When I learned that we were going to be forced to read a book about the processed food industries, I simply said to myself, “Really? Can’t we read something else or something?” The truth of the matter is that, I have really never taken interest in the company’s production process. After all they make the food, we buy it because we obviously like the stuff right? Wrong! I now believe that it is good that the consumers become more aware of what goes inside their foods and bodies. As a group, the consumers have the most power and say in the aspect of where the company goes. Not many people understand this concept and the book Salt, Sugar, and Fat explains the concept rather well.

            Another thing this book also covers is obviously salt, sugar, and fat. Not many people are educated in what goes into these foods and have no clue what they ingest. After all, if it tastes good, why not. However, this is exactly what Michael Moss conveys in his book. He believes, as well as some scientists, that these key ingredients act – at least in our brains – as a drug would. They possess addicting attributes that have the consumer desiring more. All this is caused by the processed food industry by including additives that are not a natural structure of these foods otherwise.

            Moss portrays a group of scientist working vigorously to find products bliss-points. This bliss point is was makes a product taste good while cutting back on certain ingredients to maximize profit for the industry. I look back at a younger version of myself and do notice that I acted like a junky when I did not get my fix of these foods. The companies, whether they deny it, target children and Americans are too busy to notice this. It is a sad but very reliable business tactic to boosts sales. My younger self would cause tantrums in order to obtain these foods and my parents would please me to keep me quiet. This book has opened my eyes to this world and I would recommend this book to people who are ignorant to the subject. 

Thanks....

            What is there to be grateful for, after all, everything I have I’ve worked for right? NO, there are things out of our control and once we come to accept this, we can work on those that we have influence over. (1) Personally I’m grateful for many things but mainly, and not to sound to cliché, I am grateful for my family. They have been with me through this crazy roller-coaster we all call life. They have been my foundation block. For that, I am eternally grateful. I am in bad-shape with my back problems, but I remain optimistic and know that I could be in a worse position. (2) To which I am grateful for my health. I am breathing and can manage. (3) Another reason to be thankful for is the health of those I love and care about. (4) I could be homeless, have been in the past and I am not ashamed to say it, yet I have a roof over my head and that’s something to be appreciative about. (5) I have an amazing bond with my brother and I see him as a father figure. He was there in absence of my father and has helped me not just economically but emotionally. I feel like I can talk to him with just about anything and he always has wise words of advice for me, I don’t tell him enough, but I thank god he partnered me up with him. (7) My mother has been a strong, independent woman for both of my siblings and myself and has worked hard to give us a better future. I see her as my best-friend and we can talk for hours. I tell her stories of myself and we laugh at my wittiness, yet she speaks from her heart to me without judgment. She accepts me for who I truly am and I know not everyone has a relationship like that with their mothers. I don’t think I tell her enough as well but I appreciate everything she has done for my siblings and I. (8) Believe it or not, I am grateful for our beloved English teacher. I abhorred the thought of English class. It took merely one class of hers to change my whole perspective of the subject. The way she presents it makes it fun and intriguing. (9) I am grateful for another year lived. It’s been a crazy year full of happy and sad moments but I have lived another year and not many have the ability to say that. (10) Life can seem to be aimless with no direction, so many possibilities and so many options. She is not just my girlfriend, she inspires me - since the first day I really got to know her – to work on myself, become a better partner for her, and be a better person. She is my life companion and she has given life another meaning. I see the world differently and she is the first thing I think about when I wake or before I sleep. I was going through a tough time before she came into my life, yet once she stepped in it, all the problems I thought were so great disappeared. A simple glance of her beautiful eyes, a gorgeous smile of hers and the sweetest kiss from her lips were enough to fix a broken version of myself. Last but certainly not least, I am grateful for her, Andrea Magaña.

famiLIES

     Family is everything, or is it? Growing up, my grandparent's instilled in their children and grandchildren that family was of the upmost importance and should always come first. My younger, naive, self did not comprehend the notion at the time. I did spend most of my childhood with my grandparent's and looking back I am greatrul for those precious moments I shared with them. When ever my grandmother saw two cousins fighting, she would immediately yell "¡Traime el bordon pa pegales!" which meant, "Bring me my cane so I can hit you guys!" This was always followed by a long lecture as to why we should respect and get along with each other, take care of one another.
     After my grandparent's passed, our family virtues began to crumble. What once was our support beem, what my grandparent's worked so hard to instill in us, began to fade away. I saw it as it began to unravel but remained silent. I wanted to see how far our family would distant from one another. To my surprise,  there was no end to it. It first started with less time being spent with one another, less parties, less socializing.  I guess part of this was because the only time we really spent time with each other, besides family parties, we're at my grandparent's home. They were no longer here to ensure that we remained as close. I look back and recall my grandmother asking all her son's and daughter's to keep these teachings alive; for as long as we stayed together, none of us would fail and she would look down upon is in happiness, eternally greatful.
     As time goes by and people change, believe me  people change, family ordeals began to arise. Whether monetary isses or simple misunderstandings, a wedge was cutting in between each family. Some of these families still  socialize with one another. As for my family, we'll as we noticed more people gaving their backs to us, it was that same rejection that bonded my immediate family closer together. As a wise man once told me, it can take a small amount of money to know who really suround's you and who really has your back, but that's a life lesson nonetheless. It brings tears to my eyes to see what my grandparent's worked so hard on has diminished in such a short period of time, but I remain true to these teachings and I now see what they meant so many years ago. I will always extend a helping hand to any of them even those family members that once turned their backs on me. It is something a great woman and a great man once tough me and I intend to inculcate to my children these virtues so I know that all that hard work my grandparent's once did, doesn't go in vain. I just hope that they look down upon me and I make them proud as I once did. I love you Chelino and Toñita. May God have you ever in his glorious presences.