In the article, "America is catching on -- Soda sales drop dramatically as healthier choices continue to grow" by J.D. Heyes is about Americans cleaning up their health act by drinking less soda. Americans have finally seemed to have gotten the message about the consumption of too much soda and it's effects. You may wonder, how much is too much? or is this a healthy decision I am making?
Americans consuming less soda may have not been too much of a surprise after all. According to records, soda sales have been falling for about seven years now but these sales really cut edge when consumers made other choices of beverages to drink in 2011. According to sales data, people chose more coffee, teas, sports and energy drinks and bottled water over these killer soda and fruit juices. One of the reasons why soda sales were down was the cost grew about three percent last year making them difficult to afford. These prices mainly went up because of the sweeteners such as corn syrup and other raw materials contained in the drinks. Bottled water sales raised 4.1 % in 2011, compared to 3.5% in 2010. Of course, as expected there is a downside to consuming these sugary drinks. They include many health risks such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. In fact, a recent study has found that by drinking one soda per day can increase heart risk in men, even if it isn't contributing to weight gain.
All in all, Americans have been improving their diet by drinking healthier beverages. Taking the challenge step by step can help. Especially since sales data results have shown that we've been on the right track consuming so far. I believe that this will be a challenge for some Americans because these sugary drinks are surrounded by us. Everywhere you look, you can find them. For example, at the deli, your local grocery, outside stands, restaurants and more. I think that we can get a little more motivated if we all learn the effects and tolls they can take on our bodies. I doubt anyone would anticipate becoming obese, or being diagnosed with heart disease, diabetes or having a stroke. I am a strong believer of picking up for my own actions. I would cut down drinking soda on behalf of this article. It encouraged me to do so. Before reading this article, I did not know that soda/sugary drinks could cause so much damage to my body. Also, in a way, it's great that these prices for soda have have increased throughout the years. This way, it becomes difficult for people to purchase these unhealthy refreshments. Besides, who needs soda when can enjoy water? Water hydrates, replenishes and gives your body energy. So the next time you think of drinking soda, try something healthier instead! It will benefit you later if not sooner on in life.
http://www.naturalnews.com/035359_soda_sales_plummet.html
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
Test Prep #1 Informational/Non-fiction writing
In the article, "Sugary drink ads target black and Latino children and teens" by Tara Green is about many of our everyday ads that we may see online, on television, electronically or outside targeting mostly black and Latino children/teens. A report released by the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity finds that soft drink companies target teens of these two races with ads for sugary drinks.
Tara Green is trying to convey a message that the black and Latino children/teens in particular are being targeted for these sugary drink ads. For example, studies have shown that black and Latino kids have viewed eighty to ninety percent more soft drink ads compared with white adolescents. Also, between 2008 and 2010, the report states that Hispanic children saw forty-nine percent more ads and teens saw ninety-nine percent more ads on Spanish language networks for sugar and energy drinks. On the other hand, black children and teens were aimed with advertisements featuring black musicians, athletes and other celebrities. For example, in a commercial for Vitamin Water, rapper 50 cent teased of becoming "stankin rich" after creating his own flavor of the drink. Also, thirty-eight percent of Gatorade TV ads had only famous black athletes. According to the Rudd Center, some brands disproportionately aim black teens. Black teens view two and a half more ads as their white peers for Vitamin Water, Sprite, 5-hour energy and Mountain Dew. Many of these sugar filled drinks say things like "real fruit" and have pictures of the fruit on the bottle but this may be misleading. Really and truly these drinks contain no more than five percent real fruit juice. Many parents become attracted to these drinks for their children because of this. Childhood obesity can be a result of drinking an ample amount of soft drinks. These drinks have also been proven to cause many health problems such as tooth decay, pancreatic cancer and gout.
In conclusion, in the article, "Sugary drink ads target black and Latino children and teens" by Tara Green is a perfect example of what health risks involving adolescents has come to in our society. Now a days, many adolescents have been diagnosed with all of these harmful disorders and diseases which they shouldn't have to suffer through. I believe that it's unfair. Especially, when these sugary drink ads are targeting two specific races, being black and Latino. Why would this be? I personally think that it's racist because there are more races in the world besides these two. These ads are being discriminative towards them. Even though the public media know how to "target" their audience per say doesn't mean they cant be open and have a variety of public ads on display for everyone. Even if their "in it to win it" or for the money. Although, I do have to agree with the fact that many parents should be more adhere to what their children are consuming. Everyone should be aware and cautious of what they are consuming and how much of it. Taking care of our bodies are essential in life, especially for children. As they say, "children are the future."
http://www.naturalnews.com/034505_sugary_drinks_Latino_children.html
Tara Green is trying to convey a message that the black and Latino children/teens in particular are being targeted for these sugary drink ads. For example, studies have shown that black and Latino kids have viewed eighty to ninety percent more soft drink ads compared with white adolescents. Also, between 2008 and 2010, the report states that Hispanic children saw forty-nine percent more ads and teens saw ninety-nine percent more ads on Spanish language networks for sugar and energy drinks. On the other hand, black children and teens were aimed with advertisements featuring black musicians, athletes and other celebrities. For example, in a commercial for Vitamin Water, rapper 50 cent teased of becoming "stankin rich" after creating his own flavor of the drink. Also, thirty-eight percent of Gatorade TV ads had only famous black athletes. According to the Rudd Center, some brands disproportionately aim black teens. Black teens view two and a half more ads as their white peers for Vitamin Water, Sprite, 5-hour energy and Mountain Dew. Many of these sugar filled drinks say things like "real fruit" and have pictures of the fruit on the bottle but this may be misleading. Really and truly these drinks contain no more than five percent real fruit juice. Many parents become attracted to these drinks for their children because of this. Childhood obesity can be a result of drinking an ample amount of soft drinks. These drinks have also been proven to cause many health problems such as tooth decay, pancreatic cancer and gout.
In conclusion, in the article, "Sugary drink ads target black and Latino children and teens" by Tara Green is a perfect example of what health risks involving adolescents has come to in our society. Now a days, many adolescents have been diagnosed with all of these harmful disorders and diseases which they shouldn't have to suffer through. I believe that it's unfair. Especially, when these sugary drink ads are targeting two specific races, being black and Latino. Why would this be? I personally think that it's racist because there are more races in the world besides these two. These ads are being discriminative towards them. Even though the public media know how to "target" their audience per say doesn't mean they cant be open and have a variety of public ads on display for everyone. Even if their "in it to win it" or for the money. Although, I do have to agree with the fact that many parents should be more adhere to what their children are consuming. Everyone should be aware and cautious of what they are consuming and how much of it. Taking care of our bodies are essential in life, especially for children. As they say, "children are the future."
http://www.naturalnews.com/034505_sugary_drinks_Latino_children.html
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
**Twilight**
I decided to take a step back in time and re-read one of my many favorite fifth grade books. This one being, Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. Now that I have gotten older I view this book in a different way that I did three years ago. I am also willing to dissect a problem that I think most people ignore because they just dont think it's important. At the beginning of this book, has anyone ever noticed Isabella's and her fathers relationship? Well, I have! So far, Isabella Swan is the new girl after moving from Phoenix, her hometown to Forks where her father currently resides. May I just add that before her mother let her live with her father she solemnly said to her, "You don't have to do this." But in her own free will, Bella replied lying straight through her teeth "I want to go." I believe that she feels awkward and uncomfortable living with her father by her attitude and body language towards him being that it's been a couple of years since she last visited him. I believe that Bella, deep inside still has feelings for her dad emotionally but is hiding from it.
I mean come on! First, she secretly calls her father by his first name "Charlie" in her head but denies it and refuses to do so to his face, why may this be? This made me wonder what kind of father-daughter relationship they really have? Most teenagers don't really think about what name they should call their dad. I also know that it would be considered rude now a days if you called a parent by their first name, aside from joking. Then, as a gift for moving in with her father he surprised her with a red Chevy truck, which I find very exciting. Now, I am not trying to just blame this on Bella, Charlie contributes as a factor to their awkward relationship also. Bella even stated that her father was not comfortable with expressing his emotions out loud and that she possibly inherited this trait from him. I find it odd. Could it just be that they are not used to seeing each other a lot so there just going through an awkward stage? I sure hope so because this is not how a father-daughter relationship should work. Even if it is awkward at first, they should learn to get over it and get pass that.
Also, I find it intriguing how Bella says that one of the best things about Charlie was that he doesn't like to hover over her like her mom does. For example, as she was unpacking her clothes and getting settled into her new room, Charlie did not come in and interrogate as she would expect her mom to do. This could mean one of many things. Maybe, she doesn't want her father's guidance or him up in her personal life. Either way, it shows the lack of confidence and parent to child love in their relationship. This made it clear to me that she was not expecting any "love" or "affection" from Charlie. Is that a good or bad sign/thing? Where could their relationship really be headed?
In conclusion, I anticipate to see massive improvements in Bella's and Charlie's father-daughter relationship. I will continue to track and observe their relationship and stay updated.
I mean come on! First, she secretly calls her father by his first name "Charlie" in her head but denies it and refuses to do so to his face, why may this be? This made me wonder what kind of father-daughter relationship they really have? Most teenagers don't really think about what name they should call their dad. I also know that it would be considered rude now a days if you called a parent by their first name, aside from joking. Then, as a gift for moving in with her father he surprised her with a red Chevy truck, which I find very exciting. Now, I am not trying to just blame this on Bella, Charlie contributes as a factor to their awkward relationship also. Bella even stated that her father was not comfortable with expressing his emotions out loud and that she possibly inherited this trait from him. I find it odd. Could it just be that they are not used to seeing each other a lot so there just going through an awkward stage? I sure hope so because this is not how a father-daughter relationship should work. Even if it is awkward at first, they should learn to get over it and get pass that.
Also, I find it intriguing how Bella says that one of the best things about Charlie was that he doesn't like to hover over her like her mom does. For example, as she was unpacking her clothes and getting settled into her new room, Charlie did not come in and interrogate as she would expect her mom to do. This could mean one of many things. Maybe, she doesn't want her father's guidance or him up in her personal life. Either way, it shows the lack of confidence and parent to child love in their relationship. This made it clear to me that she was not expecting any "love" or "affection" from Charlie. Is that a good or bad sign/thing? Where could their relationship really be headed?
In conclusion, I anticipate to see massive improvements in Bella's and Charlie's father-daughter relationship. I will continue to track and observe their relationship and stay updated.
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