After a couple of quiet weekends, where I perhaps spent a little bit too much time by myself, I had a really great weekend where I spent a lot of time with friends. My social life was at its usual pace: dinner on Friday, brunch on Saturday, movie night at Mathew's on Saturday night, and drinks/dinner/gelato with Miss Ash this evening.
In between socializing, I got some good exercise in. A 6 km run on Friday night, a weight-lifting class on Saturday morning, and a 10 km run this morning. I feel good knowing that I can tackle the distance of 10 km... just two weeks 'til my race!
I didn't do any shopping this weekend, other than buy some concert tickets for the Toronto Urban Roots Festival in July. That'll be fun. My summer concert hat is going to get well used. Oh, and I pre-ordered the Los Campesinos! live album. But no new clothes or shoes, which is what I've been doing for the past four weekends.
I have some annoying deadlines this week at work, but I feel like once this week is done, it's the slow descent into summer. Yahoo! Let's get this work week done.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Thursday, April 25, 2013
You can call me I won't let you down.
One thing I really like about my job is that little things I do can make a big difference.
A student of mine was involved in a program that allows high school students to practice with a professional rock band. Each school involved in the program is allowed to choose one student to play with the band at a big show in an actual concert venue.
She invited me to see her play, and last night I went to the show. I went with my friend (the music teacher). We chilled upstairs for most of the show, watched her play, congratulated her and then took off.
However, it made such a big difference to her that we came. She thanked me for coming today, and this evening was parent-teacher interviews. I don't teach her this semester, but her parents sought me out to thank me for coming out because it meant a lot to their daughter.
To me, it was such a little thing to do, but it reminds me of how the little things that I do for my students really do make a big difference, whether it is giving them a compliment, putting a sticker on a test, or writing them a reference letter. I'm so thankful to be able to do these things.
A student of mine was involved in a program that allows high school students to practice with a professional rock band. Each school involved in the program is allowed to choose one student to play with the band at a big show in an actual concert venue.
She invited me to see her play, and last night I went to the show. I went with my friend (the music teacher). We chilled upstairs for most of the show, watched her play, congratulated her and then took off.
However, it made such a big difference to her that we came. She thanked me for coming today, and this evening was parent-teacher interviews. I don't teach her this semester, but her parents sought me out to thank me for coming out because it meant a lot to their daughter.
To me, it was such a little thing to do, but it reminds me of how the little things that I do for my students really do make a big difference, whether it is giving them a compliment, putting a sticker on a test, or writing them a reference letter. I'm so thankful to be able to do these things.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
On blogging
I feel that the blogging heyday was circa 2005-2006.
However, I keep this little thing going with its small readership because:
a) It's the only journal I've ever kept up. And it's nice having a record of my life. (Albeit somewhat santized... I never go full tilt emo on here, only a little bit... But as soon as I write "I'm feeling emo" boom, friends are checking in on me which is nice to know people care. Also, I am not emo, so don't worry.)
and
b) I've made so many great friends through this thing, that I can't let go, even though lots of my blogger buddies don't blog anymore. But some still do and I love their blogs.
Anyway, making friends through blogging has been great because I have friends now in several timezones. Which really works out when it's 11:30 pm at night and you need someone to talk to, and all of your friends are asleep but you think a-ha! It's early in Vancouver and you send out a text. This is why I'm up so late.
Also, you have people to visit when you travel. Or people who visit you.
Ok, sleep now.
p.s. Life is apparently really strange and the world is small. Too small.
However, I keep this little thing going with its small readership because:
a) It's the only journal I've ever kept up. And it's nice having a record of my life. (Albeit somewhat santized... I never go full tilt emo on here, only a little bit... But as soon as I write "I'm feeling emo" boom, friends are checking in on me which is nice to know people care. Also, I am not emo, so don't worry.)
and
b) I've made so many great friends through this thing, that I can't let go, even though lots of my blogger buddies don't blog anymore. But some still do and I love their blogs.
Anyway, making friends through blogging has been great because I have friends now in several timezones. Which really works out when it's 11:30 pm at night and you need someone to talk to, and all of your friends are asleep but you think a-ha! It's early in Vancouver and you send out a text. This is why I'm up so late.
Also, you have people to visit when you travel. Or people who visit you.
Ok, sleep now.
p.s. Life is apparently really strange and the world is small. Too small.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
I want only to haunt you, but you're never there.
It was record store day on Saturday, so I did a vinyl crawl (Sonic Boom Bathurst, Soundscapes, and Sonic Boom Kensington) and picked up:
1) The Five Ghosts by Stars
I love all Stars albums, of course, but this one has a special place in my heart because it's about ghosts and speaks to my inner goth. I love the idea of ghosts, and being haunted (literally and figuratively) and that's what this album is about. How happy was I to discover that this vinyl is both on 180g (sounds so good) AND the record is white. I love it.
This album reminds me of ghost tours and my favourite gothic novels (Jane Eyre, The Thirteenth Tale, Rebecca, Her Perfect Symmetry, The Little Stranger).
If I won the lottery, I would just buy myself a haunted house and live there happily. I'd drink red wine and listen to Stars and hang out with ghosts. That's what I'd do.
2) The Reminder by Feist
I have now completed the Feist trifecta on vinyl. I have Let It Die, The Reminder, and Metals.
What I realize is that pretty much all of Feist's albums are about heartbreak. And Feist is awesome. So I feel like if Feist has had her heart broken, it's okay if my heart gets broken every now and then. Although it would be easier to deal with if I lived in a haunted house and had my ghost friends to hang out with.
(FYI - I was drinking red wine and watching the Junos tonight. That explains a lot of this post.)
I've been posting this picture everywhere because seriously, it describes the coping mechanisms I've had since about age seven.
Monday was a really nice day so I walked along Bloor with a pal from work until we hit Sonic Boom where I did some pre-Record Store Day shopping. I picked up the 10th anniversary edition of The Postal Service's "Give Up" which is amazing. I'm currently obsessed with that album.
These days my life is seriously vinyl + fitness. I've been rocking the health and fitness in 2013. I've lost about 15 pounds, and I had to buy new jeans yesterday because all of mine don't fit right. I got these really awesome Second Yoga Jeans that are supposed to be as comfy as yoga pants and they are! They were pricey, but so comfy, and I loved that they are three sizes smaller than the last time I bought jeans.
I love being stronger. Today I did a weightlifting class at my gym where I piled on the weights and still could have gotten stronger. I still don't think I've grasped at how much stronger I am since I've been doing three months of training with a personal trainer. I love the superficial benefits of my program (see the above jeans) but really being stronger and having tonnes more energy is where it's at.
1) The Five Ghosts by Stars
I love all Stars albums, of course, but this one has a special place in my heart because it's about ghosts and speaks to my inner goth. I love the idea of ghosts, and being haunted (literally and figuratively) and that's what this album is about. How happy was I to discover that this vinyl is both on 180g (sounds so good) AND the record is white. I love it.
This album reminds me of ghost tours and my favourite gothic novels (Jane Eyre, The Thirteenth Tale, Rebecca, Her Perfect Symmetry, The Little Stranger).
If I won the lottery, I would just buy myself a haunted house and live there happily. I'd drink red wine and listen to Stars and hang out with ghosts. That's what I'd do.
2) The Reminder by Feist
I have now completed the Feist trifecta on vinyl. I have Let It Die, The Reminder, and Metals.
What I realize is that pretty much all of Feist's albums are about heartbreak. And Feist is awesome. So I feel like if Feist has had her heart broken, it's okay if my heart gets broken every now and then. Although it would be easier to deal with if I lived in a haunted house and had my ghost friends to hang out with.
(FYI - I was drinking red wine and watching the Junos tonight. That explains a lot of this post.)
I've been posting this picture everywhere because seriously, it describes the coping mechanisms I've had since about age seven.
Monday was a really nice day so I walked along Bloor with a pal from work until we hit Sonic Boom where I did some pre-Record Store Day shopping. I picked up the 10th anniversary edition of The Postal Service's "Give Up" which is amazing. I'm currently obsessed with that album.
These days my life is seriously vinyl + fitness. I've been rocking the health and fitness in 2013. I've lost about 15 pounds, and I had to buy new jeans yesterday because all of mine don't fit right. I got these really awesome Second Yoga Jeans that are supposed to be as comfy as yoga pants and they are! They were pricey, but so comfy, and I loved that they are three sizes smaller than the last time I bought jeans.
I love being stronger. Today I did a weightlifting class at my gym where I piled on the weights and still could have gotten stronger. I still don't think I've grasped at how much stronger I am since I've been doing three months of training with a personal trainer. I love the superficial benefits of my program (see the above jeans) but really being stronger and having tonnes more energy is where it's at.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Pledge Me!
Hi Blog Friends,
I am running the Sporting Life 10K again this year on May 12th, but this time I've decided to fund raise. The reason that I love this race so much, other than the fact that it's mostly downhill, is that ALL of the money and race fees goes directly to charity. Camp Ooch is a camp for kids with cancer. Please consider supporting me. Every little bit helps! My donation page is below:
https://www.ooch.org/
Thanks for your support!
I am running the Sporting Life 10K again this year on May 12th, but this time I've decided to fund raise. The reason that I love this race so much, other than the fact that it's mostly downhill, is that ALL of the money and race fees goes directly to charity. Camp Ooch is a camp for kids with cancer. Please consider supporting me. Every little bit helps! My donation page is below:
https://www.ooch.org/
Thanks for your support!
Sunday, April 14, 2013
She was an anti-pioneer.
What I'm into these days:
1) Fair Trade Organic Dark Chocolate by Camino.
Great stuff. I am off of white sugar, as you know, but my one indulgence is a bit of dark chocolate. These are great and there are different flavours; my faves are mint, orange, and coconut.
2) Re-listening to old favourite albums.
2013 isn't really doing it for me musically. I've only bought three new albums so far this year which is very low for me. This means that I've been spending a lot of times with old favourites. I've been playing the heck out of The Weakerthans lately and right now I'm listening to Feist's Metals. I have listened to that album so many times and it always brings something new for me.
On a side note, I am looking forward to the new Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Phoenix albums coming out soon, and I think Neko Case has an album coming out later this year. Until then I'm either going to have to discover some new bands or make do with old favourites.
3) Documentaries.
Lots of people complain about the movie selection on Netflix Canada, but it's got a great selection of docs on there. This weekend I watched three: Into the Abyss, Dear Zachary and Hungry for Change.
Into the Abyss is by German filmmaker Werner Herzog. It's an examination in the fallout of a triple homicide in Texas: the murderers, their families, victim's families, and law officials are all interviewed. It was a bit slow, but rather interesting and a holistic look at the causes and effects of such a crime. Moreover, it touched upon the ethics of the death penalty, and the stress that the death penalty had on those whose job it is to carry out the sentences. I'd give this movie a 7/10.
I don't want to say too much about Dear Zachary except for the fact that it was absolutely riveting and very well edited. It's a really really messed up true story, and was very hard to watch in some places. It's one of those documentaries that becomes more fascinating because the real-life story twists and turns as the film-maker is making the movie. (The Queen of Versailles, also on Netflix, is like this.) The focus of Dear Zachary turns to Kate and David Bagby who are amazing people and advocates. The story is quite dark, and I felt uncomfortable watching it at times, but it was an excellent doc. I'd give it a 9/10.
Hungry for Change falls along the lines of my post last week about food. It was great for me to watch, because it's about adopting a healthy lifestyle when it comes to food, exercise, sleep and more. I liked it a lot, and plan to re-watch some of it. It reinforces my commitment to reducing the amount of white sugar, processed foods, and refined grains in my diet. My only criticism of this documentary is that at times it felt like an infomercial for the whole "juicing" lifestyle. However, the rest of it was quite powerful. It actually gave me some specific self-care advice that I've already applied to my life. I'd give it a 8/10.
Next weekend, I am going to see the documentary West of Memphis at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema. I've been following this case for a few years, and I recently read the memoir by Damien Echols. I love the opportunity to see documentaries in a theatre, and Toronto is lucky to have a cinema devoted to docs.
Finally, the Hot Docs film festival is at the end of this month. I'm going to go through my program tonight and perhaps purchase tickets for a few films. Then it's bed-time because sleeping reduces your cortisol levels you know.
1) Fair Trade Organic Dark Chocolate by Camino.
Great stuff. I am off of white sugar, as you know, but my one indulgence is a bit of dark chocolate. These are great and there are different flavours; my faves are mint, orange, and coconut.
2) Re-listening to old favourite albums.
2013 isn't really doing it for me musically. I've only bought three new albums so far this year which is very low for me. This means that I've been spending a lot of times with old favourites. I've been playing the heck out of The Weakerthans lately and right now I'm listening to Feist's Metals. I have listened to that album so many times and it always brings something new for me.
On a side note, I am looking forward to the new Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Phoenix albums coming out soon, and I think Neko Case has an album coming out later this year. Until then I'm either going to have to discover some new bands or make do with old favourites.
3) Documentaries.
Lots of people complain about the movie selection on Netflix Canada, but it's got a great selection of docs on there. This weekend I watched three: Into the Abyss, Dear Zachary and Hungry for Change.
Into the Abyss is by German filmmaker Werner Herzog. It's an examination in the fallout of a triple homicide in Texas: the murderers, their families, victim's families, and law officials are all interviewed. It was a bit slow, but rather interesting and a holistic look at the causes and effects of such a crime. Moreover, it touched upon the ethics of the death penalty, and the stress that the death penalty had on those whose job it is to carry out the sentences. I'd give this movie a 7/10.
I don't want to say too much about Dear Zachary except for the fact that it was absolutely riveting and very well edited. It's a really really messed up true story, and was very hard to watch in some places. It's one of those documentaries that becomes more fascinating because the real-life story twists and turns as the film-maker is making the movie. (The Queen of Versailles, also on Netflix, is like this.) The focus of Dear Zachary turns to Kate and David Bagby who are amazing people and advocates. The story is quite dark, and I felt uncomfortable watching it at times, but it was an excellent doc. I'd give it a 9/10.
Hungry for Change falls along the lines of my post last week about food. It was great for me to watch, because it's about adopting a healthy lifestyle when it comes to food, exercise, sleep and more. I liked it a lot, and plan to re-watch some of it. It reinforces my commitment to reducing the amount of white sugar, processed foods, and refined grains in my diet. My only criticism of this documentary is that at times it felt like an infomercial for the whole "juicing" lifestyle. However, the rest of it was quite powerful. It actually gave me some specific self-care advice that I've already applied to my life. I'd give it a 8/10.
Next weekend, I am going to see the documentary West of Memphis at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema. I've been following this case for a few years, and I recently read the memoir by Damien Echols. I love the opportunity to see documentaries in a theatre, and Toronto is lucky to have a cinema devoted to docs.
Finally, the Hot Docs film festival is at the end of this month. I'm going to go through my program tonight and perhaps purchase tickets for a few films. Then it's bed-time because sleeping reduces your cortisol levels you know.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
My Vinyl Collection
I bought myself a turntable back in February. Truth is, I started accumulating vinyl before I even got my turntable.
I've been collecting old favourites, new releases, and rare finds, as well as picking up some new surprises. Yes, yes, I know I should get some good old fashioned vinyl, back from vinyl's heyday, and not today's vinyl which has been produced for obnoxious hipsters. My dad has TONNES of great vinyl at home (Dylan, The Beatles, the Stones, Springsteen, Cohen, etc., etc.) but WILL NOT let me take it. I tried to borrow his copy of Abbey Road (which he'd actually bought from the Stratford Public Library when they were getting rid of their vinyl collection so it's not like it's some pristine copy) and he put his foot down and said no. I've never seen him so adamant about anything. There was never this degree of foot-putting-down at any point in my childhood.
Anyway, I thought I'd share with you what I've stocked up so far.
Old Favourites
Metals - Feist
Let it Die - Feist
Left & Leaving - The Weakerthans
Middle Cyclone - Neko Case (180g)
New Releases
The North - Stars (blue vinyl!)
Us Alone - Hayden
Provincial - John K. Samson
Coexist - The xx
Rare Finds
The Sound of the Life of the Mind - Ben Folds Five (autographed 180g vinyl!)
Get Along - Tegan and Sara (limited edition live album released on white vinyl for record store day)
New Surprises --> Stuff I just picked up hoping it would be good. All of it was!
Sun - Cat Power (180 g)
The State of the World Depends on this Kiss - Whitehorse
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea - Neutral Milk Hotel (180g)
Anyway, I'm really enjoying a new/old way to listen to music. Vinyl artwork is amazing, and it's fun to physically turn over albums. I'm a huge fan of 180g vinyl too. It sounds sooooooo good.
I want to keep building by getting old favourites, new releases, rarities, and splurging on surprises. I really want to get more of The Weakerthans on vinyl. I've been re-discovering my favourite band in the past week, and I need the album Reconstruction Site. That will be a priority. Of course, I must get Feist's The Reminder to complete the trifecta. I want more Stars too.
There aren't a whole lot of new releases coming out soon that I know of that I will definitely be picking up on vinyl. When Neko Case finishes her next album this year, you can bet that I'll pick it up on vinyl. Also, Arts & Crafts is coming out with a 10th anniversary compilation, and I'm totally going to splurge on that.
My little collection will grow quickly I'm sure.
What albums would be your vinyl must-haves?
I've been collecting old favourites, new releases, and rare finds, as well as picking up some new surprises. Yes, yes, I know I should get some good old fashioned vinyl, back from vinyl's heyday, and not today's vinyl which has been produced for obnoxious hipsters. My dad has TONNES of great vinyl at home (Dylan, The Beatles, the Stones, Springsteen, Cohen, etc., etc.) but WILL NOT let me take it. I tried to borrow his copy of Abbey Road (which he'd actually bought from the Stratford Public Library when they were getting rid of their vinyl collection so it's not like it's some pristine copy) and he put his foot down and said no. I've never seen him so adamant about anything. There was never this degree of foot-putting-down at any point in my childhood.
Anyway, I thought I'd share with you what I've stocked up so far.
Old Favourites
Metals - Feist
Let it Die - Feist
Left & Leaving - The Weakerthans
Middle Cyclone - Neko Case (180g)
New Releases
The North - Stars (blue vinyl!)
Us Alone - Hayden
Provincial - John K. Samson
Coexist - The xx
Rare Finds
The Sound of the Life of the Mind - Ben Folds Five (autographed 180g vinyl!)
Get Along - Tegan and Sara (limited edition live album released on white vinyl for record store day)
New Surprises --> Stuff I just picked up hoping it would be good. All of it was!
Sun - Cat Power (180 g)
The State of the World Depends on this Kiss - Whitehorse
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea - Neutral Milk Hotel (180g)
Anyway, I'm really enjoying a new/old way to listen to music. Vinyl artwork is amazing, and it's fun to physically turn over albums. I'm a huge fan of 180g vinyl too. It sounds sooooooo good.
I want to keep building by getting old favourites, new releases, rarities, and splurging on surprises. I really want to get more of The Weakerthans on vinyl. I've been re-discovering my favourite band in the past week, and I need the album Reconstruction Site. That will be a priority. Of course, I must get Feist's The Reminder to complete the trifecta. I want more Stars too.
There aren't a whole lot of new releases coming out soon that I know of that I will definitely be picking up on vinyl. When Neko Case finishes her next album this year, you can bet that I'll pick it up on vinyl. Also, Arts & Crafts is coming out with a 10th anniversary compilation, and I'm totally going to splurge on that.
My little collection will grow quickly I'm sure.
What albums would be your vinyl must-haves?
Sunday, April 07, 2013
Food
This weekend I've been doing a lot of reading/watching on the North American food industry.
I started reading Michael Moss' "Salt, Sugar, Fat" and I highly recommend it. Basically, it's about how the processed food industry has injected its product with the above ingredients, which has lead to us becoming addicted to their unhealthy, cheap, and convenient products. The results? The obesity epidemic.
This evening, I went to the Bloor Hot Docs theatre to see the documentary "A Place at the Table", which is about how there are millions of Americans who are food insecure (i.e. don't know where their next meal is from), and how the hunger epidemic in the US in paradoxically related to obesity. Healthy food isn't cheap, as anyone who has cleaned up their eating habits (like me) can attest. If you are counting every cent and can get empty calories cheaper, what choice do you really have?
The documentary was very powerful. I was in tears at the end. I think we can all agree that food is a fundamental human right, and it's tragic that people don't have enough in one of the wealthiest countries on the planet. I feel that things might be slightly better in Canada; my understanding is that our rules for government assistance might not be as strict, but I'm obviously not speaking from any sort of experience, just a Canadian assumption.
However, as a person who has supported food banks for years, I do know that far too many Canadians have to use them. Hunger and obesity are problems that are rooted in poverty. Of course, it doesn't help that our food industry makes it difficult to get a nutritious meal. I feel that people are becoming more knowledgeable about these problem, and I hope that there is a change soon. Nutritious food should be accessible for all, regardless of income level. If you only care about economics, it will save us money in the long run if fewer people are suffering the health problems associated with obesity.
Even though I've never had to eat unhealthy food because of financial issues, I did grow up eating a lot of fast foods and processed foods. The reason is simple. I grew up with a mother with a chronic illness (multiple sclerosis). She was often too tired to cook the nutritious meals that I grew up with as a kid (before her disease progressed) and getting fast food, or reheating something processed was all that could be done. In addition, I feel that my mom would splurge on junk food treats, because well, that was something she could still do for me, as opposed to a lot of the mom-daughter activities that she could no longer do.
I'm not blaming my mom at all, but I really do believe that the reliance on fast food I had as a teenager, as well as emotional eating, lead me to become a nutritional disaster. I was finally able to change my eating habits in my late 20s, and lost a bunch of weight as a result. However, the spectre of emotional eating, plus a lifestyle where I go out a lot, has lead me to gain some of it back. Hence, I'm yet again on the healthy eating wagon and quite happily. In addition, I've finally grown to really enjoy exercise in the past five years or so of my life. I'm really enjoying the changes in my body and strength that have come as a result of hiring a personal trainer this year (more on that in another post).
Reading "Salt, Sugar, Fat" is giving me such contempt for the processed food industry. Since January, I have eaten virtually no processed foods. Everything I eat is pretty whole: meats, eggs, veggies, fruits, nuts, eggs, and dairy. I was always a heavy user of processed foods. I am so glad that I no longer support those industries, and I feel that my weekend reading/viewing has committed me more to my diet, if not just for my own personal health, but as a way to vote with my money. I no longer wish to support these companies who value profit over human health.
I am so glad that I have necessary income, and education, to pursue a healthy lifestyle. I am spending a lot of money this year on my health, but I know it's a worthwhile investment. I just wish that when it came to the access to nutritious food, every one had the same opportunities as me.
***
In other weekend news, I ran my first 5K of the 2013. I did Harry's Spring Run Off in High Park. It was a lovely chilly sunny morning, and I had a great run. It's a rather challenging course... there are some hilly portions, and the last 500 m is uphill. What a challenge. I (and most other runners) had to walk most of this last portion. If I'd known the finish line was literally around the corner from the top of the hill, I would have given it halfway up the hill. Good knowledge for if I do this race again. My time was 34:30, which is just 46 seconds shy of my PB in a 5K race. However, since the course was so challenging, I do feel like it was a PB anyway. :)
I told myself that if I finished in under 35 minutes, I would treat myself to some new brightly-coloured runners. So that's what I did today. :) I've been shoe crazy lately. I've purchased 3 pairs of shoes in as many weekends. I promise you all a shoe post soon!
I started reading Michael Moss' "Salt, Sugar, Fat" and I highly recommend it. Basically, it's about how the processed food industry has injected its product with the above ingredients, which has lead to us becoming addicted to their unhealthy, cheap, and convenient products. The results? The obesity epidemic.
This evening, I went to the Bloor Hot Docs theatre to see the documentary "A Place at the Table", which is about how there are millions of Americans who are food insecure (i.e. don't know where their next meal is from), and how the hunger epidemic in the US in paradoxically related to obesity. Healthy food isn't cheap, as anyone who has cleaned up their eating habits (like me) can attest. If you are counting every cent and can get empty calories cheaper, what choice do you really have?
The documentary was very powerful. I was in tears at the end. I think we can all agree that food is a fundamental human right, and it's tragic that people don't have enough in one of the wealthiest countries on the planet. I feel that things might be slightly better in Canada; my understanding is that our rules for government assistance might not be as strict, but I'm obviously not speaking from any sort of experience, just a Canadian assumption.
However, as a person who has supported food banks for years, I do know that far too many Canadians have to use them. Hunger and obesity are problems that are rooted in poverty. Of course, it doesn't help that our food industry makes it difficult to get a nutritious meal. I feel that people are becoming more knowledgeable about these problem, and I hope that there is a change soon. Nutritious food should be accessible for all, regardless of income level. If you only care about economics, it will save us money in the long run if fewer people are suffering the health problems associated with obesity.
Even though I've never had to eat unhealthy food because of financial issues, I did grow up eating a lot of fast foods and processed foods. The reason is simple. I grew up with a mother with a chronic illness (multiple sclerosis). She was often too tired to cook the nutritious meals that I grew up with as a kid (before her disease progressed) and getting fast food, or reheating something processed was all that could be done. In addition, I feel that my mom would splurge on junk food treats, because well, that was something she could still do for me, as opposed to a lot of the mom-daughter activities that she could no longer do.
I'm not blaming my mom at all, but I really do believe that the reliance on fast food I had as a teenager, as well as emotional eating, lead me to become a nutritional disaster. I was finally able to change my eating habits in my late 20s, and lost a bunch of weight as a result. However, the spectre of emotional eating, plus a lifestyle where I go out a lot, has lead me to gain some of it back. Hence, I'm yet again on the healthy eating wagon and quite happily. In addition, I've finally grown to really enjoy exercise in the past five years or so of my life. I'm really enjoying the changes in my body and strength that have come as a result of hiring a personal trainer this year (more on that in another post).
Reading "Salt, Sugar, Fat" is giving me such contempt for the processed food industry. Since January, I have eaten virtually no processed foods. Everything I eat is pretty whole: meats, eggs, veggies, fruits, nuts, eggs, and dairy. I was always a heavy user of processed foods. I am so glad that I no longer support those industries, and I feel that my weekend reading/viewing has committed me more to my diet, if not just for my own personal health, but as a way to vote with my money. I no longer wish to support these companies who value profit over human health.
I am so glad that I have necessary income, and education, to pursue a healthy lifestyle. I am spending a lot of money this year on my health, but I know it's a worthwhile investment. I just wish that when it came to the access to nutritious food, every one had the same opportunities as me.
***
In other weekend news, I ran my first 5K of the 2013. I did Harry's Spring Run Off in High Park. It was a lovely chilly sunny morning, and I had a great run. It's a rather challenging course... there are some hilly portions, and the last 500 m is uphill. What a challenge. I (and most other runners) had to walk most of this last portion. If I'd known the finish line was literally around the corner from the top of the hill, I would have given it halfway up the hill. Good knowledge for if I do this race again. My time was 34:30, which is just 46 seconds shy of my PB in a 5K race. However, since the course was so challenging, I do feel like it was a PB anyway. :)
I told myself that if I finished in under 35 minutes, I would treat myself to some new brightly-coloured runners. So that's what I did today. :) I've been shoe crazy lately. I've purchased 3 pairs of shoes in as many weekends. I promise you all a shoe post soon!
Tuesday, April 02, 2013
Friends are the awesome.
Whenever there is the littlest bump in my life, my friends are there to pick me up. For example, after having a shitty and dramatic day yesterday, today I just had the following happen:
a) A lovely phone chat with my buddy Claire. Apart from being lovely, this conversation has rekindled my love of Liz Lemon.
b) My friend Mathew stopped by after his volleyball game to chat and listen to some vinyl. I also supplied him with some ice since he hit his head.
c) My pal Matt from Winnipeg is going to join me for the epic Field Trip show in June. It's Arts & Crafts Records' 10th anniversary show and features a reunited Broken Social Scene, Feist, Stars, and Hayden to only name my four favourites.
My plans for this week and weekend have been completely changed but I don't care. I have sushi with my pal Mathew, a potential carb-loading dinner on Friday night, and my first 5K race of the season on Saturday morning. Then perhaps shopping and wine to celebrate.
Lots of good stuff on the horizon. :D
p.s. This was my 1111th post. Cool!
a) A lovely phone chat with my buddy Claire. Apart from being lovely, this conversation has rekindled my love of Liz Lemon.
b) My friend Mathew stopped by after his volleyball game to chat and listen to some vinyl. I also supplied him with some ice since he hit his head.
c) My pal Matt from Winnipeg is going to join me for the epic Field Trip show in June. It's Arts & Crafts Records' 10th anniversary show and features a reunited Broken Social Scene, Feist, Stars, and Hayden to only name my four favourites.
My plans for this week and weekend have been completely changed but I don't care. I have sushi with my pal Mathew, a potential carb-loading dinner on Friday night, and my first 5K race of the season on Saturday morning. Then perhaps shopping and wine to celebrate.
Lots of good stuff on the horizon. :D
p.s. This was my 1111th post. Cool!
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