Fantasy Jobs

Mystical had a great idea when she came up with Fantasy Jobs. This one belongs to her. If you'd like to share yours, send it to me. Oh, and I'm glad Mystical has chosen me as the band photographer!!

Ok, so age is just a number and I would be perfectly satisfied if this fantasy were to come true right now but here are the changes that would be required and the details.

I can see myself about 50lbs. lighter, with a breast reduction, about 60lbs lighter. I would have a few tattoos that would show when I wear my tank top with no bra because I no longer have saggy boobies and it doesn’t look disgusting or gaudy. They would also show when I wear my black leather vest with tight black leather pants. I would be able to wear and walk successfully in spiked heels and not fall flat on my face when I do. My hair would be quite a bit longer, I’m thinking Vince Neal style, I might even be compelled to go dirty blond. No, my fantasy job isn’t to be a hooker. I want to be a drummer in a rock band...a hard rock band, Metallica style. I might even try and do a Tommy Lee (No Mary, not DO him) and play my drums while suspended in air and flipping every which way to the screams and shouts of the crowd. My band would consist of a group of young 20-something boys. I would be fit and lean and my arms would be rockin’ from all the drum playing as well as my legs. The boys would admire me and look to me as their mentor and while I would like to say a little side action would be nice...well, I am married after all so that probably wouldn’t work. To top it off, our band would be famous and we would make it on the cover of the Rolling Stone and Mary would be the photographer.

It’s fun to dream.....

Who Will Defend Us When There's No One Fit To Fight?

Thanks to Scarlett for sharing this article. If you don't think unhealthy school lunches and childhood obesity are problems of serious national concern in this country, have a look at this article. It was in one of Scarlett's security newsletters. Then after you read it, sign Jamie Oliver's petition.

http://www.jamieoliver.com/campaigns/jamies-food-revolution/petition

I couldn’t help but pick up on this Associated Press article and thought some of you might find this interesting as well. A group of retired military officers have gone to Capitol Hill to advocate for healthier school lunches, saying that the current meals offered to school-aged children has contributed to their obesity and therefore their inability to meet the military’s physical fitness standards.

A report released on April 20 states that more than 9 million young adults, or 27 percent of all Americans ages 17 to 24, are too overweight to join the military and recruitment is now in jeopardy. The officers are advocating for passage of a wide-ranging nutrition bill that would spend $4.5 billion more over 10 years and aims to make the nation’s school lunches healthier.

“When over a quarter of young adults are too fat to fight, we need to take notice,” said retired Navy Rear Adm. James Barnett Jr. He noted that national security in the year 2030 is “absolutely dependent” on reversing child obesity rates.

The group, Mission: Readiness, is urging Congress to eliminate junk food and high-calorie beverages from schools, put more money into the school lunch program and develop new strategies that help children develop healthier habits.

The school lunch bill is currently awaiting a Senate vote.

Fantastic Foods

I've probably driven past the place a hundred times. If you're not looking for it, you'd never notice it. Luckily, I was looking for it--thanks to Sally. I'm talking about the little shop about two blocks from my office that sells buffalo meat. You can buy bison in many forms and it is delicious. Don't be afraid to try it. If you like the taste of beef, you'll love bison. The meat should never be overcooked. Serving medium rare (my favorite anyway) is ideal.

But not only is it tasty, it's quite healthy. You won't believe how lean it is. The meat from this particular store comes from a farm right outside town. The animals are grass fed, and not treated with antibiotics or growth hormones.

Here's a little history, and some facts about this Fantastic Food:

Ruthlessly hunted, primarily for it's hide, by 1885 the total number of Buffalo had been reduced from tens of millions to about 1000. Fortunately, the outcries of private citizens and organized groups were heeded, and this magnificent beast was spared annihilation.

The value of this wholesome meat, which sustained native Americans for centuries, has only recently been discovered. Modern analysis has uncovered some amazing facts about the nutritional qualities of Bison. Simply stated, Bison contains less of what we do not need (fat, calories and cholesterol) and more of what we we do need (iron, protein and fatty acids). Chemical free and naturally delicious it is truly the healthy red meat everyone can enjoy. It has been found that some people who are allergic to other meats are able to eat Buffalo.

But the really good news is the taste! Many people say Bison is the most flavorful meat they have ever tasted... with a sweeter and richer flavor than beef. Try it today, and see for yourself how delicious health food can be!

Bison meat is the heart-healthy red meat. It gives all the taste of beef with all the health benefits of chicken. Many heart patients who find it hard to change their tastes can now safely enjoy red meat by substituting bison for beef. The taste is very similar to the best beef you have ever tasted, with just a hint of sweetness to the meat.

Bison meat is non allergenic. No one, to date, has had an allergic reaction to buffalo meat. Many people who have allergies to other meats find they can eat buffalo. There are no low level antibiotics, no hormones, no drug residues, and no preservatives in buffalo. When eating bison, you are eating wholesome meat.

Bison has more iron than beef. For women, iron is a significant item. Adding bison to your diet can help meet those recommended allowances, as bison contributes about 69% more iron to your diet per serving than does beef!

The little shop is located on Main Street at Hancock. The meat comes frozen so you don't have to worry about being in a hurry to cook it. There's a super cool chick who works there that will answer questions and guide you through. So on your way to the Farmer's Market every Tuesday, stop by and pick some up!!

Props To My Peeps

This time two or three years ago, two of my friends were average middle aged women, getting little or no excercise and not giving a flying flip about what they ate. That was then....this is now. Scarlett is gearing up to compete in another bike race to support diabetes, and Sara is training for her first 5k run! And when I say that I don't mean she's walking it; Sara's going to run it! Her first 5k at age 50!

I couldn't be more proud of Scarlett and Sara. You are both an inspiration to me!! Keep going!

Fantasy Jobs

Awhile back I wrote an entry about Fantasy Jobs. Jobs that seem wonderful, no matter if they are practical or not. This idea was the brainchild of Mystical. If you'd like to share your Fantasy Job, send it to me. Today I have another installment of Fantasy Jobs. This one, written by our faithful reader Scarlett. I hope you will enjoy.

When people think of having a dream job, they usually think of a job where they can make a lot of money while only working few hours. Unfortunately my dream jobs don't fall in either of those categories. But they are still jobs I've wanted to have since I was a little kid. And yes, you read that right - dream jobs, as in plural. The three jobs seem different but they all three have to do with making people happy.

My first dream job is making pizzas. I wouldn't even have to own the pizza place; I just want to make the pizzas. And before you ask, yes I want to toss the dough up in the air. Everybody loves pizza, and I want to do my part.

My second dream job is being a team mascot and getting to wear a big costume. Where else could you get paid to act silly? If team mascot jobs weren't available, I would be more than willing to be a character at a theme park. As long as I got to wear the costume and make people smile, I'd be happy doing it at a ball park, arena, or amusement park.

My third dream job is to be clown. Maybe it has to do with being quasi-anonymous, like wearing a team mascot suit. But I would love to be a clown. Once again, I would get paid to be silly and make people laugh. Yep, that's a job for me.

My Heroes of the Week

This is a very roundabout way of getting to the point, but a little background is necessary. Stay with me here.

My husband has been friends with the Cramers since he was a kid. Mike Cramer is a very cool guy. In fact, Mike and Miss Pamela watched the opening ceremonies of the Atlanta Olympics at my house many years ago. Anyway, Mike's sister is Krista. Sometime during Derby, my husband ran in to Krista and she asked how I was doing. Well, ultimately the subject of the food revolution came up. Oddly, Krista had just watched "Food Inc" on public television a few nights before (quite by accident) so she told him she wanted to hook up with me to talk about it and to find out where I've been buying my meats.

So Krista sent me an email today telling me that she's been talking to everyone about the film and when she mentioned it to her neighbors they told her they watched it months ago. In fact, they now buy all their meats from Whole Foods. But the funny part (what you've been waiting for) is that they told Krista they bought a whole bunch of copies of "Food Inc" and gave it to everyone on their Christmas list.

So my heros of the week are Krista's Neighbors, for handing out copies of "Food Inc" this past holiday season!! Way to spread the word!

Sunday Reflections

So the Derby is over. I'm sick of feeling sorry for myself, and now I've progressed to the next (very predictable) stage, which is anger. I'm ready to start focusing on myself again, and ready to get back to business with my diet and working out, and I'm anxious to get some home improvement projects under way. It's time to move past this set back and once again, start moving forward.

I don't have a lot to say right now, because my head is filled with ten thousand thoughts and I can't focus on any one of them long enough to write about it. I plan to spend the day relaxing, and getting myself back on track. Maybe I'll come up with something to write about this week.

The only notable thing I'd like to journal today is the encounter I had this past Friday. It was a beautiful day, very sunny and warm, but I was feeling very heavy, very troubled. I walked outside my building at work to take a box to the dumpster. No one was outside but me, and it was unusually quiet. For some reason I started to think about my mother. I asked for her strength. I asked for her to watch over me. At that exact moment, a very large, very long, warm gust of wind came up and enveloped me. It went all around and all through me. I got goose bumps all over, even on my face. I just stopped walking, and stood still with my arms outstretched. I believe I received a hug from my mother, and it felt really, really good.