Time Flies!

Wow, who would have thought that nearly eight weeks have passed since writing my last post.  Where has the time gone?  Actually, it has gone to 15 discussion questions being answered in my classroom forums, and to 7 papers.  I am looking forward to the day when I am done with school so I can have more time with baking, reading, and writing for fun, rather than for school.

For those of you who may not be aware, I have spent the last 3 1/2 years working on my Master of Public Health degree from Grand Canyon University.  Even being 9 weeks from finishing school, I often wonder, "what do I want to be when I grow up?"  Two things I have learned over the past few years are I really have enjoyed writing, and I enjoy educating.  My dream is to someday write my own cookbook.  Last spring, I worked on a Wright Family cookbook for my niece's wedding shower gift.  The thought has crossed my mind to take this initial book, and begin working on these recipes to develop healthier versions of them.  There is nothing like good ol' home-cooking, and having it be healthy at the same time.

The issue with writing a "healthy" cookbook brings me to the question...what does healthy truly mean?  For some, it might be eating low fat, for others it might be eating low sugar or carbohydrates, while others it might be eating Paleo-style.  These are just a few of the "healthy" diets, but really, most any food can fit into a healthy diet (unless you have food allergies), as long as we eat moderate portions, we fit this into our caloric intake, and that we participate in physical activity to help burn calories.

Many people would probably say that I am a liberal dietitian...because I do feel all foods can fit into a healthy diet, even "junk" foods and "fast" foods.  It is even possible to go eat at your favorite restaurant and still fit that into your healthy lifestyle.  Recently, I have had discussions with co-workers about removing all "junk" foods and regular sodas from vending machines, schools, and cafeterias to help address the obesity rates in the United States, but is this really the answer?  Certainly it is a possibility...to take away the choice of a person, but does that really help?  What is the success rate of this?  Have we actually seen a decline in obesity rates since taking sodas, regular potato chips, and candy bars out of our schools?  Have we seen a decrease in obesity rates since removing regular sodas and candy bars out of vending machines?   Is the answer taking away choices, or is the answer to provide the options AND the education to make the right choice?  Now, I'm gonna be honest...when those "junk" foods are completely eliminated from my diet, I end up craving these foods, and overeating on them...but if I allow myself these treats on occasion, I can be satisfied when I do eat them and not feel the need to overindulge. 

Addendum:  I had started writing this post probably 9 weeks ago...and now, I am down to 5 days of school left until I have my Masters of Public Health.  Yeah!!  And, as I read the original posting above, it still really holds true in my mind.  My dreams remain the same...educating and writing.  And another dream was considered throughout the past couple months...do I want to own my own business, such as a bakery (so much for "healthy" foods!!).  We are told in the book of Jeremiah, chapter 29, verse 11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future."  I tell ya...I have gone to this verse so many times, to reassure myself of the choices I make.  As for the bakery...I do think that someday I will operate my own bakery, but I don't think now is the time for me.  For the last 3 1/2 years, I've been working on my Masters degree, and this has taken so much time away from my family and my hobbies, and prior to that, I was helping take care of my mom during her year battle with cancer.  So, for the next several months, I am going to take some time to be with Brian and Brandon, and not have to take time to study, or to be at my place of work for 12-14 hours a day.  They deserve my time...just as I do, and mostly as God deserves my time.  And who knows...maybe there will be more blogs written, now that I'm not having to write an evidence-based research project (that by the way...was 66 pages long!!).  Till next time...the cookbook collector wishes you a Happy Easter. 

Blood is thicker than water, but Soup is thicker than blood!!

I know this is a pretty odd title, but this past weekend, I re-realized the importance of family.  In 2010, I became an orphan...meaning both of my parents were gone.  I was parentless, and for those that haven't experienced this yet, it's a different, odd feeling.  There are days I still want to pick up the phone and call my mom, especially when I've had a bad day, and have needed to vent.  Unfortunately, I have become the queen of holding things in. 
Of course, many of  us have heard the phrase "blood is thicker than water," but if you haven't, I want to share the "meaning" of this phrase.  According to Wikipedia (yes, I realize this isn't a "professional" resource, but since this isn't a research paper, I'm gonna use it), family ties (i.e. blood) are more important than the ties of friendship (i.e. water).  Now don't get me wrong...friends are very important, and I have some very dear, close friends, but yet, they aren't as strong as those family ties. 
This past weekend, I made a trip to Nebraska.  Very unselfishly, Uncle Harold and Aunt Arlene have "adopted" me as a 4th child, and I tell ya...that blood is thick, and I thank God for them!!  Which brings me to the Soup being thicker than blood.  Many times when I visit, soup is the focal point of the meals.  This time, it was potato soup and homemade chicken noodle soup (with homemade noodles too!!)...and then it was time to open gifts.  We "kids" received the most beautiful soup bowls (you can see a picture of mine following this article), and each time I use these bowls, I will remember that I have the blood-ties with Harold, Arlene, Kari, David, and Cindy, but even stronger than that, we have "soup-ties," that can't be broken!!  I love you all!!! :)

And to share a recipe, I did a "dump" soup today...on this lovely, cold, Kansas day.

Dump Soup

1 pound lean ground beef, browned and drained
1 cup frozen onion, red and green pepper blend
4 cups beef broth
2 cans diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can drained green beans
1 can drained wax beans
1 package frozen chopped spinach
1 can drained carrots
2 fresh summer squash, diced
10 to 12 oz. V-8 juice
1 can tomato sauce
1-2 Tablespoons freeze-dried basil
Fresh ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients in large kettle and simmer for 1-2 hours on low until flavors are well blended.  Enjoy!!

 Dump Soup

Soup Bowls from Harold and Arlene