Living Green

Green Vampires that is…what, they’re vegetarians!

I've become very familiar with these covers.

It’s a dreary, rainy Spring day here and Twilight is on my mind–yet again.  I ‘happened’ upon Twilight, Fall of 2008 after seeing an interview on a Sunday early show with the author, Stephenie Meyer.  Yes, I know I was a little late to jump on the Edward/Jacob train.  After reading the first book, I immediately devoured the next 3 in the series and then proceeded to hold a short(or maybe long) mourning period for the characters and fantastic world Stephenie created.

Girly voice: Aaahhh

I’ve come to terms with the fact that I like young adult fantasy books.  I’m constantly amazed at the stardom associated with anything Twilight, and often wonder how some books of the same genre really make it and others just don’t.  I mean, the subject matter is similar a lot of the times–something supernatural, something magical, something impossible.  That’s the whole point of the genre after all–to entertain, to escape, to make-believe.  However, what is it about Twilight that has captured 12 year olds and 42 year olds alike?

After I finished the series, I quickly started preaching the Twilight wonders.  I forced the books onto my girlfriends, and then Tom, and then my brother.  Anyone to validate my obsession.  I am 26 after all, isn’t that too old?  No!

Stephenie managed to make this fantasy world believable somehow.  Maybe it’s the reference to all the high school years–does the nostalgia or do the insecurities ever fade?  Maybe it’s the classic fairytale of princes and princesses–will we ever move on from Cinderella?  Maybe it’s that as humans, we always want to believe there is something more to this world–are werewolves and vampires so unbelievable?

Don’t get me wrong; not every one drinks the Twilight Kool-aid.  This is a really funny satire on Twilight.  Of course by a guy…I think he’s just jealous.

However, men aren’t immune either.  After the first book, which is composed mostly of teenage romance, the subsequent books boast action and adventure.  And it’s not all about unrequited love and gory fight scenes; Stephenie provides greater themes: loyalty, passion, true love, and fighting for what you believe in.

As the third book in the series Eclipse hits theaters in June, the Twilight frenzy is happening all over again.  Maybe, just maybe, we all have something to learn…to dream big–the author’s story is a fairytale all on it’s own–to love unconditionally and to believe that anything is possible.

Girly voice: Aaahhh

Will you start drinking the Twilight Kool-aid?

Now I know I said I would continue with the mattress story, but alas that will have to wait until later. Something even better has stolen my heart: Jamie Oliver…sigh, isn’t he dreamy?

I’m not sure if you’re watching his reality TV show called Food Revolution, but you should, with the whole family for that matter.  It airs Friday night at 9pm on ABC.  It’s entertaining, inspiring, even gut-wrenching at times.

In a nutshell, we Americans are killing our youth and our population by our food choices.  The most shocking part of this whole scenario is that we actually know that obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and lots of other illnesses are actually caused by a bad diet and lack of movement, but we continue the cycle generation after generation. Why is food education not taught along with US history and English?  Is it any less important?

The thing that resonated with me the most is the fact that while our country is exponentially growing in technology, it’s going in the exact opposite direction in food, health and diet.  When our young people don’t know what a potato is, we have to believe we’re in trouble.  Additionally, when did a bag of processed ‘fake’ frozen potatoes loaded with additives and preservatives become cheaper and fit into some bizarre nutrition pyramid more than a real whole potato?

Whether the education comes from home or from school, it needs to come from somewhere.  The Food Revolution is inspiring and eye opening.  Here’s a PETITION you can sign to support Jamie’s Food Revolution.

In a wink and a nudge to Jamie Oliver, I will post some sort of fresh/healthy recipe later on today.