Foodies (and everyyone) Bewarned!

Recently, I watched the new HBO documentary, 'The Weight of the Nation.' This film is free on youtube and is a four part series that dives into the dramatic increase of obesity and the illness that comes with it. It also goes in depth about the mostly alarming aspect of this phenomenon, that is the effect this epidemic has on children. The first thought I have on this is in regards to sources. How many of us know what we are eating? Sure you see what goes in your mouth everyday, but do you really know whats in it? (See Food Inc. another good documentary) I never gave my food a second thought.

I don't believe this problem that the U.S. is having is solely about 'fat.' The culture around food is another great contribution to this problem. In speaking with a few baby boomers, I learned that serving sizes have changed markedly over the past 60 years. Non-Americans and those that have traveled know that other countries have much smaller portions. Another factor is the actual way in which we eat. Some of us eat so fast that we don't even realize when we've gone through 2 plates or more. Ever wonder how nice it is to just taste your food! Sometimes I play this game where I try to name every ingredient in a bite I'm eating. With some foods I'm surprised, like lasagna and with others, like tofu (unless seasoned) I'm not.

The point in all of this is that everyone should be conscious of what goes into your mouth. It's really simple to do. Once you do it you can decide what you really like versus what you don't, what you're eating now versus what you should be eating. Personally, I've given myself a new challenge to eat less processed foods and less meat. Eating less processed foods is easy for me but the meat part is much more challenging. I don't believe I'll go back to complete vegetarianism, as I did for two years during my undergraduate years, but I will attempt to gradually decrease my meat consumption by at least 50-75% or more in the future. Baby steps. Fortunately, all it really took to get me to do this was listening to this segment on NPR on America's meat industry. The full story can be found at: http://www.npr.org/2012/06/07/154504565/assessing-consumer-concerns-about-the-meat-industry.

I had heard all of the dangers about the industry since the demands for meat and poultry have increased, but this really scared me. Turns out cows, and some pigs, are fed 'Chicken Litter.' Chicken litter is a mix of "chicken manure, dead chickens, feathers, and spilled feed that has been rendered down into a uniform substance and then marketed to the beef industry as cheap feed for cows." If you are wondering another case of Mad Cow Disease was found this past week in Central California. Pass me the veggies please.

Ever wonder where some of your favorite fast food chicken nuggets come from? Turns out they are made from "Mechanically separated meat (MSM), mechanically recovered/reclaimed meat (MRM), mechanically deboned meat (MDM), lean fresh pork trim." MSM, MRM, and MDM are also know as pink slime when made from beef, and white slime when made from chicken. Its basically a paste-like meat product produced by "forcing" beef, pork, turkey or chicken under high pressure through a sieve to separate the bone from the edible meat tissue. The most common product made is hotdogs. Mind you they spray the "slime" of non-desired parts with ammonia to cleanse it before its processed. I'm all for recycling but there must be a better way. I'm not anti-industry, but I believe lifestyle changes must be supported by everyone and if any country ever needed a lifestyle change it would be the U.S.

As apart of my challenge I have decided to go fresher and local when grocery shopping. In my research and budgeting I found some startling information that I must share.

Original article: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2012/06/08/154568945/what-america-spends-on-groceries?sc=pmapp&f=93559255

Given the amount of decrease many wonder where this money not spent on groceries goes. Turns out more and more people eat out every night. Doesn't take rocket science to know that the chain restaurants are feeding the population. This doesn't bode well for the health of the nation.

My challenge is very timely. The increase in meat consumption is a global problem. Where are we going to raise all the cattle needed for every human (billion!)? There is simply not enough room to raise them. What about the quality of the product? I certainly do not want to eat slime or a 'meat factored' hamburger. This way of farming is horrible for the environment and is dangerous for you and I to consume. Being a Vermonter, I don't like my cows mad but simply being loud is welcome.

My final thought on this is to say that changing your lifestyle is easy and more affordable in the long run. Give it a whirl! You never know what can happen unless you try.

-a-

Here is a recipe to get you started. It can be manipulated for your taste.

A & T's Tofu Stir Fry

Feeds 3-4 People

Ingredients:

2 cups of Basmati Rice

1 package of extra firm tofu

4 cups of diced mushrooms

1 red bell pepper

1 large onion

4 cloves of minced garlic

2 tablespoons of olive oil

2 tablespoons of soy sauce (reg. or low sodium)

2 cups of water

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

1. Drain the tofu and place a plate with a can on top to remove excess water.

2. Cut up all the veggies and cube tofu.

3. Add water in a pan with uncooked rice. Cook on medium until it reaches a boil then leave covered for 20 minutes. DO NOT REMOVE COVER UNTIL SERVING.

4. Add olive oil to a wok or saute pan heated to medium/high heat. After, add tofu and garlic and cook until tofu is brown. Add some soy sauce.

5. Add all the cut veggies and remaining oil, soy sauce. Still occasionally to your liking.

6. Serve stir fry on top of rice. Yummy! Eat up!  

My Unruly Yet Justified Neighbors

A few weeks ago I stumbled across the story of protests going on in Quebec. See link: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2012/05/2012516215036645965.html

When I found out about this I was really excited at first. According to the Al Jazeera article the Canadian Government plans to increase college and university tuition by nearly $300 until 2019. I'm sure many people stateside don't really understand why in the world Canadian students would protest over that. Most U.S. students would sigh and be irritated but how many would get out and do something? Fact is many students here are resigned to exacerbated tuition prices and simply take out more loans to cover expenses. My point is we simply accept U.S. education prices even though they continually rise and we end up with more debt. In a perfect world education would be free but everything on this earth has a cost. I fantasize about an educated population here getting out on the streets and demanding reasonable tuition but I wait in vain. The only equivalent is the recent occupy movement which was diminished prematurely in many areas.

Maybe the more than 100,000 students that came out to mark 100 days of protests will inspire American students. One fact is true, these educated youths have gotten the attention of those making the decisions. Dozens of schools have been closed as students are boycotting classes. The Montreal subway system has been shut down, windows smashed, and thousands arrested. This protest means a lot more in my mind because its a topic that is global at this moment. Students protested in London not too long ago. The cost of higher education is now forcing young people to make tough decisions. Instead of demanding a reasonably priced education here in the U.S., I find many students are asking themselves: should I go or should I not go? I believe lower and middle classed youths will continually not pursue professional degrees. I can't say I blame them. Prospects are fairly bleak at the moment for jobs. Inequality at it's finest.

I feel my generation is suffering from 'failure to launch syndrome.' Unfortunately higher education will always be in reach for wealthier families. While pursuing my graduate degree at Brandeis University, I couldn't help but be surrounded with these privileged young people. At times I couldn't believe the naivety and sense of entitlement that they felt they had. This contrasted from my undergraduate experience where I was surrounded by hardworking students scraping to get by and achieve. I'm happy I attended a state school to receive such an experience and at a decent rate. Many state schools are severely underrated and offer a great education for those unable to afford name brand schools however I still pay quite a bit for those four years. Quebecois students pay just over $2,000 a year for a university degree, not including living costs. The rest of Canada pays between $6,000 and $7,000. Oh Canada why do you always look so appealing?! Private education institutions are getting away with murder in the U.S. and this system is geared to accommodate them.

I would like to challenge anyone of any political stance that disagrees that education is out of reach for the average American youth.  My unruly neighbors are very justified.  At this rate more and more will depend on social welfare safety nets. (See story at:http://abcnews.go.com/Business/growing-number-americans-phds-receiving-food-stamps-aid/story?id=16310858#.T8onDr_kAUp ) This ABC News story reported that, "of the 22 million Americans with master's degrees or higher in 2010, about 360,000 were receiving some kind of public assistance, according to the latest Current Population Survey released by the U.S. Census Bureau in March 2011.The number of people with master's degrees who received some kind of aid grew to 293,029 from 101,682 over the same three-year period." I should be afraid to read this but instead I'm angry that we are simply rolling over and accepting this. As a first generation college and nearly master's educated woman of mixed descent, I'm lucky to have excelled to where I am today. My grandmother once told me that once you have an education no one can take that away. What she didn't tell me is that such an education could be devalued and I would be paying it off until further notice. We will see if this is also true for Quebecois students yet I wish them well and still wait in vain stateside.
-a-

26.2 miles of Everything!

Well, I did it everyone. Yesterday I ran 26.2 miles and completed the Key Bank Vermont City Marathon. Today I feel as though I'm learning to walk again. Everything hurts and on top of that I have a sunburn on my shoulders. Any position I tried to sleep in last night hurt but I went to bed with a smile on my face. I've had several moments of shock when the realization hits me that I actually did it!

I awoke on Sunday feeling nervous. I remember dressing and looking in the mirror and being afraid. Not just of failing purely, but letting myself down. Sometimes we get accustomed to others letting us down but it hurts so much more when you let yourself down. I don't know if the person that looked back at herself was confident she would finish. I had a hard time sleeping, especially with a frisky raccoon outside trying to get at our empty bird feeders (I know, yet another blogpost), and my mind was far from the race as a way of distraction. I ate a bowl of Irish oats and berries for breakfast and watched that frisky raccoon scrummage through the remnants of the bird feeder before the sun broke through the clouds. My mind was very blank. Then 7am hit and I was a wreck. My brother drove as close as he could to the start line and I realized there was only 15 minutes to find my pace group and use the bathroom. I walked to Battery Park and to my dismay the poratapotties had the largest lines I'd ever seen in all the times I have run the VCM relay. I heard the singing of the national anthem as I was doing my business and prayed I would make it on time. What a way I would started the race! From inside a portapotty? No way. I forced myself through the crowd and found my 4:45 pace group. 

This may sound cheesy but I experienced every emotion possible during this race. I stood there feeling disoriented and couldn't feel my toes. If anyone is familiar with the sensation you get when your around your crush or someone you love well that's what I felt. I was anxious with butterflies, my stomach was doing somersaults and I was slightly panicking. I didn't even hear the start. I started walking with my group and then we were off. After I began the race I realized this was more than crossing an item off my bucket list, even though I did exactly that when I got home, but it was about life. Turning the first corner was a crazy sea of people, runners and volunteers. I couldn't stop smiling. A cynical pace mate, a vet marathoner said to me in passing, "wait till you get to mile 20, you won't be smiling anymore." He was right but we'll get to that later. I felt good during the first part of the race but then again I was prepared for these miles. I even left my pace group for a duration. I almost got to the 4:30 group and ended up in between the two groups for a large portion of the race.

Before I hit the halfway point a few things happened. People started to call my name. I had forgotten that my name was on my bib. Whenever I got around spectators I got shy and even looked down but when called on I would smile and say thanks. At one point I thought I heard someone say chocolate. I looked up at the kind man holding chocolate cookies and gladly took one then a very sweet woman gave me a banana. It always touches me when people do gestures like this because they have no idea how much they're support gets you through this race. I know now and have a new found respect for them and the volunteers. So when did the pain begin? When I got to mile 15 I started to feel extreme tightness in my legs. I passed a disabled man on my way to heartbreak hill. I can't explain how I felt when he looked at me but I knew I had to keep moving. Was this the second wind? Then heartbreak hill came.  I wanted to cry when looking up at the incline that looked like it didn't stop. People were all around me walking. Something else kicked in. This was mile 16 and I had a flashback of when I was 16. Throughout the race I had flashbacks paralleling my 26 years of life and my survival of the race was strangely syncing with my survival in life. I had a rough year at 15 when my beloved grandmother passed and I moved full time to Vermont. When I was 16 life felt like a weight to me and my fragility was scary. I spent most of the year crying and felt in mourning of everything. I thought about this going up that hill at battery park and told myself I wasn't stopping. As everyone around me walked I put my head down and ran. And I made it.

Then, at mile 17 I hit a wall. My legs were so tight I felt as though they were rubber bands stretched to the limit. I kept thinking, 'oh shit, I'm screwed now.' This is when the first thought of quitting came to my mind and I stopped running. I went to the side and stretched and felt as though I would explode. Then I thought, 'Ariel, your family is waiting at the end, how will you get home you fool if you don't run' and 'you'll be embarrassed if you don't make it.' Then I thought of all the strong women in my family that persevere and as corny as it sounds it made me start running after a spell of walking it. I hadn't had my GU (the nasty sports fuel) yet. At that point I knew why. The crap tasted like vitamin enriched sugar and was sticky and got everywhere. Out of nowhere I kept running and felt pretty good so it must have worked. Maybe I had just forgotten the pain? I had lost time and now found myself with my 4:45 pace group again. Before I knew it I was at mile 20. I knew at this point I wouldn't stop. I don't know how I knew this because I just did.

Then out of nowhere I hit another wall at mile 22 and started walking. I felt so mad at myself because off went my 4:45 pacing group and I couldn't do anything but walk in shame. A man to my left asked if I was okay. I tried to put on a brave face but he wasn't buying it. "Your legs sore?" he asked. I told him yes and that it was my first race. He told me that his legs were gone by mile 11 and he had walked to this point. I couldn't believe he walked that far then I had flashbacks of the women I saw in their 70s walking the race. I don't know this mans name but I started telling him my story as we walked together. The fact that I wished I had trained more but because of the rigors of grad school I hadn't. That I was a returned Peace Corps volunteer and that I was running for a charity. He said something to me that struck me, "You got this far right?" He was right, I had. Life has thrown me so many challenges but I had gotten ahead of them and ended up where I am today. Shortly after we past mile 24 I told him I would run again and he joined me. I was honored that he started running with me after having walked a lot of the race then I head him say, "Go get 'em kid," and I didn't see him again.

Mile 25 was here and I smiled, then on the last down hill toward the waterfront I tripped. Thank goodness I didn't fall to my face but the hard landing on my left leg made my left toe throb. I thought I would loose the nail (I haven't and I know TMI). Then I saw a huge crowd of people and turned a corner to the mile 26 marker. I couldn't resist kissing the marker and heard some laughs.

 

Then I heard the time and realized I was close to hitting 5 hours. Something in me triggered and I was thinking about my first year of grad school and started sprinting. I've faced so much throughout this past year. Before I took off I heard 2 women saying they were going to cry. Oddly enough I felt that way too thinking back. No tears fell but I got goosebumps and everything around me blurred. Next thing I knew I was finished and shaking. Barely walking I heard my name. My brother was there and I smiled realizing that I had done it. Then the pain hit but I'll never look back from this race. My only advice to anyone considering running a marathon is that it isn't a joke and that you really need to train. My training was very limited and I do not recommend that to anyone but I urge people to challenge themselves psychically and mentally. After all, you've gotten this far? Right?

-a-

p.s:                                   Race Results

 

A post Marathon Clip...to be posted soon ;)

1st Marathon, am I crazy to do this?

I think I'm crazy. This Sunday, May 27, 2012, I will be running in the 24th Key Bank Vermont City Marathon. Many runners would ordinarily look forward to such a race. To be honest I have mixed feelings. While I'm excited to run as its a passion of mine, I can't help but cringe because I didn't stick to my training regimen. This past year I began the first year in residence of my MA program at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. I really assumed that I would be able to balance school and training etc., but it turns out that was just a poor expectation. Between all the heavy readings, papers, group work, etc., I managed to get in a few runs a week at the very best. In fact the longest run I completed was a 15 flat miler in Burlington, VT during mid-March break. 

So now I sit, with less than a week to go cringing when I think of this race. I shared my concerns with a colleague who ran the London Marathon with very minimal training, in fact less than me. He also shared that this marathon in particular attracts a crowd of people who haven't done proper training. So this not only makes me feel better about my circumstances, but also makes not want to drop out. Given recent news of a 30 year old woman who died and her absolute lack of training, I wonder how I will respond on the course. There are a few things going for me. I'm somewhat in shape but last year would've been the year for me to run the full thing (instead I did a relay leg). I felt like the hulk last year I was so strong.

Thanks to this colleague I could resist googling "how to finish a marathon with modest training." This is the advise I found. This video is a clip from Sean Ogle, a 2011 runner and survivor of the Eugene Marathon, with little training. 

Video: http://vimeo.com/23195121

Blog:  http://www.seanogle.com/headline/how-to-run-marathon
 

Mr. Ogle finished with an official time of 5:29.05,  with only an 8 mile run "the longest of my life," before quitting his training. He also credited his ego for getting him to the finish line. The other advice I found was: "Running a Marathon with Minimal Training" by Matt Moody, Ph.D. It gives 3 simply stated points:

1. Energy Sources: Keeping Fuel in tank
2. Hydration
3. Pacing     

This race is 26.2 mile or 42k and is on behalf of The Global Medical Relief Fund (GMRF). http://www.gmrfchildren.org/ . GMRF is a small US based NGO that aids children who are missing or have lost the use of limbs or eyes, or have been severely burned, or have been injured due to war, natural disaster or illness. These children are not able to receive the medical care needed and GMRF assists them in this.  I initially donated funds after seeing the segment on 60 minutes. I was inspired after seeing the story of a you boy from Iraq injured from a roadside bomb. Operations change the lives of these children. My initial donation was modest and I wanted to do more so I wrote a letter to GMRF. They suggested I fundraise on their behalf. Some may be wondering what a Race to Raise fundraiser is or why I would torture myself to do it.  A Race to Raise is an event where a runner(s) run on behalf of a designated charity. Runners raise money by requesting funds from the public. At no cost to GMRF, I will be running in the VCM. I am attempting to raise at least $5,000 for GMRF by asking for donations. To learn more about GMRF please see the link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XDHMZkQMVvE 

Please consider helping by:

1. Donating: https://npo1.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=1004824 Under 'Dedication' enter: Ariel's Raise to Raise Fundraiser (this is very important as it tracks the funds) 
2. Hanging some flyers up (see flyer) 
3. Liking the Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ArielsRaceToRaiseFundraiser 
4. Spreading the word Encouraging me!  (I appreciate it!)

 

While I'm excited to find advice, I'm hoping it helps. I have joined a pacing team and I'm carb loading and drinking water/fluids like a fish but this ego thing is stumping me. I've already said to myself if my knee is killing I will walk. Or that I will do a half run/jog. Sad part about all this is that I'm thinking that I won't reach my goal of a time range between 4:00-4:30. I/we won't know how this will go until race day. All can do until then is minimal light walks and relaxation. Worrying will make me feel worse. The last thing to say is that I have will power and the thousands of supporters that come out will help me. I will do my very best to finish this race for the charity I'm running on behalf of and for myself (bucket list) no matter what. 

Looking forward to your comments

-a-

Banning Plastic? Fact or Fiction

In my limited online travels this week I came across an article that screamed to be read. The fact that the entire state of Hawaii is banning the use of plastic bags at checkout counters is not only progress but its nothing short of amazing. As much as I want to believe that the fad of dragging in recycled reusable bags to the grocery store is far reaching and deep rooted, the truth is that it is not. On my home turf of Vermont, soccer moms and penny pinchers (like myself) alike, have used this technique for years. I assumed this was universal but quickly learned otherwise while residing in other areas of the country. Once I was even called a treehugger. Really, now?

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/16/11720480-hawaii-first-state-to-ban-plastic-bags-at-checkout?lite
 
The article states that Hawaii is the first-in-the-nation to attempt and success at such a feat. I wonder how well this process could happen in another state.  Say, a place where there are advocates against climate change and its effects. Hawaii is still trying to "collect more public input due to enforcement and cost concerns," but I imagine that since the effort has gotten this far it will stay favorable to consumers. Also the law gives businesses three years to adjust. With these considerations surely this will be successful.

I'll be the first to admit that it does bother me when someone buys one very small item and its bagged. Fact is that bag is most likely to end up in a landfill along with its packaging, which is another blog post. If a minimal effort is made at the individual level we would have no need for plastic. Bottom up all the way!  I'm guilty of getting a bag infrequently but I always feel bad after and make more efforts to bring reusables and try to make sure I reuse the bag as much as possible. The only way we can cut the plastic is by trying. I have to give a standing ovation to the state of Hawaii for standing up and making this a priority. I hope we don't have to wait too long before this catches on. The earth could surely use a break. (See photo)

Until next time
-a-

Better late than never

After a long hiatus, I've returned to the world of blogging. This blog was initially thought of as a quarter life crises blog to be started on my 25th birthday. Needless to say, I'm a bit older than that now but the urge was still there to again expose my ideas and musings to the world. As I type its almost been 24 hours since I finished my first year of graduate school. I've returned to a place of comfort and began that stage of reflection which agonizes over the bitter-sweetness of the past year. It's a fitting time to begin this as I just ended this chapter. Sharing the roller coaster ride of a life I have with the world is scary to me but I feel there is strength in this. I look forward to many more posts ahead and opening up and dissecting my multiple layers. Until next time.
-a-