Have you heard this term? It is used mostly in reference to technology (i.e. electronics, cell phones, computers, etc); but, most recently it was used in reference to CARS.
The question to readers in my Sunday newspaper was, "Do you think they make cars last too long?" What?!? I believe everything should be MADE TO LAST!
We just sold one of our 17-year-old cars because we needed a bigger one to be able to hold the kids and grandpa; and, admittedly, it wasn't working as well anymore (but, it still had a few good years left with proper care and maintenance). We still have our OTHER 17-year-old car; but, it needs a little bodywork. Every time we have taken it to a mechanic, they have asked us to let them know when we sell it (because it has such a well-made engine). I hope it has some mileage left (don't we all?).
BUT, someone out there is saying that we need to be MORE WASTEFUL (with our money and the accumulation of WASTE) to support the consumerism that has consumed our nation.
I never knew that things were not intended to last. I understand the advancements in technology (blah, blah); but, I question the fact that any of these things are making anyone's life any EASIER. I would guess that these things are making our lives harder because the NEED has been created. These things that should just be luxuries for those that can afford them have become NEEDS for everyone (right down to our kids...especially our kids!).
Where did this come from? It is not just the "keeping up with the Joneses" mentality; there is something larger at work here that I have yet to uncover and understand.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Processed Food Malaise
Let me tell you where I am coming from to form my opinions before I share them. I am not an expert on nutrition. I just trust in what I know and have read a lot on the subject of our health, especially as it relates to food.
I have a love of periodicals...and, I am not a "skimmer". I read magazines and newspapers cover to cover. I have read "Readers Digest" at least since the age of 11 and "Self" magazine was a favorite as I got older; now, I am a big fan of "Real Simple", "body & soul" (and many more!) and I never miss reading the Sunday "Chicago Tribune". A lot has been written about the subject of food. Ah, yes...I have also read books on the subject.
I laughed when "experts" advised to eat margarine. And again when they said not to eat eggs. And again when they said they were wrong about eggs.
I hate margarine. Have never eaten it by choice. "New studies show" that hydrogenated anything is probably not good for our bodies. Eggs, however, require NO processing and are as close to nature as they come. I have never stopped eating eggs (and, I hope I never have to!)
I personally prefer to eat foods as close to their natural state as possible (i.e. fresh vegetables and fruit, especially those grown organically and foods made with little, if any, preservatives). I was raised on "homemade" recipes (thanks, mom and grandma!) and I love, love, love to make things from scratch with the freshest possible ingredients! My family does not eat a lot of fattening foods; but, I do use real butter and real cream when I cook...because these foods are closer to their natural state and have no additives and require less processing.
I would like to note that I respect and (sometimes) appreciate other people's choices regarding food. I am just sharing my own.
Honestly, I did not always pay attention to my food...I just ate what I liked...until I became more aware of my body in general (a bit healthier after the college years) and found out I was allergic to onions (causes a stomach ache and sometimes hives) and I have an intolerance for MSG (causes stomach ache and often, severe headaches) and mono and di-glycerides (something new they started adding to foods like bread and ice cream recently that causes stomach aches and a dizzy feeling). So, now I read ingredient labels...all the time! It is crazy what they put into food.
Did you know some cereals have Tri-Sodium Phosphate (TSP) in them? My dad owned a cleaning business and he used TSP to clean walls (still remember what the box looked like!).
Just one more thing for now... Processed food has the ability to TRICK our bodies...trick them into thinking they are not yet full...and lots of other interesting things...! I know for a fact that MSG (which is in a LOT of food, by the way...check your salad dressing, chips and crackers!) is a chemical salt that is intended to enhance the flavor of food but has the added benefit of making you want more! Ugh! Don't even get me started on the woes of High Fructose Corn Syrup (which I can't eat either, by the way).
The neat thing is, the less you eat processed food, the more you notice the difference when you do...hence, my intolerance of certain preservatives and additives. I want to feel great when I eat...because I LOVE food!
I have a love of periodicals...and, I am not a "skimmer". I read magazines and newspapers cover to cover. I have read "Readers Digest" at least since the age of 11 and "Self" magazine was a favorite as I got older; now, I am a big fan of "Real Simple", "body & soul" (and many more!) and I never miss reading the Sunday "Chicago Tribune". A lot has been written about the subject of food. Ah, yes...I have also read books on the subject.
I laughed when "experts" advised to eat margarine. And again when they said not to eat eggs. And again when they said they were wrong about eggs.
I hate margarine. Have never eaten it by choice. "New studies show" that hydrogenated anything is probably not good for our bodies. Eggs, however, require NO processing and are as close to nature as they come. I have never stopped eating eggs (and, I hope I never have to!)
I personally prefer to eat foods as close to their natural state as possible (i.e. fresh vegetables and fruit, especially those grown organically and foods made with little, if any, preservatives). I was raised on "homemade" recipes (thanks, mom and grandma!) and I love, love, love to make things from scratch with the freshest possible ingredients! My family does not eat a lot of fattening foods; but, I do use real butter and real cream when I cook...because these foods are closer to their natural state and have no additives and require less processing.
I would like to note that I respect and (sometimes) appreciate other people's choices regarding food. I am just sharing my own.
Honestly, I did not always pay attention to my food...I just ate what I liked...until I became more aware of my body in general (a bit healthier after the college years) and found out I was allergic to onions (causes a stomach ache and sometimes hives) and I have an intolerance for MSG (causes stomach ache and often, severe headaches) and mono and di-glycerides (something new they started adding to foods like bread and ice cream recently that causes stomach aches and a dizzy feeling). So, now I read ingredient labels...all the time! It is crazy what they put into food.
Did you know some cereals have Tri-Sodium Phosphate (TSP) in them? My dad owned a cleaning business and he used TSP to clean walls (still remember what the box looked like!).
Just one more thing for now... Processed food has the ability to TRICK our bodies...trick them into thinking they are not yet full...and lots of other interesting things...! I know for a fact that MSG (which is in a LOT of food, by the way...check your salad dressing, chips and crackers!) is a chemical salt that is intended to enhance the flavor of food but has the added benefit of making you want more! Ugh! Don't even get me started on the woes of High Fructose Corn Syrup (which I can't eat either, by the way).
The neat thing is, the less you eat processed food, the more you notice the difference when you do...hence, my intolerance of certain preservatives and additives. I want to feel great when I eat...because I LOVE food!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Cloth Diapers v. Disposable Diapers
I researched both options (cloth and disposable diapers) before I had my first son and I feel slightly more informed since the birth of my second son, partly because there is more information available and partly because I know where to look (and know more people to ask). I have gleaned information from knowledgeable friends, periodicals, books and the internet (just plug the title of this blog into any search engine). I honestly feel like this is still a conundrum for me.
One of the biggest issues I have with disposable diapers is the contribution to landfill waste. So, I looked into using cloth diapers because my feeling is that reusable items are generally better for the environment. Before the birth of my first son, I tried to find a diaper service. Finding none, I started buying disposable diapers. I did not know there were so many other options to which I have been recently introduced.
What I have also learned is how harmful (to our babies and the environment) the chemicals used to manufacture disposable diapers can be. So, I have committed to trying cloth diapers. They are an investment (per se); so, we are buying a few at a time.
What concerns me also is the fact that because I have to wash these cloth diapers, first to rinse them off and then in the washing machine, I am using more water and detergent. And, the factor that pushes it over the edge is the use of my gas dryer to dry them (studies have shown that unless cloth diapers are line-dried in the sun 100% of the time, they are in fact more harmful to the environment because of the use of electricity and gas). I also don't like using so much water. But, I want to make sure what I put on my baby is clean and sanitized.
I like that I am in control of how clean the cloth diapers are. I like that the ones I chose (http://www.fuzzibunz.com/) are made in the USA. I like that I know what detergents (i.e. chemicals) are used on them.
OK...then, we have disposable diapers again...I found a product that wraps into a reusable cover(http://www.gdiapers.com/) but, when you toss it out it biodegrades in something like 96 hours (as opposed to something like 300 years for typical disposable diapers). This only works if you keep a compost bin. Because, after researching how landfills work (they are kept as dry as possible) it would likely not biodegrade as quickly in a typical landfill (there are some that are better/"greener" than others). These may be worth trying...I will look into the expense.
It is difficult to get away from using plastic (i.e. petroleum-based products) as far as diapering your child goes. The cloth diapers I chose are made with microfiber fleece and a soft waterproof exterior and have plastic snaps. There are wool diapers out there; but, I have not seen them or tried them...only heard about them...
I was also hoping to save money using cloth diapers. We will have to see. My son is only three weeks old.
We are currently using a mix of disposables and cloth diapers. So, my quest to do what is best for my family in harmony with the earth continues on a trial and error basis.
One of the biggest issues I have with disposable diapers is the contribution to landfill waste. So, I looked into using cloth diapers because my feeling is that reusable items are generally better for the environment. Before the birth of my first son, I tried to find a diaper service. Finding none, I started buying disposable diapers. I did not know there were so many other options to which I have been recently introduced.
What I have also learned is how harmful (to our babies and the environment) the chemicals used to manufacture disposable diapers can be. So, I have committed to trying cloth diapers. They are an investment (per se); so, we are buying a few at a time.
What concerns me also is the fact that because I have to wash these cloth diapers, first to rinse them off and then in the washing machine, I am using more water and detergent. And, the factor that pushes it over the edge is the use of my gas dryer to dry them (studies have shown that unless cloth diapers are line-dried in the sun 100% of the time, they are in fact more harmful to the environment because of the use of electricity and gas). I also don't like using so much water. But, I want to make sure what I put on my baby is clean and sanitized.
I like that I am in control of how clean the cloth diapers are. I like that the ones I chose (http://www.fuzzibunz.com/) are made in the USA. I like that I know what detergents (i.e. chemicals) are used on them.
OK...then, we have disposable diapers again...I found a product that wraps into a reusable cover(http://www.gdiapers.com/) but, when you toss it out it biodegrades in something like 96 hours (as opposed to something like 300 years for typical disposable diapers). This only works if you keep a compost bin. Because, after researching how landfills work (they are kept as dry as possible) it would likely not biodegrade as quickly in a typical landfill (there are some that are better/"greener" than others). These may be worth trying...I will look into the expense.
It is difficult to get away from using plastic (i.e. petroleum-based products) as far as diapering your child goes. The cloth diapers I chose are made with microfiber fleece and a soft waterproof exterior and have plastic snaps. There are wool diapers out there; but, I have not seen them or tried them...only heard about them...
I was also hoping to save money using cloth diapers. We will have to see. My son is only three weeks old.
We are currently using a mix of disposables and cloth diapers. So, my quest to do what is best for my family in harmony with the earth continues on a trial and error basis.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)