Watching what our BRAINS eat.

by

The past year Ive grown obsessed with what my family consumes.

Like super-obsessed.

And, unlike many who’re focused on the SUGARS this time of year—Im preoccupied with what our brains are consuming.

it's not all steinbeck or dickens around here...

we consume minions.

 

This focus was sparked during the Super Bowl when the Tornado was “assigned” to watch the half-time show by her music teacher.

Now, I love me some Beyonce, but through the eyes of a 7 year old the ‘theatrical display’ assumed a whole new meaning.

  • Questions arose (Mama, is that an appropriate outfit to wear? Why is she wiggling her (giggle) BUTT like that?).
  • Imitations were done (days later. swift and immediate ‘oh heck NO. that is NOT appropriate for you to mimic.’ rained down).
  • Realizations happened (slow to formulate/left to percolate until I was ready to share).

I was forced to acknowledge–despite my tattoo’ed exterior and laid-back demeanor–Im pretty uptight about our “brain-food.”

I knew I was more laid-back than many with regards to what I put in my vessel (hello Diet Coke!), but it was entirely by accident Id let myself backslide in what I cram in my cranium (hello boyfriend realtors!).

Id forgotten the SKINNY IS BEAUTIFUL incident.

Id allowed a teacher to dictate what the Tornado consumed within the confines of our home.

It was a wake-up call.

I stepped back, examined & revamped how we lived.

I focused on being aware of what my *MIND* consumed and reminded myself little eyes are always watching.

what she'd read if given free reign (!)

what she’d read if given free reign (!)

I worked to ingest uplifting messages and offer just these for her consumption, too.

I tremendously cut back on brain-junk (from movies to magazines) in an effort to live more positively.

choosing this over STAR magazine

I reached for this not STAR Magazine.

I also worked to be mindful of what I contributed to the world.

I focused on being careful what messages I put out to others be it with my mood, writing, thoughts or general negativity.

I returned completely to conscious living.

I avoided negative people as when I let negativity surround me/permeate my thinking it finds a safe harbor in my head and in my home.

I consistently reminded myself of (a mangled version of) this quote:

Screen shot 2013-09-15 at 5.28.55 AM

J.R. and I disagree on the people version (thats a different post), but I do believe we are the average of the top five things we cram in our cranium.

we are making the effort to do more of this

lately we’ve done more of this.

It’s G.I.G.O. here for our bods and our brains.

If I choose to believe worrying is praying for what we do not want (I do) then I must concur what we focus on is what we become.

My moment of Superbowl Halftime irritation turned into a year long focus on what I feed my brain & what I feed my child’s brain sets us up for who we will become.

In the same same way when I ate junk food I turn into a physical manifestation of a junk food physique.

Mindful living.

Careful cranium consumption.

We are so much more than our vessels and it’s possible to have a lean, mean ripped vessel and *still* have a trashtastic mind.

I know.  Ive been there.

 

  • Are you as cautious what your *mind* consumes as you are with what you put in your *mouth*?

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Comments

  2. I think since I’ve become a mama I’m definitely more aware of what my mind consumes. I don’t watch the news, cut out the junk TV shows, magazines, etc. I’ve got little eyes watching. And they see everything!

  3. I would say I’m far more aware of what my children’s brains are consuming than my own! I feel like with two little ladies I want to fill their minds with positive images…it’s that whole “you can’ erase and image” idea.

  4. I don’t watch much TV anymore because I don’t like the programs that are on now. I do watch Netflix and mostly scifi shows. I read mostly educational books on culture, history, religion and nutrition.

  5. Well…as a mama who has always been much stricter than my peers on what my kids see, read, do, I appreciate this. There is so much crap being pushed down kids throats out there (wow–by a teacher?). I am also conscious about what I watch in front of them (I just don’t until they are in bed).

    Now…for me personally, the occasional Bravo show or People mag can be a little bit guilty pleasure fun…just don’t let the kids know!

  6. Oooh, this is good. I’ve been focused on cutting down the “noise” around here too. Focusing on reading/watching the positive, the informative, and the life affirming.

    I’m all for unwinding with some less than Oscar worthy TV but dang, when a Kardashian or Lohan is trending as “news” that’s just wrong.

  7. My husband thinks many of the covers of my fitness magazines are inappropriate. I have to keep away from Fitspo. Sometimes I can feel my body reacting to those images.

  8. i love that quote and am constantly reminded of what/who effects my mind with sugar (aka negative thoughts). A good reality check also helps, yes?

  9. I got rid of cable years ago because it was polluting my mind with images of people I’ll never look like and products I’ll never afford. Did the same with ‘girly’ magazines (now I just get Mom’s left over good housekeeping every month!) Feel 100x better.

  11. you say it so well!! it’s why we truly haven’t watched local news in ages, it just makes us sad and why I often tell D I don’t want to watch a certain show…or why I can feel in body that something is icky when I hear certain music. SO important, LOVE, LOVE LOVE THIS! And I won’t like still boggled that a 7 year olds teacher told them to watch the super bowl show based on how the last few years have looked

  13. I do not worry enough about the brain junk.
    Quite frankly I probably should be less concerned some days with HFCS and more with cartoon network.

  14. I appreciate the fact you can be honest and realize the dichotomy between your outside and your inside.
    I’m a newish reader and assumed you would be very liberal and let your Tornado do anything.

    This makes me love you more and long to be a mother.

  18. Great & thought provoking post Carla! I watch & read a lot of different things – some even that some may consider trash – the thing with me though is I am aware of what is trash & not trash for me.. I don’t have kids in the house though. BUT, I need some trash watching to enjoy for me – not the kids.. I like to read certain magazines & honestly hard to find a fitness/workout mag that does not have some message not good for kids but I like the workouts & stuff.. 🙂

    I guess I am saying I am aware more of what I digest but I allow fun stuff knowing what is & is not the best stuff.. again – no kids in the house…

  19. Such an interesting post. I think that I go both ways. I’m so super aware of what my kids’ brains consume and what they are exposed to (we are probably more strict than other parents in some ways? But then again, that’s what our boys’ personalities too). At the same time, I know that I consume a lot of crap for my brain i.e. celebrity magazines, TV, etc. I guess because it’s often an escape for me. Now I have to go think and notice this some more.

  20. When I hear brain food I automatically go to fish oil! Haha! But you’re so right and I love the parallel between junk food in and junk info/TV/negativity/etc in. LOVE THAT!

  21. I stopped subscribing to junk magazines when I realized this same thing. Although I haven’t taken it all much farther than that, definitely something to work on.

  22. I think I forgot to hit submit for my comment 🙁 – it disappeared! Sorry if it double posts 🙂

    Love this post! I (we) have probably been more concerned with mind-food than body-food as a family. I always think that reading, seeing, listening to what’s ‘served up’ would be like opening your mouth and having no say in what’s shoveled in.

  23. Ah… a loaded post.

    Here’s what I think: I think that there’s a difference between what you see and what you’re exposed to. I can see junk food without devouring it. But if I live in a world where I’m sheltered from junk food, how would I deal with it once that barrier is taken away? Once my eyes are opened to junk food and that everyone else I know LOVES it?

    I think media offers the same thing.

    The Tornado is certainly old enough to be aware of Beyonce or Miley’s transformation. If she doesn’t hear it from you, she’s going to hear it somewhere else (gee, this sounds like the sex talk) and you don’t know what messages she’s taking in in the absence of a GOOD message about this.

    So yes, she saw Beyonce, and she jiggled, and you had the conversation. Seeing Beyonce put the ideas in her head in the absence of other ideas, and that was set straight. THAT’s how you prevent those “wrong body messages” from being part of her life.

    The other thing I thought, when you posted your image of the yoga magazine instead of a fashion or gossip rag was: “there it is, the photoshopped body”.

    Still not a healthy image.

    It’s so easy to want to shelter a child, but eventually that child will have to deal with the world as an adult. Too much sheltering deprives her of the tools she’ll need to deal with that.

    And don’t worry, it’s like shopping for new clothes: She may have the urge to try something on, but that doesn’t mean she’s going to take it home and wear it.

    • ahhh no school day so Im hurrying but you are RIGHT as usual 🙂
      and I know this year I may have WELCOMED the conversation sparker of BEYONCE.
      Last year (and I also know her school is thankfully filled with pretty YOUNG seven year olds…not pop culture savvy) Im not sure she’d have heard about it if it wasnt assigned.

      • This makes some sense to me.
        I am with Kate on the thought of the Tornado will see and hear all of this anyway.
        I do like the thought of exposing in a controlled fashion for discussion.

  25. LOVE THIS and just wish more folks were more conscientious, especially given the impact our culture has on little girls. I will spare you the rant that comes to mind about how genders are represented in media and how infuriating it is to see boys/men as “normal” and central, and girls/women as decorative/sexy “other.”

    And don’t let me get started on the glorification of violence… sigh.

    Good for you for fighting back!

  26. Oh I definitely believe that what we surround ourselves with will affect us tremendously. I definitely try to be aware of what my kids are watching on tv and even the music they are listening to. Those little minds are very impressionable!

  27. I don’t have kids, but I avoid paying attention to, or listening to things that I think are trash such as coworkers fad diets, and self bashing. I’m usually good at avoiding all gossip too, but sometimes I can’t help myself =)

  28. Such an important discussion! As my children have gotten older it’s become so much more difficult to limit their exposure to ‘mature’ topics. The daily newspaper regular includes topics like rape and drug use on the front page. Instead of ignoring, we read and watch together and talk, talk, talk. Not always the most comfortable of conversations for a mom who’d love to shelter them a little longer, but necessary !

  29. I have cut down a lot on the extra “stuff” that used to take up my time and mind with entertainment and things. Quite frankly, don’t have the time for it anymore, and it’s refreshing when I think about it. I’m kind of disconcerted that a teacher required kids to watch the half time show, though. A bit odd.

  30. Since becoming a parent if a child who is now fully engaged with the world, this has come into play. I find it difficult to encourage my own child to read when I spend more time on a computer or phone and not with my own head in a book.

    After moving from NY to LA, we as a family are trying to be mor engaged in cultural outings but sometimes we just don’t. Thought provoking post. Thanks Carla!

  31. it’s so true that it’s easy to get so focused on what we put in our stomachs because it affects our outward appearance and forget about focusing on what we put in our minds, which affects us but not in a necessarily physically apparent way. that is until we open our mouths! i’ve definitely been in the situation where i’ve said something and realized after the fact it totally came from influence of trashy magazines or TV, and as soon as something like that is said, it CERTAINLY alters appearance in the perceptive minds of those around us! just because we look in the mirror and just see the results of genetics/food/fitness does not mean others around us don’t see more…they may base opinions of us on our thoughts, our knowledge, our awareness of the world we live in. i know i definitely have more respect for young women i meet who are my age and able to hold an intelligent conversation about something other than bravo. i don’t want to look down on those who have guilty pleasures because believe me, i have them too. but i hope they have their place in a sea of other intelligent media/activities.

  32. “We are so much more than our vessels and it’s possible to have a lean, mean ripped vessel and *still* have a trashtastic mind.” WOW. If that didn’t put me in my place. Thanks for the reminder and new “prayer point” for the future. 🙂

    • I loved that piece, too.
      I really can focus on the body in my pre-competition days but the mind has gone to all junk food.

  34. Thanks for the reminder (as I just finish watching America’s Next Top Model, which my husband informs me *melts my brain*). We definitely see a change in attitude in our 4-year-old depending on what and who he watches. I am learning in this last year before he enters school that his peers will be a big influence on him and I can only hope I can lead him to make the right choices.

  35. I agree 1000%. It is tough when there is so much going on in their peer environments. We can’t keep them in a bubble forever. But I think we can talk about what they see and absorb. So much contemporary kid-targeted stuff (TV, movies) are so… objectionable, mostly I think from the perspective of normalizing icky behavior. I don’t even KNOW what’s out there now but I have the feeling that much of it can’t be good. But some of it IS really good. Do you pre-screen all the stuffs? How can this even be done with movies etc. Just thinking onscreen here. How I’m so grateful to be done with that work of screening/evaluating/limiting. It’s hard important work. I think, in retrospect, it all turned out for the good. I’m proud of my girls’ values and what their brains gravitate toward now that they are young adults. They certainly absorbed their share of BrainJunk but it was always with the running commentary from us in the background….

  36. Good points and let me say that it is tough being a mom! lol – I had no idea that my opinions would change so much after having a little boy.

  37. We have always tried to be fairly conscious about what the boys fill their brains with. The biggest struggle that I’ve encountered has been the games like Call of Duty – when all the other 8,9,10 year olds were playing these, my boys were not. Now my boys were older and the interest has waned (for now!).
    I have to say, as the boys get older, it gets harder to truly monitor all of it – now I feel like we have to rely on what we have previously taught.

  38. Wow…this is convicting and a great read. I think we all need to be more aware of what our minds consume (love that phrasing!) and thoughtful about how it affects us. There are too many ways where I mindlessly watch things (or read things – like blogs) – which aren’t bad, per se, but they are not necessarily the best use of my time, you know?

    When it comes to content and TV, we’re fairly careful with what we watch online (don’t have a TV but sure can watch enough programs online that it doesn’t make us saints not to have one!). I had heard that “Breaking Bad” and “Game of Thrones” were amazing, and thought their story lines were original and thought-provoking, but the violence of BB and explicit sexuality of GofT just was too much for me and I decided early on, with Mikey’s consent and agreement, that we wouldn’t watch those programs despite knowing they’d be entertaining and great stories (which we love). It just wasn’t edifying for us. So…that’s how I make my decisions when it comes to TV – is this a good use of my time? Is it edifying? How would I feel if someone walked in on me watching this and what does it leave me feeling?

    Great thoughts, once again!

  39. Yes! Yes! Yes! This is why i gave up TV years ago. Something came on, and i looked up at the heavens and told the Good Lord that i no longer had a clear conscience to put trash in my brain, and i turned it off and it’s stayed off.

    We can consume healthy food, junk, or poison, and that is true of our bodies and our brains.

  40. Oh how I wish more people were aware of the lsesons and the role modelling they are doing for their children… but honestly, we ALL have to be aware of all of the children our lives touch… even the young strangers we have encounters with in grocery stores, parks, malls, etc. Little eyes and ears pick it ALL up.

  41. Very very important to monitor what we feed our brains. I know that I’m guilty of feeding my brain too much junk food from time to time. I have an avid interest in movies and television so that’s a big part of my life but it doesn’t have to be a destructive one. Just because I can spend my free time watching a lot of television, doesn’t mean that I should. There are many other things to do, like read a good book. And of course, we need to consider what kinds of books we are reading as well.

  42. I believe it is important to be updated in the world around you in terms of local, national, and world news. It may not be what you want to hear or know about but it IS happening and it IS important to educate yourself on issues that have an effect on your life and the world we live in. I view it as a responsibility rather than anything.

    I also think it is important to surround yourself with knowledge of topics and things that interest you and will better yourself. It is up to each person to filter through what is important to you. What is important to one person in terms of their faith, career, hobbies, etc. will be completely different from another.

  43. This post made me think of a million different things, most of which have already been expressed by the other commenters, so I’ll keep it brief(er).

    I was puzzled by why reading a chapter of a novel before I go to bed gave me a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that was missing, no matter how heavy I lifted, how far I ran, how productive I was at the office or how much I played with and/or nurtured my kids. I think you may have found the reason. It’s just good mind-fuel.

  44. I am not, but I need to be better about it, I know this. Thanks for the reminder!

    And what’s with the halftime show?!? With the history of them and they’re wardrobe malfunctions, I’m amazed that a teacher would assign that!

  45. When it comes to “watching what our brains eat” , I think a good thing to remember is “to each their own”. Not everyone is going to see the value in reading fitness blogs but if it is something you are passionate about than it is very important. Just like not everyone is going to find the value in what the latest fashion is or what the stars are wearing, but if you are in the fashion industry, that could be your career and your passion so therefor it becomes VERY important. Some people don’t see the value in keeping up with local, national or world news but to others it could be a matter of life.

    Whatever you fill your brains with, know that it should be meaningful, serve a purpose, or bring you joy. In this day and age, ignorance is a choice.

  46. Yes! I feel like TV and everything has gotten so trashy and it just clutters our minds and brains. John David and I have been working on getting rid of things like this before we have a child in our home. What goes in the mind eventually comes out! You are a wonderful mom!!

  48. It’s funny. I am more consumed with my own brain food lately than my children. Now my boys are certainly given limitations, but they are not pushing too hard to go outside of them either. If I had girls, it might be a whole other story since there are few great young female role models in pop culture right now…

  49. I had to admit recently that the violent shows I’ve watched for years have been affecting my sleep.

    I’ve had to go ghost/zombie/monster of the week free for a little while. Bad dreams all the time. And I’m old!

  50. There is so much junk out there, in magazines, newspaper, and especially on television, that is is difficult avoid unhealthy brain food. Your post will make me examine my life and my habits, and make positive changes, so that I can improve my brain food. Thanks.

  51. I am totally conscious of this and have cut way back on my tv consumption. This has come along with having kids too. We work hard to limit tv time with our little ones spending time outside moving, playing games, playing dress up, creating art and consuming massive quantities of books!

  52. My attention span is too short to spend too much time on any one thing, so I’m at low risk for over-exposure. 🙂
    So far, too much HGTV hasn’t managed to help me get my house remodel finished. 🙁

  53. I’m constantly worried about what the kids are reading/watching/listening to. I’m starting to come to the realization that I can’t keep them from everything, but I can have discussions about why you SHOULDN’T act like something they’ve read/watched/listened to.

    And you went to Bedford! Yay! It makes me happy to know there’s one place in Oakland that I’ve known we’ve both been in. : ) And I wonder if you saw my brother and didn’t know it….

  54. Yes, yes, yes! I was very aware of this as my kids grew up and even for myself and hubby. When there is so much media coming at us from smart phones,iPads,tv and radio we can easily have sensory overload! We break free from all media as often as possible so we can just be in the moment and experience real life.

  55. Smart post. As a grandmama, I too have influence and responsibility. It is a very complex time as there is so much available outside of what we bring into it. Though, parents and family are the greatest influencers, until teen friends take over. OY!!

  56. Love it as always. Yes, we’re very conscious in our home about the food we give our brain. So much so that we don’t even have a television set up and my husband and I make sure that we’re reading one book that is geared towards improving our lives (business, positivity, etc) and one book for fun. We try to keep as much crap out as possible!

  57. OMG…. No, I’m not mindful about what I put into my brain. Honestly, I hadn’t given it a lot of thought until I read this and now I am thinking about it all in context of my life and where I’m at.
    Yes, I believe changes are necessary.

  58. How hard was it to not say something to the teacher? I don’t know if I could have kept quiet.

    We’re super selective about not only what we feed our brain, but who we surround ourselves with as well.

  59. I am AS CONSCIOUS about what goes in my brain as I am about what goes in my mouth!!! I only feed my brain with POSITIVE THOUGHTS! If anything negative ever seeps in… You better believe I take the BROOM out and SWEEP those thoughts away!!! This “broom” is most likely my mother, siblings, dad, friends, or BLOGS like YOURS 😀

  60. This post does get me thinking about what I’m “feeding my brain”. If the saying “you are what you eat” is acceptable here too than I would say I need to start allowing more time for myself to become educated about things I care about or things that are going to better me as a person, or at least serve a valuable purpose in my life.

  61. I think it is important to constantly be working or educating yourself on your craft (your career), personal growth, and personal joy. Whatever content those things might consist of is fine, as long as you are constantly improving yourself and adding value to your life.

  62. This post makes me realize how much non-useful information my brain consumes each day. It makes me wonder if any of it is truly relevant to the overall good of my life.

  63. i love this post Miz. i have a 2.5 year old who is parrot and mimics everything she sees and hears. i try very hard to not expose her to anything crazy.. and i know as she gets older it will be harder due to outside influences and social media, but i think the solution to that is to continue to expose her to positive programming, and introduce her to new activities that will feed her soul and mind in a more positive way.. i am with you 100% what we feed our brain is so important.. we tend to just focus on the food we consume.

  64. Here’s a great NPR article about the relationship between exercise and mental wellness. http://buff.ly/1eMdHMe. I always find that exercise allows me to be more aware.

    I need to focus more on putting myself in environments that support my mental and spiritual growth!

    Great post!

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