Eat, Drink and Be Merry ...

Over the last few weeks, while I've been feeling somewhat "poorly," I have given a lot of thought to food. You may have noticed that in my blog already.

Part of the issue is that my appetite was pretty much non-existent during my illness. That did contribute to me losing about seven pounds, which didn't hurt me much. In fact, I could stand to lose a few more seven-pound increments, but I would prefer to do it while I am not sick. So my decision has been to continue eating somewhat sparingly, while increasing my activity levels (which also shouldn't be too difficult, given that my activity level was pretty much limited to dragging myself from the couch to my bed for two and a half weeks).

As I've gotten older I have found it is harder and harder to lose much weight. Sometimes I feel pretty good about myself regardless of what the scale says, while other times I am totally grossed out and determined to fight it. Honestly, I don't think I overeat all that much, except when my mother makes me a yellow birthday cake with Sanders caramel frosting and accompanies it with Breyer's peach ice cream. Then, I have to admit, I'm a pig. But since my birthday comes but once a year, I should be able to make up for it, don't you think?

Enough about me--back to the food part. I have decided that one of the reasons it is so hard to eat reasonably is that everyone expects us to overeat. We have, indeed, been Super-sized. (I still haven't seen that movie, but it's on my Netflix queue.)

I am not advocating McDonald's food ... but when I was a kid, and I used to go to McDonald's, I used to get a hamburger or cheeseburger, a packet of fries, and a drink. No one ever claimed it was good nutrition, but it was more or less a reasonable (and reasonably priced) meal. My dad might have eaten two burgers, or picked a couple of extra fries out of our little packets, but none of the rest of us would have considered it.

Somewhere along the way, in order to maximize their profits, Mickey D's came up with the idea of "super sizing" their meals. A one-burger meal was packaged into the "two-cheeseburger meal" (which I think is non-existent, now ... instead, you can get your Big Mac or some other enormous burger instead). You could size-up your appetite with an ever-larger packet of fries, and a bigger soft drink than any of us should consider consuming.

And that's just one of the reasons that I no longer will eat at what I call the Wal-Mart of Fast Food. I won't get into factory farms, over-processed foods, the corn (and corn-syrup) issue, or any of the other multitudes of reasons that I don't want them to have my money. Just from a food standpoint, there's no good reason to be eating anything that McDonald's offers.

Anyway, pretty soon everyone caught on to the super-size or biggie-size trend and now it's pretty much expected that you will always get more food than you really need any time you order out. And because our parents always taught us to never waste food, and to clean our plates, we obediently consume larger and larger portions, until we now expect to be eating more at each meal. And if we don't get "more," we complain loudly that the portions are too small. (I won't mention any names, David.)

The other evening we went out to dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants and I got the broccoli alfredo special. It was great--but I brought home enough leftovers for two more lunches. (Well, oops, or at least a midnight snack for Stuart.) Then, at Sunday breakfast, I ordered an omelet--wondering all along, why does an omelet need three eggs? I would never eat three eggs in any other combination. The accompanying plate of hash browns were delicious but also excessive. I felt bad "wasting" the remaining food, but I knew if I kept eating I would not only be uncomfortable ... I would be setting myself up for more and more consumption in the days to come, which would pack that seven pounds (and more) right back on me before I knew what was happening.

The over-consumption trend isn't limited to prepared food. This morning on television I saw commercials for 10-for-$10 sales at Kroger. Stock up and save! Sure, buy 10 of everything just because you can. Don't forget to eat all that food before it spoils. (Or maybe it won't spoil because of all the preservatives in it?) And then you can run back to Kroger and buy 10 more.

Yeah, they say "Eat, Drink and Be Merry, for tomorrow we may die ..." But I guess I'd rather live a little bit longer, so I'll try to be merry while eating (and drinking) more reasonably. I'll let you know how it goes.

The New Taboo

I don't know what it is, but I have seen our society become more and more polarized over the last few years. Everyone knows exactly what is right, and unless you agree with them, you're just plain wrong.

I don't know, but I have always been taught to respect other people's opinions (even if I know they are wrong!) The key to getting along in this world seems to be listening to others and trying to understand their point of view. Or at least, not being derisive if you can't bring yourself to agree. 

But that seems to have flown out the window recently. It's very difficult to know what to talk about sometimes, even among friends. There are the traditional taboos, like religion and politics. But now there are so many more. 

Health care reform. I guess this falls under the umbrella of "politics," since the whole debate has been 100% politicized.You can usually tell a person's position on that topic by whether they call it "health care reform" or "Obamacare." Those who refer to the latter usually are still talking about death panels deciding whether your grandma deserves to live. It's sometimes said with a sneer, or in those who have more tact, at least with a sigh. Like they are sure this is going to be the downfall of America. I would like to understand where they got these ideas. I'd like to talk to them and explain how it is to live without insurance or with sub-standard insurance. And how I believe that everyone deserves to be able to obtain affordable coverage and care. But it's usually a difficult conversation ... and I tend to avoid those whenever possible. 

News coverage. I don't even want to discuss Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, or FOX News. I just consider them overly-opinionated, under-informed, and pretty much the root of this whole polarization of what was once considered polite society. I suppose those who listen to what they say will have to agree to disagree with me. That's all. 

But here's the kicker--When did food and the environment become hot topics? 

It's bad enough we've got people fighting over whose fault the oil spill was. Was it the politicians' fault? Or more evidence of Obama being the Antichrist? Or whether it is corporate greed or all of the above. I hate to tell you ... but it's your fault, and mine. (http://www.newsweek.com/2010/06/07/boycott-bp.html) There are also people doubting whether or not there is global warming, as evidenced by the fact that we still get snow in February. So Al Gore must be a nutbar. Hey, even Tipper thinks so. So it must mean that his conclusions are flawed, and there's not really anything wrong with our fossil fuel consumption or any of the other garbage that keeps getting pumped into our atmosphere. 

But now I'm seeing people getting all offended by the thought that we might be affecting our health by the stuff that we put in our bodies. Well, duh. How long did you think we were going to be able to continue putting preservatives, antibiotics, artificial flavors, colors and sweeteners, unpronounceable chemicals, hydrogenated oils, high-fructose corn syrup, and a general assortment of Genetically Modified Organisms into our mouths and expect to stay healthy? Just because the government says something is "Generally Recognized as Safe" does not make it healthy. Think about it ... when has the government--or any government entity--ever really cared about anything except the money that they receive from ... umm ... drug companies, corporate lobbyists, and other dirty dealers? Do you think that they are ever going to care about real people, whether it is Joe the Plumber or Cathy the Organic Farmer or Marsha the Blogger? Just sayin'. 

The point is, we are poisoning ourselves. If you don't believe me, look at your family, your friends, and your neighbors. How many have been diagnosed as diabetic? How many have had cancer? How many have "new" illnesses that have only been named in the past, oh, 20-30 years or so? Diseases like Fibromyalgia, Alzheimer's, Restless Leg Syndrome, or any of the multitudes of recently-discovered diseases, syndromes or whatever that you see advertised on television ... with the appropriate drug recommendations.

We do have a choice: we can make changes to our lifestyle. No one says it will be easy, but I think if we go back to the simpler diets that our grandparents and great-grandparents ate by necessity, we'd be a lot better off. Back then, long before it was trendy or cool, there were only "organic" fruits and vegetables. There weren't genetically modified seeds and chemical-laden pesticides applied to the crops. The beef and pork they ate was grass fed, because there weren't government incentives in place to encourage farmers to feed them corn mash, other animal parts and whatever else disgusting is put in cattle feed these days. The eggs were from free-roaming chickens who ate what chickens are pre-disposed to eat. People ate what was in season at the time--they didn't expect to get cantaloupe in February or fresh apples in June. There was no Jell-O, no Cool Whip, no Hamburger Helper (sorry, I couldn't resist). 

Ultimately, we are responsible for our bodies, our minds, and ourselves. We can't trust the government, the doctors, or the guy next door to take care of us. 

You don't have to talk about this in polite society ... just do it. And see if it makes a difference to you. 

They like me!

I'm so flattered.

I think that Betty Crocker or General Mills or whoever it is that makes Hamburger Helper must be reading my blog. A couple of weeks ago, I went to our local market and found an amazing new product on the shelves: Wholesome Helper!

And then in the past few days while I have been ill and watching far too much television (ergo, far too many commercials) I learned that they have introduced another remarkable line of "helpers" . . .Wholegrain Helper! I believe that one of the commercials mentioned that it contains "wholegrain rice." Hmm, is there such a thing as "half-grain" rice? Oh, yeah, that would be their Minute Rice product. Oh, wait, that's General Foods, not General Mills. Is there a difference? Wait a week and see what corporate takeover happens next


But anyway, folks, wow--it is so gratifying to learn that someone is listening to me. Those folks at the Big Food Company, whatever it is, are so interested in our good health that they are creating new products to accommodate our needs. 


The sad part, as my husband already pointed out, is that people will look at these and buy them actually thinking they are getting something "wholesome" or "wholegrain." I suspect he is right. 

It probably isn't terribly surprising to find that there are no ingredients listed online as yet for these brand-new innovative products. I did, however find a list of ingredients for the "Original" Cheeseburger Mac here: http://www.generalmills.com/~/media/Images/Brands/Nutritional_Images/Helper/Hamburger_Helper_Cheesebuger_Macaroni-330.ashx I'm sure that the "wholesome" Cheeseburger Mac ingredients will be a lot different. Not. I question what have they really changed, other than the color of the box, to make it look a little bit "whole wheat" flavored? They obviously haven't taken the artificial coloring out of the "cheese" product that they're using.

Another commercial I have seen several times over the last few days has touted Procter & Gamble's earth-friendly products. I went to the P&G Web site and learned that their current big push is toward "sustainability." Wow, I am so impressed that they learned that buzzword. Their top goal in this push: "Delight the consumer with sustainable innovations that improve the environmental profile of our products."

Yup, the sustainability of their products really impresses and delights me. I'm thinking specifically of the sustainability of such products as Pampers and Pull-Ups. Ugh. My two least favorite products in the entire world, mostly because my personal experience has been not only that they are specially designed not to be eco-friendly, but even more, to foster a longer-term dependence on these types of products than normally would be required. Even though I'm sure that there are people who can't even imagine life without disposable diapers or training pants, I'm here to tell you there are plenty of other options that don't show up on P&G's "environmental profile." But that's an entirely different blog post subject for a different day.

I also really like this statement, also from the P&G Web site:

" ... Every Sustainability innovation begins with a deep understanding of consumers. Because we are in touch with the consumers’ reality, we can make innovation decisions based on their needs."

I'm so glad to know that these big corporations are so in touch with someone's reality. It's certainly not mine. 

I guess what it all comes down to is that it's hard to know whom to believe any more. These big companies keep telling us they "care" about the environment or our health, but are they just playing us? Do they really care? Or is the bottom line really all about retaining paying customers? I'm sorry to say that I believe that's what it is. Ultimately, the only way we can speak is with our money. And so, we should be very careful where it goes. 

Become an informed consumer. That's all I can say.

"Are you A Manchester Girl?"

Believe it or not (and whether or not you are “A Manchester Person” yourself, you probably will believe it), I get asked that question a lot. My standard answer is, “Not yet … I’ve only lived here 30 years.”

Actually, I’ve been exaggerating a little bit in order to camouflage my age. I’ve actually considered Manchester my hometown since I graduated high school in 1972 and started working at Union Savings Bank. Oops, now you’re probably doing the math, so let me assure you I was one of the youngest members of my class.

But I have lots of fond memories of my years at the bank. Back then, Union Savings Bank was the only bank in town, so by working there for the next eight years, I got to know most everyone in the community. And I also learned a lot about local history, politics, family connections, and gossip. Sometimes, they were all the same.

The face of Manchester’s downtown has changed a lot, mostly for the better. In the early 70s, Don Limpert was still buying up and restoring buildings on Main Street.  Other business owners started to take interest in the buildings they owned, as well. So the deterioration of the once-proud downtown was stopped, with Limpert taking the lead in keeping our historic heritage alive.

One of the only downtown buildings he failed to preserve back then is the old Union Savings Bank building (now Comerica Bank). Years ago, he classified the first-floor renovations to that building in the late 1970s as akin to “giving a 90-year-old woman a facelift.” I think that’s Don’s subtle way of saying it’s inappropriate.

It’s great that the current building owner, Ron Milkey, is trying to give the building some new life. It’s a struggle in the current economy. But there is still some of the old-fashioned elegance on the second floor, along with nice modern updates. The third floor houses the Masonic Lodge, as it has for more than a century, and it seems to have remained much the same as it’s looked since its earliest days.

One thing I miss the most about the old bank is not inside the building, however. And it’s not the (ugly) tin façade that preceded the 1978 renovation. It’s the clock that used to be out front, with a beautiful stained-glass, back-lit “Union Savings Bank” sign on the top half. The sign now says Comerica, as you’d expect, but it’s not back-lit anymore.

Back in the day, the entire town based its time on that clock and its chime on the quarter-hour. I remember Ron Walter, the Cashier at the bank, took the clock as his personal responsibility (after Harold Alexander retired). In the days when the fire whistle used to sound every day, he’d often check to make sure the chimes on the clock were also marking it as noon. And when the clock said 5:00 p.m., everyone knew that the sidewalks could now be rolled up for the night. (Except for the Black Sheep).

Nowadays, there are chimes every quarter-hour on the Emanuel and St. Mary churches, but there is no clock; only a broken face with no hands. You can be walking down Main Street and you don’t know what time it is unless it’s the stroke of the hour and you happen to stop long enough to count the chimes.

I still look up at the old clock pretty often as I pass by, hoping that maybe it’s been fixed when I wasn’t looking. I’m afraid that it won’t be. It’s probably too old to fix, especially after it’s been idle so long.

I guess the hardest part for me to face is that now I’m part of the “old generation” and maybe one of the few who remembers all of this. I wonder how many others even know there was once a reliable old time piece in what is now basically a blank space downtown. Maybe they’re all in too much of a hurry to notice.

But maybe my old-time memories will make me A Manchester Girl yet.