AfricanKelli

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So, I admit it. I’m one of those SparkPeople currently obsessed with monitoring every morsel that goes in my mouth. And running. And swimming. And occasionally hauling my body on a scale.
I don’t have a horrible body image, nor do I hate myself or ever skip a meal. Ever. I like to eat and do so fast and often.
Working in health, I get to develop programs to fight obesity in the US and malnutrition in Africa. Ah, the brutal mismanagement of resources is divine. I swear there are weeks when I’ve held a malnourished child days from death only to return to the United States and seen enough food in the airport food court to feed an entire village. Fun, no?
I love my job, but I am regularly embarrassed by America’s gluttonous ways. I don’t think a fat tax is the solution, but a good old dose of self control would do this country some good. I simply cannot believe how large we are getting. Everything suddenly seems a bit out of control (including our national debt, but I’ll leave that one for another post.)
To make my point: have you heard of Taco Bell’s new slogan? It’s called “The Fourth Meal. The Meal between Dinner and Breakfast.”
No joke. To point out the obvious, it can’t be called break-fast if you are eating all night. This sort of thing makes my skin crawl.
I don’t like that I’m becoming a bit crazy about the state of our nation’s health, but I can’t help but count the overweight people in public places when I’m waiting in line. It scares me. We are facing a huge health battle in the next 30 years and my generation very well may be the first to die before our parents from preventable disease.
So, not that you need my advice in a world teaming with “easy” ways to eat well, but here are a few things I’m working on. Some are easy, others take a good bit of effort. The effort is worth it.

1. Move, every single day. Even my one non-gym day, I take a walk. My heart and I are becoming the best of friends. I treat her right, she’s going to let me see 80.

2. Buy a pretty water bottle and use it. I drink at least a gallon of water a day (I live in the desert.) I also have become a big fan of Crystal Light. I carry this bottle with me everywhere.

3. Eat veggies and fruit daily.

4. Egg whites, grilled chicken, whole grains are good for me. They give me fuel and make my workouts better. Sugar-free fudge pops are the silver lining.

5. When I go out to eat, I immediately offer to split my meal with my dining companion. If he/she isn’t interested, I ask for a to-go container and take the other half home. Even if I don’t eat it, I surely didn’t need the entire portion.

6. I make deals with myself. If I’m going to stop for a bagel in the morning, I don’t drink wine at night. There are only so many free, fun calories a day and you can’t always have both without jiggle in the mid-section.

7. I find something I like about my appearance every day. I remind myself that I am healthy and take good care of myself and that is far more important than numbers on a scale or in the back of pair of jeans.

8. I try to only eat when I am hungry. This sounds like a “no shit” thought, but I have often found myself — especially now that I live alone — eating when I’m bored, eating in front of the television and eating because food is available. I’m not a camel. I don’t have to stock up. If nothing else, I can always drive through for that fourth meal…

Here’s to a healthier America,
Kelli

I just listened to a report on NPR about the serial killers terrorizing Phoenix. Indeed, I’m a bit freaked out. Although, I really wasn’t until I heard that report. Funny how you can live in your own little protective suburban bubble until Michele Norris knocks you silly. [Tangent: does it annoy you that she pronounces her name "Meee shell." Gah.]

So, there’s the two wackos wandering around the city, randomly shooting, killing and raping people. And then there’s the oppresive heat that is making those without air conditioning, even when temporary, rather unhappy. If this isn’t a tourism brochure for all those interested in moving to Phoenix in July, I’m not sure what is.

Current distractions:
1. Swam this morning and get to swim again tonight. Love that. It’s a double dip kind of day.

2. Knitting. Kay and Ann are smarties. Check out my ballband dishcloth:

3. Sewing. Lots of totes to give away on the tour de South America next month.

4. Cooking. Um, notsomuch. Unless you count pouring the cereal into the bowl “cooking” this time of year.

5. Reading. It’s dry, but interesting. And way scarier than a serial killer.

6. Listening. I added many of these to my running mix. Nothing like a little Queen to get me hauling bootie on my morning runs.

La de dah, off to the pool. Let’s hope they catch these crazies soon.
~K

I know I did. So did Amanda. We both have nearly the entire old school set of Nancy Drew novels, thanks to our mothers, and our love of used bookstores. I spent more than one summer afternoon curled up with a Carolyn Keene classic.
Amanda’s birthday was last week. I was stumped on a good gift — but when I saw a little Nancy Drew notepad when vacationing in San Francisco, a sleuth-y idea came to mind.

A colorful pouch featuring book jackets from a few of our faves.

Once she added a chocolate bar, a gift certificate and a few other goodies to the pouch, the mystery of the birthday gift was solved. Voila!

~K

*I guess we really all do want to be Nancy Drew! I love the comments and email. Thank you! To transfer images (from the web, or digital photographs) to fabric, I buy transfer sheets at Wal-Mart. They cost about $6 for 4 sheets and are found in the craft department. (No Sherlock Holmes work there.) Then I arrange my images in publisher and send one of the sheets through my laser printer. I let it dry for about an hour before crafting with it. It is simple canvas fabric — nonfusible. Then I cut out my image and carefully sew around each edge. If you want to turn these edges under, leave yourself some room when cutting. Viola! The mystery of the transfered images is solved!*

The Tie One On theme for June/July is an apron based on your favorite musical.
Truly, my favorite musical is Wicked, but I couldn’t for the life of me figure out to show the crafty, cunning side of Elphaba that made me fall in love with the story. (Or the saccarine sweet side of Galinda that has me singing along to “Popular” every. single. time.) So, instead I went for the Frank Baum classic-inspriation of Wicked, “The Wizard of Oz.”

Nothing like a pair of great ruby stilettos to go skipping down a yellow brick road…

~K

I purchased a baby pattern this weekend at the local craft joint. Pretty fabric, notions, and several precious hours of weekend time later and I was ready to poke my eyes out with the seam ripper — which was warm from so much use. Needless to say, the project is in pieces.
Am I the only one out there who would pay double for a pattern that was easy to understand? I swear I’ve yet to complete a patterned sewing project* that hasn’t left me shaking and angry at my inability to understand the creator’s directions.
Either I don’t speak “McCalls” or I’m sew dumb.
Gah!

*The one exception are Wee Wonderful patterns. Hilary gets it. Or I’m fluent in Wee. Your choice.