A Dose of Reality Mac and Cheese: The Other White Meat

A long time friend of mine had a Facebook post this week that drew a lot response. Normally this is no big deal. His posts are pretty popular. The first few words “Colin” and “school” caught my eye. I thought it was another charmingly funny post about his son Colin. I, not unlike many others, love to hear about his grade school experiences. My favorite being the picture of his butt he drew in school that the teacher didn't quite appreciate. Anyway, this time it was a note about the upcoming school year. According to Sean it read, “In order to comply with state and district nutrition policies we no longer permit celebratory snacks for birthdays or class parties.” Almost immediately the comments stated pouring in. They all had the same tone. People stated how fed up they were with the state and government stepping in to fix a problem with the wrong solution. I have to admit my views are not much different.

I remember back in the day celebrating birthdays and holidays in school. I would bring less for lunch on those days because I knew I would be eating all the yummy cookies and cakes the moms brought in. I also remember going outside for recess and running till I couldn’t run anymore. Today, recess is much more structured. Some schools feel it is necessary to organize play time in order to get all of the children moving. It is true that kids don’t get out and play enough because television and Xbox keep them occupied most of the time. Let’s face it. It is not just the kids that are occupied by the flat screens. So are the adults. The truth is we all need to move more. We all need to spend more time away from our computers, TVs, and video games, but that is only part of the problem.

We get angered when the state imposes rules on us especially when it regards our children. When it comes to kids’ health, there is no one in the world that has a child’s best interests in mind more than the parent, and we don’t need the government to step in to force rules on us. The politicians need to learn how to do their own jobs before they start telling us how to do ours. So when the school district sent that letter home regarding celebratory snack food, I felt that the government was fringing upon our rights once again.  But before I started to bash this policy, I needed to see just what the states position on nutrition was.

This is protein according to the USDA.

Reading the USDA’s policy on the school lunch and breakfast program is very taxing. It is 78 pages long, and it covers not only the dietary requirements as defined by the USDA but the cost of EVERYTHING, which is understandable. As I read past the first 10 pages, I kept thinking that nutrition doesn’t have to be this hard. Then I realized this is the government and everything really does have to be this hard. Everything needs to be worded so that maybe, just maybe, you will get tired of reading (as I did), and just give in (which I didn’t). I started to sift through the crap looking for what the USDA thought was nutritionally sound food. A few things caught my attention. I was reading the daily recommendations of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, meat and meat alternatives, fluid milk, calories, and saturated fat from calories, sodium, and trans fats. It all sounded good. Then I got to the definitions of whole grains and fruits. A whole grain was defined as whole grain rich.  It said nothing about being 100% whole grain or made with 100% whole grain flour. If you have not read our blog on White Bread vs Wheat Bread, you may find it interesting to know that if a product only says whole grain, it may as well be made with white flour.  In turn, whole grains can equal a lot less nutrients and empty calories. The same concept applies when they talk about enriched macaroni as a substitute for protein. Yes, you read that right. Enriched pasta can be used as a source of protein. But its white pasta we are taking about here, and it goes through the same process as white bread because it is made with white flour. Then they put nutrients back in to make up for what they took out. Doesn't make much sense does it? It just equals more empty calories. Then we come to the fruit requirements. Fruit doesn't always have to be fruit.  Fifty percent of the daily requirement can be in juice form. We also did a blog on that. Once you remove the juice from the rest of the fruit, you remove the sugar from the nutrients that help your body digest, utilize, and properly dispose of the sugar. This is why a diabetic can drink orange juice or eat a piece of candy when they are low in sugar. It is absorbed quickly into the blood stream. There was no mention of water intake. We did a blog on that too! Water is one of the basic things the body needs yet not one word about it in any of the 78 pages.

It seems like a good portion of the requirements are based on calories. Americans have been counting calories for at least 50 years and we have gotten fatter every since. If you go by this standard some of the healthiest breakfasts would not stand up to these requirements, but some of the crappiest breakfasts would pass. Example: the following breakfast would not be enough caloric intake even for a kindergartener

1extra large egg 2 pieces of whole wheat toast	8 oz glass of milk 15 grapes
Total 340 calories

If you take this same meal and substitute the nutrient rich whole wheat bread for the empty calories in white bread and add 1 slice of bacon (assume this could count as protein even though it is the fat of a pig) then maybe it would an acceptable breakfast for K-5. My kids would never have eaten this much for breakfast at that age. Then, we would have to add another 100 calories for the grades 6-8 and another 200 for the high school kids.

Then of course we come to the center of all the FB comments: the state’s policy on foods with minimal nutritional value. It is called Title 7. You can read the whole thing on our FB page. From what I can figure out chocolate is still ok if it doesn’t contain corn syrup. I find that strange because a lot of enriched foods like bread have corn syrup in them.  Soda is a no go but not because it contains loads of sugar but because of the carbon dioxide. Water ice is not expectable unless it contains fruit juice (I believe we covered the whole fruit juice thing) or real fruit. So I don’t know how Rita’s was allowed into the school lunch room last year.

I could sift through this policy for hours and find more problems with it, but the bottom line is that the state doesn’t need to tell us how to feed our kids. The government loves to put band-aids over bleeding wounds. The reason the government changed the policy on the school lunch programs is because they wanted to make fruits and vegetables more available in school meals and to help fight the obesity problem that plagues America. So they make it appear like they care by imposing regulations on schools (who are already stretched by budget cutbacks) about what they can or cannot serve and what parents can or cannot bring in to the classroom. Meanwhile big business gets to brainwash our kids by constantly bombarding them with ads and images everywhere you look.  It’s not just enough to limit the TV and computer time. You would have to keep them isolated from them completely. How about a drive down the road just passing a fast food joint? You can’t escape the oversized advertisements. And forget about taking them to the super market. The focus on kids is ridiculous with movie characters on the box, toys inside, chances to win computers or an Xbox, etc. Then they hit you with the 1/3 less sugar or no sugar added so you feel good about buying it. But what you may not know is that a favorite trick of the trade is to make the portion size smaller so the 1/3 less sugar refers to sugar per serving size and the no added sugar means they added a new kind of chemical sugar to keep the taste sweet. The snack food today is nothing like it was 20-30 years ago. The food today is grown from seeds that are genetically engineered with things that don’t have to be proven safe for human consumption. The meat that is served in fast food restaurant and big restaurant chains, even the meat we buy in the super markets, is loaded with hormones. It won’t say so on any food label or warning because the corporations responsible for this food don’t have to tell you if they inject their meat with hormones. The government agencies that are supposed to regulate what goes into our food are run by the same big business that make and grow the food. The same people who run corporations that grow genetically modified foods in this country are the same people who run government agencies like the FDA and the USDA. Each year they change jobs and bounce back and forth from the corporations to the government positions. It is like a game of musical chairs only no one is left standing. They all have a seat at a new job: different position; same crap.

So you are right, all you angry posts on Sean’s FB comment, the state should not be poking their nose in what we feed our kids.  We need to protect our children from the government. I urge everyone to become an avid label reader and find out what is really in that food you are feeding your family. It may take time, but it is time well spent. Nothing is more important than the health of your family. When things break, like your car or something in your house, they can be replaced or fixed. It may cost money, but it can be replaced. It is not so easy to replace good health. Once it is gone it can be very hard to retrieve. You may need the help of a professional. With all the pitfalls and food traps on the market today, it is understandable that the average person would need help with such an important issue. Let us know if you have any question. We are more than happy to offer our assistance!

Written by Joan Agoglia

Edited by Robert Marshall

A Dose of Reality Abuse it, and you'll lose it!

Temperatures are expected to be in the 90s all week. The less electricity we use, the less chance we have of brown outs or worse: blackouts.  We can all pitch in and do our part.  By using less electricity we can all stay cooler this summer. Here are ten tips that not only save energy but save money as well.

1. Limit your computer and television use. 

With all your neighbors cranking up the ac it puts a real strain on the electric companies.  Limiting use of the computer and tv can make a big difference.  One person does not need to have the computer and the tv on at the same time.  If you are going to be away from either for longer than a few minutes, shut them off.  Remember these things are heat sources and will make your house hotter when they are on.

2. Put up a clothesline.

Take advantage of the heat and let it dry your clothes.  Clotheslines are very easy to make (check out our facebook page).  All you need is some heavy duty rope.  You can get clothesline rope at Home Depot, and buy clothes pins at the dollar store.  If you would rather buy one that is relatively inexpensive, they range in price from $13 - $50.

3. Catch that dry cycle.

Catch the dishwasher while it is in the dry cycle and turn it off.  Dishes will dry by themselves without the heated dry cycle. Save some money, and reduce some of the heat that is generated in your house.

4. Unplug Anything with LED lights.

How many things do you need to tell time?  It seems everything has a digital clock on it including the oven, the microwave, and even the cable box. Even appliances like TVs have red LED lights that turn on when you turn the TV off. This sucks up a lot of power in the long run. Unplug them when they are not in use. 

5. Reevaluate how many lights you need on during the day.

If your bathroom has a window do you really need to turn the light on during the day? Do you have the lights on when you are watching TV or playing on the computer during the day?  Most of the time turning on the lights when you walk into a room just becomes habit. You can save energy by opening your window blinds and letting in some sun.

6. How cold do you really need it?

You house should be comfortable; not cold. A few degrees will make a big difference on your next electric bill, and chances are you will not feel the difference between 70 and 72.

7. Get good at barbecuing!

You save electricity by not using your stove, and you will be able to keep the kitchen (and your house) much cooler when you cook outside.

8. Switch to energy saving light bulbs.

The world will not be saved just by switching to energy saving bulbs alone. They are one part of an important movement. They will, however, save your money. They use less power and give off less heat than traditional bulbs.   

9. Give that air-conditioning a much needed rest.

It is always cooler in the morning.  Shutting off the air-conditioning for an hour or two will give the unit rest and save some money. It is important to note that on very hot days you may only be able to shut the AC off for about an hour.  You should not let the house get too hot before turning it back on.

10. Check your filter regularly.

Check the filter in your air-conditioner, especially if it has been running for long stretches of time.  The unit is forced to work harder if the filter gets clogged. Having two filters will be helpful.  While one is being cleaned and dried, you can put the second one in.

Good luck with the summer heat this year! When it starts hitting 101 degrees in North Dakota, you know its going to be a rough one. Remember to drink plenty of water and stay away from dehydrating drinks like soda, coffee, and alcohol!

Written by Joann Agoglia
Edited by Robert Marshall

A Dose of Reality I Need What I Want!

When I was a child, I was spoiled. I would ask and get just about anything wanted. My father once said to me, “Joann, you have to separate your needs from your wants.” I replied, “Dad, there is a thin line between needs and wants. Once you decide you want something, you find ways to need it.” He chuckled and almost seemed proud of my answer. I think after that he said something about a gray area; I should try to stick to it. I wasn’t a very good listener back then. I do, however, feel the same about wants and needs today. Humans only need three things to survive: water, food, and shelter. All of the rest is fluff; boy, do we have a lot of fluff!

How and why did we get so dependant on things we didn’t really need? Where did these ideas of needing something we could survive without come from? I used to think that these ideas came from logic and sensible reasoning, but I know longer think that is true. It is almost as if we have an extra voice in our heads. In addition to the regular angel and devil on our shoulders, it seems we have this permanent Bluetooth lodged in our ears, speaking to our brains. It tells us we need this and that and sends us images of how cool we would look. This “Bluetooth Bug” is hard to ignore. No matter where you are, it is always whispering why we need things we could and should do without. The energy that powers this device is strong and readily available. It draws its energy from our televisions, radios, computers, and phones; it flashes images to us while we are on the road and in the mall. It is the tool of the media.

Tell me what I want!

In our society, media controls the flow of information. Two of the biggest influences on media’s frontlines are TV and the internet. Think back on today. How many clothing ads did you see on the internet? How many car or car insurance commercials on TV? What about fast, cheap food? Advertising tells you what to like and when to like it. When was the last time you saw a commercial for organic farming? How about a commercial that showed how good vegetables are without being dowsed in ranch dressing? I can remember seeing more oil advertisements in the past month than any advertisement for something I actually need. Children’s advertising is even worse. The cereal isle is bombarded with exciting cartoon characters on sugar cereal boxes like bees, rabbits, vampires, and leprechauns. It’s time to get real about who is making your choices; is it you or the commercials?

Do you remember the first cell phones? They were called pack phones. They weighed over a pound and had to be plugged into a car. Now phones weigh six ounces, play games and movies, and connect you to the internet 24/7. Not only was that move unnecessary, but the media makes you believe that it is so important that you are willing to pay $50 extra a month on top of the normal phone service. Phone bills easily reach $100 per month per person in the US. Now add that to the internet service and the cable you already pay for at home and what do you get? You get cheap, fast food. Why? Because many have been mislead by media to believe that it is a great idea to buy cheap, processed food in bulk instead of organic food in order to afford bigger and cooler technology.

It is time to decide what is really important in your life. Is it more important to feed your gas guzzling Cadillac Escalade $80 a week in fuel or feed your children natural organic food that will keep them healthy and energetic? Is it better to spend an hour on the internet with your phone or computer, or is it better to spend 20 minutes making a home cooked meal for your family (Yes, it is possible to make an organic meal for four in less than half an hour). Sure, sometimes organic food can be more expensive than something in a box, but consider how much you spend on frivolous entertainment like internet on your phone, 150 channels on the TV, $70,000 on a car that eats up $90 plus worth of gas a week. Separate the wants from the needs, and give your needs the priority they deserve. Your needs are water, food, and shelter. Not internet, TV, and SUVs.  Get unplugged, and get real. Or maybe we should make an app for that.

Written and Edited by

Joann Agoglia &

Robert Marshall