The fast food industry, supermarkets and vendors today literally have our children by the gut. The main focus of my project will be how these corporations and industries are affecting young children all around the world. Childhood obesity is something that we see in our everyday lives, but fail to recognize nor do we hardly ever give it any thought. There are children obese and overweight at the age of 4 and I want people to see the hidden dangers not only in fast food but in the processed supermarket meats, the over consumption of dairy products and other guilty pleasures we are not willing to give up. I will also speak about many ways in which we can better ourselves and make healthy food choices without giving up on quality taste, provide healthy and yummy recipes, as well as fun as easy workouts. =)
This particular topic is a very sensitive subject for me because it hits home. Many of my adult family members are in fact overweight and they suffer from diabetes and several other heart complications because of the crap that we put into our bodies today. The adult generation in my family often eats out several times a week without ever considering the health risks this may bring. With the adults naturally being role models, the children in my family think it is alright to eat whatever they want, whenever they want without there being any consequences. I want to put a stop to that kind of thinking, not only within my own family but to people all over. I want to show the younger generations that over a long period of time you can and will ultimately end up suffering from your unconscious decisions and food choices that you make today.
I want to try to use this project as a way to open my readers eyes to what is really happening. Our children eat more and exercise less. I will express my views and opinions on this gut wrenching epidemic that is sweeping the nation, not only affecting the poor but affecting what is supposed to be our future generations to come. From this project I hope to learn an easier and more efficient way of convincing people that although some foods may look and taste scrumpdittlyumptious, they are not worth the risk.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Problem Posing Method: Schlosser Chpt. 3
1. Problem: Many fast food chain employees were being treated unfairly, and many times not getting paid as a worker should be. This caused teh workers to join together in an attempt to unionize.
2. "Workers were forced to wait until things got busy at a restaurant before officially starting their shifts. They were forced to work without pay after their shifts ended. They were forced to clean restaurants on their own time. And they were sometimes compensated with food, not wages. (Chpt. 3 Pg.75)" This quote represents the problem in such a way that it shows the severity and the extent to which these minimum wage workers were being treated.
3. Being a loyal McDonalds customer myself, I am usually able to recognize the workers and employees at the McDonalds restaurants I visit. Lately, I have begin to notice that over a period of time, weeks - sometimes months, the workers never stay the same. Due to the low wages, no benifits and poor conditons of the McDonald work place, I have seen that these employees are dissatisfied enough to quit shortly after being hired.
4. ".. the two sides reached a settlement" pg.75. A failed attempt to solve this issue, was a lawsuit filed against a Taco Bell but before the penalty phase both sides agreed on a settlemnt of millions of dollars in back wages. Though it worked at the time, this "solution" did not work for the employees in the long run. Fast food restaurant workers are still the lowest legally paid workers out there, and the conditions in which they work have not gotten any better.
5. My Solution: Simply paying employees higher wages, and with better treatment they will be less likey to unoinize against the franchise. This works for both the employees and the franchise owners, workers will be paid and owners will not have to deal with unions forming.
2. "Workers were forced to wait until things got busy at a restaurant before officially starting their shifts. They were forced to work without pay after their shifts ended. They were forced to clean restaurants on their own time. And they were sometimes compensated with food, not wages. (Chpt. 3 Pg.75)" This quote represents the problem in such a way that it shows the severity and the extent to which these minimum wage workers were being treated.
3. Being a loyal McDonalds customer myself, I am usually able to recognize the workers and employees at the McDonalds restaurants I visit. Lately, I have begin to notice that over a period of time, weeks - sometimes months, the workers never stay the same. Due to the low wages, no benifits and poor conditons of the McDonald work place, I have seen that these employees are dissatisfied enough to quit shortly after being hired.
4. ".. the two sides reached a settlement" pg.75. A failed attempt to solve this issue, was a lawsuit filed against a Taco Bell but before the penalty phase both sides agreed on a settlemnt of millions of dollars in back wages. Though it worked at the time, this "solution" did not work for the employees in the long run. Fast food restaurant workers are still the lowest legally paid workers out there, and the conditions in which they work have not gotten any better.
5. My Solution: Simply paying employees higher wages, and with better treatment they will be less likey to unoinize against the franchise. This works for both the employees and the franchise owners, workers will be paid and owners will not have to deal with unions forming.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Descriptive Writing; Edited
We piled into the car, as the all too familiar stench of day old burgers and fries began to fill the space around us. What was once a vibrant bright red, was now a dim and faded "W". I glanced at it in the rear view mirror as we drove away, and the sign read " endys". A flimsy off white and red paper thing bag that contained our dinner, which consisted of of questionable meats and potatoes, rested on my lap. I could feel the grease seeping through the bottom of the bag, creating what appeared to be a puddle of oil. I was beginning to regret tonight's dinner.
We then crowded around the dining room table, to scarf down what was probably one of the most unhealthiest meals of the face of the earth. Consumed by the enjoyment of over indulging, the room grew silent as small packets of ketchup and barbecue sauce slid back and forth across the table. I stared down at what was now laid out in front of me, a triple baconator, large fries and a large soda. The fries, drenched in oil, wilted and fell over as I scooped them up off my plate two and three at a time. Now for the triple baconator, what in the world was i thinking?? Three layers of over cooked, processed beef and bacon, piled high in between two sesame seed buns. Halfway through my baconator, feeling uncomfotable and uneasy, with all that grease now sitting in my stomach, i had completely given up on what was supposed to be an enjoyable meal.
We then crowded around the dining room table, to scarf down what was probably one of the most unhealthiest meals of the face of the earth. Consumed by the enjoyment of over indulging, the room grew silent as small packets of ketchup and barbecue sauce slid back and forth across the table. I stared down at what was now laid out in front of me, a triple baconator, large fries and a large soda. The fries, drenched in oil, wilted and fell over as I scooped them up off my plate two and three at a time. Now for the triple baconator, what in the world was i thinking?? Three layers of over cooked, processed beef and bacon, piled high in between two sesame seed buns. Halfway through my baconator, feeling uncomfotable and uneasy, with all that grease now sitting in my stomach, i had completely given up on what was supposed to be an enjoyable meal.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Descriptive Writing: My Wendys Experience
We piled into the car, as the all too familiar stench of day old burgers and fries began to fill the space around us. What was once a vibrant bright red, was now a dim and faded "W". I glanced at it in the rear view mirror as we drove away, and the sign read " endys". A flimsy off white and red paper thing bag that contained our dinner, which consisted of of questionable meats an dpotatoes, rested on my lap. I could feel the grease seeping through the bottom of the bag, creating what appeared to be a puddle of oil. I was beginning to regrettonight's dinner.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Welcome to Amanda's Blog
Hello everyone, my name is Amanda and I am currently a student of Professor Alexander's English 101 and 103 Research Methods: The Ethics of Food classes at LaGuardia Community College and this is my first official blog!
I can be a particularly picky eater when it comes to dairy, meats and vegetables. I purchase my groceries from any one specific store, but whichever supermarket is closest to me at the time. Many times, my groceries will consist different meats, a dozen eggs, a generous amount of fruits, very little vegetables and a whole lot of junk food! I have only tried Organic and whole food products very few times and I am not quite sure where I stand because I AM a fan of the unhealthy things in life.
I do believe food is my guilty pleasure and I sometimes tend to over indulge, whether it be pasta, steak, fresh fruits or grilled veggies.. the more the merrier. If you dare ask me to choose a single favorite unhealthy snack we would be here all day. To keep it simple, i like my snacks cheesy, greasy and definitely messy. Cheese fries, hot dogs, cheese nips, potato chips, pizza, burgers and chocolate are only a few of many of my favorite things to munch on (before and after dinner).
Though it is rare that I cook at home, I do enjoy it every once in a while. I have never really been concerned about where my food comes from before it reaches the kitchen table. Before now I've yet to ask myself if what I eat is really any good for me and how it may effect everyone and everything around me. Could eating too much of one thing really be so bad?
I can be a particularly picky eater when it comes to dairy, meats and vegetables. I purchase my groceries from any one specific store, but whichever supermarket is closest to me at the time. Many times, my groceries will consist different meats, a dozen eggs, a generous amount of fruits, very little vegetables and a whole lot of junk food! I have only tried Organic and whole food products very few times and I am not quite sure where I stand because I AM a fan of the unhealthy things in life.
I do believe food is my guilty pleasure and I sometimes tend to over indulge, whether it be pasta, steak, fresh fruits or grilled veggies.. the more the merrier. If you dare ask me to choose a single favorite unhealthy snack we would be here all day. To keep it simple, i like my snacks cheesy, greasy and definitely messy. Cheese fries, hot dogs, cheese nips, potato chips, pizza, burgers and chocolate are only a few of many of my favorite things to munch on (before and after dinner).
Though it is rare that I cook at home, I do enjoy it every once in a while. I have never really been concerned about where my food comes from before it reaches the kitchen table. Before now I've yet to ask myself if what I eat is really any good for me and how it may effect everyone and everything around me. Could eating too much of one thing really be so bad?
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