Eating This and Not That

Have you read the Eat This Not That books? I think they are neat! They are not diet books really, but are full of nutrition information about common restaurant and grocery store foods. I've had the original Eat This Not That for over a year and have liked it and used it so much that I just bought the Eat This Not That for Kids and Eat This Not That Supermarket Survival Guide in the last month. The books are laid out in such a clever way, that the information is very visual and easy to understand - even for my kids.

In reading them I've found it so interesting that there is so much high fructose corn syrup is in everything. I totally know that HFC is chemically the same as sugar, but the problem is that its in all sorts of foods that didn't used to have sugar in them at all or they had a lot less of it. Well, these books, the supermarket one in particular, have helped me at a glance to choose a better nutrigrain bar, yogurt, spaghetti sauce or whatever without all the work of standing in the isle reading labels while I'm shopping. I just look through the book and write on my shopping list the name of the better brand for whatever I'm buying. It's been really nice and I hope it's making a difference. I'm sure that if I would have taken the time before to compare food labels before I wouldn't have needed these books, but honestly I usually went for the cheapest brand rather than the healthier one. I guess trying to make better choices has probably led to more of our budget going to food... That's the down side. Isn't it a bummer that buying healthier food is more expensive. But we've been going out to eat so much less in the last months so at least that helps in the budget department.

I've let Sophie and Ben look at the kids one as much as they want. For days after I bought it, Sophie kept coming up to me saying, "Did you know this is healthier than this??" I think it really shocked her how unhealthy some of her favorite "treat" type foods are. I don't want to make my kids obsessed with food, or count calories or anything like that, but I do want them to try to make healthy food choices. We've had really good conversations about what foods Sophie should pack in her lunches so they are well balanced. She has willingly taken chicken noodle soup packed in a thermos and turkey sandwiches with baby carrots since reading through this book and I am so happy about that. I don't want to say that I am a complete health-nut or that my kids never have processed foods or fast food (believe me, that's not the case - we had cinnamon rolls for breakfast today:) ), but I have loved these books for putting the nutrition information out there for me to make more informed decisions.

Wuthering Heights

Well I guess I'm going to keep on the love theme and talk about Wuthering Heights. I really really enjoyed the Masterpiece Theatre Wuthering Heights that concluded last night! It was one of the best adaptations I've seen. I, of course, LOVE Ralph Fiennes as Heathcliff (you must see that one if you haven't already!), but his pairing with Juliette Binoche as Cathy just didn't do it for me. I think it's cause Julia Ormond sounded a lot more French than she should have the whole time. But no, this Cathy from the Masterpiece Theatre version was GREAT!! And the Heathcliff was so rough and tortured, just how I imagine Heathcliff. As a teenager I never could really figure out in my mind what Heathcliff should look like... He would change as I tried to make him better and better and eventually he ended up looking like my head version of Louis from Interview With the Vampire, just because I wanted to pin down an image... But really I think my mind version Heathcliff will look like this guy from Masterpiece Theatre from now on. Visually he is exactly what was described in the book - tall, dark, broad, of unknown ethnic origins (though Hindley refers to him as a Gypsy), wild, tortured, brooding, but still handsome. Good casting Masterpiece Theater!! I also totally bought the horrible, destructive love between Cathy and Heathcliff. I kept yelling at the TV, "Come on Cathy, why did you marry Linton??!!" I let go of the many fold inaccuracies. The most blaring one that I had to let go was Heathcliff's suicide. In the book he does sort of suddenly die, but it is not described as a suicide. Near the end of his life you assume he is sick or having some sort of break down because he starts to hear and see Cathy outside his window and out on the moors. I thought the suicide in the version last night was a bit gross, but again I let it go because I really did enjoy this adaptation. To me Heathcliff committing suicide wasn't very far off from his character - you believe that man is capable of almost any horror near the end of the book.

Adrian watched the movie with me as if to figure out the inner workings of my head and why I love this twisted story. He kept saying, "But it's a horrible story." I know. I know. It is. BUT. Seriously have you ever read a novel with so much raw passion?? So much emotion and psychology?? Where the characters have such great lines?? I don't think Dracula's few awesome lines even come close to Heathcliff's. Yes, all the characters make the worst possible choice at every crossroads, but it's the love, the undying love between Heathcliff and Cathy that makes the story so resonating. I actually got teary when Heathcliff was holding Cathy in his arms shortly before she died and when he was sobbing after she did die. Then of course I was still teary when he said my favorite lines, "I cannot live without my life. I cannot live without my soul." So this is my conclusion: even though their love distorts them both, it is undeniable, powerful, and unforgettable and that's why I love Wuthering Heights... I also love that in the end they are freed to wander the moors together, well as ghosts, but it's still cool. So gothic.

Adrian finally said after the movie, "It's how much Heathcliff loves her, that's what makes you like him." Yep. He got it right. And to that he said, "Well I guess I'm your Heathcliff then." And THAT made me tremendously happy. Honestly my hubby sometimes surprises me, he's a quiet guy who's definitely not prone to being mushy, but sometimes he says just the right thing. I might be a girl that is mildly obsessed with a bunch of fictional romantic characters, but my real life Heathcliff/ Edward/ Mr. Darcy/ Mr. Knightley/ Captain Wentworth/ Lloyd Dobler/ Romeo is the love of my life and all those fictional heroes have nothing on real thing. Wow, this movie review ended all sappy didn't it. Sorry, but love stories always do that to me.

Art History Pic for January (and probably February too if I'm honest)

Illustration of the 1943 edition of Wuthering Heights, wood engraving by Fritz Eichenberg,

Arts of the Book Collection, Yale University Library

I came across this most amazing illustration of Heathcliff whilst perusing Wuthering Heights pictures on the web. I love it (would love to have a print of it!!) and think the importance of illustration is often overlooked in art history. Sure there are very important illustrators (or print makers) like Albrecht Durer, but generally how often do illustrators get the acclaim they deserve? I absolutely love the illustrator for the American editions of the Harry Potter books, but don't know her name off the top of my head. (I just looked it up, her name is Mary GrandPre.:)) I feel like a dork for not being more mindful and appreciative of great illustrators. Well, today I am paying tribute to Fritz Eichenberg for creating this gorgeous wood engraving of one of my favorite fictional characters. This wood engraving displays the powerful emotion and tumult of this scene in the novel, when Heathcliff is informed of Cathy's death. You can see his torment in the shape of his body mirroring that of the landscape. Isn't it awesome?? Wow, great job Fritz Eichenberg. I think this wood engraving is a great work of art.

Love

I have a sweet hubby. For the last 2 days he has brought me home a big diet cherry limeaid because he tells me I need to keep hydrated. Awww, I feel loved. Forget roses and sonnets, a big Sonic drink when your feeling icky is romance in its purest form. (I think I'm on the mend, my head hasn't felt as much like its going to explode today so I figure that's a good sign, yesterday I was sure I had a sinus infection.) I heart Sonic and I heart Adrian!

Inauguration Day

What a day! I have been watching all the Inauguration festivities on TV all day (I have a really nasty cold or flu and watching TV is about the most strenuous thing I've managed to do today:)) and I have been struck by the momentous occasion this is in our country's history. Whether you are democrat or republican or neither it seems like today has been a day not to talk politics, but a day to celebrate the inauguration of a president that we have so many hopes for. I can't imagine the mantle that has been placed on his shoulders today, but I hope and pray with the rest of the nation that better times will be in the days and years ahead with him as our president. His speech was amazing and filled with words of comfort and hope. I was moved by how many people were on The Mall in DC. It was so weird to be so far away from DC today, having lived in Maryland for many years until last summer. I kept thinking how amazing it would have been to actually be there in DC, but then when I saw how cold it was I was happy to be watching in my baggy sweatshirt and comfiest jeans sitting in a warm family room. I've kept the TV on the coverage all day as background noise and when Ben asked a couple of times to watch a kids show I told him today was such an important day and we should watch all the news about our new president today. He hasn't complained at all (a miracle) and he and Nina actually sat on the couch (with the aid of freshly popped popcorn in a bowl between them) and watched the swearing in and President Obama's inaugural address with me. I am so grateful for my country and the peaceful exchange of power that we always experience. I know this is not the case in many nations were exchange of power is often met with disruption and violence. We have so much to be grateful for in this wonderful nation of ours. As Tim Russert was known to say, "What a country!!". Best wishes Mr. President!!

What an Amazing Story

Chesley Sullenberger is one cool guy!! I have been watching the news coverage of the US Airways crash landing on the Hudson river yesterday and am amazed by the pilot, Chesley, who was able to land the plane on the river. Isn't it amazing that everyone survived! Adrian called me yesterday afternoon to ask me to turn it to CNN because he heard a plane had crashed and wanted to know what was happening. So I did and they were just reporting that everyone had made it out of the plane. Amazing. As you know it is not my favorite thing to fly and though this story scares me to death (a flock of geese is what downed the plane) it is also comforting to know that a plane with 2 failed engines could still land... Wow. Chesley you're my hero!! Apparently he walked up and down the plane (that was sinking) twice to make sure everyone was off before getting out himself. I found this article super interesting about how the pilot was able to land the plane.

January, Sleep, Austen

January
So I was just watching the Today show and I think I have the "winter blues" as described in their last segment. I think I always feel this way in January like a lot of people. December is a wonderful and magical month and then January comes and there is the inevitable let down. I do, however, like the new beginning aspect of January. Its great to make goals for the new year, but honestly I hardly ever sit down and write resolutions... I guess this year I've just made some mental notes of things I'd like to work on - being healthier, kinder, and getting our finances on track. I know those are common themes, but good things to improve on none the less.

Sleep
I think a lot of my January melancholy has to do with lack of sleep also. I've been watching one of Sophie's friends before school. Her mother got a new job that starts early and she'll be coming over an hour and a half before school for the next couple of weeks till her mom can get her set up with the early care program at the school. Consequently I've been waking up at 6am so I can get ready before everyone is up and about. I know 6am is very normal or even late for lots of people, but well I'm a bit weird. I actually feel a little sick when I wake up early as opposed to feeling happy and ready to greet the day. It doesn't help that I usually can't fall asleep till around 1am even if we go to bed at 10 or 11. Hopefully if I keep trying to go to bed at the same time every night that will get better. I've been making breakfast for everyone too (which is usually Adrian's job) and the smell of pancakes or even cold cereal in the mornings makes my stomach twist. The most I can choke down in the mornings is a breakfast shake and I make myself do it because "breakfast is the most important meal of the day". There are some great benefits to this temporary situation though, I like helping out S's mom, Sophie gets to spend time with her friend, Ben loves having S over too (he totally has a crush on this little girl), and Adrian loves going into work early. I don't know how I ended up with such a morning person - when I see how happy Adrian is in the mornings its almost like we are different species. If I get used to waking up early it would be nice. Being a morning person would be wonderful.... Early to bed, early to rise and all that... But right now I'm doing my best to put on a happy face in the mornings - fake it till you make it, right?! Hey, why doesn't anyone extol the virtues of those who are cheerful at night?? I tell you if it was cool to be a night-person I'd have that one in the bag!

Austen
Oh I have to mention that I have been totally engrossed by the cutest mini-series on the Ovation channel called "Lost in Austen". Awesome. It's a weird mix between the book Austenland and the movie Being John Malkovich. What happens is a woman who obsessively reads Pride and Prejudice finds a doorway in her apartment to the world of P&P and kind of switches places with Elizabeth Bennet. I know it sounds dumb, but really it is FUNNY. There is a Colin Firth-esque wet shirt scene that I couldn't stop laughing at. Even Adrian enjoyed watching it and that is saying something. I don't think he has ever happily watched an Austen movie. I have the whole 4 part series stored on my DVR and will probably be watching it lots during the desert of sadness between when Twilight is out of the theaters (its leaving all the theaters near me this Fri), and when it comes out on DVD. March 21st!! Of course I already have it pre-ordered. Don't worry about me though, I think that between Lost in Austen and the new Wuthering Heights airing on PBS this Sunday (CAN'T WAIT) I'll be okay.:)