For years I’ve had this blog, and for years the posting has been sporadic. The problem has been a lack of focus. I’ve talked plenty about food, and plenty about sustainability, and some about nutrition and some about dieting and some about love. But I’ve never put it all together in any sort of systemic way, with any sort of purpose in mind.
Well, I’ve finally found a purpose. For the past few months, I’ve been focused on the concept of real foods as a way to health. I’m tired of people—for the most part women, but quite a few men as well—who focus on fat calories and run screaming from a pat of butter. Most Americans will pump their bodies full of artifice and chemicals but shriek at the sight of a carton of full-fat milk. Yet even as people make superheroic efforts to avoid fat and cut calories, our nation is one of the fattest on the planet, with the highest rates of heart disease and diabetes. Where are we going wrong?
I (along with many experts, who I will write about over the course of this project) contend that it’s the obsession with food elements rather than whole foods that has brought about the poor health and obesity that plagues our nation. It’s the concentration on specific nutrients, on cholesterol levels, on good fats vs bad fats. When we focus on traditional foods, we’re able to restore our health and maintain an optimal weight.
But.
But but but.
I can’t be a spokesperson for this. I can’t sit down and discuss the merits of whole milk and butter and coconut oil and animal fats because people would look at me and think, oh, honey, but I don’t want to look like you.
And so, my dears, that’s where this project comes in. For the next year (!) I will be eating a diet that focuses on traditional foods. Sure, there will be slip ups. I need to eat some wedding cake, for example. But the past few months of utter laziness—the trips to Red Robin, the pizza twice a week, the cookies for breakfast—will be shunted aside. As that happens, I hope to become more svelte, and actually be able to be a spokesmodel for this way of eating.
I don’t deny this will be difficult. I work full-time as well as take on free-lance editing work. I’m often riding a bus across the lake, or attending sporting events, or heading out for a beer (hey, beer is traditional…thank goodness). I don’t have tons of money. I really, really, really like sugar. But it’s time to make a change. I want to be healthy. I want to challenge the food system. I want to prove that this method of eating is not only good for our insides, but can make us look good on the outside.
And y’all get to come with me! You’ll learn about traditional foods, about arguments against current nutritional advice, about food policy, and about sustainability. You’ll also get a fun little peek at my life, meeting interesting characters, seeing what the city of Seattle has to offer, and probably hearing more than your fair share of whining.
But that’s all for tomorrow. Today, I sent an old life off in style with a scoop of orange dreamsicle ice cream mixed with brownie and hot fudge.
Showing posts with label me. Show all posts
Showing posts with label me. Show all posts
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Friday, July 25, 2008
A Constallation of Frustration Driving Hard
I am experiencing extreme frustration right now, for a few reasons. I figure it's best to write here rather than to continue to take it out on people that are simply trying to help.
First, I'm extremely frustrated with my co-op work right now. I jumped right into the New Orleans Food Cooperative work, without really considering what it might mean. I figured, food policy, ok, this was a chance to be involved with something local, sustainable, and with a positive impact on the local economy. I still believe this--but I don't believe that planning a cooperative makes for the best use of my talents. I've been trying and trying to help prepare a grant submission, but keep experiencing roadblocks in the form of people not understanding that this is what I do on a daily basis.
Second, I'm frustrated with my job in general. It's not what I wanted, not what I ever wanted, and at this point I'm sticking with it for the money--something I promised myself I would never do. I hate that I spend a significant amount of time waiting around for someone to give me work. It's not that I don't take opportunities to create work myself--it's that there's no work for me to create. I am purely reactive, and it makes me crazy.
Third, I'm frustrated with my education. I know that everyone thinks that I did such a wonderful job making this all come together...but that doesn't mean that it's what was best for me. I fell in love, and so I chose this city. I sought out Tulane because their School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine does have a great reputation. But their Food and Nutrition track is not fantastic, and the switch to Environmental Health wasn't the best choice, either. In short, I'm here because I made my plans fit to Tulane, rather than seeking out the best fit for me.
This is all coming to a head because, more and more, I'm realizing that it is likely I won't be content until I have at least a masters--and more probably a PhD. For years I've known that what I want to do is research. I love the reading, love the analyzing, love making the pieces fit and then communicating those ideas to the rest of the world. I'm sure that it's likely that I can get to this place by staying right where I am, finishing my MPH and continuing on to a PhD. But I'd always wonder where I could have been had I given myself the chance. Can I convince someone to pay me to study? I don't know...but I think I'm going to try to find out.
Whew. Just writing it down has lowered my frustration. I know that I've a lot of difficult work ahead, both in sorting out my thoughts and in execution. I'd like to stay involved with the co-op for as long as this amazing city is my home, but even more so I'd like to do as much as I can with the farmer's market. I have to take a long hard look at my education--I don't even know how to go about finding the programs I might want. I've started, but I don't know how to proceed. I also need to finish my biostats class (ugggggggggggggh) and sign up for two more classes. I might as well get as many for free as possible.
Have I mentioned recently how ready I am for vacation? As much as people might not believe it, being bedridden for over a week does not constitute vacation. I haven't had a day off that was not sickness related since Mardi Gras (and actually...that day was a little sickness related, too). I'm ready for a week of being away. I'm ready for the stress relief of family and of old friends and of water and...I'll stop there.
----------------
Now playing: Snow Patrol - Hands Open
via FoxyTunes
First, I'm extremely frustrated with my co-op work right now. I jumped right into the New Orleans Food Cooperative work, without really considering what it might mean. I figured, food policy, ok, this was a chance to be involved with something local, sustainable, and with a positive impact on the local economy. I still believe this--but I don't believe that planning a cooperative makes for the best use of my talents. I've been trying and trying to help prepare a grant submission, but keep experiencing roadblocks in the form of people not understanding that this is what I do on a daily basis.
Second, I'm frustrated with my job in general. It's not what I wanted, not what I ever wanted, and at this point I'm sticking with it for the money--something I promised myself I would never do. I hate that I spend a significant amount of time waiting around for someone to give me work. It's not that I don't take opportunities to create work myself--it's that there's no work for me to create. I am purely reactive, and it makes me crazy.
Third, I'm frustrated with my education. I know that everyone thinks that I did such a wonderful job making this all come together...but that doesn't mean that it's what was best for me. I fell in love, and so I chose this city. I sought out Tulane because their School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine does have a great reputation. But their Food and Nutrition track is not fantastic, and the switch to Environmental Health wasn't the best choice, either. In short, I'm here because I made my plans fit to Tulane, rather than seeking out the best fit for me.
This is all coming to a head because, more and more, I'm realizing that it is likely I won't be content until I have at least a masters--and more probably a PhD. For years I've known that what I want to do is research. I love the reading, love the analyzing, love making the pieces fit and then communicating those ideas to the rest of the world. I'm sure that it's likely that I can get to this place by staying right where I am, finishing my MPH and continuing on to a PhD. But I'd always wonder where I could have been had I given myself the chance. Can I convince someone to pay me to study? I don't know...but I think I'm going to try to find out.
Whew. Just writing it down has lowered my frustration. I know that I've a lot of difficult work ahead, both in sorting out my thoughts and in execution. I'd like to stay involved with the co-op for as long as this amazing city is my home, but even more so I'd like to do as much as I can with the farmer's market. I have to take a long hard look at my education--I don't even know how to go about finding the programs I might want. I've started, but I don't know how to proceed. I also need to finish my biostats class (ugggggggggggggh) and sign up for two more classes. I might as well get as many for free as possible.
Have I mentioned recently how ready I am for vacation? As much as people might not believe it, being bedridden for over a week does not constitute vacation. I haven't had a day off that was not sickness related since Mardi Gras (and actually...that day was a little sickness related, too). I'm ready for a week of being away. I'm ready for the stress relief of family and of old friends and of water and...I'll stop there.
----------------
Now playing: Snow Patrol - Hands Open
via FoxyTunes
Monday, May 26, 2008
Gonna Make You Sweat, Gonna Make You Groove
Actually, I guess this goes the other way.
Gonna Make You Groove.
Saturday was my birthday party. I was so excited to have eleven friends show up at La Macarena to celebrate with me. Everyone seemed to enjoy their pupusas, flautas, enchiladas and plantains. Yes, it was a Central American restaurant. My birthday, my loves win. But it was a good atmosphere and everything was delicious so I think people were ok with it.
After dinner, about six of us headed down to Frenchman Street to try the hooka bar. Apparently I seem like someone who would be down for a hooka bar. Anyway, the bar had an hour wait, so we headed down the street to where a brass band was playing and proceeded to dance in the street. Yes, the band was playing in the street, not in another bar. This is one of the reasons I cannot leave this town. Where else do people dance in the streets with complete abandon? It amazes me every time, and I was actually a little sad that our table came up early and we had to leave the band. But we had a nice round of strawberry, vanilla and mango flavored hooka-ing, and it would have been nice and mellow had the band not added a strange member in the form of a rapper. They were just a chill jazzy trio until this guy got up and started belting it out. Other than that it was an awesome night, and I fell asleep thinking just how lucky I am to have made so many friends in this town.
Gonna Make You Sweat.
I got up this morning to flier for the co-op. We headed into the L9, to the Holy Cross Neighborhood. If you think that New Orleans is fine, that it's been rebuilt and all is grand, well, the Lower Ninth will certainly disabuse you of that notion. I snapped a few photos with my phone to show you what I mean.
I'd say about 85% of houses in this neighborhood are already being worked on, or they are being lived in. This is one of the 15% that no one really knows what is happening with.
Gutted elements laying in the sidewalk and street. Look in the background--you'll see a FEMA trailer, still being lived in. You can also see a car. Notice how high the weeds are compared to the car? That's an empty lot.
The last one I took because the bright flowers really stood out on the downtrodden street. They showed me that there is hope. And there is. Holy Cross wasn't devastated in the same way that the other side of St Claude was--the place where the levy breached and the barge burst through, causing flood waters to rise so rapidly that people needed to break out of their attics and leaving eight feet of standing water for days. Holy Cross is rebuilding and they are proud--and we were there to talk to them about what the NOLA Food Co-op is doing to also rebuild the city.
Unfortunately, the weather was ridiculous today. It was 88 degrees with 67% humidity. Yes, it could get worse, and it will, but walking around for two hours in the heat was more than enough.
----------------
Now playing: Anberlin - Dismantle. Repair
Gonna Make You Groove.
Saturday was my birthday party. I was so excited to have eleven friends show up at La Macarena to celebrate with me. Everyone seemed to enjoy their pupusas, flautas, enchiladas and plantains. Yes, it was a Central American restaurant. My birthday, my loves win. But it was a good atmosphere and everything was delicious so I think people were ok with it.
After dinner, about six of us headed down to Frenchman Street to try the hooka bar. Apparently I seem like someone who would be down for a hooka bar. Anyway, the bar had an hour wait, so we headed down the street to where a brass band was playing and proceeded to dance in the street. Yes, the band was playing in the street, not in another bar. This is one of the reasons I cannot leave this town. Where else do people dance in the streets with complete abandon? It amazes me every time, and I was actually a little sad that our table came up early and we had to leave the band. But we had a nice round of strawberry, vanilla and mango flavored hooka-ing, and it would have been nice and mellow had the band not added a strange member in the form of a rapper. They were just a chill jazzy trio until this guy got up and started belting it out. Other than that it was an awesome night, and I fell asleep thinking just how lucky I am to have made so many friends in this town.
Gonna Make You Sweat.
I got up this morning to flier for the co-op. We headed into the L9, to the Holy Cross Neighborhood. If you think that New Orleans is fine, that it's been rebuilt and all is grand, well, the Lower Ninth will certainly disabuse you of that notion. I snapped a few photos with my phone to show you what I mean.
I'd say about 85% of houses in this neighborhood are already being worked on, or they are being lived in. This is one of the 15% that no one really knows what is happening with.
Gutted elements laying in the sidewalk and street. Look in the background--you'll see a FEMA trailer, still being lived in. You can also see a car. Notice how high the weeds are compared to the car? That's an empty lot.
The last one I took because the bright flowers really stood out on the downtrodden street. They showed me that there is hope. And there is. Holy Cross wasn't devastated in the same way that the other side of St Claude was--the place where the levy breached and the barge burst through, causing flood waters to rise so rapidly that people needed to break out of their attics and leaving eight feet of standing water for days. Holy Cross is rebuilding and they are proud--and we were there to talk to them about what the NOLA Food Co-op is doing to also rebuild the city.
Unfortunately, the weather was ridiculous today. It was 88 degrees with 67% humidity. Yes, it could get worse, and it will, but walking around for two hours in the heat was more than enough.
----------------
Now playing: Anberlin - Dismantle. Repair
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
We ask to look past life as it goes by
May 21st. By all accounts, this should be birthday week.
I am known for loving my birthday. Maybe it's only child syndrome or something, but I think that birthdays should be celebrated intensely, that the person who did nothing more than come into the world but yet managed to make it this far should be treated like royalty for a few days.
But for some reason I can't bring myself to get excited about this birthday. Once again, Memorial Day weekend has thwarted me, and many will be out of town. I'm not going anywhere, which is strange for birthday weekend. And I'm not really in want of anything, so for once in my life, presents are of no significance.
I think what it is even more than these things, though, is that I'm just tired of celebrating myself. This year has been rough, both emotionally and physically, and I've had to rely on people more than ever. I haven't had the strength to reach out and to give to others, to celebrate them, to help them when they needed it. As much as I like it when people pay attention to me, and I definitely appreciate all that everyone has done to help me, I think I've finally reached a point where I can say that I just don't want it to be about me anymore.
So, in all likelihood, it won't be. I'm having a small get-together at the Central American restaurant I like. That's a nod to ME because of my love for Centro. But Saturday is Farmer's Market gig and co-op stuff at the Bayou Bugaloo and then Sunday is church and potluck and Monday I'll probably just sleep and cook.
27...I hope that this feeling is just an oddity and that I really won't end up sounding so tired and so resigned to being more of an adult than a child.
----------------
Now playing: Our Lady Peace - Will The Future Blame Us
via FoxyTunes
I am known for loving my birthday. Maybe it's only child syndrome or something, but I think that birthdays should be celebrated intensely, that the person who did nothing more than come into the world but yet managed to make it this far should be treated like royalty for a few days.
But for some reason I can't bring myself to get excited about this birthday. Once again, Memorial Day weekend has thwarted me, and many will be out of town. I'm not going anywhere, which is strange for birthday weekend. And I'm not really in want of anything, so for once in my life, presents are of no significance.
I think what it is even more than these things, though, is that I'm just tired of celebrating myself. This year has been rough, both emotionally and physically, and I've had to rely on people more than ever. I haven't had the strength to reach out and to give to others, to celebrate them, to help them when they needed it. As much as I like it when people pay attention to me, and I definitely appreciate all that everyone has done to help me, I think I've finally reached a point where I can say that I just don't want it to be about me anymore.
So, in all likelihood, it won't be. I'm having a small get-together at the Central American restaurant I like. That's a nod to ME because of my love for Centro. But Saturday is Farmer's Market gig and co-op stuff at the Bayou Bugaloo and then Sunday is church and potluck and Monday I'll probably just sleep and cook.
27...I hope that this feeling is just an oddity and that I really won't end up sounding so tired and so resigned to being more of an adult than a child.
----------------
Now playing: Our Lady Peace - Will The Future Blame Us
via FoxyTunes
Friday, May 16, 2008
you'll kiss my cheek and say, "I like your style."
I am slowly coming alive again. I anticipated an easy surgery with a short recovery period, and instead I had a week of bed and TV on DVD and silly novels. But the course of antibiotics is finally finished and I am ready to regain my strength and head out into the wider world. After all, I lost about seven days of being 26, and I've only got eight left, so I can't be spending them all in bed.
After all...
----------------
Now playing: The Format - If Work Permits (Demo)
After all...
----------------
Now playing: The Format - If Work Permits (Demo)
Thursday, February 28, 2008
If life had background music playing your song
So Amanda tagged me in her blog to reveal ten random facts about myself...not that I play my cards close to my chest, so it's quite possible everyone already knows these ten facts.
Considering my love for music...I thought I'd let some song lyrics express my random thoughts.
She's the vinyl queen, of my surfers dream
Miss Delaney, Jack's Mannequin
1. I first fell for a surfer boy at the young and impressionable age of 14. I wore roxy clothes and surfer boys could still make me weak at 26. But it wasn't until I was 25 that I got on a board--and loved it, just like I knew I would. So now I'm pushing myself through swimming laps in the hopes that I'll be surfing in July.
Ay Nicaragua, Nicaraguita, la flor mas linda de mi querer
Nicaragua, Nicaraguita, Carlos Mejia Godoy
2. Almost anyone who knows me at all knows that I love Nicaragua. I never knew it was possible to feel love for a place until I found Nica. Thinking about it makes my heart hurt and my stomach ache, in the same way that being in a long distance relationship can do.
I wanna live where the green grass grows, watching my corn pop up in rows
Where the Green Grass Grows, Tim McGraw
3. Yes, I like a few country songs. This quote reveals that yes, I harbor a secret desire to farm. The more I learn about sustainable agriculture, the more I want to grow things.
Maybe it's time I put a profile up of who I want to be, fool everyone I could start over clean
Oceans, The Format
4. I read a post secret once about how someone put up a facebook profile not of who she was but of who she wanted to be. Sometimes I feel like that, that my profiles are less me and more of who I want the world to see of me. I also wonder who's looking at them.
I need relevance, intelligence, a new tattoo...
All For You, Our Lady Peace
5. I have two tattoos, and it's true what they say--either you hate the first and regret it or you just want more. I'm ready for the third if I could just figure out the exact design.
Hold that smile, you’ve got style, they can’t take that away
Sway Your Head, We Shot the Moon
6. Style--I'm just coming into mine. It's important to me, and I like having style icons. I think the world dresses too sloppily and I think that saying "I shouldn't be judged on my appearance" is a cop-out. Appearance shouldn't be the only thing, but it shows that you care for yourself, that you have attention to detail and can show a good face to the world.
I love the sound of rain on tin
Briefly, Better than Ezra
7. BTE was my first introduction to the romance of New Orleans and the words of the songs continue to capture this city for me. When it rains here, it's almost amplified, and all I want to do is lie in bed and listen to the sound.
You know the nightlife is just not for me, cause all you really need are a few good friends
The First Single, The Format
8. I'm not a night person--if I go to bed at 9pm or at 2am, I'm still up by 7am. I've tried to be a night person, tried to enjoy going out and all those things, but unless it's a concert I'd rather be home with friends, cooking, watching DVDs or playing board games.
Faith left me staring at the ceiling through the night
Control Freak, Copeland
9. Faith, to me, is so much more complex than just saying "let it be so." I think that doubt and faith are inextricably linked, which is why this line is so perfect to me.
I feel that when I'm old, I'll look at you and know the world was beautiful
Polaris, Jimmy Eat World
10. I try hard to create beauty. There's so much ugly, so much scary, in this world. So much of what I do and think about and write about focuses on those almost-unfixable problems. I try my best to find things that are beautiful and take the time to be amazed at silly little things.
So this only took hours...
I tag my family. Aunties and cousins. Go!
----------------
Now playing: Sherwood - Alley Cat
via FoxyTunes
Considering my love for music...I thought I'd let some song lyrics express my random thoughts.
She's the vinyl queen, of my surfers dream
Miss Delaney, Jack's Mannequin
1. I first fell for a surfer boy at the young and impressionable age of 14. I wore roxy clothes and surfer boys could still make me weak at 26. But it wasn't until I was 25 that I got on a board--and loved it, just like I knew I would. So now I'm pushing myself through swimming laps in the hopes that I'll be surfing in July.
Ay Nicaragua, Nicaraguita, la flor mas linda de mi querer
Nicaragua, Nicaraguita, Carlos Mejia Godoy
2. Almost anyone who knows me at all knows that I love Nicaragua. I never knew it was possible to feel love for a place until I found Nica. Thinking about it makes my heart hurt and my stomach ache, in the same way that being in a long distance relationship can do.
I wanna live where the green grass grows, watching my corn pop up in rows
Where the Green Grass Grows, Tim McGraw
3. Yes, I like a few country songs. This quote reveals that yes, I harbor a secret desire to farm. The more I learn about sustainable agriculture, the more I want to grow things.
Maybe it's time I put a profile up of who I want to be, fool everyone I could start over clean
Oceans, The Format
4. I read a post secret once about how someone put up a facebook profile not of who she was but of who she wanted to be. Sometimes I feel like that, that my profiles are less me and more of who I want the world to see of me. I also wonder who's looking at them.
I need relevance, intelligence, a new tattoo...
All For You, Our Lady Peace
5. I have two tattoos, and it's true what they say--either you hate the first and regret it or you just want more. I'm ready for the third if I could just figure out the exact design.
Hold that smile, you’ve got style, they can’t take that away
Sway Your Head, We Shot the Moon
6. Style--I'm just coming into mine. It's important to me, and I like having style icons. I think the world dresses too sloppily and I think that saying "I shouldn't be judged on my appearance" is a cop-out. Appearance shouldn't be the only thing, but it shows that you care for yourself, that you have attention to detail and can show a good face to the world.
I love the sound of rain on tin
Briefly, Better than Ezra
7. BTE was my first introduction to the romance of New Orleans and the words of the songs continue to capture this city for me. When it rains here, it's almost amplified, and all I want to do is lie in bed and listen to the sound.
You know the nightlife is just not for me, cause all you really need are a few good friends
The First Single, The Format
8. I'm not a night person--if I go to bed at 9pm or at 2am, I'm still up by 7am. I've tried to be a night person, tried to enjoy going out and all those things, but unless it's a concert I'd rather be home with friends, cooking, watching DVDs or playing board games.
Faith left me staring at the ceiling through the night
Control Freak, Copeland
9. Faith, to me, is so much more complex than just saying "let it be so." I think that doubt and faith are inextricably linked, which is why this line is so perfect to me.
I feel that when I'm old, I'll look at you and know the world was beautiful
Polaris, Jimmy Eat World
10. I try hard to create beauty. There's so much ugly, so much scary, in this world. So much of what I do and think about and write about focuses on those almost-unfixable problems. I try my best to find things that are beautiful and take the time to be amazed at silly little things.
So this only took hours...
I tag my family. Aunties and cousins. Go!
----------------
Now playing: Sherwood - Alley Cat
via FoxyTunes
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