Thursday 23 May 2013

Confessions of a Coke Addict

I managed to give up caffeine four times in my life.  Every time that I was pregnant, I gave up all caffeine cold turkey, and I didn't drink it at all while I was pregnant or breastfeeding.  After little boss was weaned, I slowly started incorporating caffeine into my diet again.  That was probably a mistake.

I don't drink; I don't smoke; I don't use any drugs and I try to eat healthily.
I am also addicted to diet Coke (preferably from a fountain, not can or bottle).

I know that it is bad for me, and that the aspartame is carcinogenic, and that it has no nutritional value.  I have seen the science experiments where a tooth is left in a bottle of Coke until it gets dissolved by the soda.  I know.

I also just really enjoy it.  It's probably not the best attitude to have, but, if I'm completely honest, I feel like I'm entitled to one vice. Just one.  One little indulgence that is just for me and the kids aren't allowed to even taste and that doesn't take any time in my very busy schedule.  Coca Cola is, after all, a Southern institution.  It is cultural, and unless you are from the South (especially the Atlanta area), I don't think you can fully understand how real and not at all joking that is.  I love old Coca Cola signs and the look of vintage Coke products.  I drink way too much diet Coke...and yet...and yet.... There's something beyond the unhealthiness that bothers me.  Should I really feel this devoted to a company?  Coke has shaped and continues to shape culture.  Our entire modern image of Santa Claus was based on Coke ads, which is more than a little ridiculous.

Mostly, I saw this image and wanted to share.  Take from it what you will.

Image borrowed from Upworthy and inspired by Banksy and, obviously, Coca Cola:
I don't think they would mind me sharing.
(I found the image here.  Then the creator of the image contacted me.  She didn't ask me to remove the image, so I won't.  I will give her credit, though, for great design work.  Click here to check out her website.)

Wednesday 22 May 2013

Seven for 7: Role Models for my Daughter

Princess recently turned seven!

For her birthday, I wrote her this letter:

Happy Birthday!
You turn seven years old today.  I can still remember you as a tiny newborn baby in my arms, and how you were so perfect.  It's hard to believe how big you are now, and how grown up you are getting.  I hope that you like all of your birthday presents this year.  In addition to the toys and other goodies, I wanted to give you something else.  This book is about seven women who are good role models.  they are all women that I want you to learn about; they are all examples in some way.  You are so very special that I thought you would like to learn from these other special women.

Lots of love,
Mummy

Then I wrote up little sections about each of the following women (in no particular order):

1. Judith Leyster (She was one of the first famous and respected women artists.)
2. Amelia Earhart (She was a pilot, obviously, and, perhaps more truly, an adventurer.)
3. Marie Curie (She was an important scientist who is still the only person to win the Nobel Prize in both physics and chemistry.)
4. J.K. Rowling (Princess just started reading the Harry Potter series.)
5. Maria Mitchell (Among other accomplishments, she discovered a comet.)
6. Mary Whitmer (She was a hard-working woman of great faith.)
7. Jackie Joyner-Kersee (She is one of the greatest athletes of all time, and a noted humanitarian.)

Yes, having role models for little girls is a big deal.  There are so many issues I want my daughters to understand that are a big deal.

Here's a quick side note on the issue of beauty.  Click here to read someone else's blog post about the Dove Beauty campaign.  Even if you don't read the whole post, scroll to the bottom and watch the three videos (all made by the same company).  The ads speak pretty loudly for themselves.