Poverty and Obesity

I used to volunteer weekly at a food pantry in the lovely city of Blowing Rock, NC. During my time at this food pantry, I came across so many different people, all needing help in this tough economy. I learned a lot about how the government deals (or doesn't deal) with poverty.

 We get food donations, we buy food from the food bank for pennies a pound, and we receive government-funded food.  While I am thankful that the government does provide something, I am enraged that this food is so unhealthy.  It may come to a surprise to some people, but poverty-stricken people also struggle with being overweight and obese.  If you have noticed, the unhealthy food is often cheaper than healthy food.  To save money, people buy fast food, junk food (because it's cheaper than fruits and veggies), and lots of carbs (such as pastas & cereals).  Some examples of government-given food is peanuts covered with salt, cans of salt-infused pork and beef, baked beans, cans of syrup-filled fruit and lots of pasta (however it is whole wheat!).  One of the best things they have provided is rolled oats (or oatmeal for those who don't know).

What is baffling is that the government seems to forget about people that fall below the poverty line.  Some rules as to who receives assistance and how much doesn't really make much sense.  I do thank the government for what they have done, but I'm asking for more. I'm holding you accountable and giving a voice to those who cannot speak.  They are screaming out, but no-one is listening.  I am listening. I hear your pain.  I want to give you a voice. I care.

Jeans vs. Genes

I'm probably way behind the times on this issue, but I want to give my two cents. I think it's very interesting and intriguing that my brother and I, who grew up in the same house eating the same foods, have very different body types. He is not overweight, but is not what one would call "skinny". We have similar food preferences, and probably eat about the same amounts, depending on the meal. Some may perceive that he is not "healthy" and that I am because I am "skinny". Which makes me very uncomfortable and actually quite angry. My brother is probably more healthy than I am, considering I go to 5 doctors throughout the year, and he probably goes to 2. When people comment about how skinny I am, they are not really seeing who I am. And everyone is guilty of judging people based on looks, but I am here to challenge perceptions, including my own. People assume that I don't like food, or that I throw up my food after I eat, or that I can wear whatever I want, and can find any clothes I want in my size. News flash: I HATE throwing up. I LOVE FOOD. I don't binge eat. Shopping for clothes is kind of frustrating. When I get stressed, I sometimes forget/don't take time to eat. I love to eat snacks. Whole milk is a guilty pleasure from time to time. I want to work out, but I hardly do.
Interestingly, I do a lot of research on healthy lifestyles. I have a somewhat secret desire to become a nutritionist because I want to help people live healthier lifestyles. I have friends and family members who I want to encourage to live healthier, as well as work on myself. I like to find what foods are good for people, depending on their personal needs and I want to educate people about healthy food proportions.

*Warning: rant below*
At a local Sam's food store, I saw a young couple who had a toddler and a baby buying nothing healthy. Since this is a bulk store, these are obviously things they eat a lot of. I saw their items as they checked out: 5 (large) boxes of unhealthy cereals, large boxes/bags of candy, fruit snacks, vienna sausages, beanie weenies, ketchup, mustard & relish, and tuna (at least that's healthy, but i'm sure it will be mixed with lots of mayo). The young children with them do not have any kind of control or say in what they adults buy at the store...I am just baffled.
*End of rant, thank you.*

I am intrigued as to how and why the American culture somehow promotes unhealthy eating. One of the problems is oversized portions at restaurants, in which most families eat multiple nights a week. When we eat these oversized meals, we perceive that it is a "normal" size. And then you feel you need to eat the whole thing so you don't "waste" it, and tummies get stretched, therefore making you feel hungrier at your next meal. It is a sad, sad cycle that doesn't seem to be breaking any time soon. This makes me sad because of the problems that obesity causes, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, bone loss, and more.

My hope is that people who are having these issues realize they need to do it not for themselves, but for their friends and family. There is nothing sadder than standing by helplessly while watching a loved one hurt themselves (whether it's by abusing food, alcohol, drugs, or tobacco).

Double A? Like the battery?

So I started this blog because I want to vent a little on what I see in the world around me. I doubt anybody will read this or even care what I have to say, but I feel I need to say it. If I touch one person's life, I think I've done my job.

So the recent Playtex commercial about their 18-hour bras takes a bash at the smaller women of the world. Their snide comment about the somewhat petite size of AA is derogatory and promotes women to have bad body image. I commend the company for celebrating the curvy women, but they have no excuse for their snippy comments about AA. This type of banter is what causes women to want breast enhancements...something absolutely unnecessary. However, women around this country have this procedure in order to feel better about themselves.

I am myself a small person. I eat when I'm hungry. I work out when I feel like it. And I can't make myself any curvier or bulkier. My body shape is what it is, and it will only change as I age. Most people don't realize that it is uncomfortable to receive comments about how skinny you are. I am sick of people telling me I need to eat and "get more meat on my bones". I even tried counting calories at one point in my life in order to GAIN weight. This is not normal or healthy. I was eating fattening things that are not healthy. Now I realize that I should just focus on eating things that are healthy for me, such as whole grains and fresh fruits and veggies. Warning: this is NOT a diet. Diets are dumb and they don't work. I embrace a healthy way of eating. I don't spare myself cookies and cake when I feel like it. Nobody should deny themselves of these things all the time! That's just wrong. :)

And I have friends who have curves, whether it's their hips, butts, or breasts. I celebrate their assets, because they are beautiful just as they are. I am a promoter of healthy habits and healthy eating, but by no means am I a promoter of "dieting". Each person should find their own happiness. Women (and men) have the RIGHT to be happy with themselves. I, for one, am absolutely sick with the American society's portrayal of beauty.

Tyra Banks gets a lot of bashing by being a public figure, especially one that is in the modeling and fashion industry. But I commend Tyra and her efforts. She may not have it all together with all the right words and the solution to the current ideals of beauty, but she is trying. She promotes women of all shapes and sizes, just as long as you are healthy. Healthy comes in many forms, and just because someone is slim absolutely does not mean they are healthy. On Tyra's talk show, she is having a teen modeling competition about "real teens". This is a huge step in the modeling industry. They are not "plus size", they are normal size. They are not fat. They have curves. They are not better than or less than the girls who are smaller or larger. I think the next step is to not even classify the various types of models. I would like to see a cycle of ANTM where all sorts of models are competing: short, tall, curvy or straight. I hope you see this Tyra. I'm rooting for you.