Back to Weight Watchers

  Yesterday, I re-joined Weight Watchers. I’m not where I’d like to be right now on my weight, and WW works! I had success with it before, losing many pounds, but then let it go. Why did I do that? Oh well–this time, I’m determined to make it a part of my life from now on. When I get to goal weight, it will be free!

It was so much fun getting all the new materials (they’re updated once a year). And “etools” online is free, with lots of fun goodies to look at.

I can honestly say that Weight Watchers is the best program I’ve found for a healthy lifestyle. It puts you in control of food, you can eat anything you want, and it’s all based on a balanced diet. 

It feels good to get back to WW.

Liberal or Conservative?

  With all the high emotion, fighting, and downright hatred brewing in the country right now, it’s important to know where we stand individually. Then we can put what we hear into context. Here’s an interesting quiz to see where you stand on the “liberal vs. conservative” spectrum:

http://www.gotoquiz.com/conservative_or_liberal

When I took the quiz, I found out that I’m ”moderately conservative.” Here’s the description of a “moderate conservative”:

I believe in personal responsibility, limited government, free markets, individual liberty, and traditional American values.

According to StudentNewsDaily.com, generally, “liberal policies emphasize the need for the government to solve peoples’ problems” and “conservative policies generally emphasize empowerment of the individual to solve problems.”

Where do you stand?

Health Care Reform

  I’ve been slow to blog about health care reform because, honestly, I don’t know what’s in the 1,100-page bill that Obama is trying to ram down our throats. Do you? I think everybody (including Congress and Obama himself) needs to slow down, read the bill, and thoroughly understand it before passing it.

Here are some of the things I’d like to see in a healthcare bill. They come courtesy of a letter to the editor of the West Valley View by Robert D. Smith. I think he’s right on:

(1) To reduce healthcare costs, the first thing that needs to be done is tort reform. Lawsuit awards for malpractice against doctors, hospitals, or drug companies should be limited to a reasonable amount. The lawyers’ fee should be limited. If the plaintiff does not win the lawsuit, he should be liable for the costs of the defense.

This will decrease the cost of healthcare as there will be fewer lawsuits, and doctors won’t have to practice rear-covering medicine. The doctors will not have to prescribe extra (often unnecessary) tests and exams to protect themselves from lawsuits. The doctors’ and hospitals’ insurance costs will decrease, and that savings should be passed on to the patient.

(2) The drug companies should be prevented from advertising to the public. This will prevent the public from asking for frivolous drugs they never knew they needed.  Everytime I see ads for drugs that stop “restless” legs, produce more “natural” tears, and grow longer eyelashes, I cringe.

(3) Certain substances should be banned from use in both food and drinks. The chief substance to be banned is high fructose corn syrup, a chemical used for sweetening. This chemical compound has no redeeming features and may be the primary cause for obesity.

(4) I am definitely against any sort of rationing and accompanying “end-of-life counselling” for senior citizens. If that happens, there will be blood in the streets because Americans won’t stand for it.

(5) Whatever laws Congress passes, Congress should have to live within those laws, including healthcare, instead of the sweetheart healthcare they now receive.

(6) We need honest answers on how this health care bill will be paid for.

If these things are in the bill, then I say go ahead and pass it. Why can’t our questions be honestly answered?

Rawhide

  I’ve been watching lots of Western movies lately–Appaloosa and 3:10 to Yuma with Russell Crowe are two of my faves. So tonight, my daughter and I felt like a taste of the Old West in person. We went to Rawhide Western Town at Wild Horse Pass here in Phoenix.

It’s a quaint Old West main street with lots of shops, games, and shows. I roped a steer head with a lariat. My daughter and I had a shoot-out with real guns (but not real bullets).

The highlight was a dinner at the Steakhouse:  mesquite prime rib, green chili pepper cornbread, garlic mashed potatoes, sweet corn salad, fresh asparagus, and salad. It was yummy.

I’m gathering lists of places to take visitors when they come down, and this is definitely one.

Now–back to the movies.