Helloooooo readers :) 


Because of my recent weight loss, I've been getting a lot of emails/Facebook messages asking me about my workout regimen and my nutrition. I started a new blog that focuses more on fitness/diet here. Check it out! Also, just because I'll probably be posting more frequently on the new blog, I probably won't be on the Info Dome too much for the time being. 


Stay classy, readers! 

Proatmeal Bars :)

These babies are the tits: delicious and diet-compliant. They're especially awesome for a quick breakfast, snack, or post-workout nutrition. Enjoy :)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups oats
• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 4 scoops preferred protein powder*

*Chocolate, cookies & cream, and strawberry Muscle Milk are my favorites :) 

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients in mixing bowl (I've found it easiest to use my hands).
• Spread mixture on a piece of plastic wrap.
• Mold mixture into large square-ish shape.
• Freeze for about 30 minutes.
• Cut square into 8 even bars.
• Store proatmeal bars in refrigerator. 

T3- I'm not fat anymore!

I haven't blogged since April. I'll spare you the bullshit apology because the truth is that I am unemployed, on summer break from school, I have no friends, and my only real hobby is working out...I haven't been busy or anything; I just literally have nothing interesting to blog about. Also, I am irresponsible and lazy. My excuse? Hey, I am young :) 

So, as many of you know, I am not fat anymore! Those of you who don't know, I've lost about 30 pounds and I'm not fat anymore! A lot of people ask me how I've lost the weight, so I decided that I'd write this week's month's bi-annual blog post on my new lifestyle...T3 status [what what]. 

1.) Fuel- Here's the truth through my eyes regarding nutrition: what you put into your body is the most important decision you make, health-wise, on a daily basis. Exercising is extremely important, but if your body is not properly fueled, you will not be performing well enough in your workouts to see improvements that you need and desire. Exercise does not, and should not have to, cancel out poor nutrition. There is no magical diet to abide by; eating healthfully should not be viewed as a 6-week plan or temporary program, but something that you will be doing all day, everyday, for the rest of your life. 

General guidelines for my nutrition:

• Absolutely no processed foods, with the exception of supplements. 
• 40% carbohydrates, 30% protein, and 30% fat macronutrient breakdown. 
• The fresher and more natural, the better.
• Cheat day is Saturday, but don't go get too crazy.
• Write down everything that goes down the chute. 
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
• Take multivitamins and supplements consistently.

2.) Exercise- This is a no brainer: calories in, calories out. You can lose weight by eating better and sitting on the couch all day, but you're not going to get any stronger or fitter...I'd rather weigh 200 pounds and be able to run, jump, lift, kiiiiiiick, etc. than be stick-thin and have no physical ability. I have absolutely fallen in love with working out; it's what I do when I'm sad, happy, angry, bored, post-cheat day, etc. The secret? Find something that you enjoy; for me, this includes CrossFit, spin classes, heated yoga classes, running [wtf?], and hiking. I highly recommend experimenting with new activities, finding a workout buddy, taking a group exercise class at your gym, creating a solid support system among your friends and family, and challenging yourself. I do things everyday that I never thought I'd be able to do and that, for me, is so much bigger than my shrinking size or the way I look in the mirror. 

My general workout schedule at a glance [AKA Beast Mode]:

• Monday: 2 mile run, CrossFit (morning), spin class (evening), foam rolling & stretching.
• Tuesday: Relatively low-intensity workout (morning), 5k run (evening).
• Wednesday: 2 mile run, CrossFit + some nature of cardio (usually rowing), foam rolling & stretching. 
• Thursday: Rest day (usually).
• Friday: 2 mile run, spin class (morning), CrossFit (evening), foam rolling & stretching. 
• Saturday: Spin class, Bootcamp class, foam rolling & stretching.
• Sunday: A generally death-inducing CrossFit workout. 

3.) Motivation- Sincerely ask yourself this question: why do you want to get healthier? If you cannot answer this question or you want it for the wrong reasons, you will likely fail. My answer 6 months ago: to be happier, to be healthier, to live longer, and to feel better. That is precisely what I've achieved, but I have so many more reasons to keep going: I love the challenges, I love the accomplishments, and I love myself and my body. I've struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember; even when I wasn't technically overweight, I hated my body and was constantly struggling to lose a petty 10 pounds. Once I got into high school, as I blossomed into obesity due to inactivity and poor nutrition, I realized that I really wasn't fat before. Funny how that works, eh? By the time I turned 18, I had tried more diets than I had years to my name (Weight Watchers, South Beach, Adkins, Cabbage Soup, Special K, and even the pathetic HCG diet, to name a few). Some of them "worked" for a while, but there is really no way to lose weight but the right way: proper exercise and nutrition. I wouldn't be caught dead saying that it's been easy, but it's really not as hard as you may assume. The first two weeks are always the hardest part of any new routine, whether the goal be losing weight, quitting smoking, consistently flossing, etc. Just stick it out for two weeks and remember that it WILL get better.

Some motivational techniques of mine:

• Write down your goal somewhere that you can see it everyday.
• Find a motivational phrase that will keep you going (mine is "Pain is temporary. Quitting is forever." It's tattooed on my wrist.)
• Find a fitness idol (Julie Foucher is my bitch!!)
• Make a goals/rewards poster (located to the left).
• Deem a song your official "kick ass song" to start every workout with (my current song is Kick in the Teeth by Papa Roach).
• Get a subscription to a fitness magazine (Muscle & Fitness Hers and Oxygen are my favorites).
• Take before, half way, right now, anytime, and after pictures (also at the bottom of this post).

• Type in 'CrossFit' on YouTube...you will not regret it.
• Get a badass nickname. I have several: Rocky, Sweet Muscles Shelby, and Womanimal :) 
• Always remember that you can do anything you set your mind to.

"You can have results or excuses. Not both."

T3- 4/28

I'm running out of exciting names for the T3 posts, so I'm just going to use dates from now on. What do you want from me? I just posted a T3 a few days ago, so this post is going to be a test of my bitching abilities...I don't know if I can top the back fat poem though. I'll try...

1.) Skinny tank tops- The spanx for your upper body!! This shit is false advertisement. Let's view this from the gentleman's side of things: you're hanging out at the bar and you see a decent looking female from across the way...make your move, man. Score #1: she's drunk. Score #2: she's easy. Score #3: she's coming home with you. You two are macking face on your hand-me-down loveseat and you go to cop a feel...hmmm, interestingly rock-hard abs! Score #4 for you, right? Nope. You take her tank top off and you're sorely disappointed: this woman has a beer gut. You're a shallow piece of crap for caring so much, but she's a deceitful bitch for hiding behind a tank-top because she's too lazy to do a few crunches. Ladies, these tank tops are not going to make you skinny...exercising and laying off of the malt liquor will make you skinny.

2.) Locker room nudists- Confidence is a wonderful thing; lack of discretion is a terrible thing. When these two collide in a locker room, the result is obnoxious and unpleasant. I'm not necessarily shy in the locker room: I change my clothes, I don't care who sees my body, and I move on with my gym experience. I do not, however, mosey around the room in the buff, slather lotion on my entire, naked body, or preform post-workout stretches while I'm changing. I can even handle these things most days, but when I see buttholes, I tend to get frustrated; I am NEVER prepared to see a woman's butthole on a daily basis.

3.) Captain Crunch- I just can't stay away from you and your crunch berries! You irresistible hunk of man, you!

T3- Action Packed!

Hello readers :) I would ordinarily apologize for being a worthless terd of a blogger, but we all know that make-up posts are just as good ;) That's what she said. It's been a good minute since I've posted, so I've definitely made a few T3-worthy observations. Here's what's pissing me off this week:

1.) 4/20 Haters- You go out on Friday nights and you drink and drive; in fact, society hears about a drinking and driving accident at least once a week. Uhm enough said? Yes, but I'll continue. You drink and you become hateful and you make ridiculous decisions (i.e. throwing furniture, imitating a free-range chicken, sleeping with a mustached woman, or operating a vehicle). And you're going to hate on the stoners?  Hypocrite, much?

*Note: exclusions from this generalization are the following: responsible drinkers (high five), irresponsible stoners (The Beatles suck!!)*

2.) Running- As much as I try, I just cannot seem to fall in love with running. I do understand why people love it; running is to runners as cycling is to me :) Except for the fact that running is terrible. Just when I get to that point during a run when I think to myself, "Hey there, Shelby, this isn't so bad", I throw up and change my mind. I find it absolutely impossible to develop a solid rhythm and I basically end up huffing and puffing or holding my breath until I pass out. Add in some D-cup boobies and it's simply torture. Ever notice that most women that claim to love running have small cha-chas? It's because they aren't getting punched in the face by a 5-pound boob everytime they stride. Give me some duct tape and an oxygen machine and I'll reconsider my hatred for the "sport".

3.) Back fat- I wrote this poem about back fat...

Below my bra strap, you reside;

Squishy, fatty, jiggly, and wide.

You eat my t-shirt while I jog;

All of the attention you must hog. 

Back extensions, rowing machines, cardio galore;

I fucking hate you back fat, THIS MEANS WAR!

Hope you guys enjoyed the makeup sex post :)

Fitness Friday- Circuit of Death

Happy Monday, friends :) My sincerest apologies that I am posting my Fitness Friday post on this here lovely Monday, but I actually did eventful things this weekend for the first time in quite a while! Today, I'd like to share one of my favorite workouts, which I generally refer to as the Circuit of Death :)

This workout combines strength training with cardiovascular exercise in an interval/circuit setup, in layman's terms: this is worth the effort. This workout works best with 3+ gym buddies, but it can absolutely be done alone if your workout pals are chickens. For this example, I will be giving the steps/supplies as if there are 3 people doing the workout, but it can be easily adjusted for when everyone sees your great results and wants to start working out with you :)

Supplies:

• 12 notecards (may vary depending on # of participants)
• Large workout area (room for flailing and frolicking)

What to do:

1. Write one workout on each notecard (i.e. pushups, squats, etc.) 
2. Lay notecards in large circle.
3. While gym buddy #1 is jogging/skipping around exercise area, buddy #2 and #3 will be doing the exercises to the jogger's right.
4. When buddy #1 has completed the cardio card, everyone will rotate to the right.
5. Complete one full rotation, rest for 1 minute, and repeat circuit AT LEAST 3 times.

Basically, however long the jogger is jogging, that is how long the other participants will be doing the exercises on the card in front of them. The distance for the cardio cards is absolutely up to the participants (it can be 2 laps around the exercise area, one mile, etc.), but the longer the cardio distance, the harder the circuit gets. Here is a drawing of my usual circuit:

This workout has endless possibilities and offers great results, so...you're welcome :)

T3- Great Advice

Somebody peel me off a golden star because I am actually posting my Three Thing Thursday post on a Thursday today! This never happens :) I'm experiencing a lot of changes in my life right now and I'm always looking for great advice to keep me going, so I thought I'd share the three best pieces of advice I've ever gotten/given.

1.) Be true to yourself- "Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive that is youer than you." -Dr. Suess :) It is truer than true. I used to live my life according to standards and opinions of everyone else around me, but ultimately none of it matters if you are unhappy. I think that the most important thing in life is to be true to yourself and live life the way you think it is supposed to be lived. There is no manual or how-to guide for life, so it's up to individuals to pave their own path that meets their dreams, needs, and desires.

2.) Do what makes you happy- I had a wonderful job after I graduated high school; I was a technical writer for a defense contracting company. A job that generally requires a masters degree and a few years of experience; needless to say, I was a bit ahead of my peers. I was making 35K a year with full medical benefits and paid time off...you see what I'm getting at here: it was a really great job. I got laid off last August because the company was making budget cuts; life as I knew it quickly flashed in front of my eyes. I couldn't imagine being happy without my career. Today I am unemployed, living with my father, and struggling to pay for school, but I am the happiest I've been in my life. Losing my job taught me that life is not about working, making money, and sitting at a desk 40+ hours a week...life is about doing what makes you happy, regardless of what it may be. I have time to hula-hoop, read books, exercise, take naps, and savor every minute of my day. 

3.) Love & respect yourself- Let me clarify that I am not promoting selfishness or conceitedness, but love and acceptance of your individual self. I am neurotic, I have ridiculous pet peeves, I have strange eating habits, I have stretch marks on my hips, terrible morning breath, giant hair, and acne that will hang around until my late thirties, but I don't mind so much anymore. It is extremely common, especially for women, to judge themselves and hold insecurities, but I have recently learned that it is completely pointless. When no one else is there to love and respect you, you have to be able to do that for yourself. Know that it's okay to be different, strange, weird, or whatever you may be...

Happy Thursday, err'body :) Fitness Friday post tomorrow! You can count on it!

Fitness Friday!

I know it isn't Friday, but I didn't get a chance to write this post last night, so deal with it :) I'm going to start writing 'Fitness Friday' [which will probably evolve into 'FF' or 'F2'] posts every week now. Basically, each Friday I will post a fitness tip, workout plan, etc. So here we go:

For my first FF post, I would like to share my absolute favorite thing to do at the gym: stationary cycling. Sure, the seat is uncomfortable torturous, it can be monotonous, and it is very challenging, BUT it is a great cardio workout, it is excellent for your lower body and abdominal muscles, and it is fun if you do it the way I do. 

Supplies: 

• Cycle [duh]
• Mp3 player/radio

Workout:

1. Create a playlist with about 10 songs, depending on length of songs.
2. Begin by cycling to the first song at comfortable pace/resistance level to warm up.
3. On your next song, bump up the resistance and climb [standing cycle] during each chorus of the song.
4. Repeat until end of playlist [approximately an hour] and use last song to cool down.

This cycling workout is a form of interval training which has been proven to burn fat more efficiently and add variety to your exercise. I enjoy it because I get to listen to my favorite songs for an hour :) Be prepared to sweat though...this shit is the real deal. 

T3- Traditional

I've gotten away from doing traditional Three Thing Thursdays because I've been trying to be more positive, but today I am throwing caution to the wind. Here's what is pissing me off this week :)

1.) Skeezas- [noun; a dirty, slatternly woman. Synonyms: tramp, skank, hoski, etc.] Call me old-fashioned, but since when is it a positive thing to look and act like a cheap hooker? I'm all down for being proud of your body and expressing yourself, but nobody wants to see buttcrack and nipples when they're eating a sandwich [except for men, I guess]. Women these days just have a severe lack of public-censorship and class...it really means something for me to say that. For example, I watched a girl I know [who was sober, mind you] scream "I love to fuck" multiple times in an extremely crowded place the other day. We all love sex, skeeza, but there's no need to yell about it. 

2.) Tofu- I freaking hate tofu. Everyone assumes that vegetarians love/eat tofu, but I am certainly an exception to this stereotype. There's not even anything to compare tofu to because the world is not large enough for two incredibly disgusting things [except mochi, aka foreskin icecream; somehow Earth has made room for that, too]. I have only come up with one conclusion for tofu: tofu=couch cushion. 

3.) Cell phones- Regardless of the activity [driving, working out, spending time with family, dancing, walking, riding a bike, pooping], cell phones have taken over. I have a ghetto, T9 capable, $25 phone and I have no intent on upgrading. I am so sick of people talking and texting on their phones when there is shit that needs to be done. Text messaging while driving has been proven to be more dangerous than drunk driving, so get the hell off of your cell phone and watch the road! 

Happy weekend, errbody! I'm going to write another post later that will be super :) 

T3- Happy Things :)

Happy Saturday night :) I had a tiring yet excellent day, so I'm being an absolute hobo this evening- we're talking about a Lifetime, sweatpants, and heating pad kind of night here...serious shit, man. I have been a definite slacker in the blogging department lately, but I'm making somewhat of an effort so deal with it. I've been going through a few positive perspective changes for the past few weeks and it has been absolutely wonderful. I am happier now than I have been in a long time and I'd like to share why :)

1.) Exercise- I am not in very good shape nor have I been for the past 4 or 5 years, but I have finally fallen in love with working out. At the end of a great day, I go to the gym, have a great workout, and leave in an even better mood; at the end of a stressful day, I go to the gym and work off my anxiety and frustrations; at the end of a shitty day, I go to the gym and work hard, forgetting the negative things, if only for an hour. I was originally going to write my T3 for the week about exercises I love, but I decided to take a bit of a break on the whole workout obsession (so much for that)...I promise I will write that post soon though; I think it will be very useful :) Exercising everyday has made a insurmountable impact on my physical and mental well-being...I highly recommend it to everyone; maybe experts that have been suggesting it are actually onto something, eh? 

2.) "The Outsides"- I just love being outside :) I usually try to take a walk everyday now...it gives me a chance to clear my mind, get fresh air, people watch, and enjoy this amazing place. I do not understand why people live in Colorado if they do not leave their couch; we live in the most beautiful state...suck it up, California- you lose. There's just something about the sound of trail beneath your shoes, river rushing by, and birds announcing their birdhood ("mrrraaawwk"- annoying in anything other situation) that makes your day a little bit better. It helps me to slow down and relax for the duration of my walk; I think people today need to slow down more often. We're always rushing, always going somewhere, and always wanting to get things done quickly, but it really is okay to slow down for 20 minutes everyday and enjoy life and nature a little :)

3.) Acceptance- I'm a cat lady, I'm a nerd, I drive like a grandmother, I have huge hair, I don't like chewing, I am an "unAmerican" because I don't eat meat, I eat bananas with spoons, I love brussels sprouts, I am a "granola", I like to read, I love knitting, I hate television, I hate America, I talk to strangers, I believe in evolution, and I accept myself for the person I am. I love myself and am hardly concerned with outside opinions for the first time in a long time ever. The insecurities, unhappiness, and self-doubt that most young women are struggling through are pointless and do not contribute to the way that life should be. Maybe I am different and weird, but fretting over it isn't fixing anything, so I shall embrace it all instead; doing this has completely changed perspectives of myself and everyone around me.

I hope everyone is doing well. Feel free to share if great things are happening to you right now :)

T3- You've Got It, Gym!

I like working out; it makes me feel great, it makes me less fat, and the people-watching opportunities are endless. I go to a yuppie gym, so people-watching is even more exciting than usual, but it’s also irritating. Allow me to elaborate :)

Cardio Princess- Oh, you know her. She’s the one that spends more time in the locker room getting ready to work out than she actually does working out. She’s the one looking “super-cute” on the treadmill, walking 2mph and not breaking a sweat, because that would ruin her makeup. Checking out guys and judging the chubs is basically the extent of her workout unless the princess has her minions in tow that day, and then priority goes to gossip. If that is the case, anyone within a 20 foot radius of the CP and her bitches should probably prepare to hear about Maybeline, menstruation, and the Real World. 

Mr. Bogart- I see you; you’re over there working on the shoulder press. You get your shoulder press on, boy, but don’t get all pissed off when I hop on the bench press just because “it’s in your circuit”. It is physically impossible to use two machines at one time, so share the love, grandpa. 

The Window Exerciser- Walking laps around the equipment, are we? Just checking out what everybody else is doing, are ya? Well, get out of my bubble, ass! Can’t you see that I am trying to get my roman chair on? I could kick you in the neck right now. I hate this more than anything at the gym. You see them walk by once, that’s normal. See them walk by again, maybe they liked what they saw. See them walk by three more times, screw that, they are just slacking off! Why do they even go to the gym? Just to be able to say that they went to the gym that day? Post it on your Facebook and go walk around Walmart instead, window exercisers, because you’re pissing me off and getting in my dang way! 

Haha. I’m so awesome. Expect more gym/health related posts in the future because the food nazi is on a health kick lately. 

Hope everybody is doing well :)

Hurt Lessons

When something tragic happens, obviously the initial action consists of mourning or becoming angry, but the challenge in the midst of misfortune is to maintain optimism. By no means am I an optimist, but I do try to pull lessons out from otherwise terrible events in life. 

The world lost a truly wonderful person this week; Shelby Hladek was an extremely intelligent, caring, and determined young woman that should not have been taken away as soon as she was. Shelby and I were not very close friends, but we ate lunch together in middle school, did projects together in math class, and said hello to each other in the hallways…and now she has changed my life forever. It is unfortunate that it took such a devastating event for her to make her way into my heart, but that is what has happened. Born only two months before I was, she was just twenty years old on the day that she died. I find myself thinking, "It could have been me, it could have been my best friend, it could have been my sister", but it wasn't. We're all still here and we have the chance to learn from Shelby; I think it would all be in vein if we did anything other than that. 

This week has been harder on me than I originally expected. I find myself thinking about what happened very often: while I'm trying to sleep at night, while I'm spending time with my sister, and especially while I am driving. Clearly what happened to Shelby has already affected me quite a bit and I don't think I am alone in saying that. 

My hurt lessons:

1.) Drive safely- We're young and we think that we're invincible…it'll never happen to us, right? We're so very wrong. Wear your seatbelts, drive the speed limit, keep your phone in the trunk if you need to, and don't forget that it could happen to you. 

2.) Remind people that you love them- I can't imagine leaving this place on bad terms with someone that I love…or vice versa. You may not get to say goodbye, so make your potential last words something that you'd be okay with leaving on. Let the petty stuff go and make sure they know you care.

3.) LIVE- Our generation is the worst about living on the internet, spending our time watching television, and wasting our youth. If I died today, I would be pissed off; I have hardly done anything that I want to do in my life. I need to start having more fun and living my life the way it should be lived. 

Dearest Shelby,

You are so incredibly loved; I wish you could have seen the people at your service today. Your beautiful family, your closest friends, and your acquaintances from high school all come together to celebrate your life. There wasn't an empty seat or a dry cheek in the entire room. You have affected so many people and you will be missed more than you know. Your death was not in vein; it has already taught me so much and I know that I am not alone. You were such a beautiful person; the world would be a better place if more people were like you. Rest in peace.

My heart goes out to her family and friends; the strength you have shown is incredible. Please be careful, everyone. We do not need to lose another beautiful, young person anytime soon.

T3- Guilty Pleasures

Happy Thursday, everyone! I've been incredibly busy this week and it's only my fourth day of school, but I always sometimes make time for Three Thing Thursday (T3)! You ever have those days that really make you lose faith in society? I have those days a lot, but today was the exact opposite! I went on a hike today and everyone that I passed along the way was so pleasant and said hello. It really opened my eyes to the fact that there are more great people out there than I generally assume :) That has nothing to do with today's post, but I thought it was a nice little anecdote. This week's T3 will cover three of my many guilty pleasures, so go ahead and laugh at my expense:

1.) Used bookstores- This wouldn't be embarrassing at all if it were a pleasure and not an obsession. I love every single thing about used bookstores: the smell, the products, the people, the potential coffee, the price, the disarray, everything. If I could do anything in the entire world for a living and not worry about finances, I would simply work in a used bookstore. I'd love to own one someday...preferably something small in an unusual downtown area. There would have to be a free coffee area when you first walk in, a couple of gigantic, comfy chairs in the corners, low-volume chick music playing in the background, and books, books, books everywhere. I haven't thought about this or anything...it's only one of my biggest dreams. I'm just not sure that I could sell the books; I'd just want to keep them all and live there in my giant book-fort. With my cats...don't forget about my cats (I guess my boyfriend can come too if he still loves me after realizing that I'm insane).

2.) Homework- I don't know if I've ever actually admitted this one to anyone, but I couldn't make something like this up. The sweet thing about homework is that you really don't think about anything else; no finances, no family problems, no drama, nothing but homework. I like reading a writing for leisure, so English homework is a given...I obviously enjoy it whether it's an assignment or something I'm doing in my free time. I wouldn't do math for fun, but I actually do not mind doing it for homework. I think it's a really amazing feeling when I initially look at a problem and say "oh hell no, screw you, problem" and then eventually figure it out; it makes me feel like a smarty pants. 

3.) Lifetime- I sound like my mother, but I love Lifetime. What other network can you watch a movie about a hobo that impregnates an underage girl and eventually gets on his feet and follows through for his child and 15-year old lover who he eventually finds out is his long-lost little sister? Exactly my point.

Have a great Friday, readers! :)

Three Things That Will Ruin Our Youth

What's today? Oh that's right...it's THURSDAY! I'm writing my Thursday post on its designated day for the very first time in weeks! Go me for being responsible and being able to correctly operate the calendar on my computer :) This year, I made a suggestion to myself that I should start writing more meaningful blogs on the rare occasion that I actually post. I love Three Thing Thursday (T3) and everything that it stands for, but lately I've been getting a little deeper with them every week...I hope you guys like it as much as I do. This week I'm tackling the three things that I believe will eventually ruin our youngest generation- here we go!

1.) Television- If today's youth is spending 28 hours a week in front of the television, what is our future going to be like when they are the leading generation? Very stupid and very fat. That's 28 hours that our children are not physically active, mentally engaged, or learning anything valuable in just one week. That is 1,456 hours that they have lost in just one year due to TV. Television is not only causing the majority of our youth to become obese, lazy, and ignorant, but also potentially violent as well. Statistics show that the average child will watch 8,000 murders on TV before finishing elementary school. By age eighteen, the average American has seen 200,000 acts of violence on TV, including 40,000 murders. Our adults TODAY are already terrible (average 9 years of non-stop television per lifetime), but I hate to imagine how it's going to be when these children grow up. What happened to children playing outside or reading? Get rid of this garbage, parents!

2.) Fast food- When I was younger, I remember that getting a Happy Meal from McDonald's was a huge treat- it only happened once a month if my sister and I had been really good. Children now would think of that as punishment, but it wasn't because we were poor (we were) or because my parents were jerks (they could be), it was because eating out everyday was practically unheard of 15 years ago. I know people that feed their children fast food at least 3 times a week and I want to shove a Happy Meal toy up their asses. Fast food is garbage! A cheeseburger happy meal with fries and a Sprite at McDonald's has 640 calories and 24 grams of fat; this is over half of the total calories many children should be eating in an entire day! These "restaurants" spent over $350 million on marketing messages aimed at children in 2009; they do it because it works and parents fall for the scams, too. Our youth is going to be even fatter than our adults are today and this country does not have room to get more unhealthy.

3.) Anger & Intolerance- I don't have any impressive statistics for this bullet-point, but I think it's the most important of them all. With the economy declining, the global warming crisis looming, and moms and dads getting increasingly stressed-out, children are picking up on the bad attitudes that our adults have about them. If you grow up around constantly bitchy people, you're bound to end up with a negative attitude after a few years. We should be teaching our children to accept others and live happily and not waste time with hatred and judgement. We're going to end up with a bunch of stupid, fat, bitchy people if we stay on the track that we are journeying down. I don't like the amount of stupid, fat, bitchy people we have now...this needs to be fixed. 

I hope everyone has a great day! I start school on Monday, so I'm sure I'll have more to write about in the future! Yay for really, very, extremely, expensive education that will eventually get me a job that I can do now (before I even start college)!

Oh and here are my sources :) - csun.edu, nytimes.com

See ya!

T3- Things We Need to Change!

Happy Friday, everyone! Hopefully when I start school next week, I'll begin recognizing days of the week again like a successful adult, but I make no promises. I've been thinking so much lately about the everyday habits of our citizens in this country and I'm seeing a HUGE problem made up of several smaller issues that we could work towards fixing if we really put our minds to it. I'm really going to try to take it easy with my harsh opinions throughout this post, but I'm angry about these things and it's going to be difficult to remain politically correct. I could express changes I believe should be made all day long, but taking little steps is the key to success, so we'll start with three today.

1.) Recycling- I don't think there is an excuse for not recycling anymore. With curbside pickup and convenient drop-off locations, it's become just as easy to recycle as it is to not recycle in today's world. I do understand that it isn't as easy as it should be, but with the incredible benefits that it delivers, a little extra effort is worth it. According to greenanswers.com, only 40% of Americans recycle all of the time; that simply isn't enough for the change that our world needs. I'd estimate that for the past two years, I have recycled at least 75% of my household trash, but I am striving towards improving this. I purchased recycling containers last week for less than $20, but even if they had cost $100, I'd buy them before I'd be happy with living in a world full of garbage. 

2.) Bottled water- Why? By one estimate, 50 billion bottles of water are consumed per annum in the United States and around 200 billion bottles globally. We've allowed water, by volume, to become more valuable than GASOLINE. And why? Because corporations like Coke, Pepsi, and Nestle spend billions of dollars every year to convince us that tap water is dangerous and unhealthy. So instead of drinking the chemical-free, practically cost-free water that is available to us, we spend over $60 billion on chemically enhanced, plastic-clad, bottled water every year. We're trusting the same corporations that pump out syrup-heavy, diabetes-causing soft drinks with our drinking water and we assume that it's safe? The day that we analyze that the companies care about money and money only is the day that we'll stop giving into the garbage that they are feeding us. Do yourself and your planet a huge favor and inform yourself on these facts; do some research, take back the power from these corporations, and stand up for yourself and your health.

3.) The FDA- Dear FDA, I hate you. According to their own website, the FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring that foods are safe, wholesome, sanitary, and properly labeled. I think they're full of shit. Until an additive is shown to cause cancer, allergies, chemical sensitivities, or some other medical problem, the FDA allows it to be used without regard to the possible human health risks it may have- these additives include growth hormones, trans-fats, ammonia, antibiotics, GMOs (genetically modified organisms), etc...AKA things that shouldn't be in our food AKA things that the FDA is supposed to be protecting us from. BPA (bisphenol A)  found in many plastic containers, water bottles, and baby bottles, has been banned in many countries and few states. Despite hundreds of studies conducted by scientists and universities proving that BPA is harmful, the FDA continues to allow this toxin in products, this decision supported by only two studies conducted by industry trade groups. Here is my question to you: do you think the FDA is doing their job? I certainly do not. 

This country is being run by corporations that only care about finances. I hate to imagine where we'll be in 30 years if we don't begin taking some of our power back, but if I have to take a guess, we'll all be really fat, really disease-ridden, and really unhappy. Stick that in your bottled water and suck it, America.

3 Things Right Now

Thursdays don't really exist to me anymore; actually, days of the week don't really exist to me anymore. When it doesn't matter what day of the week it is, they all just start meshing together and I stop caring if it's Sunday or Tuesday or Friday. I don't have a job or many responsibilities, so I hardly pay attention to the day it is. Today is Thursday for us right now because I have things that are irritating me that I'd like to write about, so happy Thursday on this here lovely Sunday!

1.)  Walmart- I'm done shopping at Wally World now. I've made this decision to stick it to the man once again; first I went vegetarian and now I am swearing off the world's largest corporation. There are obvious reasons for doing so: the parking lot, the people within, the smell, the low quality, etc; meanwhile, there are behind-the-scenes reasons that most people are unaware of. Walmart treats their employees like garbage; they are underpaid, overworked, and barely appreciated by customers and employers alike. Almost all of Walmart's employees are on government aid programs (Welfare, food stamps, Medicare, WIC, etc.) because their employer DEPENDS on these programs (and cheap Chinese products) so that they can underpay employees and provide shoppers the low prices that everyone is so concerned with. By shopping at other markets and spending an extra dollar or two, we're standing up for ourselves and our fellow citizens by cutting back some of the power that this corporation has on our country and our world. Plus, if you can avoid all of the electric carts containing people that are too lazy to walk, loud children that continually run into you, the garbage food that they promote, the ridiculous amount of time you spend standing in line, and the demographic of people that you fall into just because you shop there, why the hell wouldn't you?

2.) Marriage- Every little girl dreams of their wedding day; walking Barbie and Ken down the aisle that  you've fashioned out of toilet paper, imagining what your dress will look like and where you'll go on your honeymoon. Little girls grow up, date a few piece of shit boyfriends, get their heart broken, and eventually find someone that they fall in love with and decide to marry. What was the key phrase in the last sentence? "LITTLE GIRLS GROW UP". I've met a few couples that have been together since age 18 and make it work; they wouldn't change a thing even if they could go back in time- they're supposed to be together...they're the exception to the rule. I feel like everyone around me is getting married so young and so quickly without knowing their partner for long at all. I simply do not understand the rush. What happened to dating someone for a year or two and enjoying the process? Call me old-fashioned, but I really believe in knowing the person that you are vowing to spend the rest of your life with. Oh and the baby excuse isn't valid anymore...it's 2011 and obviously if you are that worried about religion, you wouldn't have been making babies anyway, so you can wait for marriage. 

3.) Buffets- Ew! I wasn't even aware that people still ate in these "restaurants"! They're absolute breeding grounds for bacteria and low-quality food. I may be too cautious, but I find it entirely too difficult to trust an eating establishment that serves chicken fingers and chinese food next to the imitation crab meat and the jello. All out in the open like that, it makes me nauseous to think that my food has mated with 100 other people's food. I want virgin salad mix- I don't want the same salad that the guy in the corner eating the ice cream and picking his nose just ate...at least I don't want to know that we are eating the same salad. I ate at a Chinese buffet last week because I was invited by my wonderful father. I was actually really surprised because the food was pretty tasty and there were plenty of vegetarian options for me to pick from. I was surprised again when we all ended up with some unpleasant bathroom time for the next few hours. I would rather not be surprised like this again- goodbye, buffets!

Don't be pissed at me if you got married yesterday to your partner of 2 months and you are now eating at a buffet and planning your honeymoon in a Walmart. You should be pissed at yourself :)

New Beginnings

Excuse me, 2011, but where the hell did you come from? Last time I checked, it was 2007 and now here we are embracing ANOTHER new year that crept up on us too quickly. Quite frankly, 2010 was less than desirable; a lot of unfortunate things happened, but among the shit (losing my job, losing my apartment, enduring family controversy, etc.) emerged a few really wonderful events that I am very thankful for (being with my amazing boyfriend, moving in with my father & sister, getting my lovely cats, learning new things, etc.). 

In order to grow into a stronger, more confident and self-sufficiant being, gradual improvement and evolution is extremely necessary. In order to create improvement and evolution, one must accept and activate change in their lives. 2011 is going to be a year of change for me and I am looking forward to implementing processes to get me where I'd like to be in a year. 

On the first of the year every year, friends and family discuss new year's resolutions, usually involving one of the following: getting in shape, quitting smoking, eating more healthfully, becoming more financially stable, etc. I'm not sure that I've ever heard someone mention a goal that wasn't superficial like these. Granted, quitting smoking and becoming healthier are very important, but I don't want a cookie-cutter resolution this year. I want to take advantage of the year ahead of me, become a better person, make essential life-changes, and accomplish things I've been putting off for a while. 

Here are a few things that I'd like to see in 2011:

• More consistent, meaningful blogging from your's truly.
• A stronger relationship with my family and my boyfriend.
• Forgiveness for the people that have hurt me in the past.
• Better dedication towards my passions and hobbies (writing, blogging, hoop-dancing, knitting, etc.)
• New & stronger friendships.
• Exploration of new activities, environments, and personalities. 
• A healthier lifestyle.
• Risk-taking and adventure.
• TONS of reading and learning.
• Better acceptance of other points of view and opinions.
• Release & acceptance of events & people from my past. 

Those are just the most important for now. I will explore in more detail as I go through these things in the next year, but until I make things happen, it's just a list. I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season. Now that it's finally over, I'll be blogging and sharing a lot more than I have been. Happy new year to you all!