By Staff
In response to my articles about food and fat, my friends Leon and Doris shared a humorous article from “Senior Perspectives” with me.
The gist of the article is, “Why get so upset about food and diets?”
For instance, one question posed to the author is, “Is swimming good for your figure?”
The answer: “If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.”
A questioner asked, “Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?”
Answer: “Hey! Round IS a shape!”
And here's another: “How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?”
Answer: “Well, if you have a body and you have body fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.”
For some odd reason, the Andersons thought this article applied to me! Go figure!
This past weekend, while shopping in Suite Dreams, a colleague from SMC looked at the artificial greenery and a pot of nasturtiums I had in my hands and asked if I was making a salad for dinner.
And then, my granddaughter confessed that she wrote in her school journal that her grandfather writes newspaper articles about being fat.
Well, there you have it! I have a reputation for food and fat.
Looking back at previous articles I've written, this theme is prominent - a few favorite recipes, the fatness challenge, even an experience with “smudging” the house while frying green tomatoes.
While I do take health issues seriously, I am also aware that we can become obsessed with navel gazing and worry too much about food and diets.
Several years ago we purchased a book, “Healthy Pleasures,” that looked at health from a positive, even light-hearted perspective.
I tried to locate that book, but alas, it fell victim to my spouse's spring cleaning and was taken to the Goodwill in Niles.
Not being able to consult that book anymore, I have some of my own healthy pleasures to pass along.
First of all, enjoy life! That includes savoring chocolate, butter, cream and sugar. Notice I said “savor” and not “scarf!”
One of my favorite TV personalities is Paula Dean, queen of southern cooking, who regularly appears on the Food Network.
She doesn't spare calories and uses butter, cream and sugar with a clear conscience.
Now, if I followed her recipes and regularly ate as she does, I'd look like that swimming whale.
But when I do indulge, I enjoy it.
Second, go easy on yourself.
Self-criticism works well for monks, Essenes and stoics, but it doesn't work for me. So often we forget to forgive ourselves.
Self-flagellation only leaves indelible scars and encourages guilt to rage on and on.
Third, laugh, smile and be happy. Enjoy life - as far as we know, it's the only chance we have on this planet. Have that cookie (but only one) once in awhile. Treat yourself to a pat of real butter. Lick an ice cream cone.
While I tout all of these indulgences, I faithfully weigh myself every morning and test my blood sugar daily.
These two tests keep me honest, most of the time, and are a check and balance to keep me from falling too far overboard.
Food and diets? Sure, they will be with us always. But I'm going to have some enjoyment along the way.