Sunday, October 21, 2012

The Skers are in town

My coworker, Joe, invited me to the Nebraska v. Northwestern game yesterday. I initially considered declining the invite because he told me that we were going to sit on the Northwestern side and that I had to wear a Wildcat shirt. However, I am glad I decided to go. Incase you are wondering, I totally rocked a white shirt and a red scarf. 29-28- Nebraska. I'll take that. GBR!

The weather was perfect for tailgating.

Typical Joe face

The Skers are in town!

I had great seats


P.S. I don't mean to brag, but I managed to give the team (including Taylor Martinez) high fives after the game.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

You are what you eat

Contrary to popular belief, I have not intentionally dropped of the face of the virtual world. My wireless has not been functioning properly/ it's basically non-existent. Also, I have been working through my lunches so I haven't had the chance to post over my break this week. Therefore, I apologize to all of you who have sent me an email, text, or phone call to ask why I haven't been blogging.

Don't worry friends, I am here with a story and opinion to share...obviously!

Lately I have been thinking of the phrase "you are what you eat" based on a documentary, Food Inc, I watched a couple of weeks ago. Before I share my opinion about the documentary, I want to put it out there and take ownership regarding the fact that all documentaries have a political agenda and it's important to take that in consideration when you are absorbing the material presented. This documentary, in particular, examines corporate farming in America. I was moved by this documentary because through research, images, and stories, I was reminded that there is truth in the statement you are what you are eat. This documentary shed light on the reality that agribusiness produce food that is not only unhealthy in a way that is environmentally harmful but also abusive of both animals and employees. One statement that really stood out to me was, "The industry doesn't want you to know the truth about what you are eating because if you knew, you might not eat it."  As a result of viewing this documentary, I have made some SERIOUS changes to what I put into my body.

Perhaps I may have already lost some of you because this may appear as "another fad diet" but I want to give you a little food for thought. The next time you are sitting down alone or with others admiring your nice T-Bone steak (y'all know I am a sucker for steak) or plumb chicken breast, consider how it got that way.

This documentary (and additional research I did on my own) highlights the reality of how meat in the U.S. is currently processed. Did you know that the egg-to-life of a chicken is now six weeks old?
I saw large corporations give this little guy and his friends a hormone shot that within days developed them into full-grown chickens.
 What's even more concerning is that they are grown in cages that are too small for them to move and they get so fat that their breasts become so big that they can't stand up or walk. If you are not an animal person or can't relate to this because you don't know/want to know what it's like to be an animal, think about it this way.  How often have you seen a baby/human come out of their mother's womb, given a shot, and two days later become a full-grown senior citizen? Something just isn't right....right!?

I am not saying that you should stop eating meat completely because I currently consider myself a flexaterian; I prefer to reduce/eliminate my meat intake but if and when I do eat it, I  am all about free-range, organic, grass fed, and ethical animal treatment. I am just saying that you should do your research, consider watching documentaries like Food Inc, and maybe reconsider what you put into your body. Think about the phrase "you are what you eat." I don't know about you, but I want the ingredients that I put into my body to represent who I am: 100% natural (authentic) , free range (to do anything and live life), and healthy (committed to living a good lifestyle).



Sunday, October 7, 2012

Sweat + Sacrifice = Success

This morning I went to cheer on some of my friends and colleagues who committed to run the Chicago marathon. It was such an inspiring moment because I saw people of all shapes, sizes, ages, and walk of lives. I couldn't help but look at myself and think...what is your excuse, Natu!? 

The jig is up. I need to go on a run!
I can't imagine how one must feel when they cross the finish line knowing that they just ran 26.2 miles. Actually, I am more moved by their initial decision to get up, get going, and live a healthy lifestyle. They say that the hardest step for a runner is the first one out of the door. 



Thank you, Chicago marathon runners and all those who have their wellness in check, for empowering me to realize that it's time to start to be great. I am looking forward to changing things up and not having this message as my reality...
Heard that, Nike! It is important to JUST DO IT. I know I am not known for my excellent math skills, but I do know that sweat + sacrifice = success.