Opinions of the unpopular variety.

[Deleted User] · May 2012

Scout2005:

Convenient AND a treat.

Perfection.

Fuuuck yeah!

MoonlitPlumeria · May 2012

CinemaGoddess:
My theory regarding the US in relation to the rest of the world:
Most 1st world countries are like 30-something people. They've been around awhile, have been through a lot of shiit, and are pretty well jaded about life in general. They have a lot of bad history regarding race/cultural/religious ideas, so they have difficulty letting go of old prejudices.
America is alternately like the annoying teenager who think she's invincible and will happily text-while-driving because what bad thing could possibly happen in that situation and the annoying frat boy who swills cheap beer on the regular and waxes poetic about how much he loves you guys. America still thinks it's shiit doesn't stink and everyone else can go jump off a cliff if they think otherwise. AMERICA, FUUUCK YEAH!
America is also somewhat like the 20-something hipster liberal, trying to do what's right by people who have it worse off then they do, but doing it in such a way that it's 100% condescending. So we just pat Greece on the head and tell them it will be ok, even though they're going through really rough times and the Euro is about to collapse and may send the EU into a tailspin.
Does that make sense?

I loved all of this!

Ok so I read through all the page and I think I'm about all caught up.

I love coffee but prefer tea.

I don't get the popularity smocked clothing and I would never buy some for Z. I don't see the need to spend $40 on an outfit that she will outgrow in no time. (I wouldn't refuse them as a gift or hand me downs but I wouldn't buy them)

I love both books and borrowing my husbands e-reader. I feel like I get more reading done with the e-reader though.

I champion language immersion programs for elementary schools. My sister was in one and now speaks french fluently. (She often doesn't notice switching from English to French when in Canada.)

I am not all that proud of America at the moment.

I have been known to judge when people getting government assistance go out and buy themselves a hugely expensive purse and jewelry (my SIL). I don't even carry a purse and my "engagement ring" was $40 dollars at Sears and is labelled "Diamonesse" whatever the eff that is but its sparkly!

I am sure I have UO's of my own, but I am drawing a blank right now. If I ever get my brain on track I'll post them.

RedWingsFan · May 2012

I love juice, but we water it down. We buy 100% and I don't think it's the same as pop. That's right, it's POP, not soda.

Breyer's and Haagen Daas (and Ben & Jerry's) are all natural and delicious.

I don't feel one ounce of guilt for spending $400 or more on a bag or pair of shoes - they are investments and several of my purchases are still in great condition almost 10 years after purchase.

McD's orange drink is the bomb-diggety, no matter what poison it contains.

Starbucks Non-fat Chai Latte is the best.drink.ever.

NastyAnnie · May 2012

I don't think what I eat is any of anyone else's business. As I am an adult, I can make those choices for myself. It's cool if you don't approve, I really don't give a sh?t.

epona3 · May 2012

BostonKisses2:

I'm with you on adding at least Mandarin to the language offerings. I agree with Unpossible that Spanish would be more beneficial than French here in the US, but I would love to see Mandarin and Japanese offered in more schools because it will be a huge benefit to our kids when they're out in the business world.

Oooh, I just realized I have an opinion that is actually unpopular! I DON'T think it is/will be important for kids to learn Mandarin. (And I'm a French teacher, so I'm all about promoting the "languages other than Spanish.")

There are more speakers of English in Asia than anywhere else in the world. Even they realize their language is not going to become the lingua franca, and even they admit it is ridiculously hard to master if it is not your first language.

Don't get me wrong, if someone has a genuine interest and love of Chinese culture than they should definitely learn it, but I don't think it needs to be learned from a "practical" standpoint. (That gets into my whole "A second language is only as useful as you want it to be" soapbox that I tell my students.)

"Do you speak Chinglish?"
https://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,15953614,00.html

"Why learn Mandarin?"
https://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2011/01/18/english-is-here-to-stay.html

Also, a shameless plug for French:
(Originally written for "The Economist")https://www.newyorkinfrench.net/forum/topic/show?id=3350642%3ATopic%3A217660&xgs=1&xg_source=msg_share_topic

thisplaceisstupid · May 2012

Unpossible:
twatley:
I kind of hate America and I'm not very proud to be an American.

Feel the same way.

Aw, the young and dumb.

thisplaceisstupid · May 2012

Scout2005:
thisplaceisstupid:
It annoying people automatically assume I am WD/YF/spanky or any gross photo poster.
If anyone thinks all AEs are one person you are just dumb.
Yes. It's people's assumptions about AEs that are annoying.

You really aren't as clever as you think you are dearheart.

write2nicole · May 2012

zuzupj4:
Why do ice creams have to be ruined with hard nuts in them.

ILY

Also, I have 2 Coach purses. They were birthday presents and I couldn't think of anything better to ask for. Also, they were on sale at the outlet store, so they were less than $100 each.

I asked for those purses after spending more than $150 in a year on cheap purses that fell apart on me. So far so good with the 2 expensive ones.

littlemac1117 · May 2012

Unpossible:
zuzupj4:

Why do ice creams have to be ruined with hard nuts in them.

hahahaha 'hard nuts' hahahahaha

Glad I'm not the only one snickering at the hard nuts haha

NastyAnnie · May 2012

Also, I don't hate America or whatever. I like living here, and am happy that I get a say in the legislative process. However, I'm not "proud" of it. I was born an American. I didn't have to do anything to get here. There's nothing for me to be "proud" of. No more than I should be proud of being white, or female, or having Baptist parents, or whatever. I think "proud" is the wrong word to use.

ablou · May 2012

EllaHella:
ablou:
EllaHella:

ablou:
Mine is that I think the food philosophy of "everything in moderation" is bullsh!t. Juice is as bad as soda. Fast food is poison, not a treat. For a "treat," slow food, something artisan, or something homemade, is ALWAYS better.

That's very elitist, Abs.

I don't see it that way, but if it is, it is. But it's also Thursday.

Meh. Thursday's no excuse.

Artisian, slow and homemade are luxuries that many can't afford- both in time and money.

As I said in a later post, I don't think that treats should be convenient foods. If it takes effort and/or sacrifice, they become rarer and more delicious, in my experience.

macandcheesebiotches · May 2012

We've added 500 calories a day since the late seventies. Something has to give. We cannot keep eating this way. And saying poor people can't afford produce or working parents have no time to cook is just a cop out.

judahsmommy1 · May 2012

ablou:
judahsmommy1:
ablou:
Juice is as bad as soda.
Really? You really think that? I'm not all gung ho on juice... we don't drink it a lot, but if I had to choose between my son drinking juice and him drinking soda I know which I'd choose in a heartbeat. Let's see, HFCS, dyes and artificial flavors, fake sugars, absolutely 0 nutritious content in the way of vitamins etc... OR something squeezed out of a fruit. It's still a lot of sugar, but there are SOME benefits to it. Not to mention apple cider is probably the most delicious thing EVER! Even if I thought it meant that it would shorten my life span, I would happily make that trade for an occasional glass of real apple cider!!!
yes. I think that. The danger of juice is that people forget how much sugar and how many calores are in it. Also, most of the nutrients that make fruit so healthy are removed by juicing. And the body doesn't recognize liquid calories as consumed food (juice & soda don't fill you up), so you eat the same amount of food PLUS the calories consumed by sugary drinks.

Okay I agree with most of this - which is why I consider both juice and milk to be foods not beverages. Although, juice and milk both do fill me up so I can't agree with that statement. (Soda does not.) But if all of this were true, the statement that soda and juice are nutritionally equal still wouldn't be. While a glass of juice isn't nutritionally equal to eating a piece of fruit, it still has more nutritional value than a glass of soda (which also has gross additives in it). I also stand by my apple cider argument. There are very few things that are more wonderful than a tall glass of chilled apple cider!

judahsmommy1 · May 2012

ablou:
EllaHella:
ablou:
EllaHella:

ablou:
Mine is that I think the food philosophy of "everything in moderation" is bullsh!t. Juice is as bad as soda. Fast food is poison, not a treat. For a "treat," slow food, something artisan, or something homemade, is ALWAYS better.

That's very elitist, Abs.

I don't see it that way, but if it is, it is. But it's also Thursday.

Also... Is that Tim Gunn in your siggy?

Meh. Thursday's no excuse.

Artisian, slow and homemade are luxuries that many can't afford- both in time and money.
As I said in a later post, I don't think that treats should be convenient foods. If it takes effort and/or sacrifice, they become rarer and more delicious, in my experience.

MJHershey · May 2012

BostonKisses2:
Libby1978:

She has mad love for MMC, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, and Chuggington during therapy times though. And those programs don't make me want to stab my eyes out lol!

I can handle MMC & Chuggington, but Jake and the Neverland Pirates is a no go. I don't know why, but that show gets on my nerves.

Alex loves The Soul Train little short they do between shows. "All aboard the choo choo train!"

I always wonder with the Pirates "WHERE ARE THEIR PARENTS".

macandcheesebiotches · May 2012

My unpop is that we wait too long in this country to potty train. It should start at 1. If your two year old is still shitting his or her pants I blame it on lazy parenting.

RedWingsFan · May 2012

macandcheesebiotches:
My unpop is that we wait too long in this country to potty train. It should start at 1. If your two year old is still shitting his or her pants I blame it on lazy parenting.

Want to come to my house and potty train my 2-year old twins?

E just sits there playing with the toilet paper, and M refuses to even sit on it. They aren't ready yet. Period.

Also, it's pop, people. Soda sounds so uppity to me.

macandcheesebiotches · May 2012

RedWingsFan:
macandcheesebiotches:
My unpop is that we wait too long in this country to potty train. It should start at 1. If your two year old is still shitting his or her pants I blame it on lazy parenting.

Want to come to my house and potty train my 2-year old twins?

E just sits there playing with the toilet paper, and M refuses to even sit on it. They aren't ready yet. Period.

Also, it's pop, people. Soda sounds so uppity to me.

Have you tried the 3 day potty training method? And pop is for rednecks

CinemaGoddess · May 2012

I blame HFCS for the fattiness of the US.

judahsmommy1 · May 2012

macandcheesebiotches:
My unpop is that we wait too long in this country to potty train. It should start at 1. If your two year old is still shitting his or her pants I blame it on lazy parenting.

I am apparently a lazy parent. (Because we all know that your laziness as a parent TOTALLY revolves around potty training!!) We have been talking with him about it for months now, but he's just not there yet. He'll ask to sit on his potty. He'll ask for "one" (a piece of toilet paper) when I use the bathroom. He also loves flushing my toilet. But even if I put him on there when I know he needs to go, he just doesn't know how to co ordinate things to make himself go. I'm not interested in forcing it, especially because I'm having a second baby right after he turns two. I don't know that I'll have the ability to deal with regression in potty training and a newborn at the same time. It seems that all of my best information says that waiting is best for our family!

NastyAnnie · May 2012

CinemaGoddess:
I blame HFCS for the fattiness of the US.

I blame sedentary lifestyles, increased portion sizes, convenience foods, and lack of personal responsibility. But HFCS surely ain't helping.

jorkz821 · May 2012

NastyAnnie:
CinemaGoddess:
I blame HFCS for the fattiness of the US.
I blame sedentary lifestyles, increased portion sizes, convenience foods, and lack of personal responsibility. But HFCS surely ain't helping.

What do you mean by lack of personal responsibility?

CinemaGoddess · May 2012

But was it really that much better back in the day? Seriously.

People are more sedentary now (or at least rely on buses, trains, etc. instead of walking or bicycles), but convenience foods are not new. They've been around in one form or another for almost 100 years, but it's only been the last 35 or so that we've gotten fatter.

Increased portion sizes are an issue, but that also comes with lack of education by whomever on what a portion size is. I'm not convinced that people back in the day ate less. I think they just did more physical activity.

grr_aargh · May 2012

zuzupj4:
Why do ice creams have to be ruined with hard nuts in them.

hush, you.

CinemaGoddess · May 2012

Unpossible:
CinemaGoddess:

But was it really that much better back in the day? Seriously.

People are more sedentary now (or at least rely on buses, trains, etc. instead of walking or bicycles), but convenience foods are not new. They've been around in one form or another for almost 100 years, but it's only been the last 35 or so that we've gotten fatter.

Increased portion sizes are an issue, but that also comes with lack of education by whomever on what a portion size is. I'm not convinced that people back in the day ate less. I think they just did more physical activity.

I don't think we had the preservatives back in the day.

We've had them since at least the 40s or 50s.

I mean, shiiit guys. Our grandmas cooked with lard. LARD. I'm not convinced that we're inherently less healthy today than we were 100 years ago.

CinemaGoddess · May 2012

I hate you, Bump.

jorkz821 · May 2012

CinemaGoddess:

But was it really that much better back in the day? Seriously.

People are more sedentary now (or at least rely on buses, trains, etc. instead of walking or bicycles), but convenience foods are not new. They've been around in one form or another for almost 100 years, but it's only been the last 35 or so that we've gotten fatter.

Increased portion sizes are an issue, but that also comes with lack of education by whomever on what a portion size is. I'm not convinced that people back in the day ate less. I think they just did more physical activity.

I think it's a combo of bigger portion sizes of generally unhealthier/convenience foods and less physical activity. I don't think you can say that just one ingredient, HFCS, is responsible for it, especially considering it is an ingregient in said convenience foods.

grr_aargh · May 2012

Scout2005:
macandcheesebiotches:
My unpop is that we wait too long in this country to potty train. It should start at 1. If your two year old is still shitting his or her pants I blame it on lazy parenting.
lolz

Right?

Here's an unpop opinion: I often want to punch the parents of easy children in the face when they tell me they know better how to raise my kids. Punch them in the face OR give them my kids for a week.

Hard kids are hard, yo, and if you know better than me, take my kids and knock yourself out. I guarantee you'll be at my doorstep in less than 48 hours, bedragled and begging me to take them back.

CinemaGoddess · May 2012

I think if HFCS was banned instead of soda, the population of this country would get smaller.

Seriously.

Also, Mexican coke tastes way better than HFCS-laden American coke.

I'm talking about the beverage, not the nose candy.

grr_aargh · May 2012

CinemaGoddess:
Unpossible:
CinemaGoddess:

But was it really that much better back in the day? Seriously.

People are more sedentary now (or at least rely on buses, trains, etc. instead of walking or bicycles), but convenience foods are not new. They've been around in one form or another for almost 100 years, but it's only been the last 35 or so that we've gotten fatter.

Increased portion sizes are an issue, but that also comes with lack of education by whomever on what a portion size is. I'm not convinced that people back in the day ate less. I think they just did more physical activity.

I don't think we had the preservatives back in the day.

We've had them since at least the 40s or 50s.

I mean, shiiit guys. Our grandmas cooked with lard. LARD. I'm not convinced that we're inherently less healthy today than we were 100 years ago.

But we have more PILLS and less physical activity.

I'm astounded at the number of people I meet who do little to no physical activity - and I live in the skinniest state. We STILL have a 20% obesity rate or some shizz like that.

My kids walk about 2-4 miles per day in the summer, 1.5 in the winter.

judahsmommy1 · May 2012

CinemaGoddess:
Unpossible:
CinemaGoddess:

But was it really that much better back in the day? Seriously.

People are more sedentary now (or at least rely on buses, trains, etc. instead of walking or bicycles), but convenience foods are not new. They've been around in one form or another for almost 100 years, but it's only been the last 35 or so that we've gotten fatter.

Increased portion sizes are an issue, but that also comes with lack of education by whomever on what a portion size is. I'm not convinced that people back in the day ate less. I think they just did more physical activity.

I don't think we had the preservatives back in the day.

We've had them since at least the 40s or 50s.

I mean, shiiit guys. Our grandmas cooked with lard. LARD. I'm not convinced that we're inherently less healthy today than we were 100 years ago.

I think we'd be better off if we cooked with lard. Saturated fat isn't necessarily all that evil. Although, even lard is hydrogenated these days. I'd like for someone from the food industry to explain to me why that is necessary.

CinemaGoddess · May 2012

Before I was a SAHM, there was no time to exercise. I'm not joking. I had maybe 15-20 minutes of kid-free time during the day and there was no way I could make it to the gym and the weather is so iffy around here that going for a walk outside was about a once a week event.

NastyAnnie · May 2012

katienb:
NastyAnnie:
CinemaGoddess:
I blame HFCS for the fattiness of the US.
I blame sedentary lifestyles, increased portion sizes, convenience foods, and lack of personal responsibility. But HFCS surely ain't helping.
What do you mean by lack of personal responsibility?

I mean sometimes we don't take personal responsibility for what we put in our bodies. Drunken Taco Bell at 2 am? Sure! Every Friday and Saturday night for two years? Why not? Can't wear your jeans from Freshman year anymore? Huh. Must be the cafeteria food.

I'm not saying there's not something wrong with the cafeteria food. Or that you don't have a genetic reason to be overweight. Hell, everyone in my family is overweight (including me) and I can still own up to the fact that sometimes I just don't think about what I am eating.

ablou · May 2012

CinemaGoddess:
Unpossible:
CinemaGoddess:

But was it really that much better back in the day? Seriously.

People are more sedentary now (or at least rely on buses, trains, etc. instead of walking or bicycles), but convenience foods are not new. They've been around in one form or another for almost 100 years, but it's only been the last 35 or so that we've gotten fatter.

Increased portion sizes are an issue, but that also comes with lack of education by whomever on what a portion size is. I'm not convinced that people back in the day ate less. I think they just did more physical activity.

I don't think we had the preservatives back in the day.

We've had them since at least the 40s or 50s.

I mean, shiiit guys. Our grandmas cooked with lard. LARD. I'm not convinced that we're inherently less healthy today than we were 100 years ago.

Really? Over 60% of the adult population is either overweight or obese. 5 of the top 7 causes of death are linked to obesity.

And yes, while Granny cooked with lard, the meat wasn't full of hormones and antibiotics, she probably grew the vegetables on the table (or knew the person who grew them), and there wasn't soda or juice to drink with it. AND, chances are the people eating that lard dinner did more at work than sit in front of a computer, the kids probably had recess, PE, AND had been playing outside all afternoon before dinner.

Things are very very very different now.

ETA: sorry, it's 5 of the top 10, not 5 of the top 7, according to the NVSR (National Vital Statistics Report) of this year.

NastyAnnie · May 2012

CinemaGoddess:
I think if HFCS was banned instead of soda, the population of this country would get smaller.

Seriously.

Also, Mexican coke tastes way better than HFCS-laden American coke.

I'm talking about the beverage, not the nose candy.

Truth, yo.

I do think that I'd drink less soda if it had sugar instead of HFCS in it. Mexican Coke is just more satisfying. FWIW, though, I mostly drink Sierra Mist now. It's missing everything good. Lol.

grr_aargh · May 2012

judahsmommy1:
CinemaGoddess:
Unpossible:
CinemaGoddess:

But was it really that much better back in the day? Seriously.

People are more sedentary now (or at least rely on buses, trains, etc. instead of walking or bicycles), but convenience foods are not new. They've been around in one form or another for almost 100 years, but it's only been the last 35 or so that we've gotten fatter.

Increased portion sizes are an issue, but that also comes with lack of education by whomever on what a portion size is. I'm not convinced that people back in the day ate less. I think they just did more physical activity.

I don't think we had the preservatives back in the day.

We've had them since at least the 40s or 50s.

I mean, shiiit guys. Our grandmas cooked with lard. LARD. I'm not convinced that we're inherently less healthy today than we were 100 years ago.
I think we'd be better off if we cooked with lard. Saturated fat isn't necessarily all that evil. Although, even lard is hydrogenated these days. I'd like for someone from the food industry to explain to me why that is necessary.

It extends the shelf life.

CinemaGoddess · May 2012

I also don't think that the "overweight" and "obese" labels are accurate. Like, at all.

It's based on the BMI index, which is notoriously inaccurate.

judahsmommy1 · May 2012

ablou:
CinemaGoddess:
Unpossible:
CinemaGoddess:

But was it really that much better back in the day? Seriously.

People are more sedentary now (or at least rely on buses, trains, etc. instead of walking or bicycles), but convenience foods are not new. They've been around in one form or another for almost 100 years, but it's only been the last 35 or so that we've gotten fatter.

Increased portion sizes are an issue, but that also comes with lack of education by whomever on what a portion size is. I'm not convinced that people back in the day ate less. I think they just did more physical activity.

I don't think we had the preservatives back in the day.

We've had them since at least the 40s or 50s.

I mean, shiiit guys. Our grandmas cooked with lard. LARD. I'm not convinced that we're inherently less healthy today than we were 100 years ago.
and there wasn't soda or juice to drink with it.

LOL! They didn't have juice 100 years ago? ok. It certainly was less common, but juice did exist. Even 100 years ago.

NastyAnnie · May 2012

ablou:
Really? Over 60% of the adult population is either overweight or obese. 5 of the top 7 causes of death are linked to obesity.
And yes, while Granny cooked with lard, the meat wasn't full of hormones and antibiotics, she probably grew the vegetables on the table (or knew the person who grew them), and there wasn't soda or juice to drink with it. AND, chances are the people eating that lard dinner did more at work than sit in front of a computer, the kids probably had recess, PE, AND had been playing outside all afternoon before dinner.
Things are very very very different now.

You're totally right. Things ARE very different now. And they aren't going to go back. So, instead of judging the overweight and/or blaming it a single environmental factor, we have to figure out a way to make a healthy lifestyle fit into our current environment, for everyone, not just the SAHMs or the middle-to-upper class, or whatever.

A call for a healthier lifestyle doesn't have to sound holier than thou, nor does it have to relieve us of personal responsibility. It has to be accessible, affordable, and attainable.

ablou · May 2012

judahsmommy1:
ablou:
CinemaGoddess:
Unpossible:
CinemaGoddess:

But was it really that much better back in the day? Seriously.

People are more sedentary now (or at least rely on buses, trains, etc. instead of walking or bicycles), but convenience foods are not new. They've been around in one form or another for almost 100 years, but it's only been the last 35 or so that we've gotten fatter.

Increased portion sizes are an issue, but that also comes with lack of education by whomever on what a portion size is. I'm not convinced that people back in the day ate less. I think they just did more physical activity.

I don't think we had the preservatives back in the day.

We've had them since at least the 40s or 50s.

I mean, shiiit guys. Our grandmas cooked with lard. LARD. I'm not convinced that we're inherently less healthy today than we were 100 years ago.
and there wasn't soda or juice to drink with it.
LOL! They didn't have juice 100 years ago? ok. It certainly was less common, but juice did exist. Even 100 years ago.

You mean, like a treat or something? These days, juice and sodas are common place. 100 years ago (really more like 90 years ago. Non-alcoholic beverages didn't really become popular until prohibition), you went OUT to get soda or juice or whatever. It wasn't served alongside the ham and greens.

Want a personalized experience?

Opinions of the unpopular variety.

Re: Opinions of the unpopular variety.

Choose Another Board

Search Boards