The possibilities are endless

Be Just & Fear Not... everything will turn out right if you're heart and soul continue to see the possibilities that are infront of you.

And just because im being all motivational and such I shall spread my happiness and inspire the world (or at least the two people that will read this blog entry... one being me and the other is a possibility).

Yep this is me...

Alas, on the downside...

 


And as much as I hate Maccas, i also secretly love it...even tho her tits are fake...

Detox Box

As far as recent event goes life has been pretty dry since Thailand.  I miss warm nights and so much to do that all you want to do is lie in and watch movies because you're so exhausted from a packed out day.  My tatt has finally healed and is looking pretty good.  I want more but I'm being impulsive and irrational so I'll wait.  Tomorrow I sort out all my uni shit and shall do some baking.  Man I sound exciting right?  I wrote a blog the other night which I shall put in soon.  I'm reading this fantastic book called "Why people believe weird things" and its loosely based around some of the ideas in that.

I bought this "Detox Box" about 6 months ago and tomorrow I am making myself use it.  These holidays I have eaten more shit than I have over the past year and I feel like crap.

1. More Real Food, Less “Food-like Substances”
2. More Fruit and Vegetables, Less Sugar, Wheat and Corn
3. More Organic, Less Toxic
4. More Chewing, Less Eating
5. More Water, Less Sugary crap

Wish me luck.  For some reason it seems far harder this time.

Hopefully my next blog will be far more interesting than reading about my current life events (or more so lack of events).  Peace out kids x

Stupid little life; I love you.

I used to lay in bed wishing that life would just end without reason, and now that thought scares me beyond words.  I'm not sure if you would call it extreme depression, being a stupid teenager or growing up but I know that I never used to be like I am now.  It feels like in the last few years some things have really clicked in my brain. 

It feels like I should be feeling fucked right now.  My future is on hold for another year or so uni has told me.  Something in my mind just won't take no for an answer.  I don't think I have really believed it yet.  I'm not feeding off false hope, I have just dealt with my "situation" and by being alright with it and wanting something else so badly I have discovered millions of possibilities.  It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows mind you - I did cry... on the phone..... to my "other" and he had a lot of reassuring to do.  My biggest problem is that I don't want to get left behind in a heap, waiting for life to start when others are off seeing magical lands and coming home to their high paying jobs.

I have come to really realize the beauty of life, the beauty of things in general.  It really does feel like I'm Lester Burnham - no kidding.. except that I'm young.  I know I'm young and that I have time but I can't help but feel that that time is going to slip right through my fingers in the blink of an eye and tomorrow I will wake up and be 87.. and everything will be over.  But in actuality and with a rational mind set I know that I will soon have a career that will last longer than the time I have already lived.  I will have a family, a house, maybe some more tattoos and a cute little clinic.  Perhaps I'll be working in a children's hospital somewhere in the world or with pregnant women.  Who knows... i dont... but it will come sooner or later.

Tonight I meditated.  My ultimate meditation begins with music, dim lights, incence and layig on the floor.  I stay flat for about 5 minutes before stretching my entire body.  I usually end with yoga and then either read motivational books, books with scientific theories or look at photographs.  Its such a simple pleasure. 

Its late.  I keep getting hungry and my tattoo is itchy due to peeling. 
Goodnight world....

Unfortunate events

Life's really not fair sometimes... but sadly I guess we have to start building another fucking bridge right?

In the scheme of things this is a small hurdle.  Its an unfortunate one but there's nothing I can do about it but get over... or keep trying to get over it.  I've got to stop being scared of what's going to happen and to just do what I can at the time.  In a way, maybe this will help me in the long run.  Its just hard to hear criticism.

Ink: Forever is not a very long time

So I did it and if I end up hating it by the time in 35 or it goes into a wrinkly blob one day then so be it.  Things change so fast, we don't live long so why not?  Why the words you say... well here goes my explaining.

The quote comes from Shakespeare's play "King Henry the VIII".  Its meaning is to be strong, be fair and do not be afraid of what life throws.  Obviously that is a shallow summary. 

I started getting into Shakespeare's poetry and plays when I was in year 9.  At that point I wanted to be a writer and he facinated me to the point where I would sit and analyse a piece for ages and try to somehow soak in all its beauty and the feelings in which he was describing as an expression of himself or something else.  You also may or may not know that my name is in fact Shakespearian:

Miranda was created by Shakespeare for his play "The Tempest" from the feminine form of the Latin gerundive 'mirandus' (admirable, lovely), from the verb 'mirari' (to wonder at, to admire). This gives the meaning "she who must be admired".

"Be just and fear not" is the type of quote that I find an easy reassurance to any terrible situation.  It is somehow always significant and there is strength, wisdom and compassion in its wording. 

So there you go.  It may seem like just words to you and it may even seem like just words to me in 10 or 20 years but who cares.  Live without regrets.  I know its there forever but after all- forever is NOT a very long time.

Mysterious man, Pirates and Barrel Rolls.

All I want to do is write and rant so heres some random stuff from the space in my brain...

For you.
Love.  We say it so much, we think it so much but are we ever right?  Sadly half the time all of the stories and stupid cliche`s prove themselves wrong.  However I do believe that you know when you are meant to be with someone.  You really do know but it takes a lot of time, more than when you first think it a possibility.  It won't take one or two years... it will take more for sure.  It may take a whole damn lot longer.  Today  I think I really do know.  I don't really blog aboutt this stuff too often but now I feel the need.  I know for a fact that being young and having experiences is very important.  I also pursue my strong feelings/argument against marrying young.  But there comes a time when you look at someone and your heart and mind take a step back for a moment and you think "shit.  I could never imagine being here; I would never want to be here with anyone but you.  I need you to be here with me, nobody else".  And you think - I would travel the world with you, write a song for you, give you a kidney... among other things.  You also realise that although sometimes you hate doing them, you LOVE doing what you do for the person you admire.  I love that I'm sitting on a place with a boy's head on my lap and his body stretched out over the remaining row.  I love that he reads magazines o the toilet, steals all the water when I shower and always seems to fart at the most inconvenient times.  I love that he gets shy at the video store asking the guy where a movie is, hates returning products to stores because he dislikes being inconvenient, wears shorts in the middle of winter, gets awkward around people of authority to the point where he has to even ask me whether he has been to Africa in the last 6 days before he fills out the customs form; like the form is a trick and really is asking "are you african or have association with africa".  But aside from what may seem like silly things there are other things I love.  His stubble, his ring collectiong, that his face always smells amazing, that he plays guitar to me and rants about type faces and cars and internet sites.  I love that he holds the door open for me, gives me the umbrella when it rains, when we rub noses, when he plays with my hair, makes me pizza and grabs my bum on staircases.  He makes me coffee, tells me I look pretty, accompanies me to family events and appointments and can sit and chat to me for hours.   That to me is love.  That is all part of love but ONLY part.  Thats where people get caught up and confused and think more of things than they are. 

Despite how the song goes "Love is only a feeling", I think they are wrong (sorry The Darkness). Its far more technical than that so do not be mistaken.  We do not constantly think about and feel out love for someone, it is just there.  We experience whatever else life throws and we live and enjoy but love just stays - rising and falling; constantly fluctuating and half the time we are virtually oblivious to it.  You accept someone for who they are but you do not settle for less than you deserve.  It is an equal task love.  Also it is a chemical thing.  We build dependance and it changes us chemically to "need" someone. 

So to all you "love sick" people out there that are young and want to go get married and have a million kids right away and miss out building the real chemical nature of love; I hope you realise you may be jumping to conclusions and you wait that little bit longer to experience the actual reality of it.

Dreaming of Asia

We never did go to Rawai and feast on Don's pancakes.  To be honest we had had enough of the place.  I want to go back to Thailand and move around.  Karon beach and the rest of dear Phuket became too much of a good thing and so I am leaving on this plane, the poor student that I am... even poorer.  I haven't seen much of Asia but I would like to.  My family have always chosen Europe, the UK and Australia as holiday destinations.  Vietnam, Cambodia, Northern Thailand - thats where I want to travel with my clothes, backpack and camera to feast off the local market food and engage with the people.  I have no desire to visit furthur tourist destinations such as Patong or Bali.  I simply want to "feel" the different soils beneath my feet.  India is also high on the list.  I know its weird not to want to be in places like London and Paris but I am not that much of a fan.  I love the Medditterranean and shopping in the USA and i will get back to those places someday soon.  Yt I feel that in the near future poorer countries with rich culture are waiting for me to come and explore them.  I have always loved Australia and I always will but I am sick and tired of the entertainment (or the lack of).  I learnt on my travels that the thing with Australia is the sugar coated Nazi strictness system makes is safe and beautiful but it limits us.  It makes me sad that places as beautiful as Thailand have not been so "system fortunate", however if they were like us, I think i wouldn't enjoy them quite so much and not so much of the culture would have been preserved.  The weather is perfect for my inner lizad self.  The trees and the greenery brings me to tears.  The scent of jasmine flowers and cheap asian stalls is so amazing and the people here make this place!  They are something else really. 

So if you get the chance and the funds - go to Asia.  Stay away from Bali and Phuket's main beaches.  Soak in the beauty, wash in brown water, get sick from the food, feel the earth beneath your feet.  Sip from a coconut and you will never feel better!

Thailand: Last night

7/7/10

Sitting on the balcony in the perfect night air.  Its our last night in Karon and as usual the streets are alive with the sounds of 90's Karaoke.  Our favourite guard has gone home from his shift and we are sipping on vodka and cranberry.  The city never sleeps.  I love the people, I love the warm.  I'm sad to leave but somewhat looking forward to going home and resting.  We've met some rad people - my favourite receptionist and house keeping lady, the guard that speaks to us, shirt man in patong, our elephant rider, Uum; our friend from an island near Khoh Samui.  Its a beautiful night.  Goodbye summer.

Selfless v Selfish

 5th July 2010

I don't understand every human being I meet; nobody does.  Some are luckier than others and some have the potential be lucky and prosperous but deny the chance.  How can people just sit and let themselves go to waste when others would give almost everything to have the same opportunities and experiences.  Yes, there is a level of understanding and human empathy that I must give but it both angers and saddens me just how ignorant and careless people are.  There are people back home that are so self centred, that will never be empathetic, that lay blame down on everyone and everything so that they look like victims.  Yet somehow the lady cooking my buffet breakfast and homeless people lying in the streets smile and greet me like i am super human.  They seem to sit and make things; sing, express themselves like its the best day of their lives.  The poorer Thais with the local street market stalls are the same.  They are always warm, always genuine, always happy.  Sometimes they drive a hard bargain or put up a fight with you as you barter but in the end they bow their heads in thanks - "Kapunka"

Lights, Booze, Music and Tuk Tuks

5/7/10

Patong.  The place is so intense you can't even think straight when you're standing on the street.  Everything is in your face, everything is open until 4am.  There is a buzz of noise and lights everywhere.  Tuk-Tuks line the road sides, clubs pump until sun rise and people will almost force you to buy their rip off shit! 

An update on our outings - we've seen elephants, been to the world's biggest jewellery store, seen monkeys, buffalo, ridden in world war 2 vehicles, been to big buddha, shopped at markets and discount outlets, had $3 cocktails on the side of the road, bartered, been swimming, stood on the look out, experienced the butterfly sanctury etc.

Thailand: Cultural experiences

3rd July 2010

There are people here, old couples, families and even young people that come and enjoy the resort.  They never leave... they arrive in a car, stay a few days and then leave.  We see them dine at the hotel and not leave the pool, then go to happy hour upstairs on get drunk at the pool bars and challenge the bar people at connect four!  Sure this place is amazingly luxurious but why would you want to miss the cultural experience?  I don't et it.  For me thats the best part!

Thailand: Balcony thoughts

2nd July 2010

The world is so Westernized and ruled by such Western practices.  Its like that we Westerners almost forget that other cultures exist and we are tricked into believing that we are superior beings.  These people here live such simple lives with the help of the land.  Everything is done by hand and for that I almost feel guilty buying something that takes 5 hrs to make and costs me $3 AUD.  Its crazy to think how radical and intense the place where I come from is.  Why cant we all be as wonderfully satisfied as these people and express ourselves as simply?  I do not deny that this place is held up by the Western world through tourism and without it quality of life would be much more minimal.  I just deeply admire the Thai for their resourcefulness.  The land is rich in sun and rain; plants and soil.  It is beautiful in its own way.  The air is warmer, the grass is greener..... here... on the other side of the world.

The fruit is DIVINE - almost as divine as the people, so hospitable.  I feel I could sit in this warm wind on our balcony and stare out at the divine dense jungle.  Magic land of luxury is the way I will remember this land.  If i ever return i would very much like to visit poorer, less touristy parts - see the children, see what they cook, how they live.  I wonder what the hotel workers go home to?  Do they get paid well enough to live well or do they just serve us in our luxurious rooms and then go home to their shack?  Some of the elephant trainers live in small jungle huts along the trecking trail, amongst the spiders and the trees.  They seem perfectly content with that.  Why are we Western folk far less content with things although we have more?  Perhaps we have less really.  Perhaps nature is what makes for the  happiest, most fullfilling life...

Passports and Airplanes

Travel time.
Airports.  So similar, yet so different. I have decided that those who design airports and passports are remarkable people.  Think about the planning, the problem solving and the intricacy that is needed for them! Forgive me for pointless ranting but I am on an aeroplane on my way to the land of the Thais!

Paradise Part 2: Islands of Phuket

Today I found my absolute dream place, the ultimate happy place, the most amazingly beautiful wonderful place in the world!  As I sat on a small island (less than 500 square metres), sipping on a pina colada from a coconut, I realised this is what people only dream of after seeing such scenes in movies.

To be continued

Paradise Part 1: Land of Thai

To be continued...

Laughs and boredome

Best by far was the guy with the awesome hair cut!

Sad but true.

This picture was shown in a recent lecture of mine.  Both these babies are (I think) a few months old.  The indian woman in the picture was told that she could not provide enough milk for both babies (twins) and so that one would have to be bottle fed.  Sadly, it is thought that due to the price of formula, the woman was unable to afford to feed one properly and watered down the mixture; hence depriving her baby of essential nutrients for growth.  The other she chose to breast feed continuously.  The smaller one on the right died 3 days after this picture was taken.

Let this help you to appreciate a number of things:
1. The importance of mother's to their babies.  If they are taken away from them, think about how much it would change their lives.
2. We are lucky to live in such a wealthy country where something like this is a highly unlikely if not impossible occurance.
3. BREAST IS BEST! Breast feed your children!

The way we are.

Stuff that makes no sense but comes out of my silly little brain of crazyness...

Is it actually possible for one human being to fully understand the aspirations, the thoughts and the actions of another?  What would happen if the logistical thoughts of every human being could be combined to make one super human?  Would it even be possible for that many arbitrary yet refined thought processes to take place or would it become information over load?

Its funny the way we see things, how each human sees things slightly different but there are shared universal facts that we just accept at face value.  I guess thats the problem - its not in the what but in the why.  How many of us really ponder the why?  My problem is that pondering the why usually becomes too insignificant and never reaches conclusion and it frustrates me, so eventually I just accept.  I don't believe it is possible for us to have a "superior" perception of everything and that is most definitely ok.  Do physisists look at typography and see the shapes of the letters and the hand drawn grids in which it may have been modelled on or is it possible for them to do so but they simply don't have the interest?  After all do we just train our brains to what we are interested in and purely understand it because of that or is it all in the biological mechanisms within us?  On the contrary, I guess it may be possible to have great talent in multiple areas because is evident that mathematics, science, intelligent design and all segregated areas are part of the natural order and somehow interlink anyway.  As long as the time, matter and eukaryotic beings exist, the basis of human interests will exist too.

History would exist because time exists.
Language would exist because greater eukaryotic beings exist.
Mathematics would exist because nature possess mathematical practices and obviously also exists.
Design exists because matter itself exists in a particular space and takes on particular forms.
Science exists also because matter exists, elements exist, space, time, temperate etc exist.

And you know what.. the universe exists because of a so called "big bang" but who will ever really know?

Conclusions...
Embrace what you love and question it.  For those questions that you can't answer yourself find answers.  Be prepared not to find answers for everything because we need to accept that some just do not exist to the knowledge of humanity.  Accept what others love and see how it shapes what you love.  You don't always have to understand it but it is interesting to try.  Know that there will be some things you will never be able to make conclusions on but I guess in knowing that you have made a conclusion.  And although you can be critical and analytical of everything to a supid degree, be smart with that power or your brain will probably come out of your ears.

And now I leave you with this...
Even if life does occur more or less inevitably given the right circumstances, does it also inevitably evolve to become more and more complex and, ultimately, achieve intelligence? Is mind written into the structure of the universe? "The essential architecture of multicellular organisms might well be the product of certain mathematical principles of organization". On the one hand we have "the nihilistic philosophy of the pointless universe", while on the other we have "an alternative view, admittedly romantic, but perhaps true nevertheless ... a universe in which the emergence of thinking beings is a fundamental and integral part of the overall scheme of things. A universe in which we are not alone."

Other half.

Plato.
"Plato wrote in his Symposium that humans have been looking for their soul mate ever since Zeus cut them in half. In his mythic story, Plato describes a world where there were men, women and people who were both men and women. Apparently, humans began discussing how they could climb up to heaven and replace the gods. The gods were upset by this and discussed what should be done. The simplest solution would be to destroy mankind, but Zeus came up with a better idea. He suggested cutting all human beings in half. This would serve two purposes. First, it would immediately double the number of people making offerings to the gods. Second, it would weaken the humans, so they would not be able to carry out their plan. Zeus' idea was accepted, and the humans were all divided into two. Naturally, the humans were upset at this, and Zeus decided to enable each half to have intercourse with their opposite, symbolically creating a whole. Consequently, the males sought their female half, and the females sought their male half, allowing them to reproduce."

Thank you...

You and I.
Maybe I just want to fly
I want to live I don't want to die
Maybe I just want to breath
Maybe I just don't believe
Maybe you're the same as me
We see things they'll never see
You and I are gonna live forever

Do you ever feel like someone's put there hand right inside your heart and touched your soul?  I rarely feel like that with people but it feels so invigorating to find those that have that effect.  This week I've been lucky enough to have some beautiful encounters... one with a girl I could talk to every day for the rest of my life and forever feel wonderfully high from her words.  She makes me feel like theres this crazy fire burning right inside.  I wish I could explain it, and although our conversations are sometimes about the most stupid, insignificant things I feel that everything she says always has so much value, no matter the topic.  To her - thank you... for being a person who I can confide in always, who I feel better after seeing, who is truely so amazingly beautiful inside and out.

As for the other; I have mentioned her before and I'm very glad that I get to spend time with her.  It will be nice to reminisce the good and  bad and to have someones hand to hold and remember... remember everything.

I don't believe that anybody feels the way I do... about you now... either of you and obviously more but at this particular moment, life is a little less crazy with you in it <3

Caffine Addiction.

I never pollute my body like I do in these weeks...  I am usually rather conscious about the amount of caffine, taurine, guarana, sugar and many things for that matter that enter my body.  This week is different.  Its like every second I've had a cup of coffee or a V in my hand.  My brain is scitzing out... my body keeps shaking... my stomach might explode and my kidneys keep on filtering out the shit i'm putting in.

I can't wait till this fortnight is over.  I'm going to be so happy I'll dance in my street - and thats a promise.  Its not like its really all that bad; I work well under pressure, yet sometimes it all builds up inside and I just explode into crazyness.  I wouldn't really care if these things didn't mean so much to me, it THIS didn't mean so much to me but it does and its nice to give a fuck for once.  This is what I want to do, this is who I am and I guess a challenge isn't all bad right?

Pressure
Pressure
Pressure

Why is it that kids think year 12 will make or break there life?
Will it?  Will it really?
There is so much beyond that and I guess thats what I have to see in this situation - If i can't do it now, doesnt mean i cant do it at all... it just means I have to work harder next time, prioritize more.  I guess im scared of getting left behind in all the nothingness that is life.

Goodnight kids and happy studying.

Make this old world new.

<3
I met a girl at a strange time in my life, a time where weird things stopped happening and my stupid pathetic little life somehow started to have a glimmer of hope and meaning.  The year or two leading up to our meeting were the worst in my memory and every second of crap I have now seems nothing in comparison and for that I am glad.  Somehow over the course of two weeks I shared silly little parts of myself with her that I wouldnt have with anyone else.  At that point I found it incredibly hard to confide in people and to an extent I still do.  Although a lot has happened; good and bad and I have learnt lessons, travelled, met people and hardly even seen her when I finally did again, nothing had changed.  I guess its just like that with us... things are always as where we left them last its just we as people are different; more grown up.. more 'experienced'. 

It seems like she has had some bad times since the last time we met and so I hope our new meeting and more regular relationship turns things around.  Maybe its my turn to give her something, the hope and trust that she gave me.  I can't even tell you now why it meant so much but I hope it happens back and she stays happy from now on.

Tonight was a good night - stupid and bummy, yet highly amusing and care free.  I had good company, the best company... an amazing boyfriend and two amazing friends who have found themselves together and make each other happy.  I love how right they are - I really do and I want the beautiful girl involved to know that she doesnt have to give too much, give just enough and I promise he will love you for you; not like all those fucking assholes before.  I hope it works out because its lovely seeing laughter!

Sunday I shall be venturing to freo and booking my tattoo. The design is finished and today Si did a transfer for me and its pretty sweet.

Well i'm off to bed as this week and next week are fucking terrible due to ridiculous exams worth 60% and such but when its all over theres plenty to look forward to.  Goodnight beautiful people and peace out.

Food consumption influences

(Space man food)

Parts of a rough assignment draft from earlier this semester... Just some interesting findings.
Consumption and Public Health
“Social factors have a great influence over food choice and some consumers are not aware of this and these factors may have either positive or negative effects on food intake” (Barasi, 2007).  A report by World Heath Organisation expert showed that “there is a strong link between food and beverage intake and a variety of diseases like cardiovascular disease, various types of cancers and Type 2 diabetes, as well as a link to risk factors such as diabetes” (Public health association of Australia, 2007).  The overall contribution of food and drink related risk factors measured in the report showed that they had a greater impact on burden of disease than tobacco or alcohol (Public health association of Australia, 2007).

Actual impact non-communicable on individuals will depend on their genetics and their food choices (Barasi, 2007).  “If regulation of fat intake is poor it may result in over consumption of energy” (Barasi, 2007) and excessive saturated fat intake is potentially associated with disease (Barasi, 2007).  High sugar intake can result in dental problems (Barasi, 2007) and excessive soft drink consumption may cause excess energy consumption and contribute to obesity and diabetes (Barasi, 2007).


Diet related communicable diseases such as diabetes and obesity contribute to public health as they are increasing the demand for health promotion and preventative action (For example, “Draw the line on gaining weight” campaign).  “Total cost of obesity in 2008 was $58.2 billion and It is hoped that nutrition programs help to lower this figure”. (Public Health Association of Australia, 2007).  The social determinants of food consumption and their specific effects on public health will be discussed below.

 Influences on consumption
As discussed, there are many influences on food consumption which include environmental influences, cultural influences and social influences.  Social influences are most significant in developed countries such as Australia where other factors such as economy and the environment have less of an impact on public health, food sustainability and food product options.  In this section, the primary social influences of food consumption will be discussed and a brief description of their impact on public health will be discussed.

Social ideologies
Social ideologies have a fundamental impact on food consumption.  Thus, accepted behaviours related to food within a social group will strongly influence food choice (Barasi, 2007).  There is a strong association between food and gender ideologies, which can be seen in different food consumption patterns and food types (Wang et al, 2008).  Many foods are advertised or promoted to be gender specific, such as a number of Special K advertisements for women and KFC’s “Footy box” box for men (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx2CtItV6lY&feature=related).  These foods are designed to tie in with social ideologies of masculinity and femininity; that men need large protein rich portions to accommodate for their high energy output, body mass and body image and that women need small, light and healthy convenience foods to accommodate their busy and demanding lifestyle.  The “Footy box” in particular shows that KFC is the perfect meal to have while watching the football with friends and is thus targets the large number of Australian men that watch football.

 Social ideologies and public health
It is stated by Australian public health association that women are more likely to take into account the effects of unhealthy eating than men (Public health association Australia, 2007).  Due to the imagery associated with masculinity, men are not as likely to consume lower energy or “diet foods” (Wang et al, 2008) and thus are a social group that the public health system must focus on.  Thus health promotion that targets males is essential to help reduce obesity and heart disease in men.

Socio-economic status
Wang states that “Materialism has become a predominant consumer ideology and influences consumption behaviour, including food choices” (Wang et a, 2008).  Certain foods may be socially perceived as prestigious and only consumed by those of higher social status and thus may be purchased and consumed by those willing impress others (Barasi, 2007).  Often these “high status” foods are indulgent foods such as alcoholic beverages, gourmet sweets/pasteries etc that contribute to over consumption of high energy foods, and thus influence lifestyle diseases such as obesity.  However this is not always the case as foods such as seafood products (in particular crustaceans) are only
 affordable to certain people but are very beneficial to one’s health.  Wahlqvist also suggests that an influencing factor in snack food consumption is wealth and therefore purchasing power (Wahlqvist, 2002).  In opposition to high income, low income or low socio-economic status will also influence food choice and consumption as such individuals or households with less income will be likely to choose low prices over food quality.  Thus there is less choice in what foods will be consumed as products will need to be affordable for a low budget.  Healthy foods are often more expensive than convenience foods such as fast foods and may be consumed less because of their price.

Socio-economic status and public health
 The prevalence of diet related illnesses is increasing across both social classes but low income families need most attention from the public health system.  Budgeting assistance and information about cheaper healthy food options are necessary in ensuring that all Australians have the right to healthy, nutritious foods (Public Health Association of Australia, 2007).

Advertising
Advertising is designed to influence particular groups or target audiences and to entice them into purchasing a product by using social “ideals”.  Children tend to be easily susceptible to advertising as they are so impressionable and this becomes particularly dangerous when so much advertising of unhealthy foods is seen on television (Kaye et al 2008).  It is estimated that Australian children between 5-14 years watch on average 20 hours of screen based entertainment per week (Kaye et al, 2008).  Approximately 30% of advertising aired during children’s peak television viewing hours promote food products and of all food product advertising, 50-80% of these promote unhealthy foods (Kaye et al 2008).

“A review of 122 studies showed that food advertising influences what children eat – what they want parents to buy and what they will put in their mouths” (Kaye et al, 2008).  Thus food advertising campaigns affect the way children perceive food and make it hard for the child to differentiate between healthy and unhealthy food.  In a current Kellogg’s LCM bar advertisement (seen on channel seven), there are a number of children looking into their lunchboxes with disappointment.  The lunchboxes contain an apple/fruit and a sandwich; a standard child’s school lunch.  The viewer then sees another lunchbox containing an LCM bar.  The layout of the lunchbox is more appealing and colourful and the bar in the lunchbox is described as being “fun”.  All the other children are jealous and so this leaves the viewer (children) feeling like they should be that particular child with the “fun” lunchbox.  It is advertisements like these that can negatively educate and be misleading to children.

Advertising is also often aimed at mothers, as they are usually the purchasers and preparers of food within a household.  This type of advertising plays on convenience factors which may mask nutritional factors (Eg something fun and easy rather than healthy) and is usually shown in a supermarket setting. “If a manufacturer brings a new product to the supermarket, the supermarket can demand that the manufacturer spends a large amount on advertising to ensure the product has satisfactory sales” (Wahlqvist, 2002).  Thus advertising in supermarkets is usually very confronting with posters, free testing sachets etc.

Effects on public health
“Studies have found that frequently advertised unhealthy foods tend to be over consumed and thus disrupts recommended daily intake balance (Chapman et all, 2006).  “Advertising of unhealthy foods to children could be the reason why Australian children do not consume the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables for good health despite some improvements in national and state Go for 2 & 5 campaigns”. (Public Health Association of Australia, 2007). It has also been recognized that younger people consume less fresh produce than older people (Public Health Association of Australia, 2007) and also continue to consume higher than recommended intakes for unhealthy foods (Eg. soft drinks, chips, biscuits and lollies) (Public Health Association of Australia, 2007).  Thus in summary, the effects of advertising are impacting public health because of increasing figures of obesity (Public Health Association of Australia, 2007) in young children.  “Obese children have a 25-50% chance of progression to adulthood obesity” and the “high volumes of unhealthy food advertising on television contributes to our “obesity-promoting” environment” (Chapman et al, 2006).  Thus there is a serious need for health promotion to children, which is starting to be done in schools (Public Health Association of Australia, 2007).

 Lifestyle
Research by the Australian Public Health Association shows that “Australians are consuming more foods prepared outside the home with 28% of total food expenditure made on foods from restaurants, cafes, take away and fast food outlets” (Public Health Association of Australia, 2007).  The primary reason for this is consumer preference for foods that are convenient and require little or no preparation (Wahlqvist, 2002).  There are an increasing number of Australians working full time which makes convenience foods such as fast foods and prepackaged foods so appealing (Walqvist, 2002).

Lifestyle and Public health
Convenience foods and fast foods and snack foods are (as previously stated) often high in saturated fats, sugars and salt.  The World health organization report stated that a high consumption of energy rich foods (and thus kilojoules) and foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat contribute to non-communicable disease” (Public Health Association of Australia, 2007).  The Public Health Association recognizes that it is important to choose foods in and out of home that are both nutritious and affordable” (Public Health Association of Australia, 2007).  Thus changes in lifestyle are having an impact on public health.

I did it for me.

No matter how many people tell you you can't do something.. fuck them.  

You can do it.

Break it down.

An injection of passion and inspiration is always a beautiful thing.  When I feel like that I know something in me has changed, even just a little bit.  Once again my Wednesday morning ranting shall begin.

In my class this morning we weighed, prepared, cooked, assembled foods; calculating what we ourselves would eat in comparison to RDI (recommended daily intakes).  Breaking food down like that makes you really see it for what it is - a fuel source.  You're adding a certain amount of something with a certain percentage of fat/protein etc and with certain vitamins to a certain quantity of another thing and in the end a portion of that final quantity goes inside your body.  That food then breaks down and there is a certain concentration of it circulating in you blood stream, just as a certain concentration will be stored and some extreted.  I love eating and that will never change but seriously think about each little component of the food you eat and what its worth to your body.  Cook your own stuff, use fresh ingredients and use plenty of fruit and veggies!

Currently on ABC radio the director of Food Inc, a new movie out currently showing at Luna palace cinemas.  I am yet to watch it but I am looking forward to it and shall no doubt blog about it.