Thursday, July 03, 2008
Today I attended the funeral of a local woman who lost her 4.5 year battle w/ a brain tumor. My 14 yr old son Clark was a classmate of her elder son so we knew each other only through our infrequent school-mom-sports-fan connection since the boys were in Kindergarten but everytime that I had the pleasure of talking with her I found her to be one of the most genuine and lovely women I have ever met. Obvious by the packed church, I was not alone in my admiration for this woman. She not only lived a wonderful life, she also fought her illness with dignity, determination and strength. She left behind a great example of how to live as a good person and how to die surrounded by a life of love. In addition to caring for her health condition for the past 4.5 years, her middle son has been fighting Lukemia for 5+ years. So much for one family to contend with.
My reason for sharing this story with you is this, at the funeral, the woman who eulogized her mentioned a few things about the last months of her life that stood out to me and made me think. She mentioned someone bringing donuts and the very ill woman ate three, that she loved to watch the food network and every day for the last month of her life she enjoyed a Steak n' Shake lunch of burger, fries and chocolate milkshake.
The Tim McGraw song "Live like you are dying" came to my mind. I heard that on the radio the other day and really listened to it--it may be one of the best songs ever written (and sung!). Basically, the message is what would you if you found out you didn't have long to live?
My mission in life, my passion is to help the morbidly obese, the seriously overweight and yes, even the woman who hates her thighs, to lose weight. NOT for the end goal of looking svelte in a bikini but rather to avoid the disease and early death that obesity and excess weight inevitably bring. 300,000 people died last year directly due to Obesity related causes--OBESITY was written on their death certificate as the cause of their death. Another 2.6 million people, obesity contributed to their premature deaths.
My friend was not obese, probably she would have said she was one of the many women who would love to lose some weight, but it wasn't what she obsessed over like so many do. A brain tumor is what is likely listed on her death certificate as the cause.
The cause.
Obesity may be listed as "the cause" on so many death certificates, but it's a condition like a tumor, like Lukemia and like so many other diseases--but I ask you to think for a moment--WHAT causes them? Today so many people are getting cancer, tumors, diabetes, heart disease, and other horrible diseases. WHY?
I think it has to be in some way tied to the foods we consume, the beverages we drink and the lifestyles we lead. This is NOT to say the individual is to "blame" for an illness but rather can we PREVENT such horrible illnesses from attacking our bodies in the first place and after being diagnosed, can we help lessen the affect by our actions?
1Twelve years ago I thought I had a tumor on the base of my neck. Mine turned out to be a fat deposit. A humiliating diagnosis and I will admit that for a brief second, I actually wished the doctor would have declared it a tumor rather than something I caused. I know that had I been given a terminal diagnosis considering my then unhealthy lifestyle or lack of awareness of what nutrition means to our health; I would have opted to continue eating the foods that I loved; ice cream, McDonalds, Coke and candy (my biggest "vices" for sure!) and would have certainly continued to plan my days around what was on TV; but now, knowing what I know I am sure that if I am ever given a diagnosis of something terminal I would respond much differently.
As the song says, I would go sky diving, Rocky Mountain Climbing, heck, even 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu Manchu. I would look deeper, love sweeter and give forgiveness and I would get IV's of whole food nutrients from fruits and vegetables. I wouldn't eat ice cream, I wouldn't get within 100 yards of a McDonalds and the only Coke I would consider would be in codiene to lessen pain!
I mentioned nutrition to this woman 2 years ago. I gave her a CD about a woman who totally turned her health around after developing cancer and she did it by changing her "DIET"--not going "ON" the Aktins Diet, calling Jenny or even heading to South Beach. NO, she did it be changing her nutrition and her lifestyle. That is exactly what I try to get people to do, as I KNOW that fast food, soft drinks and television are the 3 biggest contributors to the Obesity Pandemic.
I reiterate. My mission and my purpose is NOT to get you into a thong bikini but to get you and keep you as optimally healthy as possible for as long as possible.
In the service today ,our priest talked about the Smucker's segment w/ Willard Scott on the Today show which celebrates people who are 100+ years old. He wondered why some people live so long, and others lives are cut painfully and tragically short. He said maybe it is because they lived so well while here for a short time that their work was done. I think he is right. HOW we live matters so much more than what we acquire whether measured in years or in possessions; but to give my two cents worth:
Please, live like you are dying.
Live desperately thinking what can I possibly do today that will improve my health, lengthen my life and give me more time to do this thing called "LIFE" right.
And, you don't see many morbidly obese people on the back of Willard Smith's Smuckers jars. We call it Morbid Obesity for a reason. It kills and I don't want it to get anyone who reads this. If reading this makes you think twice about what you put in your body, what nutrition you nourish your body with and maybe, just maybe makes you also think about your soul and how you can also live more like Christ, then the tears I am shedding while writting mean something.
Ask my how I can help you live a more healthful and hopefully longer life--I am determined to help you do it if you ask! Julia@JuliaHavey.com
Respectfully,
Julia
ViceBusting...everything else is just a diet!
http://www.vicebustingdiet.com
Thursday, June 26, 2008
There are countless books and programs that are meant to help us control our minds, take charge of our destiny and realize our dreams and goals.
Often times we think that "turn around" will be a very long process and too difficult to work for us. Last night my wonderful mother-in-law, (and I really do mean wonderful--one of my biggest blessings in life is the family that I married into when I married Patrick!) told a story at dinner that I have to share with you. She and my father-in-law are AVID golfers, and the other day she was playing in a tournament and was teamed up with another woman from the club. The woman was not having a very good day.
Her legs were 'heavy', she had no energy and she just couldn't hit the ball where it needed to go no matter how hard she tried. Mom was 3/under par and this woman had an 8 over. On the 9th hole, 1/2 way to the end, the woman was getting really ticked and was ready to sit in the cart and ride the rest of the way watching Rosie do her Tiger Woods imitation--after hitting one last ball.
She t-d off and the ball sailed through the air, seeming to go rather close to the flag/hole far in the distance. Rosie hit her ball and it too looked like a good shot. The drove the cart to the green and got out to look for their balls.
Of course, Rosie's was 2 ft from the hole and an easy putt in. The woman's ball was no where to be seen. Her face showed her frustration and she was ready to throw her club in the sand when Rosie said, "Did you look in the hole?"
Sure enough! The ball right there in the hole--a HOLE in ONE! Apparently the screams were heard throughout the course as the two women celebrated the amazing feat.
The next nine holes? The woman outplayed Rosie and finished with one of her best games ever. The woman exclaimed, "I don't get it; I was having the worst game ever and suddenly I can hit the ball!?"
My wise mother-in-law pointed out: "There's nothing like a 'hole in one' to boost your confidence!"
I love that quote!
I think a boost in confidence is often times what we are all in need of when it comes to realizing our desired outcome and goals.
What can you do today to boost your confidence?
Vice Busting...everything else is just a diet!
...Julia
Thursday, June 12, 2008
I just got off the phone with a woman who was in tears over her desire to lose 30 pounds. It was one of the saddest conversations I have ever had with a reader of mine--or a friend!
She so desperately wants to lose the weight but something, or in this case, someone is holding her back.
That is a terrible feeling and a horrible thing to sit by and watch happen to someone. NO ONE should be allowed to steal your joy, to ruin your day or to keep you from realizing your dreams and goals.
NOT EVEN YOURSELF!
That's right, sometimes it is US who is holding us back. We can allow an overwhelming feeling of despair to take over and we lose control. Do not despair, do not be afraid. You are not alone. God walks with you on your path.
I want you to figure out what is hindering your progress and move past it! IF it's an individual; reassure them it's the fat you want to lose--not them! Reassure yourself that God is with you and that you can succeed.
Don't let anything stop you from realizing the life you want, life is short and you don't get to repeat what you don't get right! Where is the best place to turn when you feel that something is holding you back or hindering you from getting healthier? The bible! These are a few quotes that I find to be very helpful when thinking about what we eat and why.
"Do you not yet understand, that whatsoever enters in at the mouth, goes into the belly, and is cast out into the sewer?" ~ Matthew 15:17
"Be not anxious for what you shall eat, or what you shall drink ... or what you shall wear ... Isn't life more than food? ... and the body more than clothing?" ~ Luke 12:22; 29
"Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." ~ Matthew 4:4
"The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit." ~ Romans 14:17
"Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit ... therefore, glorify God in your body." ~ I Corinth 3:16; 6:19-20
As you read those, didn't they immediately bring a little peace to your thoughts? Imagine if you read them daily and/or every time you feel discouraged or challenged on your weight loss journey?
Print them out and put them on a 3x5 card and read them when you need someone in your corner and some additional strength.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Stop the presses! This is totally worth taking a look at!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfgvrM_BQv4
www.GuessTheAge.com
Honestly, you are not going to believe your eyes when the ages of these typical fast food hamburgers is revealed!
I bring a fast food hamburger with me as I travel the country for various media interviews and speeches. The one that I travel with is over 4 years old and is featured in this video.
People never believe me when I tell them just how old the hamburger really is. I have done nothing to it, it sat in the bag that it was purchased in for a very long time, but the bag is now in shreds from all the wear and tear, in fact the bun just broke in 1/2 a few weeks ago (thanks to Homeland Security and their rough inspection of my luggage!--image what they must have thought when they found a dried out burger in my suitcase!?).
I have not preserved any of the burgers in any way--they have NO MOLD, NO rotting, NO visible signs of aging; they are just dried out. IF you took the French Fries and rubbed your fingers on them, your fingers would be oily and salty.
I brought my burger to the NYC Oprah & Friends XM radio studio when Dr. Oz interviewed me on his show; both he and Dr. Mike Roizen were amazed when I told them how old the burger was. Unfortunately, that part of the show never made it on air. I mentioned the name of the fast food chain and they edited the whole segment out of the show! It was a fascinating discussion but everyone fears the wrath of this corporation and potential lawsuits. I don't fear it because the truth is the truth and I believe in always telling it!
The traditional media will NEVER cover this story out of fear that fast food companies will pull their ad dollars. Chicago’s FOX station had me booked for their morning show to discuss my book, The Vice Busting Diet, in which I go after the 3 biggest causes of the Obesity Pandemic -- one of which is fast food.
The lead producer called the night before the show. I was already in Chicago and she literally freaked out because she was told about the burger I carry with me. She said that I was in no way to mention the company by name or show the burger. Why?
This fast food company sponsors their show. So much so the roving reporter does a spot at a local restaurant every morning!
How's that for controlling any negative reporting about your product? They are so powerful and I am so tiny, they could squash me like a bug, but they can't as what I am showing is the truth and this is America and we have freedom of speech! So like it or not here I am!
Ever find old fries when cleaning out your car and wondered when those got there? Could have been from the owner YEARS before you ever got the car! These things don't age! It's freaky and you simply won't believe what you are seeing.
I urge you to watch the video, then take a guess at the date of purchase/age of each burger/meal and who knows, you may win a chance at $100,000!
Then, to ensure that you come away a winner, go to the nearest fast food restaurant, buy a hamburger, bring it home, set it up on a shelf somewhere and then peek at it every few weeks and see for yourself—these things don't age! They don't breakdown.
How does that make you a winner? Because it's pretty likely that you will NEVER eat this junk food again, and that will make you a winner at life and healthful living!
www.GuessTheAge.com
Healthy meals to you....until we meet again.
--Julia
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Ever had a bad day? I mean a really bad day where everything seems to go wrong and all you want is something to eat that will make it all better.
I had one of those days recently. I traveled from St. Louis to South Bend to speak at a Go Red for Women Heart Association event. I had so much work that needed to be completed before leaving for the trip, then I rushed to the airport only to be delayed by a mechanical problem. Then, I got to the city my flight connected in and it wasn't a "1-stop" flight like I have always done before, but a "change of plane"/connection flight--difference being you have to get all your stuff from the overhead and schlep it through the terminal and carry it all to the next flight and stow it all over again. Not a big deal, but certainly added more stress to the already frazzled day.
So, I get to South Bend, finally find all my luggage and proceed to try to carry my HUGE bag loaded with books and my 26-week audio program, my clothing bag and my portfolio bag with signs and props AND my HUGE purse outside to the cab waiting area.
I am dripping with sweat at this point, probably smelled like a goat and didn't have a smile anywhere to be found on my face--I was the least approachable person at the airport for sure. Well, I look up (usually a good idea when walking with a load of bags) and in front of me was a cab with bumper stickers all over it and a guy that looked like he was a hold over from the 70's standing there with the door open signaling for me to get in.
What a way to end a horrible day.
Little did I know what I was in store for. I handed my bags off to the long haired hippie looking man and noticed an earring dangling from his earlobe--a shiny, bejeweled cross. Nice. I started to smile a little bit. Then I actually read the many bumper stickers; every one was about Jesus! "Honk if you love the Lord", "Jesus Saves" and "God loves you"!
My bags were loaded, I sat in the back seat and the "hippie" jumped in the passenger side. "Who was going to drive" I wondered, when in the driver's door opened and in came Scott, the driver. He smiled and handed me his card and said "Welcome to the Jesus Cab!" On the dashboard was a small California license plate that said "Jesus Cab" on it.
The next 20 minutes as the Jesus Cab delivered me to my hotel, I shared much more than a ride with those two men, it was truly a ride of faith and fellowship. Scott immediately sized me up and said "Rough day? You know, the Lord will lift all your worries and your troubles away if you just ask Him to."
He shared stories with me about how he has brought at least a dozen people to faith from right there in his cab. He told me about his life and the hardships that he has endured and how his "passionate love affair with the Lord" has gotten him through all of them.
I thought about my day, it really wasn't that bad. Certainly not as bad as some of the events Scott dealt with in his life. Certainly not as bad as many people live through and absolutely not bad enough to cause me to eat something that is unhealthy, isn't going to help me closer to the body of my dreams and goals and totally not bad enough to cause me to forget "Let go and Let God!"
So, as you deal with your life, the economy, the problems that are part of all of our lives and you think you just have to eat nearest unhealthy food to make it better, I ask you this; do YOU need a ride in the Jesus Cab?" If so, and you can't get to South Bend at the moment, just pray. The destination is the same--inner peace, faith and happiness--and a healthier, thinner and more fit body!
That will be $12.90 plus tip -- thank you for riding with me today.
Julia
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Ten percent off! Does that get you excited when you are eyeing a new shirt at the mall and a sign proclaims that it is “On Sale” but they are only taking 10% off the regular price? If it was a $100 shirt, you would only save $10.
Doesn’t really seem like that big of a deal, does it?
I get excited when something that I have wanted to buy gets marked down 25% and even more tempted to buy it when it is 50% off—what a deal, and at 75% percent off, I convince myself that I am practically losing money if I don’t buy it! But 10%?! That doesn’t get my bargain hunting mechanism even turned on.
My point? Losing 10% of your body weight is a really good deal! A big savings when it comes to your health and improving it. If you weigh 200 lbs and lost 20 pounds, you likely add years to your life, lower your risk of getting many diseases such as heart disease and cancer by more than 10%!
But what’s the 10% “diet”? Here’s the deal, when you sit down to eat, I want you to look at your plate and simply take 10% off!
You are putting your diet on sale, sort of, but in reality what you are doing is shaving just a tiny 10% off, that’s just a few bites less that you will consume. Remember, it wouldn’t get you all excited at the mall if it was a shirt that was 10% off, it’s just not a whole lot off, or at least doesn’t seem like it, so it surely won’t feel like much off on your plate!
Can you do that? Consume 10% less than you normally would of everything—even drinks, all day long, except for your water in take, keep drinking all you can up to ½ your body weight in fluid ounces throughout the course of your day.
I promise you that after your “sale” is over, you will be at least 10% thinner for your efforts! Do the math, if you would normally consume 2000 calories and you take 10% off, you just saved 200 calories and are down to 1800---that will lead to weight loss over time. Tiny changes lead to big results as long as you are consistent with the changes you make.
Vice Busting...everything else is just a diet!
Julia
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Lay's Potato Chips made the slogan "Betcha can't eat just one" a household phrase. Today, consumers eat more Lay's Potato Chips than any other salty snack. Last year, consumers purchased approximately 4.6 million pounds of Lay's Potato Chips in just the Baltimore and Washington supermarkets, while consumers in Harrisburg and Scranton purchased approximately 2.5 million pounds in supermarkets. Folks, that is 6.1 MILLION pounds of potatoes in just 4 markets.
Frito-Lay, Inc., is the $10 billion snack food division of PepsiCo, Inc., (like they don’t ruin the health and waistlines of Americans enough with Pepsi!) Frito-Lay is the market leader in half of the world's top 10 snack chips markets with operations in 40 countries and a family of global, multi-billion-dollar brands including Lay's Potato Chips, Doritos Tortilla Chips, Ruffles Potato Chips, Tostitos Tortilla Chips and Cheetos Cheese-Flavored Snacks. It must be true, no one eats just ONE!
Numerous media reports these days have alerted the public to the growing concerns of health risks related to obesity. Among the several known causes of obesity, food advertising on television has received a significant amount of criticism for facilitating the consumption of unhealthy foods. Food advertising represented a little over $ 7 billion in ad expenditure, with over $ 2.5 billion on network television alone. These numbers are nearly double the amount of restaurants ad expenditure ($3.7 billion in total ad expenditures and $1.2 billion on television, respectively). Together, the combined expenditure of food and restaurants advertising add up to close to $ 10 billion—in ADS!
Chips and snack foods are listed as one of the biggest “vices” contributing to American’s obesity—that means it is a food that is consumed on a regular basis or in enough quantity that it hinders an individual from living at their ideal weight. This great concern about the rise in obesity is due primarily to the fact that many adverse health effects have been associated with obesity. According to the American Obesity Association (2004), obese individuals are at risk of developing arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, urinary stress incontinence, among several other severe health conditions. These factors together could lead to an increase of deaths from obese effects, which already numbered 300,000 in 2002, and is 180,000 cases more than alcohol and drug abuse deaths combined.
With the advancement of technology and the proliferation of media options, Americans are spending more time sitting in front of a computer/TV screen rather than engaging in physical activities—and TV is where much of the $10 Billion in ad dollars is spent! It has been documented that an average American adult these days watches between 4 and 4.5 hours of television per day. This tendency to live a sedentary lifestyle, coupled with increased food portion size and availability of snacks high in salt, sugar, and calories, are said to have produced an increasing number of obese adults.
My point? My point is this, I truly believe that anyone suffering from chronic overweight (you know, those 20 lbs you have been trying to lose for 20 years!) or anyone with 50 or more pounds to lose can NOT “eat just one”. Moderation of foods that one is addicted to is impossible. Now, it isn’t impossible to “eat just one” or small amount if you aren’t addicted to the particular food. But if you are like many people and one Frito leads way to eating the whole bag, or one Girl Scout cookie and the box is soon emptied, or one spoonful of ice-cream and before you fall asleep that night; the entire ½ gallon has vanished from the freezer—then you need to realize and admit that you are addicted to that particular food and stop setting yourself up for failure by trying to limit your intact to “one” or “some”. I promise you this; it is easier to have NONE than it is to try to stop at ONE bite, one cookie, one piece, one taste of any of the foods you love.
Recently I spoke about the torment of trying to control our vices via “moderation".. A few people adamantly disagreed with my stance and argued that any food in moderation is fine. After reading this does it make you think twice.
Can see the clear connection between the ads for unhealthy, fattening foods constantly being pushed in your face and your ‘cravings’ or desire to eat them? But they KNOW you can’t stop at one, and they KNOW if you eat some, you WILL come back for more.
Try this, if there is a food that you think you just can't make it through the day without consuming, pray for strength to go without it just for today. Tomorrow is another day and you can always ask God to help you through the craving again, but just worry about not giving in today!
Vice Busting...everything else is just a diet!
Julia
http://www.vicebustingdiet.com/
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Personally, I don't think any women should EVER call herself "FAT"--perhaps her body is, but SHE, "who" she is has to be much more than simply a physically descriptive word.FAT is NOT a personality trait and it shouldn't be how we define ourselves or allow anyone else to define us! Our words become our thoughts and our thoughts become our actions, and eventually they shape who and what we are and are thought of.
Many people have found themselves in hot water when calling people a "name" that is often associated with a stereotype. With the election so close, we would be outraged if Senator Obama referred to himself as the "N" word candidate and would won't stand for anyone calling him that! Can you imagine if someone ran for office and called themselves the FAT candidate? That would make them a mockery, the butt of every late night joke. Everyone would call them the "FAT" candidate.
In today's society we do not tolerate negative, self-deprecating and insulting words, yet when it comes to FAT it is the last bastion of discrimination, tolerated hate and harassment that we have left, and until we stop calling ourselves these negative self-deprecating words, no one else is going to. If you were walking down the street and someone called you FAT, you would cry inside wouldn't you?
If your spouse called you FAT, you would be devastated, wouldn't you?
If your boss called you FAT, you would want to quit, wouldn't you?
So, don't call yourself FAT, don't tolerate it from ANYONE--and that is the first step to ridding your life and your body of fat!
If you have been in a rut and are having trouble losing the weight, finding the energy, and feeling and looking great, then try a lifestyle transformation. Not a transformation that will give you unrealistic expectations of being a different person in a week. But a transformation that starts with simple actions - one step at a time. Imagine you change the course of your life by just 1 degree. It doesn't sound like much, but extrapolate that out to 1 year and you will be miles away from where you would have been had you not made any changes.
You can start today by making that one change. And next week, you can make another change. That's the approach that has been helping thousands of people. Start by learning what the top three diet vices are in the U.S. and are spreading throughout the world.
Put your blinders on and get moving. Like a horse that focuses on the finish line, I think all of us would do much better if we set goals and kept our focus on those goals. Don't let unnecessary distractions take you away from what you'd like to accomplish in your life. At the end of the week, month, year and even 10 years later, you'll be able to look back and think about all the positive experiences you've had along the way. A life of healthy living is a life full of opportunity. Don't look at the obstacles and think about how many there are or how difficult you think they may be. Look at a healthy life and believe how great it is, and take action to move in that direction.
Don't accept FAT as a word that would describe you for another day! I am 100% sure that God would never call you fat! Think about that as you are deciding what name to call yourself, what would GOD call you? I think he would call you LOVED.
With that said, LOVE yourself today!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
I don't watch much television but I am very thankful that I did tonight. While watching a news program I caught the end of an interview with two parents about the foundation they created to remember their two children tragically killed in an accident and a walk that they are doing to raise money for their scholarship fund.
Two subjects that aways catch my eye, or in this case my ear; a walk and children. As anyone who is a regular reader of mine knows my purpose is to try to help end Obesity and my biggest passion is the health of future generations--our children.
I thought initially that they were talking about one of the Obesity Walks as the gentleman said it would help him get in better shape, they gave the website, http//AWalkToRemember.org and asked people to go to it and pledge a donation. I went to it to learn more and make a donation. I looked at the photos of beautiful Jillian and handsome Lee, read about their accident, their parents strength and their community's love, when I read the story on angels and river rocks, I had to share it with everyone I care about.
I have spent the last hour crying, emailing my daughter who ironically and frighteningly drives a Black Jeep Grand Cherokee and urged her to finish writing a Country song she started a year ago when one of her friends died in a car accident.
We have walks for all sorts of causes, we raise money for many charities and many of us do many of the things asked of us for the good of others. Today, many of you, including me probably have green plastic bags filled with toilet paper, shampoo and soap hanging on your front door for the GirlScouts to pick up for their personal goods drive to benefit the needy!
While all of those are great causes, http//AWalkToRemember is not only a worthy cause to donate your money to, it is something to get involved with. If you are a parent, an aunt, an uncle, a grandparent or a friend of a young person; call them right now. Tell them how very much you love them and urge them to visit this site, attend or schedule a lecture that Lee Wagner gives. Remind them how precious life is and how quickly it can be taken away.
I am going to ask my family to forgo any Mother's Day gifts or dinner they may be planning and instead donate that money to this cause. What a great Mother's Day it will be, to be part of the Walk that is absolutely one to remember and to celebrate. God's Blessing be with you both Lee and Debbie Wagner and may your devotion and love of your children help other's to remember what is really important in life. I thank you for reminding me.
Don't take a day for granted and certainly, don't waste a moment "dieting". There is so much more to life than the size jeans you are wearing.
Yes, do something about all things in your life that need improving, but don't waste time.
Sincerely,
Julia
Thursday, April 10, 2008
It was only a dream.
I fell asleep last night after having watched a local news program talking about how Anheuser-Busch was going to celebrate the anniversary of the end of Prohibition today. It's been 75 years since Bud was made available to the masses because of the repeal of Prohibition. I had the strangest dream--and you were there, and you were there...
I dreamed of a future world in which Coca-Cola's Coke and Diet Coke were banished. McDonald's was out of business but a new franchise used the Golden Arches buildings to sell the healthiest salad bar in the world--no longer serving whatever that was that McDonald's used to put between two pieces of flour paste with cheese, ketsup and a pickle and ask if you wanted fried lard/potato sticks with it. Candy aisles had bright labels wrapped around a banana, an apple and kiwi; there wasn't a chocolate bar in sight. Water was what everyone drank.
The people were so healthy, there was no one who was morbidly obese. No one needed a scooter to move around. No one was forced to lay in bed because they couldn't lift their own body weight and walk. Plus sized stores no longer existed.
One size really did fit all.
There were millions of children outside playing games and laughing, adults were holding hands walking down the streets; it was beautiful. Hospitals were like ghost towns, hardly any beds occupied with the sick or dying. Teachers earned more money than doctors and players didn't get paid to play sports, as there were waiting lists of healthy and fit people waiting for a turn at bat. Everyone was active, fit, healthful and empowered.
As I was flying over them, I watched the people. What they were doing looked familiar to me but I couldn't put my finger on what as different and then it hit me!
There weren't any soda machines! Only water fountains. There weren't candy filled vending machines, only carts filled with fresh fruits and vegetables.There weren't fast-food restaurants on every corner; no in this great city there were gyms, parks and bike trails on every corner. What brought this wonderful change about?
It turns out that a very brave President, signed into law a Obesity Prohibition Bill; banning the sale of high-fructose corn syrup laced poison, aspartame spiked beverages, actually ANYTHING containing aspartame, splenda, etc was bannded. MSG was banned. Anything made in a restaurant had to be made of actual food, not man-made garbage like McDonald's served for so many years that widened the bodies of so many humans. In fact, the only "fast food" restaurant from 2008 that was still in business was Subway--they must have meant it when they said "Eat Fresh"
And, no, the President wasn't one of the 2008 Mississippi legistlators trying to ban FAT people from being served in restaurants. It was the smart gal from Missouri who decided to go after the causes of Obesity, not the people who suffer from it!
...and then, I woke up.
Vice Busting...everything else is just a diet!
Julia