Clarifications About Carbohydrate and Insulin

My statements about carbohydrate and insulin in the previous post seem to have kicked up some dust!  Some people are even suggesting I've gone low-fat!  I'm going to take this opportunity to be more specific about my positions.

I do not think that post-meal insulin spikes contribute to obesity, and they may even oppose it. Elevated fasting insulin is a separate issue-- that's a marker of insulin resistance.  It's important not to confuse the two.  Does insulin resistance contribute to obesity?  I don't know, but it's hypothetically possible since insulin acts like leptin's kid brother in some ways.  As far as I can tell, starch per se and post-meal insulin spikes do not lead to insulin resistance.
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today is taylor's first dance recital.  yesterday was dress rehearsal and i was that mom that got teary eyed watching my daughter dance.  dance was a huge part of my childhood...i danced for 16 yrs and my parents attended countless recitals and performances. it feels really special being on the other side watching taylor do the same thing.
*i wish i was creative enough to have a ballerina inspired party waiting for her after the recital...instead it will most likely be pizza :)  

**images courtesy of snippet and ink, natalie spencer photography/beach bungalow 8

And our survey says…

This week, we’re sending out the School Sport Survey to every single school and college in Wales. This is like the census of school sport!

We’ll not only be asking teachers to complete the survey but primary and secondary schoolchildren too.

In our latest blogpost, Rachel Hughes, Research Manager at Sport Wales, gives us 8 reasons why the school sport survey is important and why we’re encouraging schools and colleges to fill it in:

·         We’ll be able to track how many young people are taking part in sport and how often

·         We’ll know what sports and activities are growing in popularity – and which are not!

·         Sport Wales, local authorities and other sporting organisations will be able to use the data to make informed decisions about sport for young people in your area

·         We’ll be able to identify which groups are less likely to take part in sport – whether it’s by gender, age group or the area in which they live

·         We’ll know much more about what stops young people taking part in sport – and what motivates them!

·         We’ll have a better understanding of the importance that young people are placing on sport in comparison to other leisure activities

·         We’ll find out whether young people feel that sport contributes to a healthy lifestyle

·    We’ll also know whether pupils enjoy their PE lessons

·         If schools provide a sufficient sample to analyse, they will receive a report to help them identify strengths and gaps in provision, and help them evidence the well-being of their pupils

Schools have until the end of July to complete the survey.

Do you have any questions about the survey? Please let us know and we'll be happy to help!

Taking a risk for someone else

I read this article last night, and it brought tears to my eyes. It's about James Zwerg, a white college student who was part of a group of non-violent civil rights activists (the Freedom Riders) who rode an integrated bus though the deep south in 1961. They did this to prove a point - travel facilities on the interstates in the South were just as segregated and racist as they ever were despite the Supreme Court's rulings, and it was time for the government to act.

They endured incredible violence and emotional tumult, the latter not only from aggressive people they encountered during their travels, but also from their families.

Stanley Nelson made a documentary about the Freedom Riders which you can watch on your local PBS station or on DVD. (It first aired May 16th). Many clips from the flip are online as well.

I find myself struck by two thoughts. First, what an incredibly brave thing these students did. They risked their lives and endured a tremendous amount of grief to get the government to actually do something.

Second, I wonder why now, 50 years later, so many people are so risk-averse when it comes to standing up to people who make racist/sexist/ableist remarks. Compared to what The Freedom Riders did, confronting someone on this stuff is nothing.

I hope this film, and other associated events of the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Rides, gives people the courage to act.