Junk food in schools
eDiets published an article about Texas Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs, who has been successful in eliminating junk food from schools in Texas. Despite opposition from lawmakers, administrators, and even parents, she has eliminated the sale of junk food from vending machines and the cafeteria, and put restrictions on bake sales at schools.
As much as I hate the “nanny-state”, and as much as this is one of the finest examples of the “nanny-state”, I have to say that I like it. My kids’ eating habits are bad enough, but with the way the schools administer lunches allows my kids way too much choice in their food. We have to deposit money into an account, and the kids are charged for what they take with no limitations placed by the school. Last week, we discovered the youngest had plowed through her account about twice as fast as the older one thanks to desserts.
She’s supposed to bringing lunch now.
But, I just don’t see the point of giving kids sugary, fatty foods at lunch. We know how bad it is for their health and we know how bad it is for their behavior. Maybe it would be harder and more expensive to prepare healthier meals (is it, really?), but isn’t it worth it?
Tags: diet, junk food, kidsBack on the job
Caroline left a comment in yesterday’s post reminding me not to be so hard on myself. You’re absolutely right, Caroline. Negative thinking just exacerbates the problem and makes it easier to say, “Oh, what’s another day/donut at this point…”
I’m coming down with cold now, thanks to a coworker that prefers to use her personal time to leave work early a couple days a week instead of staying home when she’s sick and not infecting the rest of us. Who wants to waste sick time being sick, right?
Grrrrrr…
But, even though I felt like I was run over by a truck, I dragged myself out in the yard with the dog and did core exercises. Lots of air squats, 2-legged, 1-legged, slow-motion kicks to the side, front, and back for balance and strength, just worked on variety and hitting the muscles from a lot of different angles. I always need to work the core for a day or two before walking to help my back, and yesterday’s exercises helped me re-energize a bit so I could do some side work into the evening.
So, the benefits already begin.
Today, Dad’s taxi service is back on the job, with dance pickups and drop-offs right after work. I don’t know when I’ll have time to exercise, but I wore the walking shoes to work today so I’ll be able to squeeze it in at some point. Hopefully, I get to the dance studio in time to get in 20 minutes of walking before the oldest daughter finishes class. If not, as soon as I get home.
Tags: exerciseYes, I’m still here, and I still suck
Real life is killing me right now, but that’s no excuse. I’m doing ok with regard to food, still bringing lunches to work. Mostly, it’s been lean cuisine supplemented with a side salad that I make myself. But exercise?
It hasn’t been happening. I admit it. I’m going to get back out today and try to rebuild a new habit. I hate walking in the dark because of my tendency to sprain ankles. Since the time change, I haven’t wanted to go out at all. I’m going to start going to parts of town that are better lit, but it’s tough to keep that commitment when I get home from work and there’s kids waiting to show me their schoolwork, dishes to clean after dinner, activities that kids need to be shuttled to, and side work that needs to be done. I don’t know how you all do it, but I could use some encouragement!
Tags: exercise, kids