We had a great Christmas. We had a piano recital Christmas Eve with the Spencers. Cecily and I trade piano lessons. She comes over to the house once a week and we divide and conquer (one of the benefits of having two pianos). The recital was fun. The kids did great. It's fun to see them enjoying the piano. We then had a Christmas Eve dinner (clam chowder and chicken noodle soup). It's great having the Spencers around again and I'm glad she's teaching my kids piano!
Christmas morning the kids woke us up at 3:30am. A little too early, but it still was fun. After opening presents (and taking a nap), we made our trip up to Grandma's in Springfield. I have such a great mother-in-law and family. It was great to be at her house again and spend some time with the Lighthearts.
Keith and Wendy's family came back with us and the kids have been having a great time. They are perfectly paired off and they just play and play hard. We're planning on spending the rest of the vacation continuing our Lightheart Home Rehaul project. It's a work in progress. We have a lot to do, since it seems like I took about a year off from the house. I'm just happy my thyroid levels are normal again and I can function much better!
We're looking forward to a New Year to recommit and start over again. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
My Thoughts on HEALTH and NUTRITION
The above slide show depicts the changes over the past 20 years in the percentage of Americans who are obese. During the past 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States. The slide set illustrates this trend by mapping the increased prevalence of obesity across each of the states. In 1985 most of the states had a percentage of <10%.>25%. So why the change? What has brought on this increase in our nation? Here are my thoughts.
1. TECHNOLOGY
The 80s and 90s brought computers and game consoles to the world. Outside work and play have been replaced by many hours in front of the computer and electronic games. This has led to a nation that is much less active than before.
2. DIET FADS
The 80s is characterized by the LOW-FAT diet craze. If you ate things that were LOW-FAT you weren't supposed to "get fat." The food guide pyramid was taught. It focused on eating large amounts of grains (6-11 servings of bread, cereal, rice & pasta a day). Other diet fads have been the "low calorie diet" and the "Adkins" or low-carb diets. These diet fads have changed the way people think "healthy" eating should be.
3. EASY/PROCESSED FOODS
Our nation now has a "get it quick and get it now" mentality. Fast food restaurants are abundant and very accessible. The less time it takes to make or get our food, the better.
I feel that the three of these areas combined have led to an increase in obesity in our nation. SO NOW WHAT?
My Solution
Coming Soon:)
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