War Is Stressful — And Fattening
Tales of panic, sugar, and carbohydrates in a Beersheva bomb shelter.
There are those who would say “the first casualty of War is Truth,” and there are even those who would say that what Israel is currently undergoing is not a war.
Whatever the case, I am here in Beersheva — on the “almost” frontlines of the conflict with Hamas — to tell you the first thing to go when missiles start to fall nearby is your diet.
It could be the chemical high of the carbohydrates, or maybe the immediate kick of the sugar. It might even be the emotional pleasure of indulging in the chocolate in a guilt-free environment. I am no scientist, but my first-hand study has shown that when sirens are screaming, particularly if it is the second or third alarm in less than an hour, there is nothing more calming than a bite of fudge-filled chocolate cookie. Particularly when shared with the random gathering of strangers in the nearest bomb shelter.
Maybe it is different for people who are alone with the families in their residential “safe room,” but since I have spent most of the last week at my office at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, in the heart of Beersheva, I have had an opportunity to research the dynamics of public shelters. All the more so as my office is on the ground floor, so each new alarm brings in a different collection of random passersby.
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Faye Bittker is the director of the Department of Publications and Media Relations at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
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13 Comments
1. An Unsealed Room » War is Fattening:[...] I just bullied my good friend Faye Bittker into writing down all the entertaining stuff she’s been telling me on the telephone and turning it into an article on Pajamas Media. Check it out… [...]
Jan 2, 2009 - 2:02 am 2. vitti:Great. Thankyou. I will pass this on.Lookingforward to the fudge filled….
Jan 2, 2009 - 6:02 am 3. jvon:Shabbat Shalom
vitti
I wish you and your fellow countrymen (countrypersons?) the best of luck in the current conflict, and I hope it is resolved before any of you put on too much weight.
Jan 2, 2009 - 6:19 am 4. Holly B:Very interesting, funny, and insightful blog entry. I’m glad to know this is your position. From far away, we can’t experience exactly what you’re going through, but this brings us closer. Thanks!
Jan 2, 2009 - 6:59 am 5. Marilyn K:You go girl! What a great excuse to indulge yourself and enjoy those chocolate goodies. I also doubt that you are seriously gaining weight (and even if you are I doubt that it shows on you). I totally agree that it is worth gaining a few pounds if it helps to stop those rockets. BUT, I still think you should have accepted Allison’s invitation to head north. Then you ALL could have enjoyed chocolate together (and I would have an opportunity to see you again).
Jan 2, 2009 - 8:34 am 6. Roger L Simon:An absolutely brilliant article. Thank you.
Jan 2, 2009 - 9:08 am 7. Suzi:Sending prayer and good wishes to those living this nightmare. Wish I could send chocolate…I’ve packed on pounds with nary and fear in the world outside my door. Shame on me. If I could pack this up and send it where it could do some good, or at least give some comfort I would.
Jan 2, 2009 - 11:46 am 8. jvon:You might want to check out http://pizzaidf.org .
Jan 2, 2009 - 1:58 pm 9. Lea Karpman:Bravo Faye for maintaining your ability to laugh, calm your neighbors down and write down your observations in such a clear and real way. Those of us who fight the battle of the bulge under normal everyday circumstances applaud you!
Jan 3, 2009 - 6:08 am 10. DoubleTapper:Where should I send my care package of good chocolate?
Make sure to stay good and hydrated.
Although some would deny us even that basic right.
They won’t be satisfied until there is nothing left for us.
Jan 3, 2009 - 8:30 am 11. Becky:How can we let this pass?
DoubleTapper
DoubleTapper@gmail.com
DoubleTapper, blogging on Guns Politics Defense from Israel
Great article. In Ohio, we can only imagine what it’s like to be a missile, regardless of the generation.
Jan 3, 2009 - 3:11 pm 12. Wendy:Great article, glad you can keep your sense of humor in what must be an extremely tense situation. Here in the U.S. we can only imagine what you are going through but if it was me I would need a bottle of vodka instead of chocolate and cookies!! Wish I could send you one. My families thoughts and prayers are with you and your community. Stay well and safe, all our love.
Jan 3, 2009 - 6:20 pm 13. Anonymous:Of course Hamas were smuggling in supplies and food. Why do you think they’re still so popular? (Well, actually I think the smuggling tunnels were technically run by local businessmen with at most a loose affiliation with Hamas, but it’s certainly their main use. I believe smuggled food and building supplies was big business for Egyptians near the border.)
Jan 10, 2009 - 1:57 pm