Jenny Craig, what were you thinking? CLICK on the picture for some enlightening research on High Fructose Corn syrup and obesity
Laura and I have enjoyed the past five plus years or so on Jenny Craig. We lost a ton of weight in the first 10 months, then we began to follow their ‘maintenance program’ which — I believe — has been the key to a dieters long term success. It is clear that Jenny Craig is head and shoulders over the diet offerings as confirmed recently by a recent article in Consumer Reports. However, they won’t last long if they continue to put High Fructose Corn Syrup in their food… this is a red flag for me and many others … and there also some very disturbing research on this sweetener:
Okay, okay… the study was done on rats, but it would be somewhat ethically challenging to do this experiment on people. Imagine if you sent old great aunt Maude on an expensive diet program and she came back as a blimp, because unfortunately, she was the one fed on High-fructose corn syrup.
Jenny Craig, I am not asking for organic brown rice syrup — which I think is hype anyway, but the jury has already come back on this stuff and it isn’t good, High Fructose Corn Syrup has got to go.
President James Madison author of the First Ammendment
I am always surprised at how many folks take for granted but few use their right to freely speak their mind in public. However, using your right to speak is a two edge sword. I have always felt that the best way to let a fool reveal themselves is to give them a podium, a microphone or even a blog. This is not to say that everyone should cower and hide from any public interaction in order to not seem foolish, but having an open environment that can test the worthiness of ideas is the best way for a society to address emerging social issues and economic and political challenges. A good idea can stand the test of a little scrutiny, a bad idea shows itself for what it is.
Our future President James Madison drafted the first amendment to the US Constitution to include our right to free speech , but he was not without his detractors. A number of people felt that speech should be strictly muzzled, but this ran against the grain of all those who were trying to get away from the European system of royalty, restrictive rules and trade castes. For example, you might know that George Washington turned down the ‘offer’ to be King. Eventually, other freedoms were added to the first amendment such as freedom of the press and freedom of religion and association. Although this isn’t very popular in academic circles to say, these ‘founding fathers’ got it right.
However, there are those, especially in Europe, that have made it an art form to restrict free speech and there are those here in academia in America who would like to do the same in our country. Let’s just say its wrong morally and it is unconstitutional.
Not long ago, I took a very strong position in my blog on ‘an issue of public interest’ involving our local university and a ‘Kingdom” not known for it’s toleration or acceptance of diversity or free speech. One administrator took exception to my blogs and sued me for all sorts of bad things. As it turned out, the judge ruled that my blogs were constitutionally protected free speech and that I was blogging on an issue of public interest. (You can search my blog under Saudi Arabia and read more about the issue.)
The lesson here is not to be afraid, but to stand up and express yourself when it counts on matters and issues that you feel are important to you and those you love. Interesting times are coming and it is important for everyone to be heard.
Karen wanted to give me something special for a belated Father's Day present! CLICK on the picture to see who made it!
Karen is now all grown up and teaching at the University of Louisville and looks back fondly to her 10 years in track and field. In those days, Karen called me ‘Coach Dad” which was very sweet. While in Annenberg graduate school she finished her last year of eligibility as a Southern California Trojan and their record holder in the women’s shot put. She made the cup in cardinal not only because the Cardinal is the symbol of the University of Louisville… but because — to me — it represents my fondness for the Trojans.
Karen gave some special mugs to her professors at Tennessee to celebrate her Ph.D… and she wanted something for me ,too. Thanks, Karen
Well, we always enjoy the fourth of July and all of the celebrations associated with it! Of course, most ‘celebrations’ in our family center around what we are baking, grilling , stewing, smoking, sauteing or cooking!
Nothing says the fourth to me like: hamburgers, hotdogs, chips and salsa, baked beans… and cake!
In our family, everyone who has put on a few pounds gets a little teasing from Karla and its poor Laura’s turn in barrel. Most people would call Laura ‘slim’ at 5-9.5 and 132 pounds… but she ‘ballooned” up to 135 and complained. Karla drew the picture above to add to Laura’s distress! oh well! Laura’s working on the weight loss now! 😉
The truth is that our family is a bunch of ‘super tasters’ and ‘foodies.’ Given the fact that we all enjoy cooking, it means that we have to watch our weight from time to time and hop back on Jenny Craig. As diet food goes, Jenny Craig is the best… but it isn’t our food and it isn’t 1500 calories for a slice of cheesecake, either.
As for me, I am paying for my visit and trip to beautiful Florida with a full-on diet! Therapy for me is making food that I can freeze away for when I am slim… which will take a bit longer this time.
CLICK on the picture to see how many folks have lost a lot of weight... including me as we are in this book,too.
So, to all those who have found some unwanted and unloved pounds … get the weight off and you can occasionally enjoy what you once had daily… and be a lot happier.
