SSF

This book revealed a lot of things not just about food but also about our government, our politics and the greediness surrounding the world. It is sad how some people will do everything and anything to secure their financial position or to increase their monetary wealth. This book is really an eye opening.  I have always thought that our government protects us from everything. Every establishments whether it be food services or hospital services get surveyed, inspected yearly and get fined for violations but it is sad to know that this food tycoons are able to bypass the restrictions just because they help the economics. USDA is in a big dilemma with protecting the consumer and helping the agricultural industry. It all revolves around money. 

Money is the root of evil, as they said. And it’s the sad the truth.

 Sure, food companies did not want to produce unhealthy or obese population, but of course they want people to buy their products. So even if the product is not healthy to consume and exceeds the dietary recommendation, they have to go pass the limit because they need to sell.And be honest, Us, consumers need more flavoring in our food because when a food taste bland we don't buy them.

It is really interesting how food manufacturers spend billions of dollars to get the right formula for the  “bliss point” of sugar, “mouthfeel” of fat and the right pinch of salt that will send consumers over the moon, once they tried the products.  Food inventors and scientist dedicated their time to get the right formulation to get us “addicted” to these products or as they advertised it “crave” their products. It’s also interesting to know that even those scientist that invented the products avoids consuming their processed food. I have never been a fan of processed food. I always prefer home cooked meals. But when the situation became unavoidable I try to moderate my intake. I actually started restricting myself with drinking soda to once a month for a year now and hopefully in time I will be able to avoid it completely.  Moderation is key. 

TEN THINGS I'M GRATEFUL FOR

1. My family.

2. My boyfriend and his family.

3. Genuine friends I'm surrounded with.

4. Thankful that my love ones in the Philippines was not affected by the typhoon.

5. For the house I live in.

6. Food in the table.

7. For my job.

8. For being able to live life comfortably.

9. Good health for me and my family.  

10. I'm thankful for the strength I'm given to balance work and school.

Ang Aking Pamilya

My biological father left for Japan when I was four months old. Due to personal problems in between him and my mother the relationship did not work and they decided to separate. Growing up, I will always hear people call me “Little Peter.” Whenever people see me, they will tell me I look just like my father.  I used to get annoyed when they call me little peter but at the same time I’m curious on how people see our resemblance. My mom said I copied almost everything from my dad, my favorite food, my choice of hobbies, the way I speak, the way I act, my choice of music, my talents and so on.  When I was younger I feel like my mom probably hates me because I will be a constant reminder of her failed relationship with him. I did not feel the void or the “awkwardness” of our situation because I have good support coming from my extended families. My aunts, uncles and specially my grandparents tried to fill in the missing pieces which I am very grateful for.  My biological father communicated with us here and there and he did not remarry. I feel sad for the life he chose but that’s life. I just pray to God that in old age, someone will take care of him wherever he might be and I’m still hopeful that he will find someone as his companion. The last time I heard he went back home to their ancestral home in the Philippines after twenty four years (my age).

My mother was a single parent for awhile but eventually she remarried when I was six years old. I remember first time seeing my soon to be step dad in his blue lacoste polo shirt and jeans, specially his mustache. I remember how those mustache felt when he tried to kiss me on my cheeks, I didn’t like it but at the same time I felt excited that I am going to have a father. I did not have problem adjusting to the new situation because my step dad treated me and my older sister like his own. The only thing I did not like at first is how the rules at home change. Certain rules that a father will implicate for the safety of her daughters but eventually I abide to it because I understand that its for my safety. What I remember the most and treasures a lot was when he drops us off to school in his brand new jeep. I remember feeling very proud of him specially when my classmates starts to stare and I’m like “HEY EVERYONE! THIS IS MY DADDY.”

I feel very blessed to have a person like him in my life. He taught me what unconditional love is. Now that I am older, I appreciate him more because he continues to show, that my sister and I are not different from our other siblings. He gives us the same support and affections he gives to his biological children. I do not feel the difference of our family to those who have a “normal” one. Now, I have a total of five siblings and together we are one big happy family.