===========================================================
 
Camping season is coming up fast.  Here are a few places we're going to try to camp this season.  Let me know if you've been there and what you think about them... wayne.johnston@gmail.com
 
 
 
 
===========================================================
 
Here's a picture of this huge catfish I caught (04/06/08) in a little retention pond near my in-laws house:
 

 

===========================================================
 
I recently received one of those emails that someone forwards along because the information within is interesting to them.  It's innocent enough - just some general facts, or commonly held beliefs about some pop-culture phenomenon.  Here is the email (I've inserted some comments into the "facts"):
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are some interesting facts about soda you may want to keep in mind:
 
  1. The "sugar" (it's actually HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP (HFCS) not real sugar - sucrose) in soda can increase insulin levels in the blood, which over time can lead to type 2 diabetes, as well as high blood pressure, heart disease and weight gain. Consuming just one can of soda a day can increase your weight by 18 pounds per year.  (The Kosher and Organic sections of the grocery will often have sucrose-based alternatives to your regular sodas... even Pepsi and Coke.  The point: your body knows what to do with sucrose.  HFCS hasn't existed until the last half of the previous century - high concentrations of HFCS freaks your system out.)
  2. Phosphoric acid found in many types of soda inhibits the proper absorption of calcium causing bones to become week and teeth to become soft. Is it any wonder the incidence of osteoporosis continues to increase in America? Additionally, Americans have the highest incidence of osteoporosis in the world. (Here is an article that further explores issues with Calcium absorption. While one of the 11 factors is Phosphoric acid, it should be taken into context.  Also, apparently chocolate plays a part here. Moderation is the key, as mentioned in the article.)
  3. Many sodas contain caffeine, which acts as a stimulant and energy enhancer. However, caffeine increases urine output (see #5) further contributing to water losses.
  4. Diet sodas contain aspartame, an artificial sweetener. Aspartame has been challenged by many people who claim they have had serious side affects, such as headaches, dizziness, seizures and nausea, from its use. For those who drink diet soda as an alternative to sugary soda, aspartame can interfere with the body's ability to reach weight-loss goals.  (My wife and I have switched to only drinking Diet Rite with Splenda - Sucralose: a derivative of sucrose - or organic sodas with just SUCROSE.  There are many fruit juice based sodas that are sweetened by natural fruit juices, or flavored waters like O-water (owater.com) that hav no sweeteners, just fruit flavors.)
  5. Soda also contains sodium, a nutrient that promotes water retention. When sodium levels are excessive in the body, the resulting water retention (Shouldn't the caffeine and sodium cancel each other out? hahaha) can cause other health risks, such as increased blood pressure.
  6. Drinking soda can lead to other health problems because large amounts of soda can decrease your appetite for fruits, vegetable and essential nutrients.
  7. It has been widely accepted that Coke can also be used to:
    1. loosen rusted bolts,
    2. clean up blood stains,
    3. clean corrosion off battery terminals,
    4. remove stubborn toilet bowls stains.

(So, in case you just bought a case of Coke, don't throw it out! Use it to clean your toilet, under the hood of your car, or the bloddy mess you created after taking your frustration (from trying to quit drinking Coke) out on your family!)

 

Here is what I believe should be communicated to anyone that wonders what they should be eating to be healthy:

Most of the above issues are not a problem in a diet based on "healthy moderation".  The problem lies in our total replacement of water and real foods with "food-like" products and drinks.  Yet sadly, few people can simply and totally cut out soda or "treats" from their diet.  I believe the secret is finding healthy products to replace the "unhealthy" food-like products, and introducing them into ones diet gradually.  Depriving oneself of Coke products (or whatever your "weakness" may be) altogether usually ends up in one sneaking two or three, then to a complete breakdown in willpower, and ending up right back on the wagon... I know, I've tried and failed.  For example, I couldn't just cut out salt - I replaced it with "No-Salt".  I replaced regular HFCS sodas with flavored waters and "healthy/organic" sodas.  And I severely curtailed my intake of "fast-food" and I only allow myself to go once every few weeks, and even then only to certain places to get certain things - you can find "lesser evils" if you research the menus and ingredients of your favorite restaurants. 
 
On a side note: telling people that they failed a diet, or that if they'd only had enough will-power, then they would have been able to do it, is like telling someone that if they only have enough faith, God will love them more or all of their problems will go away.  That kind of advice isn't constructive and doesn't help anyone.

Something my wife, Beverly, and I discovered not too long ago: Read the labels.  Did you know Fritos corn chips only have 3 ingredients: Corn, Corn Oil, and Salt.  There is nothing on the package that says, healthy or anything, but these ingredients are all natural and our body knows what to do with them.  But venture over to a flavored Fritos chip... and you better have a dictionary handy and a few minutes to read through the list of ingredients.  There are a lot of foods like this.  If you take the time to read the labels and compare, you'll find that you can be smart about what you're putting into your body.  Don't implicitly trust the marketing on the packaging... heck, just avoid packaged food when you can.

So, what am I really saying here?  It's pretty simple.  I really like to know what it is I'm putting in my body... and the all natural stuff isn't necessarily bad for you.  Just don't eat 6 servings of it in one meal!  Moderation is the key.  (This really isn't rocket science, folks.)  I use real organic butter, organic whole milk, real-sugar, organic eggs, and fresh, organic ingredients (Farmer's Markets are AWESOME!) in nearly everything I can.  My cholesterol used to be over 200, at last check it was 160-something (110H/50L).  My blood pressure used to be 140/90, at last check it was 118/78.  I used to weigh 230+ lbs, now I'm at 205.  I don't exercise beyond the couple miles or so I walk at work (the warehouses are 1 million+ square feet... there's a lot of walking) and weekend "excursions" to the farm or whatnot.  Eating natural, organic foods in moderation goes a long way in helping you to develop a healthier lifestyle... of course, unless years of neglect and not doing so has left your system broken.  Then, you may have to make sacrifices and follow strict regimens in order to just function at a somewhat-normal level.
 
My final comment (I promise): Please see your doctor before you go off the deep end here.  That previous statement about "years of neglect"... well, if you're over 40 and you've never given a first thought about changing your eating habits, you probably fall into that "system is broken" category.  There may be issues with your heart, arteries, joints, lungs, etc. that should be taken into consideration before making huge changes to your diet.  See your doctor, discuss your plans and work together to find a plan that will work for you.