Domestic Geek

One more sugar-related post.

We're facing an obesity epidemic in this country. Due in part to our sedentary lifestyles to be sure, but one can not overlook that the rising numbers started just about the time that High Fructose Corn Syrup was developed. It's quite the complicated procedure to extract HFCS from corn, yet it is still cheaper for manufacturers to use it than other sweetener sources such as cane or beet sugar.

Since it's not a naturally occurring substance, our bodies can't deal with it well. Here's an excerpt from a San Francisco Times article describing how HFCS leads to weight gain:

And unlike other types of carbohydrate made up of glucose, fructose does not stimulate the pancreas to produce insulin. Peter Havel, a nutrition researcher at UC Davis who studies the metabolic effects of fructose, has also shown that fructose fails to increase the production of leptin, a hormone produced by the body's fat cells.

Both insulin and leptin act as signals to the brain to turn down the appetite and control body weight. And in another metabolic twist, Havel's research shows that fructose does not appear to suppress the production of ghrelin, a hormone that increases hunger and appetite.

"Because fructose in isolation doesn't activate the hormones that regulate body weight as do other types of carbohydrate composed of glucose, consuming a diet high in fructose could lead to taking in more calories and, over time, to weight gain," he says.

In addition to obesity, researchers believe there is a link between HFCS and the increased rates of type 2 diabetes, as well.

What I found most shocking when I was researching HFCS a few years ago for a speech I was preparing for a public speaking class is that it's seemingly everything. In addition to it's expected places like soda, it's in most yogurts, health drinks like SoBe, frozen foods to extend shelf life, breads to increase browning...it's even in that Chewy Trail Mix bar I ate for breakfast (damn, forgot to check the label last night when I bought those).

What's the most telling is when trying to find people that believe it has no ill health effects for human, you find people connected with the corn industry. Hmmm.

I've been having a bad bout of insomnia again lately. Even when I can sleep in, I can't. Even though I have to get up for work at 5am, it's not uncommon lately for me to be awake at midnight. Frankly, it's starting to worry me a little.

I know my sleep deprivation has to be the cause of a particularly stupid act on my part last night. When I got home from work and sat down at the computer, I kicked my shoes off in the walkway to the door. I glanced down at them later and thought to myself that I really should move them. Well, not once, not twice, but FIVE separate times I tripped over them in the dark walking out of my room.

The final one was when I had come back to close down the computers for the night and not only did I trip over the shoes, but also bruised my ankle on a step stool and jacked up my right wrist when it slammed into the wall to keep me from falling. Yeah, my nickname is Grace.

Gah, I have so much that needs to get done before Saturday for the Blogathon. It's really tempting to call in sick one day. Too bad I don't have any paid sick days yet, so I really can't afford it. At least next year I can take one if I need it. That stupid RSS thing threw a wrench in last night's plans. I hope I have it fixed now. I guess we'll see if I keep clogging up everybody's feeds, eh?

Don't forget that Friday is Sys Admin Appreciation Day! Show a little love to the guy or gal that keeps your computer network systems humming along. I'm really promoting this because I know that most people really take them for granted. People are quick to bitch when network problems arise, but not so quick to say thanks when all is well.

Friday is also Marcus' and my unofficial anniversary. It'll have been 15 years since we first kissed and became more than just good friends. Awwwww. Wow, 15 years...most marriages don't last that long. Aren't I lucky?

One final thing to share before I head off to work today. I was clearing off my computer's desktop and found these cute Simpsons characters I made of Marcus and myself over at the Simpsons Movie site (with a little Photoshop help from me). I meant to put this in the Kwik-E-Mart post, but totally forgot:

Man, I can't believe I forgot to write about this. On Wednesday, 7-11-07, Marcus and I visited the Kwik-E-Mart over at 3rd and Broadway (a converted 7-11 promoting the upcoming Simpsons Movie release) after I got off work and on his lunch break. Why do I remember the day? Because July 11th every year is apparently free slurpee day and the place was packed! Of course, I had to purchase some KrustyO's and some Buzz cola. I tried to take a picture of my cashier, but Marcus forgot to dump photos off the camera before we went and the memory card was full. After dumping some off, the darned battery decided to die, so I had to go back a few days later to get additional pics.

What really cracked me up is that Kwik-E-Mart is spelled wrong on the receipt. Go check out my photos over at my Kwik-E-Mart gallery and see for yourself.

I really wanted to get pictures of Marcus by Homer and stuff, but he was being a stick in the mud and wouldn't pose. Hmph. At least there is a picture of me there to prove we were really there and not just taking other people's pics off the Internet or something.

On a related note, my friend Julie posted about the one they have in her town of Henderson, NV. There is also a video in the extended from Erns World of that same Kwik-E-Mart.

In case you were wondering, the Buzz cola tasted like crap. instead of getting a major soda manufacturer like Coke or Pepsi to produce it, it tastes like that generic crap you can get. Bleh.

Wait—here’s more »

« All Done!

This is it, folks! Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows day! Those who bought their books at midnight are happily reading away while I (not-so-)patiently wait for the postal employee to deliver mine.

Fortunately, I have a few errands to run this morning that will eat up a bit of my time. I also need to get to seriously promoting the Blogathon. That's just a week away. I need to finish up my new template and put up links to my gracious sponsors. It's going to be a busy weekend!

I hope I'm not disappointed in how it all turns out. I have to keep reminding myself that it's only a book and these aren't real people. I know many characters are slated to die, even a few we've come to love. I just hope that the ending isn't one of those like you see on fan fictions sites where everything ties up too nicely at the end and you shake your fist shouting, "Things don't wrap up that nicely in real life." Wait, this isn't real life...must keep reminding myself of that. Anyway, I'll know how it all finished up by this time tomorrow.

I'll share this Joy of Tech cartoon that was posted yesterday. Remember yesterday how I said Marcus has been telling me the ending? Apparently his idea was rejected (lol) — his ending (more or less) is in the final pane.