This and That

Happy Kick Off to the Weekend! I know lots of folks are gearing up for watching the Olympic Games in Sochi and Opening Ceremonies tonight. I admit I don't always get the Opening Ceremonies, but do appreciate what a monumental feat it is to orchestrate and choreograph such an event. I do, however, look forward to watching the Winter events. I love watching the skiing and those amazing, soaring jumps and since I was a little girl I have always been in love with ice skating. I know, such a girl thing! The Olympics is always a time my family gathers in front of the TV together to watch.

Today is a little miss mash of a few things going on in the world and in my little world.

Earlier this week I was thrilled with the news report that CVS Pharmacies were taking a very forward step in removing all tobacco products from their shelves. I say GOOD FOR THEM! Finally, a company decided to actually step up and do something! They will be the first national drugstore in the US to take such an action and remove cigarettes from the shelves. I am thinking that there is a hope that other stores will follow suit.

This really is a remarkable step for the company as it is predicted that there will be a $2 billion loss
in annual sales. I heard a little blurb with the president of the company and she indicated that they could no longer reconcile being in the health care business and providing health care services with also selling tobacco.

CVS Caremark Chief Medical Officer Dr. Troyen Brennan said in a piece in the Journal of the American Medical Association that increased health coverage under the U.S. Affordable Care Act "comes with a price" of promoting public health.

Although smoking is down in the US, 480,000 Americans die each year from smoking related causes. Personally, I have and continue to see the terrible effects tobacco has on the body. It has drastic and dangerous effects on so much more than the lungs. Every part of the body gets the damage - and so many health issues are compounded by tobacco effects. I would hope that making it more difficult to buy the products will help consumers quit this terrible habit.

Now, in my own little world I am about to tackle another terrible habit: sugar. Yep. It's creeped back into my life and I'm done. So, I am spending the next couple of days gearing up to begin the 21 Day Sugar Detox program from Diane Sanfilippo. I've read about her program and others who have followed it. I have always thought about it, dreamed about it and wished I could do it. Well, dang, if these other folks can do it surely I can. I'm always up for a challenge! I figure if I talk about this and tell you all that I'm doing this, I can't back out. Therefore, I'm preparing everyone around me that I'll likely a bit cranky for a few days next week! If you are interested in doing this with me just visit Diane's website at balancedbites. com/21DSD. I plan on reporting in here so you can see for yourself whether I'm cheating or making it or about to kill anyone in my path. So, before Monday I have to get those vanilla Oreos out of my house. There's just something about those things that gets me every time . . .

In preparing for the whole no sugar thing, I made a little egg spinach pita today for lunch. This means no bread - the egg is the pita. Delicious. I find that whenever I can't decided what to eat eggs always fit the bill!

I made my life a little bit easier the other day by finally getting my OWN laptop. I had some "found" money and ordered a refurbished one. Why would I need a brand spanking new one? It's new to me and I'm so happy to be untethered from the desktop!

Now I'm off to wasting some more of my day waiting for a plumber. It's been 4 1/2 hours already and I'm still stuck here waiting . . .

What did you think about the CVS decision? Do you applaud? Have you ever quit sugar cold turkey, or anything cold turkey? What are the odds I'll quit after 2 days? Are you excited for the Winter Olympics? Did you hear about the plane hijacking today? What's that about? How frightening . . .

Enjoy your day AND weekend!
M-D