At Save the Tortillas, overeaters are like drug addicts and should not be enabled
July 24, 2009 at 12:07 pm by Catherine Robinson
By Catherine Durkin Robinson
PoHo contributor
Catherine Durkin Robinson is a “feminist mother of twins” and a political blogger, working under the title Out in Left Field.
This is not an easy post to write.
I struggle with my weight. Eating right and exercising takes effort and I work at it every single day. As President Obama encourages a national conversation about health care, what often gets overlooked is the part we play in our own demise.
Friends and family like to tease, calling me a skinny bitch. They imply that staying thin is easy for those of us who don’t overeat.
It’s not easy. Life isn’t easy. Doing the right thing by our bodies as a way of showing gratitude for life isn’t easy. We do it anyway.
I also hear, from time to time, excuses from people who are losing the battle of the bulge. For example, they tell me they’re not like me. They like food.
Bullshit.
That’s like saying an alcoholic likes the taste of vodka.
I like the taste of vodka. And tequila. And wine.
So I make damn sure I don’t overdo it because then I wouldn’t be able to drink anymore.
Same with food.
Don’t imply that I don’t like to eat.
Nothing tastes better than fresh vegetables and fruit. I don’t need to drown them in cream or sugar or salt or MSG. Dark grainy bread, thick chunks of French or Swiss cheese, spicy marinara sauce…even curly fries make my taste buds come alive…in moderation. Because if I ate too much of them, eventually I’d be cut off.
And that’s no kind of fun.
See, here’s the thing. Morbidly obese people don’t like the taste of food. They eat for other reasons, so let’s not pretend otherwise.
Taco Tammy had an event last night for people who are interested in her Save the Tortillas campaign. And while I admire Tammy and hope her company makes it, I was dismayed at what I saw. Take a look at the pictures from that event.
How can someone look at a pot full of simmering blood and fat and find that appetizing? If you went to a party where everyone showed off STDs, wouldn’t you close your legs? In much the same way, I’d look around the room at the consequences of eating such nauseatingly nasty shit and immediately close my mouth.
When we criticize religion, people often say a person’s faith or belief system is beyond reproach. Let’s not discuss it! Might ruffle a few feathers when we ask a person to *think* instead of *feel.*
Similarly, when we criticize the obesity problem in America and show examples where overeating isn’t just a lifestyle choice, but a public health crisis, people respond with “live and let live.”
Fine. But it’s important to understand that there is nothing appetizing or appealing about a room full of fat people celebrating food. It’s harmful and destructive behavior that destroys lives. Period.
Folks, you should eat an apple instead and go to therapy.
You heard me.
Not easy to say, but as you can see, *easy* has nothing to do with it.
July 24th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
As someone who has lost 170 pounds using Weight Watchers I’m afraid I have to call bullshit on you, Catherine. You chose one picture that showed several individuals who were overweight and didn’t point out that there were several folks at the event who weren’t obese (and a few who would possibly qualify as “too skinny”). Could the folks in question from the picture you chose stand to lose a few pounds? Certainly! For all you know they are in the process of doing so. You’re making a lot of assumptions here, and the worst of them is that everyone at the event who is overweight is going to overeat.
Also – I think you’re being more than a little bit disingenuous when you say you want Tammy to succeed in her efforts but then you turn around and tell everyone that they should eat an apple instead. Her name isn’t Apple Tammy. She sells Tortillas.
Oh, yeah…also? “Morbidly obese people don’t like the taste of food?” Seriously? I will not argue with you that there are a host of other reasons why folks get to the “morbidly obese” stage that have nothing to do with food, but again – I’ve been there, I still struggle with it, and I love the taste of food. Up to an including delicious tortillas filled with tasty meat and cheese.
July 24th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Wow Catherine. Sounds like you have a lot of issues with food. A LOT. And frankly it sounds to me like you are a sizist as well. That’s right I said it. A SIZIST! Just because people are overweight does not mean that they are unhealthy. Did you even attend this event? The people there were not “a room full of fat people celebrating food”. They were a room full entrepreneurs sponsoring and supporting a fellow entrepreneur who needed their support!! I feel sad for you that you are unable (or unwilling?) to look past how you judge people’s outside to see just how wonderful they are. You must be missing out from getting to know some of the most charismatic and charming people because of your issues with weight and food, not theirs.
So if this article was so difficult to write maybe it was because you should have never wrote it in the first place. Shame on you Catherine. Shame on you!
July 24th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Great job, Catherine!
July 24th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
I could pick through this tasty essay to get to the more e. coli-like parts, but I won’t. You are more than entitled to make broad, snap generalizations about society’s porcine eating habits based on one snapshot of four people you’ve never met participating in an event you didn’t attend. (You should have, though. The people were nice. Music was great. Food was excellent. The margaritas would have dropped a baby rhino, I hear.)
If you choose to see the world through cellulite-colored glasses, fine. I can only reply that I know lots of fatties who eat light and lots of skinnys who can pound Five Guys double cheeseburgers like they were drinking a glass of water.
Choices are important. Food addiction is real. Your connecting of the food dots to drugs, religion and STDs, though, is so far off the mark, it’s laughable. Seriously. I laughed hard enough to shoot milk out my nose. And I wasn’t even drinking any!!!
::: two, three, four… :::
Kate, you know I love you more than my luggage. We go back, you and I. Anyone who has read your blog as long as I have knows that you’ve dealt openly with plastic surgery struggles and image issues. That honesty is what makes you such an intoxicating human cocktail.
But if we’re ever in a plane crash in the Andes, I’m eating you first. I’m guessing you taste like Granny Smith apple.
July 24th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
I just recently got a phone call from a friend who directed me to read this article. All I can say is WOW!!! Where was the editor here?? I believe in freedom of speech but could not believe what I saw when I clicked on the link that said “notice a theme”. I was mortified several of friends and business associates were in those pictures. Did this self proclaimed “skinny bitch” run out of topics? She took a great night for someone and turned it into an embarrasing spectacle. My friends are just trying to live the American dream and start a sucessful compay. If Catherine Robinson is this picture of health she thinks she is, then I suggest she go write for Women’s Fitness. I guess then we will see what a true picture of health she really is. I can say one thing is true she is a bitch. I demand the link titled “notice a theme” be removed from the blog. I once was a faithful reader of creative loathing but now I expect it will be a great liner for my cat’s litter box!!
July 24th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
All you angry fat F**ks are probably shoving food down your throats as we speak. Catherine is simply stating the truth and apparently, the truth hurts. She is trying to help you see the light! Whether you are a Fat ass or a skinny bitch, YOU are a direct result of what you eat or don’t eat. That is the choice YOU make every singly day of your life. Nobody shoves food down your throat. Respect your body, yourself, humanity, and STOP being a Fat Pig!
July 24th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
The topic isn’t about being fat your ingnorant piece of useless flesh. It is the embarassment the link caused to innocent people. It would be different if Catherine Robinson was a nutritionist but she is some wanna be writer. She is probably so “skinny” because she is too useless to go out and have a nice dinner. I could think of a few things someone should shove down your throat. All talk but you cannot leave your name.
I cannot wait for all the paid advertisers read this article
July 24th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
i think the most important thing about this blog post is just that – a frickin blog post from someone in the community.
everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if its different than yours.
But to call this journalism, threatening to rally people to pull advertising or thinking this is something in need of an editor, that is silly. this was a personal rant and i applaud CL for allowing all sorts of folks in the community a voice.
finally, i had no idea who tortilla tammy was before this article, i support her with my dollars… those are the only tortillas i buy.
July 24th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Mmmmmm…tacos…mmmm…web traffic…my anti-spam word was enjoy.
July 24th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
When I first received a link for this article, I though it was another anorexic self proclaimed nutritionist giving their opionion. That is fine because I believe in free speech. Then, a close friend called in tears because she was in one of the photos. I knew this was way beyond free speech. These people thought these photos were for celebration not for some article about obesity. Oh by the way, catherine was never at this event. She just saw a quick way to throw together an article. I currently advertise in the publication but will probably not renew unless the author makes an apology for adding the link to the photos to her article. Free speech is meant to inform not to hurt unknowing others at your expense.
July 24th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Catherine, do your friends and family ever call you an ugly bitch?? I found the best diet today. I put down the sandwhich when I saw your revolting face!
You used to be a decent writer then apparently you decided to write from the gutter.
July 24th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Free speech is free speech. There’s no clause that follows that says, “unless it hurts someone’s feelings.”
July 24th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Dear another skinny bitch,
The issue is not over weight. It is how she posted links to a fundraiser she didn’t even attend. She did not have the right to post the link to those photos. Innocent people were hurt You both may be skinny but your both are ignorant if you don’t get the point. Go order 3 Big Macs and go purge in a ziplock bag.
July 24th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
I read the headline and read the article out of pure curiosity. I tried to access the “notice a theme link” and I was prompted to create a Flickr account. Hopefully, this means the photos are no longer accessible publicly.
Unfortunately, this is a hard way to find out that people can photograph you in public, use your image as they wish, and you have no recourse.
This is why I travel in disguises.
July 24th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
I saw the pictures when the link was working. The pics were of people I all sizes celebrating a local business. No pictures were grotesque or neaseating as Catherine. Just happy people celebrating. I could understand if some overweight person invaded your space on a plane or bus but what did these people do to you? I believe freedom of speech. Write all the atricles you want about obese people. Just leave photos of people who have no clue what the photos are being used for. You were not even at that particular event so great way to exaggerate. You’re just some mediocore writer who’s pissed at an overweight person today for some reason. Do you only surround yourself with thin beautiful people? You hurt some of my friends today who done nothing to you. You owe an apology for posting that link. I pray you’re children are not overweight because you will be worse than a bully on the playground.
July 24th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Many commentors…commenters…screw it, whatever, have pointed out that the people in the photo were “embarrassed” or “hurt” or what have you. My question is, “Why?” Why do they care one way or the other?
While I wildly disagree with a lot of Kate’s stances on nutrition and the reasons behind obesity in this country, I have to ask, “If big is so beautiful, where was the embarrassment? Where’s the hurt?” There seems to be a logical disconnect. Either a thing is something, or it isn’t. Either most likely registering as obese by BMI standards (sorry, but at the end of the day, were I a gambling man, I would put good money down that everyone in that photo falls into at least that category) is perfectly natural and normal, and thus to point it out is not hurtful or embarrassing, or it’s not, and Kate’s point stands.
Either they were “a room full entrepreneurs sponsoring and supporting a fellow entrepreneur ” and there’s no reason to get mad at Kate (at best, be bemused by her and her reality disconnect) or they weren’t and Kate did embarrass them because she has a point, but, if you’ll forgive the usage, you can’t have your cake and eat it too.
July 24th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Catherine,
Wow. What was the point of this blog? These people were there to support a cause they believed in, not for a health seminar.
Uhm … yeah, looks like some of the food was high in fat. Often, food at parties is high in fat … do you go on a rampage like that every time you come home from a party??
I wasn’t at the party, but a lot of my friends were — friends of all sizes, by the way. Writing a review/blog about a party you didn’t attend is like a writing a book review on a book you didn’t read.
My advice to you: Lighten up. You shed the pounds, and now it’s time to shed the high-and-mighty attitude.
July 24th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
I was involved in this event and all I can say is I am shocked and concerned.
I honestly see that you’re hurting and I am sorry life has dealt you such a hard blow you feel the need to express yourself in this manner.
I would like to offer you these words from God.
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37
Please go and get involved in your church and find good people to love and support you.
I will pray for your troubled soul.
July 25th, 2009 at 10:30 am
Oh don’t be so hard on Catherine Durkin Robinson. If your celebrity look-a-like was the Wicked Witch of the West you’d have a body image disorder too! Talk about needing therapy…
July 25th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Excellent article. I too am appalled by the delusion so many live in in this country that their health is out of their own control. When eating out with friends or at the lunch table at work, someone almost ALWAYS comments on my plate and how healthy it is, “wow you’re being so good”, etc etc, followed by my personal favorite logic-free comment: “but you’re so thin you don’t need to watch what you eat.” Has it occurred to you that I AM thin BECAUSE I watch what I eat? Without deprivation, too. I’ve simply trained myself to not crave foods that are bad for me, and I genuinely don’t. Yes, it took SOME discipline, but I was very, very lucky to be raised in a household that didn’t allow soda pop, potato chips, donuts, and fatty foods in the door. Hence, I have never found those foods very appealing. Anyways, I digress. Just an example of the backward cognitive approach to food so many unfortunately have.
July 25th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Wow, according to most commentators on this particular blog, I too clearly must just be a skinny anorexic bitch for agreeing with you.
You’re right, people. Let’s not talk about issues of public health and the serious risk those who are morbidly obese are finding themselves, more and more each day. Apparently it’s “mean” and qualifies as “judgment” to suppose that anyone is actually empowered to improve their situations. Delusion must be fun.
July 26th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
I first saw this article on her personal blog. I am a hit and miss reader. I recently told my publisher about her scary murder novel and suggested she look her up. So I went to blog that day to get the Olivia’s link. When I read the article I was not offended by the post, it was the gross picture of the fat bubble and then the pictures of the attendees. Being in a healthy shape consists of many things, mind, body and soul.
Openly she addressed her personal deficit (blood or something) having to eat meat maybe.
When Catherine posts it appears it’s a release of anger pointed somewhere at someone.
Her mind may be in tack; her body was suffering, and let’s face it, her soul is out there.
August 2nd, 2009 at 3:10 pm
I was one of the participants and actually cooked some of the food. Thanks goodness we have people concerned enough to help save and promote a Tampa business. I’m not surprised that there would be somebody out there that would make such an outlandish and absurd comment. You’re not in left field lady you’re not even in the ball park. I feel sorry for your children.
August 2nd, 2009 at 3:31 pm
How dare you….You take one picture from an event that was held by caring people supporting a local business and turn it into a chance for you to vent your obviously numerous issues with food, all by never attending the event, never talking to anyone who attended the event. Whore would be an apt description for you, an unethical and I’ll add, a pretty inane, vacuous and insipid writer of banalties. But then again, you ‘blog’ for this Rag!
Real journalists, without issues, actually get their facts straight most of the time and likewise, attend the events they choose to write about. Whores will lay down for whomever is paying the bill that day.
I attended the event that was full of caring individuals, supporting a local person, Tammy, and charitably giving of themselves to help someone else out. The only reason I’m here writing this at all is that those who have responded before me have been way to nice in their disapproval of your unprofessionalism. Personally, I’ve read through a good portion of your blogs here and I will give you this bit of advice, not that you deserve it. Stick with the day job whatever that is, and if you actually get paid by Loafing for this diatribe you call a blog, thank your lucky stars you found a publication with a little integrity as you.
For those who would actually like to read about the actual event, from someone who was there click here; http://www.gourmetgirlmagazine.com/09/08/ontheredcarpet.php
August 2nd, 2009 at 3:47 pm
I agree with Jeff Houck. Your blog entry is just so off the mark. But, just as love is free, so is hatred. Enjoy yours. SAVE THE TORTILLAS! (Barry – 158 lbs)
August 3rd, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Nice to see pictures on your blog of raw fish and cocktails with advertisements from the Rack and lots of other Tampa restaurants. I’m going to take your vile blog to all the CL advertisers and show them the support they get behind their backs.