As part of my ongoing attempt to embrace whole foods and say adios! to processed and packaged crapola, I've been paying close attention to our sugar intake. Let me say right here and now: This Is Not Easy. Why? Because I LOVE sugar. Love it. I've been known to eat sugar straight out of a bag when I needed a fix. As a child, I drove my mom crazy by sneaking boxes of jello, packets of hot chocolate, jars of marshmallow cream, and eating them in the raw. I love "crap" candy: Bubble Gum tape, Everlasting Gobstoppers, Runts, Spree, Red Vines, Good n' Plenty, Red Hots, Atomic Fireballs...if it's full of artificial substances and dyes and tastes sweet, I'll most likely eat it. Truth be told, there are few sweet foods I won't indulge in...I can't actually think of one off the top of my head.
So you get my drift. Sugar + J = Ecstasy
Which is why it's been so hard for me to make a complete break from it. But, as you can see by my obvious sugar addiction, it's a step I REALLY need to take. Perhaps you do too? I think it's safe to say we all could benefit from less sugar.
Why Sugar is Bad
Let me clarify a critical point: not all sugars are created equal. Refined and artificial sugars have no business in anyone's body. But there are quite a few naturally derived sugars that metabolize better and wreak a lot less havoc in your body. But even those sugars, as with much in life, should be taken in moderation.
So back to why refined and artificial sugars are bad for you. Well, there's the obvious rotting teeth deal. And the whole diabetes thing. Let's not forget obesity. To be more specific, sugar has NO nutritional value whatsoever. It also depletes the body of enzymes, minerals, and vitamins (especially, it turns out, B-vitamins which can impact moods, memory, and sleep regulation). Most interesting to me are the studies showing how refined sugars suppress the immune system. The amount of sugar found in two sodas is enough to do the trick. Refined sugars can cause a 50% drop in the ability of white blood cells to engulf bacteria. This immune suppression can last for up to five or six hours after eating or drinking heavily sugared foods. Kind of scary when you remember stress also suppresses the immune system and most of us tend to crave sugar when under pressure...no wonder we all get sick around the holidays or when things are going badly at the office! But we're not just talking about catching a cold or flu, people. Sugar has some unpleasant ties to cancer and tumors...or I should say insulin does (which tends to increase when the body has more sugar than it needs).
Many people get the refined sugar = not good for you thing. But then they turn around and start drinking and eating products (note how I said "products" and not "food") filled with artificial sweeteners. Hey, been there, done that. I used to figure it was a good way to get a sweet taste in my mouth without all the bad stuff. Unfortunately, the laundry list of diseases tied to artificial sweeteners (even the newer ones) include cancer, weight gain (!), MS, Parkinsons, seizures, and migraines (I didn't have the heart to link to the studies for each disease but feel free to do a Google search on your own, they aren't hard to find).
Oh, a quick aside: refined sugars are kind of sneaky in that they frequently wear disguises. Aside from that big bag of white sugar in your pantry, it typically hides in packaged foods under the following pseudonyms: sucrose, high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, and maltodextrin. Take a peek at your bread, canned goods (but maybe consider dumping the canned goods because of BPA. I'm just saying), frozen foods, yogurts, dessert items, granola bars, cereals. You'll find sugar lurking...unless, of course, you've already gotten wise to it and started buying products without it.
So What Now?
How does a recovering sugar addict break the habit and still get some enjoyment out of life? Good news folks! You don't have to give sugar the big heave-ho 100%. You just have to be willing to investigate the alternatives and do what you can to reduce your sugar intake (cutting back in recipes is a great start).
The very best sweeteners are those that occur in nature: rapadura (AKA sucanat AKA raw cane sugar), pure maple syrup, honey (honey can be sneaky as it does sometimes get listed as a refined product...be sure to check that out) , or molasses. I've started experimenting with these and can say I'm a big fan of sucanat (which isn't a surprise because it tastes a lot like brown sugar -- yum) and use it frequently when baking. Maple syrup and honey are also excellent. Natural sugars actually contain vitamins and nutrients (calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron) that get stripped out of refined sugars. Your body also tends to process these sugars better because they are in their natural state. But keep in mind, sugar is sugar. Even natural sugars can mess with your glucose levels if taken in excess...so still a good idea to include them in your diet in moderation.
As for reducing....get in the habit of 1) changing the sugar and 2) cutting back the quantities in recipes. You'll be pleasantly surprised how frequently you can do this and not notice a damn thing in terms of flavor or sweetness. No one but me knows that when I make cookies and cakes at home, they are heavily reduced in sugar quantity. But everyone asks for more!
For a great place to look for reduced-sugar and alternative sugar recipes, you can't beat this site.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Little Consumers in the Making
Last week, I went to a local mall. I actually don't go to malls much any more...maybe a few times a year to buy my seasonal allotment of clothing. This time I was on my way to see a movie which happened to be at a theater embedded within said mall. It was about 7:50pm when I finally parked my car and walked in. Given the level of activity, you would have thought for sure it was the middle of the day during a huge sales event...because the place was packed. I've been spending a lot of time in the quiet of my home so it can be tough to rejoin the frenetic pace of the outside world. But that's not what bothered me. What I couldn't help but notice as I made my way towards The Gap (where my friends were waiting) was the huge numbers of families out and about with very young children. Call me crazy but last I checked, children under the age of six should be in bed by 8:00pm. And they sure as hell shouldn't be sitting with mom and dad getting "dinner" in the food court.
So WHAT in the hell are these people with young kids doing at the mall on a Friday night?!?!? There is nothing you need so urgently that it must be purchased with your entire family at 8:00pm. And if you are biding your time until the kiddies are ready for bed, why not stay at home and - gasp! - play with your kids? or read them a story! Here's a novel idea, how about cooking dinner for the family and eating in? Or, for God's sake, if you are going to eat out...then perhaps try something a tad bit healthier than the mall food court.
As if it wasn't bad enough to see large numbers of exhausted kids being dragged around the mall by mom and dad....the highlight of our movie was two toddlers running up and down the side aisle near the front of the theater. Yes, for two hours until 11:30pm, two very young children and their loser parents graced us with their presence. I felt sorry for the tykes while at the same time spent the entire movie plotting revenge on the parents.
Are people really so selfish that they choose to inconvenience their children in order to satisfy their need for a shopping/entertainment fix? Don't answer that. Obviously there are a lot worse things parents can do to their children, things that I don't even want to consider. But these "minor" infractions have a way of sneaking up on us too. Because one day, these little children are going to grow into big (likely VERY big considering how they are being fed) adults. Assuming the environmental crisis continues, many of them will be confronted with a world that's very different from the one we live in today. At a time when we will need kind, good people with strong values, morals, a sense of community, and a desire to implement positive change....all these people will really know how to do is go shopping.
So WHAT in the hell are these people with young kids doing at the mall on a Friday night?!?!? There is nothing you need so urgently that it must be purchased with your entire family at 8:00pm. And if you are biding your time until the kiddies are ready for bed, why not stay at home and - gasp! - play with your kids? or read them a story! Here's a novel idea, how about cooking dinner for the family and eating in? Or, for God's sake, if you are going to eat out...then perhaps try something a tad bit healthier than the mall food court.
As if it wasn't bad enough to see large numbers of exhausted kids being dragged around the mall by mom and dad....the highlight of our movie was two toddlers running up and down the side aisle near the front of the theater. Yes, for two hours until 11:30pm, two very young children and their loser parents graced us with their presence. I felt sorry for the tykes while at the same time spent the entire movie plotting revenge on the parents.
Are people really so selfish that they choose to inconvenience their children in order to satisfy their need for a shopping/entertainment fix? Don't answer that. Obviously there are a lot worse things parents can do to their children, things that I don't even want to consider. But these "minor" infractions have a way of sneaking up on us too. Because one day, these little children are going to grow into big (likely VERY big considering how they are being fed) adults. Assuming the environmental crisis continues, many of them will be confronted with a world that's very different from the one we live in today. At a time when we will need kind, good people with strong values, morals, a sense of community, and a desire to implement positive change....all these people will really know how to do is go shopping.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
The End of an Era is Nigh...
This morning I received a very important email from a woman who volunteers with PROS, a pug rescue organization. As some of you may recall, a while back I posted about how neglected our two pugs had been since the birth of M and Z. Well, that post got me to thinking. And then eventually it got K to thinking. Which prompted us to start having a conversation about the situation. Until eventually, after a lot of stalling and hemming and hawing, it dawned on us that Lucie and Edgar were leading a pretty shitty life (at least as far as a pure bred pug is concerned) and deserved a whole lot better.
So back to the important email.
This Saturday, while M and I are heading off to see yet another Disney on Ice show (note to self: see if there is any way to smuggle alcohol in and don't forget 1) jacket, 2) earplugs), K and Z will be packing Lucie and Edgar and all their various accoutrements into our Honda CRV and making the 30 minute trek up to Fremont where they will meet with a volunteer from PROS. Said volunteer will exchange paperwork with K, help him load Lu and Ed into her car, and drive off with them into the sunset. Actually, she'll be driving up to Sacramento where our guys will be placed in a foster home, given a careful evaluation by a breed-specific veterinarian, showered with love and any medical care/social skills refresher courses they may need, and eventually released into the permanent care of a brand new (and much improved) family.
My feelings are, as you might imagine, rather mixed. The pugs have been with us for almost six years. They were our kids before we had M and Z. But of those six years, they spent the last three or so getting minimal attention from us. And then when K and I lost our jobs last year and began cutting back on our expenses, we realized we just couldn't afford to provide for Lu and Ed the way they deserved and needed. Pugs are a wonderful breed but not without a bevvy of problems which include dry eyes, skin allergies, hip dysplasia, incontenence, and more. And then there's the whole shedding thing. Followed, of course, by the fact that they should be indoor-only dogs because they cannot tolerate extreme temperatures. Aside from all that, it also doesn't help that both our kids run screaming whenever the dogs are allowed indoors (which, obviously, isn't often).
So while I feel sad to see them go and guilty that it had to come to this....I confess to feeling not a little relieved that they are going to go to a new family who LOVES pugs. Because let's face it....you don't adopt two six-year old pugs unless you are a die-hard pug fanatic.
Anyway, I dedicate this post to Lu and Ed, who will almost certainly not spare a second thought to our family once they get settled in their foster home. Nor should they. You guys deserved better!! May you live out the remainder of your lives being spoiled rotten and overindulged. And may your new family a) find Lucie's obsessive, nervous air licking habit cute and b) Edgar's desire to pee on area rugs, laundry piles, throw pillows, pretty much anything on the floor, par for the course.
Here's to you, my little wrinkly friends!
So back to the important email.
This Saturday, while M and I are heading off to see yet another Disney on Ice show (note to self: see if there is any way to smuggle alcohol in and don't forget 1) jacket, 2) earplugs), K and Z will be packing Lucie and Edgar and all their various accoutrements into our Honda CRV and making the 30 minute trek up to Fremont where they will meet with a volunteer from PROS. Said volunteer will exchange paperwork with K, help him load Lu and Ed into her car, and drive off with them into the sunset. Actually, she'll be driving up to Sacramento where our guys will be placed in a foster home, given a careful evaluation by a breed-specific veterinarian, showered with love and any medical care/social skills refresher courses they may need, and eventually released into the permanent care of a brand new (and much improved) family.
My feelings are, as you might imagine, rather mixed. The pugs have been with us for almost six years. They were our kids before we had M and Z. But of those six years, they spent the last three or so getting minimal attention from us. And then when K and I lost our jobs last year and began cutting back on our expenses, we realized we just couldn't afford to provide for Lu and Ed the way they deserved and needed. Pugs are a wonderful breed but not without a bevvy of problems which include dry eyes, skin allergies, hip dysplasia, incontenence, and more. And then there's the whole shedding thing. Followed, of course, by the fact that they should be indoor-only dogs because they cannot tolerate extreme temperatures. Aside from all that, it also doesn't help that both our kids run screaming whenever the dogs are allowed indoors (which, obviously, isn't often).
So while I feel sad to see them go and guilty that it had to come to this....I confess to feeling not a little relieved that they are going to go to a new family who LOVES pugs. Because let's face it....you don't adopt two six-year old pugs unless you are a die-hard pug fanatic.
Anyway, I dedicate this post to Lu and Ed, who will almost certainly not spare a second thought to our family once they get settled in their foster home. Nor should they. You guys deserved better!! May you live out the remainder of your lives being spoiled rotten and overindulged. And may your new family a) find Lucie's obsessive, nervous air licking habit cute and b) Edgar's desire to pee on area rugs, laundry piles, throw pillows, pretty much anything on the floor, par for the course.
Here's to you, my little wrinkly friends!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Children's Books: Death, Bullying, and Other Interesting Topics
Because M seems to be hitting a major developmental growth spurt, I've been getting TONS of big questions about biology and life: why and how do we kill animals to eat their meat? what happens when/after we die? (a recurring theme) why do I have to be nice to people I don't want to be around? why are those two men holding hands? why does that lady have such a big bottom? So what did I do? I bought books, of course!
Death and Dying
We go to "church" regularly, but the whole death and dying theme continues to come up. I keep suggesting that M ask some of these questions at her classes on Sunday mornings but she never does. Which leaves me continuously trotting out what I think happens when we die and what other people think happens and how nobody really has a clue (except for those of us who have gone into the Great Beyond). It's very stressful because, let's face it, death is a topic very few people can comfortably chat about...especially with a three-year old.
Now for the books. These have been vetted, purchased, and read multiple times in our home so I can vouch for them.
The Fall of Freddie the Leaf by Leo Buscaglia
A simple, soothing, and moving tale about a leaf, his life, and his death. Because of the naturalistic setting (a tree in a park with the various seasons on display), this story flows effortlessly from Freddie's youth to old age. I feel it's appropriate for families of any faith because the focus is on the cyclical nature of life rather than what happens after we die. And at no point is the book a downer...yes, the main characters do eventually die but it's all matter-of-fact and uplifting without becoming a schlock-fest. M was able to get the gist of the story fairly quickly, even though it's wordier than a typical preschool picture book (one or two pages are all words, no pictures, which might be challenging for kids who need visuals to focus). I'd recommend this for ages four and up...or for thoughtful three-year olds.
Old Coyote by Nancy Wood
A lovely story with some truly beautiful illustrations. As the title suggests, it's about an old coyote who has reached the end of his life. He spends his last days/hours remembering his life and visiting the friends and places that are most dear to him. Eventually he goes off on his own and lies down, "dreaming his way into a whole new world." We really like this story a lot...even though M isn't a fan of dogs/wolves/etc. It's fairly easy for younger kids to grasp but some parents may need to be prepared to simplify some of the more poetic turns of phrase for literal-minded preschoolers. Warning: this story may bring a few tears to your eyes...it did me. But it's not depressing or maudlin.
Bullying
Luckily we have not had any issues with this at all. But M is a rather assertive little person and, depending on her mood, can become downright bossy at times. So I figured it wouldn't hurt to ensure her natural leadership qualities get channeled in a positive direction. I also wanted to ensure she has the necessary skills to stand up for herself should she ever be unfortunate enough to cross paths with a bully....and to stand up on behalf of others who are being bullied.
One by Kathryn Otoshi
We read quite a few books on bullying before I came across this one. Wow. Even if bullying NEVER comes up in your household, this is still an incredible read and one that will almost certainly be at the top of your child's "favorite" pile. The art is AMAZING and really suits the tone of the writing. I really love how the characters become empowered halfway through the story...and I especially loved the gentle way in which the bully's ultimate loneliness was recognized and addressed at the end. This book is great for all ages...the very youngest will be intrigued by the colors and numbers and older kids will tune into the overarching messages within.
Gays/Lesbians
Not too long ago, M saw two men holding hands at our local Whole Foods. For some reason, we see a LOT of women doing this (and for some reason, women holding hands doesn't seem to be a big deal in M's world). But it's pretty rare for us to come across gay male couples. As you might imagine, M was curious and wondered why they were holding hands, what did it mean, etc. I was delighted...as any liberal-minded parent is when presented with a alternative-lifestyles teaching moment. We talked about how some men like other men (or some women like other women) and frankly M seemed to take it all in stride. The topic never came up again...but I decided we needed to have a book to further address the issue...and voila!
And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell
Honestly, the illustrations in this book were meh...not bad but not anything to write home about. But the story is very sweet and based on the true story of two male penguins in the NYC zoo. It's a very gentle way to introduce the idea of same-sex pairings (and families) to preschool-aged kids. M loves the story and was fascinated that the baby penguin has two daddies. It took her some time to understand that some families do just fine with no mommy or no daddy...but once she processed it, it never came up again. This one is requested again and again for bedtime reading.
Death and Dying
We go to "church" regularly, but the whole death and dying theme continues to come up. I keep suggesting that M ask some of these questions at her classes on Sunday mornings but she never does. Which leaves me continuously trotting out what I think happens when we die and what other people think happens and how nobody really has a clue (except for those of us who have gone into the Great Beyond). It's very stressful because, let's face it, death is a topic very few people can comfortably chat about...especially with a three-year old.
Now for the books. These have been vetted, purchased, and read multiple times in our home so I can vouch for them.
The Fall of Freddie the Leaf by Leo Buscaglia
A simple, soothing, and moving tale about a leaf, his life, and his death. Because of the naturalistic setting (a tree in a park with the various seasons on display), this story flows effortlessly from Freddie's youth to old age. I feel it's appropriate for families of any faith because the focus is on the cyclical nature of life rather than what happens after we die. And at no point is the book a downer...yes, the main characters do eventually die but it's all matter-of-fact and uplifting without becoming a schlock-fest. M was able to get the gist of the story fairly quickly, even though it's wordier than a typical preschool picture book (one or two pages are all words, no pictures, which might be challenging for kids who need visuals to focus). I'd recommend this for ages four and up...or for thoughtful three-year olds.
Old Coyote by Nancy Wood
A lovely story with some truly beautiful illustrations. As the title suggests, it's about an old coyote who has reached the end of his life. He spends his last days/hours remembering his life and visiting the friends and places that are most dear to him. Eventually he goes off on his own and lies down, "dreaming his way into a whole new world." We really like this story a lot...even though M isn't a fan of dogs/wolves/etc. It's fairly easy for younger kids to grasp but some parents may need to be prepared to simplify some of the more poetic turns of phrase for literal-minded preschoolers. Warning: this story may bring a few tears to your eyes...it did me. But it's not depressing or maudlin.
Bullying
Luckily we have not had any issues with this at all. But M is a rather assertive little person and, depending on her mood, can become downright bossy at times. So I figured it wouldn't hurt to ensure her natural leadership qualities get channeled in a positive direction. I also wanted to ensure she has the necessary skills to stand up for herself should she ever be unfortunate enough to cross paths with a bully....and to stand up on behalf of others who are being bullied.
One by Kathryn Otoshi
We read quite a few books on bullying before I came across this one. Wow. Even if bullying NEVER comes up in your household, this is still an incredible read and one that will almost certainly be at the top of your child's "favorite" pile. The art is AMAZING and really suits the tone of the writing. I really love how the characters become empowered halfway through the story...and I especially loved the gentle way in which the bully's ultimate loneliness was recognized and addressed at the end. This book is great for all ages...the very youngest will be intrigued by the colors and numbers and older kids will tune into the overarching messages within.
Gays/Lesbians
Not too long ago, M saw two men holding hands at our local Whole Foods. For some reason, we see a LOT of women doing this (and for some reason, women holding hands doesn't seem to be a big deal in M's world). But it's pretty rare for us to come across gay male couples. As you might imagine, M was curious and wondered why they were holding hands, what did it mean, etc. I was delighted...as any liberal-minded parent is when presented with a alternative-lifestyles teaching moment. We talked about how some men like other men (or some women like other women) and frankly M seemed to take it all in stride. The topic never came up again...but I decided we needed to have a book to further address the issue...and voila!
And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell
Honestly, the illustrations in this book were meh...not bad but not anything to write home about. But the story is very sweet and based on the true story of two male penguins in the NYC zoo. It's a very gentle way to introduce the idea of same-sex pairings (and families) to preschool-aged kids. M loves the story and was fascinated that the baby penguin has two daddies. It took her some time to understand that some families do just fine with no mommy or no daddy...but once she processed it, it never came up again. This one is requested again and again for bedtime reading.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Radical Homemakers
I spent the past hour writing a long-winded post about why I think you should read this book. Then I read through it and decided it made me sound like a pompous ass and deleted the whole damn thing.
I'll keep it short and sweet.
Read. This. Book. Seriously. It's informative, educational, moving, and very enlightening. Even if you think, based on the description, that the book sounds like a bunch of hippy-dippy BS, give it a try. And if you are a mother/parent, please pick this up (or borrow it).
Radical Homemakers: Reclaiming Domesticity From a Consumer Culture by Shannon Hayes
Oh, and here's an article by the author, Shannon Hayes, that gives a great synopsis of the book (for those of you who need more info than the book jacket on Amazon).
I'll keep it short and sweet.
Read. This. Book. Seriously. It's informative, educational, moving, and very enlightening. Even if you think, based on the description, that the book sounds like a bunch of hippy-dippy BS, give it a try. And if you are a mother/parent, please pick this up (or borrow it).
Radical Homemakers: Reclaiming Domesticity From a Consumer Culture by Shannon Hayes
Oh, and here's an article by the author, Shannon Hayes, that gives a great synopsis of the book (for those of you who need more info than the book jacket on Amazon).
Thursday, February 11, 2010
BPA, Part Two
As the result of a comment posted to my previous BPA post, I decided to do a little research to find out exactly how BPA is stored within the body and whether or not there is a legitimate method to remove it. I also wanted to know if BPA exposure was reversible...that is if a child was exposed to BPA in early development, would the removal of the BPA source(s) minimize and/or reverse any ill effects of the chemical?
This is of great interest to me because for the first year of M's life, word about BPA (and pthalates) was only just reaching my ears. As a result, she was fed via a mainstream plastic bottle until she was almost 12 mos old. And that's not counting all the plastic containers, spoons, canned foods, toys, pacifiers, etc she came into contact with. After the revelation, I spent a big chunk of time feeling really guilty about it...convinced I'd screwed M royally. And then I decided, "to hell with it" and stopped beating myself up. Instead I took action and began the massive plastic purge. Which is where I am today.
Back to BPA detox. First of all, I think it's worth taking a closer look at just what types of items contain BPA. I know I covered this in detail in my previos post but there's still a bit more that you should be aware of. This is a great article that covers the basics. But keep in mind, a plastic that does not contain BPA may very well still contain pthalates.
I spoke with our naturopath and then did a little research of my own. Here's what I discovered: BPA, once ingested, makes its merry way into the digestive tract and from there, into the liver for metabolism. Generally speaking, some BPA gets passed right out of the body via the liver's natural filtration system (which typically recognizes foreign substances and pushes them out into the kidneys, bladder, and--ultimately--urine). But recent studies have shown that the BPA removal time isn't quite as speedy, or thorough, as we'd originally been told. The fact is, it tends to hang out in fatty tissue for an unspecified period of time...which is leading scientists to wonder if a) our main source of BPA isn't via food (canned foods and drinks, plastic containers) but environmental (water, soil, etc) and/or b) if BPA is just darned hard to get out of our bodies once its there.
So...how should someone go about removing it entirely? Is it even possible? Based on what I've read, there are a few answers to this question.
1) One of the best ways to reduce BPA in the body is to simply reduce exposure to BPA. Since the body does "shed" some BPA relatively quickly, if you cut back on BPA exposure, you will--over time--significantly cut back on the amount in your system.
2) Because BPA tends to hang out in the liver, some folks recommend focusing on foods and/or supplements that cleanse the liver as a way to fully remove BPA. This could involve doing a "detox" program for a few weeks (check with a nutritionist or naturopath for specifics) or taking milk thistle supplements. However it's important to understand that these are not things anyone should be doing with young children unless they've discussed with a doctor first.
As to my final question, whether or not BPA exposure is reversible, I was never able to find the answer to that. My guess is there's still a lot scientists don't know or understand about how BPA impacts a developing child. My educated guess is if you can reduce exposure early enough, to give a developing child's body time to shed the chemical, it should help to minimize the impact of BPA on that child. And if you takes steps to further reduce exposure to other chemicals-- phthalates, pesticides, flame retardents, etc--while also providing healthy meals and plenty of exercise, your child will have more than a fighting chance to mature into a strong, healthy adult.
Ultimately, the best we as parents can do is stay educated about the risks and act quickly to reduce exposure as much as possible. While non-pregnant adults are at a relatively low risk from BPA exposure (lets face it, the damage was done long ago for most of us), children (especially those in utero and up to age three) are very high risk. Children's immune and natural detox systems aren't fully ramped up until age three...which means chemical exposure impacts them a whole lot more than it does adults.
This is of great interest to me because for the first year of M's life, word about BPA (and pthalates) was only just reaching my ears. As a result, she was fed via a mainstream plastic bottle until she was almost 12 mos old. And that's not counting all the plastic containers, spoons, canned foods, toys, pacifiers, etc she came into contact with. After the revelation, I spent a big chunk of time feeling really guilty about it...convinced I'd screwed M royally. And then I decided, "to hell with it" and stopped beating myself up. Instead I took action and began the massive plastic purge. Which is where I am today.
Back to BPA detox. First of all, I think it's worth taking a closer look at just what types of items contain BPA. I know I covered this in detail in my previos post but there's still a bit more that you should be aware of. This is a great article that covers the basics. But keep in mind, a plastic that does not contain BPA may very well still contain pthalates.
I spoke with our naturopath and then did a little research of my own. Here's what I discovered: BPA, once ingested, makes its merry way into the digestive tract and from there, into the liver for metabolism. Generally speaking, some BPA gets passed right out of the body via the liver's natural filtration system (which typically recognizes foreign substances and pushes them out into the kidneys, bladder, and--ultimately--urine). But recent studies have shown that the BPA removal time isn't quite as speedy, or thorough, as we'd originally been told. The fact is, it tends to hang out in fatty tissue for an unspecified period of time...which is leading scientists to wonder if a) our main source of BPA isn't via food (canned foods and drinks, plastic containers) but environmental (water, soil, etc) and/or b) if BPA is just darned hard to get out of our bodies once its there.
So...how should someone go about removing it entirely? Is it even possible? Based on what I've read, there are a few answers to this question.
1) One of the best ways to reduce BPA in the body is to simply reduce exposure to BPA. Since the body does "shed" some BPA relatively quickly, if you cut back on BPA exposure, you will--over time--significantly cut back on the amount in your system.
2) Because BPA tends to hang out in the liver, some folks recommend focusing on foods and/or supplements that cleanse the liver as a way to fully remove BPA. This could involve doing a "detox" program for a few weeks (check with a nutritionist or naturopath for specifics) or taking milk thistle supplements. However it's important to understand that these are not things anyone should be doing with young children unless they've discussed with a doctor first.
As to my final question, whether or not BPA exposure is reversible, I was never able to find the answer to that. My guess is there's still a lot scientists don't know or understand about how BPA impacts a developing child. My educated guess is if you can reduce exposure early enough, to give a developing child's body time to shed the chemical, it should help to minimize the impact of BPA on that child. And if you takes steps to further reduce exposure to other chemicals-- phthalates, pesticides, flame retardents, etc--while also providing healthy meals and plenty of exercise, your child will have more than a fighting chance to mature into a strong, healthy adult.
Ultimately, the best we as parents can do is stay educated about the risks and act quickly to reduce exposure as much as possible. While non-pregnant adults are at a relatively low risk from BPA exposure (lets face it, the damage was done long ago for most of us), children (especially those in utero and up to age three) are very high risk. Children's immune and natural detox systems aren't fully ramped up until age three...which means chemical exposure impacts them a whole lot more than it does adults.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
This Book Will Change Your Diet
Or at least it'll give you food for thought (pun intended).
Last year I spent a lot of time taking a closer look at our family diet: what we ate, how we ate, when we ate, etc. I suspect a lot of this had to do with the fact that I am now full-time at home and actually have time to focus on meals in a lot more detail than before. During our food journey, I explored a lot of different types of foods and diets to figure out which might be the best for our taste buds, our health, and our pocketbook.
First thing I quickly realized was that in order to eat really well, food was not going to be very cheap. But K and I decided we were ok with that since, I feel, quality food is right up there with quality medical care in terms of importance. So we stopped going to mainstream grocery stores and we started focusing solely on organic foods (more so than we already did). We also tried to stay away from pre-packaged, processed foods (easier said than done). It's been a long journey...and there have been a few bumps along the way...but overall, I feel really good about what my family eats and where our food comes from.
At the beginning of this journey, I was pretty sure I knew how our diet would look once we'd figured everything out: less meat, less fats, more vegetables and fruits, less sugars and carbs. In some respects I was right, in others...I couldn't have been more wrong. See here's the thing: if you are at all interested in "green living" and organic foods, chances are you will gravitate towards a vegetarian diet. That's just how it is. Go to any Green Festival or eco fair in your local town/city and the entire "food court" section will be made up of vegan, raw vegan, and vegetarian foods. Not a meat dish in sight. Go to your local Whole Foods or health food co-op and most of the books on display will be touting the glories of low-fat, veggie-intense diets. It's kind of hard to escape. But frankly, while I like fruits, nuts, and veggies...I also really, really like meat. Which is why I was SO relieved to stumble across Real Food: What to Eat and Why by Nina Planck.
Planck, a former omnivore-turned-vegan-turned-vegetarian-turned-omnivore, was raised on a farm in Virginia by idealistic, college-educated parents from New York City. She is best known for her push to bring Farmers Markets back into vogue in London and here in the U.S. So Planck knows food. And her personal experience with food combined with the latest nutritional data about fats, carbs, dairy, meats, sugars, etc is a very convincing sell as to what we should be eating and what most of us aren't.
To put it bluntly (and this won't be a surprise to those of you who have read any of Michael Pollan's recent books) humans are omnivores, have been so since the very beginning when we likely had a diet consisting of grubs, seeds, animals, and fruits, and we need meat and dairy along with fruits, vegetables, and nuts in order to stay in optimum health. But not only do we need meat and dairy....we should be getting it in very specific forms: grass-fed meats, wild fish, pastured eggs, raw dairy*. Without these foods, we're putting ourselves and our families at risk for a lifetime of health problems like obesity, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, depression, and more. Sadly, anyone living in the Western world has likely been scared shitless by all the bad press surrounding fats, eggs, and meat. "What about high cholesterol?!" "What about weight gain?" etc, etc. Thankfully Planck does an excellent job of addressing these health issues and more with lots of factual data from recent (legit) studies.
Anyway, if you love meat and dairy, are passionate about the environment and about your family's health, I urge you to pick up this book. It'll definitely provide a perspective that few of us get when it comes to food and health. And Planck's writing is approachable, humorous, and engaging without ever becoming pedantic or alarmist...so it's not a painful read.
*I am pretty sure you were all nodding in agreement right up until you hit the "raw dairy" bit. Because there's been a lot of press lately about raw milk/cheese and whether or not it's at all safe for human consumption. There's a lot of pro/con literature out there and I encourage you to read it. Find out about the history of milk pasteurization and why/when/how it started. Find out about what happens during the pasteurization process and how it impacts the bad and good bacteria in milk. Visit a few raw dairy websites and get a feel for what the whole raw milk thing is all about. Trust your instincts, whatever they may be telling you, but definitely do the research before you make a decision one way or another. For the record, we've been drinking raw milk from a local dairy for over a year with no issues. Make of that what you will!
Last year I spent a lot of time taking a closer look at our family diet: what we ate, how we ate, when we ate, etc. I suspect a lot of this had to do with the fact that I am now full-time at home and actually have time to focus on meals in a lot more detail than before. During our food journey, I explored a lot of different types of foods and diets to figure out which might be the best for our taste buds, our health, and our pocketbook.
First thing I quickly realized was that in order to eat really well, food was not going to be very cheap. But K and I decided we were ok with that since, I feel, quality food is right up there with quality medical care in terms of importance. So we stopped going to mainstream grocery stores and we started focusing solely on organic foods (more so than we already did). We also tried to stay away from pre-packaged, processed foods (easier said than done). It's been a long journey...and there have been a few bumps along the way...but overall, I feel really good about what my family eats and where our food comes from.
At the beginning of this journey, I was pretty sure I knew how our diet would look once we'd figured everything out: less meat, less fats, more vegetables and fruits, less sugars and carbs. In some respects I was right, in others...I couldn't have been more wrong. See here's the thing: if you are at all interested in "green living" and organic foods, chances are you will gravitate towards a vegetarian diet. That's just how it is. Go to any Green Festival or eco fair in your local town/city and the entire "food court" section will be made up of vegan, raw vegan, and vegetarian foods. Not a meat dish in sight. Go to your local Whole Foods or health food co-op and most of the books on display will be touting the glories of low-fat, veggie-intense diets. It's kind of hard to escape. But frankly, while I like fruits, nuts, and veggies...I also really, really like meat. Which is why I was SO relieved to stumble across Real Food: What to Eat and Why by Nina Planck.
Planck, a former omnivore-turned-vegan-turned-vegetarian-turned-omnivore, was raised on a farm in Virginia by idealistic, college-educated parents from New York City. She is best known for her push to bring Farmers Markets back into vogue in London and here in the U.S. So Planck knows food. And her personal experience with food combined with the latest nutritional data about fats, carbs, dairy, meats, sugars, etc is a very convincing sell as to what we should be eating and what most of us aren't.
To put it bluntly (and this won't be a surprise to those of you who have read any of Michael Pollan's recent books) humans are omnivores, have been so since the very beginning when we likely had a diet consisting of grubs, seeds, animals, and fruits, and we need meat and dairy along with fruits, vegetables, and nuts in order to stay in optimum health. But not only do we need meat and dairy....we should be getting it in very specific forms: grass-fed meats, wild fish, pastured eggs, raw dairy*. Without these foods, we're putting ourselves and our families at risk for a lifetime of health problems like obesity, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, depression, and more. Sadly, anyone living in the Western world has likely been scared shitless by all the bad press surrounding fats, eggs, and meat. "What about high cholesterol?!" "What about weight gain?" etc, etc. Thankfully Planck does an excellent job of addressing these health issues and more with lots of factual data from recent (legit) studies.
Anyway, if you love meat and dairy, are passionate about the environment and about your family's health, I urge you to pick up this book. It'll definitely provide a perspective that few of us get when it comes to food and health. And Planck's writing is approachable, humorous, and engaging without ever becoming pedantic or alarmist...so it's not a painful read.
*I am pretty sure you were all nodding in agreement right up until you hit the "raw dairy" bit. Because there's been a lot of press lately about raw milk/cheese and whether or not it's at all safe for human consumption. There's a lot of pro/con literature out there and I encourage you to read it. Find out about the history of milk pasteurization and why/when/how it started. Find out about what happens during the pasteurization process and how it impacts the bad and good bacteria in milk. Visit a few raw dairy websites and get a feel for what the whole raw milk thing is all about. Trust your instincts, whatever they may be telling you, but definitely do the research before you make a decision one way or another. For the record, we've been drinking raw milk from a local dairy for over a year with no issues. Make of that what you will!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Out Damn BPA! Out I Say!
Apologies to W. Shakespeare....
Unless you've been living under a rock, you have likely heard something about BPA (aka Bisphenol A). BPA has been around for 50+ years and is commonly found in plastics. People, it's frigging EVERYWHERE. Baby bottles, containers, epoxy resins (which are found in almost all food and beverage cans), sports equipment, medical and dental equipment (mouth guards anyone?), dental fillings, plastic toys, CDs, DVDs, eyeglass lenses, electronic appliances, yada, yada, yada. You get my drift. Why all the fuss? Well, there's a lot to say about why BPA sucks....but I'll give you the Cliff Notes version here (and for more depressing details, you can visit Wikipedia).
BPA has so far been shown (and in many cases proven with solid data to back it up) to be the cause of or contributing factor in just about every illness known to humankind: obesity, neurological issues (impacting memory, mood, learning, and hyperactivity), thyroid problems, breast cancer, prostrate cancer, heart disease, reproductive issues (infertility in males and females, increase risk of miscarriage). There's more but I just don't have the heart to type it all out.
To alleviate my feelings of parental neglect, I have spent the past year or so completely weeding BPA out of our home to the best of my ability. I don't plan to toss out our CD/DVD collection. Nor am I going to trash our home electronics. But there are a lot of other items I have been able to remove and replace with minimal impact to myself. For those of you interested in doing the same, allow me to share a few tips and tricks:
Farewell My Tupperware!
Aside from the great baby bottle switch of 2007 (we now only use Born Free bottles), I also took it upon myself to completely trash all plastic food and drink containers. Finding a replacement was a bit of a drag. Say what you will about plastic (and as you can see, there is a LOT to say) it's easy to clean and lightweight which is a good thing when it comes to food/drink storage. Rumor has it there are some great stainless steel options out there. But I opted to go the tempered glass route and chose Anchor Hocking storage containers. Mine are the older glass lid/bottom sets (before they began creating glass containers with BPA-free plastic lids) but I think I still prefer these because they are multi-purpose: I can store food in them...I can also pop them in the oven. They are heavy (downside) but it takes a LOT to break one of these puppies (believe me, we've tried). Oh, and while I'm on the topic of food containers, we also got rid of our hard plastic water dispenser for the fridge and replaced it with a stainless steel version w/ ceramic lid.
Unless you've been living under a rock, you have likely heard something about BPA (aka Bisphenol A). BPA has been around for 50+ years and is commonly found in plastics. People, it's frigging EVERYWHERE. Baby bottles, containers, epoxy resins (which are found in almost all food and beverage cans), sports equipment, medical and dental equipment (mouth guards anyone?), dental fillings, plastic toys, CDs, DVDs, eyeglass lenses, electronic appliances, yada, yada, yada. You get my drift. Why all the fuss? Well, there's a lot to say about why BPA sucks....but I'll give you the Cliff Notes version here (and for more depressing details, you can visit Wikipedia).
BPA has so far been shown (and in many cases proven with solid data to back it up) to be the cause of or contributing factor in just about every illness known to humankind: obesity, neurological issues (impacting memory, mood, learning, and hyperactivity), thyroid problems, breast cancer, prostrate cancer, heart disease, reproductive issues (infertility in males and females, increase risk of miscarriage). There's more but I just don't have the heart to type it all out.
To alleviate my feelings of parental neglect, I have spent the past year or so completely weeding BPA out of our home to the best of my ability. I don't plan to toss out our CD/DVD collection. Nor am I going to trash our home electronics. But there are a lot of other items I have been able to remove and replace with minimal impact to myself. For those of you interested in doing the same, allow me to share a few tips and tricks:
Farewell My Tupperware!
Aside from the great baby bottle switch of 2007 (we now only use Born Free bottles), I also took it upon myself to completely trash all plastic food and drink containers. Finding a replacement was a bit of a drag. Say what you will about plastic (and as you can see, there is a LOT to say) it's easy to clean and lightweight which is a good thing when it comes to food/drink storage. Rumor has it there are some great stainless steel options out there. But I opted to go the tempered glass route and chose Anchor Hocking storage containers. Mine are the older glass lid/bottom sets (before they began creating glass containers with BPA-free plastic lids) but I think I still prefer these because they are multi-purpose: I can store food in them...I can also pop them in the oven. They are heavy (downside) but it takes a LOT to break one of these puppies (believe me, we've tried). Oh, and while I'm on the topic of food containers, we also got rid of our hard plastic water dispenser for the fridge and replaced it with a stainless steel version w/ ceramic lid.
Hasta La Vista Canned Foods
We're not a soda family and when we do have soda around the house, its typically something that comes in a glass bottle, not a can. Turns out this is a good thing because, as previously mentioned, canned beverages are almost always lined with BPA-containing epoxy resin. But like most families in this country (and around the world) our pantry was lined with at least a dozen cans of various foods (beans, tomatoes, etc). I also had several of those boxed broth containers (also BPA-laden). As with canned drinks, canned foods are nothing more than BPA receptacles. It makes no difference whether the food is organic or not. And the canned foods with the highest amounts of BPA are generally those with the most acids in them: tomatoes, tomato-based sauces, soups, raviolis, and, oddly, green beans. To make matters worse, reliable sources claim most of us are getting the majority of our BPA via canned foods and drinks. So what can you do? Well, I tossed out the canned goods and started buying what I could in glass jars (some tomato products do come in glass bottles...barring that, try fresh "canned" products ) and I increased the amount of fresh produce we purchased each week. As for my broth, I use this which comes in a handy glass container. I confess I still use a lot of frozen produce (peas, green beans) and I suspect, but have not confirmed, the bags are not made of good plastic. Baby steps, my friends...
Adieu Cheap Plastic Toys
As long as we have someone in our house who delights in stuffing random things into her mouth, I am all about eradicating as many plastic toys as humanly possible. It's not just the BPA that concerns me...so many of the cheap toys out there contain high levels of lead and cadmium that I figure I'm doing the whole family a favor by keeping that tacky shit far from our toybox. But I have to be VERY careful as to how I do this. Thing is, cheap crap keeps infiltrating our home in the form of party favors, dentist and doctor's office trinkets, and well-meaning grandparents/friends. And these are the items M seems to fixate on with laser-like precision. So little by little, I have very stealthily been making mardi gras beads, princess crowns, battery-operated necklaces, clip-on earrings, and other bits and pieces disappear without a trace. And just as carefully I have been replacing said items with safer items made of wood or cloth. Of course, this isn't always a guarantee of safety...even Melissa and Doug have recently come under fire due to high lead levels in some of their toys. But it's a good place to start.
Auf Wiedersehen Plastic Baggies
The most recent items to come under fire in my home are plastic bags: Ziplocks and their ilk. I confess, this one is pretty tough to manage. Sure, I had no problem getting rid of plastic sandwich bags (enter these) or those plastic produce bags at the grocery store (enter these). But what do you do when you need a resealable plastic bag to store something in? I'm still searching...
Well, that's it my friends. For those of you who don't have kids (and probably those of you who do), I probably sound like a total wack-a-doo. But hey, the worst that could happen by my doing all this is nothing. And the best? My family and I might end up being just a tad healthier. It's worth a try!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies
Rumor has it that whole grains are a damn sight better for you than grains stripped of all nutrition. Makes sense to me. But eating whole grain foods when you much prefer the taste of foods made from white flour is not an easy feat. At least not for me. However I've been doing my best to incorporate whole grain foods into my family's diet, with mixed results. The whole wheat pancakes are decent...as are the whole wheat pizza crusts (the trick, as with all whole wheat baking, is to use whole wheat pastry flour). The whole wheat (or alternative grain) pastas have been ok...spelt and kamut are pretty yummy...but the fresh wheat fetuccine was a tad too gluey for me. The ancient grain bread (made of spelt) really sucked however the tortillas weren't bad at all.
Anyway, you get my drift.
So lately I've been trying to sub whole wheat flour in recipes that typically call for white flour. And for pastries, cookies, and the like, I've also been attempting to see just how much sugar I can cut out without completely screwing up the taste. Again, results have been mixed. But I recently hit the jackpot with a modified chocolate cookie recipe courtesy of 101 Cookbooks (who snagged the recipe from one of my favorite cookbook authors, David Lebovitz). I didn't go 100% whole wheat as I wanted to make sure the flavor, texture would work for these cookies (it did). And I managed to reduce the sugars by 1/4 cup each and I promise you won't notice a thing.
Here's the recipe! If you do make these, let me know how it worked for you and what, if anything, you adjusted. Some day I will give these a try again and go whole hog with the ww flour. Until then...
Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
As you might imagine, I try to use all organic ingredients when possible (even the chocolate chips). I know, sounds crazy, but it frankly makes me feel better knowing there aren't a lot of nasty chemicals in the food and that my chocolate chips aren't just a mixture of dye, high fructose corn syrup, and cocoa flavoring. It's also a good idea to get your hands on a aluminum-free baking soda/powder if your regular brand isn't already. Will all this make a difference to the flavor? I think it does but I'll let you decide for yourself.
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) (115 grams) unsalted butter, cold, cut into 1/2-inch (1cm) pieces
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup (175 grams) whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose white flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
semisweet chocolate chips (as few or many as you like)
1 cup (130 grams) walnuts or pecans, toasted and chopped (optional)
Adjust the oven rack to the top 1/3 of the oven and preheat to 300F (150C). Line three baking sheets with parchment paper.
Beat the sugars and butters together until smooth. Mix in the egg, vanilla, and baking soda. Stir together the flour and salt, then mix them into the batter. Mix in the chocolate chips and nuts.
Scoop the cookie dough into 2-tablespoon (5cm) balls and place 8 balls, spaced 4 inches (10cm) apart, on each of the baking sheets.
Bake for 18 minutes, or until pale golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack.
Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Make about 20 cookies.
Anyway, you get my drift.
So lately I've been trying to sub whole wheat flour in recipes that typically call for white flour. And for pastries, cookies, and the like, I've also been attempting to see just how much sugar I can cut out without completely screwing up the taste. Again, results have been mixed. But I recently hit the jackpot with a modified chocolate cookie recipe courtesy of 101 Cookbooks (who snagged the recipe from one of my favorite cookbook authors, David Lebovitz). I didn't go 100% whole wheat as I wanted to make sure the flavor, texture would work for these cookies (it did). And I managed to reduce the sugars by 1/4 cup each and I promise you won't notice a thing.
Here's the recipe! If you do make these, let me know how it worked for you and what, if anything, you adjusted. Some day I will give these a try again and go whole hog with the ww flour. Until then...
Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
As you might imagine, I try to use all organic ingredients when possible (even the chocolate chips). I know, sounds crazy, but it frankly makes me feel better knowing there aren't a lot of nasty chemicals in the food and that my chocolate chips aren't just a mixture of dye, high fructose corn syrup, and cocoa flavoring. It's also a good idea to get your hands on a aluminum-free baking soda/powder if your regular brand isn't already. Will all this make a difference to the flavor? I think it does but I'll let you decide for yourself.
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) (115 grams) unsalted butter, cold, cut into 1/2-inch (1cm) pieces
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup (175 grams) whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose white flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
semisweet chocolate chips (as few or many as you like)
1 cup (130 grams) walnuts or pecans, toasted and chopped (optional)
Adjust the oven rack to the top 1/3 of the oven and preheat to 300F (150C). Line three baking sheets with parchment paper.
Beat the sugars and butters together until smooth. Mix in the egg, vanilla, and baking soda. Stir together the flour and salt, then mix them into the batter. Mix in the chocolate chips and nuts.
Scoop the cookie dough into 2-tablespoon (5cm) balls and place 8 balls, spaced 4 inches (10cm) apart, on each of the baking sheets.
Bake for 18 minutes, or until pale golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack.
Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Make about 20 cookies.
Monday, February 1, 2010
New York, New York, It's a Wonderful Town...
Or so I hear. Fact is, the two or three times I've been there I found it interesting and fun but not anything I really wanted to go back to. I've never been much of an urban person...I'm too much a child of the suburbs to feel comfortable with the hubub and minimal space of a big city.
Why, you ask, am I even pondering this? K is currently in the midst of an interview process for a job in NYC. And it's not just a "what do I have to lose, it'll be good practice" interview process. The position comes with a jaw-dropping salary increase and a very unique role which I think K would be well suited to take on. I suppose this is all my fault, really. He's been out of work for months and while the consulting gig is serving a purpose...I can tell his heart's not really in it. So when the chance to interview for this job came along, I encouraged him to go for it in spite of the fact that I have zero interest in moving to the East Coast. I don't think he's all that gung-ho for a move either...but I can tell by how his face lights up when he talks about it that the job itself is a BIG draw.
Which brings us back to my original point. New York City. Not at the top of my list of future places to live. In fact I think it's safe to say any place outside California (or Hawaii...I mean, how could anyone turn down Hawaii?!) is a big, fat no in my book. My friends are here, my family is here, my life is very established here. The weather is fantastic. The forests, coast, and mountains are hard to top. The food is fantastic. Everything is fucking awesome...aside from the fact that a) we live in a 1500 square foot house which is already too small for our family, b) the job market sucks ass, c) we are going to run out of medical benefits soon and will have to pay a ridiculous sum every month unless a magical job offer comes K's way, and d) the public schools frankly blow but the private schools require you to take up a life of crime in order to pay the tuition.
On a whim I started researching housing costs in the bedroom communities surrounding NYC. This was probably not a great idea. Because the kind of house (and surrounding property) you can get for the amount we paid for our home here is just un-fucking believable. Those of you who don't live in California or who are recent transplants from anywhere else know exactly what I'm talking about. Of course, a bigger house, while nice, isn't going to make up for the shitty weather and isolation of living that far north, several thousand miles from the majority of my family and friends. But dude! It wouldn't just be the big house...we'd also be able to afford the schools! and have some financial stability! and all that history...how cool for the kids! and so much closer to Europe! and we could afford fun vacations!
You see how it's been for me over the past three weeks...my brain feels like a game of Pong: I love California! But wouldn't it be nice to have money? But I love California! But think of the stability! But I love California!
Anyway, K hasn't even been offered the job yet...and chances are, given the competitive market and the nature of the role, he'll have to pull a rabbit out of his ass in order to make it into the final rounds of interviews. That's not to say I don't think he has it in him...but this is one of those positions that comes around once in a blue moon and the interview process lasts MONTHS. So chances are slim but not impossible.
So for now, I am doing the research but it feels more like the thing you do when you'd like to take a vacation but know you can't afford it but look up packages to Hawaii anyway. I'm satisfying my curiousity to sort out how I'd really feel if this actually became an option (confused, miserable, excited, nervous, miserable). But I'm trying not to lose any sleep over it.
To be continued....
Why, you ask, am I even pondering this? K is currently in the midst of an interview process for a job in NYC. And it's not just a "what do I have to lose, it'll be good practice" interview process. The position comes with a jaw-dropping salary increase and a very unique role which I think K would be well suited to take on. I suppose this is all my fault, really. He's been out of work for months and while the consulting gig is serving a purpose...I can tell his heart's not really in it. So when the chance to interview for this job came along, I encouraged him to go for it in spite of the fact that I have zero interest in moving to the East Coast. I don't think he's all that gung-ho for a move either...but I can tell by how his face lights up when he talks about it that the job itself is a BIG draw.
Which brings us back to my original point. New York City. Not at the top of my list of future places to live. In fact I think it's safe to say any place outside California (or Hawaii...I mean, how could anyone turn down Hawaii?!) is a big, fat no in my book. My friends are here, my family is here, my life is very established here. The weather is fantastic. The forests, coast, and mountains are hard to top. The food is fantastic. Everything is fucking awesome...aside from the fact that a) we live in a 1500 square foot house which is already too small for our family, b) the job market sucks ass, c) we are going to run out of medical benefits soon and will have to pay a ridiculous sum every month unless a magical job offer comes K's way, and d) the public schools frankly blow but the private schools require you to take up a life of crime in order to pay the tuition.
On a whim I started researching housing costs in the bedroom communities surrounding NYC. This was probably not a great idea. Because the kind of house (and surrounding property) you can get for the amount we paid for our home here is just un-fucking believable. Those of you who don't live in California or who are recent transplants from anywhere else know exactly what I'm talking about. Of course, a bigger house, while nice, isn't going to make up for the shitty weather and isolation of living that far north, several thousand miles from the majority of my family and friends. But dude! It wouldn't just be the big house...we'd also be able to afford the schools! and have some financial stability! and all that history...how cool for the kids! and so much closer to Europe! and we could afford fun vacations!
You see how it's been for me over the past three weeks...my brain feels like a game of Pong: I love California! But wouldn't it be nice to have money? But I love California! But think of the stability! But I love California!
Anyway, K hasn't even been offered the job yet...and chances are, given the competitive market and the nature of the role, he'll have to pull a rabbit out of his ass in order to make it into the final rounds of interviews. That's not to say I don't think he has it in him...but this is one of those positions that comes around once in a blue moon and the interview process lasts MONTHS. So chances are slim but not impossible.
So for now, I am doing the research but it feels more like the thing you do when you'd like to take a vacation but know you can't afford it but look up packages to Hawaii anyway. I'm satisfying my curiousity to sort out how I'd really feel if this actually became an option (confused, miserable, excited, nervous, miserable). But I'm trying not to lose any sleep over it.
To be continued....
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