Soap Box Wednesdays: TMI about BMI

Today is my first Soap Box Wednesday post! I would've posted this last week, but I've been encountering serious blogger's block and plain ol' laziness. Since I was inundated with responses for topics of discussion for SBW *sarcasm*, I've decided to share my thoughts on BMI,  otherwise known as Body Mass Index.

So before I share my thoughts, let's start with the science:

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC):

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person's weight and height. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. BMI is used as a screening tool to identify possible weight problems for adults. However, BMI is not a diagnostic tool. For example, a person may have a high BMI. However, to determine if excess weight is a health risk, a health care provider would need to perform further assessments. These assessments might include skin fold thickness measurements, evaluations of diet, physical activity, family history, and other appropriate health screenings.

The Metric Calculation for BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters squared: xx(kg)/[xx(m)2]  [shout out to all my international readers!]

The American Calculation for BMI is your weight in pounds divided by your height in inches squared multiplied by 703: xx(lbs)/[xx(in)2]x703

or you can skip this trip down middle school algebra lane and use a BMI calculator like this

...So what's my BMI?

weight: 116 pounds [yeah I'm not that girl who won't reveal her weight. I told people my weight when I was 134 pounds, I just don't care that much...] height: 64 inches [yeah...I'm vertically challenged, so what!]

*random math mumblings* [carry the 1...cross multiply 703...I really suck at math, lol]

BMI=19.9

OK, so what the hell does that number mean??

Well, the standard weight status categories associated with BMI ranges for adults are: 

Below 18.5 Underweight

18.5 – 24.9 Normal

25.0 – 29.9 Overweight

30.0 and Above Obese

It's just that simple.....NOT!

What if my BMI isn't "normal" does that really mean I'm overweight?
Is there an ideal BMI or weight I should aim for?
Is BMI biased/skewed more toward those of European descent and doesn't factor in my ethnically influenced body shape and "shapely gifts"?

*My Thoughts*

IMO, BMI generally does what its supposed to. The range in values for each category are fairly generous to allow for variations in body type and weight distribution, including some of those shapely "gifts from the motherland". Height and weight do have a strong correlation to your body fat distribution; if you're only 5'2" and weigh 150 pounds, the odds are, you truly are overweight. HOWEVER, that doesn't mean the system is perfect.  Since BMI only factors in weight, and not body composition (ratio of body fat, muscle, and bone) it can lead some people astray. You need to first understand your body and be honest with yourself. If you have a naturally athletic/muscular build, and/or you're walkin' around all swole like Terry Crews or Serena Williams, you may end up with a 25+ BMI score, because muscle weighs more than fat.

Damn, I gotta get my weight up!

If this is what you look like, a body composition measurement will give you a more accurate interpretation of your weight (you can get a body comp measurement at most local fitness clubs, more info about body composition can be read here.) Just remember that the term overweight really means "over fat", and being over fat is bad for your health. Looking like either of these two, if naturally acquired of course, is not.

Big boobs and some extra junk in yo' trunk may also skew your BMI score, but if you have junk in yo' gut, thighs, arms, etc as well, then you could probably stand to lose a few pounds. Which brings me to my next point.

So if your BMI is above "normal" (25-29.9) and your not a walking ad for Gold's Gym, you may want to lose a few pounds. And when I say a few, I don't mean you need to lose 20lbs. I don't really believe in an "ideal" weight or BMI (singular) but I am a fan of an ideal range of weight/BMI (3-6 pounds). Again, this goes back to knowing your body.  I've always had a small build, my nickname is preschool was "tiny-tot", I've heard every skinny joke imaginable [my favorite was "you're so skinny, you could hula-hoop with a cheerio"...c'mon that's damn funny!]  While at first, I was a little shocked to see my BMI to be so low at 19.9, it wouldn't make sense to desire a BMI of 24. Even with having a naturally muscular build when I was at my "studyin' n munchin" weight of 134, my BMI was 23, and it didn't always look great. Likewise, if you have never been forced to drink Ensure shakes by a mother who refused to listen to doctors who said, "she's fine, she's just small"** [no bullshit! I can't drink milkshakes to this day..] then perhaps aiming for a BMI of 19 is unrealistic, and probably unhealthy.  It has been discussed within the medical/research community*, that a 5-10% reduction in overall body weight can result in significantly improved health outcomes (blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipid levels, etc). Granted this sentiment generally applies to those who are Obese (BMI of 30+), it's a good place to start your weight loss goal even if you just need to shed a few pounds, for whatever your motivation is. So if you're 5'4", 150 pounds, BMI of 25.7, you can start with a goal of losing 7.5 -15 pounds. Its nothing drastic, and if you go about losing the weight properly (i.e. no crazy diets, no insane workout regime that you can't possibly sustain), then you're off to a really good start.

One last point I'll make is that a low BMI can also be deceptive. Body Composition is an important factor here. You may have a naturally small frame, a non-muscular build, and have a normal BMI of 20, yet still have body fat composition that is higher than what is considered healthy. There are probably a good deal of women who may fall into this category, especially those "naturally thin" women who are completely INACTIVE. I'll say it once more, you need to understand your body. Determining your body composition isn't something you can do on your own, ask about it your gym or doctor's office.

Hopefully this information has been helpful. I think I'll step off my soap box now...

Thoughts? Questions? Comments? How did I do for my first soap box post? Should I follow up with a body composition post since I mentioned it several times?

*I recently read about this when trying to land my dream job--well not so much a dream job, the the dream stepping stone job. I had a phone interview, got my hopes all high, and then they got left high and dry. Sigh, another rant for another day...
**for the record, I really don't like being called "small, little, or petite" i have too much personality for those terms. I prefer to think of myself as "travel size" lol...

Let There Be Balsamic Chicken Drumettes

Sorry I've been a bad blogger. This week has flown by [but that's never a bad thing] and here I am, Thursday night, slightly buzzed from happy hour [yes, I'm aware happy hour ended HOURS ago, but three drinks in my weight bracket = yes I'm still buzzed] and I haven't posted since Monday. But as promised, I've got a yummy post for you.

This is one of my favorite chicken dishes, because its simple, delicious and always a dinner party/graduation party/apartment warming crowd pleaser. 60% of the time, it works every time....

I only wish I could take credit for this recipe, but alas this is a creation of that display every tooth in her mouth while smiling heifer, Giada DeLaurentiis, way back during her not overly produced food TV/food porn days of Everyday Italian. [Don't get me wrong, I don't not like her...she just kinda annoys the shit out of me, but her food is so damn tasty that I watch her anyways...]


1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce (reduced sodium variety is best)
5 sprigs rosemary
5 garlic cloves, halved
10-12 chicken drumettes or wings (tips removed)
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
1/4 chopped parsley [optional, I've never used it and nobody complained]

Combine
vinegar, honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, rosemary, and garlic in a large freezer bag, until sugar and honey are dissolved. Add the chicken to the bag, and seal with as little air as possible. Refrigerate at least two hours [but a full day does the taste buds very good].

Preheat oven to 450

Cook
chicken in a baking dish until skin is caramelized or very dark in spots, about 30 minutes

Reduce
bring marinade to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce the heat to simmer and cook over low heat until thick, about 15 minutes. Set aside.

Pour
sauce reduction over chicken. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, serve and enjoy.

happy eatings :)

Eat, Drink, Miss the Train, & Be Merry!

Birthdays are always an interesting experience for me. Always. Sometimes they're bad interesting--like when my dog died 4 days before my birthday then my great grandmother died the week after. Sometimes they're outrageous, like the year I celebrated in NYC and this guy bit me on my shoulder [no bullshit!]--but I still had a GREAT time! This year's birthday experience was no different, as it had its share of dramatic events. But regardless of those events, my birthday overwhelmingly AWESOME. Thank you to all my family, friends, and random strangers/potential new friends who made it one I'll always remember :-)

Remember my networking event? It was great! I made some great connections, met some new potential friends, [which as you may know is really hard to do once you get out of school], and shamelessly flirted from time to time [remember there were drink specials...]

Alihah and I had such a great time, in fact, that we left the venue later than we should've, got caught up tax day post office traffic, and I missed the last train out of DC! Alihah had to drive me all the way back to bmore, then turn around and go back to Arlington--[that's what friends are foooor!]--and somehow we both made it into work the next day!

Friday, I found out I got my first blog award! Maddy from The Maddy Chronicles has bestowed upon me a Best Blogger Award! I am beaming from ear to ear! Thank You Maddy!! :-D

I'd like to thank the academy...(insert inappropriate Kathy Griffin style joke here) [I'm sorry Jesus, you know I love you, but it was funny!]

Saturday was my Birthday Dinner. Normally, I have gone to some club and drank/danced the night away--with mixed results.  This year, I wanted something low key and easy to execute, not because I'm getting old, but because I'm not finished paying for my expensive ass amazing awesomely fantastic vacation. And I'd rather not resort to go-go dancing at the local gay bar in order to do so...then again some extra cash is always a good thing when I'm in Europe...but I digress...

Dress Reveal...

Just because I was only having a dinner didn't mean I couldn't dress to drop jaws, lol...
I owe a big THANK YOU to Jonesy over at The Bliss List for putting me on to www.asos.com where I got this dress for a price that was almost too good be true!

we laughed...
OK...it turns out I don't have any great pics of us laughing...but I know somebody does











we drank...

we ate...

Tapas is one of my favorite dining experiences: small plates and lots of choices. We dined at Pazo, which in my opinion is the swankiest eatery in Baltimore.  Its a huge converted warehouse space, the food is always on point, and the drinks will get ya drunk! Its one of the few places in Baltimore to see and be seen in. I recommend the veal and pork empanadas and the scallion bruschetta with goat cheese!

We drank some more

We laughed and ate a lot more...

a good time was had by all!

So I thought that 2X was going to be "my year." Well life didn't work out the way I thought it would [big surprise] but I was still a good year, I learned a LOT about myself, and all that jazz...

Well, I'm a year older, certainly a year wiser, and I can't wait to see what 2x+1 will bring...

It's my Birthday and I'll Network if I want to!

Today is my Birthday!! And to celebrate my 2X years on the planet, I'm going to drag my tired ass on down to the District for a professional networking event. Yes, I'm focused man!

Why am I so tired, you ask?

Because I was up till 2am, cleaning my apartment in preparation for this weekend. And I was curling my hair, so I could get be all gussied up for today, because I refuse to walk around on my birthday looking like "who shot John!"

but it was worth it!

Did I mention that there will be drink specials and that Alihah will be be meeting me at this event??

SURE I'm going to this event with every INTENTION of chatting it up with local young professionals, getting my name out there, exchanging business cards, discussing the topic of whichever health policy article I print and read on the train today, you know, the whole shabang.

But there are supposedly over 400 young "professionals" attending this event--which means there will no doubt be lots of drinking. So I won't be the least bit surprised if my night sounds something like this after the first hour:

"Hi my name iz (Bern)Nadette, nize to meet youu....."I work at DHMH...aka a festering hell hole....sure herez my carrd.....you work where??... If you can get me an interview, I'll be your bestie....I'll have another Jack n ginger pleez"

OK, that really won't happen [scout's honor! oh wait, only eat girl scout cookies, I don't know shit about scout's honor] but honestly, if I end up just enjoying the drinks more than the networking, its all good, cuz I Alihah will be with me and ITS MY BIRTHDAY BITCHES!

And THAT is the NIGHT the LIGHTS Went Out in GEORGIA!

Now as you all know [and as indicated by my blog title], I like to rant about things that upset me. To me, ranting is my form of venting pent up frustrations, and regardless of how you may feel about it, it is sometimes necessary.  Ranting is not just a behavior that on more than one occasion, has gotten me into some trouble, it's part of who I am.

My mom is a ranter.  I remember many times as a child watching my mom verbally rip someone a new one [without a word of profanity, Linda is a lady!] with slight horror/embarrassment and slight pity for the target of her rage. But then as I got older, I really began to understand the necessity of her rants, as they were almost always directed at some poor FOOL who was trying to take her for her HARD EARNED money or they gave her attitude--note to world at large: DON'T DO THAT! In fact, I even began to enjoy watching such events, I would see that look in Linda's eyes, and know I was in for a show, lol. In the last few years, I've gotten to know both sides of my family very well--my mom's family in Georgia, my father's family in Nigeria-and guess what, those women rant too!! So, with ranting obviously a part of my genetic code, its no surprise that I have ALWAYS admired female television characters who were strong, independent, and unapologetic about speaking their minds--just like my mother--and as it turns out just like me. 

This weekend, the world lost a television icon of feminine grace, independence, and strength--Dixie Carter, probably best known as Julia Sugarbaker on Designing Women. Julia Sugarbaker was like no other woman on TV.  She could take any fool who dared to cross her down several notches with her chin held high, her razor sharp tongue, and her cutting wit and intelligence, all delivered in an impeccably dramatic cadence, wrapped in a lusciously smooth southern accent--and looked fly doing it! She was and still is one of my TV heroes [and I really don't do the whole celebrity icon thing at all, so this is serious!]The only other TV character who ranks par with Julia Sugarbaker status is Dr. Bailey on Grey's Anatomy, and I LOVE her too!

So in remembrance of one of the best ranters in television history and honorary ABW*, Julia Sugarbaker, and all my fellow lady ranters, this one is for YOU!

 *gone but never forgotten*

*honorary Angry Black Woman, aka Angry White Woman. Please see the Angry Black Woman's Guide to Life, A hilarious book--not intended for profound sociological insight into the challenges of being a black woman in the United States of Amerykah, so don't take it so seriously--if I wasn't offended, you shouldn't be either.

Ungrateful Heifer

I'm an ungrateful heifer.

I've been really really ungrateful this past year. The constant bitching and moaning about hating my job, hating Baltimore, not having enough friends who live locally, being broke, family woes, etc--[I may not have bitched to you about all of these things, but I've been bitchin']-- needs to quiet down for a bit.

So I'm trying to appease my ungratefulness by sharing with you my blessings. Because in spite of my struggles, there are many things I've been blessed with:

1. Having a job. Yeah, I'm not crazy about my job, but at least I have one, which means I can remain to live ALONE in my cute single gal apartment, in my totally awesome neighborhood which enables me to walk to work, walk to several bars and pizza shops. when the snow came, it was all good, everything was walking distance, and i was fortunate to have parked my car on the 1 block that wasn't "no parking during snow emergency" or else i would've been towed like many ppl in my 'hood. Jesus Loves Me.


2. Not getting dead in Baltimore. So I hate this city, but like my neighborhood most of the time [the gayborhood], and I don't need a roommate, [something I'll have to sacrifice once I move to the district]. I have, on more than one occasion, walked Kona waaay late at night, come home a little drunk from DC via the train waaay late at night, locked myself out of my apartment both times at night, and have not been a victim of a violent crime. The Lord protecteth babes and fools.

3. My friends and my sister. So I only have two close girlfriends who live in Maryland, and they live in Towson, a suburb of Baltimore. And even though we don't get together often enough because we're all busy and it's a pain sometimes to travel and find parking, not drive drunk, etc, whenever we do get together, its always great fun. But I ALSO have my older sister who lives in Baltimore, who lets' me do my laundry at her house, is always down for a movie date, and I'm friends with all her friends (I'm like their little sister) so I should try harder to hang out with her and her friends when mine aren't available. And all my other girlfriends live in the quad-state area. NY, DE, PA, VA. So its not like I have to catch a plane to play with them, it just requires planning and gas money.

4. Not Being that broke. It turns out, I'm not really that broke, I just wish I had MORE money to spend [and save]. I've been paying myself first via automatic debit to ING [Lawd bless it] AND still manage to shop smart every now and again fairly often. Remember that super amazing awesomely fantastic vacation I mentioned in this post?? Well plane tickets have been purchased! I'm spending 14 days in Spain and Morocco in July! and the best part is I'm going with my big sister, and two of my gal pals Hillary and Alihah . First stop: Barcelona, then Madrid, to Seville or some city close to it where my cousin in the Air Force lives [can you say FREE lodging?!], off to Marrakesh, and then back to Seville-ish. Can you say TAPAS?! Are you Jealous?! I also purchased my tickets to see Lady Gaga in DC [!!!] and I'm celebrating my Birthday next weekend at a swanky eatery. Obviously, I'm not too broke to enjoy myself.  I'll just be spending the next few [all] weekends at home. Who wants to come over and drink hang out this weekend??

5. My family. After seeing the movie Precious, let's just say I'll never complain again. My mom is NOT crazier than a barrel of monkeys, she just has a unique perspective, lol. And besides, it could always be worse. They just worry me sometimes, but whose family doesn't?

6. Small miracles. So I've lost my work badge a total of three times now. But each time I've lost it, I found it, which is great because otherwise I would have to pay $50 to replace it. Most recently, I thought I lost my work badge in Jersey while home for Easter. It turns out, I dropped it on the street while walking the poodle, and someone taped it to a street light post on my block. I also locked myself out of my apartment on Monday EVENING--like after 9pm, with the poodle! Normally my older sister has my spares, BUT this time my former coworker who lives in the city had them because she watched the poodle for me on MLK day. THANK GOD she had them because my sister was in Michigan on Monday. And I would've been shit out of luck. Did I mention that Jesus loves me?

7. I'm alive, of sound mind and body, of firm spiritual foundation, of solid moral compass. The Lord wakes me up each day, protects me from being hit by a car on my walk to work, and is obviously trying to teach me a lesson in faith and patience. So let me shut it up for a while, and be grateful for my blessings.

So even though I have had "a week", I'm not gonna bitch about it. I'm gonna county my current blessings, and prepare to receive my future ones.

Sorry to get all philosophical and preachy on you...I know its not what you expect from me, but I like to throw people off their game. [kinda like this game I play when I'm the 'burbs called oxymoron stereotypes, but I won't discuss that today, probably never actually]



Care to share any of your blessings?

Sins of the Foodie

So this morning, I committed a gastronomical sin. Epicurean blasphemy. Politician level hypocrisy.

I went to McDonald's and order a sausage, egg, and cheese McGriddle.

And it was DELICIOUS.

And now I'm hungry again, craving another, and completely ashamed. [Wow, when I fall of the wagon, I fall HARD]

You see, I haven't actually eaten at McDonald's for almost two solid years [with the exception of this past February, but I was driving back from Georgia and that's where my mom stopped so it was eat there or wait another 8 hours for a meal--and yes I had a McGriddle]. I've also been working on a post that chronicles the evils of the fast food industry and how they target minority and/or low income communities. And McDonald's is at the top of my list of evil "establishments". oh the hypocrisy. [Actually it doesn't feel that bad, maybe I'll try my hand at politics one day (as soon as control my urges to throw things at lying, arrogant, gas bags)]

But see right what had happened was...I did laundry at my sister's house last night. I didn't get there till almost 9pm.[its the poodle's fault!] Didn't stop running up and down the basement steps with bags full of clothing till 3 am. And didn't leave her house till after 8am.  So after spending the night on her couch, all while trying to stop the poodle from crying incessantly outside of her bedroom door, I was TIRED and HUNGRY and WEAK with lustful desire for that sweet salty concoction of chemicals and by-products in a sandwich. And knowing that I still had to drag my 341 pounds of laundry, the poodle, and my un-showered self home to get ready for work by 10am, I gave in to my deepest darkest desire.

But after it all I didn't die. and I think that if I want a McGriddle every now and then, then dammit I'm going to have one! [I'm still a little bit sad that the addiction to greasy McDonald's breakfast food still courses through my veins]

And yes I'm still going to post in whenever I'm done with.

Because, even though that damn sandwich was tasty enough to get a "scrumptious sandwiches" label, I still loathe the institution as a whole, and No, I'm Not Lovin' It.

Budah bop-F*ck that

Off the Wagon

That's right folks, I'm off the 40 days and nights of no pork, no red meat, and no juice wagon!  And Tuesday night I treated myself to what I've been craving for so long: 

a bacon cheeseburger and a cold fruity drink. 

And it was delicious. It was glorious. It was everything I dreamed it would be and more.

And then there was Juice...Blood Orange Italian Soda from Target, to be more specific.

--Italian soda is made with sugar and not high fructose corn syrup, therefore I don't feel guilty for my indulgence--

*disclaimer, there were several full bottles of Italian Soda left after Easter dinner, and I only brought one home with me. I deserve a reward for my self restraint*

 Vodka+fresh strawberries+blood orange soda= pretty and delicious drink. I think I should name it. Any suggestions??

I did get a little drunker than I intended to on a Tuesday night...

Oops

I was going to post the self portrait of me stuffing my face with that delicious heart attack on a plate, but decided against it. Fate can have a cruel sense of humor sometimes, and if I post tht picture, then most certainly my future employer or future husband will somehow stumble across said picture, and of course my chances for future employment and/or wedded bliss will be ruined forever.

I should note that after 40 days of only eating chicken and some crab dip, assaulting my digestive system with lamb, pork, and beef in a three day period [did i mention I had a waffle sandwich from Dunkin' Donuts on Monday? and that there were 4 types of meat at Easter dinner?] was probably not the best idea... 
Did I kind of feel like I just ate a truck tire after inhaling that burger? YES
Would I do it again. DAMN SKIPPY
Will I be having more red meat in the near future. Not likely...

RE-JECTED!

So Friday was a rough day.  Because I got an email from a job I submitted my resume to back in February  And they said thanks, but "no, thanks". Ouch.

It's not that rejection isn't expected in my job search. I mean I've only been looking for a new job since May 2009 (along with 3 million other Americans).  Since then, I've probably submitted 6421 resumes and cover letters, and have had 2 interviews, 1 for a job I wanted--ouch to that rejection email, and 1 for a job I didn't want nor apply to but went anyway--and it was a disaster.  

I KNOW that I should be grateful to have a job. I AM GRATEFUL. Because as far as I know, I have a job until July--I'm contractual, remember?

I KNOW that this job market is terrible, and that people far more talented and qualified than me are out of work and can't get work.

I KNOW that I must "focus more on my desires more than my doubts, and the dream will take care of itself"

I KNOW that I must be steadfast in my faith.  "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.-Philippians 4:6.

I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW! But guess what? Right about now, none of that shit matters!. That stupid email that was chock full of phrases like "stronger candidates" and "promising future" really got me down. It's not so much the fact that I didn't even get an interview [trying not to be bitter], its the fact that with each rejection comes the feeling that I'm NEVER going to get out of this job--and that thought is enough to make want to do something that looks a little like this:

minus me being a white, male, and 2 years old.

When I got this job, I was only planning on staying two years with the expectations that I would have opportunities to grow professionally, be challenged by the work I do, and feel valued and/or needed at this job.  With my two year anniversary giving me dirty looks, none of the stated expectations ever having been met, the thought of working here for another year is enough to make go digging through the cabinets for a sharp plastic knife and ending it all at my desk right now. [I'M NOT SERIOUS, I SAID IT FOR DRAMATIC EFFECT, PLEASE DON'T PUT ME ON SUICIDE WATCH! (as if i would, I'm going to Spain in July, and who would take care of Kona?!)]

I know I'm wallowing in self pity. Guess what? I don't care. I know self pity is completely pointless. Guess what? I still don't care.
I want a new job, I want out of Baltimore, I want the people I had a phone interview for the perfect job to call me back for a real interview already! [now accepting prayers, well wishes, shooting stars, etc] I want to not lose my marbles over this. I want I want I want!


I need to get over it.

Back my regularly scheduled job searching now...

My Life as a Pet Parent

In a completely non food, health policy, or rant related post...

Sometimes a picture needs no words...

To all my other dog mommies, does this scene look remotely familiar? [or is it just my bad ass poodle?]