What could I possibly be thinking? Why do I feel the need to correct misconceptions inflicted upon people who choose to have Gastric Bypass Surgery (a.k.a. stomach stapling). Yet, here I go. Like a fat lamb to the slaughter I will try to make the world listen. Admittedly, I am weary of being judged. Thus, I will vainly ask you to forget what you may have assumed. For just a few moments, dare to see the world from my view.

Have you ever thought about why the mere mention of Gastric Bypass Surgery causes superiority to ooze out from every pore of ‘fit’ society? We have all seen it. A Diet Guru, a News Anchor or a Talk Show Host will say, “Next we are going to meet Barbie Beautiful who lost half her body size.” Then they add, “without pills or surgery.”

I am a total Cali girl through and through. One of these days, I will have to take you all through a tour of my extensive wardrobe of short little skirts and cute dresses. I will wear them out even in the middle of a typical Vancouver downpour or a blinding snowstorm.

Totally impractical, I know…. But hey….. I will only live once… and if I freeze to death, at least I know I did it in style with a lot of leg showin’

I am especially partial to a few fashion staples *yes, I am one of those girls that If I can wear it everyday until someone complains I smell, I will* like my jean skirts and a blue paisley sundress.

Kids and teens, pour yourselves a tall one. Chocolate, vanilla or strawberry milk, that is. New research shows that drinking flavored milk increases overall milk intake and improves nutrition without adding extra weight.

A study of nearly 8,000 children and adolescents published in this month’s Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that those who included flavored milk in their beverage selection actually drank more milk overall — both flavored and plain — when compared to peers who only drank plain milk. Because milk is a good source of calcium and potassium, two “nutrients of concern” lacking in the diets of most Americans, drinking more milk leads to better nutrition.