“Oh you’re so skinny, you’re so lucky”, “I wish I was skinny”, to me remarks like these are not seen as compliments but almost like accusations. So if you’re looking through my eyes, I am pretty skinny to start off. I always was skinny no matter what I tried, I was always never on heavier side and I’m not sure I could ever achieve a weight over 120 pounds. Gaining weight is extremely hard for me and it’s probably one of my biggest concern and insecurity. It’s really difficult to increase my weight when I don’t have an appetite all the time. I grew up constantly playing sports, a very active child but personally I am extremely lazy. I do have a fast metabolism and tend to burn the fat pretty quickly. After the sports stopped after high school, I was never really an active person although I like sports (the idea of it). I figured when I played sports, I gained a well appetite and produced more muscles. Now, I don’t do much to be hungry all the time and I probably have experienced some muscle loss. I just have to go cry to myself real quick, I don’t want to be like this forever I tell myself but I don’t hate my body. Self-love and hate adds up and the outcome is I truly do like the way I am but there is always room for improvement, the way society or people make comments make me question the way I see myself. But fuck them, probably worse looking than me personality wise. But anyways back to my topic, losing weight can be seemed as difficult too because one might starve themselves to binge eat, or have the wrong ratio to working out time and eating after, or just be eating the wrong foods. They probably have a slower time metabolizing. It’s literally the same thing for skinny, high-metabolism human beings just in a different situation.
Why Do Vegans Eat Meat-flavored foods
You’re probably asking yourself if your not a vegan like me why vegans choose to eat meat-flavored foods over the basic vegetable dish. Veganism is a growing popular practice in America. This practice is avoiding all of animal products, both in diet and in lifestyle. There are different classifications of vegans including the dietary-vegans which only abstain from meat in their daily diets when ethnic-vegans will follow the non-meat product diet and will refrain from using any animal product. Being an animal lover, might change you into living the lavish vegan lifestyle but thus could also improve your health drastically. Vegan lifestyles have recently taken flight and their main concern was their desire for meat taste without consuming meat itself. Since the growing popularity, productions in meat-flavored food are expanding. They are sometimes called “fake” food. The idea is that vegans never stopped loving the delectable taste of succulent meat which can only be found within an animal. They believe killing and using an animal is morally wrong although they taste so goddamn delicious and are so useful in everyday life in my perspective. So the idea of replicating every great thing you can say about eating meat, using only plant-based sources seems like the answer for every vegan out there. Would you think this is hypocritical of vegans to choose meat-flavored foods? Personally, I have no experience of being a vegan consciously but I do eat a lot of non-meat foods and I am working on eating more meat-substitutes because I do not like the taste of meat sometimes. I also would like to work on using makeup products that are non-animal tested and buying non-cruelty to animals foods. I just think it’s a little humorous to me how much vegans like meat but hate to eat meat and they think somehow they saving the environment. It kind of just defeats the purpose in a sense but I totally get the self-deprivation of meat which I would think makes them a little desperate for a taste of “meat” and it’s a bonus that it’s made from plants. I have nothing against vegans, I really do believe it is brave to try something that is potentially life changing.
Why Children Hate Vegetables
Why do kids hate vegetables? Why do kids like the color green but refuse to eat any food the color of it? Here is the scientific and psychological reason for why. Did you like vegetables and fruits growing up? Vegetables most avoided include: cabbage, broccoli, spinach, brussels sprouts, tomatoes, cauliflowers and peas. Personally, growing up I loved almost every vegetable because I developed a taste for them. But I never really liked mushrooms too much mainly because of the texture and I definitely was so keen on the taste it offered. Instead of making mushrooms taste better so I could maybe learn to like the fungus, my mother forced me to eat those sad looking buttons of fungus. I still feel traumatized today and usually avoid mushrooms unless they are well masked in the dish I eat. So kids need energy, more energy than adults because they are constantly growing. Vegetables are not calorie filled and does not provide the enough energy as a much as calorie-filled food. The taste of vegetables are slightly bitter caused by calcium content producing beneficial compounds. Children are more vulnerable to this bitter taste than adults. As adults have built a tolerance to enjoying vegetables. To the body and mind, the taste of bitterness immediately signals the brain that the food might be poisonous or toxic. Especially trying something completely strange and unfamiliar would sound a little scary to just do as a kid. It’s an natural instinct to not consume green unfamiliar looking plants which are linked to poison. Psychologically, to children, memories of eating vegetables are usually never pleasant experiences. Parents are usually forcing their children to eat vegetables to encourage good healthy eating habits. Yet, children are too young to understand and value of the importance of health. Urging the children to the point when you demand them to eat it almost encourages them to dislike the vegetables and also the parents haha.
Plant Alternatives for Meat
Are you an interested in entering the vegan lifestyle or curious to what plants have to offer for meat substitutes? This may seem futuristic or just extremely healthy and animal-cruelty free. This might solve hunger problems if livestock supply might run dry eventually, producing food for across the world. Especially when the population is growing rapidly, more research goes into producing more food. The food alternative’s goal is to achieve the same familiar taste of meat yet contain to trace of meat and it has to be completely plant based. Doesn’t that sound amazing? Futuristic sounding much? Basically faking till you make it with replacing your regular meat with plant food haha. CricketsCrickets are being used to make a cricket flour that will produce Exo protein that will supply your body with the same nutrients as some “real” protein food like beef jerky, salmon and chicken. But people aren’t as open to trying this unique option of food, but it definitely will be a go-to when there is no other food to eat. In 2011, a burger was created to be completely plant-based, even blood was produced to stimulate the realness of the meat. The verdict was that the burger taste just like meat and bleeds like it! The secret of the burger to reach a meat taste is “heme” which in found in animal muscle, giving the product the red finish and delicious meat flavor. Other very approachable substitutes for meat to get the same proteins and nutrients include: soy (tofu), mushrooms, jackfruit, eggplant, lentils, beans, cauliflower, potatoes, beets and nuts. Nuts can be used in veggie burgers, giving the food a more meaty taste. Beets are sweet and can be used for any healthy substitute. Cauliflower has been discovered to be a very versatile food, replacing meats for this no longer boring vegetable. Beans can be used for burgers also and more than just a side dish. Eggplant and mushroom both give a meaty taste and almost a meaty texture. Mushrooms produce a umami taste that is desired in meat dishes. Jackfruit is an unusual alternative, it is a spiky and large fruit found in the tropics. It is said that jackfruit can replace any meat (chicken, pork, beef, fish) although it is originally a sweet tasting fruit, it can be used for savor dishes.
Why GMOs might be a better alternative
When GMOs (genetically modified organisms) come to mind, I first think of the grocery store and how some food product will distinctively say that the food does not contain any GMOs. But what do you really know about GMOs or if it’s really bad for you? These new genetically modified organisms may work to solve global food-related problems. GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) are organisms that are altered in a lab to become a desirable trait by mixing the DNA of a species with each other. The US Food and Drug administration has approved that GMOs are safe for consumption. Soy, cotton and corn are the most widely used GMOs in the US, also approving alfalfa, canola, sugar beets, squash, papayas. Would you think you could tell the difference between an organic vs GMO crop by just tasting the crop? GMOs might be a better alternative to organic food globally because of these reasons. GMOs are tested for safety allergen potential before being sold in the market, which takes 7-10 years of testing. A meta-study concluded that GMOs are just as safe and nutritious as a non-GMO. Because of biotechnology, researchers are able to produce GMOs to be more nutritious but there are many misunderstandings about the altered crops and they are not sold in the market. But they are the most tested food products in history. Biotechnology can be used to make foods more nutritious. One of a greatest things the GMOs could bring to the world is the reduction of pesticide use. According to a German meta-study , “On average, GM technology adoption has reduced chemical pesticide use by 37%, increased crop yields by 22%, and increased farmer profits by 68%.” GMOs are also adaptable to global warming climate change which is a problem currently with non-GMOs. Lastly, GMOs are a mass production and can produce more cheaper food worldwide which could eventually help to end world hunger help the cause of world hunger and produce more food.
Plants Used in the Clothing Industry
Hello, I will be talking about how and which plants are used in the clothing industry. We wear clothes everyday (well I hope so) and we don’t really think about the history the piece of clothing went through to be on our bodies today. The main plants used for articles of clothing and fabric include: cotton, flax, hemp and bamboo. Cotton is probably the most used material for fabric because it is known for being durable and lightweight. Cotton is often mixed with polyester but there is a high demand of 100% cotton fabric. It is grown in humid/hot weather and only the cotton balls are harvested by a picking machine to be spun into yarn or thread. Flax fibers when processed for textile fabric it is called linen and is considered a more luxury fabric compared to cotton based fabrics. It is grown in cooler climates and even dates back to ancient Egypt. Linen is much stronger, lighter than cotton fabric. Also the flax fibers have to be hand picked meaning the labor work is more intensive making it much more expensive. Although it is a better quality material to cotton, it does tend to not hold it’s shape, making it easy to wrinkle. Hemp is an interesting choice of fabric, it comes from the stem of the cannabis sativa plant. Hemp is usually grown in the Northern Hemisphere and a fast-growing plant, also being popular for being used in many products. Before hemp fabric was too rough to wear but with new processing techniques, hemp fabric is much more wearable and durable. Bamboo fabric is a recent production with up to date technology. It has grown to be a very popular fabric and high in demand because of it’s many good qualities especially being environmental friendly. Bamboo is also a sustainable resource, one of the fastest-growing plants and grows extremely fast when cut down. Be aware of what you wear!!!
Psychedelic Plants
Hello peoples, I will be discussing psychedelic/psychoactive/mind-altering plants. This is not a first-hand experience, this is strictly all information from the internet. Psychedelic is referred to drugs that produce hallucinations and apparent expansion of consciousness. Psychoactive also refers to drugs affecting the mind. The most common psychoactive “drug” is Cannabis (Marijuana) used both medical and recreation purposes. Marijuana contains a psychoactive substance called “THC” that affecting your brain cells making you “high”. Opium Poppies are commonly found as a garden plant especially in California but it originates from Turkey. The unripe seeds of the poppy flower contains a milky substance which is actually raw opium. The milky substance can be processed into morphine, codeine and heroin. These drugs are known as opiates which produces euphoria, sedation, induced relaxation, effecting your brain and your spinal cord. Overdosing with opiates can result in death. Peyote is a cute little button-like cactus that are usually found in parts of Mexico and Texas. This cactus button when dried can be ingested in tea or by itself causes the user to experience extreme (depending on how much is taken) hallucinations. Peyote were used for rituals by Native Americans. Morning Glories are beautiful purple/pink/white flowers that grow wildly around parts of California but what you didn’t know is that the seeds contain something called Lysergic Acid Amid which produces hallucinations mental effects. But in order to experience a “full-trip” many morning seeds would have be ingested and that can come with negative side effects including nausea and vomiting. Mushrooms- “Shrooms” contains psilocybin which is a hallucinogenic substance. There is a number of ways to ingest shrooms: brewing the shrooms into a tea, mixing them with other foods or somehow masking the flavor with chocolate. After 30 minutes after taking the shrooms, the user’s perception of sight and hearing will change and they will experience hallucinations. All of these drugs are illegal except for morphine and marijuana, but none should be abused. Be safe kids.
Plants to Avoid in Northern, CA.
Hello again, so I will be talking about plants in Northern California that are toxic and poisonous, should be avoided at all costs. To me, I feel like the most attractive looking plants are the most toxic, so a toxic beauty type of thing. It’s one thing if you accidentally touch an unfamiliar plant, but DO NOT EAT OR TASTE a plant/fruit unless you are almost 100% sure it is safe. If you plan to go camping, hiking or exploring in the forest or in nature, be very aware of your surroundings especially if you are new to the area/site. Very common plants that are found in Northern California that are poisonous include: Pacific Poison Oak, Datura (aka Angel’s Trumpet), stinging nettle, Lantana, Oleander and basically most mushrooms. So trying to identify some of these plants, Pacific Poison Oak: can be easily identified by three leaf- clusters which contains a milky poisonous oil (urushiol) and this can cause a severe skin rash. Datura: this plant has flowers, trumpet-shaped, honestly a very beautiful and innocent looking plant. Ingesting any part of this plant even a small amount can lead to a psychedelic trip, but this would last to a few days to weeks to recover. So don’t be thinking this is a safe drug, it’s toxic and should not be risked. Stinging Nettle: Although this plant has health properties when properly dried and prepared, when touched to the skin it can inject toxins into your skin like little nettles hence it’s name leaving you with itchy and bumpy skin. Lantana: a very common garden pot plant, and very popular to the butterflies but sadly toxic to humans. Oleander: Also a very popular plant, usually a shrub planted around stores and houses. When I was little, my mother had always told me to stay away from this dangerous plant. Although very pretty to the eye, Oleander is deadly and can make you very sickly. Mushrooms: mushrooms you should steer away from is honestly most of them, you never can be too safe. Here are some type of mushrooms to aviod— Western Destroying Angel, Green-Spored Parasol, Western Jack-O-Lantern Mushroom and Flower Pot Mushroom.
Local Medicinal Plants
So discussing local medicinal plants and their special uses is a interesting topic. Some plants I’ve seen around Chico State’s campus and the town include: Oregon Grape, Yarrow, Hawthorn, California Poppy, White Sage, Redwood and Red Cedar. These plants can be used for medical purposes and uses. I have always seen Oregon Grape around my own hometown (Stockton) which is also Northern California area and especially on Chico’s campus. It’s a shrub type of bush which has small blue berries that are edible. The plant can be used to make a bitter tonic, a stimulant to the liver and skin protein and it can serve as a anti-microbial (an agent that kills microorganisms or stops their growth) for the skin and intestinal tract. Yarrow is a yellow flowering plant, which most parts of the plant are edible. It’s medicinal uses include reducing fevers and anti- inflammatory. California Poppies — the beautiful state flower, I have seen random patches of poppies around the local area. California poppies can be used to for anti-anxiety, sedating, and analgesic (painkiller). White Sage is a wonderful herb that is used for meditating by burning dry sage, which can “cleanse” a room. It’s medicinal purposes include treating excess sweating, colds, sinus infections and indigestion. Chico is surrounded with wonderful, huge Redwood trees. Redwood trees can be used in remedy teas for lung infection recovery. Lastly, Red Cedar which is a type of tree that can be used to make pencils and has a lovely woody aroma. The medicinal purposes of the Red Cedar tree can be used for anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and smooth muscle stimulant. It’s surprising and crazy how these plants surround us in everyday life and they serve such an important purpose to cure sicknesses and illness. Keep a look out for these plants and appreciate them!
Introduction: Native Plants of Northern California (Chico)
Introducing my topic which is “Native Plants of Northern California” will be about both edible, medicinal, poisonous plants native to Chico and Northern California. I just want to be able to give advice and some information about how to keep safe but yet maybe give an interest to local plants. How you can identify both type of plants and where you could possible forge them or avoid them. Also if you do come across edible plants, how to prepare or eat the certain greens. If you come across a poisonous plant, for example “Poison Oak“, I would be discussing how you could treat a type of trauma if someone were to accidentally touch a toxic plants. I will also be discussing about medicinal plants and how you could use them if they are needed.
Chico (“city of trees”) is a small college town, located in Butte County in California. Chico is surrounded with nature included both poisonous and edible plants. You won’t have to go to far to find these wonderful edibles, useful or dangerous, yet beautiful dangerous plants. Some plants include Yellow Dock, Violets, Dandelion, Miner’s Lettuce, Wild Radish, Field Mustard , Plantain and Shepherd’s Purse that are completely safe to eat. These wild plants can be consumed fresh or cooked, or even eaten together in a colorful salad. Most edible plants are related to regularly eaten foods like for example lettuce. Some plants that are native to Northern California and Chico that should be avoided at all costs are: Pacific Poison Oak, Stinging Nettle, Oleander, Poison Ivy and most mushrooms. Coming in contact with these plants could affect you either internally or externally harmfully. Make sure to call the emergency if anything like this would happen. Basically plants that look very unfamiliar to you, do not touch or consume to be safe.
