -- until he was at least three. I knew that would be a tough act to follow with the younger kids, but I now realize by how much!

How accurate are magazine nutrition articles?

The American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) has issued a report on the accuracy of nutrition articles from 21 popular magazines from 2004-2005. The report describes the evaluation criteria and then gives a summary for each magazine they reviewed. Top of the list was Consumer Reports (90% accuracy) and at the bottom was Men's Fitness (67%). This useful resource can be found at: http://www.acsh.org/docLib/20070227_Nutrition.pdf.

On another note, I wonder when they will start evaluating blogs...

Fad Free

March is National Nutrition Month, and this year the American Dietetics Association has decided to focus on fad diets. I also found out that they have issued fact sheets reviewing popular diets in 2005, 2006, & 2007 (they are in PDF). So, if you have a question about a particular diet book, this is the place to go first.

Anything that promises a quick fix, or an easy way out warrants some caution, this doesn't apply only to what we eat but to life in general. But back to dieting, what makes one "work" may actually harm you in the long run, especially when you gain the weight back. I am also not a fan of watching the scale. I think there are other indicators that are better to gauge your health.

So if you want to take charge of your health and have a healthier weight, here's my recommendation:
Take it one step at a time. When you do too much at once, it can be hard to sustain it. Take a look at some of your eating habits and start with ONE you know (or have been told) isn't good for you. For example, simply drinking more water instead of sweet drinks can make a difference in your weight. Then move onto another one.

So, what are your experiences? Feel free to chime in.