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Friday, July 04, 2008
Independence Day
What, a post on MDOD absent cynicism? No, silly, here it comes.
Last week I was introduced to a medical provider who is in the reserves. The introduction came by a friend (also a woman and a veteran of the Army Corps of Engineers), and, in retrospect, I think my friend was doing it to get my goat.
This provider has managed, in her now twelve year "military career", to avoid deployment every single time by getting pregnant. She is pregnant now. My friend said to her, "Meet Dr. Peel, she is pregnant for the Xth time, and has managed to time it just right to avoid deployment."
The pregnant gal smirked at me and gave a little thumbs-up and said, and I quote, "You know, I just don't think it's fair to the kids if I deploy."
That's three other providers who would NOT have deployed going in her place every time. That's three other families disrupted. That's wrong. And THAT, is the result of liberal social-engineering in our military. The Marines are the only ones to escape this kind of ridiculous but obvious consequence of the gender neutral service. And, to her credit, my friend who introduced me to this shitbird said later, "You know, that woman really makes me mad... she gives all women in the military a bad name." Yes. Yes.
39 comments:
What a POS...ReplyDelete
Let me come up there and show her where to put that Hawaiian salute. That is absolutely sick that she would get pregnant just to avoid deployment. Why did she even get into the military? I'm sure they paid her way through college and medical school, then she stiffs them. Bitch.ReplyDelete
- Anonymous2:33 PM, July 04, 2008
Ahh Man I know guys who pulled the same thing, with their herniated disks and such. Thats the whole reason I joined, to go to interesting and exciting places, meet strange and unusual people, and Kill them, well, to take care of the guys who Kill them. My buddies were more depressed when we had to come back to South Carolina. Anyway, its for the best 9-11, XXs just cause trouble on the battlefield.ReplyDelete
Frank, I have a few choice words for you and that last statement "XXs just cause trouble on the battlefield."ReplyDelete
Ah,but frank, the medic can say BS to your back pain, but it's hard to call BS on a positive hcg.ReplyDelete
If that was a song or a movie quote I do not know it. But I like it! Touche.
- Anonymous7:18 PM, July 04, 2008
EE, I'd like to hear your choice words, but you have to tell us if you've actually been on a real battlefield. And Gettsyburgh doesn't count.ReplyDelete
That was from Full Metal Jacket---yay! a movie quote I know.ReplyDelete
Nurse K, I'm proud! lolReplyDelete
Frank, I, sadly, can't say that I've ever served our country. I have been to Gettysburg before though! :)
Naw, I won't say the few choice words, but I do believe that some women would be stronger than some men on the battlefield.
- Anonymous12:15 AM, July 05, 2008
The thing I love about the 4th of July is the predictable jingoist bullshit like this. It's as traditional as egg nog at Christmas.ReplyDelete
- AnnoyingVoice2:35 AM, July 05, 2008
Happy 4th, however delayed.ReplyDelete
In my traditional style, I simply must complain about something, so here goes:
"The Marines are the only ones to escape this kind of ridiculous but obvious consequence of the gender neutral service. "
Well, hey, no argument that this is something of a problem, but what do you propose? Barring all women from military service? Or do you just mean that pregnant women should still have to serve? I mean, we can find problems just as big in either one.
All that said, I completely agree that getting pregnant or otherwise making oneself a theoretical invalid for the sole purpose of avoiding military service as a reservist is just about unconscionable. If it was to avoid a draft, I might view it differently, at least if it was a draft for a meaningless war, but that's not the case here. On avoiding drafts, I said I MIGHT view it in a more favorable light, so please don't accuse me of all types of anti-patriotism and evil liberal intent. That's an argument we can have later, if someone should decide to start it. :)
Here's to the upcoming 233rd year of American freedom!
Oh, one more thing: Freedom of speech is great, yeah, but I'm a reasonable person. Blog owners, if you want me to shut up, just say it and watch the magic happen. I am but a guest in your home.
- Anonymous6:09 AM, July 05, 2008
WW2 seemed to work out pretty well, Women serving as Nurses,Transport Pilots, and manning the assembly lines back home. Even simple things like Pap Smears are a bitch to do in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and with deployments now lasting 14 months, every soldier with a cervix is gonna need one.ReplyDelete
- mottsapplesauce10:16 AM, July 05, 2008
Aw c'mon 911. All military gals out there did not deserve that stereotype label. Don't let the actions of one rot the whole bunch.ReplyDelete
Men have also dodged deployment & have been doing it for years, for various reasons. How do you weed them out from the ones who actually deserve our support?
My sister joined the military mainly because she wants to get deployed somewhere. Actually, she gets upset about the idea of the U.S. pulling troops from other countries because it would make her job "less interesting." So, not all females try to avoid deployment or join merely to get their debts paid off.ReplyDelete
What I can't understand is why someone would be in the military when she has no intention of following through on the job description. It's not like getting shipped off to the battlefield should come as a surprise.
keep reading and writing voice..You may give us something to foam at the mouth about..ReplyDelete
Oldfart, I thought foaming at the mouth was your normal state.ReplyDelete
I do believe that some women would be stronger than some men on the battlefield.ReplyDelete
Heh. I always love this argument. "We can find a woman who is stronger than some other man we found. Therefore, all arguments of the form 'men are generally more fit for battle than women' are invalid."
It's the kind of logic that makes me proud to be a woman.
Dr. 911, women always want equality until they don't. Is there something wrong with that?
Funny, I just overheard a conversation between a woman and her mother. She was telling her mother that xxx friends was now pregnant for the 6th time and it was to avoid deployment. Yes 6 children. She was Army, so its not only the marines that do it.ReplyDelete
- Anonymous6:04 PM, July 05, 2008
Anon above, the "get pregnant to avoid deployment" angle is taken by active duty women in addition to reservists. A servicemember can be on non-deployment status for a number of medical reasons, basically anything that would be hard/impossible to manage in the field. Pregnancy counts, of which some women are obviously (grossly) taking advantage.ReplyDelete
I think a reasonable solution would be to just deploy the woman postpartum, even if she is out of her deployment cycle. Don't shorten her in-country commitment, even if she stays past the rest of the people in her cycle. The use of multiple pregnancies to avoid deployment time and again while others have gone multiple times is an egregious, unfair abuse of the system.
A consideration is allowing women who don't want to be deployed for family/pregnancy reasons to electively enter a non-deployment status in which they forfeit housing and subsistence allowances, and do not accrue time in service for purposes of pay, retirement, or promotion. Make it so that, after so many years of this, she wouldn't be allowed to reenlist.
If the armed forces were serious about combat ability there would be no pregnancy, family leave nor opportunities for females the same as males. Combat is for fighting and winning, not for social adjustments. But, the Armed Forces of the United States are bound by the Pentagon and Washington, DC to provide many things to many people. My personal gripe, is the women that become pregnant to be removed from theaters of operations go back to the US and then have an abortion after the danger is over... that really bothers me, but it isn't a government policy that does any of that - just a fool woman afraid.ReplyDelete
jingoism (dictionary.com)ReplyDelete
1. an appeal intended to arouse patriotic emotions
2. fanatical patriotism
the thing i love about your comment is the predictable, arrogant, holier-than-thou bullshit retort implying that you, and perhaps those lucky enough to be associated with you, have the proper amount of patriotism and the proper perspective on America. please do enlighten us (and me in particular since my view is particularly skewed by having served many years in the 'gender neutral' service) as to the proper way to be proud of our country. in fact, why not start your own blog and just write about how you do everything, then we won't have to wonder what anonymous would do. in the process you could quit coming here, which would make us all very happy.
to 'annoying voice':
i am suggesting that the other services adopt the stance the marines have, which is to continue to hold to their very strict physical strength, stamina, and intelligence standars. they refused to lower the overall standards to allow women to pass their tests, they just made a different test for women. i have never said, nor do i say now, that women do not belong in the service.
to Dr. Drackman,
dear mottsapplesauce,
you need to read more closely. i did not say this particular gal was a 'typical' female service member (though you should read this), only that she represented the worst of her gender... one who is clearly using her uterus to her advantage and putting others at risk by doing it. in other words, she's a selfish shitbird who has no place in the military. that being said, the more women are allowed in or near combat the more this will happen and the more others will suffer for the appearance of equality.
dear Esther,
your sister is the opposite of the woman i described. again, i am not arguing against women in the military. i hope you sister has a wonderful and interesting career and always returns safely. from this patriotic veteran, please do thank her for me.
dear teresa,
dear PE mommy,
sadly, worshipping at the altar of diversity and political correctness has allowed a small number of women to hijack the military into being the new welfare state.
dear anonymous #2,
that sounds like such a reasonable solution that i think there is no way it would work. nancy pelosi, pat schroeder, and meredith viera would be on a cross country sobfest with oprah and the person proposing such a policy would be promptly banished to the south pole to count ozone molecules. many of my friends, who were not even in las vegas for the infamous 'tailhook' scandal, but were merely naval pilots, were subjected to interoggation techniques (sleep deprivation and repeated questioning with bright lights shining in their faces etc... very hollywood) normally reserved for enemy prisoners of war in the hopes that they would give some damning evidence against those pilots that were there and that did (shudder) participate in drunken skirt-chasing and leg shaving.
finally, let me point out that we have a similar bit of silliness in medical education. female residents who get pregnant in their residencies put a particularly heavy burden on their fellow residents. of all people able to plan pregnancies doctors should be almost 100% able to avoid them. nevertheless, many female residents choose to get pregnant and thereby transfer their call hours to others which often makes a 90 hour work week with little sleep a 11o hour work week with no sleep. insult to injury when one considers that many medical schools preferentially admit women to 'gender neutralize' the class. good idea.
Men ARE generally more fit than women in the battlefield. Women, in general, are not combat material. Most are not as strong, physically (or emotionally, in my opinion). There are, however, some women who are capable. So, Teresa, pop your head out of your ass and fucking learn how to read, I did not say nor imply the following: ""We can find a woman who is stronger than some other man we found. Therefore, all arguments of the form 'men are generally more fit for battle than women' are invalid."ReplyDelete
"they just made a different test for women" -that makes me sick. If women want the honor of serving their country they should work their asses off just like the men.
dear EE,ReplyDelete
i love ya girl... i really do. i think you could probably outrun me and do a bunch of other physical stuff better than me and that's not the point. the point is that there's a reason that women are not in the NFL, NBA, NHL etc... there's a reason there are male cheerleaders.
men are women are gloriously different and in regards to physical strength and endurance there's just no argument to be made when speaking in general terms. hollywood has been at the forefront of giving folks the illusion that there's really no difference b/w the sexes when it comes to fighting... i call these movies the 'chicks who kick ass' movies. they're fun, but they are movies.
YOU might be able to hike twenty miles up and down with a 100 pound pack and leave most guys in the dust, but you would be a rare woman indeed if you could.
notice i am not talking about the mental desire or ability to endure combat. quite frankly i have no idea what i would do in combat in this regard... it is entirely possible that i would be a coward. i hope i'll never know.
i have told this story before somewhere else on the blog but i can't find it.
all docs and nurses and PAs/NPs in the military are required to attend what used to be called 'C4' at camp bullis in TX- the 'combat casualty care course'. real fake army stuff... camping out, grenades, chemical weapons training and MOP gear, OPFOR shooting at you etc...
when i was there in 1990 the following occured. at the time i weighed in at 220 pounds and was in top shape. i got to play a wounded soldier in a battlefield scenario. in my group were three nurses and two docs, one of whom was a woman. they could not carry me on a litter in any combination. i would have died in a real combat scenario and, if they had tried to rescue me, so would my entire group.
the gals that couldn't carry me tried hard... they were not out of shape... they just couldn't do it.
the course instructors did not say a word because they were not allowed to. no one got yelled at... no one had to do push ups... it was just ignored that our group failed the excercise. that's simply reality.
i think that this argument is less persuasive in polic work or firefighting, but i still insist that the police and fire standards should NOT be lowered to allow more women to be police officers or firefighters. if you can't lift a hose and point it at the fire, if you can't lift more than 100 pounds over your head (just a number i picked as an educated guess) then you shouldn't be allowed to do these jobs whether you are a guy or a gal. lives depend on it. i think, at least for this last part, that you agree with me.
On this independence day weekend I pay tribute to George W. Fighting an unpopular war, which many of his countrymen were against, for over 5 long years. Just when it looked hopeless and his own popularity waned he stoodfast, knowing in his heart he was doing the right thing for his nation. Many voices in the congress were staunchly against his leadership and handling of the war, but he did not wane in his single minded goal of freedom, and freedom from tyranny.ReplyDelete
Thank you, George Washington.
- Anonymous12:35 PM, July 06, 2008
No kidding about the pregnancy during residency. I don't think maternity leave should apply in that situation. The woman should have to burn vacation if she wants to be off, and be limited to 3-4 weeks.
Anyone who thinks that's unfair, tango sierra. Residency is an unfair situation by nature, institutionally and legally (and keep in mind, there is no situation outside serious illness that would let a man leave for 6 weeks and come back.) People outside medicine can't understand the enormous burden that losing a fellow resident puts on all the other residents, particularly at a small program.
- Anonymous12:53 PM, July 06, 2008
Hey 9-11, I went to C-4 in 96' ahh the memories. My class had some administrators in it believe it or not. 220 lbs doesn't sound like alot until you realize theres between 60-80 lbs of gear the soldiers carrying. Best part was the co-ed sleeping arrangements.ReplyDelete
pop your head out of your ass and fucking learn how to read --Choice words from EEReplyDelete
It's always interesting to me that in discussions about women's equality, women arguing for equality of opportunity or some other form of equality for women reserve their choicest words for other women. There were several men who disagreed with you, but you chose to attack me. Women are their own worst enemies.
EE, you have unwittingly demonstrated the best reason to ban women from combat. You will never hear the expression "band of sisters." I wouldn't want women like you on the battlefield with anyone I love, regardless of how strong they are, because they would be destructive to esprit de corps.
Consider the world's greatest in any non-entertainment, serious field of endeavor. The best in every group are mostly men. Take the top tier composers, architects, tennis players, computer programmers, lawyers, doctors, artists, gymnasts, chefs, pianists, engineers, etc., and most, if not all of them, are men. Men dominate the top end of the bell curve. Artistic, athletic, or intellectual endeavors, it doesn't matter, men are still largely superior.
Interestingly, men dominate the other of the curve, as well. Women are bunched more in the middle. Perhaps that is why women see equality as such a reasonable proposition--σ is smaller for women than for men.
On the other hand, the the world's greatest misogynists tend to be women. This is so sad to me. Women can no longer feel contentment in being feminine. It's not good enough, so they end up denying anything that distinguishes them from men, and attacking women who don't agree with that agenda. "Feminism" was the most ironic choice, but it was also clever. They chose it in order to redefine it by associating it with new characteristics.
So gentlemen, you can relax. Women are not generally capable of banding together in such a way that their individual emotions are set aside in order to accomplish a team goal. We won't be taking control of the world away from you any time soon.
And thank God women are not responsible for construction. We'd still be living in caves and huts. God bless men; they don't get nearly enough credit.
they could not carry me on a litter in any combination.ReplyDelete
Well I suspect they were having more trouble with the end your head was on than the end where your feet were. If they had just cut you in half right down the middle and flipped one half around so that half your head and one foot was at each end, your weight would have been evenly distributed along the litter. Then they might have had a shot at it.
Ladies, a good understanding of physics can help you compensate for inferior strength.
Swedoz, I'm normally extremely laid back..Comments on this blog are 1 of the few things that get me stirred up..ReplyDelete
Please do not get me started on the pregnant in residency training thing..Let's just say it is as stated above, unfair..And, that is why EM is NOT a women friendly specialty, unless the female is lesibian, against which I hold nothing. She can do anything a man can..When women get pregnant in or out of residency, it only creates hardship for her colleagues. We still have to run the shop 24/7/365. If you're a Peds doc lets say.(don't get mad Peds colleagues, you just popped to my mind firstit works the same for all specialties).ReplyDelete
Your partners are NOT taking new pts in your abscence and increasing their work load. (Being on call for you is the same as before you were pregnant) BUT
in residency it is different in that someone else has to take your place in the hospital, clinic and call and you never make it up to them(for the most part) AND it is a GOVT MANDATE that if we didn't pick up your slack you could sue us for discrimination if didn't just roll over and take all the extra heat(your women colleagues have to do the same thing too)
So, I do not view women in medicine as such a very good thing overall..But then I'd rather settle an argument the old fashioned way..
We can't get over a problem, take it outside and then shake hands and we never think about it again.(old men)
If we do it the "woman's way" we talk and talk, don't reach a definitive settlement, and hold it against each other for the rest of our lives, waiting to stab the other one in the back at the most opportune moment to inflict maximum damage on the other..
What a dinosaur I am..
- Anonymous9:53 PM, July 06, 2008
The "pregnancy during residency" thing makes it harder for women to get positions in some fields (surgical specialties come to mind.) Some program directors don't want to risk losing a resident for months at a time, so they are less likely to take women, particularly married women. I can't say I blame them. If you have, say, 6 residents on a Q3 call schedule (say, one for the floor and one for the ER) and one vanishes for 2 months, well, that's 20 calls the other 5 get to divvy up.ReplyDelete
Other fields (pathology, where I'm at, comes to mind) are pretty forgiving in that regard simply because of the nature and structure of the work.
Just a thought...
Most med school classes are 50-50 split XX/XY. Women are more likely to work part time and spend the extra time taking care of family.
Do you think that the larger proportion of women going into medicine will exacerbate the Dr. shortage that everyone is predicting, since a larger proportion of the workforce will be part time?
I'm the same anon from above, and also the one from the Heller thread (Daley and his binky.)
- Anonymous8:18 AM, July 07, 2008
OK, this is a little preview from the Remix of my own C-4 post. Our instructor on how to carry injured Marines was a cute little Air Force Medic, maybe 120 lbs at the most. She demonstrated the technique on an Air Force Nurse probably 105 lbs (quite erotic actually). Then who do I get teamed up with to carry? The 260 lb Dentist...DOH!!!ReplyDelete
- Anonymous5:13 PM, July 07, 2008
I love reading this post shortly after I received word that I am guaranteed my 3rd deployment. I am a USMC Doc for a reserve infantry unit. I served a bit over 4 yrs on active duty and am now in school trying to complete my undergrad premed requirements. I look back and think of what it was like living @ MOPP 2 during the invasion, walking 4 hour long patrols in 130 degree heat weighing 135lbs carrying 80 more in equipment. Our medical officers never patrolled. we patched and transported to them. they sat in AC all day. No dust on their flak jackets. no sweat soaked cammies. No IEDs.ReplyDelete
And this MO has skipped three deployments?
I'm hoping that one day i graduate med school, and can come back to an operational unit to continue to serve. I dont owe anything.
But at least I understand what my future oaths and commissions stand for.
Doc H, HM2(FMF) USNR
When my Boy was a Cadet, the following were minimum physical fitness requirements:ReplyDelete
Pushups (2 min): 42 (males) 19 (F-and these were "girly push-ups"
Situps (2 min): 52 (males) 26 (females)
Run 1.5 miles in: 12:20 (males) 18:30 (females)
This to ensure "equality."
Here's a serious question: Let's say I'm a geeky male. Though I'm pasty and bird-chested I can still easily meet the "female" PF standards, but am not permitted a scholarship and commission. Am I not being discriminated against on the basis of my gender?
If not, why not?
Annually they did a 25-mile hump over a mountain and back. Males had to carry full ~80# packs. Females carried empty packs. The females were still many times more likely to "Fall out."
These are the gals that become OFFICERS. As The Boy once asked me: "How much respect can men possibly have for an officer who cannot carry her own pack?"
I have daughters. Tell them they cannot do anything they choose because of their gender, and I'll kick your @$$ or die trying. Neither would expect lowered standards, however.
Here's a serious question: Let's say I'm a geeky male. Though I'm pasty and bird-chested I can still easily meet the "female" PF standards, but am not permitted a scholarship and commission. Am I not being discriminated against on the basis of my gender?ReplyDelete
Yes, of course you are.
I have daughters. Tell them they cannot do anything they choose because of their gender, and I'll kick your @$$ or die trying.
I have no desire to get my @$$ kicked, but I am interested in the answer to this question. Can your daughters do a 25-mile hump over a mountain and back carrying a full 80# pack?
Why are people so touchy about having the differences between men and women pointed out? It's almost like there's something wrong with being a woman if it means you're not as strong as a man. I am not afraid to be a woman. I am not afraid to work on increasing my strength. I have absolutely no negative feelings in response to hearing that there are some things most men can do that I will never be able to do. I do not feel inferior to men because they are stronger than I am. I do not feel a need to compensate in other ways or point out some other area in which women excel. I celebrate masculinity in men.
There, was that so hard?
I am going to play devil's advocate.ReplyDelete
Women do residency from ages 25 to 32-ish. When are they supposed to have children???
Is it fair to expect them to wait until they are completely finished with residency into their 30's typically?
I think not. I think it would make sense to make them make up the time at the end of their last year - 2 months for each pregnancy/leave.
- Anonymous6:39 PM, July 08, 2008
I was under the impression that most women having kids and taking maternity leave during residency would already have to make up time due to missing more than 20 days. Am I incorrect?
- Anonymous11:00 PM, July 08, 2008
I so agree with everything you say!
Men and women are different, and I just don't understand the need some women have to try to prove otherwise. I have no interest in doing everything a man does and if he can hike backwards up the Kilimanjaro carrying a mule and a sherpa on his back, more power to him.
Dear Amy-65C,ReplyDelete
How refreshing!
Love ya, Teresa


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Elmore Leonard, the crime novelist whose best-sellers included Get Shorty, Freaky Deaky and Maximum Bob, died Tuesday morning at his Detroit-area home, according to statements from his longtime researcher Gregg Sutter on Twitter and to The Detroit News.
He was 87 and was recently hospitalized after a stroke.
In March 2010, NPR's Noah Adams visited Leonard at his home. As Noah wrote then, "Leonard has written 43 books, almost all of which have been optioned for films. His fans — there are many — say he's the best crime writer ever, and they can recognize any page based on the sound."
Leonard explained that sound this way:
"Well, when people ask me about my dialogue, I say 'Well, don't you hear people talking?' That's all I do. I hear a certain type of individual. I decide this is what he should be, whatever it is, and then I hear him. Well, I don't hear anybody that I can't make talk."
Leonard will also be well-remembered for his 10 Rules of Writing. USA Today listed them in 2007:
1. Never open a book with weather.
2. Avoid prologues.
3. Never use a verb other than "said" to carry dialogue.
4. Never use an adverb to modify the verb "said."
5. Keep your exclamation points under control.
6. Never use the words "suddenly" or "all hell broke loose."
7. Use regional dialect, patois, sparingly.
8. Avoid detailed descriptions of characters.
9. Don't go into great detail describing places and things.
10. Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.
And another loss yesterday: Elmore Leonard, the creator of some of the most memorable characters in modern crime fiction, has died. Until he suffered a stroke a few weeks ago, the 87-year-old never stopped writing.
Elmore Leonard lived in or near Detroit for most of his life. He wrote about his hometown, but his characters could also be found across the country, from Atlantic City to L.A., coming at readers in a rush of dialogue both funny and crass, and stumbling upon trouble wherever they went.
GREENE: In an interview with NPR, Leonard said he auditioned his characters in the first 100 pages of his books to figure out who would live and who would die.
MONTAGNE: And Leonard's characters were great talkers. He wrote more than 40 novels: "The Big Bounce," "Get Shorty," "Rum Punch," "Glitz."
GREENE: Many of them were made into movies. Elmore Leonard was also known for his 10 rules of writing, among them: Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip. He was writing to the end, hard at work on yet another novel. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


text:
Monday, March 17, 2008
Only Three Weeks to a Healthier, Happier You (aka - a bunch of lies)
Tonight I had a meeting and I didn't get out of there until 7:30. I was planning on getting a salad for dinner. I was looking forward to eating a big salad. I really craved a salad. But when 7:30 rolled around and I started eyeing the tin of cat food that was sitting on a nearby desk, thinking that I was hungry enough to go for a little Fancy Feast (I mean, it's FANCY and it's a FEAST. How bad could it be?), I started rethinking my salad idea. By the time I got to the drive-thru, I was so hungry that I ordered a lard sandwich with extra butter and a side of gravy, an order of fries, and of course, the requisite Diet Coke. I mean, I was hungry, people! Who wants to take the time to chew on field greens when they're emaciated? I want a cow! (And I don't even like beef!)
Another time I eat garbage is when I'm overwhelmed. I work well under pressure. I like being busy. When my calendar is full of commitments, I buckle down, organize everything and get cracking. No problem, right? But I've found there's a fine line between busy and overwhelmed. When I start to cross that line, I shut down. I no longer prioritize and take care of business. I can no longer break projects into smaller chunks and get it done. I sit there like a deer caught in the headlights, not knowing what to do. So I do nothing at all. I don't know where to start, so I don't start at all. Instead, I reach for the pretzles, or chips, or ice cream, or nachos, or cookies. OK, fine - I reach for all of the above. Hey, I keep busy that way, right? Well, my mouth is busy anyway.
I read somewhere that it takes 3 weeks to break a habit. It does make sense, I suppose. It takes time to retrain our brains. If only we could replace a negative behavior with a more positive one for 3 weeks (only 21 days!), it might just become more natural to us. If we could just replace that half hour of TV in the evening with a brisk walk around the neighborhhood, maybe after 3 weeks, we'd start to look forward to our evening walk instead of Seinfeld reruns. Maybe if we could manage to reach for celery sticks instead of cookies every day for 3 weeks, we'd naturally gravitate toward the vegetables without thinking too much about the cookies. I'm not saying that it would become "easy" to make the healthy choices, but maybe it would become a little easiER. Perhaps?
Who's with me? Who wants to try to ditch a negative behavior and replace it with a healthier one for a mere 3 weeks? I'm going to give it a try. Starting tomorrow, of course. There's a piece of cheesecake calling my name right now.
Or I could just follow Brooklyn's diet...
For breakfast, I could eat a piece of string cheese left in my high chair from yesterday's lunch.
For lunch, I'll throw my chicken fingers on the floor, I'll push my corn off my plate, and I'll use my fry as a spoon to scoop up and eat 2 1/2 cups of ketchup.
Mmmm ketchup.
After I've had my fill of ketchup, I'll eat chocolate sauce until it drips from my face.
For an afternoon snack, I'll eat 2 M&Ms I found on the sidewalk.
Then, for dinner, I'll look at my plate and scream, "I don't wan' it!" repeatedly until someone takes it away from me.
And for dessert, I'll follow Joe around until he breaks down and gives me bites of his ice cream.
102 comments:
- SuburbanCorrespondent said...
Sounds like a good plan to me - especially the chocolate syrup part. And that 3 weeks thing is a bunch of doohickey (whatever that is). I mean, I spent 4 months on Weight Watchers 2 years ago, learning new eating habits; but none of them stuck. So I am back relearning them. I can take a daily walk for 2 months, and then "forget" for another 2. It's hopeless, but I just keep getting back up and trying again. I feel like a hamster on one of those little wheels.
- March 17, 2008 at 9:51 PM
- BoufMom9 said...
OK, I am sooooo completely with you on everything. The problem is, after you named off all the foods that you eat when you are overwhelmed, they are now calling to me.....oh Debi???
- March 17, 2008 at 10:07 PM
- Heidi said...
My favorite part: "...lard sandwich"
What a cutie-pie! :)
- March 17, 2008 at 10:11 PM
- Momma Mary said...
Brooklyn and my Little Monster have about the same diet. He also enjoys stale cheerios and milk from sippy cups that have been lost under furniture for so long that it has become cottage cheese.
That's really nasty. I gag every time he does that. He doesn't do that often,though because I never lose sippy cups and my house is spotless. Really. I swear. Come anytime to look. Just call first. Three weeks ahead. :)
- March 17, 2008 at 10:19 PM
But Dawn - didn't you know that ketchup IS a vegetable? If we run out of ketchup around here, it's a MAJOR disaster. At least she didn't go for the half-crushed hairy potato chip under the couch...
- March 17, 2008 at 10:23 PM
- Amanda said...
I'm a major lurker on your blog--and this is the first time I've commented. I've been doing SparkPeople.com (free weight loss website) for almost 7 weeks now--and it's STILL not easy! It certainly is easier, but to say that my habits have totally changed would be a lie. It helped that my Dr. told me to stay away from all dairy products...but that's just one step. The up side is that I've managed to lose 12 lbs. I hope you're able to change one small habit at a time--that's all we can do, right?
- March 17, 2008 at 10:30 PM
- Jenn @ Juggling Life said...
It's the "I don't wan it!" I'd have a problem with!
- March 17, 2008 at 10:37 PM
- Brenda said...
The whole eating thing is so hard. Weight Watchers is the only way I can maintain. Brooklyn's diet sounds like a good idea too though : )
- March 17, 2008 at 10:39 PM
That is quite the gauntlet you threw down, but I'm taking up the challenge-I will give up cookies during the day and reach for healthier alternatives for the next 21 days.
This is going to be harder than childbirth!! (And I have twins!)
Thanks for kindling the spark,
- March 17, 2008 at 10:48 PM
- Room 3 said...
oops. there must be a guy out there somewhere who reads your blog. I read in the paper today about a man who decided to propose to his girlfriend by putting the ring into a balloon. he let go! bye bye $6000 ring. he is not happy, and she is not talking to him. oh dear.
- March 17, 2008 at 10:52 PM
- Kelli said...
How did your daughter know my diet at such a young age. hehe. Your so funny!
- March 17, 2008 at 10:53 PM
- Donna said...
I am all for the Brooklyn diet, that is what you were asking right? As far as the habit thing I heard a story once a man was trying to get into the habit of waking early to read his Bible. Someone told him 30 days to a habit. So he got up on day one stumbled out of bed took his shower and read his Bible. Day 2 he stumbled out of bed took his shower and read his Bible. Every day for 30 days he did this, without much improvement still not an easy thing to do. Day 31 same thing not a habit at least not an easy one. The good news is 20 years later when I heard the story he was still doing it. More power to him, I am a snooze addict, someone just didn't tell my daughter! My personal habit I want to break is the nail biting. I find a good manicure cures it for awhile, maybe after 21 manicures I would be cured, I could handle that treatment.
- March 17, 2008 at 10:55 PM
Brooklyn,you have the smartest diet I have ever heard of!
- March 17, 2008 at 10:57 PM
- TONYA said...
okay freaky, it's like you are inside my head reading my mind LOL. I feel exactly the same way and do the same things. You are not alone :)
- March 17, 2008 at 11:17 PM
- VanDerHoekArt said...
And here I've been feeling guilty that all my son will eat anymore is peanut butter sandwiches, chicken nuggets, french fries and bread.
Three weeks? So if I put vegetables in front of him for three weeks either he'll finally eat them or he'll have cemented his habit of screaming that he doesn't want dinner every night?
- March 17, 2008 at 11:22 PM
Maybe I'll be your first comment woohoo anyways I understand how u feel I really really need to start working out a couple of times a week I mean I'm getting married in 13 weeks!! and i just dont want to do it however 2 days ago I managed to ride my bike 12 miles (boy did i regret it the next day my bottom hurts so bad) so i didnt do anything yesterday but today I actually did some aerobics yaay I will try the 21 day thing lets see how it goes I'll be rootin for you do the same for me please. oh and i just love brooklyns diet reminds me of my girls lol...have a good one sasha
- March 17, 2008 at 11:23 PM
- kimikki said...
I'm a "munch-aholic". If there are cookies, I eat 'em. My current addiction is sunflower seeds. I found a way to justify my munching, though. I go out every morning and walk my dog for 45 minutes to an hour, before breakfast. It gets my metabolism a jump-start for the day, and I burn more calories that way. I also have been eating a lot of mini-meals throughout the day, instead of sitting down and eating the full meat-and-potatoes meal I'm used to. Since my back surgery in December, I've taken off 25 pounds (or more...I don't have a scale at home), and 6 inches off my waist. The surgery is what finally got me off the roller coaster of dieting and not dieting. Can't say I'd recommend it as a way to lose weight, but it helped me to get the ball rolling.
- March 17, 2008 at 11:24 PM
- Jenni said...
I'm with you Dawn! Although I'm not sure which bad habit to break...eating the non-healthy stuff...watching too much tv...playing on the internet...letting the dishes pile up...
I'll think about it and post on my blog when I come up with a goal.
- March 17, 2008 at 11:25 PM
I love the Brooklyn diet! So cute, and the pictures are adorable.
I've been on a diet for two weeks (I count WW points), and I feel like it's getting easier to make healthier choices and resist temptation! Maybe in another week I'll be home free! Not likely, though, with all the chocolate that will be around this weekend!
- March 17, 2008 at 11:38 PM
- nutralady2001 said...
You're on !! LOL........ I am going to commit to walking 3 times a week. I'm at my ideal weight, I have Celiac Disease so fast food isn't an option for me well it is I can have a bunless burger at Maccas ( try asking for one and see the reaction you get) and their chips if cooked in a dedicated fryer , but then don't you know having a diet Coke cancels the calories and fat content ? So it's OK
I can sniff out gluten free chocolate at 50 paces too
No seriously I commit myself to walking 3 times a week.....yikes what have I gone and done? You'll be on my case now
- March 17, 2008 at 11:50 PM
- Carrie said...
I'm totally there with you! I'm such an emotional eater. I don't think the 3 weeks things apply to stuff like that. I think it applies more to things to don't involve an emotional response, like brushing your teeth. (Although, I certainly have an emotional response if someone *doesn't* brush their teeth! Gah!) I'm trying to get in the habit of exercising - that's a tough one, too, when the ice cream is calling...
- March 17, 2008 at 11:52 PM
i thought it takes 3 weeks to start a habit and one day to break it... maybe not tho...
- March 18, 2008 at 12:06 AM
I am just like you, Dawn. If I am busy or have several things to do, not a problem. When my whole house starts to take on a look of "just rocked by an earthquake", then I feel overwhelmed and I sit and watch daytime reruns while my son naps, instead of being productive. Somehow, its easier to tackle the job when the house just has the "minor windstorm blew through here" look. lol
I am also trying to change some of my bad habits. (Like I want to change the good ones?!) I've been meeting up with a mom friend to walk and get some exercise after we drop our kids off at school...however, I end up throwing a wrench in the plan when I stop at Starbucks on the way for a morning croissant, which I discovered has something like 45% of my saturated fat for the day! YIKES!
So now I am trying to lay off the soda. I tried to go "cold turkey", but it just wasn't happening for a gal who practically had an IV drip of Dr. Pepper going to her daily. So I tried Diet soda. Nope, not happening. So now I am drinking Crystal Light, which is all well and good, but I have a lot less energy now. lol I guess I never quite realized to what extent that caffeine boost made it possible for me to get my sorry hiney out of my pjs before noon. lol
Best of luck with your "3 week" experiment!
- March 18, 2008 at 12:49 AM
- majikfaerie said...
I'll take you up on the 21 day challenge.
I vow to stop reaching for the crack pipe every time the baby cries. I'll give her a benadryl-dipped paci instead
but seriously though, I could totally do with some exercise. I have a shiny new bike out in the garage that I bought with the intention of burning some calories, and then only rode once.
So I'll ride my bike if you go for a walk every day.
- March 18, 2008 at 1:45 AM
- Sine said...
I won't comment on the habbit thing - i've got enough food-issues on my own.. ;)
I won't comment on Brooklyns food programme - as I mentioned before I'm not any better than you.. ;) But I absolutely HAVE to comment on the way Brooklyn holds her spoon!! How do you teach her that. My daughter is 2½ and still grabs the spoon in a thght 5 finger grip.
I'm SO jealous! ;)
- March 18, 2008 at 3:23 AM
- Cherlyn said...
I am with you!
Not sure what I will do differently, but a few things come to mind. Eating healthy, getting exercise, etc etc... these can only be good things for me.
And my 2-yr old loves ketchup too. Here I was thinking he was the only one who would probably drink it straight if given the opportunity.
- March 18, 2008 at 3:46 AM
- Sleeping Beauty said...
Well, if Brooklyn's diet of ketchup, chocolate & ice cream can make one look as cute as she does, I say we all go for it!!!
- March 18, 2008 at 5:10 AM
- The Olsson Family, Sweden said...
I'm in! I "started a new life" last thursday. My intent is great but my character... not so much. Excercise and no snacking in bed are my goals. Three weeks you say? I'll check back then ;-)
But I must say that the two-year-old-diet seems to cross oceans. My Sanna whines and whines until we break down and let her have icecream and pancakes for breakfast, lunch and dinner...
- March 18, 2008 at 5:25 AM
I do the same thing! When I'm overwhelmed my brain seems to just shut down. I can't prioritize at all. I write my to-do list and then just sit there and stare at it because I can't figure out where to start. I walk around with my head in a fog thinking I should be doing something...
Aaahh, stress isn't it fun?!
Julie in PA
- March 18, 2008 at 5:26 AM
- Mum-me said...
One of my high school teachers told me about the 21-days-to-form-a-habit rule. I created a new habit in 21 days and broke it the following day to prove she was wrong (I was a bit of a rebel.) By the way, didn't you know that tomato sauce/ketchup is the 6th food group? I didn't either, but after having six kids I am convinced it is a fact.
- March 18, 2008 at 5:39 AM
- Amy said...
I'm with you!
Let's follow Brooklyn's diet.
That sounds a lot easier than standing in the kitchen all the time preparing healthful meals.:)
Ketchup here I come.
- March 18, 2008 at 6:07 AM
- Noinix said...
I am actually on day nine of trying to form a healthy habit. Fifteen minutes of exercise a day. Cardio exercise. With sweat.
My Husband (God bless 'em) got me a video game to "play" it's called Yourself!Fitness. Yes the exclamation point is part of the name. So far it seems of. The computer-generated fitness instructor is too perky though.
I stick my baby in her exersaucer where for ten minutes she plays happily throwing her toys off the edge, and then she starts to scream, so I spend the last five minutes of my workout with a twenty pound weight in my arms. But hey, it's exercise, right?
Have you tried any different fitness regimes? You know, the ones they sell late at night that get put out into the garden shed in the dark of the moon because they don't work and you'd be embarassed to put them by the curb on trash day.
- March 18, 2008 at 6:10 AM
- Barb said...
The first part of your post sounds like you've been reading my diary. After I cross that line ~ I totally zone out and get NOTHING done. I do like your idea of trying to change for 3 weeks. Hell, anybody can do three weeks right? Although Brooklyn's way looks much more fun!
- March 18, 2008 at 6:17 AM
Oh, if three weeks were all it took, and then it stuck! Every year for as long as I can remember, I've given up sweets (candy, cake, cookies, etc.) for Lent. That's six weeks of being good and watching everyone else eat the stuff, and I have no problem. Really. It's fine. Then once Easter's here, it's right back to the usual nighttime eating of the junk (starting, of course, with the entire contents of the kids' Easter baskets). I'm telling myself that this year I'll just keep not eating it, because really, after six weeks, I intellectually know that I really don't NEED to eat it, but it just isn't that easy for some reason. And combined with the fact that I NEVER seem to lose more than three pounds during the course of that six weeks, it just doesn't seem worth it to continue denying myself the Thin Mints (or whatever). It's not even like I have that much in the house, but I guess it's the principle of the thing (and I need those Oreos with which to bribe the four year old to eat a vegetable every now and then). So I totally agree with you...the brain can be rational, but for some reason, it's really hard to stick to it. Let me know if you ever find a way to really retrain your brain; I'd buy it!
- March 18, 2008 at 6:43 AM
- Lady P said...
Okay ~ I'm in...with Brooklyn's diet! I'm so jealous of eating ketchup as a food group, of throwing food on the floor and NOT having to eat it after, of playing with my food and not getting into trouble and of course...I LOVE the chocolate sauce & following someone around with a good dessert. Everything tastes better when you swipe a bite or two from someone else's plate or bowl. At her tender age, that child has her priorities RIGHT ON!
Hang on Brooklyn; I'm ditching my teens and coming on over to eat with YOU 'cause you're fun! That mom of yours though; wanting to go healthy and try it for 3 weeks? Uh.... you better to talk her quick!
- March 18, 2008 at 6:48 AM
- Dawn said...
Funny you should write about this now. I finally got fed up with my unhealthiness and yesterday vowed to start on a better lifestyle. Got up this morning and worked out for 25 minutes, which is about 20 min. more than I promised myself I would do. Need to start out slow, and not overwhelm myself. I can do ANYTHING for 5 min. After that, I can chose to continue or stop. Felt good to be moving. Now I just need to hide the cookies, licorice, chocolate...
So,what do you say Dawn? Join a fellow Dawn in this dastardly deed? Just tell yourself 5 min., then take it from there. Of course, eventually you want to increase the time...
- March 18, 2008 at 6:52 AM
- Sheila said...
Brooklyn's diet would definitely be something different!
I was doing really well for about 10 days on my new eating well/healthy routine. I was eating tons of veggies. I was staying away from refined sugars. I was feeling great.
And then my husband said, "Let's go out for dinner," and everything fell apart.
So 21 days, eh? Maybe you're right. If I can just hold on next time for 21 days, maybe it will work. I've never done anything for 21 days, though. Ugh.
Visit To Love, Honor and Vacuum today!
- March 18, 2008 at 6:56 AM
- Jennifer said...
Three weeks sure does sound like a long time when you're trying to ignore the call of the M&M's. I have found that when I exercise regularly it's much easier to pass on the not so good stuff but after spending last week in Disney World I now have to detox myself from all the sugar. Here's to hoping that in three weeks I'll be (mostly) sugar free and just a little bit healtheir.
- March 18, 2008 at 6:56 AM
- Domestic Spaz said...
I hear you! I think I eat for the exact same reasons. Overwhelmed, definitely.
The house is a mess? Don't know where to start? Eat a piece of cake and pretend it's not there!
I'll jump on the 3 week bandwagon with you. What the hey.
- March 18, 2008 at 7:06 AM
- Pieces of me said...
I don't know Brooklyn's diet really kind of looks like my thing. I mean really kind of hard to resist that whole eating chocolate sauce until it drips off your chin thing LOL.
OK, OK, I'm with you 21 days. We are starting tomm right? Right?
- March 18, 2008 at 7:10 AM
So nice to know I am not the only one that doesn't do what I wanna do! (isn't there a bible verse about doing what you don't wanna do and not doing what you wanna? I forget where that was....) It's so hard to get going on a diet - but once you see results it seems easier to stick with it.
As for the ketchup - WHAT IS IT with kids and ketchup? My daughter would happily eat a bowl of that for dinner....YUK!
Thanks for a morning giggle...as always!
- March 18, 2008 at 7:23 AM
Hey Dawn,
My husband and I finished the 3 week Daniel fast (basically fruits and veggies) a few weeks ago along with our church. It was really hard the first week especially since I still had to feed the kiddos regular food. But after that it got much easier. I lost 12lbs (havent been able to lose more than 5lb after my last child) Never realized all the junk I was eating! Good luck with breaking your habit. There are lots of sites out there that help support this. Even Nik has something like this on their webpage.
Take care!
- March 18, 2008 at 7:26 AM
Hmmm ... I wonder if I could follow the Brooklyn diet too. I know what you are talking about Dawn. I was faithful on my treadmill ... heck, I was even up to running on the sucker for 45 minutes. We went on vacay for a week in September ... I haven't been on the thing since. Other than to sit on the edge of it to tie my shoes.
- March 18, 2008 at 7:32 AM
- Lori said...
Wow...! I could have written this blog. We must be (twins)twinkies. :)
- March 18, 2008 at 8:06 AM
Haven't you forgotten to mention the part where after Brooklyn throws the chicken fingers on the floor, she then cries because they're on the floor. Someone then picks the chicken fingers up off the floor and gives them back to Brooklyn, at which point she throws them on the floor and starts to cry again. Because crying is the requisite daily aerobic exercise that infants and toddlers so desperately need.
- March 18, 2008 at 8:07 AM
- Life with Spirit said...
That is the perfect Toddler diet! Brooklyn is exactly like every other 2 year old in my world. Seriously! If I could just eat what my 2 year old eats, I would be a stick. And somehow she manages to stay relatively healthy and grow. We eat sooooo much more than we need to apparently!
- March 18, 2008 at 8:11 AM
- Rachael D said...
Unfortunately, I've been told it's three months to break a habit. Otherwise I'd have stopped biting my nails years ago. I seem to make it right up to two months and two weeks before something horrible happens and my nails disappear.
I haven't even tried the healthy food habit yet. I'm going to wait until my nails grow back.
- March 18, 2008 at 8:19 AM
- Sue said...
When does Brooklyn's Diet Book hit the shelves? I would like to preorder mine.
- March 18, 2008 at 8:22 AM
LOL My son does the same thing! French fries, chicken strips, or a fork for ketchup consumption. Could explain why he's 3 and barely weighs 26 pounds?
- March 18, 2008 at 8:31 AM
- C-Rah said...
For ONCE I can say I'm way ahead of you on this one. Well, sorta. While I've been forming a habit of going to the gym and eating lotsa veggies, I still gained four pounds this weekend. Oops.
I'm chronicling my weight loss adventure at my blog at http://iamabiggirl.blogspot.com
Hopefully the three weeks of retraining will fly by!!
- March 18, 2008 at 8:32 AM
- omystarling said...
I have a new gig I started today...We have a foster child (5 years old) and his behavior is not so steller. He lies and is sneaky. Truely learned behavior. Anyway, I am starting to so a devotional with the boys (I also have a 4 year old).
They liked my story this morning. Kirby told me he really liked my Bible. They both took something different away from the story. Kirby learned not to say bad words. Ryan learned when you say sorry you should mean it (which was the actual point of the story).
Ryan and Kibry "love God" so I think these daily lessons might help Ryan's behavior - keep your hands to yourself, be responsible, etc. He comes from a home without consequences so he is learning for every action there is a reaction.
We will see.
Hopefully I can keep it up.
- March 18, 2008 at 8:40 AM
- Kit said...
I'm in! I want to start using reusable bags when I go grocery shopping. I have the bags, I just never remember to bring them! So that's what I want to change.
- March 18, 2008 at 9:06 AM
- Quinn said...
Oh my this is my 2 yr old and her diet to a t. She is in the 5 % in weight and hubby frets about getting her to eat. You can't make her eat it when she clamps her mouth shut (can you?). She likes chicken one day next no crossing these lips. Eats the ketcup but nothing else and then there are always a cookie stashed somewhere. I know in my heart someday it will all work out. My mom just laughs and tells me that it is all payback for the torment I gave her when I ate.
I don't know about three weeks but I will keep my fingers crossed for you.
- March 18, 2008 at 9:11 AM
LOL, I can see how sunburned your boy is in the background
- March 18, 2008 at 9:21 AM
- Janet said...
Ah, yes, the 2-year-old diet. DeBoy will actually eat the fries (with a spoonful of ketchup on each), but uses carrots as a spoon for dip.
- March 18, 2008 at 9:24 AM
- Deb - Mom of 3 Girls said...
Oh I could totally have written this, just about word for word. Complete with the toddler eating habits, although we're a fan of ranch dressing more than ketchup over here... :)
Three weeks, huh... I'm with you - but after Easter candy is off the shelves, LOL.
- March 18, 2008 at 9:26 AM
He,he,he! Babies always have the most interesting food choices. If she was a boy instead of a girl, all that ketchup might actually be good for her with all that tomato base! My son had to eat spinach when he was younger to increase his iron level and now when we go to Subway guess what he wants on his sandwich...You guessed it, spinach leaves, not lettuce. Good for him, I take the nutritionless lettuce and pile on the mayo! No wonder when I lay down I lay next to myself!
- March 18, 2008 at 9:33 AM
- janetcc said...
I'm quitting smoking next Monday -- with the help of Chantix (sp?).
I'm also on weight watchers, lost half the weight I want to lose, but stuck since last October. My leader says I've got maintenance down pat, I'm not gaining but not losing either. But I've also let the occasional - meaning weekly, ok, some times bi, tri or quad weekly - fast food meal and birthday cake and milky way back in to my diet!
- March 18, 2008 at 9:41 AM
LOL! My Amy (2 years on the 29th) also follows the Brooklyn diet. Some days I am amazed by her willpower. I have to say in fact, that I think the only things she will eat are those items which have been trodden into the floor.
Soon I shall take to scattering her dinner about the floor as you would do for chickens!
- March 18, 2008 at 9:52 AM
ROFL!!! You are so funny! I love your blog! but sorry, I won't be joining you in your sorrow(the diet)
- March 18, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Hey Room 3, where did you see that?
- March 18, 2008 at 10:12 AM
- Jessi said...
What I've found is planning ahead is what works in those moment when you really just cannot focus and bring yourself to think about it. Having snacks available and ready in the fridge is what works for me. So it's easy to grab the celery instead of a cookie.
And, I think 3 weeks is a starting point to establishing a new habit (not to burst your bubble). It becomes easier.
- March 18, 2008 at 10:17 AM
- Rick said...
I'm with... (munch, munch, munch) you! (slurp, slurp).
I'll be right... (burp) there... (crunch, crunch, gulp).
Just as soon as I'm finished with... (munch, crunch, slurp) this tripple layer chacolate cake. (gobble, swallow)
Don't wait up.(burp)
- March 18, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Hi Dawn, My name is Kris and I am a munchaholic! I have to admitt that I love my Funyun's. Also I have to always have a box of Zour's candies in the house or I will make a special trip to get some. Also I do not share so don't even try! Kristine in Michigan.
- March 18, 2008 at 10:40 AM
- Michelle said...
Ahhh, more reassurance that I'm not alone. I love it, Dawn!
I'm so with you on the overwhelmed part. I do great when I'm busy and I hate to have nothing to do, but sometimes it just gets to be too much. You don't want to see my coffee table or my island with all my "to-do's" piled on. I was actually doing great when I made a daily to do list on my dry erase board, but I haven't done that for a couple weeks now, and I can tell the difference. Someone needs to kick my rear!
The good news with regards to eating more healthyfully, is that I joined SparkPeople after some of your readers recommended it back near New Years. It's been great, especially because it isn't too overwhelming and just changing little things at a time vs making wholesale change that becomes too overwhelming. I strongly recommend it (I'm Schnozzles there).
And the 2 year old diet, yep, that's my kid eating food off the floor. Yuck! Or my personal favorite, picking it off the car floor and popping it in the the mouth before I even know what it is. My 4 year old does that, too. The good news is that he'll at least spit it back out. Somehow though, it always goes back to the floor to be found again vs making it to the garbage outside the car. Baby steps, right?
- March 18, 2008 at 10:46 AM
- Lisa M said...
I follow the same diet as your daughter! Day old cheese off the floor is the best! But really, it's so hard to change habits and most of us never really do, so don't beat yourself up. Just do the best you can.
- March 18, 2008 at 10:51 AM
- Irishmama said...
Oh, Dawn, I did really well in changing my lifestyle after New Year.......I gave up all carbonated soft drinks (I say soda, you say pop) and stayed off, and I modified lots of other things. It worked real well, then I started slowly going back (still had very little soda since Jan).
I'll start again.........not today, its Quinns 4th birthday so we're having ice cream cake. I'll start tomorrow.......
Check this out: www.sparkpeople.com Its a great site!
- March 18, 2008 at 10:51 AM
- My Kids' Mom said...
Are you familiar with Ask Moxie http://www.askmoxie.org/ because she's doing just that right now. Many readers made lists of three bad habits they're trying to change for 60 days. No pressure if you screw up one or two now and then, but the online community is great. They're checking in all the time to keep each other on target. She's got something good going there.
- March 18, 2008 at 10:53 AM
- ummmhello said...
Love the Brooklyn diet :) She looks fab, so it must work! Um, will I look 28 years younger, too??
I went on a diet and exercise quest. It lasted for 2 months. I felt better, I looked better. But one day I slipped. The next day I slipped again... and went right back into a life of grab-n-go eating and next to no exercise. I'm just lazy that way. THAT SAID - you can change anything in 2 weeks so go for it!!! :) (Better you than me, sister!)
- March 18, 2008 at 11:09 AM
I'm not sure that 21 days can break a habit...but it's definitely enough time to form a habit. For instance, I started drinking more water, flossing every night, and exercising regularly using the 21-day rule (although my roommate told me it was 28 days, so I was able to do those things regularly after a month's time). However, I gave up eating meat and even now, 6 months later, I have a regular craving for meat and the occasional break-down where I eat it. I think it's much easier to form a new habit in 21 days than break one.
- March 18, 2008 at 11:59 AM
- Mrs Nespy said...
You had me laughing hysterically at Brooklyn's diet. That really hits close to home with our little one.
Glad to know that we're not in this toddler diet-battle alone!
- March 18, 2008 at 12:21 PM
- Nat said...
lmao!! too funny, i LOVE the toddler diet!!
i'm with you!! for the next 21 days, i will wake up 30 minutes sooner and squeeze in a workout. here goes nothing.... :o)
- March 18, 2008 at 2:00 PM
- Becky said...
Brooklyn's diet sounds a little like my toddler sons. Except he's not crazy about Ketchup...he prefers ranch dressing. He'll dip the same carrot into ranch until the ranch is gone, and then leave the carrot on the plate.
I just sneak all the fruits and veggies (including carrot juice) I can into his smoothies. It's the only way I can be assured he's getting something good into him. And it's even better when I make it all into popcicle form.
- March 18, 2008 at 2:21 PM
- Rebekah D. said...
LOL! Brooklyn is on the EXACT same diet as my boys!
- March 18, 2008 at 3:16 PM
- SAHM: Surviving Assorted Home Mayhem said...
Another "off-the-wagon" WW member here...yeah, the food thing is hard, & I agree totally that when we're overwhelmed we can't even can't think and that's when good eating habits go out the window! Oh, and this time of year those Girl Scouts don't help any--darn them & their cuteness!
- March 18, 2008 at 3:50 PM
- KC said...
Hi Dawn - thanks for your honesty and humour. Changing habits is so hard. Why are some of us prone to using food as crutches and others aren't? I made it a point to never live with friends in University who were " too stressed to eat" What is that??????
Try this to see how you adapt to new habits.....move your bathroom garbage can to a different spot in the bathroom and see how many tissues end up on the floor before it becomes a new habit to put them in the new location!!
Good luck and thanks for opening up this topic.
- March 18, 2008 at 6:10 PM
- Korkie said...
mmmmmm ..... bad diet day, huh?
Let it go ... and save me a bite of that cheese cake.
- March 18, 2008 at 8:07 PM
Brooklyn is adorable! And it looks like she eats much the same way as my Emma does...
LOVE your blog! Can't wait for your book!
- March 18, 2008 at 8:18 PM
Brooklyn with the ketchup reminded me of my daughter when she was about 9. My son caught her in the pantry drinking the ketchup (or tomato sauce as its called here in Australia) out of the bottle. She didn't feel the need for any food carrier to satisfy her craving.
Fiona in Fremantle West Australia
- March 18, 2008 at 8:34 PM
Hi, Dawn. I'm not sure if you'll even read this, but I wanted to respond to one of your readers from Sunday sound out. She asked about sending her son to Kindergarten or not because of the cut off date.
Well, many don't know that if your chld is still born in the same month of the cut off date that you can speak with the principal, at which point the principal will interview your child. If the principal thinks that the child is mature enough, they will decide whether or not to let your child in.
I am a teacher and have witnessed this personally. If she thinks her child is ready, she shouldn't wait for the next year.
- March 18, 2008 at 8:44 PM
- papersunshine said...
I am so totally with you! I don't know what to do to make myself do it either but am glad I am not the only one who thinks maybe I would lose weight if I followed my little one's diet!
- March 18, 2008 at 9:38 PM
- heatherhusker said...
Yes, change is hard, but reading about Brooklyn's diet today had me and my husband in tears we were laughing so hard. That sounds exactly like the diet that our daughter has. I really think it was the ketchup part that got us going. What is it about little kids and ketchup?
- March 18, 2008 at 9:52 PM
- debby f said...
my little one obviously has far more sophisticated taste. She dunks her french fries in ranch dressing. No nasty ketchup for her. The boys, on the other hand, dunk everything but water in it.
- March 18, 2008 at 10:03 PM
You want to know a sad thing? I've had a lard sandwich with a side of gravy. There's a bar here with a smoke free dining room we eat out at because it's cheap to feed our 2 bottomless pits - I mean kids. I ordered the Mushroom Swiss burger once and got lettuce, tomato and mayo (easy on the mayo)like I always do on a cheeseburger. No one told me that the mushrooms are in a gravy and they slop it all on the burger, and it was nowhere on the menu. I looked 3x. I had red meat, gravy, AND mayo all in one sandwich. I still get a little queasy thinking about all that fat I ate at once. Mind you I'm not one to turn away good fat in the form of cookies, ice cream, or chocolate. But copious amounts of grease, mayo, butter, and the like make me ill.
- March 18, 2008 at 11:01 PM
Let me start with you are FABULOUS!
Are you making any more appearances (like Fremd) that people in the area can come see you? (fingers crossed)
- March 18, 2008 at 11:28 PM
Hey Dawn,
Enough of the dieting, google "hawaii chair" and pick the one a few down with Ellen DeGeneres. Great infomercial on how to lose weight while sitting down!!!! I still cry laughing when I watch it! Who would think of something so silly??? YOU HAVE TO DO THIS!!!!!
"Take the work out of your work day"!
Have a good day! Oh, and my son has had the flu - diarrhea and vomit for the last week - thought of you!!!!
Pam (Seattle)
- March 19, 2008 at 8:46 AM
- Lisa said...
Oh good, maybe now my husband will believe me that it's not just our kids that have this diet and I'm not such a bad mother after all! Thanks for making me laugh as always!
- March 19, 2008 at 9:19 AM
Why is it difficult to change bad habits? Because we have kids & meetings until 7:30! And salads aren't made for eating while driving (remember the McD's salad shakers in a cup? What a mess!) Burgers & chicken fingers are car friendly, unfortunately they're not waist-line friendly. And who has time for a walk when there is laundry to be folded (while sitting on the couch watching American Idol, of course) & homework assistance to provide?
What it boils down to is taking the time for yourself - which isn't easy for a mother to do...Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to eat the 2 cups of popcorn I found under the couch cushions this morning! :)
- March 19, 2008 at 9:45 AM
- Nancy said...
Personally, I think I prefer the Brooklyn diet.
I have really tried now for 3 months to eat healthier and go to the gym.
However, it isn't getting easier. I still have to force myself to stay away from the junk, and to get to the gym.
3 weeks....yeah, right!
- March 19, 2008 at 10:46 AM
- Shellie said...
For a moment there, I was spooked, I thought I had written something in my sleep. That is SO ME! Especially the deer in headlights thing and the nervous eating of sweets. I think I could give it a go of living off Ghirardelli's dark chocolate.
- March 19, 2008 at 11:34 AM
- Super Woman said...
Dawn, I know 21 days can seem like a REALLY LONG TIME when you're standing at the front end of it, but it's true - you can change a habit if you stick with it for 21 days, even when every muscle in your body aches from working out and you feel like you're constantly eating because nothing fills you up like a big juicy burger, certainly not wimpy salads and 4 oz of fish! I'm telling you that it's true because I made that commitment to myself for New Year's this year, and I've lost 6 pounds as a result.
I work out 3-4 times a week, and believe me, now that I've been doing it almost three months, if I miss a few days due to illness (mine or Super Boy's) or other commitments eating into my gym time, it makes me feel mentally and physically out of whack, and I can't wait to get back into the gym. And I go back again as soon as I can, ready to hit the ground running.
I'm not going to lie and say it was easy to get into it, especially at the beginning when I felt SO out of shape and out of breath and - let's face it - miserable about the whole experience. I'll tell you that there were three things that kept me going even when I felt like bailing in those first 21 days:
1) I'm only 34 - I've had unusual health stuff happen over the past year that should NOT be happening to me at this young age. I want to live a full, active and healthy long life, so I constantly remind myself that I'm doing this for ME. I only get one body and I've got to maintain it with the same diligence I do my car and my home, or it's going to crap out on me way sooner than it should.
2) I have a young child and I want to set the right example for him AND be here to enjoy all the big things he's going to do in his life, for as long as possible. I also want to have the energy and endurance to keep up with him in his 4-year-old exuberance!
3) I watch "The Biggest Loser" religiously. Re-LIG-iously. It reminds me that I'm lucky to have a normal BMI and that I'm only looking to drop 5-12 pounds so that I can feel AND look great. My health & fitness goals are nowhere near as huge as theirs, and yet they work their butts off (literally) for hours a day and drop incredible amounts of weight and are improving their health and fitness by leaps and bounds. I think of them when I'm on the elliptical and want to get off after 25 minutes - they keep me going for another 20-35 minutes, pushing myself harder. I love that show - it's amazing motivation!
Good luck. Pick a date and start - and don't look back. You CAN do it!!
- March 19, 2008 at 12:16 PM
- Barb Chansky said...
LOL! My niece is about the same age as Brooklyn, and does almost the same thing; she even eats pizza with ketchup:)Though I have to admit that her love for ice cream is entirely my fault: I intorduced her to it.
- March 19, 2008 at 1:29 PM
Your post sounds so familiar. I was in a similar boat not too long ago. Five years ago, I finally decided to change my life and I lost a total of 185 pounds by changing my diet and exercising. You can check out the whole story and see lots of before and after pics on my website at:
Deanna Lite
Weight and food issues are something that affect MOST of us. I saw recently that by the year 2015, 75% of Americans will be morbidly obese. So those of us who struggle with extra weight are certainly not alone.
I don't want to take over your comments section with that whole discussion, but I applaud you for taking this on. It's hard to change a habit and create new ones, but you can do it.
If you or anyone else needs encouragement or more thoughts about effective ways to change, check out my website and send me an email.
Much luck to all of you who are ready to change your lives!
- March 19, 2008 at 1:35 PM
Actually, we should follow the little ones examples...they only eat when they are hungry. Me, on the other hand, eat just to have something to do. LOL I've gained weight since I became a SAHM. When I was working I wasn't around food 24/7. At home...it's all right there for the taking. And I take it. And take it. And take it.
- March 19, 2008 at 2:07 PM
- Simone said...
I don't think there is a woman on this planet that doesn't understand what you just described.
I have found that the only way to make sure I stick to having my fresh juices and salads (which I too crave) is to be prepared BEFORE I AM HUNGRY. If I eat at the right time, then I am satiated. If I let myself get too busy to prepare lunch/dinner and have put it off until I am starving, then I will definitely go for the instant mouth gratification option!
- March 19, 2008 at 5:47 PM
- Kristi said...
YOU can do it Dawn! I just started back to the gym last Monday. I've been going every night during the week for 1 hour. Can't stay too long as I have 3 kids at home with Daddy, LOL! But I'm doing it and it's a start. And I have to tell ya it feels great. Invigorating I'd say. I feel so much better and hope to start dropping the pounds and looking better too =)
And you don't have to starve yourself and go on a crazy diet. Just try to eat as best you can with sensible portions.
Best of luck to ya!
- March 19, 2008 at 9:30 PM
- Kate said...
Feel like getting creative with food, hehe, join me~! I'm on day 8 of 31 (not that I'm counting, lol) of an allergy-healing (hoping), yeast syndrome diet. I can have meat, 1 cup of beans per day, non-starchy vegetables, butter, avocados, herbal tea and water, none of the above can have any sugar, soy or vinegar either which limits even most canned food from Whole Foods~! I've lost 7lbs in the first week, but more importantly I feel better~! I finally had a salad tonight, which I put basil-flavored olive oil and lemon on for "dressing". BUT, I'm soooo happy that my gluten intolerance test is negative~! As strict as it's been, healing my body has been enough incentive. Cheers to your health~! Kate
- March 19, 2008 at 9:33 PM
- Geev said...
Here's a tip - put your scale in the kitchen. Swear to you on the 9lbs I just lost that everytime I felt the **munchies** take over I stepped on the scale before opening the fridge and it totally turned me off to eating something bad.
Yeah, I think its 21 days to make a good habit, one day to break it, a lifetime to maintain it!
I'm up for the challenge, now that the weight is slowly coming off, I need to add in a few minutes every day on the $$$$ elliptial that is currently serving as a clothes hanger in my bedroom.
- March 19, 2008 at 9:59 PM
- Betsy Bird said...
How about I just continue to eat junk but move as much as a 2-year-old? It seems to work for Brooklyn!
- March 19, 2008 at 10:14 PM
- Nat said...
Isn't it interesting that it takes 21 days to get into a habit and 1/2 a second to break it?
- March 19, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Ok. This diet is fail-proof. First you travel to great distances to take care of dying in-law. Also deal with healthy in-laws for two weeks while taking care of your toddler. Everyone in the house should get the flu, one at a time, so that you can clean up vomit and diarrhea everyday all day, including your own. Then you go home for two weeks and work at your job. Shortly after, go back to distant residence and attend funeral. One day before travel time your toddler should contract the flu again, generously sharing with you so that you are not well for the funeral. Luckily, this one lasts for seven days so you won't have to worry about eating very much. When it is all over, you continue to have loss of appetite on and off and also two to three day bouts of diarrhea. This should go on for about three months, all the while carrying on with daily life and job. The kind where you are on your feet all day. Then when summer comes you go to work and wrap your body in a disposable plastic apron all day while sweating to death because the a/c can't keep up. Do this for about 3-4 months. When you finally feel better and fall comes to offer relief you have your eating habits under control and you might even be broke. You will have lost about 40-50 pounds! You'll look great and feel great! You won't want to go back to scarfing at any given time or any given thing because of all the money you will have spent trying to keep your shrinking body clothed. It worked for me, I lost 45 pounds in less than a year that way, maybe it will work for you, too. You already got the first flu out of the way, and several children to keep up with.
Seriously though...I hope you have an easier time than that! Good luck to you.
Do your kids have any favorites that they beg you to make for dinner at times?
- March 20, 2008 at 12:13 AM
- mmm.chocolate said...
I love you're blog and you've inspired me to establish more healthy eating habits in my home. Here's a SSO for you: Have you found cold breakfast cereal you can eat on the diet? I'm wanting to banish preservatives and all things artificial from our diet, but my hubby can't stand the thought of not having cereal around (even though we already eat oatmeal at least five times a week). I told him I would ask you :) Thanks!
- March 21, 2008 at 6:28 PM


text:
Database 2016 year
The US is the country where the largest number of cars and other vehicles is registered each year. Many people might need help in finding a particular license plate number among lots of those issued. This page contains six-digit license plates starting with 491C. To proceed with your search, select the next symbol.
In some province it is engaged in government of the city, in another states it is engaged in government of the state. Some Native American tribes can also give their own license plates. The Federal Government of the USA is issues the license numbers only for foreign diplomat and for the own vehicle. About 30 years ago the license numbers for foreign diplomat was issued only by government of the Land, in where was embassy or consulate.


text:
Canada's doctors have sternly rejected what they see as a stealth attempt to recriminalize abortion.
At the general council meeting of the Canadian Medical Association on Wednesday, delegates called on the federal government to reject attempts by a Conservative backbench MP to amend the Criminal Code so that a fetus is defined as a human being.
"This constitutes the criminalization of abortion or any form of contraception," said Dr. Geneviève Desbiens, a urologist from Valleyfield, Que. […]
The CMA, which represents the country's 76,000 physicians, interns, residents and medical students, has a policy saying that abortion is an ethically acceptable medical practice as long as the fetus is not viable.
Canada's Docs RockPublished Wednesday, August 15, 2012 reproductive rights 1 Comment
Tags: Men Who Stare At Zygotes Motion, Motion 312, Woodworth's Wank
In other words, regulation of the abortion procedure is their job, and they don't need some government bureaucrat, driven by brainless religious fanatics, telling them how to do it.
Now that everyone seems to be picking their side, at some point I'd love to do a graphic chart showing who's for and against Motion 312. It would be very telling to see the line-up of lab-coated scientists on one side and the gaggle of jabbering bible school haircuts on the other.
(h/t Sharkdancing on Twitter)
1 Response to "Canada's Docs Rock"
Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 12:45 pm
hippie, I have a question for you. please shoot me an email!


text:
And how time flies by!
We are well into the New Year with January almost over, but nonetheless, we would like to wish all our readers a prosperous New Year. And if you happen to be Chinese, happy Chinese New Year to you too!
This year also marks SAA's 78th birthday. Our national carrier has come a long way, through tough operational and economic conditions, to become the quality brand that it is today.
As we commemorate our birthday, we also celebrate our airline's growth through new routes that have been added to our network. On 17 January 2012 we launched services between Johannesburg - Bujumbura and Kigali. We look forward to launching our inaugural NON-STOP flight to Beijing on 31 January 2012. What better way to celebrate our 78th birthday than to play an active role in ensuring SAA's growth within Africa and the world!
Feel free to wish us Happy Birthday on our Facebook Fan Page – www.facebook.com/FlySAA
Until next time, travel safe!
For the first time in the history of the airline, SAA will introduce NON-STOP flights to Beijing, China; from January next year.
The inaugural flight is scheduled to depart on Tuesday 31 January 2012 2012 from Johannesburg to arrive in Beijing, China; on Wednesday 1 February 2012. These flights are available from today for reservations – book online at www.flysaa.com or at your local travel agent.
Introducing non-stop flights to Beijing is in line with SAA's strategy to expand its network to Asia, the fastest growing market in the world. SAA will operate the route three times a week. The route will be served by the Airbus A340-600 aircraft, which have the capacity to operate the route directly all year round with no passenger payload restrictions. Flying time between Johannesburg and Beijing takes on average 15 hours.
Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world. The city is the country's political, cultural and educational centre and home to the headquarters for most of China's largest state-owned companies.
The city abounds in palaces, temples, mansions, gardens and tombs that epitomise classical Chinese architecture. It also has roughly 120 museums and more than 100 public gardens. The first port of call for most visitors is the Forbidden City, which lies at the heart of Beijing with the rest of the city radiating out from it in a grid pattern.
Fly to Perth
Johannesburg - Beijing schedule:
Flight SA288
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Depart Johannesburg 00h20*
Arrive Beijing 20h50*
Beijing - Johannesburg schedule:
Flight SA289
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Depart Beijing 23h20*
Arrive Johannesburg 08h10*(Following day)
*All times are local. Please note that these slots may change.
Use of Cell Phones in Flight-mode During Flights
South African Airways' application to the South African CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) for an exemption to allow the use of cellular telephones in flight-mode during the cruise-phase of a flight has been granted. The exemption applies to all flights (domestic, regional, international) and all aircraft types.
Effective immediately, all SAA passengers will be permitted to use personal electronic devices such as cell phones, e-readers and electronic tablets in flight-mode or an equivalent mode.
Flight Mode is a setting available on many mobile phones and other electronic devices that, when engaged, suspends many of the device's signal transmitting functions – thereby disabling the device's capacity to place or receive calls or text messages – while still permitting use of other basic functions that do not require signal transmission such as calendars, address books, reading e-mail, and MP3.
The small, Germanic capital of the country, Windhoek is an attractive city situated in the Central Highlands and surrounded by hills and mountains, occupying the geographical and economic heart of Namibia. The city centre is characterised by historic German colonial architecture and imposing modern structures. Dominating the skyline is the striking German Lutheran church, Christuskirche, a mixture of Art Nouveau and neo-Gothic design, and the Titenpalast, or 'Ink Palace', the parliament building from where the sparsely populated country is governed. The railway station is a Cape Dutch edifice dating back to 1912 and Independence Avenue is a pleasant tree-lined place with fountains and walkways providing a relaxing ambience among the modern buildings of the central business district.
The women of the Herero tribe, cattle herders of the region, are very distinctive with their voluminous Victorian-style dresses and colourful headgear. The German influence is not only apparent in the architecture and colonial style buildings, but is evident in the food and locally brewed beer. Polony and sauerkraut are available on the menu among local dishes, including seafood from the west coast and venison or game steaks from the hinterland.
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Chelsea Flower Show
Every year the grounds of the Royal Hospital are transformed into show gardens, inspirational small gardens and vibrant horticultural displays that make up the world's most famous flower show.
Venue: London
Date: 22 – 30 May 2012
ABSA Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK)
Afrikaans arts and culture festival in the Karoo town of Oudtshoorn.
Venue: Town of Oudtshoorn
Date: 31 March – 7 April 2012
Website: http://www.kknk.co.za
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Fly between Johannesburg and Beijing from 31 January to 30 April 2012 and stand a chance to win a two-night stay at the luxurious Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, including Economy class flights from Johannesburg to Kruger Mpumalanga International – South Africa.
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