Before and after Science

It's remarkable how many things are done in the worst possible way that ignores ancient natural cycles.

Take lawns.  They need water which is scarce, and power mowing which consumes fuel.  Then you can't just let the leaves lie as they do on the forest ground. No, they go to the dump.  And some lawns need weed killer and other chemicals, that end up contaminating the ground water.  Contrast this with a forest or a rock garden.


Take ethanol, one of the worst ideas ever.  It results in less food, impoverishes 3rd world farmers, raises food prices for the very poorest, uses water and fuel, pollutes, hurts your car.

The way we produce and distribute food is equally un-natural.  And so goes our entire society.  We irrigate the desert, air-condition metal boxes, live far from work, become dependent on fossil fuels, etc.

We all knew these things, but perhaps were unaware of the the overall pattern, which is quite disturbing.

Third World Food

It's been known for a long time that western (i.e. American) diets cause a decline in health.  Native peoples that move up in the world tend to start eating bad food as soon as they can afford it.

In a reverse of this trend, I am eating on the beach in Mexico.   I have no cans with me, and no freezer to speak of.  We are potlucking vanagons, consuming local fish, crab, avocados, corn, tortillas, salsa, fruit, broccoli, and other native ingredients.

Things are changing, but many of the food providers cannot afford unhealthy western food practices.  I saw chickens crossing the dirt street, and cows wandering the desert foraging.  One would hope that the fruits and veggies are raised more naturally than in the US.

Two wheels good, four wheels bad

It was near freezing as I biked to the singing at the Fire Roast.  It got dark too, but there was plenty of traffic on the bike lanes.  Bikes rule.  The greenway exit at my street is almost done, that'll give me direct access.  Yay.

Ordered hot cider, garnering a point for avoiding hot chocolate.  Also implemented an AFD strategy: ordered nothing, was offered chips.  Was not up for eating much if anything after lunch buffet (lose 1 pt).

Zumba waiting for class discussion centered on big muffins, bakeries and ice cream.  Apparently some people suffer from real cravings, and feel guilty when they cave in to them.  The AFD says eat what you like.  Don't feel bad about it.  Just don't make a habit of highly unhealthful practices.   Poco a poco.

Motivational decline

I've been driving more recently.  I suppose that's good for the van, as it needs exercise and some certainty that the starter and engine are in good shape.   Since it's not getting any warmer, this is going to be an ongoing issue.

Lets do a blow by blow.  Today has just started.  We can assume that I'll do all the right things.   Wednesday I hibernated, but managed to drag myself to the Y.  My Y sessions have gotten shorter, with most of the weight lifting falling by the wayside.  Most of the session is devoted to stretching and ab/back strength.   Way back when I moved near the Y, under the assumption that I may work anywhere, but would always want to be near the Y.  After the Y, I drove to the Fire Roast.  It turns out I could have biked.  The cold wasn't excessive, and I could have left the mando at home or strapped it to the rack, an operation that can be a bit of pain, but that's the price we pay.  Tuesday I saw the dentist up north by 694.  I had been biking there.  It's an hour plus, but almost all bike path.  But as I said, I've been driving more.  After chess class, which I also drove to, I stopped by the midtown farmers market, the last Tuesday one.  Combining errands is all the rage nowadays, and not a bad idea.  I cooked more green things than I could eat, froze a little, and fed the neighbors.

Sometime this week, I forget when, I walked to the wedge once, and around the neighborhood some.

Saturday I went to yoga at the Y, where we had a substitute teacher who had us hold downward facing dog longer than usual.  I sure had sore calves the next day.  After that I biked to St. Paul. That was nice.  Sunday I biked back to Minneapolis, and it rained.  I got wet, but not being made of brown sugar, did not melt.

I chatted food and fitness with a slew of people over the week, many of whom said they would post their thoughts.  Yay.

Zumba is cool because

The latin rhythm, the confusion of left and right, the jungle-like screams.  And why do you like Zumba?

Talking to myself again

Now where were we?  I've just come from the Y, where I received inspiring thoughts about tofu, pre/post dinner strolling, and going running with persons whose style is incompatible.  These are all now paragraphs in my book in progress, The All Food Diet.

Way back on Wednesday, I ended up biking to a friends house for some house-cleaning.  Thursday I biked over to my child care engagement.  Again I thought it was cold, but it warmed up after lunch, and we ended up playing football and basketball.  I think we all threw better than the local pro's, but the bar is quite low this year.  My basketball opponents had trouble getting past me.  Was it skill or just my three foot height advantage?

Heisenberg uncertainty principle

My blog is affecting my behavior.  Since I'm being watched, I felt pressure to conform.

This morning I did the mini-set of floor exercises, designed to avoid complete slothishness and help the back.  This consists of 108 ab crunches, 30 leg lifts eqach side and on tummy, and 20 modified pushups with the knees down.  Sometimes followed by cat/cow and tree poses.  A five minute set is better than nothing, and a fine addition to other daily activity.

Then we walked to the drug store for some architectural criticism and fall leaf gazing.

Lastly, I dragged myself to the Y yesterday.

It seemed cold to go running, but it's really not.  I found my box of winter gear, stay tuned for further fitness non-adventures.