In Pursuit of Health: Weight Vs. Total Fitness

This post brought to you by a friend of mine's wanting to lose weight even though she's at a perfectly healthy BMI. Granted, her choices are her choices, and she seems in control enough and to have a healthy enough perspective to not push any weight loss too far. However, when someone thinner than me (for the record, at around 140 pounds and 5 foot 1, I've just crossed into that "overweight" category) is dissatisfied with their body to the point of wanting to diet...I can't help but cringe inside.

I cringe because I feel that somehow we've lost sight of the true goal of health and have put the focus all on a number on a scale, which is a rather lacking (or at least limited) measure of health imo. I cringe because as a woman I see this obsessive focus on pursuit of the "ideal body" all around me. The distorted images are all around in the media, and while I think most people know that these ideals are 1) not attainable to most and 2) not even necessarily a reflection of a model's reality, we've still bought into the lie that a healthy body has to look a certain way.

There's something almost subversive about declaring acceptance for one's body as it is. If a woman (especially, but men can struggle with this too) says that, people respond like she is "letting herself go" and doesn't care about her health. But paradoxically, if we treat our bodies right, we will arrive at the weight that's healthy for us. And care for our bodies begins first with acceptance. I love the approach of Health at Any Size - the pursuit of health rather than thinness. I'd also like to give a shout-out to dietician Rebecca Scritchfield (a fellow JHU MA in Communications alum!) for embracing these ideals.

It is easier said than done. I admittedly would be happy to lose weight myself. It's not something I'm actively striving for, however. That is partially because when I do strive to lose weight, it doesn't happen, but when I don't (like suffering a mild depressive bought and losing my appetite) that's when I end up losing the pounds. I can't help but think that's not healthy. But yes, I would like flatter abs, a more toned back, and to be "safely" within the "normal" BMI again (all my weight goes to my mid-section, and of course my chest.

But what I am trying to strive for is health - health in all forms, mental, emotional, and spiritual included. Health to me means nurturing my body instead of trying to mold it into something it's not. It means being active and moving my body as it was meant to move. It means feeding it when it's hungry (no deprivation diets!) and fueling it with healthy, nurturing things. It means allowing myself treats, but recognizing that some of the stuff I put in my body is just empty, useless calories - I'm looking at you, Mountain Dew I gulped on an empty stomach for a quick caffeine fix the other day. It means getting adequate rest, allowing myself down time when I need it - not pushing myself beyond my limits in an effort to "master" my body. And when I treat my body right, I feel better, and, I believe, look better.

It goes against American ideals to say this, but so much about our bodies isn't really in our control anyway. I'm short and busty - this is the body I was given. While I can tone through fitness or diet to try to bring down my weight, that only goes so far. So I choose to embrace the body I was given, to nurture it into the fullness of health.

Goodreads Review: The Silver Linings Playbook

The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So Ken does movie reviews and I do the reviews of books-turned-to-movies...

I wanted to see the enormously popular film version of The Silver Linings Playbook starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, but of course never got around to it. But as soon as I discovered it was a book before it was a film, I put the novel on my reading list. I still haven't gotten around to seeing the movie, but the book is every bit as sweet and quirky as the movie trailers seemed. With his debut novel, Matthew Quick has created what is at one part love story, one part compassionate take on mental illness, one part look at the passions of Philadelphia Eagles fans, and all parts addictively readable story about the silver linings that aren't the ones we are expecting.

The novel's main strength is its narration, as it gets inside the head of a mentally unstable but endearingly optimistic and goodhearted man. When The Silver Linings Playbook begins, narrator Pat Peoples has just returned to his parents' house in New Jersey upon his release from what he calls "the bad place," a Baltimore mental institution. In the film, Pat's diagnosis is bipolar disorder, but the novel does not give Pat a diagnosis. It is obvious, however, that he is quite out of touch with reality, to the point of having no sense of how long he spent in the institution. Despite this and his tendency to outbursts of violence upon hearing Kenny G music, Pat is determined to better himself, and the trip Quick gives the reader inside this character's psyche is compassionate and respectful, humorous and at times hilarious without being condescending.

As the novel's title suggests, Pat is devoted to a philosophy of silver linings and unfettered optimism. Headless of what everyone around him says, his one goal upon returning home is reunion with his estranged wife, Nikki. But then he meets Tiffany, a recently widowed woman with demons of her own, who is set on changing Pat's life in ways he hadn't anticipated.

In his effort to woo back English teacher Nikki, Pat begins reading classic literature, from The Great Gatsby to The Scarlet Letter to The Bell Jar, and his interpretation of these novels according to his silver linings philosophy is in my mind a brilliant way for Quick to establish Pat's worldview and his mental state.

While we don't receive the same opportunity to live inside the heads of the other characters, they are equally easy to root for, or at times to want to scream at. Tiffany is sullen and foul-mouthed and yet obviously sensitive and vulnerable as well. Pat's mom is patient, strong, and compassionate, while his dad is temperamental and distant and bases his moods and treatment of his loved ones upon how the Eagles are doing. I even developed a strong picture of Nikki in my head through Pat's detailed stories and descriptions. Some characters, like Pat's therapist Cliff, who also happens to be an Eagles fan and his "black friend" Danny, seem less well-rounded and believable, but they too are memorable.

Non-football fans may not be interested in the large number of scenes in the novel dealing with the Philadelphia Eagles, but this serves to ground the book in time and place and makes Pat's character (although maybe not his over-the-top father's) seem more believable. The Eagles, win or lose, play as much of a role in Pat's life outside the mental institution as Tiffany does and as Nikki did in his old life.

As the novel unfolds, Pat slowly comes to grips with what brought him to the mental institution and with the new reality of his. While his story does not have the happy ending he was expecting, reunion with Nikki, it nevertheless affirms love and silver linings. It is not the conventional happy-ending-fairy-tale type story, but that's what makes The Silver Linings Playbook so refreshing, believable, and true.

I would rank the novel 4.5 out of 5 stars, but since Goodreads doesn't allow for half-stars, 4 stars it is.

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Father's Day Gift: Painted Ceramic Mushroom

I have realized that my need for creativity needs many more outlets, or rather, it needs to be put into practice more. Michael's Crafts (or really any craft store, Michael's just happens to be my most frequented) is a goldmine for the kind of crafty projects I wish I were doing more of. Holidays of all kinds, however, bring out my inner crafty girl for many reasons, the main one being that handmade gifts are usually both more affordable and more fun than their store-bought counterparts.

And so I made this painted ceramic mushroom garden thingamajig for a Fathers' Day gift. Perfect for my gardening lover dad, perfect for my budget and my need to be creative/crafty.

These whimsical ceramic mushrooms, along with owls, gnomes, and the like, are popping up wherever garden gifts and supplies are sold, but they are often upwards of $20, whereas a plain ceramic mushroom at Michael's was only $3.99. I already had acrylic paints, so I used those to paint mine. It's easy to customize with any colors/patterns you like.

That's really all you need to make a gift that is fun, whimsical, creative and personal for any garden/decorating lover in your life.

Dollar Stores Rule...What to Buy

Awhile ago, my friend Athena wrote a facebook note about what she buys and does not buy at the dollar store. As someone on a budget, dollar stores are awesome, and so I thought I'd write my own list of what's worth buying there. This is part my own opinion based on personal experience and part based on general value: what my seem like a great deal may not be if you consider price vs. amount. Finally, this is based on my experiences at Dollar Tree - unlike some "dollar stores" which are really just discount stores, everything at Dollar Tree really is just $1.

So, what to buy? As most people on a budget know, some things it's good to be cheap on, while some things a better-quality or value product is worth the splurge. Overall, though, I've found Dollar Tree to be great for basic household and toiletry items. Here's what I buy, and what I pass on:

Good Buys

Household Goods

Their dish liquids and detergents and laundry detergents have worked well for me, and are great cost savers when compared to purchasing them at a big box store or grocery store. I haven't used any of their other cleaning supplies, and depending on the product, it might be worth spending more elsewhere. 

Athena disagreed with me here, saying that she thought Dollar Tree paper towels were too flimsy, but they have suited my needs, as have zip-lock plastic bags. 

I've never bought their Tupperware, but it seems to be a good value. 

So do many of their home organization goods. I have two mesh laundry bags I bought a few months ago. Admittedly, one has been accumulating holes at the top, but that's probably due to me overfilling it. 

Also, lint rollers. And plastic hangers.

Office Supplies

I definitely choose the dollar store over Staples and the like for basic office supplies like pens/pencils, envelopes, etc.  Any teachers out there who need to purchase classroom supplies out of their own pocket? Dollar Store to the rescue.

Toiletries

Toothbrushes are definitely a thing to buy at the dollar store! Dollar Tree carries toothbrushes from brands like Colgate, and less familiar brands in packs of two or three. 

My hairbrush is also from the dollar store - don't knock it.

Dental floss, mouthwash, and hand soap are also good buys.

Gifts

The dollar store can be a decent place for gifts, depending on your budget, the recipient, and the occasion. Or for party favors - normally I would spend a bit more on a "nicer" gift, but a mug from the dollar store for that co-worker you feel obligated to get a Christmas gift for? Why not? Also, greeting cards are a great bargain at the dollar store - compare a card for $1 to a $3.99 Hallmark card. At Christmas they have boxes of cards as well.

Pass On:

Most Food Items 

My dad once bought a bag of shredded "cheese" from the Dollar Tree. "Cheese" is in quotes because the cheese was so processed as to be less "cheese" than "cheese product", and came complete with a warning that "this product is not intended to melt."

So, yeah, the Dollar Tree does have a large freezer section and a smaller refrigerated section, as well as non-perishable foods, but it's mostly processed crap. I do buy their Arizona Iced Teas, as well as a few other beverages, and their frozen garlic bread isn't all bad. They've got bargains on brand name candy, too. Other than that, though? Pass.

Most Pet Items

Pet toys are fine, and their cat food I've purchased in a pinch, but their pet food is limited and not great quality or value.

Cosmetics, Bath & Body, and Feminine Care, Depending on Personal Preferences

There are some cosmetic and bath and body products I've liked from the dollar store. Nail polish remover? Fine. Their mascara and chap stick suit me fine, too. But their selection of other cosmetics is limited, and, in my experience, not great (tried their nail polish once, but I'd much sooner purchase a moderately-priced brand like Revlon over dollar store stuff).

I don't buy their shampoos either. I usually stick with my $4.00 or so Herbal Essences, but even if I didn't, there are other better deals on shampoo/conditioner out there. For instance, Dollar Tree carries V05, but I found the comparable Suave for only 89 cents a bottle at Target.

Any males reading this who find this TMI or irrelevant, you can skip this paragraph...but I have purchased tampons and pads at the dollar store. However, the boxes are small and they only carry store brands. I think our lady parts are worth more of a splurge.

I do like some of the dollar store body washes and lotions, however.

I would write on what to buy at thrift stores, but I'll buy pretty much anything, minus underwear or swimwear (eww) there.

  
 

Oh, Pedestrians...

This is just one of those short rants that I considered posting on Facebook, but then decided against it. But we all, myself included, need to just rant some times, and this blog is turning out to be almost as neglected as my old livejournal is, so I thought this would be the space for it.

The subject? Pedestrians. Now, walking is great, and given that this country is known for both a highly sedentary lifestyle and pollution caused by over-dependence on vehicles, I'm glad to see people walking. But the walkers in my area (suburban PG County, MD) just don't have much sense. They ignore perfectly good, clear sidewalks to walk in the street instead. These aren't high-traffic areas, but it's still unnerving as a driver having to share road-space with people who should be utilizing the sidewalks made for them. It's for your own safety, people!!

What really brought about this rant was seeing, on the outskirts of my neighborhood, three men walking abreast right down the center of the street. I had to go illegally pass in the opposing lane to go around them. Again, this wasn't an extremely high traffic area - a semi-residential road with speed bumps and a 25 mile-per-hour speed limit. But still. There were no sidewalks, but in that case, the shoulder is perfectly appropriate walking space. The middle of the road is not.

 Aargh. It's even worse in cities. In both Baltimore and DC (where I have been a pedestrian as well as a driver), pedestrians are all too eager to ignore the signals in the cross-walks and act like the road (rather than the sidewalks) belong to them.

Just think of this as a little public service announcement. Keep on walkin', just do so in walking-appropriate spaces, and when it's your turn to walk.

In other news, it's now officially spring, and yet again there is snow (freezing rain? sleet? wintry mix?) forecasted for Tuesday. Get it together, mother nature.

Goodreads Book Review: Divergent

Divergent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Susan Collins' enormously popular Hunger Games trilogy seems to have sparked the trend of dystopian teen novel-turned-film. I can't speak for the yet-to-be-released film version of Divergent, but Veronica Roth's novel Divergent, also the first in a trilogy, has many of the factors that made The Hunger Games so popular: a fascinating dystopian setting, a strong and courageous female protagonist, and both plenty of action (and, yes, violence) and internal turmoil.

Sixteen-year-old Beatrice lives in Chicago, where all of society is divided into 5 factions intent on cultivating a specific virtue. For the Erudite it's knowledge, for the Dauntless it is bravery, for Amity it is peacefulness, for Candor it is honesty, and for the faction in which Beatrice has grown up, Abnegation, it is selflessness. As the novel opens, Beatrice and her brother, Caleb, prepare to take a test that will help determine where they truly belong and which faction they should, after a formal initiation process, devote their life to. It is "faction over family," they are told.

But Beatrice's test results reveal something unusual: she is "divergent," and as such is considered dangerous.

Not fully understanding what her divergence means, Beatrice, who adopts the nickname Tris, decides to leave Abnegation for the Dauntless and begins a grueling initiation process in which she tests the limits of her courage, attempts to learn who to trust, and comes to realize that the society she lives in is not as perfect, or as safe, as she had though.

Divergent is written for teens, but its content makes it an engrossing read for adults as well. It may not be appropriate for younger teens, as the violence approaches Hunger Games levels. It is a quick, fast-paced read, but thematically heavier than most teen-oriented books. Roth's use of imagery makes the novel come alive for the reader; she incorporates real landmarks such as the Ferris Wheel into a crumbling, dystopian Chicago. While some of the habits of the various factions verge on stereotype (the Dauntless are all tattooed, and the Erudite wear glasses even if they don't have vision problems), these details also bring Tris' world to life.

As fast-paced as Divergent is, Roth manages to incorporate deeper themes along with the non-stop action. The novel will leave readers pondering everything from the nature of bravery to the pitfalls of cultivating certain virtues at the expense of others to the futility of trying to cultivate the "perfect" society.

The one thing I wasn't such a fan of was the budding romance between Tris and her Divergent leader, "Four." It wasn't as bad as Twilight's Bella and Edward, but Four never seems to be that...well...nice to Tris. Yes, it is largely under the guise of him being the "tough leader" trying to draw out Tris' courage, but even after he confesses his feelings for her, things like him grabbing her wrist to hold her back or calling her an idiot grated on me. Four is otherwise an admirable character in many ways, with a vision for what his faction and society could be, but his relationship with Tris bugged me. But that relationship is a relatively minor part of the book, so I can let it slide.

I'm curious to see how successfully Divergent will be adapted to the big screen. If you are interested in dystopian fiction, see the movie, but definitely read the book!

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2014 Superbowl Commericals

Because a good high school friend of mine has moved to Denver, I feel a connection to the city I have still yet to visit. And so I had to root for the Broncos in the Super Bowl. So their loss to the Seahawks 8-43? Big. Disappointment. The ads were somewhat better, although few really stood out to me this year. I found some of the more serious ads to be more effective and memorable than those that went for the funny factor. I didn't feel like coming up with a whole top-ten list this time, but here are some of the ads that did catch my attention...

With his evangelical faith worn on his sleeve and debatable football talent, Tim Tebow has been a polarizing figure. But his Super Bowl ad shows that he's got a sense of humor about himself. Check out all Tebow's done without a contract:

The Cheerios commercial featuring the multiracial family deserves a shout-out to make up for the crazy backlash the original ad received. Come on, people, it's 2014 already. The Super Bowl spot wasn't the most clever or unique ad, but this (growing!) Cheerios-eating family is as adorable and heartwarming as ever.

John Stamos has already been featured in ads for Dannon Oikos Greek yogurt. But for the Super Bowl he reunited with "Full House" castmates Bob Saget and Dave Coulier for a bit of nostalgic brilliance.

Toyota Highlander featured the Muppets in their Super Bowl spot, and who doesn't love the Muppets?

Chrysler featured Bob Dylan praising the tradition of American-made automobiles.
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Oddly enough, many of Budweiser's Clydesdale ads seem to appeal to a more female-dominated audience. This one, featuring clydesdales, puppies, and Passenger's song "Let Her Go" is another tearjerker

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