Sometimes when I’m tired and grumpy it feels like the solution to all my problems could be found in a bowl of ice cream. I know I’m not alone in this because I’ve noticed that movies and TV often show female characters heading for the Haagendaz when they’re upset.
I’ve also learned that despite those crossed wires in my brain* that say tired = eat sugar, dessert is rarely the solution, and only creates other problems for me. So I try to do something else and it usually works. On this occasion I spent the evening sketching some scruffy little roses from my garden. By the time I finished, the nearby ice cream shop had closed and I was ready to go to bed.
*Sleep Deprivation and Carbohydrate Craving
In a Harvard Magazine report on sleep research they explain how and why being sleep deprived creates a physiological craving for sugar. In one study, healthy, male college students who were subjected to sleep interruptions over a couple of weeks became carb-loading sugar fiends and even developed pre-diabetes. In the article the Harvard researchers say:”It could be that a good chunk of our epidemic of obesity is actually an epidemic of sleep deprivation.”
They say that most of us now sleep less than people did a century ago, or even 50 years ago although our biological need for 8 hours of sleep a night hasn’t changed. “We are living in the middle of history’s greatest experiment in sleep deprivation and we are all a part of that experiment,” says Stickgold. “It’s not inconceivable to me that we will discover that there are major social, economic, and health consequences to that experiment. Sleep deprivation doesn’t have any good side effects.”
Jana Bouc, Artist 
8 replies on “Sketching Scruffy Roses Instead of Ice Cream”
Thanks for the interesting post – and that beautiful, beautiful sketch.
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The scruffy roses look great, and are far better than ice cream, imo. I owned several restaurants and a major part of them was ice cream desserts. I’ve never had a huge craving for it, thank goodness, or I’d have been in trouble!
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That’s so interesting that you owned restaurants, something so far from my realm. I cook so simply and don’t enjoy doing it much so I’m glad some people do enjoy cooking so I can go out to eat and enjoy good food once in a while. My worst food craving (well non-food edible really) are donuts and I look at people who work in donut shops and wonder how it would be possible to work there and not eat them all day. But I bet a few days of doing that and I’d know the answer. Jana
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I like your roses, and I envy your willpower! Your post reminds me of this great quote by Fran Libowitz (which is so full of irony):
Very few people possess true artistic ability. It is therefore both unseemly and unproductive to irritate the situation by making an effort. If you have a burning, restless urge to write or paint, simply eat something sweet and the feeling will pass.
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BRILLIANT! and hilarious! And all too true! Thanks for sharing the quote. Jana
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I could have saved that research team some money!
The roses look good and what a good way to divert your attention:)
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Hah! I know what you mean! and thanks! jana
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ha I’m eating sweets (candy) as I’m tired from travelling yesterday. Might go to bed early or try sketching something. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and the article. Great sketch!
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