My Soapbox

[mifsit]

Hi All

You all know from my journal how much I hate mcdonalds, starbucks and all those other over priced garbage shifters masquerading as food outlets. I just don't want my journal turning into a debate on globalisation

I'm not sure how it is 't other side o the pond but in the Uk you can still find decent butchers, green grocers etc who offer quality (not just the best looking) produce. Supermarket meat maybe cheaper but its full of hormones and other crap pumped into the animals to make them produce more meat. I had a local butcher (now sadly retired) who did the best bacon in the world. I got my veggies online from an organic farm who delivered. It not too difficult to get proper food. I used to do the farmers markets before they got too touristy and over priced.

The situation is a bit different here in Malta. Since we are such a small island it doesn't matter if you buy from a supermarket or small shop, it usually costs the same and all comes from the same few farms dotted around. Everything else is imported at vast expense.

[Trying4Thin]

Sad to say; I have never bought meat from a butcher. Then again; I cant remember the last time I bought red meat. Yes I admit that I do still buy turkey breast (depending on price) at the grocery store. Have you guys ever noticed turkey breast is soo yummy that you dont need to put anything on it? The good stuff can go down so easily that before you know it; you can eat an entire pound in a sitting.

I am glad you brought up the additives in meat and poultry. I remember the first time my mother told me what they did to Butterball Chickens reguarding injections. No thanks...I think organic may be a better alternative. I have seen the meats with the labels saying that they arent injected with hormones. I think we can also extend this warning to fruits and veggies. Lord knows what they are being sprayed with. I have also seen fruit and veggie washes. But always wash fruit before eating it. That stuff cant be good for internal function.

I think the days of the roadside fruit and veggie stands are drawing to a close. What a shame. I used to love to go to Waite's Farm in MA to pick out my own ears of corn. The farmers are trying to earn a living and unfortunately they are getting squashed under the monster truck tires now being labled "Super." How is "Super Sized" any better? I'd rather pay a little more for quality versus quantity. Shame on McDonald's for coining the phrase and promoting supersize meals. Shame on everyone else for buying into it. If restaurants served the portions they were supposed to; we'd be well on our way to a fitter world. I dont know about anyone else but getting more than a days worth of calories from a single sandwich is sickening. Burger King sunk to new lows (highs) when it introduced the Breakfast Omlette Sandwich (more calories than a regular whopper), followed by the Double Texas Whopper (cant find the calories on this), and now the BK Stacker. "Meat, cheese, and no room for vegetables." Now that is something to brag about....And I could go on and on.

Wow, this really gets me going! I look forward to reading what else appears in the Soap Box Thread.

[helena]

Ok, ooooooo I like this soap box thread!!! can we talk about anything???
Well here goes!!!
One of my pet peeves is Mothers who are pushing buggies with their babies in them and having a fag hanging out of their mouth!!!!! HATE IT!! HATE IT!!! HATE IT!!!
OOOOOO i have got another one, when you walk into a shop and the shop assisstants jump on you as soon as you walk through the door!!! "Can I help you?"
"no, just looking tar!!!" BUGS ME!!! BUGS ME!!! BUGS ME!!!

WHEN I THINK OF SOME MORE I WILL LET YOU KNOW¬!!!!

[mifsit]

Parents who smoke around their kids should have a visit from social services. Speaking of social services (or lack of) theres a news story (forget where) of a woman who gave her toddler an adult dose of valium and heroin replacment drugs (hers in fact) to keep him quiet. He died and she gets 3 years in prison (out in 18 months probably). The Law in the UK is rediculous in the extreme. I'm sure in the states she'd have got life.

[Trying4Thin]

LOL!!!!!

Well it looks like we once again have a language barrier 'mates! For those that are unfamilliar with the term "fag" (not the American translation)...it does mean cigarrette and not a derogatory term for a gay male....

That was too funny!


However smoking and children is not. Neither is drinking or drugs. I am going to refrain from talking right now since I have errands to run. But this topic is huge.

[Woodruff]

Originally Posted by Trying4Thin

For those that are unfamilliar with the term "fag" (not the American translation)...it does mean cigarrette and not a derogatory term for a gay male....

Heh, yea I had to read it a second time, as well.

Ok, my complaint is silly...

I hate watching people with their underwear sticking up above their work out pants. Either pull your pants up or get a longer shirt.

I really don't like seeing those plaid boxers on men, those whale tails (think triangle piece of material from a thong), or like the other day.. a pair of underwear that was coming off of the elastic and I sure as heck hope it was her laundry day.

Yuk. UNDERwear. Means, under, right?

[muppet]

Well, I'm not one of these that is terribly bothered by cell phone use. I guess it does bug me, but I try to be tolerant. But shopping awhile back, some woman was on her phone, talking so LOUD, and laughing and carrying on. It was just rude. It's one thing to have a discreet conversation, but when the whole store can hear every word, it's a bit out of hand. It was just jabber and gossip anyway.
At the drive -in we were waiting in line for the rest room. (Long line), My daughter and I were in between 2 women who knew each other from high school. They started in on their life stories, ( pretty intimate details too) and there we were just standing there in between them, trying not to listen , actually trying to listen to the movie, which we couldn't hear because they wouldn't shut up.
There's a time and place for these conversations. And in line for the bathroom, at the drive in, blabbing at the top of your voice isn't it!
I also hate smoking. Anytime -- any place, around anyone. It's just a nasty filthy dangerous habit. Please stop, if you're using tobacco of any kind. Seriously. STOP!

[mifsit]

Mobile phones... I hate the idiots who use them while driving (not using a headset).

Glad to see the soapbox is getting plenty of use.

[Trying4Thin]

(Awkward clearing of throat)...
Guess I am one of those idiots then. BUT I am trained to multitask, and I am considered a professional. Many times I am driving and have to talk to dispatch on the radio for something or another. No I am not driving a bus yapping on a cell. But I know people who have done it. The radio station I listen to (one of the morning dj's) admits to texting while he drives. A passenger said she had a friend who was rear ended because some sob was on his LAPTOP and didnt brake his car!! I hear somewhere that talking on a cell (no matter if it is a headset or not) leaves you just as impared as being under the influence. Yikes!

[muppet]

Well, Carrie, I'm sure you're job requires that you be able to do that. Part of your job is communicating with the the head office, control central, the Mother Ship.. whatever you call it.
But when you're sitting at a stoplight sometime, sit and watch how many people are on their cell phones, going by. It's well over 50%. And, you know they aren't talking about anything really necessary.
I'm not anti-cell phone. I think they are almost necessary anymore. Just try and find a working pay phone anywhere! And I think it's ok to have a little fun with them too, but I think there are way too many people that are actually addicted to them. I think they feel important, as long as that cell phone rings. I don't know.
How 'bout it girls-- any of you guilty of putting on make-up while driving? The closest I come is putting on Chap stick. I don't really think that counts. And, I can't actually remember ever doing that, but I'm sure I probably have. So, I can't say I've 'never' done it. But I know I've never done mascara, real lipstick, or anything like that. I've done lipstick while I was a passenger, but I don't even like to do that. Don't want that 'clown' look!
errr-- guess I shouldn't exclude Phil. So, Phil, if you have any confessions regarding makeup-- please feel free....