Out of My League

I'm going to a writer's conference.  I'm very excited.  At the same time, though, I'm nervous.

I don't have a college degree that lets people know that I've put in enough hours to earn respect in the writing community.  The only things I've ever had published were a couple of poems.  I don't usually count these because they were entries in a writing contest that was more of an enticement to purchase the anthology than an actual contest.

I've always felt a little behind, a little out of step.  I have lots of ideas, but no one with any real authority has decided that I am worthy of publishing.  I can't even find a good editor for my book... and I'm willing to pay.

So I am a little nervous.  There are only 30 slots at this particular event.  It seemed like such a great idea to begin with.  Now I feel like I should gracefully bow out and let someone else who has real talent have my spot.

But

There's something in me.  There's this dogged determination, this will to keep at it.  I heard once that sometimes a desire to succeed is more powerful than innate talent.  (I want to say I came up with that myself, but I'm pretty sure someone else said it before I did.)  Sometimes the little girl who's gangly and stiff ends up being the prima ballerina while the little girl with the willowy, graceful limbs falls behind.  What's the difference?  One was born with it and has taken it for granted, and the other had to fight for it tooth and nail.

I've been writing since I was about 10 years old.  I sat in awe of my father's ability to hold a captive audience.  I wanted to be able to weave tales as he did.  Of course, his tales actually happened.  His colorful experience was the backdrop that brought his stories to life.  My life was pretty mundane and boring (at least compared to his).  So I had to make up the backdrops, and hope that I could weave in enough conviction to make people listen.

Over time I have learned that my brilliance is lessened (greatly) when I don't give my ideas time to marinate.  When I throw a bit of prose out into the spotlight, rather than rehearsing it until it is old hat, it becomes weak and dull.

So now, here I am, headed into the thick of it.  I'll once again feel like a child pretending to be grown up.  Hoping that they have a chair with extra padding so I can see over the table; wondering if I'll look silly with my feet dangling under the table; hoping that the other "real" authors will be gracious and forgiving when I open my mouth and they realize that I'm comparatively unseasoned.  Most of all I look forward to honest feedback.  I have steeled myself for their criticism, and hope that I can come away with a few pointers to help me become a better writer.

The Trouble with 'Why'

I've recently discovered a very naughty word.  Okay, so I've known about it for some time.  I just didn't realize it's power until recently.

I read a book (scandalous) and ever since I've been using this word.  Well, I've used it before, but not as profusely, nor as boldly.

When I was younger I used the word primarily in my mind.  My fear of being thought of as foolish kept me from using it out loud.  I was worried that others might think I should have known the answers long ago.  I was worried that my use of it might be offensive.

Now I use it every day.  I use it in every situation.  I use it prolifically.  It permeates my religion, my education, my diet.  No situation is too genteel to quiet my tongue.

In fact, I'll use it here.  Why

I'll use it again.  WHY!

Insignificant, you say?  Apparently not.

Ask a evangelical why they treat homosexuals differently than gluttons.

Ask a homosexual why they must tell everyone what they like to do in the bedroom.

Ask a progressive why their agenda is going to work this time when it hasn't worked long-term in any other government in the history of mankind.

Ask a republican why it's okay to bow to the liberal agenda in order to get re-elected.

Ask a college professor why they are threatened by a students Christianity.

There's more

Why do some people preach that God is silent now that the Bible is complete?

Why do some "Christian" churches treat women no better than the Muslims do?

Why do we keep trusting the FDA to make decisions about what is healthy?

Why do we spend so much time watching pretend people live exciting lives on TV instead of getting out there and living our own lives?

Why do people complain that the education system in America is broken and yet continue to give up their children to it?

Why are there so many versions of history?

I'm not sure what the answers are yet, but I no longer worry about my use of the word.  By using it I may rock the boat of casual indifference, but by ignoring it I do myself and my fellow man injustice.

Free Publicity, Anyone

Well, Time Magazine certainly has achieved what it set out to do.  They have been getting all sorts of free publicity out of an article they ran on attachment parenting.  Now, here I am ready to keep this trend going.  


A far as attachment parenting, I started out Babywise, and it was horrible.  I regret a lot of what I did with my first born.  Although I appreciate the advice I was given, in my youth and inexperience I took it to the Babywise extreme.  
In view of my experiences, I can totally identify with the defiance pictured.  I think our society has become so oversexed that something as natural as feeding your baby the way God designed is considered socially unacceptable.  


In view of my experiences, I can totally identify with the defiance pictured.  I think our society has become so oversexed that something as natural as feeding your baby the way God designed is considered socially unacceptable.  


Secondary infertility really didn't help with those regrets.  After trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant for several years I vowed that if I had another child I would treasure every moment I had with her.  My son was five by the time we had our second, and by then I had done my research, and completely changed my parenting tactics.  


I think it's ridiculous that someone would have a problem with attachment parenting.  I would much rather see a parent attentive to their child's needs, than ignorant and letting the child grow up ignored.  


I read a comment today that went something like this, "Children need to learn how to function in the real world, and coddling them is bad for their development."  I would like to remind everyone that we are talking about people who breastfeed and co-sleep, etc while their children are very young, allowing them to reach independence when the child is psychologically ready.  A three year old doesn't need to learn about how hard the world is, by being pushed away by his own mother.  Why rush it?  In our society kids will be sticking around until they're 18-20.  As many mothers have said of potty training, "They won't be wearing diapers when they graduate from college."  


First of all, those early years are so misunderstood.  I knew a mom whose 2 year old looked like a 4 year old.  The poor kid would push other children down the slide so he could have his turn, and the mom got so frustrated with the judgmental stares she received from other parents at the the behavior of her toddler (who didn't look like one) that she finally began asking them, "How old do you think he is?"   


And it's not just about how long you breastfeed, either.  I have a friend who explained it perfectly.  "If you were out in public, and someone pulled a bottle out of their diaper bag and held their infant while feeding her the bottle, no one would think twice."  But if a woman sat down to breastfeed and didn't try to hide it, she would be the subject of everyone's conversation in a 50 foot radius.  


I understand the Christian talking points about how men are turned on visually, and that the sight of a woman's breast can cause a man to lust after her.  Well, I'm sorry.  I think it's time for men to learn self control.  It's time for them to learn how to handle themselves in a public place.  It's time to stop being so selfish.  It's hot and sticky and sweaty sometimes, and having to put a blanket over a baby is uncomfortable to the mom and the baby.  


I was at an amusement park once.  I had paid a pretty good amount of money to go there.  It was so hot and muggy that I ended up having to leave because I knew it would be offensive to nurse without a cover-up.  There were no air conditioned areas that I could use to nurse privately.  So, basically in order to keep some guy from picturing himself having sex with me, I had to leave and go home.  


Really?  Is that how it's going to be?  Some sicko can't watch a baby being fed naturally, so instead of him being punished, some poor mom and her baby can't go out in public?  Yes, I get angry about it.  It's time this changed.  


Here's the simple truth.  What a person does to raise their child is THEIR business, not anyone else's (barring abuse).  No one has a right to tell me how long to breastfeed, or where to send my children to school, or what kind of food to feed them.  I don't have a right to tell any other parents that what they are doing is wrong.  I'm sick of our society trying to take parental rights away.  


Now, having said that, I have one caveat.  Parenting is (or should be) a joint effort between a husband and wife.  Children need the stability of both a mother and father, in a committed relationship: not necessarily argument free, but committed to working things out together.  That being the case, I have chosen, in light of scripture, to submit my own free will (and defiance) to my husband's preference that I cover myself when I'm in public...thus the reason I left the theme park, and didn't just let it all hang out.  Let me be clear that we have discussed nursing in public numerous times, and came to a compromise on the issue.  This compromise changed with each of our children.    


Really, parents.  It's time to stand up for your God given rights.  While it's wise to heed the council of those who have gone before, God is the one who gave you your child, and He knows what is best.  Oftentimes, His ideas of a great parent and society's ideas are completely opposite.  Don't let public opinion ruin your child.  

A Voice of Encouragement

I recently had the incredible opportunity to take my kids to California.  I was able to show them where I grew up, and had the opportunity to meet up with a few old friends while I was there.

One of those friends is a girl I met when I was in 6th grade.  We were pretty close.  When we met last month it was as if we had never been apart.  She has two adorable children ages 3 and 4.

While we were watching the kids play we were able to have several deep conversations and most of them centered around our children and struggles we have as mothers. Near the end of our time together she said something that was surprising to me.  She told me that I had encouraged her with a lot of what I had to say.  I don't think I can convey adequately what this meant to me.

I am a typical American stay-at-home-mom.  As such I am constantly grappling with my worth.  I wonder if I'm training my children properly, if I'm contributing to society enough, if I'm doing enough to support the cost of a family as large as mine.  Even though I am surrounded by peers who are encouraging, there is something in the air around me (and others I suspect) that seems intent on making me feel inadequate.

(c) Anne Taintor

Thank you Women's Lib for ruining the psyche of so many women who are passionate about their families.

As I was saying, my friend's comment really struck a chord with me.  My thinking afterward went something like this, "I have four children.  My oldest one is is 14.  I have dealt with strong wills, boundless childhood energy, trips to the ER, and many other things.  Maybe, just maybe I have something to share with other moms."

(c) Anne Taintor

Ok, I admit I've thought of this before.  Who doesn't think now and then that they have advice to give.  Honestly, I've considered it many times, but somewhere in the back of my brain a little voice says, "There are so many women out there who could probably say the same thing better."

Well, not anymore.  I want to be encouraging.  I want other moms to know that their kids aren't weird, or bad for being inquisitive and energetic.  I want them to know that loud children can be embarrassing, but can also come up with some really amazing insights.  I want them to know that it's normal for kids to burn off energy by turning into that hyper cat from the cat food commercial now and then.  I want them to know that children are incredibly smart and that you have to stay one step ahead of them at all times.  I want them to know that anyone can teach their child, and that homeschooling is not limited to super moms, but to anyone who is called to do it.

More to come.

The Difference Between Fairy Tales and Reality

I really didn't think I'd have to write something like this, but it seems like our generation (well, technically the past several) can't seem to tell the difference.  Divorce is unfortunately all too common, and although I hoped that none of my friends would ever suffer its wound, I am finding statistics all too real.

I write this blog carefully.  I will not name names, and I will not divulge personal information (my own or that of my friends). I must be as candid as possible, however, for without real life examples this information would seem rather weak.  Suffice it to say, that although I will not point out exactly who has experienced any particular thing, I have known more than one couple who have come to the brink of divorce or have crossed over to the other side.  Some I have felt devastated for, others I felt it justified.

Also, as I am a woman, and I am created differently than men, I will be speaking from my own experience and understanding.  Perhaps my insight will help the men I know understand their wives better.  If you are masculine, and wish to understand more than simply the female thought process (as well as I can describe it), please seek out an appropriate mentor in the older men at your church.

Growing up, us girls were enamored by the idea that the princess found her handsome, charming prince and married without too much struggle, ultimately living happily ever after.  I hate to break it to you, but that is not reality.  It is fiction.  It is an idealized telling of what might have happened if Adam and Eve had not plunged the world into sin, and what will happen when Jesus comes to take his bride home.  It is something to look forward to in eternity, not something that will happen here on earth, and if you are expecting it, then (as Westly said in the "Princess Bride") get used to disappointment.

Let me explain what marriage really is.  Marriage is two imperfect humans deciding to show each other the love of Christ.  This means unconditional love, respect, and commitment.  This does not mean putting up with abuse, or covering abusive habits.  For a woman this means, that you are going to deal with all the crap your husband dishes out in a loving way.  It means setting boundaries, so that he understands that you will always love him and be dedicated to his best interests.  This does not mean you will lay down like a doormat and allow him to hurt himself or anyone else.

I know of husbands who have been drug addicts, pornography addicts, and terrorists.  I've known work-a-holics, and adulterers.  I have also known those with culturally less heinous vices, such as addiction to entertainment, food, and those who are simple self-absorbed.  I have learned that no husband is immune to these vices.  They may keep these sins well hidden for a time, but eventually something comes out.  When that something does, the Cinderella mentality is suddenly ripped away like a bandage over an open wound.

When this happens you are at a cross-roads.  You must decide if you are willing, as Jesus did, to honor your commitments and begin the hard work of restoring a fellow human being, or if you will do as Judas did, and sell out the one you love proving to them that they are indeed unworthy of love (as they, most likely, already feel about themselves).

The next thing that happens is that you must understand the lengthy nature of your commitment.  We are in a sin-sick world.  Life here can certainly be filled with joy as we see the work of God constantly, but it is not always rosy and simple.  The work ahead is daunting and often thankless.  If you are willing to give of yourself, you will reap rewards in the end.  You will NEVER see your husband perfected in this world.  You will ALWAYS find things in him that negatively affect you.  But you must decide that this man who you once thought charming, and handsome, and perfectly suited to you, is able to become that man again.

Don't forget that you are not perfect either.  You are not only self-oriented and tend to be easily offended, but you will get worn out by the work involved and sometimes snap under the pressure.  When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, he begged that the Father would make a way out for him.  He sweated blood, but was still willing to finish his task.  You will certainly fall yourself.  If you think you won't then keep a lookout, because those who give grace get it in return, but those who puff themselves up with a holier-than-thou attitude will certainly fall on their faces.

I am deeply saddened when I see a marriage dissolve because one or both of those who committed themselves decides to leave.  So, in an effort to help, here are some positive suggestions for how to make it work.

     1) No matter how rejected you may feel, remember that your goal is not to be loved by your spouse, but to be deeply loved by God.  No human being will ever love you as God does, and no earthly love will ever fulfill you the way God's love can.

     2) Remember that nothing on this earth worth having comes easily.  It takes hard work and sacrifice to make a beautiful marriage.

     3) Even if you feel you've had breakthrough, don't expect your errant spouse to respond immediately.  It takes patience and consistency to properly model God's love.  You may have to start the courting process over in order to restore the relationship.

     4) Forgive again and again.  God has done it for you.  The point is to let your spouse know that they are loved and accepted by God, and that you will do what it takes to make them understand this.

     5) Wait on the Lord.  When there is a total breakdown of communication you will have to shut-up and wait.  Pray, fast if you can, but don't expect an immediate obvious change of heart.  Although it's certainly possible for someone to be healed overnight, it doesn't happen very often.  You're in it for the long haul.

     6) Set boundaries.  Let your spouse know that you will always choose to love them, but that you will not allow them to hurt you.  Let them know that sometimes love takes the form of discipline (not that you are disciplining them, but that you are showing self-discipline by setting appropriate boundaries).

     7) Keep track of small blessings.  Write them down if you must, but never forget to take notice of small things, no matter how insignificant they may seem.

     8) Find out what love language they speak.  If you married to someone who only spoke Portuguese and you only spoke to them in English you would never really accomplish much communication.  Love is the same way.  If the way of showing love that resonates the most with you is giving or receiving gifts, and your spouse feels more loved when you tell them how wonderful they are, then neither one of you are going to feel loved until you begin speaking the other one's language.

     9) Keep your eyes on the prize.  Remember that the goal is not to turn them into your ideal human being, but to be the tool of God.  Propel them onward to greater heights in their relationship with Him.  The closer they get to God the better your relationship will be.

     10) and Lastly, remember your vows.  We said them at a time when we assumed we would buck the trend, be the one couple who didn't have the problems everyone else did.  We were starry eyed and hopeful.  There's a reason traditional vows include "sickness" and "bad times."  We didn't feel the weight when we said them because we had no idea what that would entail.  Now it's time to show your courage, your integrity and your true strength.  While weathering the storms, you can hold onto these vows as an anchor.  When you get to the other side of the rough patches (and some of them last for years) you will have a sense of accomplishment, much as a soldier feels when receiving a medal of honor.

* * *

I would be remiss to leave out children.  They are an integral part of the mix, and often are caught in the middle.  Arguing in front of the children is to be avoided, but they must be taught that marriage takes hard work and that two people never get along perfectly.  They must be taught that it's fun to watch princess movies and dream of white knights and hopeless romantics, but that role will only be filled by Jesus Christ.  They must know that no human being will ever measure up to that ideal, and that marriage is two sinful people committing to stick together, no matter what.

It's not going to hurt their psyche to know that Mom and Dad aren't getting along.  It's going to strengthen them to know that Mom and Dad are going to work though this rough patch and stick it out.  It's strengthening for them to see a model of unconditional love in spite of character flaws.  It's empowering for them to see their human, non-perfect parents model a pattern of dependence on God for sanctification.

Never, EVER tell your kids how horrible their other parent is behaving.  They are much smarter than we give them credit for.  Instead, give them the truth about your own struggles, so they know that no matter how heinous a sin they are dealing with, if their Mama or Papa can overcome, then they can too.

Nutrition: Signs of our times

Okay, here is where I finally alienate the majority of my audience by being bold and politically incorrect.

Lets talk about food and nutrition.  This is not going to be an educational post, but rather a rant about how ignorant people in our country have become.  I hope that if you can read my blog you have learned the basics of nutrition.  Our bodies process water, carbs, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals and turn them into energy.  This is really not what I want to cover, though.

What I want to discuss is how to feed masses of people a healthy diet for a relatively low cost.  First of all lets look at history.  Whenever I read books about the way people lived long ago I am amazed.  The idea that people had to do so much work just to get food is overwhelming to this pampered woman living a life of such relative ease.  I've been reading the Little House on the Prairie series to my girls, and it reminds me again how much I take for granted.

Lets take a look at the Native Americans (or Indians as I call them growing up).  This land was teeming with food when they lived here, and they were the original conservationists.  They knew where their food came from because if they wanted to eat something they had to kill it, or grow it themselves.  They believed that if they killed an animal, every part of it should be used.  They used the bones for needles, and buttons.  They used the fat for lamp oil or grease.  They used the meat for food.  They used the stomach lining and intestines for string.  They tanned the hide and used the fur and leather to clothe themselves and keep them warm.

There were Native Americans all across this land long before the Europeans settled here.  They thrived here.  Now, I'm not going to say they didn't war among themselves, or have periods of famine, or die of diseases.  I'm also not going to say that every one of them was a conservationist, or that they somehow missed the curse of Adam.  They were not perfect, just different.  Over the hundreds of years that they inhabited our country, somehow they were able to survive.

Now lets move forward a bit to the European settlement of our country.  The colonists worked together to create cities.  Cities were certainly more convenient.  The more people there were working together, the easier it was to get things accomplished.  One man could plant a single crop on his land and trade it with another man who grew something else.  Those who didn't enjoy farming could set up shops and trade their craftsmanship in return for food grown by someone else.  Cities also were dirty and crowded.  The more people, the more rules they had to come up with to make sure that those more prone to give into their sinful nature were kept in check.  The building of houses and shops close together for convenience meant that some of the more natural areas had to be destroyed.  Wild animals became more scarce in these areas, and domesticated animals for food had to be  raised, just like crops.

Now don't go jumping to conclusions.  I'm all for cities.  I happen to enjoy living in one.

As the east coast began to fill up with people, bold frontiersmen (and women) started moving out west.   Transportation was limited and road were often crude or non-existent.  In the Little House books we learn that pioneer families were limited in how much they could carry away from civilization on their search for less populated locales.  Usually this consisted of a wooden box on wheels approximately 10 feet by 3 1/2 feet.  Everything that they couldn't fit in the box had to stay behind.  This would be comparable to loading up a 15 passenger van and making sure that you could still fit your family inside comfortably.  (This could turn into a whole new post if I don't stay on topic here).

We know from basic school history books that many of the pioneers got greedy when they saw all the animals roaming wild out in the prairies and further west.  So greedy in fact that they hunted the buffalo almost to extinction.

Now, to keep this shorter than it otherwise could be let's fast-forward to today.  Apparently, we've discovered in our modern age that meat is not good for you.  We've learned that these poor stupid settlers, you know, the ones who made their own furniture, built log cabins, grew their own food, and killed and butchered their own meat were eating all the wrong foods.  The only thing they did right was to avoid refined sugars (oh wait, those weren't even available until the industrial age).  Now, in our age of enlightenment, our nation is getting fatter and fatter, and no matter how much we try to enlighten the masses, only a small minority seem to be able to stay healthy.  From everything that I've studied in history there seems to be a disconnect in logic here.

We are afraid of eating genetically modified corn, but we're taught that the majority of our nutritional intake should be carbs.  If everyone in the country was getting the amount of carbs we are supposed to be eating, then we wouldn't be able to grow enough food to keep up with the demand.

Then, culturally we've become protein snobs.  (This is where I'm thinking I'll probably lose my audience).  Apparently, the only land animals fit for human consumption are beef, pork, chicken, and the occasional deer.  On special occasions we can eat turkey, duck, or quail.  Dogs and cats are not food.  They are cute cuddly creatures that no one in their right mind would turn into stew.  Horses are okay for animal food, but humans certainly shouldn't eat them.  Bunnies, squirrels, raccoon, possums and the like are cute woodland creatures or pests (depending on your experience with them), and they should be considered children's book illustrations, not a possible dietary supplement.  Oh wait, let me backtrack here.  Pork is a toss up depending on your religious beliefs or which books about nutrition you've read.

Let me go back to pets.  I'm all for pets.  I've owned hamsters, goldfish, cats and an awesome dog.  I think there is a place for pets.  But apparently in our society rather than allow cats and dogs to become food, we should sterilize them to keep them from overrunning our human population.

I guess what I'm saying is that our society is shooting itself in the foot.  We still live in a land flowing with "milk and honey."  We just have to get over ourselves and see it for what it is.  I read once that lobster used to be considered poor mans food.  In fact, there was a law that you couldn't feed your slaves lobster more than twice a week.  Yet somehow, now a Maine lobster can go for $40 depending on the restaurant.  At some point someone decided that lobster was a delicacy, and everyone believed them.

It makes me so angry when I see advertising for feeding America's hungry children.  Apparently every night a bunch of kids here in the USA goes to bed hungry.  I hope they aren't counting my kids in that statistic because there are a lot of nights my kids go to bed hungry.  Of course, that's because they were too picky to eat a decent amount of food at supper time.  It frustrates me that so many people are upset with non-organic farming.  God told mankind to subdue the earth, and he gave us the brains to come up with ways to produce more food in better and easier ways.  So why are we so up in arms with the meat industry for giving us enough food for everyone.  Why do we euthanize old unwanted animals who are essentially "organically raised" and get up in arms about the cattle ranchers who are trying to satisfy our picky palates?  Why do you think God made rabbits so easy to breed?

And one more thing about "pink slime."  Instead of getting offended and signing petitions to keep it out of our schools,  why don't we come up with a better use for those parts of the cow.  The Native Americans found a use for all those body parts.  We can too.  If you don't want the government to feed it to your kid, then come up with an alternative.  It's like telling someone they have to cook you a fancy dinner for less than $2.  Either they have to break the budget, or they'll have to use poor quality food.

Book Recommendation: "Why We Get Fat"

Normally I try not to use my blog as a platform to promote products, or other commercial interests.  If any of my readers are like me, they get tired of hearing commercials all the time, and just want a nice, hopefully funny, relaxing read.  Today is an exception. 

Friday night at church, my pastor recommended a book.  Now, any of you avid churchgoers understand, that when your pastor recommends something, you should at least consider it.  I know pastors aren't perfect, but by willingly submitting to their authority, we can be blessed.

Those who know me personally know that I'm not grotesquely overweight, but that I've been frustrated with dieting over the past years.  I don't have a ton of weight to lose, but I don't like the fact that I'm tired all the time, grossly out of shape, and seem to have no control over my sugar addiction at times. 

Several months ago I gave up.  I was sick of wasting all my mental energy counting calories and trying to make sure that I was getting the proper amount of cardio and weight training.  I was disillusioned by the whole diet industry.  I knew there had to be a better explanation as to why I was getting fat. 

Common knowledge from nutrition education that was available to me basically told me that if I couldn't lose weight and keep it off, then I must be either a glutton, or a sloth.  I knew from other areas of my life, and from feedback I received from trusted friends and mentors that I was neither.  I could lose weight if I really put all my time and energy into it, but I would hit a wall at a certain weight and couldn't seem to get past that point. 

As I said before, my pastor recommended the book on Friday and his success thus far in utilizing the information it contained.  I knew that this was something I should at least look into, and so I bought the book.  It took me a day and a half to read it.  Not that it was a small book.  It was simply so logical, and spoke to my struggles so exactly that I couldn't put it down. 

Now to explain why I'm recommending it here.  Years ago if I read a life changing book I would shout it from the rooftops, telling everyone I came into contact with that they should read this book.  Through the years I have learned that if God is speaking to me through a book it doesn't necessarily mean that He has the same message for every one of my friends.  I have since learned to read books and internalize them and I only recommend them if one of my friends specifically mentions a struggle with that particular issue. 

As I think of my friends and family I know that the majority of them struggle with their weight and are frustrated with the inability to maintain weight loss.  If you're not one of those people and you've read this far, you can probably think of several of your friends who would benefit from this information, even if it is unnecessary to you.  My friends and family who would benefit from the information include everyone from those who are obese and cannot seem to take the weight off, no matter how hard they try, to those with gout, to those who seem to be maintaining their weight but not without considerable effort and semi-starvation, to those who are skinny, and wish they could put on a few pounds. 

As you can see I highly recommend this book.  I won't get any money from the sale of this book.  I simply recommend it, because I care about my friends and want them to live a victorious life.  So please, take a chance and read the book "Why We Get Fat; and What to Do About It."

One Caveat:  I believe in a literal 7 day creation as the origin of the universe.  The author of this book believes that man evolved over millions of years.  While the majority of the book focuses on case studies and scientific research done over the past 150-200 years, he does mention hunter-gatherer diet in a positive light.  I simply ignored his explanation and inserted my own understanding of our human past.  After the flood, when the waters above the firmament had broken up, and the earth was recovering from a complete change in atmospheric conditions, God told Noah and his sons that they could eat animals for food.  I believe it was at this point that the information in this book became valid for mankind. 

P.S.  If you're interested in other books I recommend that haven't made it to my blog, Check here.  (Pinterest Account Required)