VOCABULARY #2

obesity : The condition of being overweight

• With a rise of fast food popularity, we are also seeing a rise in obesity.

accumulate: acquire an increasing number or quantity of

• If you don't take the right precautions, body fat will continue to accumulate.

mass: a coherent, typically large body of matter with no definite shape

• When the girl went to the doctors for her appointment, they found a large mass that needed to be removed.

disease: a disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant, esp one that produces specific signs or symptoms or that affects a specific location and is not simply a direct result of physical injury

• It's important to stay healthy to make sure you aren't in danger of getting any diseases.

diet: the kinds of food that a person or animal commonly eats or a special course of food to which one restricts oneself to either lose weight or for medical reasons

• It's crucial to maintain a well balanced diet consisting of nutrients for the body.

prevalence: the fact or condition of being prevalent; commonness

•  Fast food has become a very prevalent way of eating now days.

stigma: a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person

• Some don't hold the stigma to successfully stay on the right diet.

prevent(able): to keep from happening (capable of being kept from happening)

• Many diseases due to obesity are 100% preventable.

adolescent: a young person in the process of developing from a child into an adult

• Adolescents must know how to eat properly so that they'll remain healthy as they enter adulthood.

cardiovascular: of or relating to the heart and blood vessels

• To keep the cardiovascular system running, one must exercise regularly.

excessive: more than what is necessary, normal, or desirable

• One way to gain weight is to eat excessive amounts at one time.

mechanism: a natural or established process by which something takes place or is brought about

• Learning certain mechanisms can help one make the healthiest options

sedentary: (of a person) tending to spend much time seated; inactive

• You can't be sedentary and expect to be fit and in shape.

predispose: make someone liable or inclined to a specified attitude, action, or condition

• You can't predispose others for your weight gain, it's your own fault.

syndrome: a group of symptoms that consistently occur together or a condition characterized by a set of associated symptoms

• Certain syndromes can be threatening to one's health.

PROSE & CONS: OBESITY

       The percentage of obese Americans is increasing as time goes on but are the fast food and snack companies to blame? In the article, "The Blame Game and Obesity in America" the usual accusations on the fast food chains and snack food companies is switched and the blame is put, instead, on the actual consumers of the high calorie foods. Fast food restaurants and snack distributors are constantly being talked about in a negative manner when it comes to our country's health problems and are constantly being blamed for our personal eating habits and decisions. Although these companies are selling unhealthy food to the public, we are the ones buying it, so is it really their fault? In the articles "Stop Blaming Food for Your Obesity" by Elizabeth Schar and "Is Fast Food to Blame for America's Obesity?" by Ann Tracy Mueller,the fast food distributors are not to blame which differs from the articles, "Effects of Fast Food" on  http://www.childhoodobesity101.com/effects-of-fast-food.html and "How Fast Foods are Causing Obesity in America" by Fiona Bayly discuss how the fast food chains are, infact, responsible.

      More and more people are facing the struggle of being overweight, blaming food for affecting their health and our youth. People are constantly blaming the actual fast food for causing them to gain the weight, not THEMSELVES, who are the ones paying for food and then consuming it. The author starts off her article with her opinion loud and clear while stating, "The plain and simple truth is that food is not making you gain weight. You are!!! Stop blaming food for your obesity." Its hard to argue with the fact that in reality, no one else can be blame for what's being put into your body, except yourself. Yes, fast food is much more easily accessed and affordable but that doesn't make it the restaurant's fault for the rising epidemic in obesity. Schar also points out that you're not going to become overweight by eating fast food every once in a while, it takes regular consumption of the fattening foods to add the extra weight, which again goes back to the main idea that the blame shouldn't be held over anyone else except yourself. Only you can change what you eat and where you get it from, "If you really stop to think about it, empty calorie, non-nutritious foods are not following you around and globing onto you adding an extra 10, 20, 30, or even 50 pounds." When gaining weight, the easiest way to deal with it is to blame the fast food for being everywhere and being cheap when really we are the only ones to blame.

     On the other hand, some believe that the fast food industry is exactly the one to blame when it comes to the rising numbers of obese Americans! In the article, "Effects of Fast Food," it explains, "A simple definition of the effects of fast food intake is that it contributes to eating more quickly, eating a higher percentage of processed foods and eating a higher percentage of artificial foods." If you eat your food too fast, which studies show that people tend to do this while eating fast food, losing the ability to control the amount of food you're consuming. The slower you eat and the more time you take to chew your food gives your body time to digest and be able to realize it when you're full. Another strong argument tested in this article is the lack of nutrients in the actual food at fast food places, despite what some adds and restaurants may claim. "How Fast Foods are Causing Obesity in America" stresses the importance of taking to time to make home cooked meals instead of eating out constantly. When eating fast food, you're missing out on tons of vitamins and nutrients that would be included in home made meals made with fresh ingredients. Bayly makes a reat point when saying, "Fast food's convenience means corners have to be cut."  Although fast food may seem a lot more convenient at the time, in the long run is that thirty minutes you're saving by not making a homemade meal really worth it?

   With the number of overweight Americans at its biggest and seeing obesity becoming a bigger and more common problem than ever, fast food chains and restaurants are the first ones being pointed at for causing this problem in America. The question keeps repeating itself, is the blame being placed in the right place? I don't believe so. It's not the fast food restaurants that are making us overweight or even obese, its the decisions we are making to eat at these fast food restaurants on a regular basis that are making us overweight and obese. We're affected by our own decision making and maybe it's time that we start making decisions that are bit more health conscious.     


     

Synopsis : "The Blame Game and Obesity in America"

The article, "The Blame Game and Obesity in America" discusses the accusations the fast food chains and snack food distributors face towards obesity in America, and how really the blame should not be on them but onto us Americans instead. Although they are the ones selling the fattening foods for so cheap, all they're doing is business. The proper blame should be on those buying it and feeding their bodies with it because no one is forcing that double cheeseburger down their throats.

THIS IS PHAT!

Organic foods: Are they safer? More nutritious? - MayoClinic.com

This article questions whether organic foods are actually better for you.

VOCABULARY #1

expository: intended to explain or describe something
composition: the action of putting things together, formation, construction, written text
assuage: to make an unpleasant feeling less intense
decadence: moral/ cultural decline
hackneyed: lacking significance through having been overused, unoriginal
coalition: an alliance for combined action 
transcend: be/go beyond the range or limit of, surpass
meritorious: deserving reward or praise
lurid: vivid in color (unnatural effect), shocking, harsh
petulant: childishly sulky/ bad tampered

I'm very excited to be a part of this expository english class.

The composition of this text book is confusing to me.

I was so appreciative when my best friend was there to assuage me after I fell down the stairs infront of everyone.

Thinking of a decadence in society is scary.

The songs played on the radio are extremely hackneyed.

It's good to form a coalition with people you trust.

Her thoughts completely transcended every other students' in the class.

Her behavior at her new job proved to be very meritorious.

The poster hanging in the room was lurid.

The girl's mother scolded her for acting in a particularly petulant manner.

REFLECTIONS ON WEEK ONE

1.) I do get worried when I learn that class relies on computer access a lot because for some reason my family has always had the worst luck when it comes to any piece of technology we have ever owned. I recently moved so I haven't had any access to a personal computer, but when I do it will be alot easier. I do have a smartphone too for backup which will definitely come in handy. This is also the first year that both of my parents are working at the same time so a lot of responsibilities that I've never had to take on are now in  my hands with helping taking care of my little siblings and getting them ready for school, etc. It's been tricky at first but once we all get used to this change it will be managable.

2.) The best learning experience I was lucky enough to be a part of was taking honors english my 7th grade year. I had the most amazing teacher, Mz Byrne, who single handedly changed my outlook on writing. I went into her class very insecure with my writing skills and I absolutely hated it. With the help of Mz Byrne, by the end of the year I learned so much, not only about my writing but about myself as well.

3.) I am most excited about working on my writing skills and also just being apart of your different way of teaching and experiencing writing expository from a whole different outlook. I still get frustrated sometimes while writing, and I know that this class is going to help a ton. I'm most excited for this to show a difference in my writing while applying to colleges which is going to include writing essay after essay.

5 Good Go-To Sources for Non-Fiction

1.) Library- this is probably the most obvious source to find a good non-fiction book, there's likely to be a huge selection to fit your interests right at your fingertips.
2.) Asking your peers: this way you can actually get the opinion of the book first hand from someone who may share the same interests as you.
3.) Google Search: tons of recommendations of non-fiction books will automatically pop up
4.) www.goodreads.com/
5.) http://findagoodbooktoread.com/nonfiction-book-list.php

My Opinion Is Not Right

           In almost every single argument, someone will bring up the fact that they have the right to their own opinion. This is something that we have heard, and even said a million times but we never actually take the time to think about it. Although we do have the right to think for ourselves and make our own decisions and speak our own thoughts, we're not always right and sometimes those decisions are wrong and may even affect or harm others. So although our opinions are "rights" they're not always right.

My Big Question

It's hard to decide on one BIG question because when you start thinking about all of the unimaginable, all of the unknown, an overwhelming amount of questions pop into mind and after that it becomes nearly impossible to stop them from coming. My biggest question is, despite the multiple beliefs and theories, is really how did we get here? If you think about who, or even, what we are it's truly amazing. Here we are, these creatures that are constantly communicating, discovering, thinking, changing, etc, all the time. Where did it start?

It's All Latin to Me

dimidium facti qui coepit habet: sapere aude, incipe: who has begun has half done: dare to be wise, begin 
To me these wise words of wisdom mean that in order to get anything done, or accomplish something you must first start with beginning. Although that may sound a bit repetitive, it couldn't be more true. Usually, starting is always the hardest part.Whenever I have an important assignment such as an essay, I spend hours thinking about it. It's so difficult to get that first paragraph started but once you do and get all your main ideas stated, the rest comes so much easier. Taking that first step into doing anything out of your comfort zone or different can be such a difficult thing to overcome, but once you do the rest will follow.