Monday Morning Grandma--Small Stuff

Lap top is in the shop, and I didn't know I could only access this part of blog from this screen name. Sigh. I want my lap top back. At least I figured it out today.

It’s interesting to think of the small ways others have touched our lives. They teach us lifelong habits. A few of mine are below. As you can tell, my brother Bob taught me a lot. The important, serious things I’ve learned along the way belong on a different post.

Bob taught me: The correct way to eat an apple is to circle around the middle first, then eat the top and bottom parts. When you butter toast, be sure to cover every crumb to the crust. The best way to get every bit of corn on the cob is to lift the kernels out one row at a time with your bottom teeth. (I don’t do that anymore because it takes too much time.) I didn’t realize until this year when we visited him I also learned how to eat a sandwich—crust first. That gets rid of the crust then you can eat what he calls “dessert” or the middle with all of the goodness and without the crust.

This isn’t just about my brother; I learned habits from others as well:

I remember having lunch with some high school friends when they insisted I try ketchup on my French fries.

I learned to be cynical about commercials from a high school friend.

I now only use ½ of a can of water when warming up canned condensed soup (more flavor). I learned that when going to junior college at institute of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I won’t bore you with any more. I’ll bet you can think of people who have influenced you in small ways.

Monday Morning Grandma: Food

Sorry I'm a day late, but my computer is having hiccups. 

Food: We all eat. Most of us want to lose weight. We know we need to eat healthy. What to do, what to do?

Let’s see what the “experts” say:

High carb

Low carb

High protein

Vegetarian

Vegan

Meat is the best source for protein

Gluten free

Wheat is the staff of life

Drink milk

Avoid dairy

Avoid 5 fruits that make you fat

Sugar is poison or a drug

The list goes on and on …

In my biology class I learned sugar does not turn into starch then fat. Why would doctors test for sugar levels by handing you an empty container if it’s stored as fat and not eliminated? Sugar and fat combo is a problem—burn sugar, store fat. Studies using sugar and placebo prove sugar does not make children hyper. (How do they react when they get a toy they’ve wanted?) Sugar does cause cavities, and replaces nutritious food, so sparingly is in order.

My mom drank so much carrot juice her skin, especially the palms of her hands, turned orange.

Moderation is in order.

Sure there are special diets for certain ailments, and stay away from foods you are allergic to.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I try to follow the Word of Wisdom which is found in the 89^th section of the Doctrine & Covenants some basics:

Abstain from tobacco, alcoholic beverages (also included by modern day leaders: illegal drugs, yes that means marijuana), tea, & coffee. Consume: wholesome herbs, fruits, meat sparingly, & grain.

I use this as my guide when looking at special diets. 

Monday Morning Grandma--Update on My Writing

My writing is coming along. I’m waiting for the edit of Hidden Heritage. Escape from Fire is finished and sitting on the back burner simmering for a couple of weeks. Car Crash is started, and waiting for me to work on when I get the other 2 re-edited. So I think today I’m going to go back to my semi-autobiography that I dabble in occasionally. It’s about growing up in the 50’s. It’s my life, but it’s amazing how much research I need to do. For now, I’m using real names, but I’ll have to change the names and enough things readers won’t know who I’m writing about because there is no way to get friends and foes permission. Current events seep in as part of the story. The first election I remember knowing about was when Eisenhower became president. See what I mean about needing to do research? I remember reading about Univac, the first computer in a pamphlet at school. I think it was called Junior Scholastic. What year did those and other things happen? I’ll also be mentioning music, movies and such.

Monday Morning Grandma--General Conference

After such an inspiring General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I feel the need to mention a few things that inspired me: Just random thoughts without designating who said what because I’m not good at that. I need to redouble my efforts in reading the scriptures daily. I’ve been doing fairly well, but I need to do it every day, even if it means going to bed a few minutes later if I haven’t made time earlier. Same for getting my physical health the best it can be. (One example, if I really don’t have time to go for a walk, a couple of 15 or 20 minutes of walking around the house is better than doing nothing.) Walking where Jesus walked is less important than walking as Jesus walked. Trying to please others before pleasing God is inverting the 1^st and 2^nd great commandments. It’s hard to pinpoint one, but a few talks reminded me about the importance of taking the sacrament. I plan to make changes in my thoughts at that sacred time. So much more, but I know my readers don’t want a long dialogue.