Good Monday everyone! Well it's a fresh start to a new week. It's pretty and sunny outside and I'm locked in my apartment. Obviously my anxiety has been acting up more then usual. It's probably got something to do with the fact that Rachid is a jackass and I'm ready for divorce! Oh, and probably because I'm jobless as well...but hey...lets blame it on the men, it's so much easier that way!
I find out Friday of this week if I did well on my assessment at Telus. This will feel like the longest week of my life waiting for that day. I pray that I did good on the test. I know that I'd be perfect for that job...just whether they realise it...plus I would still have to go for a 1 on 1 interview...freaky! I've gone on so many interviews in my life now that I'm a pro! Hardly...I hate going for them. I feel like they judge me because I'm fat and just assume that I'm lazy. I kick ass when I work...I'm far from lazy with my work.
The two men of the house are still in bed and it's going for 3pm. Rachid is snoring...and jingles is snoring away as well. Well kittie snoring that is! Awww...he's so cute. I wonder how he would be if I do move from here? Jingles has only known this apartment since he was a baby...he will freak if we move. I have to get out of here though...I'm at the point where I'm looking for basement apartments for like $600-$700 a month. I want to move for August 1st...I have to leave him for good. Every time I make my mind up...he's all sweet for a few hours and I second guess it. But then later he will have a fit and break things or hit me. I can't live like this anymore...I need to get my life back.
Anyway...I should run to the post office and mail something someone bought from Ebay, and I have to write a cheque from my credit card to make rent...Rachid didn't help me for my portion of rent.
Monday, 30 June 2008
Win a free trip to Wynn Las Vegas with PerfectEscapes.com
Hey everyone! I came across this contest where you can win a free trip to Wynn Las Vegas with PerfectEscapes.com. All you have to do is register with the company by the end of today to qualify and you're all set! By registering on their site you get great deals for luxery travelling, and you'd also receive the Perfect 10 Newsletter. Sounds good doesn't it?!
So give it a try...you've got nothing to lose...who knows, maybe you'll win! What would I do if I won?! I'd of course gamble...can't go to Vegas without gambling! But I'd also use my $400 credit towards the spa...I definatly need some relaxation.
So like I said, give it a try...you've got nothing to lose!
Wynn Las Vegas
Sunday, 29 June 2008
Too Cute!
My name is—well, I'm Betty.
and... I—I have a bit of a problem that landed me in the "time out" corner.
You see, I strongly believe that bed linen wrinkles are OUT TO GET US ALL and must be attacked. I didn't MEAN to tear your duvet to shreds, but it's for your own safety. [Closes eyes and sighs loudly]
Meow!
Pray For Me
I need to some how come up with $250 by July 1st for rent...since I lost my job. Rachid wont help me out at all...he will only give me $700 for the rent. Shouldn't husband and wife support eachother in time of need? How many times have I supported him when he wasn't working...he was always looking for a job when he had to work cash. He's a peice of shit that I now know 100% that I must get rid of. This is not a marriage that I'm in...roomates are better then him. Even if I had a roomate and they lost their job and needed a little help I would be understanding and help them out that month...he is not a man...he was a waste of time.
I pray that I get this Telus job...if I don't, I don't know what I will do. I am so upset and confused right now...I don't know how I can live without it. I need to get out of here once and for all and never look back. I need to find a cute basement apartment for like $600/month. I have to get a divorce asap.
Please pray for me to stay strong through this all.
I pray that I get this Telus job...if I don't, I don't know what I will do. I am so upset and confused right now...I don't know how I can live without it. I need to get out of here once and for all and never look back. I need to find a cute basement apartment for like $600/month. I have to get a divorce asap.
Please pray for me to stay strong through this all.
Saturday, 28 June 2008
10 “Healthy” Foods That Create Fat – Avoid Them And Lose Weight Fast
It never ceases to amaze me, all of the “hype marketing,” that food companies put out there and all of the misinformation that you get on TV and in magazines and articles etc.
They really just want you to buy their food, they don’t care if it’s going to make you gain weight or lose weight they just want your money.
Now whether this is a good thing or bad thing that’s completely up to you to decide, but I thought that you might want to know what to look out for and what to avoid if you’re trying to lose weight. So I’ve compiled a list of the 10 top foods that are labeled healthy but really you want to avoid or at least only eat in limited quantities.
The foods listed below could be the difference between you losing weight or gaining weight at a rapid pace.
Okay so on to the list.
Offender #1: Peanut butter
Many people think that peanut butter is a “wonder food” and that it’s very healthy, especially if you get the organic or natural peanut butter. I won’t argue with the health benefits of peanut butter, it is a good fat and it does have some protein, but people don’t realize that peanut butter has huge amount of calories and the calories are completely disproportionate to the amount of protein that peanut butter actually has.
For example, only one cup of smooth peanut butter has 1,571 calories in it, that’s about half a pound of pure body fat! And for those 1,571 calories you’ll only be getting 65 g of protein. Compare that with the same amount of protein from a chicken breast, which would be around 300 calories.
So you might want to rethink how much peanut butter you’re eating in a day and if you’re mysteriously gaining weight you might want to cut it out completely.
Offender #2: Salads
How many times have you heard that salads are great for you when trying to lose weight? Well, when done right this can be true, however if you’re getting a salad at a restaurant, or at the store, you might want to check and see the nutritional information on that salad because most likely it has a ton of fat in it from the dressing, cheese and other random tidbits they put in there.
I’ve seen salads that are in excess of 1,000 calories per serving, and that can do some serious damage to your weight loss program.
Offender #3: Extra virgin olive oil
This offender has gotten a lot of publicity lately, many people think that extra virgin olive oil is the “holy grail” of good fats, and that you should use it in cooking almost in any opportunity that you get. Would it surprise you to know that 1 cup of extra virgin olive oil has an average of 1,910 calories? And one tablespoon has about 120 calories.
That means for about two tablespoons of olive oil you can do just about as much damage as eating a serving of some brands of ice cream.
Also extra virgin olive oil oxidizes much quicker under high heat when cooking than normal olive oil. Most cooks would tell you to use olive oil rather than extra virgin olive oil when cooking under high heat. But even olive oil won’t save you from the calories, because olive oil is just about the same as extra virgin olive oil in regard to calories.
Offender #4: Juice
Most people think that juice is really good for them, especially juices like orange juice, grapefruit juice, and apple juice.
From a weight loss perspective drinking 12 ounces of raw orange juice can actually be worse than drinking a soda. Why? because for 12 ounces of raw orange juice you’re looking at around 155 calories and an average soda is around 120 to 130 calories.
Also orange juice, grapefruit juice, apple juice, basically any juice is pure sugar and it’s going to react just about the same way as any sugar will react in your body. So drinking a Coke or a glass of orange juice is going to do about the same damage to your weight loss results.
Also take a look at a lot of the juice that you see on the shelf. Most of them are actually blends of other juices, and most have apple juice as the primary ingredient, even if it’s labeled as something like “cranberry juice.” Also note that lot of juices include a ton of refined sugar as well.
Be very careful with juices, my personal recommendation is, if you’re going to drink juice, try adding just a few ounces of juice in your cup and then fill up the rest with water or sparkling water to make it more interesting. That will keep the calories way down, and still retain a lot of the flavor.
Offender #5: Whole wheat
It seems like there’s a big push in the marketing world right now to sell products by labeling them as whole wheat. On the grocery shelfs we see whole wheat flour, whole wheat bread, whole wheat cereal, etc.
I agree that whole wheat is better for you than refined wheat from a nutritional standpoint, when it comes to vitamins and minerals, and it can digest a bit slower in your system which makes your body have less of an insulin spike, and that can be good for keeping your blood sugar levels even.
But when it comes to weight loss, whole wheat and refined wheat, are pretty much the same. Often whole wheat actually has more calories than the refined wheat. So ultimately, at the end of the day, pay attention to the calories on the back of the box or the package. Because even if it’s whole wheat it’s not going to specifically help you with your weight loss if you are going over your calorie limit for the day.
One thing to especially look out for are whole wheat bagels. Whole wheat bagels (or bagels and general) can pack from 600-800 calories per bagel so be very careful and wary of those.
Offender #6.) Low glycemic foods
Just because something says low glycemic does not necessarily mean that it’s going to help you lose weight. Low glycemic has become kind of a “buzzword” in the weight loss industry right now.
What does low glycemic really mean? Basically it means that it takes longer to digest in your system and it releases energy slower into your body. This makes it so your blood sugar levels stay more level and that your insulin levels and don’t spike like they can if you eat refined sugars like candy, juice, soda, white bread, etc.
Many people speculate that by keeping your insulin levels stable then you’ll be able to burn off fat easier. They believe that while your insulin levels are “spiked” that your body holds on to fat, and can’t burn it off of you.
Regardless of if this is true or not, even if you only eat low glycemic foods all day long, if you go over your calorie limit you will still gain weight. Many bodybuilders purposefully gain weight while using low glycemic foods, so it is a well-known fact that low glycemic foods do not cause you to lose weight. Still, some people feel that it might help you gain a slight edge while trying to lose weight, provided you stay within your calorie limits.
So the bottom line is make sure that you still are checking the calories on anything this is low glycemic. Just because it’s low glycemic doesn’t mean automatic weight loss.
Offender #7.) “All natural” sodas
I see these around all the time. People buying them and drinking them, they’ll often think that they’re doing something good for themselves and they say, “Oh, it’s all natural; it’s got to be good.”
Most of the time these people are trying to lose weight but they don’t realize even though their soda is “all natural” it’s usually the soda company’s way of hiding the fact that there’s still a ton of sugar in the drink. They just used “natural sugar” not “refined sugar.”
Usually the “natural sugar” they use is use “cane sugar” but if you really think about it… most sugar is cane sugar, even refined sugar.
Think about it, where do you get sugar from? “Sugar cane” right?
So think twice about the marketing trick of “all natural cane sugar.”
Plus most “natural sodas” have the same amount of calories as “average” sodas so if you really want to drink something, from a calorie perspective they’re both about the same.
Offender #8.) Organic packaged foods
Personally, I try and get as much food as I can organically. I’d like to avoid all the pesticides and unnecessary chemicals I can in the foods I eat, plus sustainable farming is a good thing. But those are the only reasons why I eat organically.
Organic does not mean “lose weight” or “gain weight.” Organic is simply better farming practices, on average, and better quality of food. You can gain or lose as much weight with organic food as you can with any other food.
At the end of the day it comes down to calories, and you’d be surprised a lot of times organic foods have higher calories then this same foods that are not organic.
For example, just because it’s an organic pizza doesn’t mean that it’s better for losing weight then a “not organic” pizza.
Just make sure you do your research and actually look on the back of the package and compare and contrast, don’t just jump in blindly to a food because is organic and think that it’s OK for your weight loss program.
Offender #9.) Nuts in general
Short and sweet, nuts have a ton of calories.
You’ve probably heard that almonds can help you lose weight, or that they’re a great source of fat for weight loss programs. This can be true in moderation, but you have to be very careful of the amount of almonds, or any nuts you eat. One handful of almonds can run you around 150 calories.
Nuts can be dangerous because there’s so “snackable” and before you know it you can finish off an entire can of nuts to yourself. If you’re a snacker, you might want to keep your jar, or tin of nuts, far away from the couch when you’re watching TV at night.
Offender #10.) Avocados
Just because they’re in the fruit and vegetable isle at the grocery store, doesn’t mean that they’re in the same calorie category. In fact, avocados are mainly fat, and they have a calorie count to match.
They aren’t nearly as bad as some of the others we’ve discussed, and that’s why avocados weigh in at #10, but an average avocado will run you around 225 calories.
So although they are “good” fats, the calories can add up. Especially if you’re adding this to a salad that already contains olive oil, cheese, etc.
Alright well that’s it for the top 10 “healthy” foods that can create fat on your body instead of burn it off.
At the end of the day, you can eat any of these foods and be just fine, but you’ll just have to watch your calories and make sure you’re not going over your daily requirements. Because ultimately, eating excessive calories is really what causes you to gain weight.
And I find that many people confuse “healthy” with low calorie. And some information floating around there on the TV, newspapers, radios, etc. lead you to believe that if you just eat “good food” that you’ll magically lose weight. But that’s just not always true, you do have to watch your calories. And if you do watch them, then you’ll also begin to watch the scale go down, and your pant size too.
Here’s to your success, and remember to have fun!
They really just want you to buy their food, they don’t care if it’s going to make you gain weight or lose weight they just want your money.
Now whether this is a good thing or bad thing that’s completely up to you to decide, but I thought that you might want to know what to look out for and what to avoid if you’re trying to lose weight. So I’ve compiled a list of the 10 top foods that are labeled healthy but really you want to avoid or at least only eat in limited quantities.
The foods listed below could be the difference between you losing weight or gaining weight at a rapid pace.
Okay so on to the list.
Offender #1: Peanut butter
Many people think that peanut butter is a “wonder food” and that it’s very healthy, especially if you get the organic or natural peanut butter. I won’t argue with the health benefits of peanut butter, it is a good fat and it does have some protein, but people don’t realize that peanut butter has huge amount of calories and the calories are completely disproportionate to the amount of protein that peanut butter actually has.
For example, only one cup of smooth peanut butter has 1,571 calories in it, that’s about half a pound of pure body fat! And for those 1,571 calories you’ll only be getting 65 g of protein. Compare that with the same amount of protein from a chicken breast, which would be around 300 calories.
So you might want to rethink how much peanut butter you’re eating in a day and if you’re mysteriously gaining weight you might want to cut it out completely.
Offender #2: Salads
How many times have you heard that salads are great for you when trying to lose weight? Well, when done right this can be true, however if you’re getting a salad at a restaurant, or at the store, you might want to check and see the nutritional information on that salad because most likely it has a ton of fat in it from the dressing, cheese and other random tidbits they put in there.
I’ve seen salads that are in excess of 1,000 calories per serving, and that can do some serious damage to your weight loss program.
Offender #3: Extra virgin olive oil
This offender has gotten a lot of publicity lately, many people think that extra virgin olive oil is the “holy grail” of good fats, and that you should use it in cooking almost in any opportunity that you get. Would it surprise you to know that 1 cup of extra virgin olive oil has an average of 1,910 calories? And one tablespoon has about 120 calories.
That means for about two tablespoons of olive oil you can do just about as much damage as eating a serving of some brands of ice cream.
Also extra virgin olive oil oxidizes much quicker under high heat when cooking than normal olive oil. Most cooks would tell you to use olive oil rather than extra virgin olive oil when cooking under high heat. But even olive oil won’t save you from the calories, because olive oil is just about the same as extra virgin olive oil in regard to calories.
Offender #4: Juice
Most people think that juice is really good for them, especially juices like orange juice, grapefruit juice, and apple juice.
From a weight loss perspective drinking 12 ounces of raw orange juice can actually be worse than drinking a soda. Why? because for 12 ounces of raw orange juice you’re looking at around 155 calories and an average soda is around 120 to 130 calories.
Also orange juice, grapefruit juice, apple juice, basically any juice is pure sugar and it’s going to react just about the same way as any sugar will react in your body. So drinking a Coke or a glass of orange juice is going to do about the same damage to your weight loss results.
Also take a look at a lot of the juice that you see on the shelf. Most of them are actually blends of other juices, and most have apple juice as the primary ingredient, even if it’s labeled as something like “cranberry juice.” Also note that lot of juices include a ton of refined sugar as well.
Be very careful with juices, my personal recommendation is, if you’re going to drink juice, try adding just a few ounces of juice in your cup and then fill up the rest with water or sparkling water to make it more interesting. That will keep the calories way down, and still retain a lot of the flavor.
Offender #5: Whole wheat
It seems like there’s a big push in the marketing world right now to sell products by labeling them as whole wheat. On the grocery shelfs we see whole wheat flour, whole wheat bread, whole wheat cereal, etc.
I agree that whole wheat is better for you than refined wheat from a nutritional standpoint, when it comes to vitamins and minerals, and it can digest a bit slower in your system which makes your body have less of an insulin spike, and that can be good for keeping your blood sugar levels even.
But when it comes to weight loss, whole wheat and refined wheat, are pretty much the same. Often whole wheat actually has more calories than the refined wheat. So ultimately, at the end of the day, pay attention to the calories on the back of the box or the package. Because even if it’s whole wheat it’s not going to specifically help you with your weight loss if you are going over your calorie limit for the day.
One thing to especially look out for are whole wheat bagels. Whole wheat bagels (or bagels and general) can pack from 600-800 calories per bagel so be very careful and wary of those.
Offender #6.) Low glycemic foods
Just because something says low glycemic does not necessarily mean that it’s going to help you lose weight. Low glycemic has become kind of a “buzzword” in the weight loss industry right now.
What does low glycemic really mean? Basically it means that it takes longer to digest in your system and it releases energy slower into your body. This makes it so your blood sugar levels stay more level and that your insulin levels and don’t spike like they can if you eat refined sugars like candy, juice, soda, white bread, etc.
Many people speculate that by keeping your insulin levels stable then you’ll be able to burn off fat easier. They believe that while your insulin levels are “spiked” that your body holds on to fat, and can’t burn it off of you.
Regardless of if this is true or not, even if you only eat low glycemic foods all day long, if you go over your calorie limit you will still gain weight. Many bodybuilders purposefully gain weight while using low glycemic foods, so it is a well-known fact that low glycemic foods do not cause you to lose weight. Still, some people feel that it might help you gain a slight edge while trying to lose weight, provided you stay within your calorie limits.
So the bottom line is make sure that you still are checking the calories on anything this is low glycemic. Just because it’s low glycemic doesn’t mean automatic weight loss.
Offender #7.) “All natural” sodas
I see these around all the time. People buying them and drinking them, they’ll often think that they’re doing something good for themselves and they say, “Oh, it’s all natural; it’s got to be good.”
Most of the time these people are trying to lose weight but they don’t realize even though their soda is “all natural” it’s usually the soda company’s way of hiding the fact that there’s still a ton of sugar in the drink. They just used “natural sugar” not “refined sugar.”
Usually the “natural sugar” they use is use “cane sugar” but if you really think about it… most sugar is cane sugar, even refined sugar.
Think about it, where do you get sugar from? “Sugar cane” right?
So think twice about the marketing trick of “all natural cane sugar.”
Plus most “natural sodas” have the same amount of calories as “average” sodas so if you really want to drink something, from a calorie perspective they’re both about the same.
Offender #8.) Organic packaged foods
Personally, I try and get as much food as I can organically. I’d like to avoid all the pesticides and unnecessary chemicals I can in the foods I eat, plus sustainable farming is a good thing. But those are the only reasons why I eat organically.
Organic does not mean “lose weight” or “gain weight.” Organic is simply better farming practices, on average, and better quality of food. You can gain or lose as much weight with organic food as you can with any other food.
At the end of the day it comes down to calories, and you’d be surprised a lot of times organic foods have higher calories then this same foods that are not organic.
For example, just because it’s an organic pizza doesn’t mean that it’s better for losing weight then a “not organic” pizza.
Just make sure you do your research and actually look on the back of the package and compare and contrast, don’t just jump in blindly to a food because is organic and think that it’s OK for your weight loss program.
Offender #9.) Nuts in general
Short and sweet, nuts have a ton of calories.
You’ve probably heard that almonds can help you lose weight, or that they’re a great source of fat for weight loss programs. This can be true in moderation, but you have to be very careful of the amount of almonds, or any nuts you eat. One handful of almonds can run you around 150 calories.
Nuts can be dangerous because there’s so “snackable” and before you know it you can finish off an entire can of nuts to yourself. If you’re a snacker, you might want to keep your jar, or tin of nuts, far away from the couch when you’re watching TV at night.
Offender #10.) Avocados
Just because they’re in the fruit and vegetable isle at the grocery store, doesn’t mean that they’re in the same calorie category. In fact, avocados are mainly fat, and they have a calorie count to match.
They aren’t nearly as bad as some of the others we’ve discussed, and that’s why avocados weigh in at #10, but an average avocado will run you around 225 calories.
So although they are “good” fats, the calories can add up. Especially if you’re adding this to a salad that already contains olive oil, cheese, etc.
Alright well that’s it for the top 10 “healthy” foods that can create fat on your body instead of burn it off.
At the end of the day, you can eat any of these foods and be just fine, but you’ll just have to watch your calories and make sure you’re not going over your daily requirements. Because ultimately, eating excessive calories is really what causes you to gain weight.
And I find that many people confuse “healthy” with low calorie. And some information floating around there on the TV, newspapers, radios, etc. lead you to believe that if you just eat “good food” that you’ll magically lose weight. But that’s just not always true, you do have to watch your calories. And if you do watch them, then you’ll also begin to watch the scale go down, and your pant size too.
Here’s to your success, and remember to have fun!
Can You Ever Love Me For Me?
Can you ever love me for me?
For the me that I am true and true
Can you love me with my imperfections?
Can you see me as I am and not as what you want me to be?
Can you ever love me for me?
For the me that makes mistakes and speaks without thinking
Can you love me even when I am unreasonable?
Can you see me as I am and not for the Angel you seek?
Can you ever love me for me?
For the me that cries when an animal is hurt
Can you love me when I am sad without me having a reason to be?
Can you see me as I am not as what I once was?
Can you ever love me for me?
The Perfect Woman
It may seem cliché, but in talking with men about the perfect woman and just who exactly she is, it really comes down to whether or not a particular woman is perfect for them. It seems that that perfect image that the media constantly throws in our faces, really isn`t what men hope to capture. Why are they so enthralled by these images of perfection then? Well, it seems men are better able to separate fantasy from reality than we women are when it comes to feminine perfection.
About Being the Perfect Woman
We women are rarely able to accept our own “perfect” version of ourselves because it doesn`t look the same as what we see on television or in magazines. In reality, we find however, that this is really all it takes to make a man happy. It seems that in general, neither men nor women like perfection. Why? Because it`s intimidating and we know it isn`t real. Think about it - how insecure would we feel if we were constantly surrounded by people who looked perfect, acted perfect, and never made mistakes. It would be difficult to say the least. This may explain why extremely gorgeous women have trouble finding a date - men don`t want perfection because they aren`t comfortable with it and they know they could never match it.
How We Underestimate Just How Perfect We Really Are
My definition of perfection is being the best self that I can be - flaws and all. I`ll never have Halle Berry`s figure or Ashley Judd`s face, but if I take care of myself and love myself, I can have the most beautiful and healthy version of my own figure and face. When we know this about ourselves, we radiate our own version of perfection, and by all accounts, this is what men really find attractive.
Surprise, Surprise
What attributes do men say they find common in the “perfect woman?” Confidence in herself and her abilities, the ability to take herself lightly when needed, an accepting attitude, a sense of humor, and a positive outlook. Any male who says he`s looking for Ashley Judd`s face or Halle Berry`s figure, although beautiful in their own right, probably isn`t mature material and worth your time. Real men do look at what`s on the inside and countless polls and surveys say so. It seems the general consensus is that men would rather go out with an average-looking woman, by the media`s standards, with a great personality, than a drop-dead gorgeous woman who is lacking in the character department. Maybe us women need to give men a little more credit and lighten up on ourselves as well?
Not only is this plan of action great for men, but may help us women stay a little more sane by realizing that we can become our own individual definition of the perfect woman.
About Being the Perfect Woman
We women are rarely able to accept our own “perfect” version of ourselves because it doesn`t look the same as what we see on television or in magazines. In reality, we find however, that this is really all it takes to make a man happy. It seems that in general, neither men nor women like perfection. Why? Because it`s intimidating and we know it isn`t real. Think about it - how insecure would we feel if we were constantly surrounded by people who looked perfect, acted perfect, and never made mistakes. It would be difficult to say the least. This may explain why extremely gorgeous women have trouble finding a date - men don`t want perfection because they aren`t comfortable with it and they know they could never match it.
How We Underestimate Just How Perfect We Really Are
My definition of perfection is being the best self that I can be - flaws and all. I`ll never have Halle Berry`s figure or Ashley Judd`s face, but if I take care of myself and love myself, I can have the most beautiful and healthy version of my own figure and face. When we know this about ourselves, we radiate our own version of perfection, and by all accounts, this is what men really find attractive.
Surprise, Surprise
What attributes do men say they find common in the “perfect woman?” Confidence in herself and her abilities, the ability to take herself lightly when needed, an accepting attitude, a sense of humor, and a positive outlook. Any male who says he`s looking for Ashley Judd`s face or Halle Berry`s figure, although beautiful in their own right, probably isn`t mature material and worth your time. Real men do look at what`s on the inside and countless polls and surveys say so. It seems the general consensus is that men would rather go out with an average-looking woman, by the media`s standards, with a great personality, than a drop-dead gorgeous woman who is lacking in the character department. Maybe us women need to give men a little more credit and lighten up on ourselves as well?
Not only is this plan of action great for men, but may help us women stay a little more sane by realizing that we can become our own individual definition of the perfect woman.
The Perfect Man
Did you ever notice how most men are afraid to show woman how they really feel. Men have been taught by society its not macho to show a woman their sensitive side. Seems as if they show they are sensitive that makes them weak. I for one love a man who can cry and express all his inner feelings. I think its wonderful when a man feels that comfortable that he lets it all out. The perfect man knows his way around the kitchen as well as the garage and isn’t afraid to change a diaper. Hes not afraid to show his wife in front of his friends that shes his everything and would do anything just to see her happy.
Woman are a lot different than men we have no problem showing our true feelings in front of anyone and in any place. Most of us are looking for Mr Perfect unfortunately there isn’t many perfect men out there. We all have flaws but we can search just for the people who are similar to us. The most important thing to me is that a man has to be a good listener, not just pretend hes listening to me and a half hour later i ask him something about what I said and he has no idea. To be able to have an intelligent conversation and spend a lot of time talking. Not just talk but to share his feelings as I share mine.
If we live together he has to be willing to share all the responsibilities. I’m not a maid and if we both work then both should share in cleaning the house and doing the shopping. Its really simple to get along it just requires a bit of patience. Understand woman are more sensitive than men, something that may not bother you could be really upsetting to her. Whatever you do don’t forget important occasions they might not mean much to you but its something a woman will never forget and you will never live it down.
I DEFINATLY DON'T HAVE THE PERFECT MAN!
Woman are a lot different than men we have no problem showing our true feelings in front of anyone and in any place. Most of us are looking for Mr Perfect unfortunately there isn’t many perfect men out there. We all have flaws but we can search just for the people who are similar to us. The most important thing to me is that a man has to be a good listener, not just pretend hes listening to me and a half hour later i ask him something about what I said and he has no idea. To be able to have an intelligent conversation and spend a lot of time talking. Not just talk but to share his feelings as I share mine.
If we live together he has to be willing to share all the responsibilities. I’m not a maid and if we both work then both should share in cleaning the house and doing the shopping. Its really simple to get along it just requires a bit of patience. Understand woman are more sensitive than men, something that may not bother you could be really upsetting to her. Whatever you do don’t forget important occasions they might not mean much to you but its something a woman will never forget and you will never live it down.
I DEFINATLY DON'T HAVE THE PERFECT MAN!
Thursday, 26 June 2008
Back Home!
I'm finally back home. I was at my mom's place and I felt lost without internet and good tv! She has AOL and it keeps crappin out on her...I hated not being able to write in my journal here, and hated not being able to check my messages on Socialspark.
I went to my mom's house because today I had an assessment for Telus Mobility. I think it went well...although I ran out of time in one of the sections. I pray that I passed and will hear from them for an interview. They said that they would call on Friday...not tomorrow...a week tomorrow. If I get an email from them that means that I failed and that would fuckin suck!
I did get a call today from a Mike regarding a part time dispatch job. He just wants me for Friday and Saturday night. It would be $10/hr cash...so that's not bad. It would be an extra $600 a month that I could just throw in the bank. Ideally I really want that Telus job and then this for the weekend. I don't normally sleep until about 3am anyway.
Wish me luck!
I went to my mom's house because today I had an assessment for Telus Mobility. I think it went well...although I ran out of time in one of the sections. I pray that I passed and will hear from them for an interview. They said that they would call on Friday...not tomorrow...a week tomorrow. If I get an email from them that means that I failed and that would fuckin suck!
I did get a call today from a Mike regarding a part time dispatch job. He just wants me for Friday and Saturday night. It would be $10/hr cash...so that's not bad. It would be an extra $600 a month that I could just throw in the bank. Ideally I really want that Telus job and then this for the weekend. I don't normally sleep until about 3am anyway.
Wish me luck!
1 comment :
Labels:
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dispatching
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Socialspark
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Labels:
Assessment
,
dispatching
,
interview
,
job testing
,
Socialspark
,
Telus Mobility
Wednesday, 25 June 2008
20 Questions About Vegetarianism
Vegetarian diets are rapidly gaining in popularity. They can reduce the risk of many common diseases, promote weight loss, and help the environment. However, myths and misinformation still abound. If you’re thinking about making the switch it’s important to have accurate information. Let’s take a look at some of the most common questions about vegetarianism.
1. What are the different types of vegetarians?
There are several different variations of the vegetarian diet. Strict vegetarians, called vegans, eat no animal products at all. The staples of their diets are fruits, vegetables, legumes (beans and peas), grains, seeds, and nuts. Lacto-vegetarians eat dairy products in addition to plant foods. Lacto-ovo vegetarians include dairy products and eggs as well as plant foods in their diets.
People who eat animal flesh (meat, fish, chicken) are not considered to be vegetarians. However, as the health benefits of a vegetarian diet become more widely known, many people reduce or eliminate animal products. For example, they may eat fish and chicken but no red meat, or they may eat meat in small portions only a few times a week. These people can most accurately be described as following a semi-vegetarian diet.
2. What are the health benefits of a vegetarian diet?
Vegetarian diets are lower in saturated fats, cholesterol, and animal protein. They’re also high in folate, anti-oxidant vitamins like C and E, carotenoids, and phytochemicals. Overall, vegetarians have substantially reduced risks for obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, and some forms of cancer - particularly lung cancer and colon cancer. Vegetarian diets that are low in saturated fats have been successfully used to reverse severe coronary artery disease. (1)
3. Is it possible to get enough protein on a vegetarian diet?
Absolutely, it’s actually difficult to become protein deficient unless you quit eating all together. Just about all unrefined foods contain significant amounts of protein. Potatoes are 11% protein, oranges 8%, beans 26%, and tofu 34%. In fact, people have been known to grow at astounding rates (doubling their body size in only six months) on a diet of only 5% protein. These people are infants and they do it during the first 6 months of life, fueled by breast milk, which contains just 5% protein. (2)
4. How much protein do I need, anyway?
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (R.D.A.) for protein is 0.8 grams a day per kilogram of bodyweight. (Divide your weight in pounds by 2.2 to get kilograms.) Athletes may require more protein, but the amount is small (1.0 to 1.5 grams per kilogram of bodyweight), an amount easily obtainable from a vegetarian diet.
Excess protein consumption can cause a variety of problems including bone mineral loss, kidney damage, and dehydration. Your body can only use so much protein, the excess is either broken down through oxidization, placing an enormous strain on the kidneys, or it is stored as body fat. Neither option is particularly desirable. (3)
5. What’s the difference between complete and incomplete proteins?
Animal protein contains all nine of the essential amino acids, so it has been referred to as a "complete" protein. The nine essential amino acids can also be found in plant proteins, however no single plant source contains all nine of them. Therefore, plant protein has been referred to as "incomplete."
It was once widely believed that vegetarians had to carefully combine plant protein sources in each meal in order to obtain all nine essential amino acids. However, scientific studies have shown that the human body can store essential amino acids and combine them as necessary. So, while combining beans and rice, or peanut butter and bread produces a complete protein, it’s not necessary to consciously do this at every meal. If you eat a varied diet and adequate calories, combining proteins is not an issue. (2)
6. Why do people become vegetarians?
There are a variety of reasons. Many people switch to a vegetarian diet for weight loss and improved health. Some are concerned about the safety of meat following recent outbreaks of salmonella and e. coli bacteria. Others feel that it is moral or spiritual issue. Some individuals deplore the suffering of animals in modern factory farms. Still others are concerned about the environment and world hunger. A few just don’t like meat. For many vegetarians it is a combination of issues.
7. How does vegetarianism impact the environment?
Throughout the world, forests are being destroyed to support the meat-eating habits of the "developed" nations. Between 1960 and 1985, nearly 40 percent of all Central American rain forests were destroyed to create pasture for beef cattle. More than four million acres of cropland are lost to erosion in the United States every year. Of this staggering topsoil loss, 85 percent is directly associated with livestock raising, i.e., over-grazing. Much of the excrement from "food" animals (which amounts to 20 times as much fecal matter as human waste) flows unfiltered into our lakes and streams. (4)
8. What does vegetarianism have to do with world hunger?
Raising animals for food is an extremely inefficient way to feed a growing human population. The U.S. livestock population consumes enough grain and soybeans to feed more than five times the entire U.S. population. One acre of pasture produces an average of 165 pounds of beef; the same acre can produce 20,000 pounds of potatoes. If Americans reduced their meat consumption by only 10 percent, it would free 12 million tons of grain annually for human consumption. That alone would be enough to adequately feed each of the 60 million people who starve to death each year. (4)
9. What do vegetarians eat? Don’t they miss their favorite foods?
Vegetarians have a variety of great food choices. Many of them are just slight variations on old favorites. Some popular dishes include: pasta with tomato sauce, bean burritos, tacos, tostadas, pizza, baked potatoes, vegetable soups, whole grain bread and muffins, sandwiches, macaroni, stir-fry, all types of salad, veggie burgers with french fries, beans and rice, bagels, breakfast cereals, pancakes, and waffles just to name a few. The freezer sections of most big grocery stores carry an assortment of vegetarian convenience foods such as veggie bacon, burgers, and breakfast sausages.
10. Are vegetarian diets always healthy?
Not always, if a vegetarian replaces the meat with high fat cheeses and oil, they’re not helping matters much. It’s also important to remember that there’s no meat in ice cream, potato chips, and fudge brownies. It’s certainly possible to be a vegetarian and still consume large quantities of high-fat empty calories. Vegetarian or not, a healthy diet is low in cholesterol and saturated fat and is based around fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Eliminating the meat doesn’t automatically make for a healthy diet.
11. Is it hard to eat in a restaurant when you’re a vegetarian?
It’s actually surprisingly easy. You can always get beans, rice, and tortillas at a Mexican restaurant. Chinese restaurants offer all kinds of vegetable, rice, and tofu dishes. Italian restaurants are known for spaghetti, ravioli, vegetable lasagna, and minestrone soup. Even a steak restaurant is guaranteed to have big salads, baked potatoes and bread.
Fast food chains are surprisingly accommodating as well. Sandwich shops offer an assortment of vegetables and cheeses on a bun with mustard, mayo or whatever you prefer. Burger places are willing to leave the meat off of your sandwich. Many fast food places now offer salads, baked potatoes, or meatless pita sandwiches. The big pizza delivery companies have all kinds of delicious vegetable toppings. They’ll even leave the cheese off if you ask.
12. Is a vegetarian diet safe for children and teenagers?
According to the American Dietetic Association, vegetarian diets satisfy the needs of infants, children, and adolescents and promote normal growth. Emphasis should be placed on foods rich in calcium, iron, and zinc. They also stress that growing children need frequent meals and snacks, and that it’s okay for children to have some refined foods and foods that are higher in fat in order to meet their energy demands.
13. Aren’t vegetarians frail and weak?
No, that one is a myth. Former champion bodybuilder, Bill Pearl is a vegetarian. So is the legendary 6'8, 320 pound wrestler, Killer Kowalski; fitness guru, Jack LaLanne; Olympic gold medalist, Edwin Moses; and 6-time Ironman Triathlon winner, Dave Scott, just to name a few. Burly vegetarians from the animal kingdom include bulls, elephants, rhinos, and gorillas. Try telling one of those guys that you can’t get big and strong eating your leaves and twigs!
14. How do you make the transition to a vegetarian diet?
That depends on the individual. Some people just decide to do it and never look back. Others make gradual changes to their diets. They may start by having one or two meatless meals a day just to try it out. Some people set aside one or two days a week to go veggie, or even one day a week to eat meat. Some people start by eliminating red meat and work from there. Others just cut back on the amount of meat in their diet, using it as a condiment instead of the main course.
15. What if you live with a family of meat-eaters?
This isn’t as tricky as it sounds. It’s possible for vegetarians and meat-eaters to coexist peacefully at the same dinner table. Many dishes are a combination of vegetables, grains, and meat. The idea is to serve the various elements separately or to add the meat last.
Some suggestions include: a pizza that’s half meat / half veggie, Mexican food like tacos or fajitas that everyone assembles themselves, pasta dishes like spaghetti and meatballs with the meat added after the vegetarian has been served, or cookouts where the meat-eaters grill hot dogs and hamburgers and the vegetarian grills veggie dogs and veggie burgers. Don’t forget about meatless favorites like bread, beans, potatoes, pasta, rice, casseroles, and desserts that everyone can enjoy.
16. What do vegetarians do about travel, and social functions?
Major airlines have vegetarian meals available but you need to request it when you make your reservation. At catered events like weddings and parties, you may want to mention your dietary preferences to the host. Caterers can provide a vegetarian meal for you if they know about it ahead of time. For an important business lunch in an unfamiliar restaurant, a quick phone call to inquire about the menu options can help to put you at ease. If you’re invited to dinner in someone’s home, let the host know that you’re a vegetarian. You can also offer to contribute a dish to a dinner party or family gathering. That way you’re assured of having something good to eat.
In all of these cases, you can choose as much or as little advance preparation as you want. If you’d just as soon hang yourself with a dinner napkin than try to make special arrangements, it’s perfectly acceptable to go with the flow and make the best of what’s offered. I haven’t encountered a dining situation yet that didn’t include some variation of vegetables and bread.
17. Do vegetarians need special vitamins and supplements?
In most cases they don’t. A well-rounded vegetarian diet that includes a variety of foods usually meets all nutritional requirements. One possible exception would be vitamin B-12 which is found only in animal products. Vegetarians who limit dairy products may also want to pay special attention to getting enough calcium. Good calcium sources for vegetarians include: tofu, beans, dried figs, collard greens, blackstrap molasses, and calcium fortified orange juice or soy milk.
18. Who are some famous vegetarians?
Leonardo Da Vinci, Charles Darwin, Socrates, Plato, Sir Isaac Newton, Thomas Edison, Clive Barker, David Duchovny, Drew Barrymore, Candice Bergen, Kim Basinger, Paul McCartney, Chelsea Clinton, Woody Harrelson, Steve Vai, Eddie Vedder, Lisa Simpson, Hank Aaron, Alec Baldwin, Bryan Adams, Peter Gabriel, Mary Tyler Moore, Leonard Nimoy, Alicia Silverstone, Liv Tyler, Jerry Seinfeld, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Mark Twain, Henry David Thoreau. (5)
19. What do the experts say?
The American Dietetic Association says that appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, are nutritionally adequate, and provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. (1)
1. What are the different types of vegetarians?
There are several different variations of the vegetarian diet. Strict vegetarians, called vegans, eat no animal products at all. The staples of their diets are fruits, vegetables, legumes (beans and peas), grains, seeds, and nuts. Lacto-vegetarians eat dairy products in addition to plant foods. Lacto-ovo vegetarians include dairy products and eggs as well as plant foods in their diets.
People who eat animal flesh (meat, fish, chicken) are not considered to be vegetarians. However, as the health benefits of a vegetarian diet become more widely known, many people reduce or eliminate animal products. For example, they may eat fish and chicken but no red meat, or they may eat meat in small portions only a few times a week. These people can most accurately be described as following a semi-vegetarian diet.
2. What are the health benefits of a vegetarian diet?
Vegetarian diets are lower in saturated fats, cholesterol, and animal protein. They’re also high in folate, anti-oxidant vitamins like C and E, carotenoids, and phytochemicals. Overall, vegetarians have substantially reduced risks for obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, and some forms of cancer - particularly lung cancer and colon cancer. Vegetarian diets that are low in saturated fats have been successfully used to reverse severe coronary artery disease. (1)
3. Is it possible to get enough protein on a vegetarian diet?
Absolutely, it’s actually difficult to become protein deficient unless you quit eating all together. Just about all unrefined foods contain significant amounts of protein. Potatoes are 11% protein, oranges 8%, beans 26%, and tofu 34%. In fact, people have been known to grow at astounding rates (doubling their body size in only six months) on a diet of only 5% protein. These people are infants and they do it during the first 6 months of life, fueled by breast milk, which contains just 5% protein. (2)
4. How much protein do I need, anyway?
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (R.D.A.) for protein is 0.8 grams a day per kilogram of bodyweight. (Divide your weight in pounds by 2.2 to get kilograms.) Athletes may require more protein, but the amount is small (1.0 to 1.5 grams per kilogram of bodyweight), an amount easily obtainable from a vegetarian diet.
Excess protein consumption can cause a variety of problems including bone mineral loss, kidney damage, and dehydration. Your body can only use so much protein, the excess is either broken down through oxidization, placing an enormous strain on the kidneys, or it is stored as body fat. Neither option is particularly desirable. (3)
5. What’s the difference between complete and incomplete proteins?
Animal protein contains all nine of the essential amino acids, so it has been referred to as a "complete" protein. The nine essential amino acids can also be found in plant proteins, however no single plant source contains all nine of them. Therefore, plant protein has been referred to as "incomplete."
It was once widely believed that vegetarians had to carefully combine plant protein sources in each meal in order to obtain all nine essential amino acids. However, scientific studies have shown that the human body can store essential amino acids and combine them as necessary. So, while combining beans and rice, or peanut butter and bread produces a complete protein, it’s not necessary to consciously do this at every meal. If you eat a varied diet and adequate calories, combining proteins is not an issue. (2)
6. Why do people become vegetarians?
There are a variety of reasons. Many people switch to a vegetarian diet for weight loss and improved health. Some are concerned about the safety of meat following recent outbreaks of salmonella and e. coli bacteria. Others feel that it is moral or spiritual issue. Some individuals deplore the suffering of animals in modern factory farms. Still others are concerned about the environment and world hunger. A few just don’t like meat. For many vegetarians it is a combination of issues.
7. How does vegetarianism impact the environment?
Throughout the world, forests are being destroyed to support the meat-eating habits of the "developed" nations. Between 1960 and 1985, nearly 40 percent of all Central American rain forests were destroyed to create pasture for beef cattle. More than four million acres of cropland are lost to erosion in the United States every year. Of this staggering topsoil loss, 85 percent is directly associated with livestock raising, i.e., over-grazing. Much of the excrement from "food" animals (which amounts to 20 times as much fecal matter as human waste) flows unfiltered into our lakes and streams. (4)
8. What does vegetarianism have to do with world hunger?
Raising animals for food is an extremely inefficient way to feed a growing human population. The U.S. livestock population consumes enough grain and soybeans to feed more than five times the entire U.S. population. One acre of pasture produces an average of 165 pounds of beef; the same acre can produce 20,000 pounds of potatoes. If Americans reduced their meat consumption by only 10 percent, it would free 12 million tons of grain annually for human consumption. That alone would be enough to adequately feed each of the 60 million people who starve to death each year. (4)
9. What do vegetarians eat? Don’t they miss their favorite foods?
Vegetarians have a variety of great food choices. Many of them are just slight variations on old favorites. Some popular dishes include: pasta with tomato sauce, bean burritos, tacos, tostadas, pizza, baked potatoes, vegetable soups, whole grain bread and muffins, sandwiches, macaroni, stir-fry, all types of salad, veggie burgers with french fries, beans and rice, bagels, breakfast cereals, pancakes, and waffles just to name a few. The freezer sections of most big grocery stores carry an assortment of vegetarian convenience foods such as veggie bacon, burgers, and breakfast sausages.
10. Are vegetarian diets always healthy?
Not always, if a vegetarian replaces the meat with high fat cheeses and oil, they’re not helping matters much. It’s also important to remember that there’s no meat in ice cream, potato chips, and fudge brownies. It’s certainly possible to be a vegetarian and still consume large quantities of high-fat empty calories. Vegetarian or not, a healthy diet is low in cholesterol and saturated fat and is based around fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Eliminating the meat doesn’t automatically make for a healthy diet.
11. Is it hard to eat in a restaurant when you’re a vegetarian?
It’s actually surprisingly easy. You can always get beans, rice, and tortillas at a Mexican restaurant. Chinese restaurants offer all kinds of vegetable, rice, and tofu dishes. Italian restaurants are known for spaghetti, ravioli, vegetable lasagna, and minestrone soup. Even a steak restaurant is guaranteed to have big salads, baked potatoes and bread.
Fast food chains are surprisingly accommodating as well. Sandwich shops offer an assortment of vegetables and cheeses on a bun with mustard, mayo or whatever you prefer. Burger places are willing to leave the meat off of your sandwich. Many fast food places now offer salads, baked potatoes, or meatless pita sandwiches. The big pizza delivery companies have all kinds of delicious vegetable toppings. They’ll even leave the cheese off if you ask.
12. Is a vegetarian diet safe for children and teenagers?
According to the American Dietetic Association, vegetarian diets satisfy the needs of infants, children, and adolescents and promote normal growth. Emphasis should be placed on foods rich in calcium, iron, and zinc. They also stress that growing children need frequent meals and snacks, and that it’s okay for children to have some refined foods and foods that are higher in fat in order to meet their energy demands.
13. Aren’t vegetarians frail and weak?
No, that one is a myth. Former champion bodybuilder, Bill Pearl is a vegetarian. So is the legendary 6'8, 320 pound wrestler, Killer Kowalski; fitness guru, Jack LaLanne; Olympic gold medalist, Edwin Moses; and 6-time Ironman Triathlon winner, Dave Scott, just to name a few. Burly vegetarians from the animal kingdom include bulls, elephants, rhinos, and gorillas. Try telling one of those guys that you can’t get big and strong eating your leaves and twigs!
14. How do you make the transition to a vegetarian diet?
That depends on the individual. Some people just decide to do it and never look back. Others make gradual changes to their diets. They may start by having one or two meatless meals a day just to try it out. Some people set aside one or two days a week to go veggie, or even one day a week to eat meat. Some people start by eliminating red meat and work from there. Others just cut back on the amount of meat in their diet, using it as a condiment instead of the main course.
15. What if you live with a family of meat-eaters?
This isn’t as tricky as it sounds. It’s possible for vegetarians and meat-eaters to coexist peacefully at the same dinner table. Many dishes are a combination of vegetables, grains, and meat. The idea is to serve the various elements separately or to add the meat last.
Some suggestions include: a pizza that’s half meat / half veggie, Mexican food like tacos or fajitas that everyone assembles themselves, pasta dishes like spaghetti and meatballs with the meat added after the vegetarian has been served, or cookouts where the meat-eaters grill hot dogs and hamburgers and the vegetarian grills veggie dogs and veggie burgers. Don’t forget about meatless favorites like bread, beans, potatoes, pasta, rice, casseroles, and desserts that everyone can enjoy.
16. What do vegetarians do about travel, and social functions?
Major airlines have vegetarian meals available but you need to request it when you make your reservation. At catered events like weddings and parties, you may want to mention your dietary preferences to the host. Caterers can provide a vegetarian meal for you if they know about it ahead of time. For an important business lunch in an unfamiliar restaurant, a quick phone call to inquire about the menu options can help to put you at ease. If you’re invited to dinner in someone’s home, let the host know that you’re a vegetarian. You can also offer to contribute a dish to a dinner party or family gathering. That way you’re assured of having something good to eat.
In all of these cases, you can choose as much or as little advance preparation as you want. If you’d just as soon hang yourself with a dinner napkin than try to make special arrangements, it’s perfectly acceptable to go with the flow and make the best of what’s offered. I haven’t encountered a dining situation yet that didn’t include some variation of vegetables and bread.
17. Do vegetarians need special vitamins and supplements?
In most cases they don’t. A well-rounded vegetarian diet that includes a variety of foods usually meets all nutritional requirements. One possible exception would be vitamin B-12 which is found only in animal products. Vegetarians who limit dairy products may also want to pay special attention to getting enough calcium. Good calcium sources for vegetarians include: tofu, beans, dried figs, collard greens, blackstrap molasses, and calcium fortified orange juice or soy milk.
18. Who are some famous vegetarians?
Leonardo Da Vinci, Charles Darwin, Socrates, Plato, Sir Isaac Newton, Thomas Edison, Clive Barker, David Duchovny, Drew Barrymore, Candice Bergen, Kim Basinger, Paul McCartney, Chelsea Clinton, Woody Harrelson, Steve Vai, Eddie Vedder, Lisa Simpson, Hank Aaron, Alec Baldwin, Bryan Adams, Peter Gabriel, Mary Tyler Moore, Leonard Nimoy, Alicia Silverstone, Liv Tyler, Jerry Seinfeld, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Mark Twain, Henry David Thoreau. (5)
19. What do the experts say?
The American Dietetic Association says that appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, are nutritionally adequate, and provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. (1)
Healthy Eating Based on the Food Guide Pyramid
The USDA’s Food Guide Pyramid places an emphasis on fruits, vegetables, and grains. It's easy to use the pyramid to choose a healthy diet that meets your particular needs. Let's take a look at each of the food groups:
Bread, Cereal, Rice, and Pasta
6-11 servings a day
These complex carbohydrates make up the base of the pyramid. They provide B-vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Try to steer clear of the more highly processed carbohydrates such as white bread and sugary cereals. Choose whole grain products whenever possible. They have more vitamins, minerals, and fiber than products made from processed white flour. They also hit your bloodstream more slowly, giving you a longer lasting source of fuel.
1 serving = 1 slice of bread, 1/2 bagel or bun, 1 ounce dry cereal, 1/2 cup cooked cereal, 1/2 cup cooked rice, 1/2 cup cooked pasta.
Vegetables
3-5 servings a day
Vegetables are a fantastic source of vitamins and fiber. They're also naturally low in fat and calories. Deep-yellow, or orange vegetables, like carrots and squash, are a great source of vitamin A. Veggies from the cabbage and pepper families (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, bell peppers) are surprisingly rich in vitamin C.
1 serving = 1 cup raw leafy greens, 1/2 cup any other chopped vegetable, 3/4 cup vegetable juice
Fruits
2-4 servings a day
Fruit makes a great snack or healthy dessert. It's high in carbohydrate energy and potassium, low in sodium, and full of vitamins. Strawberries, watermelon, and citrus fruits (like oranges and grapefruit) are full of vitamin C; apricots and other orange-colored fruits have lots of vitamin A; and cantaloupe, mangos and papayas have both vitamins A and C. Try to avoid juices sweetened with sugar or canned fruit in heavy syrup.
1 serving = 1 medium apple, banana, or orange; 1/2 cup chopped fruit or berries; 3/4 cup fruit juice.
Milk, Yogurt, and Cheese
2-4 servings a day
We've all heard that milk products are rich sources of calcium, but did you know that they're also loaded with protein? A glass of milk or a cup of yogurt has high-quality protein equal to an ounce of meat or cheese or to one egg. Try to choose reduced fat dairy products whenever possible. A glass of whole milk has the equivalent of two teaspoons of butter or three tablespoons of sour cream. That bit of added fat would probably be more enjoyable on a baked potato rather than hidden in your milk!
1 serving = 1 cup milk or yogurt, 1-1/2 ounces of natural cheese, 2 ounces of processed cheese.
Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs, and Nuts
2-3 servings a day
This group is a major source of protein. Cooked beans are high in protein and fiber and low in fat. Tofu and white beans provide calcium. Almonds are good sources of vitamin E. Beef contains highly absorbable trace minerals like iron, zinc, and magnese. Poultry and seafood contribute vitamin B6, and pork is a rich source of thiamine.
1 serving = 2-3 ounces of cooked lean meat, poultry, or fish; 1 egg; 1/2 cup cooked beans, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, nuts, or seeds.
Fats, Oils, and Sweets
Use sparingly
This group represents the tip of the pyramid. It includes butter, oils, margarine, sour cream, soda pop, candy, and sweet desserts. Remember, not all fats are created equal. You want to minimize saturated fats found in animal products like meat and dairy, and trans-fats found in margarine or fried snack foods (look out for "partially hydrogenated" anything). Focus instead heart-healthy unsaturated fats such as those found in olive oil, nuts, seeds, and avocado. Sweets should be minimized as well. It’s generally better to enjoy a really extravagant dessert once in a while than to fill your daily menu with "fat-free" sugary treats. These sweets still tend to be high in calories and pretty much devoid of nutritional benefits. One possible exception may be molasses, which provides a rich source of iron.
Now that we've covered all the basics, let's put it all together in a plan that's right for you. Here are some sample diets at 3 different calorie levels:
1,600 calories is appropriate for many sedentary women and some older adults.
Bread group servings . . . . . . . . . .6
Vegetable group servings . . . . . . .3
Fruit group servings . . . . . . . . . . .2
Milk group servings . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Meat group (in total ounces) . . . . 5 oz.
Total fat (in grams) . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Total added sugars (in grams). . . .24
2,200 calories is about right for most children, teenage girls, active women and sedentary men. Women who are pregnant or breast feeding may need somewhat more.
Bread group servings . . . . . . . . . .9
Vegetable group servings . . . . . . .4
Fruit group servings . . . . . . . . . . .3
Milk group servings . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Meat group (in total ounces) . . . . 6 oz.
Total fat (in grams) . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Total added sugars (in grams). . . .48
2,800 calories is good for teenage boys, many active men, and some very active women.
Bread group servings . . . . . . . . . .11
Vegetable group servings . . . . . . .5
Fruit group servings . . . . . . . . . . .4
Milk group servings . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Meat group (in total ounces) . . . . 7 oz.
Total fat (in grams) . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Total added sugars (in grams). . . .72
Note: Women who are pregnant or breast feeding, teenagers, and young adults to age 24 should have 3 servings from the milk group.
If you are trying to lose weight, increase your activity level and reduce the empty calories in your diet. In particular, look out for lots of highly processed carbohydrates such as commercial snack foods, white bread, regular soda, and large servings of fat-free treats. Remember that fat-free doesn’t mean calorie-free! Try to replace these foods with hearty whole grains, sprouted breads, steel cut oats, and other more nutrient dense sources of carbohydrate.
If you are trying to gain weight, eat more servings from all the food groups and be sure to stay active. You can insure that most of what you gain is lean muscle by sticking to a low-fat, adequate-protein, and higher calorie diet in conjunction with weight training.
For most people it's not necessary to actually measure each serving of food. The serving sizes are given only as a general guideline. For mixed foods you can estimate the food group servings of the main ingredients.
For example, a cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato would be: 2 bread (each half of the bun), 1 meat (the burger itself), 1 dairy (the cheese), and 1 vegetable (the lettuce and tomato.)
Bread, Cereal, Rice, and Pasta
6-11 servings a day
These complex carbohydrates make up the base of the pyramid. They provide B-vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Try to steer clear of the more highly processed carbohydrates such as white bread and sugary cereals. Choose whole grain products whenever possible. They have more vitamins, minerals, and fiber than products made from processed white flour. They also hit your bloodstream more slowly, giving you a longer lasting source of fuel.
1 serving = 1 slice of bread, 1/2 bagel or bun, 1 ounce dry cereal, 1/2 cup cooked cereal, 1/2 cup cooked rice, 1/2 cup cooked pasta.
Vegetables
3-5 servings a day
Vegetables are a fantastic source of vitamins and fiber. They're also naturally low in fat and calories. Deep-yellow, or orange vegetables, like carrots and squash, are a great source of vitamin A. Veggies from the cabbage and pepper families (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, bell peppers) are surprisingly rich in vitamin C.
1 serving = 1 cup raw leafy greens, 1/2 cup any other chopped vegetable, 3/4 cup vegetable juice
Fruits
2-4 servings a day
Fruit makes a great snack or healthy dessert. It's high in carbohydrate energy and potassium, low in sodium, and full of vitamins. Strawberries, watermelon, and citrus fruits (like oranges and grapefruit) are full of vitamin C; apricots and other orange-colored fruits have lots of vitamin A; and cantaloupe, mangos and papayas have both vitamins A and C. Try to avoid juices sweetened with sugar or canned fruit in heavy syrup.
1 serving = 1 medium apple, banana, or orange; 1/2 cup chopped fruit or berries; 3/4 cup fruit juice.
Milk, Yogurt, and Cheese
2-4 servings a day
We've all heard that milk products are rich sources of calcium, but did you know that they're also loaded with protein? A glass of milk or a cup of yogurt has high-quality protein equal to an ounce of meat or cheese or to one egg. Try to choose reduced fat dairy products whenever possible. A glass of whole milk has the equivalent of two teaspoons of butter or three tablespoons of sour cream. That bit of added fat would probably be more enjoyable on a baked potato rather than hidden in your milk!
1 serving = 1 cup milk or yogurt, 1-1/2 ounces of natural cheese, 2 ounces of processed cheese.
Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs, and Nuts
2-3 servings a day
This group is a major source of protein. Cooked beans are high in protein and fiber and low in fat. Tofu and white beans provide calcium. Almonds are good sources of vitamin E. Beef contains highly absorbable trace minerals like iron, zinc, and magnese. Poultry and seafood contribute vitamin B6, and pork is a rich source of thiamine.
1 serving = 2-3 ounces of cooked lean meat, poultry, or fish; 1 egg; 1/2 cup cooked beans, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, nuts, or seeds.
Fats, Oils, and Sweets
Use sparingly
This group represents the tip of the pyramid. It includes butter, oils, margarine, sour cream, soda pop, candy, and sweet desserts. Remember, not all fats are created equal. You want to minimize saturated fats found in animal products like meat and dairy, and trans-fats found in margarine or fried snack foods (look out for "partially hydrogenated" anything). Focus instead heart-healthy unsaturated fats such as those found in olive oil, nuts, seeds, and avocado. Sweets should be minimized as well. It’s generally better to enjoy a really extravagant dessert once in a while than to fill your daily menu with "fat-free" sugary treats. These sweets still tend to be high in calories and pretty much devoid of nutritional benefits. One possible exception may be molasses, which provides a rich source of iron.
Now that we've covered all the basics, let's put it all together in a plan that's right for you. Here are some sample diets at 3 different calorie levels:
1,600 calories is appropriate for many sedentary women and some older adults.
Bread group servings . . . . . . . . . .6
Vegetable group servings . . . . . . .3
Fruit group servings . . . . . . . . . . .2
Milk group servings . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Meat group (in total ounces) . . . . 5 oz.
Total fat (in grams) . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Total added sugars (in grams). . . .24
2,200 calories is about right for most children, teenage girls, active women and sedentary men. Women who are pregnant or breast feeding may need somewhat more.
Bread group servings . . . . . . . . . .9
Vegetable group servings . . . . . . .4
Fruit group servings . . . . . . . . . . .3
Milk group servings . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Meat group (in total ounces) . . . . 6 oz.
Total fat (in grams) . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Total added sugars (in grams). . . .48
2,800 calories is good for teenage boys, many active men, and some very active women.
Bread group servings . . . . . . . . . .11
Vegetable group servings . . . . . . .5
Fruit group servings . . . . . . . . . . .4
Milk group servings . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Meat group (in total ounces) . . . . 7 oz.
Total fat (in grams) . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Total added sugars (in grams). . . .72
Note: Women who are pregnant or breast feeding, teenagers, and young adults to age 24 should have 3 servings from the milk group.
If you are trying to lose weight, increase your activity level and reduce the empty calories in your diet. In particular, look out for lots of highly processed carbohydrates such as commercial snack foods, white bread, regular soda, and large servings of fat-free treats. Remember that fat-free doesn’t mean calorie-free! Try to replace these foods with hearty whole grains, sprouted breads, steel cut oats, and other more nutrient dense sources of carbohydrate.
If you are trying to gain weight, eat more servings from all the food groups and be sure to stay active. You can insure that most of what you gain is lean muscle by sticking to a low-fat, adequate-protein, and higher calorie diet in conjunction with weight training.
For most people it's not necessary to actually measure each serving of food. The serving sizes are given only as a general guideline. For mixed foods you can estimate the food group servings of the main ingredients.
For example, a cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato would be: 2 bread (each half of the bun), 1 meat (the burger itself), 1 dairy (the cheese), and 1 vegetable (the lettuce and tomato.)
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Balancing Snacking With Physical Activity For A Healthy Lifestyle
Balancing work, family life, and leading a healthy lifestyle can be challenging. In addition to fitting all of your responsibilities into the day, it's important to eat nutritious, tasty meals, and to include regular physical activity to help you look and feel your best.
Include a wide variety of healthful snacks in your eating pattern. Snacking on grain-based snacks, for example, can help maintain energy levels while providing vitamins, minerals, protein and carbohydrates. Regular physical activity promotes overall fitness, and a cardiovascular workout helps keep your heart healthy.
Balance Good Nutrition With Good Taste.
Nutrition experts recommend choosing a wide variety of foods from all the food groups in the Food Guide Pyramid. It makes good health sense to moderate total fat intake. Remember cutting down on fat doesn't mean cutting back on taste. Today there are lots of good-tasting, low-fat, nutritious snacks available.
Use the Food Guide Pyramid as your "snack guide." The pyramid provides you with a practical tool to help you include a broad selection of foods.
Here are some suggestions:
Go for the grains.
Nutrition experts recommend 6-11 daily servings of grains, including bread, rice, cereal and pasta. To reach this goal, you can include plenty of grain-based snacks that are low in fat and calories, like graham crackers, pretzels, and fat-free flavored rice cakes.
Be a fan of fruits and vegetables.
The pyramid recommends two or four servings of fruit and three to five servings of vegetables each day. Snack on bananas, peaches, carrots, or green and red pepper strips. Don't forget juices--try a glass of fruit or vegetable juice to help meet serving recommendations.
Don't forget dairy.
Include snacks from the milk, yogurt and cheese group. To help meet your daily calcium requirement, choose two to three servings of dairy products each day. Snack on low-fat yogurt, or have a low-fat or skim milk shake or a slice of cheese on a cracker.
Make Snacking a Part Of Your Active Day.
There are easy ways to make snacking work for you, which is especially important for an active lifestyle. Light snacks help keep you going whether you're at home or work, and especially when you're planning to exercise.
Here are some tips for incorporating snacks into a healthy lifestyle:
Snack for energy.
Include a small snack two to three times a day to help keep up energy levels.
Remember that juice counts.
A glass of fruit or vegetable juice counts as a serving, too. Keep some in the fridge so you can grab one any time.
Snack with a friend.
Take a snack break with a friend. By snacking with someone, you can remind each other to eat healthful snacks and take time out of your busy day to "catch up."
Stash a snack.
Keep snacks in a desk drawer at work or even in a briefcase or carryall, so you're ready when the munchies hit. Be sure to toss a couple of snacks into your duffel bag when you're going to work out.
Pack snacks in the car.
Snacks are fun to share with the carpool gang. Pack the car with some whole-wheat bread sticks, fat-free flavored rice cakes, or fresh apples, bananas, grapes and whole baby carrots.
Have a quick breakfast.
No time for breakfast? Try a new take on the traditional morning meal with a snack-like breakfast, like individual packs of low-fat yogurt, a bagel with preserves, and a glass of fruit juice.
Treat yourself.
Enjoy an evening snack, especially something sweet, after dinner. Savor some fig bars, fat-free caramel corn cakes, or low-fat frozen yogurt.
Include a wide variety of healthful snacks in your eating pattern. Snacking on grain-based snacks, for example, can help maintain energy levels while providing vitamins, minerals, protein and carbohydrates. Regular physical activity promotes overall fitness, and a cardiovascular workout helps keep your heart healthy.
Balance Good Nutrition With Good Taste.
Nutrition experts recommend choosing a wide variety of foods from all the food groups in the Food Guide Pyramid. It makes good health sense to moderate total fat intake. Remember cutting down on fat doesn't mean cutting back on taste. Today there are lots of good-tasting, low-fat, nutritious snacks available.
Use the Food Guide Pyramid as your "snack guide." The pyramid provides you with a practical tool to help you include a broad selection of foods.
Here are some suggestions:
Go for the grains.
Nutrition experts recommend 6-11 daily servings of grains, including bread, rice, cereal and pasta. To reach this goal, you can include plenty of grain-based snacks that are low in fat and calories, like graham crackers, pretzels, and fat-free flavored rice cakes.
Be a fan of fruits and vegetables.
The pyramid recommends two or four servings of fruit and three to five servings of vegetables each day. Snack on bananas, peaches, carrots, or green and red pepper strips. Don't forget juices--try a glass of fruit or vegetable juice to help meet serving recommendations.
Don't forget dairy.
Include snacks from the milk, yogurt and cheese group. To help meet your daily calcium requirement, choose two to three servings of dairy products each day. Snack on low-fat yogurt, or have a low-fat or skim milk shake or a slice of cheese on a cracker.
Make Snacking a Part Of Your Active Day.
There are easy ways to make snacking work for you, which is especially important for an active lifestyle. Light snacks help keep you going whether you're at home or work, and especially when you're planning to exercise.
Here are some tips for incorporating snacks into a healthy lifestyle:
Snack for energy.
Include a small snack two to three times a day to help keep up energy levels.
Remember that juice counts.
A glass of fruit or vegetable juice counts as a serving, too. Keep some in the fridge so you can grab one any time.
Snack with a friend.
Take a snack break with a friend. By snacking with someone, you can remind each other to eat healthful snacks and take time out of your busy day to "catch up."
Stash a snack.
Keep snacks in a desk drawer at work or even in a briefcase or carryall, so you're ready when the munchies hit. Be sure to toss a couple of snacks into your duffel bag when you're going to work out.
Pack snacks in the car.
Snacks are fun to share with the carpool gang. Pack the car with some whole-wheat bread sticks, fat-free flavored rice cakes, or fresh apples, bananas, grapes and whole baby carrots.
Have a quick breakfast.
No time for breakfast? Try a new take on the traditional morning meal with a snack-like breakfast, like individual packs of low-fat yogurt, a bagel with preserves, and a glass of fruit juice.
Treat yourself.
Enjoy an evening snack, especially something sweet, after dinner. Savor some fig bars, fat-free caramel corn cakes, or low-fat frozen yogurt.
No comments :
Labels:
diet
,
dietary fat
,
food guide
,
healthy lifestyle
,
physical activity
,
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Labels:
diet
,
dietary fat
,
food guide
,
healthy lifestyle
,
physical activity
,
snacking
,
thin
The Skinny on Dietary Fat and Lower-Fat Foods
Sometimes it seems as though dietary fat is the most important thing in everyone's lives. News-papers and magazines are filled with articles about the dangers of eating too many high-fat foods. Supermarket shelves overflow with reduced-, low- and non-fat foods, and virtually every person you talk to is trying to trim the fat from his or her diet! With all of this attention to fat, one would think that Americans are pretty well versed on the subject. Nevertheless, misconceptions about fat-especially about reduced-fat foods and their role in the diet-pop up frequently in conversations and articles on health. Here, with the help of some nutrition and food experts, are the facts with which to combat the "myth-information" about dietary fats and low-fat foods.
The following claims are defined for one serving:
Fat-free Less than 0.5 gram fat
Low fat 3 grams or less fat
Reduced or less fat At least 25% less fat*
Light One-third fewer calories and/or 50% less fat*
* As compared with a standard serving size of the traditional food
Myth:
Americans have successfully cut the amount of fat in their diets.
Fact:
While many of us could benefit if this were true, in actuality Americans are not eating less fat, but have decreased the percent of calories that comes from fat in our diets. This may sound like semantics, but it is not-there is a real explanation. According to Ronette Briefel, Dr.P.H., R.D., Senior Research Epidemiologist and Nutrition Policy Advisor at the National Center for Health Statistics, "Between the 1970s and the 1990s, Americans decreased their intake of total fat from about 37 percent of calories to about 34 percent of calories. Yet, during this same time period, average adult calorie intake increased by approximately 300 calories," adds Briefel. This increase in caloric consumption explains why the decline in percent of total calories from fat can be confusing. Fat consumption actually increased from around 81 grams per day in the late 1970s to about 83 grams per day in the early 1990s. As you can see, there is still room for improvement with regard to nutrition.
Myth:
Reduced-fat foods are always low in fat.
Fact:
These foods are definitely lower in fat, but that does not necessarily mean they are "low fat." To know the facts, read the nutrition label and compare the fat content of two similar products with the same serving size.
The Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have set specific regulations on allowable product descriptions (see following table).
How Fat Replacers Can Help
Reduce Fat and Calorie Intake
This sample menu shows the difference in the fat and calories that foods containing fat replacers can make. Be savvy and sensible. Keep in mind that portion size still counts.
Regular Lunch
Calories Fat(g)
2 slices bread 130 2
1 oz. American Cheese 105 9
2 oz. bologna 180 17
1 tbs. mayonnaise 100 11
1 banana 105 0
2 chocolate cookies(30 grams) 140 6
760 45
Fat Replaced Lunch
2 slices bread 130 2
1 oz. reduced-fat cheese product 75 4
2 oz. fat-free bologna 40 0
1 tbs. low-fat mayonnaise/dressing 25 1
1 banana 105 0
2 reduced-fat chocolate cookies (30 grams) 120 3
495 10
Myth:
Fat-free and lower-fat foods are the solution to obesity.
Fact:
These foods can definitely play a part in an overall effort to lose weight, but consuming them will not undo a myriad of other dietary downfalls, or make up for a lack of physical activity. Successful weight loss-and weight maintenance-depends on achieving the right mix of diet and physical activity. To lose weight, you need to take in less energy (eat fewer calories) than you expend (or "work off") through physical activity. Combining dietary modifications to reduce calories and fat with a consistent physical activity plan is usually the most effective way to lose weight.
For many people, reducing their fat consumption is easier and more "painless" when they can substitute fat-free or lower-fat versions of foods for their regular-fat counterparts. Aside from the fact that a diet consisting mainly of fat-free and lower-fat foods will not guarantee slimness, experts remind us that a healthful diet is not defined by the number of fat-free foods it contains. "Healthful eating efforts need to shift from focusing only on fat-or its absence-to a combined focus on increasing nutrient density and reducing fat at the same time," says Bruce German, Ph.D., professor and John E. Kinsella Endowed Chair of the Department of Food Science and Technology, University of California-Davis. In other words, we should strive to consume foods that are not simply low in fat but are, on balance, high in nutrients. German explains one way to think about reduced-fat foods in this context: "The lack of fat in a food provides the eater with more opportunities to get nutrients from other foods, while keeping the fat content of the diet in line."
Myth:
Americans are getting fatter because they are overeating fat-free and low-fat foods.
Fact:
Americans do weigh more than their ancestors, and surveys indicate Americans are eating more calories. "However, the increase cannot be attributed to overeating fat-free and low-fat foods," according to Madeleine Sigman-Grant, Ph.D., R.D., associate professor of the Department of Food Science, the Pennsylvania State University. "There is a definite lack of data to support the idea that low-fat and fat-free foods are making us fatter. In fact, the increase in American obesity rates precedes the influx of fat-free and low-fat foods into the marketplace." Obesity occurs when far more calories are consumed than are used by the body. And the fact is, research shows that lower-fat, lower-calorie foods can help cut total calorie intake when they are eaten as part of a well-balanced and calorie-controlled diet.
So, if low-fat and fat-free foods have not "backfired" on those of us trying to lose weight, what is increasing our national girth? Many experts believe that a lack of daily physical activity is a major factor in the weight gain equation. According to Dr. Briefel, "Physical activity has not increased to a large extent in the population as a whole, as noted in the 1996 Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity."
Myth:
Low-fat means low calorie.
Fact:
Not always. Reducing the amount of fat in a food does not necessarily mean it is lower in calories. In fact, a lower-fat food can have nearly as many calories as its higher-fat counterpart. How can this be? In order to manufacture fat-free and low-fat products that are acceptable to consumers in taste and consistency, other ingredients may be added or modified. The best bet is to refer to the Nutrition Facts panel on the product label. It lists fat and calorie content, as well as what portion size is considered a "serving." Also, make moderation a motto at mealtime-do not go overboard with any food, whether it is low in fat or not.
Myth:
Fat-free means taste free.
Fact:
If you have not tasted a fat-free food for some time, you probably remember the experience as somewhat less than satisfying. Food manufacturers acknowledge that many of the first fat-free products on the market did not meet consumers' taste expectations. However, the commitment to making good-tasting fat-free foods is clearly evident in today's marketplace, and has resulted in some undeniably tasty products.
If the thought of going "cold turkey" and switching from full-fat foods to some fat-free choices seems too drastic a dietary measure for you, try some of the reduced-fat and low-fat versions. A little fat can go a long way in adding both flavor and texture to a food. And do not make the mistake of thinking you need to take an all-or-nothing approach to reducing fat in your diet. Small decreases in fat consumption can make a very big difference in your diet and health.
Myth:
Not all calories are created equal.
Fact:
Simply put, a calorie is a calorie. Whether a calorie comes from fat, carbohydrate or protein, it is still a calorie. An important thing to remember is that "calories in" must equal "calories out," or you will gain (or lose) weight. Al-though research in the area is still ongoing, some studies have suggested that excess calories from fat are more easily converted to body fat, as opposed to excess calories from carbohydrate or protein. Nevertheless, a diet devoid of fat is not a healthy one-some dietary fat is necessary for good health.
The following claims are defined for one serving:
Fat-free Less than 0.5 gram fat
Low fat 3 grams or less fat
Reduced or less fat At least 25% less fat*
Light One-third fewer calories and/or 50% less fat*
* As compared with a standard serving size of the traditional food
Myth:
Americans have successfully cut the amount of fat in their diets.
Fact:
While many of us could benefit if this were true, in actuality Americans are not eating less fat, but have decreased the percent of calories that comes from fat in our diets. This may sound like semantics, but it is not-there is a real explanation. According to Ronette Briefel, Dr.P.H., R.D., Senior Research Epidemiologist and Nutrition Policy Advisor at the National Center for Health Statistics, "Between the 1970s and the 1990s, Americans decreased their intake of total fat from about 37 percent of calories to about 34 percent of calories. Yet, during this same time period, average adult calorie intake increased by approximately 300 calories," adds Briefel. This increase in caloric consumption explains why the decline in percent of total calories from fat can be confusing. Fat consumption actually increased from around 81 grams per day in the late 1970s to about 83 grams per day in the early 1990s. As you can see, there is still room for improvement with regard to nutrition.
Myth:
Reduced-fat foods are always low in fat.
Fact:
These foods are definitely lower in fat, but that does not necessarily mean they are "low fat." To know the facts, read the nutrition label and compare the fat content of two similar products with the same serving size.
The Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have set specific regulations on allowable product descriptions (see following table).
How Fat Replacers Can Help
Reduce Fat and Calorie Intake
This sample menu shows the difference in the fat and calories that foods containing fat replacers can make. Be savvy and sensible. Keep in mind that portion size still counts.
Regular Lunch
Calories Fat(g)
2 slices bread 130 2
1 oz. American Cheese 105 9
2 oz. bologna 180 17
1 tbs. mayonnaise 100 11
1 banana 105 0
2 chocolate cookies(30 grams) 140 6
760 45
Fat Replaced Lunch
2 slices bread 130 2
1 oz. reduced-fat cheese product 75 4
2 oz. fat-free bologna 40 0
1 tbs. low-fat mayonnaise/dressing 25 1
1 banana 105 0
2 reduced-fat chocolate cookies (30 grams) 120 3
495 10
Myth:
Fat-free and lower-fat foods are the solution to obesity.
Fact:
These foods can definitely play a part in an overall effort to lose weight, but consuming them will not undo a myriad of other dietary downfalls, or make up for a lack of physical activity. Successful weight loss-and weight maintenance-depends on achieving the right mix of diet and physical activity. To lose weight, you need to take in less energy (eat fewer calories) than you expend (or "work off") through physical activity. Combining dietary modifications to reduce calories and fat with a consistent physical activity plan is usually the most effective way to lose weight.
For many people, reducing their fat consumption is easier and more "painless" when they can substitute fat-free or lower-fat versions of foods for their regular-fat counterparts. Aside from the fact that a diet consisting mainly of fat-free and lower-fat foods will not guarantee slimness, experts remind us that a healthful diet is not defined by the number of fat-free foods it contains. "Healthful eating efforts need to shift from focusing only on fat-or its absence-to a combined focus on increasing nutrient density and reducing fat at the same time," says Bruce German, Ph.D., professor and John E. Kinsella Endowed Chair of the Department of Food Science and Technology, University of California-Davis. In other words, we should strive to consume foods that are not simply low in fat but are, on balance, high in nutrients. German explains one way to think about reduced-fat foods in this context: "The lack of fat in a food provides the eater with more opportunities to get nutrients from other foods, while keeping the fat content of the diet in line."
Myth:
Americans are getting fatter because they are overeating fat-free and low-fat foods.
Fact:
Americans do weigh more than their ancestors, and surveys indicate Americans are eating more calories. "However, the increase cannot be attributed to overeating fat-free and low-fat foods," according to Madeleine Sigman-Grant, Ph.D., R.D., associate professor of the Department of Food Science, the Pennsylvania State University. "There is a definite lack of data to support the idea that low-fat and fat-free foods are making us fatter. In fact, the increase in American obesity rates precedes the influx of fat-free and low-fat foods into the marketplace." Obesity occurs when far more calories are consumed than are used by the body. And the fact is, research shows that lower-fat, lower-calorie foods can help cut total calorie intake when they are eaten as part of a well-balanced and calorie-controlled diet.
So, if low-fat and fat-free foods have not "backfired" on those of us trying to lose weight, what is increasing our national girth? Many experts believe that a lack of daily physical activity is a major factor in the weight gain equation. According to Dr. Briefel, "Physical activity has not increased to a large extent in the population as a whole, as noted in the 1996 Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity."
Myth:
Low-fat means low calorie.
Fact:
Not always. Reducing the amount of fat in a food does not necessarily mean it is lower in calories. In fact, a lower-fat food can have nearly as many calories as its higher-fat counterpart. How can this be? In order to manufacture fat-free and low-fat products that are acceptable to consumers in taste and consistency, other ingredients may be added or modified. The best bet is to refer to the Nutrition Facts panel on the product label. It lists fat and calorie content, as well as what portion size is considered a "serving." Also, make moderation a motto at mealtime-do not go overboard with any food, whether it is low in fat or not.
Myth:
Fat-free means taste free.
Fact:
If you have not tasted a fat-free food for some time, you probably remember the experience as somewhat less than satisfying. Food manufacturers acknowledge that many of the first fat-free products on the market did not meet consumers' taste expectations. However, the commitment to making good-tasting fat-free foods is clearly evident in today's marketplace, and has resulted in some undeniably tasty products.
If the thought of going "cold turkey" and switching from full-fat foods to some fat-free choices seems too drastic a dietary measure for you, try some of the reduced-fat and low-fat versions. A little fat can go a long way in adding both flavor and texture to a food. And do not make the mistake of thinking you need to take an all-or-nothing approach to reducing fat in your diet. Small decreases in fat consumption can make a very big difference in your diet and health.
Myth:
Not all calories are created equal.
Fact:
Simply put, a calorie is a calorie. Whether a calorie comes from fat, carbohydrate or protein, it is still a calorie. An important thing to remember is that "calories in" must equal "calories out," or you will gain (or lose) weight. Al-though research in the area is still ongoing, some studies have suggested that excess calories from fat are more easily converted to body fat, as opposed to excess calories from carbohydrate or protein. Nevertheless, a diet devoid of fat is not a healthy one-some dietary fat is necessary for good health.
No comments :
Labels:
diet
,
dietary fat
,
fat
,
international food information council
,
lower-fat food
,
myths
,
skinny
Labels:
diet
,
dietary fat
,
fat
,
international food information council
,
lower-fat food
,
myths
,
skinny
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Happy Birthday Mommy!
I have to say Happy Birthday to my mommy today! Normally I write in my blog much sooner in the day, but today I went to my mom's house. We ended up going out to dinner which was nice; However, the food was crap.
The restaurant we went to was The Fish House...and we wouldn't go back. Well you don't know how it is until you try it. The evening with the family was wonderful though. I had my Atlantic Salmon...which really was way too small and had no taste, along with veggies and garlic potatoes. I'm actually still hungry as I'm writing this.
I bought my mom flowers on the way to her place...and they were beautiful. I also couldn't help myself...I had to buy a kittie card! Ya...I know...I'm a nerd! Wanna know something else nerdy that I did?! I get her a cat frame that says meow on it...and it had a picture of her grand-kittie Mr Jingles! She loved it...it's on her computer desk next to my picture! Ya...I am a nerd!
So in celebration for my mom's birthday...I must post some cute pics of cats!
The restaurant we went to was The Fish House...and we wouldn't go back. Well you don't know how it is until you try it. The evening with the family was wonderful though. I had my Atlantic Salmon...which really was way too small and had no taste, along with veggies and garlic potatoes. I'm actually still hungry as I'm writing this.
I bought my mom flowers on the way to her place...and they were beautiful. I also couldn't help myself...I had to buy a kittie card! Ya...I know...I'm a nerd! Wanna know something else nerdy that I did?! I get her a cat frame that says meow on it...and it had a picture of her grand-kittie Mr Jingles! She loved it...it's on her computer desk next to my picture! Ya...I am a nerd!
So in celebration for my mom's birthday...I must post some cute pics of cats!
Monday, 23 June 2008
Assessment on Thursday
Okay I'm scared shitless...I have an assessment on Thursday for Telus Mobility. I have to do good on this in order to get a 1 on 1 interview. Oh...I'm so nervous and afraid I will fuck it up. Gosh...it's not even an interview and I'm already afraid of fucking it up.
Pray for me everyone that I do good...I really really want to work for Telus.
Pray for me everyone that I do good...I really really want to work for Telus.
No water again!
Good morning all! It's a bright sunny day outside and I'm hoping it will be a lucky day. I'm in a good mood so far today...don't know how long that will last! So far they have shut the water off again in my building. They seem to do this every other week...crazy! It's a real pain in the ass...the water always seems to be off. Half of the time they don't even give much warning. They're famous for putting up a warning at like midnight and it's for the next morning. Oh well...at least I'm off today!!! Ha! Ha!
I tried applying for some jobs online, but nothing good is listed yet. I guess I have to wait a bit for some people to list stuff. I'm actually quite bored being home...I've had enough time off and I want to get back to working. Being home all this time will drive anyone nuts. I want to go out and do things...but then I'm afraid I will miss a phone call. I do have a cell and I left the number on the answering machine just in case...but sometimes people don't even bother calling it. I'm just afraid of losing an opportunity. Oh pray that I get something soon!
I tried applying for some jobs online, but nothing good is listed yet. I guess I have to wait a bit for some people to list stuff. I'm actually quite bored being home...I've had enough time off and I want to get back to working. Being home all this time will drive anyone nuts. I want to go out and do things...but then I'm afraid I will miss a phone call. I do have a cell and I left the number on the answering machine just in case...but sometimes people don't even bother calling it. I'm just afraid of losing an opportunity. Oh pray that I get something soon!
Tomorrow is Monday and the month is almost over. I'm starting to worry about how much my last pay from Bell will be. I owe about $800 on my visa and I really want to finish that off. I'm praying that TD will call me either tomorrow or Tuesday to say that I got the job. It would be nice if they said I start next Monday...I can dream can't I?!
Tuesday is my mom's birthday...so I might be going to her house tomorrow night to sleep over. I think we'll be going out for dinner or lunch. Usually for birthdays we go to Jack Astors since we get a birthday coupon every year. The coupon is always for a free meal for the birthday person. Great huh? Ah...but we still pay a hell of a lot to go out!!! Since I have been out of work I haven't bought her anything. I think I will make a card tomorrow...draw something pretty. I will give her a frame with Mr Jingles in it! She has to have a picture of her cute baby grandson-kittie!
Well it's time to hit the sack...I want to get up at a half decent time tomorrow.
Tuesday is my mom's birthday...so I might be going to her house tomorrow night to sleep over. I think we'll be going out for dinner or lunch. Usually for birthdays we go to Jack Astors since we get a birthday coupon every year. The coupon is always for a free meal for the birthday person. Great huh? Ah...but we still pay a hell of a lot to go out!!! Since I have been out of work I haven't bought her anything. I think I will make a card tomorrow...draw something pretty. I will give her a frame with Mr Jingles in it! She has to have a picture of her cute baby grandson-kittie!
Well it's time to hit the sack...I want to get up at a half decent time tomorrow.
Welcome to the world of magic!
I don't know if you've ever seen Criss Angel perform...but for the life of me I can't figure out his secret. How in the world is he able to do all the tricks? Is it really magic? Or is it just a lot of practice? Only he can answer those questions!
Welcome to the world of magic...do you believe? Come watch the illusions and performances of CRISS ANGEL, now appearing at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas. The show is called CRISS ANGEL Believe. Can you imagine what he can do there! If he can pull off stunts so amazing right in front of people on the street, just think of what he can do on a stage.
If only I had the money I would love to go see this show. I'm definatly a fan of Chriss Angel...not only is he talented, but he's a hottie as well! He's an awesome magician that my hubby and I love to watch...it's actually something that we can both agree on!
I can't even compare him to Harry Houdini or David Blaine because this guy does magic right on the street while people surround him. I just don't see how he can fake it!
If you are feeling the excitement you can join in on the Text Message contest going on right now. Just use the codes 22122 to play to win 2 tickets to 'CRISS ANGEL Believe. Click the link above or below for more information!
Sunday, 22 June 2008
Summertime Video
I like this song...it's quite catchy. Their performance at the MMVA wasn't that great...but who cares...I'll always be a NKOTB fan!
David Archuleta Is Rumored as A Drop Out
David Archuleta could drop out of school to live ‘American’ dream.
American Idol runner-up David Archuleta could be dropping out of school so that he can complete his Idol duties, reports BuddyTV.
He isn't dropping out as much as he didn’t enrol for his senior year in Utah’s Murray High, which starts its school year Aug. 25.
The young singing sensation left school for Idol but was tutored, since the show has a policy that young participants must receive schooling while they’re in the competition.
A 17-year-old kid gets a shot at fame and fortune and you expect him to go back to school? Even I think he’s doing the right thing. With all that money, he can hire the best tutors around.
What’s keeping Archuleta busy these days is his commitment to the American Idol tour — which runs till mid-September — and plans to record his first album.
Once his Idol responsibilities are over, don’t expect the boy wonder to run back to school.
Daddy Archuleta tried to get his son into the spotlight early by throwing a “welcome back” charity concert in their hometown until the idea was shot down by Idol execs.
Looks like David won’t be sitting in an unpadded spine-correcting chair anytime soon, considering even Dad wants to make some money off of him.
I don't know about you, but I think this is the biggest mistake that David could make. I think he should grow a backbone and some balls and make a decision for once on his own. For starters...I think he should fire his father. His father is going to ruin his singing career long before it even starts. He's got talent...but doesn't mean that people will run out and buy his CD. Without a highschool diploma...what kind of example is he setting? I sure hope he rethinks this and tells his father to fuck off!
Saturday, 21 June 2008
Feel Fat
Since it's been over a week now that I haven't been working, I've become so lazy. Laying around the house...eating more then I would normally cause I'm bored as shit. I'm even beginning to blend in with the furniture! I think I was a cat in my previous life...Jingles likes to be bored and lay around with me! What a hard like being a kittie...eat, sleep, walk to the litter box and someone else cleans ur poop! Ah...what a life!
Anyway...tonight there is a party with some old friends from highschool. I haven't seen most of them in years...well actually I saw them breifly at a party over a year ago, but I had a few too many drinks by the time I saw them! I just feel so fat and jobless...I don't think I want to go.
Look at how thin I used to be.
Anyway...tonight there is a party with some old friends from highschool. I haven't seen most of them in years...well actually I saw them breifly at a party over a year ago, but I had a few too many drinks by the time I saw them! I just feel so fat and jobless...I don't think I want to go.
Look at how thin I used to be.
Eating Disorders
My eating disorder is spiraling out of control and I don't know how to stop...my depression has increased...increased to the point where I feel like I'm losing my mind. With my eating disorder, I fall under binge-eating disorder.
What Are Eating Disorders?
An eating disorder is marked by extremes. It is present when a person experiences severe disturbances in eating behavior, such as extreme reduction of food intake or extreme overeating, or feelings of extreme distress or concern about body weight or shape.
A person with an eating disorder may have started out just eating smaller or larger amounts of food than usual, but at some point, the urge to eat less or more spirals out of control. Eating disorders are very complex, and despite scientific research to understand them, the biological, behavioral and social underpinnings of these illnesses remain elusive.
The two main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. A third category is "eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS)," which includes several variations of eating disorders. Most of these disorders are similar to anorexia or bulimia but with slightly different characteristics. Binge-eating disorder, which has received increasing research and media attention in recent years, is one type of EDNOS.
Eating disorders frequently appear during adolescence or young adulthood, but some reports indicate that they can develop during childhood or later in adulthood. Women and girls are much more likely than males to develop an eating disorder. Men and boys account for an estimated 5 to 15 percent of patients with anorexia or bulimia and an estimated 35 percent of those with binge-eating disorder. Eating disorders are real, treatable medical illnesses with complex underlying psychological and biological causes. They frequently co-exist with other psychiatric disorders such as depression, substance abuse, or anxiety disorders. People with eating disorders also can suffer from numerous other physical health complications, such as heart conditions or kidney failure, which can lead to death.
Eating disorders are treatable diseases
Psychological and medicinal treatments are effective for many eating disorders. However, in more chronic cases, specific treatments have not yet been identified.
In these cases, treatment plans often are tailored to the patient's individual needs that may include medical care and monitoring; medications; nutritional counseling; and individual, group and/or family psychotherapy. Some patients may also need to be hospitalized to treat malnutrition or to gain weight, or for other reasons.
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is characterized by emaciation, a relentless pursuit of thinness and unwillingness to maintain a normal or healthy weight, a distortion of body image and intense fear of gaining weight, a lack of menstruation among girls and women, and extremely disturbed eating behavior. Some people with anorexia lose weight by dieting and exercising excessively; others lose weight by self-induced vomiting, or misusing laxatives, diuretics or enemas.
Many people with anorexia see themselves as overweight, even when they are starved or are clearly malnourished. Eating, food and weight control become obsessions. A person with anorexia typically weighs herself or himself repeatedly, portions food carefully, and eats only very small quantities of only certain foods. Some who have anorexia recover with treatment after only one episode. Others get well but have relapses. Still others have a more chronic form of anorexia, in which their health deteriorates over many years as they battle the illness.
According to some studies, people with anorexia are up to ten times more likely to die as a result of their illness compared to those without the disorder. The most common complications that lead to death are cardiac arrest, and electrolyte and fluid imbalances. Suicide also can result.
Many people with anorexia also have coexisting psychiatric and physical illnesses, including depression, anxiety, obsessive behavior, substance abuse, cardiovascular and neurological complications, and impaired physical development.
Other symptoms may develop over time, including:
thinning of the bones (osteopenia or osteoporosis)
brittle hair and nails
dry and yellowish skin
growth of fine hair over body (e.g., lanugo)
mild anemia, and muscle weakness and loss
severe constipation
low blood pressure, slowed breathing and pulse
drop in internal body temperature, causing a person to feel cold all the time
lethargy
TREATING ANOREXIA involves three components:
restoring the person to a healthy weight;
treating the psychological issues related to the eating disorder; and
reducing or eliminating behaviors or thoughts that lead to disordered eating, and preventing relapse.
Some research suggests that the use of medications, such as antidepressants, antipsychotics or mood stabilizers, may be modestly effective in treating patients with anorexia by helping to resolve mood and anxiety symptoms that often co-exist with anorexia. Recent studies, however, have suggested that antidepressants may not be effective in preventing some patients with anorexia from relapsing. In addition, no medication has shown to be effective during the critical first phase of restoring a patient to healthy weight. Overall, it is unclear if and how medications can help patients conquer anorexia, but research is ongoing.
Different forms of psychotherapy, including individual, group and family-based, can help address the psychological reasons for the illness. Some studies suggest that family-based therapies in which parents assume responsibility for feeding their afflicted adolescent are the most effective in helping a person with anorexia gain weight and improve eating habits and moods.
Shown to be effective in case studies and clinical trials, this particular approach is discussed in some guidelines and studies for treating eating disorders in younger, nonchronic patients.
Others have noted that a combined approach of medical attention and supportive psychotherapy designed spe-cifically for anorexia patients is more effective than just psychotherapy. But the effectiveness of a treatment depends on the person involved and his or her situation. Unfortunately, no specific psychotherapy appears to be consistently effective for treating adults with anorexia. However, research into novel treatment and prevention approaches is showing some promise. One study suggests that an online intervention program may prevent some at-risk women from developing an eating disorder.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent and frequent episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food (e.g., binge-eating), and feeling a lack of control over the eating. This binge-eating is followed by a type of behavior that compensates for the binge, such as purging (e.g., vomiting, excessive use of laxatives or diuretics), fasting and/or excessive exercise.
Unlike anorexia, people with bulimia can fall within the normal range for their age and weight. But like people with anorexia, they often fear gaining weight, want desperately to lose weight, and are intensely unhappy with their body size and shape. Usually, bulimic behavior is done secretly, because it is often accompanied by feelings of disgust or shame. The binging and purging cycle usually repeats several times a week. Similar to anorexia, people with bulimia often have coexisting psychological illnesses, such as depression, anxiety and/or substance abuse problems. Many physical conditions result from the purging aspect of the illness, including electrolyte imbalances, gastrointestinal problems, and oral and tooth-related problems.
Other symptoms include:
chronically inflamed and sore throat
swollen glands in the neck and below the jaw
worn tooth enamel and increasingly sensitive and decaying teeth as a result of exposure to stomach acids
gastroesophageal reflux disorder
intestinal distress and irritation from laxative abuse
kidney problems from diuretic abuse
severe dehydration from purging of fluids
As with anorexia, TREATMENT FOR BULIMIA often involves a combination of options and depends on the needs of the individual.
To reduce or eliminate binge and purge behavior, a patient may undergo nutritional counseling and psychotherapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or be prescribed medication. Some antidepressants, such as fluoxetine (Prozac), which is the only medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating bulimia, may help patients who also have depression and/or anxiety. It also appears to help reduce binge-eating and purging behavior, reduces the chance of relapse, and improves eating attitudes.
CBT that has been tailored to treat bulimia also has shown to be effective in changing binging and purging behavior, and eating attitudes. Therapy may be individually oriented or group-based.
Binge-Eating Disorder
Binge-eating disorder is characterized by recurrent binge-eating episodes during which a person feels a loss of control over his or her eating. Unlike bulimia, binge-eating episodes are not followed by purging, excessive exercise or fasting. As a result, people with binge-eating disorder often are overweight or obese. They also experience guilt, shame and/or distress about the binge-eating, which can lead to more binge-eating.
Obese people with binge-eating disorder often have coexisting psychological illnesses including anxiety, depression, and personality disorders. In addition, links between obesity and cardiovascular disease and hypertension are well documented.
TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR BINGE-EATING DISORDER are similar to those used to treat bulimia. Fluoxetine and other antidepressants may reduce binge-eating episodes and help alleviate depression in some patients.
Patients with binge-eating disorder also may be prescribed appetite suppressants. Psychotherapy, especially CBT, is also used to treat the underlying psychological issues associated with binge-eating, in an individual or group environment.
FDA Warnings On Antidepressants
Despite the relative safety and popularity of SSRIs and other antidepressants, some studies have suggested that they may have unintentional effects on some people, especially adolescents and young adults. In 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a thorough review of published and unpublished controlled clinical trials of antidepressants that involved nearly 4,400 children and adolescents. The review revealed that 4% of those taking antidepressants thought about or attempted suicide (although no suicides occurred), compared to 2% of those receiving placebos.
This information prompted the FDA, in 2005, to adopt a "black box" warning label on all antidepressant medications to alert the public about the potential increased risk of suicidal thinking or attempts in children and adolescents taking antidepressants. In 2007, the FDA proposed that makers of all antidepressant medications extend the warning to include young adults up through age 24. A "black box" warning is the most serious type of warning on prescription drug labeling.
The warning emphasizes that patients of all ages taking antidepressants should be closely monitored, especially during the initial weeks of treatment. Possible side effects to look for are worsening depression, suicidal thinking or behavior, or any unusual changes in behavior such as sleeplessness, agitation, or withdrawal from normal social situations. The warning adds that families and caregivers should also be told of the need for close monitoring and report any changes to the physician. The latest information from the FDA can be found on their Web site at www.fda.gov.
Results of a comprehensive review of pediatric trials conducted between 1988 and 2006 suggested that the benefits of antidepressant medications likely outweigh their risks to children and adolescents with major depression and anxiety disorders.28 The study was funded in part by the National Institute of Mental Health.
How Are Men And Boys Affected?
Although eating disorders primarily affect women and girls, boys and men are also vulnerable. One in four preadolescent cases of anorexia occurs in boys, and binge-eating disorder affects females and males about equally.
Like females who have eating disorders, males with the illness have a warped sense of body image and often have muscle dysmorphia, a type of disorder that is characterized by an extreme concern with becoming more muscular. Some boys with the disorder want to lose weight, while others want to gain weight or "bulk up." Boys who think they are too small are at a greater risk for using steroids or other dangerous drugs to increase muscle mass.
Boys with eating disorders exhibit the same types of emotional, physical and behavioral signs and symptoms as girls, but for a variety of reasons, boys are less likely to be diagnosed with what is often considered a stereotypically "female" disorder.
How Are We Working To Better Understand And Treat Eating Disorders?
Researchers are unsure of the underlying causes and nature of eating disorders. Unlike a neurological disorder, which generally can be pinpointed to a specific lesion on the brain, an eating disorder likely involves abnormal activity distributed across brain systems. With increased recognition that mental disorders are brain disorders, more researchers are using tools from both modern neuroscience and modern psychology to better understand eating disorders.
One approach involves the study of the human genes. With the publication of the human genome sequence in 2003, mental health researchers are studying the various combinations of genes to determine if any DNA variations are associated with the risk of developing a mental disorder. Neuroimaging, such as the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may also lead to a better understanding of eating disorders.
Neuroimaging already is used to identify abnormal brain activity in patients with schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression. It may also help researchers better understand how people with eating disorders process information, regardless of whether they have recovered or are still in the throes of their illness.
Conducting behavioral or psychological research on eating disorders is even more complex and challenging. As a result, few studies of treatments for eating disorders have been conducted in the past. New studies currently underway, however, are aiming to remedy the lack of information available about treatment.
Researchers also are working to define the basic processes of the disorders, which should help identify better treatments. For example, is anorexia the result of skewed body image, self esteem problems, obsessive thoughts, compulsive behavior, or a combination of these? Can it be predicted or identified as a risk factor before drastic weight loss occurs, and therefore avoided?
These and other questions may be answered in the future as scientists and doctors think of eating disorders as medical illnesses with certain biological causes. Researchers are studying behavioral questions, along with genetic and brain systems information, to understand risk factors, identify biological markers and develop medications that can target specific pathways that control eating behavior. Finally, neuroimaging and genetic studies may also provide clues for how each person may respond to specific treatments.
What Are Eating Disorders?
An eating disorder is marked by extremes. It is present when a person experiences severe disturbances in eating behavior, such as extreme reduction of food intake or extreme overeating, or feelings of extreme distress or concern about body weight or shape.
A person with an eating disorder may have started out just eating smaller or larger amounts of food than usual, but at some point, the urge to eat less or more spirals out of control. Eating disorders are very complex, and despite scientific research to understand them, the biological, behavioral and social underpinnings of these illnesses remain elusive.
The two main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. A third category is "eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS)," which includes several variations of eating disorders. Most of these disorders are similar to anorexia or bulimia but with slightly different characteristics. Binge-eating disorder, which has received increasing research and media attention in recent years, is one type of EDNOS.
Eating disorders frequently appear during adolescence or young adulthood, but some reports indicate that they can develop during childhood or later in adulthood. Women and girls are much more likely than males to develop an eating disorder. Men and boys account for an estimated 5 to 15 percent of patients with anorexia or bulimia and an estimated 35 percent of those with binge-eating disorder. Eating disorders are real, treatable medical illnesses with complex underlying psychological and biological causes. They frequently co-exist with other psychiatric disorders such as depression, substance abuse, or anxiety disorders. People with eating disorders also can suffer from numerous other physical health complications, such as heart conditions or kidney failure, which can lead to death.
Eating disorders are treatable diseases
Psychological and medicinal treatments are effective for many eating disorders. However, in more chronic cases, specific treatments have not yet been identified.
In these cases, treatment plans often are tailored to the patient's individual needs that may include medical care and monitoring; medications; nutritional counseling; and individual, group and/or family psychotherapy. Some patients may also need to be hospitalized to treat malnutrition or to gain weight, or for other reasons.
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is characterized by emaciation, a relentless pursuit of thinness and unwillingness to maintain a normal or healthy weight, a distortion of body image and intense fear of gaining weight, a lack of menstruation among girls and women, and extremely disturbed eating behavior. Some people with anorexia lose weight by dieting and exercising excessively; others lose weight by self-induced vomiting, or misusing laxatives, diuretics or enemas.
Many people with anorexia see themselves as overweight, even when they are starved or are clearly malnourished. Eating, food and weight control become obsessions. A person with anorexia typically weighs herself or himself repeatedly, portions food carefully, and eats only very small quantities of only certain foods. Some who have anorexia recover with treatment after only one episode. Others get well but have relapses. Still others have a more chronic form of anorexia, in which their health deteriorates over many years as they battle the illness.
According to some studies, people with anorexia are up to ten times more likely to die as a result of their illness compared to those without the disorder. The most common complications that lead to death are cardiac arrest, and electrolyte and fluid imbalances. Suicide also can result.
Many people with anorexia also have coexisting psychiatric and physical illnesses, including depression, anxiety, obsessive behavior, substance abuse, cardiovascular and neurological complications, and impaired physical development.
Other symptoms may develop over time, including:
thinning of the bones (osteopenia or osteoporosis)
brittle hair and nails
dry and yellowish skin
growth of fine hair over body (e.g., lanugo)
mild anemia, and muscle weakness and loss
severe constipation
low blood pressure, slowed breathing and pulse
drop in internal body temperature, causing a person to feel cold all the time
lethargy
TREATING ANOREXIA involves three components:
restoring the person to a healthy weight;
treating the psychological issues related to the eating disorder; and
reducing or eliminating behaviors or thoughts that lead to disordered eating, and preventing relapse.
Some research suggests that the use of medications, such as antidepressants, antipsychotics or mood stabilizers, may be modestly effective in treating patients with anorexia by helping to resolve mood and anxiety symptoms that often co-exist with anorexia. Recent studies, however, have suggested that antidepressants may not be effective in preventing some patients with anorexia from relapsing. In addition, no medication has shown to be effective during the critical first phase of restoring a patient to healthy weight. Overall, it is unclear if and how medications can help patients conquer anorexia, but research is ongoing.
Different forms of psychotherapy, including individual, group and family-based, can help address the psychological reasons for the illness. Some studies suggest that family-based therapies in which parents assume responsibility for feeding their afflicted adolescent are the most effective in helping a person with anorexia gain weight and improve eating habits and moods.
Shown to be effective in case studies and clinical trials, this particular approach is discussed in some guidelines and studies for treating eating disorders in younger, nonchronic patients.
Others have noted that a combined approach of medical attention and supportive psychotherapy designed spe-cifically for anorexia patients is more effective than just psychotherapy. But the effectiveness of a treatment depends on the person involved and his or her situation. Unfortunately, no specific psychotherapy appears to be consistently effective for treating adults with anorexia. However, research into novel treatment and prevention approaches is showing some promise. One study suggests that an online intervention program may prevent some at-risk women from developing an eating disorder.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent and frequent episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food (e.g., binge-eating), and feeling a lack of control over the eating. This binge-eating is followed by a type of behavior that compensates for the binge, such as purging (e.g., vomiting, excessive use of laxatives or diuretics), fasting and/or excessive exercise.
Unlike anorexia, people with bulimia can fall within the normal range for their age and weight. But like people with anorexia, they often fear gaining weight, want desperately to lose weight, and are intensely unhappy with their body size and shape. Usually, bulimic behavior is done secretly, because it is often accompanied by feelings of disgust or shame. The binging and purging cycle usually repeats several times a week. Similar to anorexia, people with bulimia often have coexisting psychological illnesses, such as depression, anxiety and/or substance abuse problems. Many physical conditions result from the purging aspect of the illness, including electrolyte imbalances, gastrointestinal problems, and oral and tooth-related problems.
Other symptoms include:
chronically inflamed and sore throat
swollen glands in the neck and below the jaw
worn tooth enamel and increasingly sensitive and decaying teeth as a result of exposure to stomach acids
gastroesophageal reflux disorder
intestinal distress and irritation from laxative abuse
kidney problems from diuretic abuse
severe dehydration from purging of fluids
As with anorexia, TREATMENT FOR BULIMIA often involves a combination of options and depends on the needs of the individual.
To reduce or eliminate binge and purge behavior, a patient may undergo nutritional counseling and psychotherapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or be prescribed medication. Some antidepressants, such as fluoxetine (Prozac), which is the only medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating bulimia, may help patients who also have depression and/or anxiety. It also appears to help reduce binge-eating and purging behavior, reduces the chance of relapse, and improves eating attitudes.
CBT that has been tailored to treat bulimia also has shown to be effective in changing binging and purging behavior, and eating attitudes. Therapy may be individually oriented or group-based.
Binge-Eating Disorder
Binge-eating disorder is characterized by recurrent binge-eating episodes during which a person feels a loss of control over his or her eating. Unlike bulimia, binge-eating episodes are not followed by purging, excessive exercise or fasting. As a result, people with binge-eating disorder often are overweight or obese. They also experience guilt, shame and/or distress about the binge-eating, which can lead to more binge-eating.
Obese people with binge-eating disorder often have coexisting psychological illnesses including anxiety, depression, and personality disorders. In addition, links between obesity and cardiovascular disease and hypertension are well documented.
TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR BINGE-EATING DISORDER are similar to those used to treat bulimia. Fluoxetine and other antidepressants may reduce binge-eating episodes and help alleviate depression in some patients.
Patients with binge-eating disorder also may be prescribed appetite suppressants. Psychotherapy, especially CBT, is also used to treat the underlying psychological issues associated with binge-eating, in an individual or group environment.
FDA Warnings On Antidepressants
Despite the relative safety and popularity of SSRIs and other antidepressants, some studies have suggested that they may have unintentional effects on some people, especially adolescents and young adults. In 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a thorough review of published and unpublished controlled clinical trials of antidepressants that involved nearly 4,400 children and adolescents. The review revealed that 4% of those taking antidepressants thought about or attempted suicide (although no suicides occurred), compared to 2% of those receiving placebos.
This information prompted the FDA, in 2005, to adopt a "black box" warning label on all antidepressant medications to alert the public about the potential increased risk of suicidal thinking or attempts in children and adolescents taking antidepressants. In 2007, the FDA proposed that makers of all antidepressant medications extend the warning to include young adults up through age 24. A "black box" warning is the most serious type of warning on prescription drug labeling.
The warning emphasizes that patients of all ages taking antidepressants should be closely monitored, especially during the initial weeks of treatment. Possible side effects to look for are worsening depression, suicidal thinking or behavior, or any unusual changes in behavior such as sleeplessness, agitation, or withdrawal from normal social situations. The warning adds that families and caregivers should also be told of the need for close monitoring and report any changes to the physician. The latest information from the FDA can be found on their Web site at www.fda.gov.
Results of a comprehensive review of pediatric trials conducted between 1988 and 2006 suggested that the benefits of antidepressant medications likely outweigh their risks to children and adolescents with major depression and anxiety disorders.28 The study was funded in part by the National Institute of Mental Health.
How Are Men And Boys Affected?
Although eating disorders primarily affect women and girls, boys and men are also vulnerable. One in four preadolescent cases of anorexia occurs in boys, and binge-eating disorder affects females and males about equally.
Like females who have eating disorders, males with the illness have a warped sense of body image and often have muscle dysmorphia, a type of disorder that is characterized by an extreme concern with becoming more muscular. Some boys with the disorder want to lose weight, while others want to gain weight or "bulk up." Boys who think they are too small are at a greater risk for using steroids or other dangerous drugs to increase muscle mass.
Boys with eating disorders exhibit the same types of emotional, physical and behavioral signs and symptoms as girls, but for a variety of reasons, boys are less likely to be diagnosed with what is often considered a stereotypically "female" disorder.
How Are We Working To Better Understand And Treat Eating Disorders?
Researchers are unsure of the underlying causes and nature of eating disorders. Unlike a neurological disorder, which generally can be pinpointed to a specific lesion on the brain, an eating disorder likely involves abnormal activity distributed across brain systems. With increased recognition that mental disorders are brain disorders, more researchers are using tools from both modern neuroscience and modern psychology to better understand eating disorders.
One approach involves the study of the human genes. With the publication of the human genome sequence in 2003, mental health researchers are studying the various combinations of genes to determine if any DNA variations are associated with the risk of developing a mental disorder. Neuroimaging, such as the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may also lead to a better understanding of eating disorders.
Neuroimaging already is used to identify abnormal brain activity in patients with schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression. It may also help researchers better understand how people with eating disorders process information, regardless of whether they have recovered or are still in the throes of their illness.
Conducting behavioral or psychological research on eating disorders is even more complex and challenging. As a result, few studies of treatments for eating disorders have been conducted in the past. New studies currently underway, however, are aiming to remedy the lack of information available about treatment.
Researchers also are working to define the basic processes of the disorders, which should help identify better treatments. For example, is anorexia the result of skewed body image, self esteem problems, obsessive thoughts, compulsive behavior, or a combination of these? Can it be predicted or identified as a risk factor before drastic weight loss occurs, and therefore avoided?
These and other questions may be answered in the future as scientists and doctors think of eating disorders as medical illnesses with certain biological causes. Researchers are studying behavioral questions, along with genetic and brain systems information, to understand risk factors, identify biological markers and develop medications that can target specific pathways that control eating behavior. Finally, neuroimaging and genetic studies may also provide clues for how each person may respond to specific treatments.
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anamia
,
anorexia
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bulimia
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diet
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eating disorders
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fat
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skinny
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weight loss
Friday, 20 June 2008
Shit Phone Interview
I had my phone interview with GE and I can't believe they said that I'm not qualified! I have over ten years customer service experience, yet they say it's not enough. I don't know with these companies...don't know what is going through their minds. $14/hour and they must expect a kidney or something...or maybe they want me to do the customers or something. I give up.
I had another phone interview today which was a surprise. It was with TD Bank...but I'm not holding my breath on that one. I'm not expecting anything from anyone now. I guess I'm negative...well fuck...I need a job.
Okay...I'm tired and gonna take a nap!
I had another phone interview today which was a surprise. It was with TD Bank...but I'm not holding my breath on that one. I'm not expecting anything from anyone now. I guess I'm negative...well fuck...I need a job.
Okay...I'm tired and gonna take a nap!
Can't Help Myself...More Cuteness!
Look at how far back those ears are! I wonder what is making this kittie so mad?!
This is too cute...makes me want a pair of boots like these!
Still Looking for Work
A week has gone by and still no job. I can't believe that I haven't received any phone calls...I sent out so many resumes...what's wrong with these people?! Today I have a phone interview with FE...with my luck that will be shit, but I guess I should try to stay positive. I've worked for so many years now in a call center, that it's all pretty much the same. I just hate change...hate having to get to know everyone...hate being the new person. I guess everything happens for a reason.
Last night was quite nice. Rachid and I cuddled up in bed and watched a movie and some TV together. We have done that two nights in a row now. He's still stubborn when it comes to money, but I guess he'll never change. I hate not having a job and I know it pisses him off that he's working and I'm not. It's not like I chose not to work...they let me go. I've been applying so many places, I'm just suprised that I haven't heard from more companies. They always seem to call once I'm hired somewhere!
Mr Jingles is sitting on the table staring at me right now...I hate when he does that...just stares at me...makes me feel like he can hear my thoughts of something! Okay...I made him bored...he ran away! Such a cute stinker!
Last night was quite nice. Rachid and I cuddled up in bed and watched a movie and some TV together. We have done that two nights in a row now. He's still stubborn when it comes to money, but I guess he'll never change. I hate not having a job and I know it pisses him off that he's working and I'm not. It's not like I chose not to work...they let me go. I've been applying so many places, I'm just suprised that I haven't heard from more companies. They always seem to call once I'm hired somewhere!
Mr Jingles is sitting on the table staring at me right now...I hate when he does that...just stares at me...makes me feel like he can hear my thoughts of something! Okay...I made him bored...he ran away! Such a cute stinker!
Wednesday, 18 June 2008
Too Cute!
Okay...so whenever I see cute kitties I have to post them. Ummm...yes I'm kittie obsessed! I will be a crazy cat lady...or should I say I am a crazy cat lady!
Well the week is half over and still no job. At first it was nice having some time off, being able to relax and sleep in. Now I'm just plain bored being at home. Hmmm...I hope tomorrow will be a better day. Friday I have a phone interview with GE (Generel Electric), for a call center position. With my luck I'll fuck that up...but I'm keeping fingers crossed that I get that. I am at the point where if I don't get something very soon I will be fucked for bills. I'm a good worker...why are there no good jobs available right now?!
Rachid worked early today so at least it's been quiet. He should probably be home soon though. Boo to his crazy arabic music that i really really don't want ot listen to! I love arabic music...it's just I hate the artist that he always listens to. He likes this band which is just a bunch of old men drinking and banging on drumbs. You can tell they sound drunk...can't carry a note! I think the band is called something like Tagazout...I'm sure I spelled it wrong! I prefer woman arabic singers...like Sherine, or Elissa...people who actually can carry a tune!
Rachid worked early today so at least it's been quiet. He should probably be home soon though. Boo to his crazy arabic music that i really really don't want ot listen to! I love arabic music...it's just I hate the artist that he always listens to. He likes this band which is just a bunch of old men drinking and banging on drumbs. You can tell they sound drunk...can't carry a note! I think the band is called something like Tagazout...I'm sure I spelled it wrong! I prefer woman arabic singers...like Sherine, or Elissa...people who actually can carry a tune!
Tuesday, 17 June 2008
Depressed
So far really no luck job hunting. I am so stressed when it comes to money...Rachid says he's only giving me $700 for rent and bills this month...says that he doesn't care about my half that I will have to figure it out on my own. What a bastard... a real man would help out his wife. He is not a man. He can't even help me out ...he doesn't do anything at all for me. I am so miserable with him. I am stuck and don't know what to do. He is only using me for his papers...he has no intention of being with me...he does not love me. If he loved me he wouldn't insult me, make me cry, break things, and everything else.
How do I look for a place on my own when I don't have a job yet? I guess the only thing I may be able to afford would be a basement apartment or something for like $600/mth. Dear God, Please help me from losing my mind and give me the strength to go on.
How do I look for a place on my own when I don't have a job yet? I guess the only thing I may be able to afford would be a basement apartment or something for like $600/mth. Dear God, Please help me from losing my mind and give me the strength to go on.
Monday, 16 June 2008
Normally I write every day in my blog...but for some reason my blogger was not giving me access to write a post. There was some kind of glitch...but at least it's fixed now.
So far my job search has been garbage...nothing so far. I'm starting to worry and thinking that I should just apply at some crappy fast food place until I get something good. I'm starting to worry about bills...I know my husband is useless and wont help me out at all. Last week has been very stressful when it comes to the job search. All the good jobs are already taken due to students...I was fired at a shit time.
Other then having a crappy time job searching, I've realised that this is the perfect opportunity to get into shape. The last week I've been feeling sorry for myself and stayed in...God I didn't even get dressed during the day. I'm back on a regular schedule and waking up bright and early...which is perfect for an early morning walk. Only thing that sucks is that with me being home more I'm eating more. Hmmm...I guess one step at a time. I'm trying to be positive.
So far my job search has been garbage...nothing so far. I'm starting to worry and thinking that I should just apply at some crappy fast food place until I get something good. I'm starting to worry about bills...I know my husband is useless and wont help me out at all. Last week has been very stressful when it comes to the job search. All the good jobs are already taken due to students...I was fired at a shit time.
Other then having a crappy time job searching, I've realised that this is the perfect opportunity to get into shape. The last week I've been feeling sorry for myself and stayed in...God I didn't even get dressed during the day. I'm back on a regular schedule and waking up bright and early...which is perfect for an early morning walk. Only thing that sucks is that with me being home more I'm eating more. Hmmm...I guess one step at a time. I'm trying to be positive.
Saturday, 14 June 2008
Happy Saturday everyone! I've been awake for hours..don't know why I can't sleep. I ended up watching Evan Almighty on the movie network. I'm sure going to miss the movie channels once they're gone. Oh well...too expensive to pay right now. I have to make sure I find a job first before I have all the expensive stuff!
Today doesn't look too pretty outside...think it's going to rain. It is so hot in my apartment...I don't think the airconditioner is working properly. Just what I need...to have to replace something when I don't have the money! I'm keeping fingers crossed that it's just me having hot flashes.
I'm in the mood to go swimming...it's been so hot and humid...I hope the water is cold. I don't have anyone to go with me...I know Rachid wont feel like it. Him it's like pulling teeth to try to get him to do anything with me. We have nothing in common anymore...only once in a blue moon we spend time together. Like few days back we actually watched a movie together...think he was feeling sick or something!
Anyway...time to go pass out for a while...too early to be awake!
Today doesn't look too pretty outside...think it's going to rain. It is so hot in my apartment...I don't think the airconditioner is working properly. Just what I need...to have to replace something when I don't have the money! I'm keeping fingers crossed that it's just me having hot flashes.
I'm in the mood to go swimming...it's been so hot and humid...I hope the water is cold. I don't have anyone to go with me...I know Rachid wont feel like it. Him it's like pulling teeth to try to get him to do anything with me. We have nothing in common anymore...only once in a blue moon we spend time together. Like few days back we actually watched a movie together...think he was feeling sick or something!
Anyway...time to go pass out for a while...too early to be awake!
Old Fashion Family Fun!
As a child I used to always remember grandma having Readers Digest Magazines lying around. Well I found them online! Not only do they have all the same type of content on their webpage, but they have geared it for family life. Check out the website RD.com - Family Life!
There are many interesting articles on all different types of topics. My favorite was "Family fun on a budget". It has great tips on summer fun without hurting your pocket...which for me is really important since I lost my job. It talks about some old fashion fun...like going on a picnic, cooking or playing dress-up. Most people these days have become slaves to their tv's or computers...of course I'm writing on one right now...but it's all about technology these days instead of nature.
Now I'm not a parent myself...but hopefully some day I will be. I am a parent of a cute kittie Mr Jingles...but I don't think that really counts. Readers Digest have so many parenting tips and fun things to do this summer...so don't forget to check it out! Visit RD.com - Parenting!
Every day there's always an awesome joke section which you gotta check out...quite funny. I used to always jump to the joke section when I was a child...the best part of the book. No matter what age...you'de always love the jokes!
So this summer on a rainy day you should check out RD.com - Family Life, so that you can plan some fun in the sun!
There are many interesting articles on all different types of topics. My favorite was "Family fun on a budget". It has great tips on summer fun without hurting your pocket...which for me is really important since I lost my job. It talks about some old fashion fun...like going on a picnic, cooking or playing dress-up. Most people these days have become slaves to their tv's or computers...of course I'm writing on one right now...but it's all about technology these days instead of nature.
Now I'm not a parent myself...but hopefully some day I will be. I am a parent of a cute kittie Mr Jingles...but I don't think that really counts. Readers Digest have so many parenting tips and fun things to do this summer...so don't forget to check it out! Visit RD.com - Parenting!
Every day there's always an awesome joke section which you gotta check out...quite funny. I used to always jump to the joke section when I was a child...the best part of the book. No matter what age...you'de always love the jokes!
So this summer on a rainy day you should check out RD.com - Family Life, so that you can plan some fun in the sun!
Friday, 13 June 2008
I just realised that today is Friday the 13th...maybe that's why it's a shit day. It has been a depressing day. I went out shopping which wasn't exactly fun! Why is it that when you go to the grocery store meaning to pick up one thing, that you end up buying the store?! Well it cost me over seventy dollars...yuck!
I ended up making an awesome alfredo tonight...but of course Rachid said it was shit. He has to be the most miserable person I've ever met. I must be kidding myself when I try to make things work with him. Life is so confusing...he treats me like shit half the time...why am I wasting my time? In my heart I want to believe he does love me...but...well...I don't know. You don't call the person you love a huge hippo. Some things I just can't ever forget. How do you walk away from a marriage? Was it all fake? I can't say it was all bad...we did have good times. Everything happens for a reason...I just wish stuff looked better right now. We don't spend any time together...we don't talk...we're like roomates more then husband and wife.
Tomorrow I think I'm going out with my friend Ayesha...she wants to see the Sex and the City movie. I really should get out more...I need to get a life. Since I've been married I haven't had much of one...feel that I have left them all behind. When you're married you shouldn't forget your friends. He has made it so that I kind of lost all my friends. My so called best friend Jeff ...I miss him so much. It's all because of Rachid that I don't talk to him anymore. He scared Jeff away...he was my best friend for years all through highschool. I even told Rachid that Jeff was gay...but still he wouldn't allow me to go out with him. He just didn't get it. Rachid has pushed me away....I am lonely.
I ended up making an awesome alfredo tonight...but of course Rachid said it was shit. He has to be the most miserable person I've ever met. I must be kidding myself when I try to make things work with him. Life is so confusing...he treats me like shit half the time...why am I wasting my time? In my heart I want to believe he does love me...but...well...I don't know. You don't call the person you love a huge hippo. Some things I just can't ever forget. How do you walk away from a marriage? Was it all fake? I can't say it was all bad...we did have good times. Everything happens for a reason...I just wish stuff looked better right now. We don't spend any time together...we don't talk...we're like roomates more then husband and wife.
Tomorrow I think I'm going out with my friend Ayesha...she wants to see the Sex and the City movie. I really should get out more...I need to get a life. Since I've been married I haven't had much of one...feel that I have left them all behind. When you're married you shouldn't forget your friends. He has made it so that I kind of lost all my friends. My so called best friend Jeff ...I miss him so much. It's all because of Rachid that I don't talk to him anymore. He scared Jeff away...he was my best friend for years all through highschool. I even told Rachid that Jeff was gay...but still he wouldn't allow me to go out with him. He just didn't get it. Rachid has pushed me away....I am lonely.
Well I didn't hear back from anyone yet about work. I have a feeling it will take me a while to get a job this time. All the good jobs are already taken for the summer. I was hoping that I would have heard back from the agency today...but I didn't. I wonder if she is still checking references or waiting to hear from the employer...or if she just didn't like me. I was dressed nice and professional....but who knows...she could have just saw that I was fat and said forget it. Job shopping makes me feel like such a fat cow.
I really really wanted that job too...pays excellent...I pray that she calls me Monday. Looking for work makes me so stressed.
I got paid today and half of it was missing. I'm frustrated and want to be able to pay all my bills and not have to worry. Bell still owes me about a thousand dollars. I was really hoping for all of it...I'm worried that they will stiff me some of it. The next pay day will be rent money though. I only owe about $300 on my credit card...which isn't bad.
Ok time to play with the lazer and Jingles...he is meowing to play! Take care everyone...and he says meow to his furry friends!
I really really wanted that job too...pays excellent...I pray that she calls me Monday. Looking for work makes me so stressed.
I got paid today and half of it was missing. I'm frustrated and want to be able to pay all my bills and not have to worry. Bell still owes me about a thousand dollars. I was really hoping for all of it...I'm worried that they will stiff me some of it. The next pay day will be rent money though. I only owe about $300 on my credit card...which isn't bad.
Ok time to play with the lazer and Jingles...he is meowing to play! Take care everyone...and he says meow to his furry friends!
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