Don't Get Me Started with Linda Sharp

Top Chef Recap In Just A Few Words

Richard.  Top Chef.  Totally deserving.

Mike.  Chicken Oyster.  Karma, bitch.

Animals(?!?) Say The Darndest Things

Got these from a friend yesterday and laughed out loud.  Hopefully they will get your Tuesday started with a giggle or three.

 

 

It's All About Tracey Today!

Love, LIght, Prayers, and Energy, Please

Just heard from Katy - her mom, 93, is in the hospital after suffering several seizures.  While she is awake and responding, she is unable to adequately swallow so a feeding tube is being inserted.

Please send your love and prayers towards Katy's mom, but also to Katy who is very far away and wishes so much she could be at her Mom's side.

Birthday Shout Out For Cindy!!

 

Where In The World Is ....

Got this from Seema and it completely highlights how geographically ignorant we are.  Click the link, then give it a shot.  No Googling, no time limit, just honestly see how long it takes to match a name with its geography.

I know my world history, I watch my news, I love world events, but it took me a lot longer than I was comfortable with.

Given how much strife, fighting, conflict, death, and destruction take place in this particular region, we all should be better informed.

MAP GAME

Defending The Food We Eat, And The Emotional Kneejerking It Incites

Over the weekend an article appeared on HuffPo by author John Robbins in which he pondered the cruelty and circus like attitudes the public has regarding the obese in our society.

Which is rather odd when you understand that currently 2/3s of the American public are overweight/obese.  That would indicate that the majority of people in this country are being mocked by the minority.  Not how it usually works.

He discussed the Heart Attack Grill in Arizona, it's 8,000 calorie meals, it's Hooters-ish waitresses, and it's exalting those who tip the scales (literally placed in the center of the restaurant) at 350+ by giving them free food.  And he highlighted Natala and Matt, both who have reversed major, devastating, life threatening health issues with a plant based diet.

And they have lost nearly 300 pounds between the two of them.

Reading Natala's story of how she was treated back then is heartbreaking, and it makes me think about why those People of Walmart photos are so popular.  It's not so much the abuse of Lycra, rat tails, and ironic T's, but the size of the people wearing them.

It's worse than an ironic T - we are a fast food, all-you-can-eat, abuse-our-bodies-to-the-point-of-busting-at-the-seams nation, which in turn makes fun of those who are overweight.

But then, what happens when someone takes the reins of their life and successfully begins controlling it through their food choices?

Open hostility.  Go figure.

Just because I have a smoothie for breakfast does not mean you have to defend your 3 egg omelet and bacon.  Does it make you happy?  Can you live with the results?  Those are questions for YOU.  I don't need your answer, and I certainly did not ask for it, or the misinformed lecture about how "real men eat meat," or "you need to drink your milk or your bones will break."

What I eat is not an indictment of what you eat, unless you make it one.

I have lived with the moniker "Skinny Bitch" for years.  Those who use it may think they are being funny (and somehow masking the undercurrent of anger), but how is it any more acceptable than if I were to sling the name "Fat Whore" at someone who doesn't wear my pants size?

It's not.

And since making the switch to a vegan life, I have experienced what Natala has long described to me - the nastiness, the misplaced rage, defensiveness, and derision from those who find out I no longer eat how they eat.

Why?  What part of me not Big Mac-ing, scrambling an egg, or milking a cow is a threat to someone who does?

I know a sizeable amount of the "anger" comes from a simple lack of education on the subject matter.  So if your kneejerk reaction to being vegan is to start spouting off about "you need to eat meat," "you're going to die," or "our ancestors were all meat eaters" then STOP.

Stupid is not a good color on anyone.

Do your research before you open your mouth to let something out, or better yet, before you put something in. 

Like Natala I have thought a lot about this the past 24 hours as I have watched the ignorance, hatred, hostility pour out over the HuffPo comments section.  And it's just ridiculous.  No one is denying you your pulled pork sandwich, bag of deep fried cheese doodles, or milk shake.  The suspicion, hate, and vitriol aimed at both Natala and Matt in some of those comments is staggering to me.

For all the years I have lived with "Skinny Bitch" I honestly have written it off to self control in the face of a lack of it.  That my choices, discipline, and subsequent health/body benefits force someone else to realize it CAN be done, and they - for whatever reasons - aren't doing it.

NEWS FLASH - I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU DO.  NATALA DOES NOT CARE WHAT YOU DO.  ANY VEGAN DOES NOT CARE WHAT YOU DO.  WE CARE WHAT WE DO. (If you're curious or want help, ask, but no one is storming your home and force feeding you kale.)

We have made a choice, one that is working for US.  You choose what works for you. 

But again, until you actually know what you're talking about?  STFU.  Don't lecture me on protein, milk, B12.  Carson is a competitive athlete.  She is 14 and still growing.  She is a vegan.  And she is healthier, stronger, happier than ever.  (And quite frankly, she is an inspiration to me every single day.  Because every single day she goes to school and deals head on with the continued stupidity of her friends.)

So if you want to be angry that someone has taken control of their life and is reaping the rewards?  Make sure your anger is directed appropriately.

In the mirror.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Read John's article HERE.  And Natala's piece on it HERE.

It's Terri's Day, Too!

 

Time to Celebrate Mary Ellen!

 

It's Kristi's Day!!!