Weed French Fries

Who knew?  Who the hell knew?  I KNEW...  I've been saying it.

"French Fries are like crack, man"-Shaina circa 1922

But who knew I picked the wrong illegal yet addictive substance to pin my obsession on?  A recent study found that snacks like potato chips and french fries have a marijuana like called Endocannabinoids.   Commence snickering with references to all the terms for weed - cannibus, endo, ect.

I bet you're wondering where the hell I found this picture! ha!

Sounds funny  huh?  Maybe, but to us rehabilitated Carbo addicts it makes a lot of sense.

"My name is Shaina, and I'm a Carbo-holic"~~~HI SHAINA~

"In their study, the Piomelli team discovered that when rats tasted something fatty, cells in their upper gut started producing endocannabinoids. Sugars and proteins, the researchers noted, did not have this effect.

The process starts on the tongue, where fats in food generate a signal that travels first to the brain and then through a nerve bundle called the vagus to the intestines. There, the signal stimulates the production of endocannabinoids, which initiates a surge in cell signaling that prompts the wanton intake of fatty foods, Piomelli said, probably by initiating the release of digestive chemicals linked to hunger and satiety that compel us to eat more."

Well would you look at that shit. I mean that's quite compelling as far as dietary information is concerned.  Granted, we all know that those snacky food suck, but I love to find out the science behind why a Spade is a Spade- especially when I am trying to throw my cards in (if you didn't get that metaphor...)!  The study also mentions that the need to consume fat comes from a primal part of our bodies (as animals) because its needed for proper cell functioning.  In the wild, these fat are not readily accessible, yet for us, it's as easy as picking up the phone.  THIS is what actually leads to obesity. (See original article here)

So not only do these foods taste delicious, are filing, and completely bad for you (those nasty Carbs I mean) they are also laced with crack (crack is my go to drug when I am talking junk, yes, I do know this blog is about mary jane).  Just like Krispy Kreme.  They are out to get me!  #FML

What is your "go to" carb of choice?

A New Low and a Cheat

A New Low--
Today when I got on the scale I was elated to see that I had reached a new low!!!  Today's weight was 94.9 kg which is 208 lbs.  From 284 to 208 is 76 pounds down.  HELL EFFIN YEA!!!  I have done 20 miles this week and plan to do more once my hair is done!!!  So happy to have joined "The daily mile" as well.  It helps me see what other people do, and since I always want to kick people's asses and be better than them, its a great motivation.  Join here.  It kicks ass.  I am officially out of the teens and into the single digits.  YAY ME!!!  8 more pounds to go before I hit the first goal.  I can taste it!!!  Then 15 after that!  So excited!  I can't wait to amp it up next week!  A new low indeed

Cheat--
I planned my cheat in advance this week.  No random binge cheat.  After I finished my workout, I found that I didnt want to cheat anymore.  However, I think it is imperative to get it out of your system at least once a week.  I went to Pearl Jam to get my favorite philly cheese steak and fries but they were closed.  FAIL.  So then I went to BUZZ and had a Quesadilla and fries instead.  I can honestly say that I was about 67% satisfied.  I was glad that I got it out of my system and also glad that I realized that it tasted much better in my thoughts than it did in my mouth.  Makes me see that I'm not missing much.  I'm glad I was able to schedule a cheat rather than just have an accidental binge.  Even my favorite food lost some of its flare... and that is saying A LOT! Perhaps I am becoming disenchanted with my favorite food... I HOPE SO! Good night everyone!!

Korean Mastication

"Fucked"-- that's the word that comes to mind when I think of my health since arriving in Korea.  While the word itself might be less than literary, the emotions behind them are valid.  Back in the states, I very rarely found myself to be "under the weather".  There were of course the bi-yearly allergies that were extremely taxing when they occurred, but I could regulate when they were coming and how long they would last.  I pride myself on being stronger- and lets face it, better- than everyone else when it comes agility, flexibility, intelligence, and health.  Not like "I'm better than you" but more like "anything you can do I can do better", and yes, the difference is crystal.  With this knowledge, one can easily understand why it is difficult to admit defeat.

This is the fourth time I've been sick in 6 months.  I can't dispel this feeling of, for lack of a better word, "fail".  Hence, the title of this blog; Korean Mastication.  Many foreigners get sick when they come to Korea and this has been coined "The Korea Effect" and I am falling victim to it big time.  I  feel as if my new country has been chewing me up, regurgitating, then chewing again while holding the repeat button.  I've yet to be spit out.  Taking that out of its metaphorical context, I have yet to recuperate from the continuous health ass kicking that I have been receiving in SoKo.  At this point, I am at a loss.  Its like I have to pick between being healthy and losing weight.  This weather and these conditions are killing me.  In the situation I find myself, it is really important to eat hearty foods that will keep my healthy and full.  Things like soups, potatoes, meat, vegetables, and oats.  This would be ok if not for two big problems;

1. Carbs are bad for ME specifically.  I know some people do fine with carbs, but for me, they stick to my body like--- I was going to say white on rice, but I think FAT ON FAT PEOPLE is more appropriate.ve
2.  Lunch at school is always lacking.  Every day.  I never get enough vegetables in Korea and the meat is always shit.  I hate the food here not necessarily for the taste, but because it lacks the kind of nutrients I need to sustain my healthy diet.  I have no idea what to do.

So basically, I am sitting here in bed taking a sick day because of this damned vomiting and coughing situation.  I feel like crap because people had to take over my duties at work, and to top it all off, I ingested oatmeal and cereal today.  Carbs and more carbs.  And now I'm starving and I have no idea what to eat.  If I take the high road I could eat a slim fast bar, but will that help me get better right now?  Be healthy or get skinny.  What do I do?