Write Lightning is a blog from writer Deb Thompson.
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Thu, Feb 16 2006
Freelance Reporting Has Its Price
FishbowlDC pointed to a story about freelance journalists and the Washington Post. I'm reminded once again that what we write in one place can open doors for us in other places. It can also close doors. There's always that tension of trying to remain objective while trying be honest with readers at the same time. Of course, it does help when a rival publication takes on the freelancer's cause. But then one has to wonder if that support could influence freelancers in ways that might make them undesirable with yet a third publication. It's ironic that we call it "freelancing" when it has so many strings attached.
posted at: 09:53 | category: /Writing Life | link to this entry
FishbowlDC pointed to a story about freelance journalists and the Washington Post. I'm reminded once again that what we write in one place can open doors for us in other places. It can also close doors. There's always that tension of trying to remain objective while trying be honest with readers at the same time. Of course, it does help when a rival publication takes on the freelancer's cause. But then one has to wonder if that support could influence freelancers in ways that might make them undesirable with yet a third publication. It's ironic that we call it "freelancing" when it has so many strings attached.
posted at: 09:53 | category: /Writing Life | link to this entry
Big Fat Study Full of Balogna and Low-Fat Cheese
I knew it wouldn't take Dr. John McDougall long to respond to the reports on the Women's Health Initiative study. If what I read about the study is correct, all the women in the study were getting 35-38 percent of their calories from fat. The 20 percent that the one group was aiming to achieve was probably almost impossible, given the fact that they still consumed a lot of the foods that Dr. McDougall has found to be detrimental to health in the long term. He advocates a plant-based diet full of whole grains, vegetables and fruits, and suggests strongly an avoidance of animal products of all kinds, including dairy products. He recommends the choice of complex carbohydrates to best control blood sugar, but advises against refined sugars and refined flours. A fat intake of less than 10 percent is in the range he finds to be a good target amount.
Dr. McDougall has been known to help patients with diabetes by switching them to a low-fat, high-fiber, plant-based diet and has also been able to decrease their insulin intake and other medications with great success.
I once followed his guidelines for a two-month period and lost about twelve pounds. I also got rid of mild vertigo from an ear problem I'd been battling unsuccessfully for more than a year. It's hard for us. We want that hot fudge sundae. But if we want to help ourselves toward better health the information is certainly out there. Doctors like John McDougall are not looked upon with favor by pharmaceutical companies, dairy associations or the fish and meat industries. And when a doctor bucks the system he isn't necessarily going to get pats on the back from other doctors who make their living with traditional methods. But the man does get results for people who can stay motivated to improve their quality of life by eating the best foods available.
posted at: 06:08 | category: /Health and Fitness | link to this entry
I knew it wouldn't take Dr. John McDougall long to respond to the reports on the Women's Health Initiative study. If what I read about the study is correct, all the women in the study were getting 35-38 percent of their calories from fat. The 20 percent that the one group was aiming to achieve was probably almost impossible, given the fact that they still consumed a lot of the foods that Dr. McDougall has found to be detrimental to health in the long term. He advocates a plant-based diet full of whole grains, vegetables and fruits, and suggests strongly an avoidance of animal products of all kinds, including dairy products. He recommends the choice of complex carbohydrates to best control blood sugar, but advises against refined sugars and refined flours. A fat intake of less than 10 percent is in the range he finds to be a good target amount.
Dr. McDougall has been known to help patients with diabetes by switching them to a low-fat, high-fiber, plant-based diet and has also been able to decrease their insulin intake and other medications with great success.
I once followed his guidelines for a two-month period and lost about twelve pounds. I also got rid of mild vertigo from an ear problem I'd been battling unsuccessfully for more than a year. It's hard for us. We want that hot fudge sundae. But if we want to help ourselves toward better health the information is certainly out there. Doctors like John McDougall are not looked upon with favor by pharmaceutical companies, dairy associations or the fish and meat industries. And when a doctor bucks the system he isn't necessarily going to get pats on the back from other doctors who make their living with traditional methods. But the man does get results for people who can stay motivated to improve their quality of life by eating the best foods available.
posted at: 06:08 | category: /Health and Fitness | link to this entry
