A Tiny Fib to My Friends Over Fifty
I admit it! It’s time to remove my tongue from its resting place—planted firmly in my cheek—and fess up. I know it’s difficult to fathom, but the doctor’s advice in my last post wasn’t real. Although I do believe in the sentiments I expressed (the media’s obsession with frightening women over fifty with dire news listing all the health maladies soon to befall us), you can’t really get your daily serving of vegetables by eating foods deep-fried in vegetable oil!
(However, I do wonder if this might actually be true for my favorite friend food—corn chips! If I could list these delectable treats under the healthy food category, I’d crunch my way through the day and be one very happy camper, indeed!)
Yet, it’s mea culpa time so, for my second confession of the day, I wouldn’t even consider the doctor’s contention that, because pigs dine mostly on vegetables and grains, “eating pork chops can give you 100% of the recommended daily allowance of vegetable product.” In truth, I’ve been a vegetarian for over 20 years.
Now, admitting my dining preferences isn’t a call to anyone to forgo meat in your diets. However, there are several benefits to eating more vegetables on a daily basis. My friend, Magnolia Miller, over at The Perimenopause Blog, shares some great recipes aimed at diminishing the belly fat that plagues so many of us older gals. Her recommendations are delicious, packed with veggies, and you can find them under the “recipe section” on her blog.
One of my favorite blogs, Midlife with a Vengeance, is constantly providing us midlife gals with cutting edge information on health and wellbeing. A researcher at heart, Gregory Anne Cox shares her tips for eating right, taking supplements to ward off disease, the right kinds of exercise, etc. Wander on over to her site and take a look—you won’t be disappointed and I guarantee you’ll learn a lot.
And last, but definitely not least, is a wonderful website aimed at vegans and vegetarians, In a Vegetarian Kitchen. Even if you’re an omnivore, you’ll love these recipes. Nava Atlas is the author of a number of cookbooks filled with nutritious and satisfying treats. (No worries that your family will complain of eating rabbit food and leave the table hungry .) One of my all-time favorite cookbooks is Nava’s Vegan Soups and Hearty Stews for All Seasons. I had a few friends over for lunch this week, served up her “Moroccan Lentil and Chickpea Soup” and gratefully accepted the rave reviews. Believe me, Nava’s recipes are stick-to-the ribs delicious!
You can also check out my interviews on Feisty Side of Fifty Radio with Magnolia, Greogory Anne, and Nava as they share their insight and information on aging with health and wellness.
So, even though the “doctor” in my earlier post proclaimed: “What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables and grains. So steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system,” I’d advise you to check out these sites, try their recipes, eat your veggies as they come from the earth (not from a cow), and see how you feel. Forget the doctor and do what granny said. You’ll lose weight, recharge your energy, and kiss your muffin-top good-bye!
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March 23rd, 2010 at 4:44 am
Hey Eileen,
Thanks as always for the shout-out. You are a gem of a friend and give the Internet a “good name”
Love ya,
Magnolia
March 7th, 2010 at 10:05 am
LOL, oh ….it was fun while it lasted. Truth is that I don’t necessarily listen to what doctors say anyway … I listen to what my body says more often.
March 6th, 2010 at 8:32 pm
This was a fun post. Actually, I USED to be a vegetarian. But alas, I slipped. I am however, increasing my intake of veggies, instead of 2 servings making it 3 and sometimes no chicken at all.
My calories come from Carbs and carbs. I call them computer carbs. So, need to get computer veggies all lined up.
Thanks for this ENCOURAGING POST!
WOW, THAT IS WHY YOU LOOK SOOOOOO GOOD
March 6th, 2010 at 11:00 am
What? I can’t get my daily veggie allotment by eating animals that eat veggies? Oh no, say it ain’t so! LOL – it was a nice thought while it lasted though!
Good tips and links for those of us fighting the baby boomer bulge here. I’m an advocate of everything in moderation so I pretty much just eat fresh foods that are well prepared and try not to overdo on the sweets and fried foods (chocolate is my biggest indulgence and I refuse to give that luxury up).
March 6th, 2010 at 8:44 am
I agree with Supergranny…it WAS delightful! And here’s a thought: if you believe something is GOOD for you, it IS. If not, it isn’t. It’s all about how you FEEL about the foods you eat…as to how your body assimilates them. In other words, drop the guilt and enjoy your food. Moderation may be called for in some cases, but then again, maybe not. The great Lazarus Long said, “moderation is for monks”. Guess you’ll have to trust your gut (no pun intended) about what you ‘should or shouldn’t’ eat! For my part, I happen to believe dark chocolate is REALLY GOOD for you! That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!
March 6th, 2010 at 6:46 am
A number of years ago, I went to a hypnotherapist. I wanted to lose some weight but more importantly I wanted to eat healthier. Once I was relaxed, she created this beautiful scene of a table loaded down with glorious, fresh produce of all colors, shapes, and sizes. You guessed it – I am now CRAZY for veggies! You don’t need to pay for a hynotist though, just relax and picture that beautiful table in your mind. I’ll bet more veggies will be on your plate in short order!
March 5th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
I love the title of this post since it coincides with my upcoming book. Since beinb diagnosed with CHF, I am must more conscious of what I eat but occasionally I slip up. I’ll have to check out Magnolia’s blog for those stubborn belly fat recipes.
Or perhaps I should just become a vegetarian, like you.
March 5th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Well, I thought your last post was delightful…gave some much needed levity. Appreciate the links above… Nothing like a ‘tall tale’ to make me come out with a hearty belly laugh! there, I feel better already…………