Sugar and Spice

This morning I drove my in-laws to the airport before school started. On the way back, since we were ready for school anyway, we had breakfast at the school cafeteria together. Maybe I'm naive, but I was shocked at what they had to serve! Chocolate milk, white milk, donuts, muffins, yogurt (the sugariest kind, of course), little waffles, cinnamon rolls, and...string cheese (the only redeeming item besides the milk!). Of course I let my kids pick whatever they wanted, but I couldn't help but think of what a disservice this is for our kids. I read an article a few months ago where one school here was trying to pass ketchup off as a vegetable. Really! I'm thinking we need to start a 'No Child Left Behind Because He Was Pumped Full of Sugar in the School Cafeteria' Act. What do you think?

I love sugar. Don't get me wrong. But watching the chubby kid across from us eat chocolate milk, waffles loaded with syrup, a donut and a muffin for breakfast, I couldn't help but feel sorry for the kid...and his poor teacher. I highly doubt he will be sitting still or listening attentively this morning, at least not to his full capabilities. I've been doing some research lately on food and behavior and their correlation and I find it fascinating. I wish I had some answers, or even the self control to avoid sugar myself. But I HAVE always been a big breakfast fan. Eggs and toast, whole grain cereal... multi-grain cheerios are about as sugary as cereal gets at our house. Without some protein, my poor brain doesn't even have a chance! (Not to mention my kids are back at the table within half an hour for 'breakfast' again).

Still, my kids are less than sugar deprived. Grant spends 75% of his day rummaging for sugar. In fact, on the way to the airport last time, Grandpa said to Grant, "Do you know how much we love you?" Grant's response was, "Do you know how much I love candy?" Grandpa was a little disappointed to say the least.

Awhile back I mentioned my personal studies in 3 areas of my life. Sleep, food and exercise. I have absolutely concluded that lack of sleep affects my emotions, attitude, energy and even personality. It can happen gradually, and I only notice that I'm feeling less than up to par (unless I had a totally sleepless night) after several nights in a row where I miss an hour or two here or there. It adds up! Then add the cinnamon roll I had at the cafeteria for breakfast...I've got zero energy. This is probably elementary for most people, but I am just now learning how essential these things are in my ability to perform and be happy. And be nice! How can these things affect your moods so much? This is my current quest. My library searches will hopefully yield some concrete answers. I'll probably figure it out by the time I'm 70. And then being grumpy will be acceptable anyway, right. :)