Women's Plight

Last Sunday night I watch 60 Minutes' report on rapes in the Congo. I think the program was a rerun, but if you missed it, the women in that African nation are being raped by enemy groups as a form of terrorism in hopes of destroying families and communities. Actually, it's more of a 'Men Gone Wild and Getting Away with It' story. It was a painful story to watch and it is a despicable practice that has been allowed to continue far too long.

We sent troops to stop terrorism in one part of the world; but it seems there is little if any concern with terrorism in another part of the world. Could it be because the target is women, or is it because the Congo has no oil?

If, as watchdogs of the world, our mission is to stop terrorism and not merely to protect assets we want, why is the world tolerating the rape of women and girls as young as three years old?

Why I'd Leave Him

During our evening power walk my daughter and I discussed John Edwards and the game he was playing with other peoples' lives. There were many players on the board; his wife, his children, his political supporters, a mistress and a possible child. John, John, John. Unfortunately, you are the new poster boy the all too common fallen American family man.

Pack his bags, Elizabeth.

Perhaps we expect too much from men. It appears they still want to roam the land and sow their seeds with no regard for the spouse they have vowed to forsake all others for. That is a fatal flaw in my book.

Pack his bags, Elizabeth.

I know you have cancer, Elizabeth, but you also have daughters and they need to see healthy relationships based on honesty, respect and mutual support. You also have a son. He needs to know there are consequences for stepping outside the boundaries of marriage and living a life of deceit, betrayal and dishonesty.

Pack his bags, Elizabeth.

Or as my daughter suggested, maybe we don't expect enough from men. Either way, I'm sure he did not live up to your expectations. None of us know how much time we have, but set a strong example for your children while you still have time. You deserve better and so do your children. He chose to spend time with another woman; time taken away from your children and you. Ponder what that tells you about his priorities as you move forward in the marriage.

You're a smart woman. American women (and men) are watching.

Pack his bags, Elizabeth.

Is Everyone Messing Around?

Geez, John Edwards did you forget your wife is battling cancer? Did you forget your children will forever be impacted by your lack of loyalty and betrayal? Oh, I get it, you were only thinking about yourself.

You lied with convincing ease. Thank heavens you lost your presidential bid. I can't think of any lower life form than a man who will cheat on his wife and throw his family's well-being to the wind. That should have been your highest priority, but you placed yours somewhere lower on your anatomy.

Of course Elizabeth has forgiven you. She has incurable cancer and there are minor children to consider. I'll bet she will never trust you in the same way. I'll bet your children will forever resent you for the way you treated their mother at a time when she needed your unwavering support.

If you can't lead your family with truth, loyalty and commitment, how could you possibly lead a country?

Forget politics. It's over. Go home and tend to your family.

Skinny Bitch Week One

Today completes my first week on the Skinny Bitch life plan. I'm hesitant to call it a diet, at least for me it's more of a revolution. Hey, I'm a Midwestern girl and it was not uncommon for me to eat meat three times a day--some crispy bacon for breakfast, a turkey or tuna sandwich for lunch and some broiled fish or chicken for dinner. Until last week, it was not a meal unless it contained meat.

So what am I doing on an almost vegan diet? I'm thriving and loving it. Drum roll, please--I lost two pounds the first week. Yes, I slipped up a few times, but yesterday was my birthday and I had to have a couple of those sugary brownies. I also added a sliver of turkey to my mainly veggie sandwich at the beach picnic my kids threw for me. Hey, it was my birthday party!

Today was completely meatless, no dairy either, but I must confess that soy ice cream sandwich was pretty darn delicious and sugary. I'll keep working on having a sugar free day.

Things I'm loving about living the Skinny Bitch way:
Ice water with lemon or lime slivers--that's an old habit, but I'm stepping up the amount and frequency with which I imbibe.

Brown rice with white beans is a tasty source of protein.

Rye Crisp crackers--crunchy and so satisfying.

Melons and fruit for breakfast--so refreshing and light.

Things I'm having trouble with:
Sugar, sugar, sugar--obviously that's my big hurdle.

Giving up caffeine--I'm not sure I will ever give up my morning tea. I am working on drinking it without sugar--see, there it is again that evil sugar!

Tomorrow I'll get up early, do my yoga and drink my tea sans sugar--at least I'll start the day off strong and sugar free.

The Skinny Bitch Diet

I know, I know, the name of this diet is a bit too much for many people. It definitely takes a "tough love" attitude, but I think those two former models are on to something. Their message is simply this: It is time to stop eating crap.

I'm not a great dieter, but this is more of a lifestyle change than a diet. True, you must give up eating meat, sugar and dairy products. So what's left? Plenty, and it's the good stuff. Fruits, vegetables, soy, whole grain, nuts and so on.

I've been on the diet four days, slipped up a few times on the sugar--still fighting that sweet tooth--but I'm down a pound which is no big deal compared to how much better I feel. My body likes what I'm feeding it, and I've vowed to live the skinny bitch way for the next 30 days.

Along with the change in foods I consume, I'll need to increase my intake of water, try to give up my morning caffeine and up my yoga practice.

Whee, it's a lot of work to create a new me!