Food Link and Rant

[helwen]

Excellent post by Sharon Astyk on food preservation methods. I found her discussion of lactofermentation especially interesting -- some foods preserved in this "...produce natural, narrow spectrum antibiotics specific against ecoli, listerian and clostridium botulinum. That is - they protect you against food poisoning."
Food Preservation



How is it that people (at least most of the ones I know or see on tv), have come to believe that to eat a healthy diet is deprivation, and that the best 'treats' to reward ourselves with generally contain unhealthy amounts of sugar, alcohol, or various chemicals?

Why is it more of a treat to go to a restaurant/fast food place to eat crappy food full of high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, too much sodium, and who knows what else? If the idea is truly to give ourselves the treat of someone else doing the cooking, we should get rid of the crappy places and eat only at the restaurants that use good ingredients (mind you, most of the folks I know could maybe afford to do that a few times a year...).

And it isn't like it's that hard to get a bowl of berries (pick-your-own, in season), and make a little whipped cream to go over it -- Yum! And even for the lazier among us there is _real_ whipped cream available at the store, but you can control how much sugar goes into it if you make your own. You could even put - *gasp* - No sugar in it...

Given what I've picked up over the years, some beers are probably better for you (as in actually having some nutritional value) than most any soda. Of course, I don't happen to like beer... but you get the idea. There are more and less healthy 'treats' out there. And most importantly, we should get into making good meals with good ingredients -- those can be the most amazingly good treats of all.

All in moderation, of course. That's another thing -- why is more better? What's so great about getting the largest sandwich, the largest dessert, etc.? We've all (well, all Americans anyway) grown up with the stories of kids who ate all their halloween/party candy and gotten sick. We _know_ we're going to pay for having 6 sodas or 12 beers or whatever... or that having chips and a couple of sodas every day is _not_ going to help us with losing weight. But to go _without_ is _deprivation_. Huh.

Now, before anyone thinks I'm being 'holier-than-thou', I'll let you know that I have ice cream and fruit pops in the freezer (it was really, really hot for a few days last week, and supposedly we're in for more of the same this coming week). The ice cream is at least all natural, with sugar instead of corn syrup, and the fruit pops have real fruit in them (Edy's). But I'm definitely thinking more before having one, and trying to take their calories into account in my total for the day. Not always succeeding in staying on target either, but I am _thinking_ about it. And believe me, my knees really appreciate not having to carry around as much weight! There's my reward for my "deprivation" :)

***
Oh, and here's another thing that many people tend to treat as 'torture' -- exercise. After all, who has time for walking for 1/2 an hour a day? We're all to busy with work, cleaning the house, etc. Why, if I did that, I'd have to give up doing some of my other activities like, like.... watching tv! Or gaming, or some of my time catching up on email on all the lists I'm on, or.....

Exercise doesn't have to be torture and is a needful part of a healthy life (except for a few folks who really can't do much because of certain types of health issues). Most of us can walk or bike. I've been in awe of loosecanon and all the biking she's doing, and of gwynt_y_storm and all the walking and hiking she and her family and friends are doing. Not that they're doing it to be exemplars or to show off or anything, but I really do enjoy reading about them and their activities. I don't exercise at nearly their level, but it's nice to have company, to know that other folks are taking care of themselves. Because not only do I not feel like an idiot for exercising and trying to get more fit in a country that generally isn't trying, but because I know they're probably be around for a long time, and able to go out and have fun together in the future.

I mention walking and biking because those are probably a couple of the cheapest forms of exercise you can get. Gardening helps a little, but unless it's raking or digging, you don't burn that many calories, and other exercises are a good idea to balance overall use of the body. Dancing's good of course, running for those who can do it, general calisthenics like sit-ups and push-ups.

Walking can be done anywhere. Bring music, bring a friend. I usually go walking with fitzw of course. A few times I've walked with friends, but most of them don't live truly nearby so one or both have to use a car to meet up someplace. But I used to walk alone and use a walkman tape player. Walk to the store if it's only a mile away. Walk to the mail box up the block instead of sticking the envelope in your mailbox for pickup. See what changes your neighbors are making in their yards, or what the squirrels are up to at the park. See how the trees are doing in your neighborhood -- year-round. Do 'stair-stepping' on the bottom steps of any stairway at home - to music (more fun).

Dance to music in your own apt/home -- doesn't matter if you don't dance well if nobody can see you doing it :)

Paddle in the bathtub for 5-10 minutes. Or if you have access to a pool, go walking in the shallow end. Sure, laps will give you full-body exercise, but not everyone can do that, or is up to swimming a mile or whatever. But walking in a pool is still exercise, because of the movement and the resistance the water provides. The water also helps take some of the weight off your joints, and that's important for some folks. And when it's too hot and disgusting out, a pool is great for that too. I go over to sorcieredeneige's house on days when the air's too hot and thick to breathe, and hang out in the pool. Oh, and if you have asthma, just sitting/standing still in the pool up to your neck is good exercise -- for your lungs. You'll feel restricted at first, but then your body learns to deal with the pressure, and your breathing capacity will increase.

If you have to stay seated, you can do some leg lifts every day. Maybe lift some very light weights. The most important things to be mindful of for folks of limited physical capacity are 1) don't overdo it and 2) maintain circulation. Don't do so much at once that you pay for it the next few days. Do little bits throughout the day, so that you keep your circulation system in as good working order as is possible. Oh, and believe it or not, qi gong is good for that too (there are seated versions of this, and chi lel qi gong can even be done while lying down).

***
The Christian bible says that the body is the temple of the soul. Druids (at least in the AODA) are supposed to go walking or do some sort of exercise. Maybe some of the other texts say something similar (I haven't read them all).

So, shouldn't we treat our temples with a little more respect? Give them some vegetables, fruit, healthier cuts of meat (if we're meat-eaters)? Whole grains once in a while? Legumes? I mean, I'm not much of a cook compared to a lot of folks I know, but even I can make chili and it's pretty darn tasty. Better than anything I've had in a restaurant, too.

And if you're not a religious person, what about if you're into sports? What if you're an academic? What if you're poor and can't afford to go to the doctor for everything? Same answer for all of these -- a healthy body will get you further.

*** END RANT ***

And now, I'm getting off the computer and going to go DO something!

Comments

[loosecanon.livejournal.com]

eh, I feel like I'm not doing much of squat. There's always more that needs doing, and I spend a lot of time on my post-rear-ior.

Something I'd like to collaborate with you and gwynt_y_storm about is a backpack kit of practical solutions for normal problems, such as when we lost power for a few weeks 3 years ago.
I think between the batch of several of us, we can find inexpensive, practical solutions to such simple problems as not being able to cook on an open fire in an apartment, and so on. Perhaps a "practical planning" set of posts shared amongst us?

[baronessmartha.livejournal.com]

holy mittens I would like in on that.

[helwen.livejournal.com]

fitzw just noticed that part of my rant was missing.... like a couple of paragraphs, right at the beginning of it. The start of the rant might make more sense now...

[helwen.livejournal.com]

Yes, there is a lot to do, isn't there?

The backpack kit thing sounds interesting. Hm. I guess the first thing would be a list of what's needed in the kit, then coming up with what can be used for those items.

[helwen.livejournal.com]

By backpack kit, do you mean things that could actually be carried in a backpack? Since you also mention cooking in an apartment, I wasn't sure if maybe you just meant we should try to come up with a kit of stuff for an apartment that would fit into the space a backpack would take up.... hm. I'm not sure my question is clear here, but best I can put it in words at the moment.

[loosecanon.livejournal.com]

things which can be brought with to keep one in self-sufficient mode while on the move, as well as things which can be stored which are stable, and can preserve sanity in case of general local strangeness, such as temporary power loss

[harpnfiddle.livejournal.com]

I am very much one of the low exercise bunch, and AODA got me moving again (with dance), and walking in the cool weather. I never thought to ask U to swim - silly, because that's what I tell all of my pts who are due to give birth in the next few months.

[helwen.livejournal.com]

I'll drop U a note about swimming. They need people to swim at the pool -- activity cuts down on the amount of chemicals they have to put in it. So it's win-win. It's supposed to be real hot again sometime this coming week, so I'll definitely be over there! L isn't into it as much as I am, so maybe if I could hitch a ride with you, we could go together :)

[fitzw.livejournal.com]

I actually do like it when I'm swimming. For whatever reason, though, I don't like the process leading up to swimming.

And it does help conditioning.

[harpnfiddle.livejournal.com]

Yes - I'd have to pass your house to get to hers, so that would work well.

[baronessmartha.livejournal.com]

that is much rantier. I had just decided your rants were not as ranty as mine. :)

I know what you mean, more is not better, but that is what we dream of. why? I find it interest.

a really yummy frozen treat:
mash a ripe banana with 2-4 tbs of baking cocoa and freeze it. The only sugar is from the banana, but it makes a right tasty fudge pop.
I have popsicle moulds and try to make them in bunches.

[loosecanon.livejournal.com]

good one! Thanks, I'll do that with my over-ripes!

[helwen.livejournal.com]

Mmm, the banana fudge recipe sounds good.

One reason I've heard/read that people want more is that they set a goal and then by the time they get there, they forget to stop and appreciate having achieved the goal. Instead they just set the next goal.

One of the things I've had my students do in class is pick out something good about what they've done for the night. No one is allowed to only say negative things about their work.

Many, many people have this problem of not being able to pick out the good in a situation. Not based on scientific studies, but I've run across this so many times that there must be a lot of them, since I'm only one person and I don't think my experience is all that unique.

It can make a big difference in how people handle having a tough time, and even whether or not they see the opportunities that may be around them.

[loosecanon.livejournal.com]

Some of the barriers;
inertia.
perceived peer pressure.

Electric cars are chic now, it might take some time, but more stuff will be.

Places like Curves have made exercise less about "meet n greet" than the traditional gym.

After school, many people who were athletic decide to finally take some time off for themselves, and try to do those things their schedules never permitted. This makes for quite a weight gain.

Lots more, but you get my gist. Personal quest, judge no one, compare ourselves to no one, support all.

Hugs

[fitzw.livejournal.com]

After school, many people who were athletic decide to finally take some time off for themselves, and try to do those things their schedules never permitted. This makes for quite a weight gain.

Ah, yes, what William H. Sheldon referred to as the "Pyknic Practical Joke", where someone who is an apparent physical mesomorph (muscular, athletic) in childhood and early adulthood switches to being a physical endomorph (rounded body shape) when the activity level drops later in adulthood.

[loosecanon.livejournal.com]

Today I found another reason people don't try too hard even if they think to do.

The local organic grass-fed farm is only open from 5-7 on Thursday nights, and 10-2 on Saturdays.
The local farm stand which advertises local produce has California produce boxes out back. They also sell "home baked" pies which arrive prepared and uncooked.
The "Taste of NJ" dinner to highlight local producers is expensive and sold out quickly, has no website, and doesnt post a menu in advance, so no assurance that it is worthwhile.

In other words, the opportunities to eat locally, eat organically, and eat conscientiously, are halfassed. That's not going to draw people in.

[fitzw.livejournal.com]

One of the farm stands in our area (which we know produces its own goods, and is where we did pick your own strawberries) also carries fruits and vegetables from out of state, to fill in gaps in their selection. It's pretty clear which is which — if it's wrapped in plastic, it's from away.

[helwen.livejournal.com]

That's true, I forgot about that. Does make it pretty easy for us to pass over those foods.

The frozen uncooked pies being marketed as home-baked is weird though.

[helwen.livejournal.com]

Ick - esp. the so-called local farm stand. No, that isn't going to draw people in at all!

I think we're very lucky here that we have a very proactive CISA that promotes local growers, including special events through the year, etc.
We have "tastes" here, but they're more of a taste of this town or that town -- which is at least local businesses, but not notable for locally-produced foods.

As I've been doing research online, I've been finding that there are a couple of farms in Ashfield that sell veggies, dairy, cheese, and one of the two sells some meat. Another farm has Shetland sheep (wool!). And another farm just down the road as it were, has Romney sheep (one of my favorite wools). Not being a country girl, it's been a relief to find that our food options will improve in quality, and sources for my spinning too.

Nothing in Holyoke, except eggs. Yes, there's a little place where the family started raising chickens to sell the eggs a few decades back, and are still doing it. But there are a couple of PYOs not too far away - across the river and down the road a piece, and not on the way to anywhere we normally go, so we don't go too often.

A lot of the places I've seen for MA have been in central MA, so an hour or more to get to one of them by car -- too far.

Do you think the grass-fed farm might consider buyers by appointment? Also, do you know who any of the local producers are? It might be worth contacting some of them to mention the problems with the dinner -- it isn't really promoting them very well, so it would be in their best interest to work on improving on that.

Oh, I'm so bad. Guilty as charged. :)

[bunnyjadwiga.livejournal.com]

Don't mind me, I'm just splurging out my angst.

I'm a terrible, terrible snacker. Yes, I eat natural snacks sometimes -- my idea of the usual snack is popcorn popped in a pan with canola oil but with butter and salt on it... I'm not much of a frozen treats person-- i'll go for watermelon any day and turn my back on icecream except the special stuff (Nuts About Ice Cream-- saffron pistachio, etc.)

I want pastry for breakfast. Can't get around that. Eggs have to have some sort of carb to dry them out.

I struggle to get enough time at the pool-- taking time to swim means I get home later, and with a 2 hour commute every day, I resent anything that cuts into my home time. (Yes, I have a thing about paying fees to use an exercise facility pool where I might have to share a lane. I have a pool pass for the pool in walking distance, but they close at 7; I often don't make it to the pool even on weekends when I get home because I get up late and get involved in a project.)

I need to fix my bike(s); I feel bad that I will probably pay someone to do it instead of doing it myself but that would cut into my time... :)

I hate that I now seem to have only a limited number of 'spoons' for walking. I'm afraid to try recreational walking for fear I won't be able to walk when I need to the next day. I'm such a coward! ;) When my knee went bad, I finally admitted that my body would not support ever being even a part-time farmer. That makes me sad...

When I was 25, I lived within 3 miles of my work. I bicycled or walked to work every day. (No car.) I bicycled to the gym at work every night or every other night to swim. (The idea of DRIVING to EXERCISE gave me the willies then, and still does.)

I should move closer to work, but that means leaving my family. *sigh*

Re: Oh, I'm so bad. Guilty as charged. :)

[loosecanon.livejournal.com]

I can likely fix your bike...

Re: Oh, I'm so bad. Guilty as charged. :)

[helwen.livejournal.com]

Hey, we can all only do what we're able, right?

And fitzw is a terrible snacker too (and occasionally enables by buying a small thing of chips from the corner store from time to time). Trying to provide other things, occasionally we even manage to make our own cookies, but it's a definite struggle!

Breakfast - has to be a pastry? Not a piece of toast or a scone? Just thinking about stuff that might not be too hard to make/get locally.

The pool/work thing is definitely tough. Wish everyone had more (affordable) options everywhere! fitzw does most of the bike fixing, so I'm lucky there. I can do it if I really have to, but he's better at it. Still, when we got kick stands for the bikes we had the bike guy do it -- he had the right tools and the know-how.

Yeah, I know a number of folks with dubious knees (I have problems myself sometimes). That's why I suggested seated leg lifts and paddling in the tub as possible things to do. Still helps with circulation and a little toning. On part-time farming, I guess it depends on the scale you want to work on. Raised beds/containers on benches, and a garden seat might be the way to go. I know of at least one lady who does that.

Believe me, I sympathise with the angst :) I'm certainly not the person I was when I was 25... and even though I'm younger than fitzw, I can't do some of the things he can do -- like running long distance, or push-ups. I can still do quite a lot, but have had to be very creative about some of it.

Work is good, but family is good too. Maybe someday they will both be closer together. *hugs*