Comments for Elaine's Place http://elainesplace.net Bits of life through these blue eyes . . Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:53:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/ Comment on Army opens prep school to recruit dropouts by James Andrew http://elainesplace.net/2008/08/army-opens-prep-school-to-recruit-dropouts/#comment-2374 James Andrew Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:28:06 +0000 http://elainesplace.net/2008/08/army-opens-prep-school-to-recruit-dropouts/#comment-2374 Hopefully the number of drop outs especially in high school will lessen and it's important that they will be given enough education and THEY SHOULD be in school learning and studying instead. Hopefully the number of drop outs especially in high school will lessen and it’s important that they will be given enough education and THEY SHOULD be in school learning and studying instead.

]]> Comment on Army opens prep school to recruit dropouts by Keli http://elainesplace.net/2008/08/army-opens-prep-school-to-recruit-dropouts/#comment-2373 Keli Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:07:10 +0000 http://elainesplace.net/2008/08/army-opens-prep-school-to-recruit-dropouts/#comment-2373 I agree - how hard can it be to help kids stay in school? Help them to think so they grow to make wise decisions and hopefully, find a way to establish and maintain peace. I agree - how hard can it be to help kids stay in school? Help them to think so they grow to make wise decisions and hopefully, find a way to establish and maintain peace.

]]> Comment on Hands Free Leash by Ron http://elainesplace.net/2008/08/hands-free-leash/#comment-2372 Ron Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:35:32 +0000 http://elainesplace.net/2008/08/hands-free-leash/#comment-2372 Is it to late to respond to your post? The Hands Free Leash concept with your dog(s) is a great idea. So good my wife Nikki invented a new style hands free leash. It's called the Alpha Pac. She invented it when we found out she was pregnant. We have 2 boxer/pits and she wanted a leash she could push a stroller with and walk the dogs. Weust had our first baby, a girl, in June. I am very proud of her. it has taken about a year, manufacturing, patents... but we finally have a very unique, comfortable, and extremely durable hands free leash. I love it. I use it to run with the dogs. It is worn over your shoulders as opposed to the traditional waist models. It provides great balance, and you can easily control the dogs with your upper body and core strength. One of your responses mentioned dog fights or if your dog is not a good walker. Of course there is a risk of another dog being aggressive with you on a walk, hands free or not that is always a potential problem, the Alpha pac has a quick release that allows the leash or leashes to pop off if you are in trouble, and as far as a behavior problem, I would nor recommend teathering any animal that you do not have control over to your body. hands free is the least of your concerns, trainning should be first. I am not trying to push this product. I am interested in everyones opinion. We realize you can't make everyone happy, but those who have tried the leash so far seem to really love it. Here is the site. www.thealphapac.com I would love to hear your thoughts. Is it to late to respond to your post?
The Hands Free Leash concept with your dog(s) is a great idea. So good my wife Nikki invented a new style hands free leash. It’s called the Alpha Pac. She invented it when we found out she was pregnant. We have 2 boxer/pits and she wanted a leash she could push a stroller with and walk the dogs. Weust had our first baby, a girl, in June. I am very proud of her. it has taken about a year, manufacturing, patents… but we finally have a very unique, comfortable, and extremely durable hands free leash. I love it. I use it to run with the dogs. It is worn over your shoulders as opposed to the traditional waist models. It provides great balance, and you can easily control the dogs with your upper body and core strength.
One of your responses mentioned dog fights or if your dog is not a good walker. Of course there is a risk of another dog being aggressive with you on a walk, hands free or not that is always a potential problem, the Alpha pac has a quick release that allows the leash or leashes to pop off if you are in trouble, and as far as a behavior problem, I would nor recommend teathering any animal that you do not have control over to your body. hands free is the least of your concerns, trainning should be first.
I am not trying to push this product. I am interested in everyones opinion. We realize you can’t make everyone happy, but those who have tried the leash so far seem to really love it. Here is the site. http://www.thealphapac.com I would love to hear your thoughts.

]]> Comment on Army opens prep school to recruit dropouts by background checks blog http://elainesplace.net/2008/08/army-opens-prep-school-to-recruit-dropouts/#comment-2371 background checks blog Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:52:24 +0000 http://elainesplace.net/2008/08/army-opens-prep-school-to-recruit-dropouts/#comment-2371 Maybe we should put more effort into keeping these kids in school, and maybe George W. could instead take the fathers of these kids who are not paying their child support. Many men would find the money then, if it would keep them out of the war zone. Maybe we should put more effort into keeping these kids in school, and maybe George W. could instead take the fathers of these kids who are not paying their child support. Many men would find the money then, if it would keep them out of the war zone.

]]> Comment on Financial Costs of Obesity by paul http://elainesplace.net/2008/08/financial-costs-of-obesity/#comment-2370 paul Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:01:48 +0000 http://elainesplace.net/2008/08/financial-costs-of-obesity/#comment-2370 It's really simple math, a study in human behavior (not so simple), and cultural forces (even less simple). We consume far more calories than we need - and those calories are usually very low in nutritional value. So we become fat and nutrient deprived. The introduction of high fructose corn syrup in everything from sodas, to bbq sauces, to cereals is another problem. But the other, more insidious problem is our own behavior regarding bad food choices. I realize that choosing chocolate over broccoli is difficult if both present themselves. Unfortunately, our grocery stores offer, and TV marketing strongly reinforces, bad food selections. And I think the most troublesome part in the whole equation is our culture of speed. We do way too much and eat on the run a lot. I saw a figure on childhood diabetes and how much kids eat fast food a week recently. It was horrifying. It’s really simple math, a study in human behavior (not so simple), and cultural forces (even less simple). We consume far more calories than we need - and those calories are usually very low in nutritional value. So we become fat and nutrient deprived. The introduction of high fructose corn syrup in everything from sodas, to bbq sauces, to cereals is another problem. But the other, more insidious problem is our own behavior regarding bad food choices. I realize that choosing chocolate over broccoli is difficult if both present themselves. Unfortunately, our grocery stores offer, and TV marketing strongly reinforces, bad food selections. And I think the most troublesome part in the whole equation is our culture of speed. We do way too much and eat on the run a lot. I saw a figure on childhood diabetes and how much kids eat fast food a week recently. It was horrifying.

]]> Comment on Heading to North Carolina by Holden Beach http://elainesplace.net/2008/07/heading-to-north-carolina/#comment-2368 Holden Beach Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:42:49 +0000 http://elainesplace.net/2008/07/heading-to-north-carolina/#comment-2368 North Carolina has many beautiful areas. The best part of North Carolina is that you can go to the beach one day and the next travel a few hours and be in the mountains to go hiking, fishing, and camping. It is a pretty versatile place but at the same time has a mild winter and all four seasons so it is really one of the best places I have lived for a period of time. Like you said 96 degrees to people living in the south is nothing but I could not bare the blizzards you guys do I hate the cold. North Carolina has many beautiful areas. The best part of North Carolina is that you can go to the beach one day and the next travel a few hours and be in the mountains to go hiking, fishing, and camping. It is a pretty versatile place but at the same time has a mild winter and all four seasons so it is really one of the best places I have lived for a period of time. Like you said 96 degrees to people living in the south is nothing but I could not bare the blizzards you guys do I hate the cold.

]]> Comment on Financial Costs of Obesity by Keli http://elainesplace.net/2008/08/financial-costs-of-obesity/#comment-2367 Keli Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:44:44 +0000 http://elainesplace.net/2008/08/financial-costs-of-obesity/#comment-2367 All it takes is a little thought before eating to solve the obesity problem along with a strong dose of self-control. Unfortunately, both thought and discipline are rapidly disappearing, thanks to widespread stupidity. It's increasingly becoming easier not to think! And I completely agree with your #3 to Gandalfe. All it takes is a little thought before eating to solve the obesity problem along with a strong dose of self-control. Unfortunately, both thought and discipline are rapidly disappearing, thanks to widespread stupidity. It’s increasingly becoming easier not to think!
And I completely agree with your #3 to Gandalfe.

]]> Comment on Financial Costs of Obesity by cilicious http://elainesplace.net/2008/08/financial-costs-of-obesity/#comment-2366 cilicious Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:32:43 +0000 http://elainesplace.net/2008/08/financial-costs-of-obesity/#comment-2366 There is no one single reason for obesity. Our sedentary, automobile-centered society contributes to the problem, as does the Super-Size mentality. The concept of portion control barely exists in the United States. No doubt many people don't even know when they're full. And yes, some folks don't have a clue about good nutrition--and resent paternalistic laws such as the recent fast food "intervention" in LA. Maybe the metaphor is trite, but to me our tubby-filled Land of Plenty is a symbol of our feel-good consumerist attitude: lots of empty calories, but not much substance. I am encouraged by the emergence of the Slow Food movement, as well as the plethora of farmer's markets, especially organically grown dairy and veggies. There is no one single reason for obesity.
Our sedentary, automobile-centered society contributes to the problem, as does the Super-Size mentality. The concept of portion control barely exists in the United States. No doubt many people don’t even know when they’re full. And yes, some folks don’t have a clue about good nutrition–and resent paternalistic laws such as the recent fast food “intervention” in LA.
Maybe the metaphor is trite, but to me our tubby-filled Land of Plenty is a symbol of our feel-good consumerist attitude: lots of empty calories, but not much substance.
I am encouraged by the emergence of the Slow Food movement, as well as the plethora of farmer’s markets, especially organically grown dairy and veggies.

]]> Comment on Financial Costs of Obesity by Elaine http://elainesplace.net/2008/08/financial-costs-of-obesity/#comment-2365 Elaine Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:31:57 +0000 http://elainesplace.net/2008/08/financial-costs-of-obesity/#comment-2365 <strong>Grandalfe</strong> - I think at some point you will see society addressing it since it has become a societal issue. I can think of several items that would be a good start. 1. PE in schools again! When did PE get phased out anyway? Whatever happened to President Kennedy's fitness test that we had to take when growing up? 2. Schools need to revamp their lunch menus and start serving heathier food. 3. Parents need to get their kids off the couch, limit time on video games, computers, and TV. 4. Restaurants could start by serving normal portion sizes again. <strong>Uncannyman</strong> - nope I don't mind the comment at all. And to be fair it's not just America that is struggling with the obesity problem, so is the UK and many other countries. It's true that the poor and un-educated tend to be more obese and generally have more health problems. But even the educated and more affluent tend to eat out more and we see many of them overweight. I truly think the over-sized portions that are now standard in America is partly to blame. People have NO idea what a normal serving is anymore. Restaurants server portions big enough for 2 and yet it's given to a single person, and many eat it! I could go on and on because I really am passionate about the obesity problem in my country but I will quit pontificating now. Thanks for your comment! <strong>Laoch</strong> - well you've made big changes to your diet and lifestyle...at some point it should balance out and you'll find the right balance between healthy food and exercise. Grandalfe - I think at some point you will see society addressing it since it has become a societal issue. I can think of several items that would be a good start.
1. PE in schools again! When did PE get phased out anyway? Whatever happened to President Kennedy’s fitness test that we had to take when growing up?
2. Schools need to revamp their lunch menus and start serving heathier food.
3. Parents need to get their kids off the couch, limit time on video games, computers, and TV.
4. Restaurants could start by serving normal portion sizes again.

Uncannyman - nope I don’t mind the comment at all. And to be fair it’s not just America that is struggling with the obesity problem, so is the UK and many other countries. It’s true that the poor and un-educated tend to be more obese and generally have more health problems. But even the educated and more affluent tend to eat out more and we see many of them overweight. I truly think the over-sized portions that are now standard in America is partly to blame. People have NO idea what a normal serving is anymore. Restaurants server portions big enough for 2 and yet it’s given to a single person, and many eat it! I could go on and on because I really am passionate about the obesity problem in my country but I will quit pontificating now. Thanks for your comment!

Laoch - well you’ve made big changes to your diet and lifestyle…at some point it should balance out and you’ll find the right balance between healthy food and exercise.

]]> Comment on Financial Costs of Obesity by Laoch http://elainesplace.net/2008/08/financial-costs-of-obesity/#comment-2364 Laoch Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:18:30 +0000 http://elainesplace.net/2008/08/financial-costs-of-obesity/#comment-2364 I fear that I will be too thin. Strange problem, eh? I fear that I will be too thin. Strange problem, eh?

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