Response to Alanna's Blog

Alanna wrote a blog titled "Slow Food: A Great Idea in Theory". This blog discusses how due to the busy schedules that many of us have these days, eating a whole and healthy meal prepared from scratch is becoming a rarer occurrence. These days, many of us mainly eat to survive and this shows up in our refrigerators and freezers when you see the microwavable foods and the frozen pizzas. When making her meal, Alanna even said that part of the reason she chose this meal was because it was easily modified so she did not have to run to the store to get all the ingredients for it. A lot of people don't have the time or feel the urge to make a homemade meal these days.

I have a stay at home mom so when I go home I usually get a homemade meal where my whole family sits down together and eats. I have noticed that when I tell my friends about this, more and more of them look at me like I am from another planet, eating meals together has become a thing of the past it seems.

I agreed with her when she said that Slow Food seemed like a good idea in theory. A lot of people will think that it sounds or looks good but they are not going to try the Slow Food route. It is expensive and time consuming. And for some of us living in the dorms, it is not that easy or affordable to become a part
of the Slow Food movement. Some places on campus are starting to get into Slow Food though. Rheta's dining hall in Chadbourne has Slow Food breakfast every morning. So this Slow Food trend seems to be slowly catching on for everyone. Making an idea like Slow Food more known and easier to become a part of could make a big difference in the way that we eat.

Image from: http://www.winkonline.org/images/January%202010/taste-of-slow.jpg

Same Sex Marriage

There are arguments as to whether or not homosexual couples should be allowed to have the same right as heterosexual couples. Some people are against it because it is not natural and it goes against the age old rule of one man and one woman. Other people believe that they should be able to have the same rights as anybody else and they should be able to love whoever they want. I agree with the latter group, I believe that being homosexual is something natural that people are born as and there is nothing wrong with it. Also, people's relationships do not really affect anybody but the two that are in that relationship, so other people's input should not really be the deciding factor as to whether or not homosexuality is right.

A lot of known arguments against homosexuality are ones that have religion tied in them somehow. This article gives nonreligious reasons as to why some people do not approve of homosexuality. A lot of this article is mainly about gay marriage than gay relationships. The author writes that gay couples can do ceremonies and have family benefits without actually getting legally married.

This article that is for gay marriage is very opinionated and strong in its belief. It definitely reaches far to the other end of the spectrum. It discusses the stereotypes that many people have of gay people and later gives its interpretations as to why they believe people really are against gay marriage.

Both of these articles give interesting views to this topic. I still have to stick to being pro gay rights on this one though. Some may believe that they are ruining the sanctity of marriage; but looking at the some of the marriages that some heterosexuals become a part of: marrying for money, quickie marriages, etc., I believe that the sanctity of marriage is truly ruined by these types of marriages with the ones who take it for granted.


Image from: http://www.topnews.in/files/Gay-Rights.jpg

Response to Amy Reynold's Blog

Amy Reynold's wrote a blog post that looked at both sides of abortion. I thought she did a good job looking at both sides and the articles that she attached to the post made you stop and think about the debate. A agreed with her when she said that the pro-choice article is more convincing than the pro-life article. It was laid out better. Also, the issues that pro-life people have seem to revolve more around ethics than science in my opinion.

I am not too crazy about the idea of abortion, I do understand where the pro-life people are coming from in this case. But, on the other hand, I would still call myself pro-choice. I would never want to have one nor would I want to encourage one but I do believe that it is the decision of the woman who is having this dilemma. Her decision is really none of my business and it has nothing to do with me so who am I to tell her what she can and cannot do? This is why I am pro-choice.

I think that when it comes to debates like this, you need to find a common ground. Most pro-choice people do not think that abortion as a first option, unprotected sex between teenagers, or sexual promiscuity is a good thing. Like pro-life people, many pro-choice people do not necessarily like the idea of abortion and think of it as a quick fix. Many just find abortion to possibly be the lesser of the evils. Making other alternatives more easy to learn about or obtain to young people is a good start to dealing with unwanted pregnancies. Also, even if it is illegal, it won't stop. There will most likely be abortion practices happening in less than reliable places with unreliable and unlicensed physicians. This could hurt more than harm those who could have just gone to a clinic. So I think that abortion should at least be out there as an option for those who want it.

Image from: http://humanrights.foreignpolicyblogs.com/files/2009/11/pro-choice-abortion-rights-northern-ireland1-300x300.gif

Rap Snacks!

So during my senior year of high school, my friend and I were randomly searching the internet during our graphics class and we came across Rap Snacks: The Official Snack of Hip Hop (with 0 grams trans fat!). Now of course I am all over this, I mean who wouldn't be? Unfortunately they are not sold in any nearby locations and they are $9.99 to order over the internet...act like I have time for that.

Rap Snacks are different flavors of chips and popcorn that are sold in bags that have different rappers on the front of them. Along with these rappers' face, there are words of wisdom along the bottom of many of them. For instance on Lil Romeo's bag of Bar-b-quin' with my Honey flavored chips, there is a message under his face that stays "Stay in School", while Dirt's McGirt (a.k.a. Ol' Dirty Bastard)was telling the consumer to "Think Responsibly" on his Sour Cream and Onion bag. When asking the creators of these chips why they did this they saw it as a way to get to the younger generation who will see their rapper on a bag, want to buy it because they see him on the bag, but also see that these celebrities want this consumer to stay in school so then they will start to think that going to school is the thing to do because that is what they are told by this celebrity who is endorsing these chips.

Chips seem like an odd choice for motivating children. Obviously, the rappers on the bag are more for sales and not just to motivate the younger children, but also chips would not seem like the first choice. It is better than having athletes promote McDonald's, I will give them that, at least rappers are likely to eat chips here and there. In reality, if junior high was just getting on my nerves and I was ready to just quit and live off of babysitting money until I was old enough to marry rich and I saw a bag of Rap Snacks, I wouldn't necessarily use their message as my deciding factor. So I don't know how well it is working, but then again, I am still in school, aren't I?

Image from: http://cache4.asset-cache.net/xc/1661589.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=77BFBA49EF878921F7C3FC3F69D929FD466CBB8E91284AF70CC0BBB4EEB934E5721716F9A148C8B3E30A760B0D811297

Response to Shelby's Blog

Shelby Springer wrote a delightful blog post about whether smoking should be banned in public places. She did some research and looked at the pros and cons of banning it. The pros she had looked into specific stories abot people who had died form second hand smoke. Since these are real life stories with very sad endings they would be more likely to make an impact on the reader. But I also believed that the cons made some relatively decent points, but personally I don't think that the points were a strong enough argument for the smokers.

I do believe that smoking should be banned in public places. But I do kind of see how it is taking away from some freedom for the smokers. I see how they do feel that they should have a right to smoke where and when they want for the most part. On the other hand, I am giong to still have to support the ban. I would like to be able to have the freedom to NOT inhale their smoke when and where I want. And since picking up the habit of smoking was the smoker's own conscious decision, I feel like they should respect the wishes of those of us who have decided to make a healthier lifestyle choice. They smoker's are choosing to breathe in the smoke, as second hand recipients, we don't have the choice to not breathe in the infested air around us.

I think that smoking indoors is rude in general if you do it without asking those around you if it is okay first. It does not show respect for those around you that are not smoking. I am sure that certain smokers are irritated with these smoking ban laws but they do not as easily recognize how their smoking can affect the nonsmokers. So for the mean time, I am definitely for the ban on allowing smokers to smoke in public places, for the sake fo the innocent lungs around them.

Image from: http://mylifethinking.com/life/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/second-hand-smoke.jpg

How to do a How to Speech

On Monday, I taught my class how to make Chocolate Peanut Butter Drop Cookies. And they turned out quite nicely if I do day so myself. They are basically a poor man's puppy chow and who really does not enjoy some puppy chow now and then?

The video recording of my presentation did not work so I did not see it but I would say that I covered the basics of the presentation without a doubt. I had a full introduction and conclusion, I stayed within the time limit, and I gave clear and simple instructions. I had all my visual aids and I went throught all the necessary steps in making these cookies. Overall, I would sat that I did pretty well. But I saw some areas that could have stood for improvement. My first faux pas was that I did not look up at my audience enough. I looked down at what I was doing a lot when I could have done some of these things looking up. Also, a little more enthusiam would not have killed anybody. Personally, I think my main problem was that I did not channel my inner Rachael Ray. Also, I believe that I talked myself into corners sometimes. What I said would come out a little unorganized at times, especially during my introduction and conclusion. Those who know me well are used to deciphering this language of word scramble that I have unintentionally invented for myself but it may not be the best way of going about presentations out in the real world.

I believe that I did fairly well and got my points across using simple and clear instructions. If I did this speech again I would work on my eye contact and enthusiasm. I would want to do a different speech next time though because I think that it would be more beneficial for me to challenge myself with another topic to teach an audience.

Image from: http://www.delish.com/cm/delish/images/jc/rachel-ray-in-kitchen-lg.jpg

Mmmm...Raspberries...

There used to be raspberry bushes in my backyard right next to my family's garden. They have grown there on their own ever since my family lived in that house. When I was little I used to casually pick these raspberries and eat then as I walked pass these bushes. Unfortunately, as the years passed, these bushes have yielded less and less of these tasty morsels. Eventually, the bushes were pulled out and that part of the yard was tilled for other purposes that were not as awesome as raspberry bushes. But I still remember picking these berries directly off the bushes and eating them in their most natural and delicous form.

These days, we do not have any more fruit growing in our backyard. If we want fruit we go to the store and get it. I usually do not have raspberries that often anymore but if I do, they come from the store, and usually in some canned or jam form to be put on or in some sort of dessert food. Obviously, these berries do not taste exactly like the real thing; they just get the raspberry flavor point across. Also, these berries have been tampered with to the point where they will most likely not have the same nutrients that the fresh berries did.

Even though the fresh berries were good, I will be sticking to store bought berries for the present time and having real ones in moderation for they are crazy expensive and my dorm's RA tends to frown upon me growing larger trees and bushes in my room. Also, keeping a jade plant alive in the dorm has already proven itself quite a challenge for those of us who have not been blessed with a plant nurturing gene and keep knocking plants over. At my family's home, or one day at a home of my very own I would probably consider having some sort of bush, tree, or plant that would produce some sort of fruit or vegetable though. From your own garden, in my opinion, is where you can get the best food.

Image from: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3234/2843157631_845601e1cb.jpg

Response to "Is Lebron right to endorse McDonald's?"

McDonald's is notorious for using famous people to endorse their franchise. One of the main groups of celebrities that they have targeted for commericals is athletes. This blog has done a good job of stating how these endorsements can benefit both parties. The author also makes good points about how McDonald's chooses athletes because they are usually viewed very positively in the public eye. For McDonald's to show us that they share values with and are supportive of whatever athlete they put in their advertisemenmt they are making themselves look quie good.

It is funny that people like athletes are asked to promote a fast food place like McDonald's. Most of these people have possibly not picked up a greasy hamburger in years. Or if they have, I am sure they do not use McDonald's as their main hamburger supplier. So the whole idea of an athlete implying to us that we should eat this stuff seems a bit ludicrous. But athletes keep coming back to advertise in commercials or have their faces plastered to the supersized soda cups.

The athletes get good money for coming and advertising what they don't believe in while McDonald's gets its money by making their food more appealing to the younger generations and those who admire these stars. But could this be a serious issue for the health of Americans? Obesity rates are already an issue and seeing people who are physically almost as healthy as it gets eating this food distracts us from what this food can do to our bodies if we don't eat it with some caution.

Commerials with a famous Olympic gold medal winner telling us to eat more fruits and vegetables would be more realistic and would have a more positive influence. It would be especially influential for the younger generations. Getting the younger gneration in on eating healthy would be a great step in the right direction for the health of America.

Photo From: http://http://i.tsn.com/i/photos/20080820/94946.jpg

Think Before You Eat

A few days ago, when I was visiting home, I decided that I would make myself a salad for lunch. So I went down to my local grocery store and bought some lettuce and other sundries that I felt would add to the quality of my salad. When I got home, I washed and cut the vegetables to put in this salad and threw them together into two bowls, one for me and one for my mom.Then we sat down and enjoyed the salad which ended up meeting all of our expectations and then some.

Every step it took to make this salad was very important in order to get to the best part of actually eating it. I obviously could not have made it if I did not go to the store to get the food I needed in order to make it. Washing the vegetables is not as demanded in the salad making process as going to the store and getting the vegetables but it is still a good idea. Other things, like cutting the vegetables and putting the vegetables together in bowls are all a part of making the salad just a little easier to eat. Eating the meal with my mom made for good company while eating it.

I agree with Pollan when he says that we feel the need to have a "nutritional philosophy" give to us. We are in a fast paced culture and many of us don't want to take too much time to think about what we are eating so we let the companies tell us what we should eat. Many times we find what is the quickest and cheapest, or what has the most nutritionally appealing looking words stuck on the front label, that we do not stop to think about or savor what we are eating. It is less common these days that families sit down and eat a well cooked meal together at the dinner table. Maybe some famillies should stop, take a moment, and eat together a few times. It does make an impact.

Photo From: http://http://media.onsugar.com/files/ons1/192/1922729/27_2009/050e6c9175c09527_mcdonaldssalad.jpg

In Defense of Food Makes You Think

In his book, Michael Pollan, begins by showing us, as a society, that we have changed how we perceive food and have become obsessed with nutritionism. We have been conditioned to see the nutrients on the labels of our food instead of the food itself as a whole. As a result, we believe that our artificial food products are good for us because they have been filled with "nutrients" that we think we need in order to be healthy. So now we substitute natural and healthy food with this artificial food leading us to become overweight and lacking proper nurition. Pollan's solution to this is that we "get back to the real food."

I think that it is interesting that our attempts to become healthier are harming us more than helping us. If we want something that has more nurients or less fat, the producers can usually magically make it happen, regardless of what food it may be. Obviously, this is very unnatural, but we don't stop to think how unnatural this really is. So I can understand his argument about how we need to get back to "not eating anything our grandmother would not recognize."

I also think that it is intriguing that this nutrition fad is mainly affecting the western diet. It makes you wonder how other countries would be affected if they picked up the western diet all of a sudden and vice versa. I believe that our bad habits would be quite a harm to those not from the western world. This short article shows us that there is a rising issue with foreigners picking up our eating habits and experiencing increased risks of diseases that are diet -related.

Michael Pollan raises some good points in his book. His point in this section is that we should stop and think about what we are actually consuming. It may seem inconveniencing now but it will benefit us in the long run.



Image from: http://www.designmom.com/uploaded_images/InDefenseFood_cover_med-703147.jpg