Yes. I was called FAT again. And, it hurt. It hurt a lot. I felt like a I was 12 again and my peers were mocking me relentlessly. It was not a fun experience and it was in front of my children. I posted it on Facebook. Why? To garner sympathy of course. No one wants to have their less-than-perfect physical attributes pointed out: big nose, crocked teeth, cross eyes, black gums, unibrow, pvs, muffin top, ect...
Weight discrimination is the last socially accepted form of discrimination. Star magazine makes it a game out of playing "Guess which celebrity belongs to this fat ass?" or People Magazine's yearly "Look who finally got thin!" issue (which truth be told, I want to hit that lottery someday). Oprah has her weight loss stars, airlines have their special pricing options (real special - Buy 2 seats for 1 ass), Biggest Loser (...and then biggest gainer again), Ruby, Extreme Make Over Weight Edition, even Survivor! Women still make significantly less money than their thinner counterparts - (you all did read my paper on weight discrimination against women in the workforce, right?!? I'll post a link). Men also make less depending on their weight, however the percentage difference drops significantly.
What are the effects of calling a person fat over and over again? In my experience it was a fulfilling prophecy. Notice I left the self out of it as it was not, and is not, the prophecy I have for myself. Fat has a powerful hold over people. The word is dehumanizing and the tissue itself is immobilizing. I once had a doctor who told me that the only thing wrong with me was that I was fat and fat hurts. I was so angry that I never went back to see her. She let my "fat" disable her from being able to treat me properly. Much later in life I came to the realization that she did have one thing right - fat does hurt. It hurts emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Part of my healthy living goal is to take the power out of the word fat. This is a tall order and starts at home. I teach my children that the word fat is not a bad word. Noah can often times be heard saying, "Mom, can I give your fat a little love pinch?" to which I reply, "Of course baby, go ahead and give it a big pinch!" There is not much we cannot attain through social and responsible education and living. Teaching children that fat is not a bad word does not teach them that being fat is a healthy lifestyle. It is also our responsiblity to teach our children healthy choices and behaviors.
One last thought. Just because a young person is predisposed to being overweight does not mean that they are predestined to being overweight. The freedom, glory, and wonder that comes from being a child is that there are no limits, no guarentees, and no final destination.
Here is that link to the paper if you are interested! I wrote it my senior year at Brockport and have made several presentations since. Interestingly enough - not much has changed in the last 12 years.
http://www.2cyberwhelm.org/archive/diversity/values/pdf/weight.pdf
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Limes, they're not just for liquor....recipes and more
I promise, I have not abandoned all of my followers - I make it sound like I have started a cult! Put the kool-aid down! While I have been absent from writing I have not been so from my research. Yes, believe it or not I do research for my blog. My reading and research have taken me in so many different directions in the last month that I will try to sum it up in a few recipes. Yes, you read it right - RECIPES!!!! And, they are fantastic.
In preparing the menu for Lilly's birthday party I reflected back on past gatherings as guidance. Knowing (praying actually) that the weather would hold out I wanted to honor the start of Spring. Spring foods to me mean rebirth. Our senses are rejuvenated with fresh tastes and reminders that summer is just around the corner. Besides flavor there are numerous health benefits to spring flavors.
According to a British researcher we can actually attain a healthy glow to skin from the carotenoids that give food their color. Carrots and tomatoes are not the only skin healthy foods that the spring and summer have to offer. Increasing your citrus intake can hydrate your skin and increase that glow as well. Try adding these power foods to your diet. They will not only help you rejuvenate but are packed with health-related benefits as well!
Power Foods: Grapefruit, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, avocado, asparagus, artichokes, peppers, cashews, peas, olives.
STOP right there! Yes, some of these power foods are higher in fat than others - do not shy away. You can still enjoy these foods. Avocados can be used as a spread alternative to mayo. Cashews can be chopped and added to salads - a few chopped nuts can go further than a handful of whole nuts. The same can be done with olives - a few kalamata olives can be diced and added to salads or even spreads. You can even add a little of the juice when you want the flavor but none of the olive.
2 tablespoons of sesame seeds
2 tablespoons of white miso (I use heaping teaspoons for added flavor)
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon hot water
2 teaspoons of dark sesame oil (measure over the bowl so that a little extra drizzles in)
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Add 3-4 seeded and sliced cucumbers
*Note: to seed a cucumber slice in half and run a spoon down the middle to scoop out the seeds.
Fresh Salsa (measure by taste and make 12-24 hours in advance)
in a bowl mix together:
14 ounces of Hunt's diced tomatoes (Hunt's always has the BEST flavor tomato)
Some fresh diced roma
Finely shopped red onion (I use a lot)
Fresh cilantro (chopped - make sure it has a rich smell or it will have weak flavor)
The juice of about 3 fresh limes (I like to think more is better)
3-4 Concord Foods salsa packet
Summer Pasta Salad (Mine and Erin Wachowicz's favorite!)
Pick a pound pasta and make it. Add freshly diced roma tomatoes (4-6) 2 cans of garbanzo beans.
In a bowl whisk together olive oil (about 4 tablespoons)
White wine (sauvignon blanc) - pour in about a half cup...or more
Fresh lemon zest
Diced garlic (2-3 cloves)
Fresh lemon juice from about 3-4 potent lemons
Add freshly cut mint (couple small packages)
Add dressing to pasta and top with feta cheese. Let sit for 24 hours. Add a tad more lemon juice and white wine then serve at room temp.
Mandarin orange slices
Green grapes halved
Strawberries sliced
red onion thinly sliced
Feta
Red wine vinegar dressing
Top with homemade croutons
Top both sides with spray butter, freshly cracked pepper, and freshly cracked sea salt
Place under broiler on high until both sides are crisped.
*Note: This will not take long!
3 cups of smooth gin (New Amsterdam is nice)
Mix together in pitcher
Add 1 bottle of champagne
Serve with a lemon peel
Lastly, get yourself some fresh spring rolls (aka garden rolls). I have yet to make these myself, but will learn and share with you all when I do. This is truly a healthy and fun party menu - not to mention easy. Happy eating and welcome to spring!
In preparing the menu for Lilly's birthday party I reflected back on past gatherings as guidance. Knowing (praying actually) that the weather would hold out I wanted to honor the start of Spring. Spring foods to me mean rebirth. Our senses are rejuvenated with fresh tastes and reminders that summer is just around the corner. Besides flavor there are numerous health benefits to spring flavors.
According to a British researcher we can actually attain a healthy glow to skin from the carotenoids that give food their color. Carrots and tomatoes are not the only skin healthy foods that the spring and summer have to offer. Increasing your citrus intake can hydrate your skin and increase that glow as well. Try adding these power foods to your diet. They will not only help you rejuvenate but are packed with health-related benefits as well!
Power Foods: Grapefruit, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, avocado, asparagus, artichokes, peppers, cashews, peas, olives.
STOP right there! Yes, some of these power foods are higher in fat than others - do not shy away. You can still enjoy these foods. Avocados can be used as a spread alternative to mayo. Cashews can be chopped and added to salads - a few chopped nuts can go further than a handful of whole nuts. The same can be done with olives - a few kalamata olives can be diced and added to salads or even spreads. You can even add a little of the juice when you want the flavor but none of the olive.
Cucumber Miso Salad (adapted from Cooking Light)
In a bowl add and whisk together:2 tablespoons of sesame seeds
2 tablespoons of white miso (I use heaping teaspoons for added flavor)
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon hot water
2 teaspoons of dark sesame oil (measure over the bowl so that a little extra drizzles in)
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Add 3-4 seeded and sliced cucumbers
*Note: to seed a cucumber slice in half and run a spoon down the middle to scoop out the seeds.
Fresh Salsa (measure by taste and make 12-24 hours in advance)
in a bowl mix together:
14 ounces of Hunt's diced tomatoes (Hunt's always has the BEST flavor tomato)
Some fresh diced roma
Finely shopped red onion (I use a lot)
Fresh cilantro (chopped - make sure it has a rich smell or it will have weak flavor)
The juice of about 3 fresh limes (I like to think more is better)
3-4 Concord Foods salsa packet
Summer Pasta Salad (Mine and Erin Wachowicz's favorite!)
Pick a pound pasta and make it. Add freshly diced roma tomatoes (4-6) 2 cans of garbanzo beans.
In a bowl whisk together olive oil (about 4 tablespoons)
White wine (sauvignon blanc) - pour in about a half cup...or more
Fresh lemon zest
Diced garlic (2-3 cloves)
Fresh lemon juice from about 3-4 potent lemons
Add freshly cut mint (couple small packages)
Add dressing to pasta and top with feta cheese. Let sit for 24 hours. Add a tad more lemon juice and white wine then serve at room temp.
Perfect Beef Tenderloin
Season with black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and freshly cracked sea salt. Heat grill to 450 degrees and add meat. Drop heat to about 300-325 and rotate every 5-6 minutes until you reach desired tenderness. Cooking your meat more slowly will help fuse the flavor.Green Salad
Mixed greensMandarin orange slices
Green grapes halved
Strawberries sliced
red onion thinly sliced
Feta
Red wine vinegar dressing
Top with homemade croutons
Homemade croutons
Slice a ciabatta baguette into thin slices at an angleTop both sides with spray butter, freshly cracked pepper, and freshly cracked sea salt
Place under broiler on high until both sides are crisped.
*Note: This will not take long!
Pinktinis
1 can of frozen pink lemonade3 cups of smooth gin (New Amsterdam is nice)
Mix together in pitcher
Add 1 bottle of champagne
Serve with a lemon peel
Lastly, get yourself some fresh spring rolls (aka garden rolls). I have yet to make these myself, but will learn and share with you all when I do. This is truly a healthy and fun party menu - not to mention easy. Happy eating and welcome to spring!
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