Nothing like an annoyed grumbling in the morning (and breakfast)

[thistlechaser]

On my short drive to and from work, I listen to NPR. Even if I don't agree with all the opinions expressed, I know it's still intelligently reported.

This morning NPR did a story on gun control and the NRA. The NRA is running ads calling the president a hypocrite because the president uses armed secret service agents to protect his daughters, but doesn't let everyone else bring guns into schools to protect their kids.

Raise your hand if you see the logic issue in that.

The NRA is doing so much harm to this country. They have way, way, way too much political power. As long as so many people have guns, some of our biggest problems will never be solved. And the NRA is a big part of that.

"If you outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns!" Bull. Why do we have traffic laws, when people speed? Why are there laws against stealing, when people shoplift?

I get so sad and annoyed when you look at gun violence in America compared to other countries. The only countries that have more firearm deaths than America? South Africa, Colombia, Thailand. The US has many thousand per year, and a number of countries have ZERO. How in the world do gun owners defend that?

---

I don't do resolutions for New Year, but I do try to make lifestyle changes now and then. My current one is to eat breakfast. Eating breakfast to lose weight is counterintuitive to me. While I generally love to eat and eat too much, I hate breakfast. I hate eating early in the day. I hate having flavors/tastes in my mouth for the first 3-4 hours of my day.

The problem is, breakfast is pretty darned necessary to losing weight. It gets your metabolism started earlier. It makes you eat less overall through the day. It keeps your hormones and blood sugar more regular.

But I hate it.

I've been trying to force myself to eat, even if it's nontraditional breakfast foods (this morning I had some peanuts and almonds). Would you believe it's harder to make myself eat breakfast than it is to make myself exercise?

Edit: For Harry Potter folks. Today's Awkward Stock Photo: Argus Filch? Is that you?

Comments

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

My feeling about breakfast is that you just put something in the tank. It does not matter what. Berries, bread, ice-cream, cereal, nuts... And if you eat before you brush teeth, you will not have any taste in your mouth but toothpaste after. Works for me, anyway.

I think you are totally right about the gun control thing.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

That's a good idea. I like brushing my teeth as soon as I wake up, but I'd have no issues at all with doing it again immediately after I eat.

I think 'eat something, anything' will likely be what saves me.

[isyris.livejournal.com]

Re breakfast things: have you tried making smoothies? Banana is pretty filling, as is peanut butter or yogurt or you can even add whey powder for extra protein, and fruity flavors may not stick with you as long as something heavier. You can even make them ahead and freeze individual servings in disposable plastic cups to thaw as needed.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

That's a good idea, especially making them ahead of time! Not only do I not like eating in the morning, I don't like having to bother cooking something.

[isyris.livejournal.com]

Taking the time to cook is what always gets me in the mornings! I haaaate it, and as a result I'm not as good about eating breakfast as I should be. If Jon doesn't make me a sandwich or some oatmeal and literally put it in my hands, I don't eat until after noon.

Another cook in advance option I've heard of, but not tried, is making a week's worth of good oatmeal in advance and heating it up in the mornings. That takes real dishes, though!

ETA: This post here! (http://www.thekitchn.com/10-makeahead-breakfasts-to-sta-155762) Lots of make-ahead ideas, and the comments have some great ideas too.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Wow, some of those ideas are really good. I keep wanting to try steel-cut oatmeal, it's so often mentioned in these lists!

[isyris.livejournal.com]

Yes! It sounds so tasty. I keep meaning to buy some but I haven't got around to it yet. (I'm a little nervous I wouldn't like it, I prefer my oatmeal very very mushy rather than chewy, but I think if I approach it as a soggy granola it'll be good.)

[changeling72.livejournal.com]

I do get the impression that the gun culture in the US is very different to the thinking here. We don't have a right to bear arms and it's rather unusual for anyone to own a gun. Trouble is, the people who would use guns use knives instead, but I guess it's easier to do more damage with a gun?

I eat throughout the day when I'm at work, but far less at home. I think it's complulsive in the office.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Yeah. If someone showed up at a movie theater with a knife, how many people could they kill? Compared to an assault rifle (machine gun)? Which happened here not too many months ago.

And same. We have food all over the place at work. It's too bad it's all bad stuff... (Now and then we get fruit, but it's always badly bruised and over or under ripe.)

[kamalloy.livejournal.com]

What are your feelings on granola bars? I usually have those, a yogurt, and a glass of orange juice in the morning. No cooking required, and not too much prep work.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I love them! The problem is my sugar; I haven't found a low carb/calorie one yet. Most of them are sadly packed with sugar. I often have a fiber bar for breakfast, which is sort of the same thing? :P

[kamalloy.livejournal.com]

You make a good point. I tend to eat low-sugar lunches and dinners, so my balance is different. Plus in my case I am lazy and want to sleep in and thus eat something really fast. ;p

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

That makes sense! I try to save my sugar for snacks and such, since I have a hard time resisting those.

[spike7451.livejournal.com]

I really hope that the U.S. somehow gets some stricter gun laws. We had a terrible mass shooting here many years ago now and the gun laws were changed pretty damn quick. But then there is nothing like the NRA in Australa!

Not a breakfast person myself, coffee was ususally my breakfast choice but as I get older I realise it is important and have been making sure I eat it now. Doesn't mean I like it though. lol.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I hope so as well, but I doubt it will happen. The NRA is too strong. There are too many pro-gun people in this country. :/

And agreed! I may never like it, but so long as I eat breakfast, that's all I ask of myself.

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

Angus Filch is a never-nude!!

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

The picture disagrees!

[teaandfailure.livejournal.com]

I heard that same story! My jaw dropped when I heard the commercial they're running. I... WHAT?

The part I really love about the whole argument going on is that a big suggestion is either arming teachers (thus requiring them to have law-enforcement style training) or having law enforcement officers in every school.

I am not here to debate whether this is wrong or right. I am only here to point out that this argument is occurring while we are simultaneously talking about how the country is out of money and we shouldn't pay the law enforcement officers as much, or should get rid of them, because we certainly cannot be expected to pay any more taxes.

So presumably all these law enforcement trained teachers and/or existing law enforcement officers will be donating their time out of the goodness of their justice-loving hearts.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Yep, very good point.

Same sort of lack of logic was brought up on the radio today: The country is debating about making the school year longer, because kids aren't learning enough, but that doesn't address that schools are being forced to not teach the kids important things, like science and evolution. What are longer hours going to do? (And money comes into play here, too. Are teachers going to want more for working more weeks per year? Where's that going to come from?)

[gconnor.livejournal.com]

ok I'm going to be Mr. Opposite and say that having breakfast is not as important as people say it is. It's a variation on the "You really have to eat smaller amounts more often" meme.

I tried the small amounts more often route and it works OK. I lost 25 and gained 5 back. I ultimately didn't stick with it because it felt like busy-work.

Now I'm spoiled. I have found a diet of really good food that I like, and it keeps me satisfied for a long time. Usually I eat lunch, dinner, and a snack. Sometimes I even skip lunch and just have nuts. The best part is, there is a reliable signal telling me when it's time to eat: hunger. If I'm hungry, I eat, if not, I don't.

Nothing wrong with breakfast at all, but if you're not hungry, why bother? Do you get in trouble and have too much if you wait until lunchtime?

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Do you get in trouble and have too much if you wait until lunchtime?

Yeah, that's the thing. And also, snacking at the office once I'm ready to eat but it's not lunchtime yet (candy everywhere...).

Supposedly you eat more through the day if you skip breakfast, not just lunch. For me, I think that applies as well.

That it feeling like busy-work is the reason I have a hard time with the lots of mini-meals, too. (Also, I like bigger meals...)