McRib is Back

So I really don't get why people go so crazy over the McRib... then again I have never tried it.. lol. What I think is even more hilarious is the fact that McDonalds always has it out for a limited time.. lol. Anyways, it's coming back, November 2nd to be exact, and there is a pretty hilarious video thanks to the Colbert Report. Enjoy.

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
The McRib Is Back
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes 2010 Election March to Keep Fear Alive

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Happy Halloween

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List of Common Food/Drink Items with HFCS

As I said in my last post, as I started to really take notice of HFCS it started to seem like it was in everything. Some of those stuff I am really going to make a concerted effort to cut back on, others will be really hard. The first thing that will suck is my morning Yoplait Yogurt...that I love love love! aaah...we will see. lol. But this website, lists a list of 100s of items that has HFCS, I will just take about 20-40 items that most people eat or I eat and put it on here. (The * will indicate foods that I eat, **stuff I love, - other common foods.) Prepare to be shocked!

**Stove Top Stuffing: Chicken, Cornbread, Turkey, Pork, Homestyle Herb
- Capri Sun: Pretty much all flavors
*Coca-Cola
*Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice
**Powerade
**Starbucks Frappucinno
-Thomas English Muffins
-Kellogg's Cereals: Cornflakes, Frosted Flakes,Apple Jacks, Raisin Bran, RiceKrispies, Special K
-Eggo Pancakes
*Nestle Baby Ruth
**Heinz Ketchup
-Pop Tarts
*Rice Krispy Treats
**Nutri Gran Bars
*Oreos
-Chips Ahoy
-Lorna Dornes
-Robitussin
-Vicks Nyquil
**Wheat-thins
**Yoplait Yogurts
-Hershey's Chocolate Syrup
*Kraft BBQ Sauce
-KC Masterpiece
-Oscar Meyer Lunchables

Remember by no means is this a complete list, there are way more on the website and other websites. It's important to be aware.

Until Next Time...

What's in a Name? (HFCS/ Corn Sugar)

So for those of you who have watched Food Inc, you have already heard of High Fructose Corn Syrup. For those of you who have not, then this post is for you. This has been something that I am really starting to be cognizant of since I read the ingredients label for pretty much everything I eat. Because I am a firm believer in not reinventing the wheel, below is an excerpt on the wikipedia entry for High Fructose Corn Syrup

HFCS comprises any of a group of corn syrups that has undergone enzymatic processing to convert some of its glucose into fructose to produce a desired sweetness. In the United States, consumer foods and products typically use high-fructose corn syrup as a sugar substitute. In the United States, it has become very common in processed foods and beverages, including breads, cereals, breakfast bars, lunch meats, yogurts, soups and condiments.


In the U.S., HFCS is among the sweeteners that have primarily replaced sucrose (table sugar). Factors for this include governmental production quotas of domestic sugar, subsidies of U.S. corn, and an import tariff on foreign sugar; all of which combine to raise the price of sucrose to levels above those of the rest of the world, making HFCS cost-effective for many sweetener applications. Critics of the extensive use of HFCS in food sweetening argue that the highly processed substance is more harmful to humans than regular sugar, contributing to weight gain by affecting normal appetite functions, and that in some foods HFCS may be a source of mercury, a known neurotoxin


Here is the link for the article that was ran in the NYTimes about the "name change" of High Fructose Corn Syrup" Keep in mind that this very current and pertinent to today. This request/approval happened as late as September of this year. 


So basically what do I think? Yes.. I think there is a serious epidemic in the US, from staggering rates of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure to the "inactivity" of our population, all of that starts with our diet. It is the consumers responsibility to know EXACTLY what is going into their bodies, and it is also the manufacturer's responsibility to make it clear to the buyer what is in their product.


For those of you who know me, I do NOT like artificial sweeteners. Well let's start with the obvious... they are nasty. Why give me something fake when I have the real thing?? It doesn't weird anyone out that a single pack of equal/sweet n low/splenda is way sweeter than 2-5 tablespoons of regular sugar. I believe all of this food engineering is having serious effects on our bodies and we are unaware of it. 


The long range studies of the effects couldn't possibly be that conclusive. First of all, Splenda was introduced in 1999, which is a little over a decade ago. So there is no way to even know the long term effects. Equal has been around a little longer, while Sweet n' Low has been in existence since the 50s. I don't know, maybe I am just suspicious.. but I'd rather my desserts NOT have any artificial sweetener. I don't care if I am consuming more calories; I will just eat less of it. Ok I just went off on a really long rant. I am a major coffee drinker, and I faithfully put my "regular" sugar in my coffee every morning. 


If you are really interested, here is another NY times article about "the worries that americans feel when it comes to sweeteners" This entry is getting a little long, I will post a follow-up one. 


Until Next Time...

Quotes to Live By

So I really love quotes... I came across a few today that I really enjoyed, I figured I would share them... I really need to work on all of my blog slacking.

“Out of intense complexities intense simplicities emerge.” - Winston Churchill

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”  -Winston Churchil

“Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.” - Carl Jung

“Difficulties mastered are opportunities won” - Winston Churchill

“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” - Pericles

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My 200th Post!!

I can't believe I have written 200 posts!! I hope for 200 more!

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Giving Credit When It's Due...SheaMoisture

So a couple weeks before I moved back here, I was in Target with my sisters, we were hunting for products for my sister who was deciding to go natural. (Yup all three of us are natural now!!!!!!!!!) Anyways, I decided to try out a new shampoo and moisturizer, because although I love Miss Jessie's products they are way too pricey and the amount of ingredients/chemicals in them are unheard of!

So I decided to try out the SheaMoisture products, I remember someone saying they were pretty good, and since they were only $9.99 a pop (pretty cheap in natural land) I decided to get them. I ended up buying the Organic Coconut Curl Enhancing Smoothie and Organic Coconut and Hibiscus Brilliant Curl Smoothie... both for Thick Curly Hair (whew that was a mouthful)... And so far I LOVE THEM!!!!

The shampoo and curl enhancing smoothie leave my hair feeling so moisturized and hydrated!!! It's so soft and just overall amazing! Miss Jessie's better watch out because I might have a new Holy Grail product.

Not only are they both organic and all natural but they have:
-No parablens
-No sulfates
-No synthetic color
-No animal testing
-No synthetic fragrance
-No mineral oil
-No gluten
-No paraffin
-No propylene glycol
-No paba
-no dea
-no animal ingredients

Whew that was a long list, and best of all it is affordable, I don't have to sell my unborn child to afford it.
If you are looking for a new relatively inexpensive product to try out, give the SheaMoisture a try, a little goes a long way!

Until Next Time...

Oh You Fancy huh?

So even though Drake gets on my nerves and STL has taken it upon themselves to make sure a song of his plays at least once every 10 minutes...this song is catchy.

Ok so what does the post title have to do with anything? Well it's weird that whenever I get on here, I am unsatisfied with my template design and I always change it...it's kind of weird because as much as I would like to be consistent there are so many different combinations, that it is hard to just choose one.

With all that being said, I have actually gone back to the autumn leaves background. As some of you may know, Autumn/Fall is my favorite season!!! First it is the only season that has two names, so that automatically makes it cooler. And I love the smooth transition that everything seems to undergo. You teeter (is that a word?) between warm breezes and cool nights. I love walks at night in fall, simply romantic!! aaah!! Also I love the way the trees change colors...some trees change faster than others, so you have a medley of deep auburns, to burnt oranges, to minty green leaves!! Once the leaves start to gently fall....it's so beautiful.

Wow I got off topic, don't even remember what I started this post about. Oh I think I was going to discuss changes, more technology orientated changes. I like the new template for Twitter... it just seems to make sense, you can actually understand what some is replying to now. Also it aesthetically looks better. Blogger has also made it easier to upload pics, so that's cool. I like new ways of doing things.

In a weird turn of events, I actually don't really have TV right now. So I still have the same TV I have had since college, but I have no cable and since the "digital migration" you can't just stick the cable cord into the wall anymore and get cable if you have an analog tv. So in an attempt not to spend $70 on a stupid box and antenna thingy, I have tried everything possible. Also I tried getting satellite, but the way my apt faces won't actually give me a signal...yeah and I am not really trying to come out of the pocket $50 for some cable. So I have just been watching movies and watching the staples (Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, and RHOA) on hulu. Thank goodness for HULU! But I am considering just getting the stupid box thingy... so we will see. Until Next Time...

Ode to Fall

Submitted by: TiffanyK

Author: Melody Wallace

Cool days, cooler evenings
Time for sweaters.
Chop the wood, stack it high
Get out the leathers.


Trees of yellow, orange and red
Mums in full bloom
Roses bending, lilacs sad
Skies of gloom


Chili on the stove, stew at a simmer
Aromas fill the room
Apple pie, hot cocoa sweet
Just a good time before...
Winter's gloom

Until Next Time...

You know what I love...that's right, my hair!

I absolutely love this video!!! My line sister sent it to me earlier today. I heard about it through twitter, and I am glad that I finally got to see it. This is extremely important for young black girls. Our society, especially black culture really needs to start accepting each other for who we are. It is almost ingrained that at a certain age you should get your hair straightened or permed, but why can't you just love your hair the way it grows out of your scalp?

Anyways, positive affirmations are great and can do so much for women/girls self-esteem. I am glad that people are really starting to be more open minded and accepting. Black women can be beautiful in so many different ways!! Love it!

Until Next Time...

Eek!

First let me start off by saying I have NOT abandoned my blog. I just have had a "writers" block this past month. I can't believe it has been a month. Wow. This semester has really flown by. Maybe it's my "count up" that I have implemented. Currently it is Week 8, Day 38...woohoo! And for those of you that don't know, there are 16 weeks in a semester, so I am more than halfway.

So far this semester is wayyy better than last year. I guess I don't hate St. Louis as much and I made it out of the "hood"...lol. But I feel like I am becoming more and more like an optometrist everyday. For the most part all of my classes are really interesting, some teachers are more boring than others. And it sucks when teachers "dim" the lights to look at powerpoints...ugh. Good thing I sit on the front row, and I have my handy dandy coffee right next to me, faithfully every morning.

So hmm...why haven't I written, don't know. I said I was going to be better about it this semester also, because I didn't really write much this summer either. In other news, I am approaching post 200!! Yes...almost 200 posts. I plan on having a post/blogging explosion tonight, because I don't feel like studying, so at least I will have something to show for the next half hour or so. Also it's kind of weird, but I think the more I tweet the less I blog, so I am going to have to work on balancing the two.

Yes the temperature has started to drop, but it is up and down, like today I studied outside...Which was great! Gosh so much has happened in the past month it will be almost impossible to share everything. Well I will share as I think of it. There are a few posts that I am itching to get out though. So enjoy!

Until Next Time...