The economy and cheeseburgers.... Really?

I was listening to news radio in the car yesterday and heard a segment discussing the state of the economy. To my surprise, the data being collected in Georgia to determine the state of the economy in various cities measured how expensive that particular city is by looking at the price of a McDonald's double quarter pounder with cheese. Really?

Is our society so bent on the convenience of a ready-made, unhealthy meal that our economy is measured against it? The average price in Georgia for this burger is $3.50 each. That is a high price to pay for something that is nearly an entire days worth of fat, calories, cholesterol and sodium. Here is the breakdown.

A quarter pounder with cheese:

520 Calories
1100 mg. Sodium (46% daily intake)
Cholesterol 95 mg. (31% daily intake)
26 g Fat (41% daily intake)
12 g Saturated Fat (61% daily intake)

This is what we are measuring our cities by? Why not use the price of milk, bread or eggs? Why fast food? The reason is because it is so popular.  Unfortunately, it is also contributing to a society of unhealthy adults and children, and an obesity epidemic that is rampaging our nation. Don't get me wrong, every now and again, I want a juicy burger with cheese and ooey gooey toppings. When that desire arises? I go and spend $3.00 on a package of ground beef, and I make my own ooey gooey burgers from fresh, healthy ingredients.

I wish more people would dedicate themselves to fresh, healthy options for meals. Even fast food options can be healthy with a little bit of knowledge. In areas like Atlanta, there are many options for healthy fast food, even burgers and hotdogs. You just have to know where to look. I am making a commitment this year to be healthier. To get my family healthier. Will you?

Finally agreeing.... (Warning)

In the past, people have slammed me for standing up for my pro-life views. It should be known that I do understand why some mothers may choose to have an abortion if they know that their child cannot survive outside the womb, or being pregnant places their lives in danger. That does not mean that I personally agree with it for the sake of just not wanting a baby, but that I do not judge others. That is between them and God.

Now, the issue of third trimester abortions has been hot in politics, religion and everywhere for generations. When these abortions occur, they are most often done at a medical facility that is capable of performing the procedure in a legally accepted way. Unfortunately, the hard economic times have led many women to seek abortions from doctors who should not legally be performing them.

That brings us to the case of Kermit Gosnell, the man who today "avoided the possibility of being condemned to death" after he was CONVICTED of FIRST DEGREE MURDER of THREE BABIES. The man has been convicted of killing babies after they had been born alive, VIABLE outside the womb, and then killed by severing of their spinal cord. At what point does that sound like a good idea? Even Pro-Choice organizations are against this type of behavior, and agree that it makes legal abortions look bad. However, it does show that there is a need for legal precedent and procedure for abortions to avoid this type of psychosis and mistreatment of women and babies.

I understand the legal reasons for not sentencing this man to the death penalty, I mean, tax payers will be paying for this man to have three meals a day, medical care and a roof over his head for the rest of his life in prison anyway. He's old...and let's face it, prison will not be kind to this man.

Here's my thought, and the honest TRUTH. I have read that the women who seek the help of doctors like Gosnell do so because they cannot handle another child. One example given was a mother with three kids already, whose husband just lost his job. "Another baby would sink us". Okay, how about using this magical thing called BIRTH CONTROL? It's free at most health departments, and the GOVERNMENT (Medicaid) will even pay for birth control methods, a tubal ligation surgery or IUD following birth. It's really easier to just kill the baby when  you decide that you don't want it than it is to be a responsible adult to begin with?

And secondly, people who have babies and babies and babies, and then cannot afford to pay for their care, but they continue to have babies irresponsibly (and I am only referring to those irresponsible parents, not those who just fall on hard times), should not be allowed to punish the baby for their irresponsibility. The baby did not ask to be conceived, it just was.

I am a mother, I have had hard times... I easily could have gotten to the point where Lily could have died in the womb and they had to "abort" her in order to save my life. But that thought never crossed my mind. I was willing to go through HELL in order to try to get her here, and I work my backside off every single day to make sure that she has what she needs. I don't depend on anyone else to do that. I don't take advantage of the government's resources. I cannot imagine what kind of desperation it must take to make the choice for a late-term abortion.

The federal government considers life "viable" at 24 weeks gestation. Think about this, Lily was only developed to 27 weeks gestation "give or take" when she was born. That's not a lot of room for margin. When she was in NICU, there were babies there that were BORN before 24 weeks that survived thanks to doctors and technology (and a lot of prayer). But it's POSSIBLE. How then, are our nation's NICU's full of born fetuses and yet we continue to say that they are not "viable" outside the womb to be considered a person?

I would challenge anyone who gets to decide abortion laws to go walk through a NICU unit and see the babies that are there. They are viable, alive, and living, breathing human beings. I have Lily to prove that!!

Rainy Days.....

I recently reconnected with an old friend that I have known for many years, and with whom I have had some of the most fun in my life. It makes me very happy to find people once again that really meant something wonderful in my life.

On rainy days like today, it is nice/sad to look back and remember how life was when we were younger and did not have as many responsibilities as we do now.

The days when money just kind of sat there until we decided to do something with it... instead of being gone immediately.
The days when it was okay to go to the store in our PJ's if we needed a snack because we were college students and it didn't matter.
The days when we put on makeup every single day in case we ran into someone important (makeup meaning more than powder and mascara).
The days when we could go to bed whenever we wanted, get up for class, then nap at random times throughout the day.
The days when going to work was fun and exciting because the newness had not worn off yet.

Of course, if those days were still here, I wouldn't have what I do. I wouldn't have my husband and absolute love of my life. I wouldn't have my Lily, who makes everyday worth living. I wouldn't have myself as I am now...

A better wife, mother, friend, student, worker... and all around person than I was then.

Thank goodness for figuring things out!

Getting creative

So, I had a thought today that I might start collecting the recipes that I have created that we and the kids like, and put together a sort of cookbook type endeavor. I started getting experimental with food when I was pregnant because I had weird cravings, and I wanted to eat healthy. Now, I'm in an area where diverse, great food abounds, and we are eating things that normally would not be available. This is so inspiring to me, and I love being able to cook great food. We even have found some new foods that the kids like, such as Bok Choy and even fish.

Now I just have to think of some clever names for the title.....

Mom's Making Messes: Why a Messy Cook is the Best
How to Cook to Relieve Stress
Taking out Tension: Best Ways to Tenderize Meat and Other Lessons
Chef Wanna Be: Just Call me Mom

This could take a while......

Garden time... Mommy's get your hands dirty!!

After an unfortunately long sabbatical from gardening, we have once again set our minds to the task, gotten our hands dirty, and have officially started planting!!!

We determined that we are going to do all of our plants in pots and other containers this year so we do not tear up the yard. We welcome any and all suggestions, ideas, feedback, etc. on how to do this! To start, we have been saving all of our aluminum formula cans from our daughter, and they make lovely, recycled containers for small plants. I will post photos when it's not raining. :)

We have gotten some great ideas from our fellow gardeners, and are looking forward to starting back getting involved in the gardening community, both online and locally.

So far, we have planted squash, zucchini, cucumbers, peas, beans, brussels sprouts, okra, radishes, onions and carrots. We will be adding our herb garden, tomatoes, peppers, and leafy greens once the weather clears up a bit.

If ANYONE has any great ideas about how to make efficient trellises or fixtures, or anything involving recycling water or materials, please don't hesitate to offer that information. We're new to gardening in the city, and would love to hear from you!

I'm so excited to introduce the kids to gardening in the backyard and let them help grow and harvest, and of course, enjoy what we grow! Any moms have great ideas for kids gardens to help them get involved??

Samples!

So, I had heard great things about startsampling.com, so I decided to try it out for myself. In the past, I had poor luck with receiving samples that I had signed up for at other websites, but I must say, I am really impressed with my experience!

Not only did I receive large samples of haircare products sent specifically to my hair's needs, but I also received a surprise yesterday from Similac. I went to the mailbox, and found a box inside that was nearly too big to fit. When I opened it, I was pleasantly surprised to find TWO full canisters of formula, and a nice 4oz bottle. I honestly expected to receive small starter samples, but this was huge! As mom's, we all know how expensive formula is. Growing babies need so much nutrition that can only be found in breast milk or formula, but the cost can be debilitating.

I have to really hand it to startsampling and Similac for partnering and providing parents with great free samples and options to give their babies the best. I will definitely be requesting other samples from other providers on startsampling.

What is the world coming to?

You know... I have my issues dealing with this whole being a parent deal. And I got a head start with a born fetus that most people don't have, so I have earned that right to a degree. Like most parents, I worry that my kid will bang her head on the TV one too many times... but come on... kids are built to knock into things, explore (see Dora), and get into everything. That's their way.

Now, I just read an article in the news about a mother who was so depressed and guilt-ridden over allowing her 10 month old baby to hit his head several times as he explored, that she took drastic measures. Apparently, in her mind, the risk of a head injury or lifelong illness because of natural childlike clumsiness warranted death. She leapt from an 8 story building with the baby strapped to her chest. Now, here's where I believe that God must have rescued this child from his mother's issues... the baby survived with nothing more than scratches, and probably a lifelong fear of heights. Somehow, the mother landed in such a way that the baby did not hit the ground. She was killed. She left behind a motherless child and a 13 page suicide note.

I cannot imagine, even in my darkest hours, what must go through a mother's mind to make her want to end the life of her child. Since having Lily, I have been plagued with nightmares and sometimes dark emotions and thoughts. According to my doctors, that is completely normal considering what I have gone through. Never, at any time during any of my own suffering or circumstances, have I ever imagined ending Lily's life. What is this world coming to?