The Not-So-Sweet Side Of It All

So I'm on this quest right now to really understand what the deal is with high fructose corn syrup. Awhile back, I tried cutting it out of our diet. I read that it had a possible effect on behavioral issues. Since we have a child with behavioral issues, I figured it couldn't hurt to give it a try while I researched it.
So I cut out fruit snacks, most candies, any non-100%-juice beverages, and sugar cereals. We already don't drink soda (just in case you didn't know that...) so I figured I had most of the culprits at bay.
HA!
Who knew? I was eating Kellog's Smart Start cereal for breakfast the other day. A nice, healthy, whole-grain cereal. I checked the ingredients, and there was high fructose corn syrup!

The past 2 times I've been grocery shopping, I've checked the ingredients on any pre-packaged foods. You cannot imagine how many foods contain this stuff! It's about as easy to avoid as water.

So why has it become the recent whipping boy of additives? From what I can tell, it seems to be high in calories and low in nutritional content. The Mayo Clinic has this to say: "High-fructose corn syrup is made by changing the sugar (glucose) in cornstarch to fructose — another form of sugar. The end product is a combination of fructose and glucose. Because it extends the shelf life of processed foods and is cheaper than sugar, high-fructose corn syrup has become a popular ingredient in many sodas, fruit-flavored drinks and other processed foods." (Don't expect APA citation here...) These factors cause increased weight gain, which as we all know can lead to obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. I also read that this type of sugar stimulates the need for more, which leads to addictive eating behaviors. I can totally get on board with that one. Lastly, I read here that when consumed in excess (which pretty much is a problem for more of us than we realize) your liver cannot handle it, and throws it back into your system, causing intestinal issues. (If you're really interested, you can read the lab report detailing results of a study on HFCS here.)

But what about behavior? I can see where having constant intestinal issues could make you cranky and make it difficult to be good. But I can't seem to find any solid research on HFCS's effects on behavior. I've read that it can contribute to hyperactivity, aggravate ADHD symptoms, or "have effects on behavior." I just can't seem to find any solid research explaining how and why. I mean, the research is there on the obesity aspect. And I stand behind that 100%. But does anybody have any information on HFCS's link to to behavior issues??? Have you tried naturalizing yours or your family's diet at all? I'm not talking nutritarian here (sorry, Robin!). Just a general stab at cutting unnecessary junk out of your menu... primarily high fructose corn syrup. Hook a sista up with some info...

A Real Thriller

So. I must say again that living in a non-boondocky location totally has its perks. People actually come here! I've lived in some really out-of-the-way towns over the past several years, and the only time I saw friends is when I travelled. Now, people like to come here, and while I pretend it's just to see me, I know it's to see all the great things this area has to offer. WhatEVA.

So here's Carolyn. She and I taught together last year, and she is WICKED FUN! I don't think I have ever enjoyed a year of employment as much as I did last year. And she was a huge part of that.

We caught this really neat laser show. It was all Michael Jackson music. I was so proud of my kids who knew all the MJ songs they played. What can I say? It doesn't take much to make this mama happy. But I can see why acid-trippers love these things. I mean, I was completely sober and I had surreal experiences. Can you imagine hallucinogenics at something like this? Straight crazy. Anyway, snapped a few slow-speed shots during the show, and I really loved how they turned out. Matter o'fact, I loved this one enough to try out my new photographer's watermark on it. Whattaya think?

We also went to this great big butterfly garden. There were butterflies flying all over the place, and you could get right up on them and check them out. Here's Keola being a bit freaked out that one just flew up in his face:

This is Carolyn's daughter, Seneca. She and Carolyn watched the kids for us when we have had to travel out of town in the past. My kids beg for them. Literally.

It was a ton of fun, and made me feel less sad about leaving such a great friend behind. So who's next? Come see us!! Good times.

Tribute

I asked my friend Ann if she minded me posting this as a tribute to Conrad. She gave me her permission to do so, and I wanted to pass it along as a way of honoring his sacrifice. Please remember to keep our soldiers and their families in your prayers, as well as the leaders of our country.

In Loving Memory of "Staff Sgt. Conrad Mora” United States Army from Chris Angeles on Vimeo.

Curses! Foiled Again!

So we went to the coast this weekend. We loaded up all five bikes, jumped in the Jeep, and cruised off to an area that Google touted to be "popular for biking because it offers more than 120 miles of trails and paved roads."

HA! We drove an hour and a half, arrived at the shore, and found that all the trails were simply bike lanes on the main arteries of the city! There were no coastal trails, and when we tried to take our bikes up near the sand, we found it to be "pouco efficiente." (Portuguese for "highly ineffective"). We could've biked arterial lanes right here at home! I was not happy. We did, however, enjoy the coast. We couldn't really swim though, since we didn't bring suits (and the water was WICKED cold anyway) and we didn't want to ride home in a doorless Jeep with wet clothes. Brrrr...

The other kicker was supper. We went to a local restaurant, and I was FEENIN for some fresh seafood. So I ordered the captain's platter, which had clams, oysters, scallops, shrimp and haddock. What I got was about 12 pounds of grease and batter. We had decided to splurge on this meal, and NO ONE liked their food! You can imagine how much it killed me to fork over NINETY FIVE DOLLARS for food that no one liked. I absolutely do not mind splurging on a great meal (especially seafood) from time to time, if IT'S WORTH IT! It was not.

THEN... we left around 8pm for the drive home. It was chilly, but we were prepared. We brought hoodies and blankets to tuck ourselves in the doorless Jeep. But apparently, the wind was unpleasant on the children. Apparently, he was hogging the blanket. Apparently, she keeps leaning on me. Apparently, I can't sleep because the wind is noisy in my ears. Apparently, my kids are whiny complainers who can't enjoy a long, windy ride in a doorless Jeep. WHAT-EVER.

It's a good thing we had a great time at the shore, because the biking, dining, and Jeeping were a bust. Maybe we should count that as our FHE for the week.

There Is Beauty All Around (Other People's Houses)

So did anyone happen to notice this picture in the Ensign (the LDS Church's magazine) this month? I noticed it. Here's when I noticed it... after I stormed out of our family home evening tonight because ALL FIVE kids were driving me INSANE, and I went up to my room to read.

Tonight was going to be a fun night, because after FHE, we had some delicious desserts prepared by Jordan. Sam was having a friend sleep over. The boys were going upstairs to the man cave to watch some Sylvester Stallone garbage. There was even Sprite in our house. Needless to say, no one was really interested in participating in Keola's lesson. Not even Keola. There was bickering, eye rolling, boredom, goofing off... it was UGG-LEE. I was kind and polite in requesting respect and reverence. I was ignored. So I announced I had had enough, and I marched upstairs to read my church magazine and find MY OWN spiritual uplift.

And of course, on page 2... the image of the perfect family studying the scriptures together. Children, scripture markers in hand, are looking attentively at Mums and Father, eagerly awaiting further light and knowledge. I stared at this picture for a good five minutes, allowing my mind to elaborate on the scene. I pictured one boy stabbing the other boy's hand with his scripture marking pencil. In retaliation, the brother reaches over and rips a few pages out of the stabber-brother's scriptures. In an effort to stop the madness, Mums hurls her bible at the boys. Father starts yelling at all the family to KNOCK IT OFF, while little sis stands clutching her picture of Joseph Smith and screaming at the top of her lungs. I really, truly wanted to see that picture in my magazine. I really, truly wanted to read about the REAL side of FHE.

I'm totally bugged. But in lighter news, new fun pictures of the kids and us can be found here.

Peace in the Plan

Sometimes life can be hard. Have you noticed? This has been a tough couple of weeks.

This is my Aunt Dolly. I love her dearly. She has been a wonderful part of my life. Her son, my cousin, was killed in a motorcycle accident a few weeks ago. Shortly afterwards, her sister, my Aunt Luana, passed away as well. More than anything, I feel so sad for her loss. I just want to be by her and love her. I went to Aunt Luana's funeral, and while it was sad, it was still a time of rejoicing over a long life full of love and kindness. There was an understanding of a Greater Plan, and our family felt united in an eternal perspective.

In the midst of feeling a little sad about these events, we received notice that my sweet friend Ann's husband was killed in Afghanistan. His name is Conrad. They are so young, with so much ahead of them. It is so sad. They have a 2 year old son that I adore.

I have a deep belief in life continuing. I know that a family unit can continue on forever. We love all of our children, and while I'm not exactly sure how divorce and remarriage all work in heaven, I believe we will all have the opportunity to be together. Today we attended a memorial on the base for Conrad. The grief was overwhelming. There is nothing you can say to console someone in a situation like this. It is compounded by a sense of hopelessness that death is indeed what ends your ties.

I really don't know what else to say. I appreciate all the support and strength my husband has offered me over the past few weeks. Conrad's death has been difficult for him as well, bringing back difficult memories of his last deployment. We have been leaning on each other, and it has brought a renewed strength and love to our marriage.