One hears that expression occasionally, and we're certainly "there" with our 39th day of temperatures in the 90s this year. Interestingly, it has its origins way back in Aristotle's day, where the expression referred to the constellation Canis Major which was visible during the hottest part of the summer. The French still refer to this period as "canicule" based on the same principle. So, not only is it about constellations, but also the fact that it was so hot it made people as crazy as mad dogs, etc. etc.
Fortunately, I've been spared foaming at the mouth this year, but I certainly will be glad when it gets a little cooler, my motivation to do anything outside (including training for my rapidly approaching half marathon) has been zapped.
So, other than kvetching about the weather, what have I been up to, you might ask.
Working hard, playing hard, and enjoying the usual sampling of life's little irritations. For example, I did a few circles of nothing, as we like to call them, in our cafeteria this morning looking for something healthier to eat than cookies. I arrived upon this product:
One would assume from the labelling, that this SHOULD be a relatively "healthful" choice. No?
It contains Antioxidants, A, C, E including beta carotene. All stuff I think I'm supposed to be eating. No?
"Lightly sweetened, toasted multi-grain flakes and crunchy oat clusters" it reads.
Lightly sweetened my ARSE. Turns out there are 21 grams of sugar in that little plastic cup, and that's before you add a 1/2 cup of milk, which is another 6 grams of sugar. I coulda had 3 cookies and a COKE at that point, holy hell!
Of the first 11 ingredients on the cup, 5 of them are SUGAR.
Sigh.
I heard an interesting interview on NPR yesterday morning, about a study someone did (yes, one of those "Scientists report that eating too much sugar CAN make you fat" kind of studies), but it has been somehow proven that what a woman eats affects the taste and smell of her amniotic fluid (no you do NOT want to know how they determined this....euw!) And, when a baby is exposed to different things in utero it makes them more likely to gravitate towards those things after birth. Which makes the following two things true:
1. If you eat great, healthful, tasty foods while you are pregnant, your kids will be more adventurous eaters.
2. If you exist on a diet of McDonalds and diet soda while you are pregnant, chances are good your kids won't eat vegetables and will likely have weight issues.
My son is on a bit of a tear at the moment, having discovered that 30% of the planet's potable water is wasted on irrigating our front lawns. (He has taken to yelling at our neighbors about this as we drive past them, hoses in hand). I had to hug him when he said to me "MOM! Let's just turn our entire front lawn into a vegetable garden."
I am, oddly, completely in favor of this idea. I wonder what my HOA would think. Details to follow.
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