As Bad as it Gets

As bad as it gets.  I just happened across a link on Shelter from the Storm's Facebook page.  I didn't feel, after listening to the content that I could share it.  It was as bad as it gets.  It was a 911 call from a child requesting the police as the child's mama was being beaten in the background by her husband.  I think about the situations where no one knows.  I think about the silent ways that people are abused and no one hears... until it's too late.  Why?  Why does she not see what is directly in front of her?  I'm sure she must think it can't possibly be as bad as everyone thinks it is, right?  "These types of things don't happen to me," she reasons.  And yet they do.  What goes thru the mind of a man who beats a woman... mentally or physically?  Do they think that they are not as bad as they truly are??  What leads them to be this person?  What causes them to be loving one minute and terrifying the next?  How do they convince her to go along with it?
Be aware.  You think it will never happen in your world.  It's just something that happens on the news... in someone else's circle.... until it does happen to you.  Don't turn a blind eye.  When do words turn to violence.  Do you know?  When will it be too late?
I still shake my head sometimes trying to clear the fog.  After three long years it is still inconceivable that she is gone.  It doesn't make sense.  I wonder if it ever will.  In some ways I hope it doesn't.  Somehow it gives me hope.  Hope that I will get to sit and laugh with her again.

The Mountain and Sea of Information: Complex Carbohydrates

Ok, so carbohydrates supply us with energy.  Depending on how refined your carbs are, that energy will last a little while or a long while.  Of course, if you're consuming complex carbohydrates, then the energy provided will be a slower and more sustained release.  Herein lies the theory of appetite control.
I am of the firm belief that those of us who gain weight do so because we've eaten beyond our appetite anyway, so choosing our carbs better is only part of the equation.  I need to pay attention to when I feel full and stop.  The other great thing about complex carbohydrates is that they are far more nutritious than their more refined counterparts.  The more refined or processed any food product is, the less nutritional value it holds.  So if I feed my body complex carbohydrates then i will feel full faster, have a sustained and level energy release and will be feeding my body the nutrients it needs to be healthy.
Whew!  Ok, it's gotta be complicated, right??  Not so!  I did a search on the internet for lists of complex carbohydrates.  Here are a few that I found:

• whole grains
• spinach
• apples
• nuts
• dried fruit
• lettuce
• oatmeal
• pears
• asparagus
• plums
• strawberries
• wild rice
• oranges
• brown rice
• yams
• celery
• carrots
• cucumbers
• beans
• potatoes
• broccoli

Those aren't hard to find!  Nor are they difficult to eat!  Watch the whole grain breads, tho.  Read the labels.  You may have a hard time finding good bread choices that don't include poor ingredients like white sugar, corn syrup or processed white flour.  I'll post an easy bread recipe so you can make your own.  I don't use entirely whole wheat flour in it yet because I'm trying to ease my family into eating something new.  You can do the same thing for yourself and your family as well, if you'd like.
Ok, so the first component of my new way of eating is in place.  Purposefully adding complex carbohydrates to my diet.  Next is lean protien...

The Mountain and Sea of Information: Introduction

So, here I go getting downright personal.  For the first time in my life, I've gained weight.  I hate it.  I went to the doctor.  Surely something must be medically wrong.  My thyroid!  No.  Diabetes?  No.  Not that I want to be ill, understand, there just has to be some reason for this weight that isn't actually MY fault.  After all, I've continued to do everything I've always done (which is next to nothing) and eat everything I've always eaten (which is nearly everything), how could my body "all of a sudden" change so dramatically??
Well, it has and that's all there is to know.  My doctor had a very informative conversation with me about diet and exercise and so I'm now heading down this new road of purposeful activity and careful eating.  Add to that the fact that a good friend just suffered a massive heart attack despite careful monitoring of his cholesterol and blood pressure and I'm totally on this new band wagon toward a slimmer, healthier version of me.  Since patience is not a virtue I seem to possess, I am using this blog to help keep me focused on my new goals.
In a nutshell (because nuts are good for you), I'll be blogging about foods that aid in weight loss and control and that additionally will help with my heart health.  I'll be talking about moderation and the definition of exercise.
Because I'll be learning so much as I go, I'm counting on you to correct and inform as you have information to share.  There is so much information out there and I know that some of it is conflicting, but I'll try to stay focused on the main points that are bound to help everyone at some point or another.  The information I give will only be from conversation with my doctor and research I've done on my own.  It won't be complicated because, if it were I wouldn't be following any of it.  I'll share successes, failures and stalls.  I'm counting on you to encourage me along to better health and hold me accountable.
That's it.  The next post will be about complex carbohydrates....