Happy Birthday Skip!
This is Skip's daughter Brooke, hijacking Word of Wisdom Living for a minute to wish my dad a Happy Birthday! You might not be aware of the many hours he puts into this little site: researching questions, trying out recipes, exploring the aisles of the grocery store.. it's almost a full time job for him.
Why does he do it? Because he wants to share what he's learned about nutrition and living well, and because he likes to learn from all of you and your wonderful comments.
The photo above was taken for an article Martha Stewart ran this summer about our family reunion. I know when you see a photo in a magazine, you might assume things are just posed for the camera, but this photo rings true for me. My dad loves to share things. He loves to research and study and read, and make his own conclusions and then share his findings. (Okay, we might not do it with lanterns in the trees and coordinating quilts!)
All my life my dad has tried to teach me things. He's an engineer, so he's always trying to figure out how things work and how they can be done better. Growing up, he was the kind of dad who drew a lot of graphs, who asked a lot of questions, who would never just give me the "easy answer".
In college he would mail me articles he had read in the morning paper. Now he emails links he thinks I need to see and pulls me aside when I come over for dinner to tell me about the interesting story he heard that week.
For all these years it's just been his family who he shared with, and that's why I pushed him to start this blog, to share with a larger audience all the things I've been lucky enough to hear my whole life. I think he's doing a really great job, and I know my family is healthier because of his time and effort.
Happy Birthday Dad.
Leave a comment telling my dad one way this blog has helped you.. I think that would really put a smile on his face!
Friday, October 7, 2011 at 1:11PM
Reader Comments (85)
I've appreciated the insight and thorough thoughtfulness of the posts each week. This blog has definitely made me think more about how I am taking care of my bosy and be more grateful for the inspired counsel in the word of wisdom.
Thanks Skip for writing this blog. I appreciate so much the balance between sharing the research side and then the practical application. I love the little rule of thumb tips -- (like one diet soda a week if you're going to have them). And I love the tone of the blog -- it makes me want to keep making little changes to be healthier without feeling like it's overwhelming.
And that's why I keep reading and sharing your blog with others. And one reason why my little daughter will grow up eating healthier, because I feel like I can do it.
Thanks for your time and happy birthday!
I love reading this blog because of the detailed answers. For a long time I would eat something because I knew I should, but I couldn't tell you exactly why. Well, now I can. I just found your blog last month and have read almost the entire years post since then. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with the world. Hope you have a very Happy Birthday!
~Sarah
Happy Birthday! I love reading your posts and am often forwarding them to my family and bringing your pearls of wisdom up in conversation. Your thoughts help hold me accountable and remind me what I should be purchasing at the grocery store and eating at home. Just today I grabbed a protein bar from our pantry and put it back after I read the crazy long list of ingredients, half of the things I'd never heard of before. Instead, I opted for an apple with peanut butter. Thank you for all of your hard work and being such an inspiration!
Happy Birthday, Skip! Thank you for your hard work at providing compelling, helpful, and well-researched information for me and the host of others who read your blog. We're blessed by your dedication to this topic. This blog has helped me be more conscientious about what I put into my body, especially since I have a better idea of what the short- and long-term effects will be.
Happy Birthday to you Skip! I can easily say that this blog has changed the way I feed my family and for that I thank you profusely.
Happy birthday Skip!
And I cannot tell you how much I enjoy your blog. It is one of my top favorites that I read (I have probably 50+ in my reader?) You have really given me so much information and "food for thought" on how we are living our lives, how less and simple are good, and how I can be a positive, healthy example to my children of how to live healthfully and simply. I believe Brooke when she says you spend a lot of time on this blog - it shows. Thank you, and please keep it up! You are my number one resource for healthy living information. I would much rather hear from a real person than a glossy magazine or a slick website.
Happy Birthday!! I million thank yous for devoting so much time and effort to this blog. I have learned so much about nutrition and how to fuel my body (and my family's) in a healthy and effective way. Its nice to show my husband your research to back up some of the "new" ways of looking at food. I have noticed so many great differences in myself since eating better. Most improtant to me, my moods have changed for the better. I am a better, more patient mother now. and believe me my children thank you for it!
Happy Birthday. Your words have given me the confidence to pursue a healthier life for myself and my family. I feel we are barraged daily with junk and rubbish and you give me the tools to continue on the path towards a better life. Have a wonderful birthday and thank you for sharing your research and wisdom.
Happy Birthday Skip!
Thank you for sharing your insights and ideas. You are an inspiration! Since I have started reading here I have tried hard to eliminate processed foods from my family's diet and it makes me feel great knowing I am putting healthier food into their bodies.
Happy birthday Skip! Thank you for writing this blog. It's fantastic to have a healthy forum for discussion and to have provoking questions that make me think about how I treat this body. I love the respectful tone in which you write. Such a lovely addition to my daily reading.
I can't think of any one thing in paticular. I have read this blog for a while and never posted a comment. It certainly makes me more aware of everyday decisions that effect my health. I also really enjoy the recipes and ideas. Happy Birthday!
I really appreciated your post about breast cancer and how to avoid it. My mother, grandmother and great grandmother all had breast cancer, so it is a concern in our family. Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday, Skip. I love your blog and one thing it has really helped me think about and try to improve is that living a healthy life isn't just about good nutrition, but living a complete, fulfilling life. Also, I finally made your homemade applesauce recipe today and it was a huge hit. It smells like wassail and tastes like apple pie. We love it. Thanks for the time you put into helping us all live better.
What a sweet tribute! I have loved reading this blog because I get a twice-weekly reminder to keep on track. It's nice to feel somewhat validated in what I'm doing, because it's easy to forget that I'm doing this all for a reason. Thanks for the wonderful blog, all the research, all the time and love put into something you believe in so wholeheartedly. Have a wonderful birthday!!
Happy birthday Skip! I appreciate all of the hard work you put into this blog, and in your life! I don't comment much, but your posts always make me think hard about what I am feeding my family. Thanks for everything!
Happy birthday! Thank you for writing as you do... it fits so much of what I'm trying to learn and encourages me to be better. I actually want it all as a book so I can marj it up and keep it handy on my shelf. At the end of the year I'm tempted to print it all up, in all seriousness. Enjoy your day!
Happy Birthday, Skip.
You are making a difference in my life. Recently, my daughters and I started a healthy living club, as you suggested. Three times this week I had "breakfast compote" for breakfast. I have been trying to sleep 8 hours a night. I made your yummy whole wheat bread last week. And I haven't eaten deep-fried foods for a while--that is kinda hard for me because I like french fries (I guess I could bake some sweet potato fries). Thank you for all the interesting, even compelling, information.
Keep it up!
I've never commented before, but your blog is one of my faves. Thanks, Skip, for sharing your wisdom in a way that never makes me feel guilty for my occasional lapses into less-than-ideal habits! Your posts are always positive and inspire me to make changes to my diet and lifestyle.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Wishing you many more years of healthy living!
Happiest of birthdays to you Skip! I really appreciate all the work you put into the blog and the helpful information you share with us. Because of you the bread I now buy has more fiber than sugar. :) I know there are more tips to use but that's the one that I use the most.