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Observations ...

Wednesday, May 05, 2010

The Good Observations ...

Today, while taking a walk on my lunch break, the sunshine was shining brightly. My shadow walked with me - and what a skinny shadow I now have. Wow. I'm currently 2 pounds away from being in the "normal" range on the BMI chart. I'm so close I can taste it. But I'm simply amazed at how my LG t-shirt doesn't grip around my waist. I'm amazed at how my body feels. And I'm still stunned that I've been able to lose 110 pounds - even while dealing with Bells Palsy for the better part of 9 months. That feels pretty good. These last couple pounds are taking there good ole time coming off. And I'm ok with that. I'm thinner & healthier than I have ever been.


The Disturbing Observations...

I drive 16 miles to get to work every morning. Of those 16 miles - 5 are on the freeway. Today I counted the number of drive thru restaurants I pass every day. In 11 miles of travel I pass a total of 30 drive thrus. And people want to know why obesity is a problem. Unbelievable.

I've also recently seen the movie Food Inc. It's changed the way I shop. It's very disturbing to me how our food industry is so messed up. And really - it's all centered around the fast food industry. Not only are they every where but what they've done to our food is disturbing, disgusting and horrifying. Animals being packed on top of each other. Antibiotics being used to the point that the human handlers have developed allergies to all antibiotics. The modification of animals - is just not right. And what I really want to know is what is "natural flavors"? Really. The next package of meat you buy - read the ingredients. I use to buy a lot of ground turkey. I thought I was getting ground turkey. Turns out the package includes "natural flavoring". What the hell is that??? Why can't I buy my own "natural flavor" to add to my recipes??

So now I'm buying a LOT more organic items. I spent more than $3 for a dozen free range, organic eggs yesterday. And was happy to pay it. I've bought organic tofu too. And I'm going to eat more fish - while you have to be careful about mercury & other chemicals in fish - it some how feels like a safer choice than the meat.

Here's to getting healthier my Sparkfriends!! Every day is a challenge -- and that's what makes the journey fun!

Remember -- Never, ever, ever, ever, ever give up!!
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Member Comments About This Blog Post
  • ERODIBLE
    YAY! Good Job! I've got 7 lbs to go for a "normal" BMI. Weird feeling isn't it?

    Not only are our food sources mistreated, but our food workers are as well. Horrible treatment and conditions abound in the produce picking and meat packing industries. (Read, or watch the movie, "Fast Food Nation" by Eric Schlosser.) The USA uses less of our income for food than almost any other country - but we certainly pay for it in other ways.
    3737 days ago
  • SLARTYB
    I travel to Houston a few times a year & am always shocked by a) the size of people & b) the endless, in-your-face food promotion. Fast food abounds! Shops heave with gloppy goodies! Portions are HUGE!

    Even back in Europe I wonder why, when I get in line at a till in a shop or garage, I have to move slowly past endless rows of brightly coloured choccy bars. Where’s the healthy alternative if you are really feeling peckish & on the go? The whole food business sucks & when you find a small oasis of people (shop, cafe or restaurant) who care about food & nutrition it’s such a blessing & they should be nurtured. I guess we are in the minority on this & always will be.

    3742 days ago
  • GIRANIMAL
    I saw Food Inc. recently too. I am really trying even more now to find a way to fit more organic choices into my budget (which has decreased sharply with the BF being away). It's insane that it's cheaper to eat a Big Mac than fresh broccoli. A carton of organic eggs I think cost us nearly $5 recently! I just can't do that all the time.

    Anyway, fantastic observations. The fast-food one is scary indeed. But your skinny-girl shadow is pure awesome and inspiration! I can relate to the surprise though, as we've talked about before -- am frequently surprised by being able to feel my hip bones. emoticon

    emoticon emoticon
    3747 days ago
  • no profile photo CD2562942
    Food, Inc. opened my eyes too! Thanks for sharing!
    3747 days ago
  • SCHWINNER!
    Congrats again on 110 lbs.!! You ROCK!!

    That is a LOT of fast food restaurants, wow. Nice observation there.

    I still haven't seen Food, Inc., but it's on Netflix instant and I have it in my queue! I think I've been putting it off a little bit because I know it's going to scare me :(

    I'm about to plant my garden here in another week or so, so I'm looking forward to having my own veggies. Ideally, I'd love to be able to grow ALL of my produce, and I'd really like to have some chickens for fresh eggs!

    I got a handout at Earth Day that lists farmers' markets, local farms, and other local produce/food sources. It was through the Central Ohio Valley something...crap. It's at home, but I'll have to find it. I'm sure there's a website - it had a lot of great resources for local/organic/fresh foods.
    3747 days ago
  • BUNNYCATS
    Very nice blog! Isn't it great how the little things about being healthier and thinner make every day moments so incredible? emoticon emoticon
    3747 days ago
  • KIMBERLEY60
    Your weight loss is truly inspiration! Kudos to you! I looked on your sparkpage at some of your before photos and then what you look like now, amazing. I bet you are really proud and deservedly so. It is no wonder you are more interested in what you are eating...going organic is a great option! emoticon I read this week that the three most important produce items to buy organic are apples, bell peppers and peaches.
    3747 days ago
  • HIPPICHICK1
    Oooh, I know what you mean. It's quite disturbing. I've been buying organic foods for years and years, but where I live now, well, it can be difficult to find organic produce in town. I sometimes buy organic when I go to the city. I would LOVE to grow my own veggies and plan to make a start this year - building raised beds, maybe grown some lettuce and tomatoes. Last year a raccoon stole my bestest tomato ripe off the vine! Gotta keep an eye on the critters.
    3748 days ago
  • IDEBORAH
    My new coworker has chickens! I now have an egg source for free! I'll think of you and your amazing progress as I work through this dozen. 2 lbs. The shadow thing is really wonderful. It helped me exercise early in the morning, just so I could see my shadow as I walked/jogged (walking at lunch = no shadow).

    You are sooo wonderful, thanks for another great blog.
    emoticon emoticon
    3748 days ago
  • MEADSBAY
    Wow- it is discouraging when 'they' (the Inc.s) make it so difficult to eat healthy!
    I can't wait till my farmers' mkt reopens this weekend.

    emoticon
    3748 days ago
  • ALICIA0099
    I LOVE food inc, I wish I could afford to buy organic, I just can't, but, I am vegetarian and eat vegan as much as possible. and I dont' get the 'natural flavors' thing either. it's bizarre, I mean, the fact that they are washing our meat in ammonia to kill ecoli instead of just feeding the cows GRASS as opposed to corn was really a wake up call for me (I had already gone veg, but I may have gone back to eating meat eventually if it hadn't been for that movie!) while it's not specifically a 'go veg!" movie, it definitely strengthened my resolve!
    3748 days ago
  • MADERINERUE
    This is an inspiring blog in so many ways. Thank you for being a voice of reason in the throng and for modeling (by walking the walk, literally and figuratively) how to live a healthy life.

    emoticon
    3748 days ago
  • _VALEO_
    Like the skinny shadow! How great it is!

    I haven't seen this movie, but seen others. We had the mad cow over here, now animals are fed with GMOs, etc. not to mention how animals are killed.
    Paul McCartney said: "if slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian."

    The list of ingredients are worst and worst, we went shopping today with DH, and now we have to check each can! Eating healthy is not easy. And don't get me started with restaurants!

    Kudos to you for buying organic eggs, other hens are debeaked.
    3748 days ago

    Comment edited on: 5/5/2010 5:39:27 PM
  • LUNALIFE
    Thanks for sharing - I get really worried about the state of the food we eat too.. Congrats on your a-MAZ-ing achievements. It's been great to follow your successes, in body and mind.

    Luna
    3748 days ago
  • MELTEAGUE
    wow,that is a lot of Drive Thru's !
    good job for making those healthy decisions about food, I too get annoyed at all the "additives~!"
    3748 days ago
  • JEANNEROBERTSON
    What a great blog! I enjoyed reading it. It was inspiring to see how wonderfully you have done!! Yes, those last few pounds are always stubborn, but don't give up! emoticon
    3748 days ago

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