This is my first attempt at a blog and I hope that I can have some fun while discussing things I like to think about.  Our environment really does shape who we are (did you know that by using smaller plates and glasses you’ll consume less calories?) and that shaping can take place outside our consciousness.  Hopefully alot of what I talk about here will provide you some “duh, I knew that” or “a-ha!” moments.

I am a huge victim of my environment when it comes to food and eating, maybe that is why I am interested in the topic.  It’s personal.  Put crackers and cheese in front of me and I am done, no matter how many times I have told myself to “quit it.”  I know what is going on and I still fall for it every time!

I love to ask “why?” “Why am I eating this?,” “why won’t I exercise today?”  Maybe it’s my inner 3 year old self coming out.  Many of us know exactly what to eat (we know that a gallon of ice cream isn’t good for us, but we do it anyway) yet we act against our own self interest.  Why?  And that is where my blog gets its name:  Salient Dictates, if we see or think of something it becomes tangible (salient, ie most noticeable) to us and that helps drive (dictate) our behavior.

I’ll do my best to share some research, maybe a few tips, and of course, as my students tell me, silly jokes.  (College students don’t use the word “silly”, but you get the point).  I always welcome feedback and would be happy to answer questions.  Thanks for taking a look!