Role Models: Are we confused here??

I get it: bone-thin is gross. Concerned Americans everywhere don't want their daughters to be negatively influenced by size quadruple zero models who are using every once of energy from that one lettuce leaf they ate to sashay down the runway. I feel the same way; who wants unrealistic expectations of beauty dangled in front of their faces? Most of us couldn't look like a runway model unless we developed an eating disorder or making a deal with the devil.

HOWEVER, I also feel like some of the "real woman" campaigns are going a bit too far. It's almost as though America is trying to do a complete 180, but it's still in an unhealthy direction. Companies like Dove and TV shows such as Mo'Nique's "Fat Chance" (which is obviously no longer on the air) actually promoted girls-who were OVERWEIGHT-as beautiful.

So, which is worse? Idolizing the stick-thin nothing up on the runway, or embracing a lifestyle of unhealthy excess? Why can't we just have healthy role models in the media? Is anyone as frustrated as I am?

Check out this video I made on the issue: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEjKd_OE7nU . It's pretty basic...I'm no design genius...but I'm trying to branch out into the visual realm. You can check out my new YouTube page as well! I plan to "remediate" many of my blogs into videos, for those of you who are too lazy to read. :)

Don't ya love me?

xoxo

Thanksgiving....

Ah, Thanksgiving. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes...and of course, a little extra fat around the belly area.

As much as I love stuffing my face, I'm not a fan of coming back to school a few pounds heavier. I thought going home was an "instant-thin" move...after all, my parents are health nuts who freak out at the word "fat". But nooooo, my clothes are definitely feeling a little tighter.

Anywho, today marked the start of my "skinny for the holidays" diet, a.k.a. my Christmas present to myself. If you wanna get in on this action, here's some rules to follow. I'm trying my hardest not to bitch constantly.

1.) Eat retardedly slow. One bite per minute works pretty well. This is probably the oldest trick in the book, but I think it's the best; you get full with much less food because you're giving you body time to realize it's full. But don't take huge bites, you cheater...

2.) Think about your goals when you are choosing what to eat, as well as while you are eating it. This goes long with my first rule. Think about why you're eating what's on your plate, and your reasons for wanting to get healthy. It'll keep you motivated.

3.) KEEP A FOOD JOURNAL, AND DON'T LIE IN IT. Seriously. It's easier to steer clear of junk food when you're constantly keeping an honest list of what's going into your body. You might be more reluctant to reach for that cupcake when you know you're gonna have to stare at it in your journal all day.

4.) GET OFF YOUR ASS. Duh. You're gonna have a hard time losing weight if you're sitting on the couch all day.

Day 1 was pretty good for me. Got in a much needed killer workout. Hopefully these endorphins will help make studying less hellish...

Lovelove. <3>

P.S. That's a fat turkey at the top of the post. In case you didn't get that. :)

LOL.

I witnessed quite the spectacle today. While enjoying some oysters, I noticed a group of rather annoying customers sitting nearby. They complained about everything from the food to the service, and it was obvious to me (being an ex-waitress) that they were just trying to get a free meal. If you're a server, I'm sure you're getting a very clear mental picture of exactly the type of customer I'm talking about.

At one point, while I was lost in oyster heaven, I guess these people became further angered when their server supposedly "tossed" their change at them after being fed up with their antics. What followed felt so surreal: not just one, but MULTIPLE servers got into it with these customers. They told them they knew what they were doing...just trying to get another free meal by causing drama. As these annoying customers got more heated, so did the servers. They held their ground.

Let's just say things didn't end very well. Nevertheless, it was a dream come true for me. It was as if these servers were saying everything I've ever wanted to say (but couldn't say) to cheap, rude customers. Sure, some of them are probably getting fired. But they MADE. MY. NIGHT.

For those of you who don't know what it feels like to be a server, here are some basic tips on how to be a good customer:

1.) Don't try to complain your way to a free meal. It makes your server look bad, and it makes you look like trailer trash. Then again, if you're actually doing this, you probably are trailer trash.

2.) Learn the tip scale. 10% is for shitty service. 15% is for "ok". 20% is good, and 25% is VERY good. Also, don't shaft your server by leaving a small tip on an expensive meal just because you weren't aware of how pricey it was gonna be. If you can't afford it, go to McDonald's.

3.) Don't walk into a restaurant 5 minutes before they close. It's rude. Would you want to stay at work for an extra hour and a half?

4.) Be nice to your server. Half the time, if something goes wrong it's not his or her fault. How would you like it if he or she came into your workplace and mentally terrorized you?

It's not rocket science, people. Get it together!

xxxxxxx

Annoying much?

Once upon a time, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life. I was a Dietetics major, and I was convinced that I was going to continue on to become an R.D. at a rehab clinic. Specifically, I wanted to work with children who have eating disorders.

Even though that dream is dead and buried (thanks to my complete lack of math and science skills), I'm still intrigued by eating disorders. They are diseases unlike any other; they sneak in and grip the mind without anyone noticing at first. They are incredibly interesting, and I've always wanted to understand them better. Needless to say, I was pretty excited when E! came out with a show about the road to recovery for those who have an eating disorder.

Overall, the show is pretty interesting. It features all aspects of disordered eating, from anorexia and bulimia to binge eating (one girl seriously eats out of the trash) and eating chalk (wtf?!). One episode, however, reeeeally bothered me. It showcases the problems of a mom named Nicky who isn't anorexic...or bulimic...doesn't binge eat...doesn't eat weird foods...

So what's her problem?

She's afraid of cupcakes.

...Really? So now refusing to eat high-sugar foods (which I consider a good thing) is considered "disordered eating"? Puhhhlease. And when she hams it up for the camera during the "cupcake challenge"? Come on. No one believes that shit. We get it, you're skinny and you don't like sugary foods. That doesn't mean you have an eating disorder.

Here's my point, kids: eating disorders are serious. I have friends that have them. It's a nightmare for them. I also know there are people out there, especially young teens on the internet, who are just going through a phase and "trying" to be anorexic or bulimic. The truth is, though, that you can't just "become" that way; people who actually have a disease like anorexia or bulimia would probably give an arm and a leg not to have those problems in their lives.

That's why it bothers me when people like Nicky do stupid shit for attention. Fine, go ahead and try to starve yourself or whatever. The fact of the matter is, if you can look at food without being deathly afraid of eating it, you're not anorexic. If you don't suffer from severe binge/purge episodes, you're not bulimic. Stop making a mockery of my friends and the sufferers around the world who really do wake up to a struggle every day.

Thanks.

<3

WTF is up with going meat free?

For the upcoming issue of The Yeti (check out our website...http://www.theyetionline.com/), I wrote a lovely article about what vegans and vegetarians eat for the holidays. I learned some pretty interesting things, and some of the foods I read about seemed interesting (like soy or rice based ice cream)...but it made me think. Why the hell would anyone want to give up meat???

Maybe not everyone's as big of a carnivore as I am, but the thought of never eating meat again makes me wanna cry. Have you ever had what tasted like the best burger ever? Or a delicious turkey baked in the oven with the most delicious herbs on the planet?? Or what about the classic Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwich???? How in the world could you give that up????

And for vegans it's more than just meat. It's any animal product. That means no more eggs, milk, or...CHEESE?? You won't eat CHEESE? That just sounds downright inhumane to me. Cheese is the very essence of my soul.

Anyway, I understand the benefits. Vegans and vegetarians tend to eat much healthier than fatties like me. You get a lot of benefits from a diet rich in veggies and fruits. At the same time, though, isn't it hard for you to get your daily requirement of protein? Animal protein is great for building muscle...so I guess have fun being flabby-skinny on your yoga mat.

Don't give me that "cruelty" crap either. I agree that maybe some companies don't exactly have the best facilities for their animals, but not eating meat isn't really going to solve that problem. You don't have to go meat free to protest the cruelty of some slaughterhouses. Just go free-range and find meat that hasn't been stuffed with hormones. And if you think the slaughtering act itself is inhumane, then you obviously have something wrong with you. From an instinctual standpoint, you should want to eat meat. It's what we've been doing...well, forever. Get with it.

You know what? Fine. If you don't want to eat meat, go you. Just don't shove it in everyone's face. I hate how books like Skinny Bitch try to force people into a vegan diet by claiming it's "healthier". In fact, I remember a specific line calling readers fat and pathetic (or something along those lines) if they aren't vegan.

Well, Skinny Bitch, The Bitch From The Gym may be "pathetic", but at least she's not miserable like you.

:)

Hugs, kisses, and lots of animal products!

Dissection of a wheat grass shot.

4:30 pm: What's this? Oh, you guys sell wheat grass shots? I heard they're really great. You know, like shooting vegetables straight into your veins. Yeah, what the hell, I want one!

4:34 pm: Wow. This thing is really green. Like, really green. I wonder what it smells like....ok, sniffing is a bad idea. Whatever, it can't be worse than a shot of plastic-bottle vodka, right? Be a man!! Bottoms up!!

4:35 pm: OMG. That was so not that bad at all. It tasted like grass. Big deal. I used to pluck grass out of the ground and eat it when I was a kid. What, that's weird? Eff you then.

4:45 pm: Hmm. Not feeling anything yet. I thought I was supposed to feel like Wonder Woman...? Oh well. Maybe it'll kick in by the time I get to Chick-Fil-A.

4:50 pm: My stomach doesn't feel so great. No big. I'm just hungry.

4:55 pm: OHMYGOD, what is wrong with me?? Have I been poisoned?? Holy shit, this line better move faster or this five year old is getting puked on.

5:00 pm: Ok, made it to the parking lot. We're on the right track. Deep breath in...deep breath out...I'm fine...I'm...

5:05 pm: Huh. Why is it coming up brown and not green...?

Lesson learned. Don't do it. I don't care what the hippies say. Soooooooo not worth it.

xoxo

On a serious note...

As some of you may already know, my possible future might include moving to L.A. Those of you who know me also know that I truly, desperately want a puppy. So, while paroozing the L.A. Craigslist for both apartments and puppies, I came across a post that really broke my heart.

I've got some pretty strong feelings about college students and pets. I think most of us (though I don't really include myself in this) aren't responsible enough to handle an animal. I've seen way too many pets neglected and sad because of the lack of attention they're getting from their owners. Also, a lot of you end up taking your pets back to the shelter because you just can't handle the situation.

Unfortunately, I've been there. I briefly tried o raise a kitten my sophomore year, and it was just way too much for me. Luckily for the kitten, though, I personally knew someone who really wanted her. Now, she has a wonderful home and is a spoiled little brat.

Most pets, though, are not as lucky as she was. Please read this Craiglist post that I've linked to my page, and really think about it before you decide to adopt a pet.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/pet/2049266853.html

Animals have souls like we do. They hurt and feel like we do, too. Their lives are precious. Really give this some thought, people.

Night.

<3>