One thing that I found very interesting about Easter island is how a society managed to live and thrive for a bit without any industrialization. As an American I think its rather typical for me to be surprised that a place can live without mass production and solely using their resources around them. I actually think that is a more respectable thing, the fact that they did everything themselves without the help of huge fossil fueled machinery and factories.
After reading about Easter Island I can recodnize similarities between our American civilization and that of Easter Island. The collapse of Easter Island was because of a lot of different factors such as, the way they abused their enviorment as well as political, social, and religious issues. The people on Easter Island used up a lot of unsustainable resources and gave no regard to the fact that these items may one day be unavailable. Comparing that to today, we are using up all of our resources. We are also just abusing our land with no regard to the consequences. Our mass production is based off of fossil fuels which will soon enough be gone. We are chopping down a mass amount of trees and fucking up our rain forest's causing a lot of the animals to become extinct. Animals that are crucial to our eco-system and plants and flowers that we will never see again. We used so many toxic chemicals that our O-zone layer is tearing and global warming is becoming more of an issues as each day passes. We are not only using up all of our resources but we are slowly and surely killing our own planet because of everyones carelessness.
Looking at the collapse of Easter Island and comparing it to Americas inevidable collapse shows us a deep similarity and should serve as a warning. We are going to continue to go downhill, regardless of any effort to save our society. Its sad, but we are too late.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Food Assignment #7 (REVISED)
The Recipe:
Food Network
The Elvis sandwich
2 tablespoons butter, softened
8 slices white bread
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1 large, ripe banana, sliced
1/4 cup honey
12 slices bacon, Sauteed until crispy (optional)
Spread the butter on 1 side of each slice of bread. On the other side of half of the slices spread peanut butter. Place banana slices on top of peanut butter. Drizzle honey over bananas. Place 3 bacon slices on top of the banana, then place the remaining buttered bread slices on top, butter-side-out.
Place sandwiches on a preheated grill pan or griddle. Flip them over when they become golden brown and crispy. When the sandwiches are browned on both sides, remove to plates. Slice in half and serve immediately.
Responses: I made this one night a couple of hours after dinner and I was actually really excited about it. I had never had one before and I saw the recipe a couple of years ago on the food network. Making it was one of the most simple things I have ever cooked and the outcome was AMAZING. My mother walked in while I was frying the bacon and saw the ingredients and asked what I was making. When I said an Elvis sandwich she looked at me like I was crazy, knowing what it was. She then continued to ask me if I was pregnant, because only a pregnant women would crave such random things in a sandwich to which I answered a resounding NO!
Knowing my stepsister Jamie loved Elvis I called her over and invited her over for a surprise. When I showed her my finished product and told her the name she was extremely excited and rather puzzled as to how I came across this. We sat in my room and talked and ate these sandwiches which really hit the spot that night. She thought it was a really great snack, and thanked me for calling her over. I would recommend this to anyone who likes all of the ingredients in this sandwich! and even though it may sound crazy to combine them all, the outcome is simply pleasing!
Food Network
The Elvis sandwich
2 tablespoons butter, softened
8 slices white bread
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1 large, ripe banana, sliced
1/4 cup honey
12 slices bacon, Sauteed until crispy (optional)
Spread the butter on 1 side of each slice of bread. On the other side of half of the slices spread peanut butter. Place banana slices on top of peanut butter. Drizzle honey over bananas. Place 3 bacon slices on top of the banana, then place the remaining buttered bread slices on top, butter-side-out.
Place sandwiches on a preheated grill pan or griddle. Flip them over when they become golden brown and crispy. When the sandwiches are browned on both sides, remove to plates. Slice in half and serve immediately.
Responses: I made this one night a couple of hours after dinner and I was actually really excited about it. I had never had one before and I saw the recipe a couple of years ago on the food network. Making it was one of the most simple things I have ever cooked and the outcome was AMAZING. My mother walked in while I was frying the bacon and saw the ingredients and asked what I was making. When I said an Elvis sandwich she looked at me like I was crazy, knowing what it was. She then continued to ask me if I was pregnant, because only a pregnant women would crave such random things in a sandwich to which I answered a resounding NO!
Knowing my stepsister Jamie loved Elvis I called her over and invited her over for a surprise. When I showed her my finished product and told her the name she was extremely excited and rather puzzled as to how I came across this. We sat in my room and talked and ate these sandwiches which really hit the spot that night. She thought it was a really great snack, and thanked me for calling her over. I would recommend this to anyone who likes all of the ingredients in this sandwich! and even though it may sound crazy to combine them all, the outcome is simply pleasing!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Food Assignment #8 Industrial food
When looking for information on industrial food I came across a very interesting definition of how industrial food operations work. The definition is as follows: "Industrial operations strive to increase production and maximize profit. These farms can cause much harm to the environment; depend heavily on petroleum and other fossil fuels; typically warrant the use of antibiotics, hormones and chemicals; and typically rely on a lean work force." By reading this it just furthers the argument that America will do anything to get more money and to sell more products. Even if that includes enslaving a race and forcing them to work on farms for little to no money to maximize profit. Or in this case manipulating our food supply by adding unhealthy chemicals to our animals or raping our land.
Watching the video on animal cruelty was just crazy to watch. I would have never guessed that the animals we eat are treated in that way. Its hypocritical of those who say they care so much about our food and want it to be only Grade A quality meat, but we don't feed these animals the way they should properly be eating and they are abused before they are killed. It makes me think how much people actually care about what they eat. And personally I feel bad watching that video but I wish I was still ignorant because I am still going to eat industrialzed foods. Our society has wrapped our entire culture around increasing production and maximizing profit that a lot of americans don't give a shit about good values like not abusing animals, etc.
Watching the video on animal cruelty was just crazy to watch. I would have never guessed that the animals we eat are treated in that way. Its hypocritical of those who say they care so much about our food and want it to be only Grade A quality meat, but we don't feed these animals the way they should properly be eating and they are abused before they are killed. It makes me think how much people actually care about what they eat. And personally I feel bad watching that video but I wish I was still ignorant because I am still going to eat industrialzed foods. Our society has wrapped our entire culture around increasing production and maximizing profit that a lot of americans don't give a shit about good values like not abusing animals, etc.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Food Assignment #7
The Recipe:
Food Network
The Elvis sandwich
2 tablespoons butter, softened
8 slices white bread
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1 large, ripe banana, sliced
1/4 cup honey
12 slices bacon, Sauteed until crispy (optional)
Spread the butter on 1 side of each slice of bread. On the other side of half of the slices spread peanut butter. Place banana slices on top of peanut butter. Drizzle honey over bananas. Place 3 bacon slices on top of the banana, then place the remaining buttered bread slices on top, butter-side-out.
Place sandwiches on a preheated grill pan or griddle. Flip them over when they become golden brown and crispy. When the sandwiches are browned on both sides, remove to plates. Slice in half and serve immediately.
Food Network
The Elvis sandwich
2 tablespoons butter, softened
8 slices white bread
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1 large, ripe banana, sliced
1/4 cup honey
12 slices bacon, Sauteed until crispy (optional)
Spread the butter on 1 side of each slice of bread. On the other side of half of the slices spread peanut butter. Place banana slices on top of peanut butter. Drizzle honey over bananas. Place 3 bacon slices on top of the banana, then place the remaining buttered bread slices on top, butter-side-out.
Place sandwiches on a preheated grill pan or griddle. Flip them over when they become golden brown and crispy. When the sandwiches are browned on both sides, remove to plates. Slice in half and serve immediately.
Comments on other peoples blogs
COMMENT TO MARGAUX:
One thing that I saw that was interesting on your blog was from your internet research. It said:
"That food companies are constantly competing with eachother, so that when one company makes their portions bigger, the other has to do the same. Once Mcdonalds creates supersize, so does all other fast foods, etc."
This isn't surprising to me but it I find it very interesting. I often see many of the same items at Mcdonalds as many other fast food place. This competition can be one of the leading causes of obesity, because of the lack of caring about peoples health and the motive of selling as much unhealthy food as possible.
COMMENT TO:
One thing that I saw that was interesting on your blog was from your internet research. It said:
"That food companies are constantly competing with eachother, so that when one company makes their portions bigger, the other has to do the same. Once Mcdonalds creates supersize, so does all other fast foods, etc."
This isn't surprising to me but it I find it very interesting. I often see many of the same items at Mcdonalds as many other fast food place. This competition can be one of the leading causes of obesity, because of the lack of caring about peoples health and the motive of selling as much unhealthy food as possible.
COMMENT TO:
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
FOOD Convention EXTRA CREDIT
When I was told about the food convention I didn't know what to expect, since I had never been to one before. I would have never found myself interested in something like this until I actually went and experienced it. I traveled to the convention with my parents and my friend Vicky and we had an amazingly great time. We stopped at all of the booths and talked and tried samples of everything. Some of the stuff looked great but didn't taste too great and something were just amazing. I decided I was going to stay for two workshops and carefully picked out the ones I wanted to spend time at. The first workshop I took was called "healthy eating can help beat diabetes" which focused on eating healthy and prevention of diabetes. This workshop was very important for me to take because my grandfather died of diabetes amongst other diseases so it helped me take a look at my eating habits and see what little changes I could make that would help make. I took some helpful tips that I am going to include in case anyone would like to read them...
* Instead of eating too much, you can eat smaller servings because bigger is NOT better. Check food labels, packages often contain more than one serving and that means extra calories if you eat the whole thing!
*Instead of drinking soda or sugary drinks, you can drink water, seltzer or 1% milk. This tip helped me out a lot because I never knew how bad and how much weight can be gained by drinking soda. I urged my mother to buy seltzer which satisfies my craving for bubbly soda as well as helps out my health.
*Instead of snacking on junk foods, eat healthier snacks such as pretzels, low fat popcorn, baby carrots, celery grapes, dried fruit, yogurt, etc.
*If you eat unhealthy fats and oils try to switch to healthier oils such as olive oil and canola oil. Use oils and spreads that say "0 grams trans fat"
* If you eat a lot of fast food try to eat it at least once a week and avoid super sizing up your meals.
* If you usually eat red meats, try buying fish chicken or turkey. Try boiling, grilling or steaming these meats.
The second workshop I took focused on was being healthy while expecting and was called " Women's health, Take control" This workshop was extremely interesting because it built off of our whole birth unit and it gave direct instructions on what women need to know. One thing that surprised me was the fact that in the workshop it talked about how a women controls if she wants to be pregnant or not and to take advantage of birth control methods if the women doesn't want to become pregnant. The workshop also addressed the fact that a women doesn't need a mans consent for reproductive services even if they are under the age of 18. This was very important to me because it made me even more aware of my options and the fact that adults recognized that even teenagers are capable of making decisions with this matter. This workshop was extremely empowering to me as a female. In the workshop they spoke about 10 specific ways women can stay healthy and gave out pamphlets to remind us women what we need to do. The 10 points from the pamphlet are:
1. Having a regular doctor and scheduling visits, which check for high blood pressure, diabetes, mammograms, etc.
2. Knowing your HIV status, use condoms, get tested for HIV/STD's, get vaccinated to ensure the health of yourself and the baby.
3. Be tobacco free! Quit smoking ad avoid second hand smoke to prolong your life and protect those around you. This is an issue I see a lot with pregnant women. I see a lot of pregnant women that still smoke and I know it is a hard habit to break but it upsets me that these women are so selfish that they put their needs before the health of their child. There are statistics that say more women die from lung cancer than ANY other cancer! Smoking greatly affects the child's size, features, and can make them more likely to have asthma, bronchitis, and can cause Sudden Infant Death Syndrome(SIDS)
4. Get regular exercise and eat a healthy diet.
5. Live free of independence on alcohol and drugs.
6. Get help if you are depressed or experiencing domestic violence.
7. Choose if and when to get pregnant- its every women's right.
8. If you're planning a pregnancy see a doctor or other health provider for a pre-pregnancy check up.
9. See a health care provider as soon as you think you might be pregnant.
10. Protect your developing baby!
A lot of these points are very important and it is crucial that women who are prenagnt are aware of all of these issues. Especially now with our society addicted to drugs, alcohol and unsafe sex. I am happy that I got to experience this particualr workshop along with my friend who found it very helpful as well but its bittersweet. A lot of women who are actually gpregnant are not aware of all of these dangers and because of their ignorance the child has to suffer. It is very sad but at least when the time comes I get prengant or anyone close to me does I will make sure to hand them this very helpful pamphlet and hopefully it will help!
Overall the food convention was very helpful and in the future I plan on being apart of it to help educate the community further.
* Instead of eating too much, you can eat smaller servings because bigger is NOT better. Check food labels, packages often contain more than one serving and that means extra calories if you eat the whole thing!
*Instead of drinking soda or sugary drinks, you can drink water, seltzer or 1% milk. This tip helped me out a lot because I never knew how bad and how much weight can be gained by drinking soda. I urged my mother to buy seltzer which satisfies my craving for bubbly soda as well as helps out my health.
*Instead of snacking on junk foods, eat healthier snacks such as pretzels, low fat popcorn, baby carrots, celery grapes, dried fruit, yogurt, etc.
*If you eat unhealthy fats and oils try to switch to healthier oils such as olive oil and canola oil. Use oils and spreads that say "0 grams trans fat"
* If you eat a lot of fast food try to eat it at least once a week and avoid super sizing up your meals.
* If you usually eat red meats, try buying fish chicken or turkey. Try boiling, grilling or steaming these meats.
The second workshop I took focused on was being healthy while expecting and was called " Women's health, Take control" This workshop was extremely interesting because it built off of our whole birth unit and it gave direct instructions on what women need to know. One thing that surprised me was the fact that in the workshop it talked about how a women controls if she wants to be pregnant or not and to take advantage of birth control methods if the women doesn't want to become pregnant. The workshop also addressed the fact that a women doesn't need a mans consent for reproductive services even if they are under the age of 18. This was very important to me because it made me even more aware of my options and the fact that adults recognized that even teenagers are capable of making decisions with this matter. This workshop was extremely empowering to me as a female. In the workshop they spoke about 10 specific ways women can stay healthy and gave out pamphlets to remind us women what we need to do. The 10 points from the pamphlet are:
1. Having a regular doctor and scheduling visits, which check for high blood pressure, diabetes, mammograms, etc.
2. Knowing your HIV status, use condoms, get tested for HIV/STD's, get vaccinated to ensure the health of yourself and the baby.
3. Be tobacco free! Quit smoking ad avoid second hand smoke to prolong your life and protect those around you. This is an issue I see a lot with pregnant women. I see a lot of pregnant women that still smoke and I know it is a hard habit to break but it upsets me that these women are so selfish that they put their needs before the health of their child. There are statistics that say more women die from lung cancer than ANY other cancer! Smoking greatly affects the child's size, features, and can make them more likely to have asthma, bronchitis, and can cause Sudden Infant Death Syndrome(SIDS)
4. Get regular exercise and eat a healthy diet.
5. Live free of independence on alcohol and drugs.
6. Get help if you are depressed or experiencing domestic violence.
7. Choose if and when to get pregnant- its every women's right.
8. If you're planning a pregnancy see a doctor or other health provider for a pre-pregnancy check up.
9. See a health care provider as soon as you think you might be pregnant.
10. Protect your developing baby!
A lot of these points are very important and it is crucial that women who are prenagnt are aware of all of these issues. Especially now with our society addicted to drugs, alcohol and unsafe sex. I am happy that I got to experience this particualr workshop along with my friend who found it very helpful as well but its bittersweet. A lot of women who are actually gpregnant are not aware of all of these dangers and because of their ignorance the child has to suffer. It is very sad but at least when the time comes I get prengant or anyone close to me does I will make sure to hand them this very helpful pamphlet and hopefully it will help!
Overall the food convention was very helpful and in the future I plan on being apart of it to help educate the community further.
Grocery Store and Habitual Food
*My family makes a trip to t he grocery store at least once a week. Usually its to take advantage of sales or stock up on something we've run out on in the fridge. Since my parents usually do the shopping I get to put away all the stuff so I get to see what they bought. The most frequent bought item is juice, along with a supply of chips cookies and eggs. A gallon of 1% milk bought as soon as the old one finishes. Sometimes my mother gets meat from the supermarket, but she usually goes to a local butcher to ensure that the meat is just the way she wants... fresh. She always buys a variety of breads which for a couple of years now, has been 3 grain or wheat. When I was younger I would only eat white bread but now she buys " healthier" bread for us to eat. There is always almonds and walnuts in my house because my mother and I like to put them in yogurt along with some honey. My mother has always been into healthy things, like soy beans, tofu and a lot of vegetables. Since I eat a select variety of vegetables, she only makes them for herself usually or she'll makes the vegetable that I like. There is ALWAYS carrots in my fridge, regular ones or baby carrots which I eat sometimes as a snack. The only fruits I can think of that are in my house are apples, bananas and oranges while the other fruits in my house are snacks like fig newtons or raspberry cookies which don't really count.
*Looking at the placement of foods in the grocery store it is quite interesting how things are set up. In my supermarket which is right across the street from my building everything is placed together in isles. If your looking for cookies, a whole two isles are devoted to junk foods. If your looking for vegetables and fruits another two isles on the opposite side of the store hold those. One thing that I find interesting is the placement of candy right near the cash register. One of the places people can spend the most time simply standing still is near the cash register waiting to pay for your groceries. I have seen women with children buy their kids candy because they have been standing in front of two shelves of it for ten minutes. Going back to this idea, supermarkets and a lot of junk food companies target little children because of their lack of knowledge for what is good for them. Little kids are less likely to say yes to a cookie and no to an apple if they had the chance to choose. I have never seen a supermarket with fresh fruit stands right next to the cash register, and for some reason I don't think I will.
*Looking at the placement of foods in the grocery store it is quite interesting how things are set up. In my supermarket which is right across the street from my building everything is placed together in isles. If your looking for cookies, a whole two isles are devoted to junk foods. If your looking for vegetables and fruits another two isles on the opposite side of the store hold those. One thing that I find interesting is the placement of candy right near the cash register. One of the places people can spend the most time simply standing still is near the cash register waiting to pay for your groceries. I have seen women with children buy their kids candy because they have been standing in front of two shelves of it for ten minutes. Going back to this idea, supermarkets and a lot of junk food companies target little children because of their lack of knowledge for what is good for them. Little kids are less likely to say yes to a cookie and no to an apple if they had the chance to choose. I have never seen a supermarket with fresh fruit stands right next to the cash register, and for some reason I don't think I will.
May Day
May day is a day that was picked to remember the fight of the labor movement. Many people for this movement seeing it as something that was worth the cause. It is very sad that here in the United States it has been forgotten as if the fight for a fair work day doesn't even exist. One thing that surprised me as I read the information about it was all of the places around the world that have deemed this day (may 1st) a national holiday. The list of places are: Albania, Armenia, Argentina, Aruba, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, China, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iraq, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Lebanon,Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Nigeria, North Korea, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, the Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Serbia, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
What's in my tummy?
List of things I ate from dinner time on 4/28 to dinner on 4/29 include...
A Flatbread Sandwich ( Turkey cheddar bacon) from Dunkin Donuts for "dinner." I had decided i was hungry at work and decided thats what I was craving. My boss who sends on of his employees to dunkin donuts at least twice a day wanted a coffee and a bagel so this was the perfect opportunity. I ate it sitting in the front desk att my job, while listening to music and asnwering phones. it was delicious, and the last thing I ate that night being that I fell asleep as soon as I got home and work up the next morning.
For breakfast on 4/29 I had two oatmeal chocolate chip cookies that I ate on the bus to school and then some apple juice I drank throughout my first two classes that morning. For lunch I had cavatapi aurora from Lamarca, which was the first real meal of the day. I sat down at a table with my best friend/cousin Ashley, her prom date Charlie Morro and my boyrfriend Aidin. It was a rather pleasant lunch and it was very nice to actually sit down in a calm enviorment and have some lunch. With my pasta I drank some water and after had half a stick of gum( a whole stick of gum after food makes me nausious). After school I walked to Union square and got a vanilla ice cream cone with Ashley which I ate on the steps of union square. At work i drank a bottle of water and later on when i got home I ate dinner which was baked chicken with stuffing. My mother prepared it before I was home and I ate in my room alone while watching X-Men, talking on aim and browsing twitter and facebook. I drank green tea with my dinner and by the end of the night I drank at least 2 cups of green tea and some poland spring water. various pieces of chocolate were consumed as well, along with an omega 3 pill and fish oil supplement which i try to take daily. From keeping track of everything I ate, I realized that I dont eat as many meals as I thought I did and I've actually managed to cut soda out of my diet without even realizing till now.
A Flatbread Sandwich ( Turkey cheddar bacon) from Dunkin Donuts for "dinner." I had decided i was hungry at work and decided thats what I was craving. My boss who sends on of his employees to dunkin donuts at least twice a day wanted a coffee and a bagel so this was the perfect opportunity. I ate it sitting in the front desk att my job, while listening to music and asnwering phones. it was delicious, and the last thing I ate that night being that I fell asleep as soon as I got home and work up the next morning.
For breakfast on 4/29 I had two oatmeal chocolate chip cookies that I ate on the bus to school and then some apple juice I drank throughout my first two classes that morning. For lunch I had cavatapi aurora from Lamarca, which was the first real meal of the day. I sat down at a table with my best friend/cousin Ashley, her prom date Charlie Morro and my boyrfriend Aidin. It was a rather pleasant lunch and it was very nice to actually sit down in a calm enviorment and have some lunch. With my pasta I drank some water and after had half a stick of gum( a whole stick of gum after food makes me nausious). After school I walked to Union square and got a vanilla ice cream cone with Ashley which I ate on the steps of union square. At work i drank a bottle of water and later on when i got home I ate dinner which was baked chicken with stuffing. My mother prepared it before I was home and I ate in my room alone while watching X-Men, talking on aim and browsing twitter and facebook. I drank green tea with my dinner and by the end of the night I drank at least 2 cups of green tea and some poland spring water. various pieces of chocolate were consumed as well, along with an omega 3 pill and fish oil supplement which i try to take daily. From keeping track of everything I ate, I realized that I dont eat as many meals as I thought I did and I've actually managed to cut soda out of my diet without even realizing till now.
Food Culture @ Home
*Since I come from a puerto rican family a lot of people would assume that I eat like a typical puerto rican. On the contrary my mother was born here in the U.S and my grandparents were the last people in my immediate family to come to america from puerto rico. So when I go to my grandmothers house of course there's rice and beans and some kind of meat that is carefully seasoned with sazon or adobo and the perfect amount of sofrito. At home I can actually say that I have adapted some of the typical american food habits. Usually for dinner my mother makes some kind of meat with rice or some kind of side dish like salad or fries or mashed potatoes, etc. I'm the picky eater in my family so I don't eat certain things that my mother or grandmother would cook, such as beans or things like liver. I like white rice and chicken, soups, and the occasional frozen pizza for dinner. A lot of my meals are home cooked and only 1 or 2 days out of the week would a meal be something that I can microwave or just place in the over to cook.
*One thing that I think is so typical american is the scenario that happens when I come home. I work every day and my mother gets home before I do, so as soon as I walk in she screams dinners ready. I of course go and get food and return to my room to eat my meal in front of the televison which I think is one of the most american things to do. When I go to visit my godmother and her kids in minnesota there is actually a TV in the kitchen! In my house I don't have a tv in the kitchen BUT my family never eats on the actual kitchen table. If we ever do eat at a table together its for a special occasion in which we would all sit down at the other table in my living room (both tables hold more mail and magazines and bullshit than it serves its purpose as a table) with the tv off to enjoy a "family dinner."
*One thing that I think is so typical american is the scenario that happens when I come home. I work every day and my mother gets home before I do, so as soon as I walk in she screams dinners ready. I of course go and get food and return to my room to eat my meal in front of the televison which I think is one of the most american things to do. When I go to visit my godmother and her kids in minnesota there is actually a TV in the kitchen! In my house I don't have a tv in the kitchen BUT my family never eats on the actual kitchen table. If we ever do eat at a table together its for a special occasion in which we would all sit down at the other table in my living room (both tables hold more mail and magazines and bullshit than it serves its purpose as a table) with the tv off to enjoy a "family dinner."
Internet Research: If we are what we eat... What is America?
I have heard a quote before that says " you are what you eat" and this got me thinking... If we are what we eat then what is America? How do people view us through the way we eat, what we eat and how we advertise our foods. Some statistics on the way Americans eat are as follows:
*"Less than a third of Americans are cooking their evening dinners from scratch, according to a new survey by the Institute of Food Technologists, The data shows a seven percent percent reduction over the past two years. Although 75% of Americans are eating their dinners at home, nearly half those meals are fast food, delivery, or takeout from restaurants or grocery delis. In fact, Americans spent more on fast food last year than on education." (http://www.gather.com)
* "Females and males in the age group of 2-9 eat more than three times the daily recommendation allowed for sugar. (http://www.associatedcontent.com)
*"The U.S. Surgeon General report declared that obesity is responsible for 300,000 deaths every year (http://www.americansportsdata.com/obesityresearch)
*"With the average adult woman weighing in at a staggering 163 pounds" (http://www.americansportsdata.com/obesityresearch)
*"Perhaps the most shocking statistics underscoring obesity in the United States is that 400,000 Americans (mostly men) fall into a super-massive 400+ pound category"(http://www.americansportsdata.com/obesityresearch)
*"Americans eat the most fast food... Burgers dominate the US fast food industry, with burger fast food taking more than half of total fast food expenditure." (http://www.euromonitor.com/Who_eats_the_most_fast_food)
*"Less than a third of Americans are cooking their evening dinners from scratch, according to a new survey by the Institute of Food Technologists, The data shows a seven percent percent reduction over the past two years. Although 75% of Americans are eating their dinners at home, nearly half those meals are fast food, delivery, or takeout from restaurants or grocery delis. In fact, Americans spent more on fast food last year than on education." (http://www.gather.com)
* "Females and males in the age group of 2-9 eat more than three times the daily recommendation allowed for sugar. (http://www.associatedcontent.com)
*"The U.S. Surgeon General report declared that obesity is responsible for 300,000 deaths every year (http://www.americansportsdata.com/obesityresearch)
*"With the average adult woman weighing in at a staggering 163 pounds" (http://www.americansportsdata.com/obesityresearch)
*"Perhaps the most shocking statistics underscoring obesity in the United States is that 400,000 Americans (mostly men) fall into a super-massive 400+ pound category"(http://www.americansportsdata.com/obesityresearch)
*"Americans eat the most fast food... Burgers dominate the US fast food industry, with burger fast food taking more than half of total fast food expenditure." (http://www.euromonitor.com/Who_eats_the_most_fast_food)
Whats in my FRIDGE?
FRIDGE: Yogurt, chocolate syrup, low fat milk, strawberries, 7 grain bread, 2 cartons of large eggs, fruit punch, green tea, bottled water (Poland spring), carrots, peanut butter, more chocolate syrup, jelly, watermelon martini mix, salad dressing, Cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, salami, ham, bacon,butter, mayonnaise (EW), mustard, wine, chocolate, baking soda, Mandarin oranges, leftover Chinese food, slim fast, salsa, taco sauce, olives, Parmesan cheese, more salad dressing, FREEZER # 1 Reese's, lean pockets, frozen dinners, frozen vegetables, York chocolate peppermint patties, frozen waffles, toaster strudels, sofrito, ice cube FREEZER #2 BACON ( turkey and pork), SHITLOAD OF ICE CREAM AND SORBET, a lot of frozen pizzas, meat ( chicken, beef, turkey) burgers, hot dogs, frozen french fries, melting chocolates ( for fondue) more bacon, smuckers uncrustables (strawberry jam and grape jam, YUM) THE END.
One thing I know about Americans is that we're lazy and want to find the easy way to do anything... including eating. I have a lot of easy things to make in my fridge and freezer like, microwavable lean pockets, those frozen dinners, frozen pizzas and even frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches! whats easier to make than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!? I also have a lot of junk food, and by junk food I mean CHOCOLATE and ICE CREAM. America is known for eating a shitload of sweets and to no surprise I think theres more chocolate and chips and sweets in my house than there is healthy snacks. I do have some healthy things such as yogurt, fruit, water strawberries, etc which make good snacks also. I can bet that a lot of things I have in my refrigerator is also in other people fridges so I think there is a lot of overlapping in certain foods and drinks.
One thing I know about Americans is that we're lazy and want to find the easy way to do anything... including eating. I have a lot of easy things to make in my fridge and freezer like, microwavable lean pockets, those frozen dinners, frozen pizzas and even frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches! whats easier to make than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!? I also have a lot of junk food, and by junk food I mean CHOCOLATE and ICE CREAM. America is known for eating a shitload of sweets and to no surprise I think theres more chocolate and chips and sweets in my house than there is healthy snacks. I do have some healthy things such as yogurt, fruit, water strawberries, etc which make good snacks also. I can bet that a lot of things I have in my refrigerator is also in other people fridges so I think there is a lot of overlapping in certain foods and drinks.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
MY Healthcare & personal experiences
*From what I can recall I have not had any problems with doctors and insurance recently. For a couple of months in 2008 I had actually been without any insurance due to something that was going on with my mothers insurance. I hadn't asked any questions about it- all I knew was that I couldn't get sick during that time or it would have caused some difficulties. Unluckily for me, I of course caught a HORRIBLE case of strep throat, which caused me to not be able to eat, sleep, talk or go to school. I was out of school and work for a week and the worst part was I had no insurance. I did however have a friend who was an EMT ( he helped out during 9/11 actually and is now suffering from a brain tumor, but that's a different story) whom I called up and told my symptoms to. Along with my parents he took us to a hospital that he had frequently went to and helped get me treatment absolutely free. I was signed up right away and saw the doctor in a matter of minutes, got all the testing that I needed and the anti-biotic that would help cure me.
*Thinking back to this experience I now realize how having connections can be helpful in getting things that are needed, and its sad because when people NEED treatment they should be able to get it connections or not. I can thankfully say I've never had any problem with hospital bills or being treated. I have however had issues with being denied treatment because of my age and the fact that I was without a parent, but otherwise than that I can say I have been fine. Seeing the documentary SICKO helps me better appreciate my experiences but it also scares me. I may have been lucky in the past but in the future it could only take ONE time for something to go wrong and my life to end up like someone in that movie. Touching upon this subject, I cant help think about religion. When I go to church one of the things that is always preached about is health. Since us Americans aren't getting the help we need physically I guess it helps people to believe that there is someone other than a health insurance company, and doctors that can help.
*Thinking back to this experience I now realize how having connections can be helpful in getting things that are needed, and its sad because when people NEED treatment they should be able to get it connections or not. I can thankfully say I've never had any problem with hospital bills or being treated. I have however had issues with being denied treatment because of my age and the fact that I was without a parent, but otherwise than that I can say I have been fine. Seeing the documentary SICKO helps me better appreciate my experiences but it also scares me. I may have been lucky in the past but in the future it could only take ONE time for something to go wrong and my life to end up like someone in that movie. Touching upon this subject, I cant help think about religion. When I go to church one of the things that is always preached about is health. Since us Americans aren't getting the help we need physically I guess it helps people to believe that there is someone other than a health insurance company, and doctors that can help.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Musical Poverty Chairs
This Friday, April 3rd the class did an activity that was very similar to musical chairs. A row of chairs was set and and a number of students greater than the amount of chairs lined up around it. As the music started everyone circled the chairs as the music played in the background. Andy went around and placed different names on chairs and then stopped the music. Everyone scrambled to find a chair and sit in it. After all the seats were filled he went around and looked to see if there was a name on the chair, if there wasn't a name then the person could stay. If someone Else's name was already on the chair and the corresponding person wasn't sitting in it then it would have to be vacated and the person whose name was on it would sit there. Some people had more than one chair, so even if they would get their own chair someone who sat in their chair would have to get up anyway. As the game progressed more of the same names were added and there were less and less available chairs as well as less and less people who didn't have a chair with their name on it. At the end of the simulation all of those who had their names on chairs were leisurely sitting while other who had no chairs competed to get the last chair.
This was actually a very good way of understanding this concept of poverty. Those who are rich in society don't have to put any effort into it because they are already well off. They have their own " seat" in society and no one can take that away from them. The more money the have the higher up they are, and the less other will have. The chairs with the names were symbolic for the amount of riches that one person had, the more seats the better off they were. They could just sit down and relax while other ran to get chairs, the game was easy for them the same way life is easier for those whom have a large percent of money. The people who didn't have any chairs continued to search for chairs, and in society today that is what poor people are forced to do. they have to compete for jobs, benefits, whatever they can to make ends meet. its sad though because at the end of the day more and more rich people are getting more money than those who need it.
This was actually a very good way of understanding this concept of poverty. Those who are rich in society don't have to put any effort into it because they are already well off. They have their own " seat" in society and no one can take that away from them. The more money the have the higher up they are, and the less other will have. The chairs with the names were symbolic for the amount of riches that one person had, the more seats the better off they were. They could just sit down and relax while other ran to get chairs, the game was easy for them the same way life is easier for those whom have a large percent of money. The people who didn't have any chairs continued to search for chairs, and in society today that is what poor people are forced to do. they have to compete for jobs, benefits, whatever they can to make ends meet. its sad though because at the end of the day more and more rich people are getting more money than those who need it.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Questions About Poverty
1. How many poor families in the United States cant afford to eat?
*About 15 million children -- one out of every four -- live below the official poverty line.(www.heartsandminds.org)
*Among the 21 most affluent nations, the United States has the highest percentage of poor children.
2. How many poor people live in homeless shelters vs. the streets?
3. What is the leading cause of poverty?
*In addition, developing nation governments are required to open their economies to compete with each other and with more powerful and established industrialized nations. To attract investment, poor countries enter a spiraling race to the bottom to see who can provide lower standards, reduced wages and cheaper resources. This has increased poverty and inequality for most people. It also forms a backbone to what we today call globalization. (www.globalissues.org)
4. What countries are the poorest?
*World Top 10 - Poorest Countries
Country - GDP
Democratic Republic of Congo- 300
Zimbabwe - 500
Liberia - 500
Guinea-Bissau - 600
Somalia - 600
Comoros - 600
Solomon Islands - 600
Niger - 700
Ethiopia - 700
Central African Republic - 700
5. What continent is the poorest?
*Regardless of political or geographic designation, however, Africa suffers from the overall highest rate of poverty in the world. Of the continent's fifty-four countries, thirty-four—all typically considered to be part of sub-Saharan Africa—are on the UN's list of least developed countries. (www.libraryindex.com)
6. What ethnicity makes up the most poor population in the United States?
7. Out of men, women and children who makes up the poor population?
Children and families are the fastest growing group in the homeless population, representing 40%.(www.heartsandminds.org)
*About 15 million children -- one out of every four -- live below the official poverty line.(www.heartsandminds.org)
*Among the 21 most affluent nations, the United States has the highest percentage of poor children.
2. How many poor people live in homeless shelters vs. the streets?
3. What is the leading cause of poverty?
*In addition, developing nation governments are required to open their economies to compete with each other and with more powerful and established industrialized nations. To attract investment, poor countries enter a spiraling race to the bottom to see who can provide lower standards, reduced wages and cheaper resources. This has increased poverty and inequality for most people. It also forms a backbone to what we today call globalization. (www.globalissues.org)
4. What countries are the poorest?
*World Top 10 - Poorest Countries
Country - GDP
Democratic Republic of Congo- 300
Zimbabwe - 500
Liberia - 500
Guinea-Bissau - 600
Somalia - 600
Comoros - 600
Solomon Islands - 600
Niger - 700
Ethiopia - 700
Central African Republic - 700
5. What continent is the poorest?
*Regardless of political or geographic designation, however, Africa suffers from the overall highest rate of poverty in the world. Of the continent's fifty-four countries, thirty-four—all typically considered to be part of sub-Saharan Africa—are on the UN's list of least developed countries. (www.libraryindex.com)
6. What ethnicity makes up the most poor population in the United States?
7. Out of men, women and children who makes up the poor population?
Children and families are the fastest growing group in the homeless population, representing 40%.(www.heartsandminds.org)
Sunday, March 8, 2009
American Way of Birth (1st draft)
Q: How has Birth been alienated as the years pass?
These: Birth has been alienated over the years by the lack of a natural birth, which has been drawn away by the increasing use of technology and drugs that install a lack of confidence in a womans body.
Technology:* Include information on machinery used ( heart monitors, Ivs, etc) *Statistics of use of technology... percentages of women going to hospitals * decrease of home births
Drugs: Drugs used to help ease birth... nitrous oxide, epidural, pethidine, Local anesthesia which includes prudendal nerve block and perineal anesthesia, etc VS. no use of drugs
Include information on natural birthing
Natural to experience birth... Mammals giving birth (giraffe, dolphin, natural birthing by human)
C-Section " birth"... Natural? I think NOT
Other questions to explore:
How does the common way of giving birth in the US compare to the common way of giving birth in other countries?
How have technologies changed over the years?
These: Birth has been alienated over the years by the lack of a natural birth, which has been drawn away by the increasing use of technology and drugs that install a lack of confidence in a womans body.
Technology:* Include information on machinery used ( heart monitors, Ivs, etc) *Statistics of use of technology... percentages of women going to hospitals * decrease of home births
Drugs: Drugs used to help ease birth... nitrous oxide, epidural, pethidine, Local anesthesia which includes prudendal nerve block and perineal anesthesia, etc VS. no use of drugs
Include information on natural birthing
Natural to experience birth... Mammals giving birth (giraffe, dolphin, natural birthing by human)
C-Section " birth"... Natural? I think NOT
Other questions to explore:
How does the common way of giving birth in the US compare to the common way of giving birth in other countries?
How have technologies changed over the years?
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
BREAK HW
1. Giraffe Birth
The birth of a giraffe is quite like the birth of a human with the fact that the mother goes into labor and then the mother gives birth to a breathing mammal oppose to laying an egg. One thing that I found interesting is in the zoo they try to keep the birth as natural as possible as to keep the cycle going on how the giraffes give birth. The zoo keepers do not interrupt the birth at all, giving the giraffe medicine of assisting her. They try their best to make the environment as natural and helpful as possible. They did this by placing sand in the area the female giraffe would give birth in so that when the baby giraffe comes out it will have cushion to fall on. They also separated her from the rest of the herd but left one female giraffe with is like her midwife. Comparing this to human births, some woman try to make their births as natural as possible. There is also a sense of comfort in humans as well as giraffes with having someone with you there to encourage and help you through the experience. On the contrary with he giraffe birth the mother was the one to stay with her baby, being there as it struggles to stand up and nudging it after it is born so that it can breathe. They rely on themselves and their natural instincts to care for its offspring after the birth. For humans the baby is taken away from the mother for awhile and then given back so that she may breastfeed or see her baby. There is more interruption with human birth while giraffe births are more natural and undisturbed.
2. Dolphin Birth
One thing that I am noticing that is important in this birth is that the dolphin is in its natural habitat. Not only that but it is doing what it normally does, swimming around. When we give birth we have to stop what it is we are doing to rush to a place designated for us to give birth. A lot of people give birth in hospitals or birthing centers. With these mammals they stay in their comfort place, in a natural place and give birth there. In these births watching them I can feel that there is a special relationship between he mother and the offspring. After the birth the offspring stays with its mother, in this video the baby dolphin swims in sync with its mother around the tank. Going back to human births and the birth of the giraffe it is very evident that the newborn mammal needs and is very reliant on its mother. I also find it interesting how in both videos I have yet to hear any of the mammals sound like their in excruciating pain. its interesting to see how relaxed these mammals feel as they give birth.
3. Home Birth
This video is actually one of the only videos I've seen that the birth actually looks like the woman had a good experience. I noticed that she changes positions a lot which she said helped her a lot. She is constantly comforted by her husband who takes on an active role in the birth by holding and caressing her. As well as by her midwife and mother who are in the room with her talking and helping her. One thing that i also found interesting is that more than one person was actually down there helping to take the baby out, it wasn't just one person ( a doctor) who was taking control and doing what they thought was right. I also noticed that there was more deep and heavy breathing versus screaming and cursing which set a good and calming mood for the birth to happen. I also noticed that at one point the mother even got to see the baby crowing in a mirror that someone held up for her to see. Many woman are so overwhelmed and busy listening to orders at a hospital that they don't get the chance to stop and see whats going on. This video was very interesting and insightful in seeing a natural and remotely pleasant birth.
4. C-Section
I actually began to watch this video and then got extremely grossed out by the way it looks. I personally would not want to get a C-section but I can understand why women get them. I looked up some of the benefits of getting a C-section and read about some interesting reasons why women get them. Some of these reasons included the mother having a sexually transmitted disease, multiple births, a possible large baby that would be complicated passing through the vaginal canal as well as other things. i see all of these reasons to be very valid but i personally don't think it is a good idea if the mother does not have the possibility of complications with a "regular birth". I also think back to the way society is now and how so many people rely on surgery's to make things less painful or different. Plastic surgery is very popular and I think of this as the plastic surgery of birth. Instead of doing things as naturally as our culture will allow the person resolves to having an operation where they are unconscious and having the baby cut out of them.
The birth of a giraffe is quite like the birth of a human with the fact that the mother goes into labor and then the mother gives birth to a breathing mammal oppose to laying an egg. One thing that I found interesting is in the zoo they try to keep the birth as natural as possible as to keep the cycle going on how the giraffes give birth. The zoo keepers do not interrupt the birth at all, giving the giraffe medicine of assisting her. They try their best to make the environment as natural and helpful as possible. They did this by placing sand in the area the female giraffe would give birth in so that when the baby giraffe comes out it will have cushion to fall on. They also separated her from the rest of the herd but left one female giraffe with is like her midwife. Comparing this to human births, some woman try to make their births as natural as possible. There is also a sense of comfort in humans as well as giraffes with having someone with you there to encourage and help you through the experience. On the contrary with he giraffe birth the mother was the one to stay with her baby, being there as it struggles to stand up and nudging it after it is born so that it can breathe. They rely on themselves and their natural instincts to care for its offspring after the birth. For humans the baby is taken away from the mother for awhile and then given back so that she may breastfeed or see her baby. There is more interruption with human birth while giraffe births are more natural and undisturbed.
2. Dolphin Birth
One thing that I am noticing that is important in this birth is that the dolphin is in its natural habitat. Not only that but it is doing what it normally does, swimming around. When we give birth we have to stop what it is we are doing to rush to a place designated for us to give birth. A lot of people give birth in hospitals or birthing centers. With these mammals they stay in their comfort place, in a natural place and give birth there. In these births watching them I can feel that there is a special relationship between he mother and the offspring. After the birth the offspring stays with its mother, in this video the baby dolphin swims in sync with its mother around the tank. Going back to human births and the birth of the giraffe it is very evident that the newborn mammal needs and is very reliant on its mother. I also find it interesting how in both videos I have yet to hear any of the mammals sound like their in excruciating pain. its interesting to see how relaxed these mammals feel as they give birth.
3. Home Birth
This video is actually one of the only videos I've seen that the birth actually looks like the woman had a good experience. I noticed that she changes positions a lot which she said helped her a lot. She is constantly comforted by her husband who takes on an active role in the birth by holding and caressing her. As well as by her midwife and mother who are in the room with her talking and helping her. One thing that i also found interesting is that more than one person was actually down there helping to take the baby out, it wasn't just one person ( a doctor) who was taking control and doing what they thought was right. I also noticed that there was more deep and heavy breathing versus screaming and cursing which set a good and calming mood for the birth to happen. I also noticed that at one point the mother even got to see the baby crowing in a mirror that someone held up for her to see. Many woman are so overwhelmed and busy listening to orders at a hospital that they don't get the chance to stop and see whats going on. This video was very interesting and insightful in seeing a natural and remotely pleasant birth.
4. C-Section
I actually began to watch this video and then got extremely grossed out by the way it looks. I personally would not want to get a C-section but I can understand why women get them. I looked up some of the benefits of getting a C-section and read about some interesting reasons why women get them. Some of these reasons included the mother having a sexually transmitted disease, multiple births, a possible large baby that would be complicated passing through the vaginal canal as well as other things. i see all of these reasons to be very valid but i personally don't think it is a good idea if the mother does not have the possibility of complications with a "regular birth". I also think back to the way society is now and how so many people rely on surgery's to make things less painful or different. Plastic surgery is very popular and I think of this as the plastic surgery of birth. Instead of doing things as naturally as our culture will allow the person resolves to having an operation where they are unconscious and having the baby cut out of them.
Monday, February 9, 2009
America Vs. ___________ Questions
1. Birth in 2009 vs. Birth in 1950's
2. How do white people having more resources effect the way they give birth? (compared to black people)
3. Percentage of abortions in America vs. D.R.
4. Teen pregnancy vs. in the 1900's
5.Adoption vs. Abortion in America compared to Europe
6.Having a child under 20 vs. having a child over 35
7.How has the age of giving birth changed over the last 50 years?
8. percentage of single parent homes vs. 2 parent homes (now and 1950's)
9. How does the common way of giving birth in the US compare to the common way of giving birth in other countries?
10. What is the common age of pregnancy in the US vs. third world countries?
11. How many kids are in the average family in the US vs in Africa
12. What races around the world are known to be the most fertile? (average births each year)
13. How many babies are killed each year in the U.s vs third world countries ( babies thrown in garbage cans/rivers/etc)
14. How have technologies changed over the years?
12. 2009 vs. 1800's
13.black vs. white
14. american vs. african
15. america vs. china
16.% of death during pregnancy in america vs. haiti vs. europe
17.births vs. abortion
18.c sections vs. natural
19. old vs. young
20.abortions vs giving your baby up for adoption
21. miscarriage vs successful birth
22. c section rate now vs. 50 yrs ago
23. woman dying during birth now vs. 50 yrs ago
2. How do white people having more resources effect the way they give birth? (compared to black people)
3. Percentage of abortions in America vs. D.R.
4. Teen pregnancy vs. in the 1900's
5.Adoption vs. Abortion in America compared to Europe
6.Having a child under 20 vs. having a child over 35
7.How has the age of giving birth changed over the last 50 years?
8. percentage of single parent homes vs. 2 parent homes (now and 1950's)
9. How does the common way of giving birth in the US compare to the common way of giving birth in other countries?
10. What is the common age of pregnancy in the US vs. third world countries?
11. How many kids are in the average family in the US vs in Africa
12. What races around the world are known to be the most fertile? (average births each year)
13. How many babies are killed each year in the U.s vs third world countries ( babies thrown in garbage cans/rivers/etc)
14. How have technologies changed over the years?
12. 2009 vs. 1800's
13.black vs. white
14. american vs. african
15. america vs. china
16.% of death during pregnancy in america vs. haiti vs. europe
17.births vs. abortion
18.c sections vs. natural
19. old vs. young
20.abortions vs giving your baby up for adoption
21. miscarriage vs successful birth
22. c section rate now vs. 50 yrs ago
23. woman dying during birth now vs. 50 yrs ago
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Birth Stories
1. She went into labor the day of her baby shower. The baby was of course earlier than expected but she said she was " excited to finally be having her first child." Her and her husband rushed to the hospital to find that she was already dilated and ready to give birth when she was placed in a room. The doctors were surprised at the short duration of this woman's labor but of course she said she was lucky. " Ashley was my first child and I wasn't in labor as long as other women were." By the time she has arrived at the hospital and saw the doctors they even said it was too late to receive an epidural! her birth had to be done completely natural because the doctors refusal to give her drugs. " I think that's part of the reason my mother resents me to this day" her daughter said.
2. This was her second child and she was very excited. She didn't want to know the sex of the baby and was awaiting her C-section that was scheduled for march 13th. Her first daughter Alexa who was 2 at the time was very excited for her baby sibling and was brought with her mother and father the day of the C-section. When the baby was born and they found out it was a girl " I was so happy. I had been wishing for another girl and my husband wanted a boy. I'm glad I got another baby girl." She rested after the hospital for a couple of days being it was her second C-section and was ready to go home and take care of her babies.
3. "Well my mom was at work which was a catering place. She was putting together platters and food while she was 9 months pregnant. before she went out to deliver the food she went to the bathroom and her water broke. She rushed back to her house where there was a Midwife waiting to help me be born. She had been living in Massachusetts at the time so I was born there, with only my mother and the midwife. My grandma lived in the city so after I was a couple days old she took a plane back to show me off to my grandma. My Gma helped my mother raise me and I live with her to this day. Whenever my mother tells me this story she always points out that shes glad she can tell me an interesting story and not just 'my water broke and I was rushed to the hospital' I love my birth story"
2. This was her second child and she was very excited. She didn't want to know the sex of the baby and was awaiting her C-section that was scheduled for march 13th. Her first daughter Alexa who was 2 at the time was very excited for her baby sibling and was brought with her mother and father the day of the C-section. When the baby was born and they found out it was a girl " I was so happy. I had been wishing for another girl and my husband wanted a boy. I'm glad I got another baby girl." She rested after the hospital for a couple of days being it was her second C-section and was ready to go home and take care of her babies.
3. "Well my mom was at work which was a catering place. She was putting together platters and food while she was 9 months pregnant. before she went out to deliver the food she went to the bathroom and her water broke. She rushed back to her house where there was a Midwife waiting to help me be born. She had been living in Massachusetts at the time so I was born there, with only my mother and the midwife. My grandma lived in the city so after I was a couple days old she took a plane back to show me off to my grandma. My Gma helped my mother raise me and I live with her to this day. Whenever my mother tells me this story she always points out that shes glad she can tell me an interesting story and not just 'my water broke and I was rushed to the hospital' I love my birth story"
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The American Way of Birth: Pregnancy
I just finished watching a birth on YouTube of an 18 year old girl giving birth in a tub. There were a lot of things that stuck out to me while watching this video that I thought were very interesting as well as extremely horrifying. Its so fascinating that a women's body is made to give birth and that something like this is natural to our bodies. Its crazy how something can actually GROW inside of us over 9 months and come out and be a person is only something that women can so so I guess its a curse as well as blessing. It seemed to me that giving birth would be boring without the pain, staying in one place for literally hours waiting for a baby to come out. It was horrifying to watch her vagina dilate SO much and its sort of a good thing that a women in labor doesnt really see it (my jaw dropped the entire duration she was dilating) because I think i would personally faint. I wouldn't say that I am in a rush to have kids but one day I would like to experience that and it may sound corny but i hear " the pain you experience during child birth doesn't compare to the joy afterwards. There are many women who are not able to give birth and I am lucky enough to be able to so I want to experience it. The look on the mothers face when she held her baby for the first time was pure joy and that is something beautiful to see.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Marx Analysis
Karl Marx lived in Germany and was born to a Jewish family in 1818. His dad was a lawyer, whom later on converted to Christianity. He wrote the book " The Communist Manifesto" urging other to join and read about his beliefs. Marx is most known for his ideas and theories of capitalism such as labor theory of value, the dialect as well as the theory of base and superstructure, etc.
The ideas of labor theory of value is basically the idea that labor is and important part in attaining wealth ( as well as nature as Marx would argue). Capitalists or the expropriators use and abuse the labor of the workers for their own benefit. The workers do all of the labor and don't reap the benefits, instead they are taken advantage of for low wages. The workers are in turn being exploited because they have no choice or other means of getting money except for seeing their labor for money so they are subject to this way of life without choice. Of course they can own their own factory but not everyone is going to be able to obtain the money to start their own factory or business so its difficult to get away from this. For example in a game of monopoly the capitalists would be the ones to own all the properties (symbolizing jobs) and the workers would be the ones rolling the dice and landing on properties. Since the capitalists run all of the properties they simply sit back as the workers pay the in money (by producing good being sold for capital).
The ideas of dialect thinking consist of questioning how things were, how they got there and how it will be in the future. Through development things change and the process that something goes through is very important to answering those questions about. The process described as the dialect includes a thesis which is the primary idea and an anti-thesis is an internal contradiction to the idea of the thesis. When the ideas of the thesis and the anti these clash, they form a synthesis which is a compromised thesis and anti thesis. Capitalism changes this way starting out one certain way and changing over time but how it will be in the future nobody knows for certain. Looking back at history and how capitalism is now the question of where will it be in the future is an interesting idea.
Marx's theory of base and superstructure is about the individual aspects that makes up capitalism. The base of capitalism is between the ruler and the ruled or basically the laborer and the person who expropriates the labor. The superstructure includes other aspects of capitalism such as profit, capital and wealth and how all these these aspects intertwine and affect social orders and conditions.
The ideas of labor theory of value is basically the idea that labor is and important part in attaining wealth ( as well as nature as Marx would argue). Capitalists or the expropriators use and abuse the labor of the workers for their own benefit. The workers do all of the labor and don't reap the benefits, instead they are taken advantage of for low wages. The workers are in turn being exploited because they have no choice or other means of getting money except for seeing their labor for money so they are subject to this way of life without choice. Of course they can own their own factory but not everyone is going to be able to obtain the money to start their own factory or business so its difficult to get away from this. For example in a game of monopoly the capitalists would be the ones to own all the properties (symbolizing jobs) and the workers would be the ones rolling the dice and landing on properties. Since the capitalists run all of the properties they simply sit back as the workers pay the in money (by producing good being sold for capital).
The ideas of dialect thinking consist of questioning how things were, how they got there and how it will be in the future. Through development things change and the process that something goes through is very important to answering those questions about. The process described as the dialect includes a thesis which is the primary idea and an anti-thesis is an internal contradiction to the idea of the thesis. When the ideas of the thesis and the anti these clash, they form a synthesis which is a compromised thesis and anti thesis. Capitalism changes this way starting out one certain way and changing over time but how it will be in the future nobody knows for certain. Looking back at history and how capitalism is now the question of where will it be in the future is an interesting idea.
Marx's theory of base and superstructure is about the individual aspects that makes up capitalism. The base of capitalism is between the ruler and the ruled or basically the laborer and the person who expropriates the labor. The superstructure includes other aspects of capitalism such as profit, capital and wealth and how all these these aspects intertwine and affect social orders and conditions.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Inauguration Assignment
Today while watching Obamas inauguration speech I noticed a lot of key aspects of what we have been learning about in class. One of the things that was mentioned quite frequently was the Constitution of the United States. One thing Obama had said was "At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we, the people, have remained faithful to the ideals of our for bearers, and true to our founding documents." Here he is saying that the fact that America has been able to live on and basically prosper is because of those who were in office as well as the founding documents ( Constitution) and the founding fathers (the men who wrote and signed those documents). But in my opinion I think that Is a bunch of B.S. I feel like Obama is simply sugar coating the real issues that have happened in America and is simply giving the " American answer" to these questions.
He says that America has stayed true to our founding documents yet, comparing the words of the Constitution to the actions of certain people who have run the government, or laws that have been passed, there are very few who actually followed it. For example, " no cruel and unusual punishment"? I would categorize slavery as cruel, whipping and beating and murdering men women and children for a simple crime of trying to read or refusing to provide labor as cruel. I think America has thrived because of those who have stayed true to themselves and what they think is right- people who helps others, and not only themselves, etc. I believe in Obama but, I found contradictions in his speech the same way I found them in the Constitution. So I have come to the conclusion that America has been built by contradictions.
He says that America has stayed true to our founding documents yet, comparing the words of the Constitution to the actions of certain people who have run the government, or laws that have been passed, there are very few who actually followed it. For example, " no cruel and unusual punishment"? I would categorize slavery as cruel, whipping and beating and murdering men women and children for a simple crime of trying to read or refusing to provide labor as cruel. I think America has thrived because of those who have stayed true to themselves and what they think is right- people who helps others, and not only themselves, etc. I believe in Obama but, I found contradictions in his speech the same way I found them in the Constitution. So I have come to the conclusion that America has been built by contradictions.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Dominate Viewpoints Of Capitalism EDITED
Capitalism is a very complex Economic system that is based on many factors that fundamentally set Capitalism apart from other Economic systems. Some main factors include the Free Market, Land/Labor/Capital, the Invisible Hand, Social Mobility, etc, that all interconnect to form Capitalism. Capitalism could be defined as follows " An Economic system in which goods and services are produced, distributed and consumed through the mechanism of free markets and profit motive." With this definition we are introduced to the idea of capitalism. One very significant factor of capitalism being the Free Market, which is what this economic system thrives off of.
A Free Market consists of products being sold at a price that is agreed on by the seller as well as the buyer. Another word for the amount sound could be the Market Price, which is the lowest amount the seller is willing to sell for and the highest amount the buyer is willing to buy a product for. A product is also considered Capital, which is the combination of Land (natural resources) and Labor (actual work necessary or done) used together to create a product to be sold. The rules of Supply and Demand hold true in this system, but controlled market leading to fixed pricing of Capital goes against Capitalism.
The invisable hand is another important idea of capitalism and is believed to be almost a " magical" force. A force that organizes society without government intervention. The invisible hand is believed to guide and maintain order in the free market, which could be done by allowing all the factors involved to compete and strive to be on top. The fact that a Free Market gives everyone in the market the chance to compete, Capitalists believe that Social Mobility is an important idea. They think that because of the competition Free Market brings everyone strives because of the slightest chance that they could rise above the ranking they are already at, and gives them the incentive to work harder. They view incentive as freedom because of the choice to either strive to compete in the market or turn the other way and choose a different path. Overall Capitalism speaks to maintain the free Market and help better the Economy.
A Free Market consists of products being sold at a price that is agreed on by the seller as well as the buyer. Another word for the amount sound could be the Market Price, which is the lowest amount the seller is willing to sell for and the highest amount the buyer is willing to buy a product for. A product is also considered Capital, which is the combination of Land (natural resources) and Labor (actual work necessary or done) used together to create a product to be sold. The rules of Supply and Demand hold true in this system, but controlled market leading to fixed pricing of Capital goes against Capitalism.
The invisable hand is another important idea of capitalism and is believed to be almost a " magical" force. A force that organizes society without government intervention. The invisible hand is believed to guide and maintain order in the free market, which could be done by allowing all the factors involved to compete and strive to be on top. The fact that a Free Market gives everyone in the market the chance to compete, Capitalists believe that Social Mobility is an important idea. They think that because of the competition Free Market brings everyone strives because of the slightest chance that they could rise above the ranking they are already at, and gives them the incentive to work harder. They view incentive as freedom because of the choice to either strive to compete in the market or turn the other way and choose a different path. Overall Capitalism speaks to maintain the free Market and help better the Economy.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Wal-Mart incident (edited)
The night of black Friday I was watching the 10 o'clock news and I saw a story about a man that was KILLED in a Wal-Mart. The craziness of black Friday has become known to everyone around the world and if they didn't know they they know now after this story. What happened was a man who was simply working as security for black Friday was instructed to stand in front of an angry mob of people along with other employees to stop anyone from bum rushing into the store. This resulted in him being stepped on to death by a crowd motivated by cheap goods.
What i find rather disturbing is the fact that a man was killed because of a crowd of people trying to get things on sale but AFTER he was announced dead people CONTINUED to shop and go about their business. Comparing this incident to other sales it is by far the most dangerous day to go and shop because of the fact that Americans are so frantic. On a regular day at Wal-Mart there are already a lot of sales and the products are already under priced but its not dangerous to go shopping. The fact that black Friday is advertised and the idea of a day where goods are practically free has brainwashed Americans. They would do anything humanly possible to wake up at the crack of dawn and stand out in the cold or in line of hundreds of people to buy things. This simply proves how much Americans are consumed by shopping and saving money. And with this years recession people are more motivated to save money and will go to extremes ( like trampling a man) to get what it is they want.
What i find rather disturbing is the fact that a man was killed because of a crowd of people trying to get things on sale but AFTER he was announced dead people CONTINUED to shop and go about their business. Comparing this incident to other sales it is by far the most dangerous day to go and shop because of the fact that Americans are so frantic. On a regular day at Wal-Mart there are already a lot of sales and the products are already under priced but its not dangerous to go shopping. The fact that black Friday is advertised and the idea of a day where goods are practically free has brainwashed Americans. They would do anything humanly possible to wake up at the crack of dawn and stand out in the cold or in line of hundreds of people to buy things. This simply proves how much Americans are consumed by shopping and saving money. And with this years recession people are more motivated to save money and will go to extremes ( like trampling a man) to get what it is they want.
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