What's for Dinner?

"Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."

If you are torturing yourself over food choices, this line, from Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food, pretty much sums it up. It really doesn't get any simpler than that. I love it, though I confess, I'm not 100% compliant with it. Still, I believe Pollan is right about this.

For the sake of convenience (and profit) we eat too many processed foods and it plays havoc with our health. How many times do we have to hear and/or read that nutritional supplements really can't adequately replace the fiber, flavor, and antioxidant values of food in it's natural state before we just choose the spinach salad and carrot juice instead of a burger and Coke?

In his latest book, Food Rules, Pollan sets forth 64 simple rules for eathing healthily and happily. While most of his "rules" are backed up by science, Pollan has gathered traditional and conventional food wisdom from a variety of sources, including readers of his earlier books, dietiticians and grandmothers. Food Rules is free of scientific jargon, thus, is easy to read and fun.

Rule #20  It's not food if it arrived through the window of your car.

Sorry, Mike. Mothers of toddlers with hectic schedules will not be giving this one up in the foreseeable future.

Coping With Continual Motion - Library competencies

Bertha Gutsche describes why a focus on competencies can help librarians stick to values while absorbing future shock.  Article published in the March 1, 2010 issue of Library Journal.

My Hair, Your Hair, Whose Hair?

Just back from Chris Rock's movie Good Hair. He says the project was prompted by a question from his daughter about why she doesn't have "good hair". Now, Chris Rock can turn any topic into comedy, but I learned a few things despite the humor of it all. Really, I thought black folks had moved away from the whole good vs. bad hair debate. Wrong.

Who knew just how much money is spent on the real/fake hair weaves and extensions. There are folks on the screen declaring that they have spent a thousand (that's $1,000.00) to purchase hair extensions and have them sewn/glued to their heads. I'm talking regular, working women (and the men who support/subsidize them), not celebrities who pay much more. Wow.

This is not just a black thing. Nearly every woman I know has some issue with her hair. Next time you're around a group of women, chances are good that while you are wishing for someone else's hair, someone in the room is wishing for yours. Some of us are changing our hair all the time and it's usually a rebellion against what mother nature has blessed us with. Those with curly hair wish it was straight while those with straight hair wish it had curl, bounce, or body. By the way, did you know that you can tell a human hair weave from one with synthetic hair by the latter's lack of movement? Synthetic hair does not bounce. OK.

Why can't we be happy with what we have? Don't ask me; I've been trying to conquer my hair for years. But, I have recently read two books on hair which you might want to check out if you're feeling unappreciative of your hair's natural beauty. Diane Da Costa's Textured Tresses, and Andre Walker's Andre Talks Hair!.

Househunting

I visited an open house today. From the outside, the home was charming, and inside, it was adorable. It's been on the market for 26 days and I wonder how long it will last. Why? Because by today's standards it's small: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no formal dining room. AND, it had been enlarged with an addition. Some people will just stop reading here -- obviously a waste of time.

Growing up in a DC row house, I always dreamed of someday living in a big house with tons of space. After having tried the roles of wife, mother, and maid-in-chief, I'm no longer entranced with the 5 bedroom, 5 bath home. That's way too many bathtubs to be scrubbing.

This house, though, is imminently livable. Situated on a level lot, with lovely landscaping and not much grass to be cut -- a definite plus. Beautiful hardwood floors, a very cozy [real estate speak for tiny] kitchen, spacious living room. The addition enlarged the master bedroom and bath and added a sun room. The place would be great for entertaining....that's my favorite line from all the HGTV house hunting shows. It's mentioned so often, it would appear that everyone is looking for a home that can accomodate not only the immediate family, a constant stream of visitors.

Really, with a separate dining room, the place would have been perfect. But, much as I loved it, I'm not sure it's worth over $600k. But, maybe one day.