My husband and I recently visited a popular Chinese restaurant chain. I must say that it is no wonder that this eatery is represented by a rotund little bear. The rice alone equated to around four to five servings…in one meal! This along with the other generous rations left us both with a few thoughts on the lack of self-control versus the available meal sizes in some of the fast-er food eateries. We cannot just blame the commercialized burger chains for promoting obesity in the states. I shake my head in frustration when I see this perfect example of the carbohydrate portion gone awry, followed by the whining of diet gurus that revel in a major nutrient’s supposed betrayal.
Giving the American consumer the benefit of the doubt, I will bet that many of us do not know the actual size of a single serving for the many different foods. Subsequently, there is a high propensity to misjudge said portions, especially when they are so abundantly given to you at no extra cost. While it is not necessary to break out the measuring cups and spoons at the counter of your favorite diner, there is a general rule of thumb about accurate sizing of food. A couple examples are grains and veggies ranging from ½ cup to 1 cup per serving or cheese usually measuring 1 to 1½ ounces. For those who have difficulty remembering these technical measurements, McKinley Health Center has a website that features a clever rendition of accurately sizing up the nourishment set before you at any dinner table. Portions are described in the manner of the “size of 9-volt battery” or the “size of a checkbook” instead of the textbook lingo you may have learned in cooking class. You can enjoy more of these silly comparisons at http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu, click on Health Information, Nutrition and then Making Sense of Serving Sizes.
Even armed with the knowledge of accurate portions, it will always come down to your own degree of self-discipline. I am definitely not a believer in suing successful corporations simply because someone ate themselves into a miserably obese physical condition or even an untimely heart attack. While it would be nice if we were less enticed into over-eating, just like a lot of other areas in life, we each have the power to choose, especially when it comes down to just how much chow-mien to woof down during a road trip’s meal-time interruption.
Sugar and Spice and Things Not So Nice
I may be mistaken, but it seems that the sweet little girls of yesterday have become so…bold! Actually, the word ‘bold’ is an understatement. I have noted many examples in the various settings throughout my community, but I do not believe it is an isolated incidence. The behavior I am referring to ranges from rudeness and aggression to downright mean and nasty dispositions.
Prescription Without The Pharmacy
After several months of noticing consistent weight gain, a thirty-five year old woman decides to visit her doctor. She is amazed that the extra weight seems to have come from out of the blue and proclaims her diet has never been a problem before now? She wondered if it could be her thyroid (a frequent complaint of her mother’s). Or maybe pregnancy? Even worse, could it be some chronic condition? And, forget about what it could be, what could the doctor give her to lose the weight and regain her energetic zest? After a thorough checkup and confirmed lab results, the doctor found nothing of concern, but did write Mary a prescription – one mile of walking per day, five times a week.
Mother in Good Humor
Children - the little buggers can drain your energy, break your valuables and absolutely send you to the moon sometimes. The range of trouble can go from babies with their high decibel crying to toddlers with their never-ending, cluttering curiosity to your preschooler with his gripes and whines and on to your grade-schooler with her indignant attitudes. I have not yet the privilege of the higher ages yet, but I hear it escalates to over-sensitivity and highly dramatic meltdowns. With all this chaos, you have to wonder sometimes why we make the commitment to enter into motherhood. While the answer is not always immediately clear, we all know and can relate to the flipside of parenthood that offers a heapin' helpin' of good ‘ole fun and laughter!
