As I keep pursuing the dream of a life well lived, I came across a story about Dale Carnegie. It stated that when he was close to retiring, a man asked him what the secret to success was. Dale told the man that every day he wrote down five things on his to do list. He would not move on to number two until number one was finished. If he got distracted he would retake his list as soon as possible. Apparently, he did not go to bed until all five items on the list were finished.
I like the idea of a five step to do list. It is certainly more achievable than a twenty or thirty point to do list. So I gave it a shot. And you know what? It is harder than it looks. As I have three main goals, I decided to have three items for the personal income goal, one for my health and one for my home decoration and organizing. Today I had done four out of the five items by 3:00 PM. Yet, I find myself at 10:50 Pm trying to complete the fifth item on my list.
Life gets in the way. I think that is why there are only five points to his list. He was taking into account not only the normal day to day strife. I think he knew that procrastination could get the best of you. But there is something to be said for having four things crossed off your list and wanting to cross that last one.... I will stay awake until I finish. I am after all, a perfectionist. Maybe I finally found a plan that works for me. I will keep you posted.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
High Fructose Corn Syrup - the commercials
A personal trainer I subscribe to sent a post letting us know about these commercials. I am not doing them the favor of linking them to my message or the website behind them. But when I saw the commercials, I thought it was a joke. And then I got angry, and after five minutes I started trying to find ways to let people know that sometimes you need more than facts.
Yes, HFCS is made of corn, which I guess means, it is natural, and it might even have the same calories as sugar. But that does not make it good for you. The only sugars that are good for you, are the ones that are naturally living in those fruits and vegetables you eat. If you have to add something to a product, it stops being the "natural" version. And HFCS is a processed thing, which means that at some point, a machine or a human messed with it. I believe that trumps being natural.
I gave all the people involved a simple example. R is a young, relatively healthy, 41 year old male. Last year, exactly, one year ago, he was diagnosed with diabetes. His sugar level was over 500 (that is the maximum the machine will show and his was so high the machine could not give an accurate reading). A week after, his sugar was at 350. By the way, healthy sugar level is below 100. In fact, when you wake up, before you eat, your sugar should be around 80 or less, I believe. After a month on medication to stabilize his sugar level, he was able to kick the medication with one simple change to his diet - stay away from HFCS. Even though we've had months when he exercises 3 to 4 times a week, and months when he can't, his sugar level has kept normal ranges. I think the proof is in the example.
Why is this initiative being distributed? I guess because it is a multi-billion dollar company who is beginning to feel the pressure of the consumer and decided to defend themselves. Don't let them confuse you, no sugar is really healthy. And the sugar they are talking about, that white powder that you put in your coffee in the morning, is processed. Real sugar comes from a cane, and is not good for you unless you are getting your sugar from fruits and vegetables. And the more sugar you consume, the less you taste it. Your taste buds are so full of sugar they no longer feel it. Don't give in to this tactic. Stay away from High Fructose Corn Syrup.
Yes, HFCS is made of corn, which I guess means, it is natural, and it might even have the same calories as sugar. But that does not make it good for you. The only sugars that are good for you, are the ones that are naturally living in those fruits and vegetables you eat. If you have to add something to a product, it stops being the "natural" version. And HFCS is a processed thing, which means that at some point, a machine or a human messed with it. I believe that trumps being natural.
I gave all the people involved a simple example. R is a young, relatively healthy, 41 year old male. Last year, exactly, one year ago, he was diagnosed with diabetes. His sugar level was over 500 (that is the maximum the machine will show and his was so high the machine could not give an accurate reading). A week after, his sugar was at 350. By the way, healthy sugar level is below 100. In fact, when you wake up, before you eat, your sugar should be around 80 or less, I believe. After a month on medication to stabilize his sugar level, he was able to kick the medication with one simple change to his diet - stay away from HFCS. Even though we've had months when he exercises 3 to 4 times a week, and months when he can't, his sugar level has kept normal ranges. I think the proof is in the example.
Why is this initiative being distributed? I guess because it is a multi-billion dollar company who is beginning to feel the pressure of the consumer and decided to defend themselves. Don't let them confuse you, no sugar is really healthy. And the sugar they are talking about, that white powder that you put in your coffee in the morning, is processed. Real sugar comes from a cane, and is not good for you unless you are getting your sugar from fruits and vegetables. And the more sugar you consume, the less you taste it. Your taste buds are so full of sugar they no longer feel it. Don't give in to this tactic. Stay away from High Fructose Corn Syrup.
New week, new challenges
Today, I am posting small. Maybe later it will be bigger.
It has been an interesting week full of challenges. I decided to take a different approach, not let things bother me as much. I think God is trying to test my fortitude. We had negative behaviors in our neighborhood association, negative behaviors in my daughter's school, and a little matter of an aging parent with the kind of disease you would not wish on your worst enemy.
Except for the ailing parent thing, I think I have been able to discuss without getting too excited and seeing it for what it is, their problem, not mine. The ailing parent is mine, although the disease is his, the thought of loosing him is my problem and I have to learn to deal with it. Hopefully, in the next few days, I will see the sunshine in that as well.
Keep trying.
It has been an interesting week full of challenges. I decided to take a different approach, not let things bother me as much. I think God is trying to test my fortitude. We had negative behaviors in our neighborhood association, negative behaviors in my daughter's school, and a little matter of an aging parent with the kind of disease you would not wish on your worst enemy.
Except for the ailing parent thing, I think I have been able to discuss without getting too excited and seeing it for what it is, their problem, not mine. The ailing parent is mine, although the disease is his, the thought of loosing him is my problem and I have to learn to deal with it. Hopefully, in the next few days, I will see the sunshine in that as well.
Keep trying.
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