Happily Surprised...

We live in a world where one is constantly expected to be disappointed. Think about it, you go into a store or restaurant and get horribly rude service. Yes, we complain about that person later, but are not truly shocked about this reality. However, when you receive impeccable service you ARE shocked! While this should not be the case, we live in a world of harsh reality, not a world of should-be reality.

Well, I had a shockingly positive experience today. As some of you know, a few weeks ago, I was hit by a deer. I turned my car into the repair shop last Thursday, then went to Mountain Home to see some visiting family members. My car was not supposed to be ready until the end of next week, so I was anticipating a grueling week of juggling schedules so that Mat and I could share a car. Then it happened... The repair shop called me to report that my car was finished and ready to pick up. I had mentioned in passing that the previous repair shop had failed to install my trunk properly from the last accident and I was somewhat dreading taking it back to them, as they were, well, let's just say that incompetent would be a compliment. I had also pleaded with them to not look at the massive amounts of dog hair in the back seat, as I had my dogs with me when the jay-walking deer hit me and had not found the time yet to clean it out. So, over to the repair shop I go, with expectations that my car would be back in one piece, but nothing more than that.

They went over all the repairs, and led me to my pretty car, which looked as good as new again. Then, I realized they had fixed my trunk at no additional charge, which instantly elevated the experience to shockingly pleasant. When I was about to drive away, I realized that my floor mat had been vacuumed, then I started inspecting the rest of the car, not only had they done a top notch job in the repair, but also fixed my trunk, vacuumed up the massive amounts of dog hair and cleaned the inside thoroughly! I was so impressed that I called my insurance company, not to complain, but rather to compliment. While this was just an example of great customer service, it made me feel very special and relieved to have two less chores ahead of me, cleaning out my car and going back to the horrible repair shop from before to throw a Scarlet O'Hara fit in order to get my trunk fixed.

Good news rarely gets reported, but it IS out there, just lurking, waiting to be found....

Crying Over Spilled Milk...

I have been called a hippie by some. After all, I carry my organic cloth bags with me to the grocery store, a habit that I believe embarrasses Mat. I gave a warm embrace to Tofu and soy milk and actually considered my chocolate soy milk a real treat.

Then, an innocent action rocked my soy-filled world. I eagerly opened up my Bon Appetite' magazine, scanning through all the new recipes and ideas for upcoming menus and there it was.... The article on soy beans. Having embraced soy, I dove into the article, eagerly waiting to pat myself on the back for this enlightened move. Within minutes, I was disappointed and disillusioned to say the least. My beloved soy had turned on me. The article spewed venom about the evil nature of soy from causing breast cancer to hypothyroidism to malnourished infants to infertility in men.

As I was reading the article with its foul words like isoflavonoids, a light bulb came on. When my mother was post breast cancer surgery and suffering through menopause, her oncologist gave her a stern warning against hormone replacements including those that were soy based. Suddenly, I, the chemistry major with a 4.0, felt completely stupid. The warning signs were there all the time, flashing like a neon sign and I naively strolled right past them all. How could I, a woman who is at extremely high risk for breast cancer, have completely blocked the fact that soy leads to breast cancer? My love for chocolate soy milk and desperation to avoid the effects of lactose intolerance blinded me.

After the soy-veil had been removed, I did some digging. Apparently soy isn't the golden child after all. Men who consume just 1/2 serving a day have a significant chance of becoming infertile. In fact, Japanese women feed their husbands soy as a form of birth control. The soy, which if you remember contains plant estrogen, estrogenizes men, reducing their sperm count and libido. It has also been linked to hypothyroidism, as well as malnourishment in children. Countries such as France are requiring soy products to put prominent warning labels on their products.

Then there is the environmental concern with soybeans. In Brazil, hundreds of acres of rain forests are being cleared to make room for soybean crops. This is giving way to new access into formerly undisturbed rain forests, which is in all likely hood not a good thing. The soybean has infiltrated every part of our society. It has become so highly processed that we may not even realize that it is in a major part of our daily lives from cereals to medicines.

After researching and reading all the findings in horror, I walked to the fridge, and gave my beloved carton of chocolate soy milk a sorrowful good-bye. While this may seem drastic and unnecessary to some, considering the history of breast cancer in my family, I see it as a small sacrifice for the greater good. After all, I am rather fond of my breasts, if for no other reason than the fact that they are mine. I am not ready to have them hacked off, and am willing to do what is necessary to prevent that from happening. So, off to the store I go to buy some lactaid and chocolate moo-juice.

For all those who don't want to take my word for this, I've attached a link to start you on your journey. Also, googling "Israel soy study" will open quite a few doors as well. I am not trying to demonize the soybean, but rather am encouraging the removal of rose-colored glasses where it is concerned. Open your eyes, do research and decide for yourself.

Click Here for the Link of Diseases Related to Soybeans
Click Here for Link for Rain Forests Being Replaced with Soybeans
Click Here for Additional Link for Rain Forests Being Replaced with Soybeans