Before I get to this “children’s book” I came across, I want to tell you about all the cooking that happened yesterday! After my workout at the gym I came home for a
For a dressing, I’m going to mix a bit of olive oil, basalmic vinegar and lemon juice. But I’ll add that before packing up my lunch each day.
For dinner last night and for Tuesday and Thursday nights (when I’m actually back in time for dinner!), I decided to make a recipe that I saw on Peanut Butter Fingers by Julie: Semi Homemade Marinara Meat Sauce!
I started off by browning some ground turkey, and then I added in 1 chopped squash (farmers market!) and 1/2 chopped onion.
Then I poured one can of diced tomatoes on top. Julie used marinara sauce, but I wanted to see how this worked out! I also added some oregano and garlic powder. Delicious!
Just as Julie did, I served my sauce over spaghetti squash (ALSO farmers market!!!). It was delicious!
About a week ago, I was in my gym and on the news I saw a preview for a later segment about a diet book for young girls. It definitely peaked my interest and I was lucky enough to come across an article about the book on the Today Show’s website.
The book is called “Maggie Goes on a Diet.” Honestly, my first reaction was to be appalled! Don’t get me wrong, I am 100% for beating childhood obesity and teaching children healthy life habits, but young girls already get enough negative messages in society today – do they really need a book to tell them about it too?
“Maggie Goes on a Diet” is a rhyming picture book about an obese and unhappy 14 year old girl named Maggie, and has yet to be published. The book shows how she starts out bullied and obese and how through exercise and hard work, she becomes a confident and popular soccer star, and of course “average sized.” Some of the images in the book include a picture of herself holding up a dress and seeing herself in the mirror as a much smaller person. Another shows her standing in the fridge and binging on foods.
You might be thinking – well 14 seems old enough to understand that being obese is unhealthy. However, the author claims the book is recommended for girls ages 4 to 8… FOUR TO EIGHT?!?! The author, who struggled with weight as a child, claims that the main message is that Maggie went on a diet so she could become a better soccer player, not for looks. Right…
I realize the author may be trying to teach the benefits of healthy eating and exercise to children at a young age, however, this book is not the way to go about it. Although childhood obesity is a huge issue in our country, I think this book sends the wrong message to young girls about body image. They should focus on exercise and healthy eating as a great attribute to any person’s life – not just for the purpose of losing weight.
The book shows that once Maggie loses the weight, her life changes: she gains friends, the attention of guys, gets higher grades and is invited to her first sleepover. The book is teaching children that by being slim you are going to be happier. This is the wrong message – being skinny doesn’t make you happier or make your life magically change! Children need to understand that eating healthy and exercising is a part of a healthy life and is not merely for losing weight and becoming “popular.”
What are your thoughts on this book? Do you think it’s helpful or hurtful?