I Am On My Soapbox Again
My follow-up opinions are not so much in response to the articles, as they are to the many comments I’ve read. Comments often tell me all I need to know. They’re an education, in and of themselves. I write to create dialogue among the masses, especially with my friends. Good and bad, every opinion matters, and we must all be heard to gain clarity and understanding of our past, present and future. Cheers! – paerki
Let’s Be Real
Can’t we just say it’s better to eat healthy and for your disease type? Why must we add a layer of unnecessary drama? I can appreciate labels (I wear mine proudly for all to see), but when it comes to eating… Why do that to yourself? Life is hard enough!
I know too many vegans, vegetarians, paleos and celiacs (gluten-free) who are almost militant in their behavior. They come off with a cultish mentality. It can be a real turnoff to an individual who really should choose one or more of these diets to improve their overall health. I can almost understand why a subset of our culture resents us, thinking we are weird. (I live a gluten-free lifestyle, not by choice, and I love it – now. Even if I could go back to eating gluten, I wouldn’t do it. I choose to embrace a vegan diet, something I’ve been gradually moving towards over the past several months.)
It’s not my intention to offend anyone, but I don’t have a mental breakdown every time gluten or dairy enters my life, which is rare. I have witnessed some strange behavior from dieters and it’s creepy, almost freakish. Here we go adding another layer of drama to our lives. Don’t do that to yourself because the stress alone will kill you – seriously! You’re almost canceling out your healthy eating habit.
If you eat something you shouldn’t, take the proper actions to remedy the situation without making others feel uncomfortable. If you’re at a restaurant, inform the staff of any problem you had with your food. If it happens again, you know what to do? Don’t go back! Going the emotional route is only going to make things much worse. As I always say, think balance and moderation with every aspect of your life – definitely with food and exercise, but also with your communication, too.
I welcome diet related articles, videos, etc., but with every post must come responsibility and some mention of exercise because food and exercise go hand in hand. A healthy diet alone is not going to save the day, keeping you strong and thriving. We’re always looking for the quick fix, some magic cure to aid in our constitution and it’s there, but it’s not what you think. Stop looking at those late night infomercials to help solve your eating/exercise dilemmas, and just begin exercising. Pick yourself up and go for a walk – many walks!
You don’t have to go to a gym to keep fit. I spent thousands of dollars on memberships and exercise equipment. I am one of those rare people who followed through with my goals for shedding pounds and building mass. Exercise was once a religion to me, but not anymore. I keep fit by walking, running, hiking and cycling, and yoga. I meditate, too.
I have friends who eat poorly and exercise often and they are much healthier than some of my friends who’ve chosen just to eat healthy (I don’t approve of this regime). I have other friends who are dealing with a myriad of problems/symptoms due to autoimmune disease, but make excuses for not eating healthy and/or not choosing a diet that down the road will prove beneficial to their long-term goals of good health and longevity. Don’t justify your laziness. Stop believing in your lies. Strip down, look in the mirror and tell yourself the truth.
There’s a whole series of low impact exercises that will strengthen your core, and they work! I am proof positive because those are the ones I relied on for putting me back on my path to good health, keeping me medication free. (BTW: Attempting a diet for 3 to 4 weeks is not going to prove useful to your resolve. It took me 4 to 6 months before I saw any strong signs that my gluten-free diet was working, but with years of consuming gluten, that’s to be expected. It’s important to practice patience, and that’s no easy feat. Meditation will help with the latter.)
If you don’t exercise, as far as I am concerned, you’re in trouble. If you’re going to "booze it up", you can "exercise it up", and you had better, otherwise you’ll regret it in the long run. If you’re drinking for the wrong reasons – sadness and depression, I understand, but get help! My final advice – water, water and more water. Keep yourself hydrated. Be healthy, America, and it begins with a healthy diet, exercise and a mind that’s free of clutter because only then will you be able to control the stress in your life. Here’s to better living. (Reference: Is It Better To Eat Paleo Or Vegan? Dr. Mark Hyman Explains)
Education
A few of these comments are poorly written. I believe your English teacher might have failed you. For every teacher that shines, there is one that doesn't, and that is a serious problem. (I base this on the stories I hear from my friends who are teachers. I am also a product of public schools.)
Often teachers are hired to be babysitters. There are too many times when a teacher can't teach because he/she has to deal with an out-of-control student. Much of this can be attributed to poor parenting. A parent plays a key role in a child’s success. Nurture your children’s self-esteem by teaching them manners and respect – for all things. Your child should not come to school looking like a whore or pimp, either. What does that say about your parenting abilities? Volumes!
Just as much as parents must be accountable, so should teachers. In most jobs, we are paid according to our performance. Why should it be any different for teachers, but how do you measure performance, especially when you have parents who are not doing a great job at home? It’s a two-way street. It’s clear the system is broken.
I utilize public transit often, and what I see on the buses is frightening. I would medicate half of the students. Many lack social graces – civilities, etiquette, deportment, etc. What bothers me most, many can’t communicate well. That’s a deal breaker for me. Language is how we express ideas and concepts. It shapes our thoughts and opinions of others and of the world we live in. It’s hard not to judge someone who speaks "swell" and not well.
I have met my share of families living in poverty who still manage to thrive, because although their child is going to one of the "bad schools", these parents insure their children are getting educated elsewhere – through quality television (Discovery, History and PBS), library, etc. If you want your child to succeed, you’ll find a way to work around a defective school system. It’s unfortunate many have to do that, but for the parents who do it you have my respect and empathy because you apparently know the importance of a quality education. I know some of you were not afforded that opportunity, as history illustrates.
As for home schooling – well, let’s just say I am not a fan. Stop with the excuses! Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Don’t run from the system, but be a part of changing it. Let’s work together on behalf of all students. (Reference: Baltimore City Teachers Protest Last-Minute Performance Evaluation Changes)
Let’s Be Real
Can’t we just say it’s better to eat healthy and for your disease type? Why must we add a layer of unnecessary drama? I can appreciate labels (I wear mine proudly for all to see), but when it comes to eating… Why do that to yourself? Life is hard enough!
I know too many vegans, vegetarians, paleos and celiacs (gluten-free) who are almost militant in their behavior. They come off with a cultish mentality. It can be a real turnoff to an individual who really should choose one or more of these diets to improve their overall health. I can almost understand why a subset of our culture resents us, thinking we are weird. (I live a gluten-free lifestyle, not by choice, and I love it – now. Even if I could go back to eating gluten, I wouldn’t do it. I choose to embrace a vegan diet, something I’ve been gradually moving towards over the past several months.)
It’s not my intention to offend anyone, but I don’t have a mental breakdown every time gluten or dairy enters my life, which is rare. I have witnessed some strange behavior from dieters and it’s creepy, almost freakish. Here we go adding another layer of drama to our lives. Don’t do that to yourself because the stress alone will kill you – seriously! You’re almost canceling out your healthy eating habit.
If you eat something you shouldn’t, take the proper actions to remedy the situation without making others feel uncomfortable. If you’re at a restaurant, inform the staff of any problem you had with your food. If it happens again, you know what to do? Don’t go back! Going the emotional route is only going to make things much worse. As I always say, think balance and moderation with every aspect of your life – definitely with food and exercise, but also with your communication, too.
I welcome diet related articles, videos, etc., but with every post must come responsibility and some mention of exercise because food and exercise go hand in hand. A healthy diet alone is not going to save the day, keeping you strong and thriving. We’re always looking for the quick fix, some magic cure to aid in our constitution and it’s there, but it’s not what you think. Stop looking at those late night infomercials to help solve your eating/exercise dilemmas, and just begin exercising. Pick yourself up and go for a walk – many walks!
You don’t have to go to a gym to keep fit. I spent thousands of dollars on memberships and exercise equipment. I am one of those rare people who followed through with my goals for shedding pounds and building mass. Exercise was once a religion to me, but not anymore. I keep fit by walking, running, hiking and cycling, and yoga. I meditate, too.
I have friends who eat poorly and exercise often and they are much healthier than some of my friends who’ve chosen just to eat healthy (I don’t approve of this regime). I have other friends who are dealing with a myriad of problems/symptoms due to autoimmune disease, but make excuses for not eating healthy and/or not choosing a diet that down the road will prove beneficial to their long-term goals of good health and longevity. Don’t justify your laziness. Stop believing in your lies. Strip down, look in the mirror and tell yourself the truth.
There’s a whole series of low impact exercises that will strengthen your core, and they work! I am proof positive because those are the ones I relied on for putting me back on my path to good health, keeping me medication free. (BTW: Attempting a diet for 3 to 4 weeks is not going to prove useful to your resolve. It took me 4 to 6 months before I saw any strong signs that my gluten-free diet was working, but with years of consuming gluten, that’s to be expected. It’s important to practice patience, and that’s no easy feat. Meditation will help with the latter.)
If you don’t exercise, as far as I am concerned, you’re in trouble. If you’re going to "booze it up", you can "exercise it up", and you had better, otherwise you’ll regret it in the long run. If you’re drinking for the wrong reasons – sadness and depression, I understand, but get help! My final advice – water, water and more water. Keep yourself hydrated. Be healthy, America, and it begins with a healthy diet, exercise and a mind that’s free of clutter because only then will you be able to control the stress in your life. Here’s to better living. (Reference: Is It Better To Eat Paleo Or Vegan? Dr. Mark Hyman Explains)
Education
A few of these comments are poorly written. I believe your English teacher might have failed you. For every teacher that shines, there is one that doesn't, and that is a serious problem. (I base this on the stories I hear from my friends who are teachers. I am also a product of public schools.)
Often teachers are hired to be babysitters. There are too many times when a teacher can't teach because he/she has to deal with an out-of-control student. Much of this can be attributed to poor parenting. A parent plays a key role in a child’s success. Nurture your children’s self-esteem by teaching them manners and respect – for all things. Your child should not come to school looking like a whore or pimp, either. What does that say about your parenting abilities? Volumes!
Just as much as parents must be accountable, so should teachers. In most jobs, we are paid according to our performance. Why should it be any different for teachers, but how do you measure performance, especially when you have parents who are not doing a great job at home? It’s a two-way street. It’s clear the system is broken.
I utilize public transit often, and what I see on the buses is frightening. I would medicate half of the students. Many lack social graces – civilities, etiquette, deportment, etc. What bothers me most, many can’t communicate well. That’s a deal breaker for me. Language is how we express ideas and concepts. It shapes our thoughts and opinions of others and of the world we live in. It’s hard not to judge someone who speaks "swell" and not well.
I have met my share of families living in poverty who still manage to thrive, because although their child is going to one of the "bad schools", these parents insure their children are getting educated elsewhere – through quality television (Discovery, History and PBS), library, etc. If you want your child to succeed, you’ll find a way to work around a defective school system. It’s unfortunate many have to do that, but for the parents who do it you have my respect and empathy because you apparently know the importance of a quality education. I know some of you were not afforded that opportunity, as history illustrates.
As for home schooling – well, let’s just say I am not a fan. Stop with the excuses! Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Don’t run from the system, but be a part of changing it. Let’s work together on behalf of all students. (Reference: Baltimore City Teachers Protest Last-Minute Performance Evaluation Changes)
