I've Been a Bad Blogger

Sorry for the lack of updates. I just got back from a week and a half vacation in Texas. I went to visit family and friends in Houston and then moved on to Austin.

If you’ve never been to Austin, you simply MUST check it out. It’s definitely one of the coolest cities I’ve ever been to. Lots of good music, delicious barbecue and fun activities to do. Here are some cool things in Austin:

Check out the bats at Congress Bridge (click on the picture)

Boating on Lake Travis

North by Northwest Brewery

There are a ton more but those were certainly the highlights of my trip. I promise to update more often and not be a bad blogger anymore.

No "Fat Tax" for Diet Soda Drinkers

The American Medical Association (AMA) committee is considering imposing a “fat tax” on soda drinkers (second blurb on the page). The tax would be 1¢ per can of soda and would go towards “anti-obesity efforts,” according to the AMA. According to the committee, one study found that the odds of a child becoming obese increase 60% for each additional can of soda consumed every day. However, the committee report did note that other studies have found no link between soft drinks and obesity.

Lucky for me, diet soda would not be included in this tax because it does not contribute towards obesity, according to the AMA. While I’m excited that the “fat tax” would not be imposed on diet soda, I’m not quite sure that this tax is the answer to our obesity problem in the U.S. Many people can make a regular soda part of a healthy diet. Occasionally I indulge in a regular soda, but I honestly prefer the taste of diet soda better.

What do you think? Will this work or is this just another ridiculous attempt to skirt the issue?

The Magical Metabolisms of Female Celebrities

“I don’t diet. I just have a fast metabolism that allows me to eat whatever I want.” I’ve seen many female celebs making this claim lately. They supposedly consume hamburgers, french fries and pizza on a regular basis while never heading to the gym, and mysteriously they never gain a pound. Wow! Aren’t these girls lucky! Every girl in America should be consumed with jealousy. Yeah right…

I’ll admit there are people that have the ability to eat whatever they want and not gain a pound. I’ve got a friend that can plow through a large pizza and is still ready for dessert after she’s done. Surprisingly she weighs about 105 pounds soaking wet. I, on the other hand, must watch what I eat and exercise on a regular basis. I drink diet soda, not only because I love the taste, but also because it’s an easy way to cut 150 calories from my daily calorie intake.

I think it’s wrong for famous actresses and singers to tell young girls that they while normal people may actually have to work hard for their bodies, these women were simply blessed with good genes. It sets an unattainable standard for young girls. I’ve heard Teri Hatcher say she’s never dieted, Keira Knightly, Brittany Murphy and so on. Why is it such a bad thing to come out and say that you enjoy and take pride in taking care of your body? I eat right and exercise for both my health and my vanity. I’m not ashamed to admit I like the way the treadmill makes me look.

I'm ready for a female celebrity to come out and say, "Yeah, I watch what I eat and I exercise to look this way. I don't have a magical metabolism and it takes work."

Dreaming of Chocolate Sculptures and Diet Soda

Don’t ask me how I found this Web site because I have no clue. The site contains pictures of some of the coolest food sculptures I’ve ever seen. My obsession with food sculptures began a couple of years ago when a friend actually commissioned an artist to do a chocolate sculpture of her dog. It was by far the weirdest thing she’s ever done and still is to this day. I know, my friends are strange.

I began looking into this type of art and it’s actually pretty prevalent. Life-size sculptures of a family eating dinner made completely out of chocolate. Are you kidding me? If these people ever need taste-testers, I’m in! Jim Victor’s Web site contains photos of sculptures made of butter, cheese and chocolate. I will certainly pass on the butter sculptures but bring on the cheese and the chocolate!

I think one reason I’m so fond of this Web site is because I HEART COWS! I’m not sure what it is about them that I love so much considering all they do is lay around and eat all day. Wait, I think I just figured out why I love them – all they do is lay around and eat all day.

I think consuming a sculpture such as one of these would require massive amounts of diet soda. There’s no better combo. than chocolate and diet soda. Anyways, this is another random post brought to you by me, Elaine.

It's Friday and My Brain Hurts

Okay, it’s Friday and I don’t really have any interesting diet soda news so I’ve decided to provide you with yet another round of useless information. Enjoy!

According to FAA statistical records, 23B is the safest seat in a commercial airplane accident.

The entire life cycle of a cockroach lasts only 48 hours.

The Guiness Book of World Records holds five world records.

Due to the majority of one-way streets and the inconsistent freeway on-ramps, at any given moment 12 percent of drivers in Portland, Oregon are lost or off of their intended path.

The world record for time spent standing on one's head is 12 days 4 hours and 31 minutes.

Being under the influence of hypnotism is a legal defense in 33 states.

The average color of the universe is light olive.

83 percent of people describe their intelligence as "above average.”

Jon Stewart and Martha Stewart are distant cousins.

Ounce for ounce, printer ink is more expensive than gold.

Source: www.gullible.info