The Essentials

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“In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity.” —St. Augustine

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Ritalin

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Me: Honey, I'm thinking about asking my doctor to prescribe me some Ritalin. Laura: YES! Me: Uh, wow. That was a bit enthusiastic. Laura: I mean yes, but just be careful because that stuff is a chemical and too much of that is not good for you. Me: What did you say?....
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My WFPB Diet — Day 250: The Weight of the Nation Series

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I finished watching The Weight of the Nation Series on Max. It’s a 2012 documentary about the obesity crisis in our country. It’s sad to think that the crisis hasn’t let up 13 years later. Here are key takeaways for me that ChatGPT helped me write up: 1. Obesity is a Complex Issue with Multiple Causes  Biology and Environment: Genetics play a role, but the environment has a more significant impact on obesity rates, including the availability of cheap, calorie-dense foods and sedentary lifestyles.  Socioeconomic Factors: Obesity is more prevalent in lower-income communities due to limited access to fresh, healthy foods and safe spaces for physical activity.  2. The Health Consequences are Severe  Chronic Diseases: Obesity increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and certain cancers.  Reduced Life Expectancy: Excess weight can significantly shorten life expectancy.  Mental Health Impact: Obesity often correlates with depression, an...
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Egg McMuffins with a Side of Humble Pie

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We pull into a McDonald's drive thru for a late night snack on our drive back home from a holiday trip. I order Egg McMuffins with ham for everyone because they're cheaper and have fewer calories than cheeseburgers, and because Laura has never tried one before. In front of us is a car with a personalized license plate that says "PRINCESS" using a creative combination of letters and numbers. I laugh aloud and crack a lame joke about the chances that Royalty is placing an order on the royal credit card. When I pull up to the window to pay, the cashier says, "Don't worry about it. The lady in front of you paid for your order."  "What!"  "The lady in the car in front of you just paid for your order!"  "Wow, that's great!" I say, but m y face flushes red as I recall my judgmental comment. I glance over at my wife and say,  "If she only knew what I just said about her!"  I look up and catch the benevolent pr...
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