8/9/2009

Overflowing Harvests Bless the Land, Yet Food Prices Steadily Mount

By Laura Moncur @ 10:00 am — Filed under:

In October of 1907, that was the headline for the New York Tribune:

Overflowing harvests bless the land, yet food prices steadily mount.

Overflowing Harvests by Library of Congress from Flickr

The same could be said now. The U.S. produces more food now than we did one hundred years ago, but the cost for fresh food is still skyrocketing.

Why?

Shouldn’t fresh food be cheaper than processed food because it doesn’t have to be processed? Apparently not:

That’s what University of Washington researchers found when they compared the prices of 370 foods sold at supermarkets in the Seattle area. Calorie for calorie, junk foods not only cost less than fruits and vegetables, but junk food prices also are less likely to rise as a result of inflation. The findings, reported in the current issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, may help explain why the highest rates of obesity are seen among people in lower-income groups.

Junk food can sit on a shelf for months before it has to be pulled, but that’s not the case for fresh fruit and veggies.

If you want to eat fresh food, but are strapped for cash, this is the time of the year to go to your local farmer’s market. You should be able to buy fresh fruit and veggies for a lot less than what you would pay in a grocery store. Some cities have farmer’s markets all year long, but for the rest of us, we have to enjoy the fresh food while the summer sun shines.

8/7/2009

Is Our Food Too Processed or Just Right Futuristic?

By Laura Moncur @ 12:07 pm — Filed under:

This The Joy of Tech comic made me laugh!

Joy of Tech: Meet the Veggies

It reads:

Children, today I will show you something you may have never seen before. It’s called, “Real Food,” and it’s the kind of thing our ancestors once ate. It doesn’t come from packages or fast food restaurants!

Whoa! Weird.

Creepy.

You actually expect us to eat something that grew?

Hey! How did these things get dirt on them?!

When I was growing up, I was a big fan of The Jetsons. It was a futuristic cartoon in which the Jetson family enjoyed flying cars and robot housemaids. They also took in all their nutrition directly from machines. If you are unfamiliar with The Jetsons, here is an example of their futuristic fun and how their meals were prepared:

Back then, it seemed like science promised us the best in food. Instantly cooked, ready to eat with little work or preparation. Welcome to the backlash. Instead of appreciating the quick and easy preparation, we have come to realize that food that is fresh and as close to whole as possible is actually better than the stuff that pops out of our machines.

Which is right? The Jetsons or The Whole Food Fadists?

I think there is a benefit to both kinds of food. Whole food TASTES better than processed food, but it does take longer to prepare. Processed food is a quick way to make a meal, but it can be less healthy than fresh. A equal balance of both is probably the best way to go. Planning is key. On days when you know you’re going to come home exhausted, plan for a processed meal, knowing that you have fresh and healthy food to prepare on days when you aren’t so busy.

Processed food isn’t the savior that The Jetsons made us believe it would be, but it isn’t the villain either. It’s up to us to choose our meals wisely.

8/6/2009

1950s Treat: 7-Up In Milk

By Laura Moncur @ 10:00 am — Filed under:

I have a hard time getting in my dairy requirements every day. I don’t like to drink milk. I cringe at spending my calories on cheese, even though I like the flavor and taste of it. I even doubt whether it is as necessary as the dairy council would have us believe. Yet, I still try to eat/drink three servings of it a day.

The other day, I saw this old advertisement for 7-Up that suggested mixing it with milk:

7-Up In Milk

It reads:

a little TRICK
that makes a TREAT
Seven-Up in milk!

Mix chilled 7-Up and cold milk in equal parts by pouring the 7-Up gently into the milk. Do not stir. The 7-Up adds a light and delicate flavor making a delicious blended food drink.

Mothers know that this is a wholesome combination. The addition of 7-Up gives milk a new flavor appeal that especially pleases children.

“Fresh Up” With Seven-Up!

So, I tried it. Unlike the disastrous combination of Pepsi and milk (like Laverne used to drink on TV), Diet 7-Up and milk tasted pretty good together. The mixture had a creamy and fruity flavor that made choking down a glass of milk a LOT easier.

I’ve long been a fan of steamers. I talked about them here:

Mixing sugar-free coffee syrup with my milk (either warmed up in the microwave, or cold from the fridge) has been the best way for me to get my milk servings in each day. I’m glad that I have another “weapon” in my arsenal.

Who knew Diet 7-Up could make milk enjoyable? When I saw that advertisement, I crinkled my nose in disgust. I only tried it so I could make fun of it. Instead, I have another great way to get my dairy requirements in every day!

Advertisement via: Found in Mom’s Basement: 1950s treat: 7-Up and milk

8/3/2009

PostSecret: Vegan

By Laura Moncur @ 11:46 am — Filed under:

This postcard from PostSecret showed up a couple of weeks ago.

PostSecret: Vegan

It reads:

I just realized that veganism
has become an excuse for my EATING DISORDER.

I know how easy it is to fall into the trap of disordered eating. I tell myself weird lies all the time to justify a binge. Sometimes I can recognize them as a lie, sometimes they slip right past me and I find myself doubled over with stomach pain.

I truly believe that veganism is the most healthy way to eat… for SOME people. For others, it easily turns into a way to binge or starve yourself. It is entirely possible to get fat on a vegan diet, just like it’s possible to starve yourself to death on one. It’s not the veganism that caused that person’s disordered eating, but it sure is a good excuse.

What excuses are you using to get in the way of your perfect life? Are you letting yourself slide on daily exercise? Are you slipping in food that you know is your downfall? Are you limiting yourself too much? Watch yourself carefully today and make sure you are living the life that you want to without letting any excuses get in your way.


PostSecret‘s beneficiary is the National Hopeline Network. It is a 24-hour hotline (1 (800) SUICIDE) for anyone who is thinking about suicide or knows someone who is considering it.

7/24/2009

Like You Could Do That!

By Laura Moncur @ 9:15 am — Filed under:

Turn around and your best friend was suddenly a zombie.About a week ago, I had a nightmare. There was a horrible disease that was turning people into violent zombies. It would happen very quickly, just like in the movie, Omega Man. I would turn around and my best friend was suddenly a zombie, trying to attack me. They were weak and pathetic zombies, easily defeated, but it was still scary.

Mike and I were safe in our new house, and we learned that the problem was in the food supply. SOMETHING about the food supply was turning people into zombies. I felt such a wave of relief. I said to Mike, “This is PERFECT! All we need to do is NOT EAT and we’re safe from the disease! We have enough fat on us to last MONTHS, which just might be long enough for the scientists to figure out which food is turning people!” I was overjoyed. All we had to do was not eat and both of us would be safe!

Then Mike said, “Like you could do that!” His voice was joking, but it did ring true. I was crushed with the knowledge that even if food could KILL me, he didn’t believe that I wouldn’t eat. It hurt my feelings so bad that I immediately woke up.

In REAL life, Mike would never say anything so rude to me. He has always been so supportive of me and all my eating problems. The truth of the matter is, foods that are high in carbohydrates HURT me. Sugary and starchy foods really make my stomach writhe in pain.

Yet I still eat them.

My reality isn’t too far from the horror of that dream. Even when food is “killing” my stomach, I still eat it. I don’t know HOW to reduce my carbohydrate intake without setting off my feelings of deprivation, but I’m going to figure out a way to do it. I’d much rather live a long and pain-free life than end up with a disease.

Photo via: the WAREHOUSE: the Omega Man

7/23/2009

Drink Enough Water

By Laura Moncur @ 4:07 pm — Filed under:

Drink Enough WaterNow that the summer months are in full swing, remember to gulp down enough water. In dry areas like Salt Lake City, it’s kind of difficult to forget that you need to keep hydrated. The blast of oven-like air smacking me in the face every time I leave the comfort of air-conditioned bliss reminds me vividly.

Weight Watchers suggest a total of six glass of liquid a day, whether it’s water or soda or even coffee. They used to say that only half of that allotment could be fulfilled with anything but water. Now, however, it can be anything.

For me, however, nothing quenches my thirst quite like water.

Moving all of my possessions in the middle of the blazing heat has reminded me that keeping hydrated is important. I’ve felt my fingers swell and my head ache with dehydration a couple of times over these past two weeks. It’s so easy to get caught up in the lifting and carrying that even a quick drink of water is forgotten.

Make sure you give yourself enough water this summer. Your body will be a smooth running engine if you do.

7/22/2009

How To Eat Pho Tai Soup

By Laura Moncur @ 8:40 am — Filed under:

How To Eat Pho Tai Soup

Pho Tai (pronounced fa tie) is a Vietnamese beef and noodle soup. It is usually an inexpensive meal that is also pretty healthy if you can find a restaurant that uses healthy oil.

How To Eat Pho Tai Soup

When you order it, the first thing to arrive is a plate of veggies. It usually includes bean sprouts, cilantro, basil, limes and green chili peppers. When your bowl of soup arrives, you get to choose what to add to the soup. I am always eager to increase my vegetable intake, so I usually throw everything in (I go easy on the green chilies). I figure that the more veggies, the better. I do pull the leaves off the basil and cilantro stems before I add them to my soup because it makes it easier to eat. I squeeze in both limes. Sometimes I even drop in the limes after squeezing in the juice to add a little more citrus flavor.

How To Eat Pho Tai SoupThe wait staff should also bring in a small tray of spicy sauces as well (or maybe it was already at your table when you were seated). My favorite is the oily pepper sauce in the middle. It is very strong, so make sure to be conservative when you start out. There usually is Sriracha, which is a spicy chili sauce that tastes a little different. Part of the reason I love Pho is because I can make it as spicy as I want.

Once you’ve added all the veggies and spices, stir the soup with your chopsticks or fork. If you prefer to use a fork and your restaurant didn’t provide one, feel free to ask. It’s better to enjoy your meal than suffer with awkward eating utensils.

The beef is thinly sliced and placed into the boiling hot soup raw, so make sure you stir your soup thoroughly until the meat is cooked to your liking. The soup will be really hot, so make sure you be careful when you take a bite.

Lean meat, fresh veggies and healthy oil make for a filling an healthy meal. I usually count 7 points for the soup, 2 points for the healthy oil and 0 points for all those crispy vegetables. Next time you drive past a strip mall, be on the lookout for a Pho Noodle shop and take a moment to drop by. You will find a new food that us fun to eat and healthy for your body!

7/15/2009

Fast Food from a Feed Bag

By Laura Moncur @ 1:56 pm — Filed under:

The Onion’s parodies slice a little too close to reality for me. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if they are a joke or not. Take this fast food feed bag story, for example:


New Wearable Feedbags Let Americans Eat More, Move Less

The thought of eating food from a bag strapped to my face sounds entirely unappetizing to me, so I know that something like this will never take off. Just like the 1950’s ideal of getting all of our nutrition from food pellets (Space Food Sticks and Astronaut Food). If I can’t see the food, or if it looks gross, I can’t enjoy it. Sometimes I feel like I eat more with my eyes than my digestive system.

Will the fast food bag ever become an eating trend? I doubt it. It’s an inventive commentary about the “gluttony” of the American public, but it’s written by someone who has never been tempted by that deadly sin.

Via: Would You Eat Fast Food From a Feedbag?

7/8/2009

Cutting Carbs Can Ease Irritable Bowel Syndrome

By Laura Moncur @ 5:00 am — Filed under:

IBS is painful.A very small and unscientific study (no control group) has found what I found to be true when I tried Atkins. A low carbohydrate diet seems to ease the discomfort of Irritable Bowel Syndrome:

For the first two weeks, the participants ate a “standard diet” of 55% carbohydrate, 30% fat, and 15% protein. Then they were switched to a very-low-carb diet for the next four weeks, similar to the Atkins Induction phase. They were provided with the food to eat.

Of the 13 people in the study, 10 reported “adequate relief” from their symptoms all four weeks of the study. The other three reported relief on two or three of the weeks. The improvement was evident in Quality of Life measures as well as objective measures of stool frequency, etc.

Here is the link to the study:

The real question is why I don’t follow a low carbohydrate diet all the time. When I KNOW that relief from my stomach pain is within my reach, why do I keep eating foods that are high in carbs? I LOVED how I felt when I was eating a low carb diet, but I have found myself completely unable to follow the diet. Why?

The short answer is: because I’m nuts.

Any time a certain food is restricted, I find myself wanting it even more. Anyone who was starved as a child understands this reaction. Being told that I cannot have carbs made me want them even more, despite the fact that I felt so much better when I was on that diet. In the end, I have to find a balance between my psyche and my digestive tract. Somewhere in the middle is where I end up eating, so sometimes I still have severe abdominal pain, but at least now I know WHY.

7/5/2009

How To Eat Healthy When You’re Moving

By Laura Moncur @ 10:00 am — Filed under:

Exercising while I’m moving is EASY. All I have to do is haul all the boxes from the Sugarhouse house to the Daybreak house. All that lifting and carrying and climbing stairs is built in exercise and with every workout, I’m one step closer to being finished.

Eating healthy while I’m moving is a little more difficult.

Firstly, we had to move the fridge. Two weeks before the move, we stopped buying any groceries so that we could empty out the fridge. I ate up all the fresh fruit, veggies, and dairy within a couple of days. All that I was left with were condiments in the refrigerator. The freezer fed me the last week and a half, but there is only so many frozen dinners and halibut steaks I can eat before I feel like I can’t open the freezer door ever again.

Horizon Organic Reduced Fat Milk, 8-Ounce at Amazon.comHere’s what worked for me:

  • Tetra-pack milk: I’ve talked about this milk before (Travel Milk). I usually use it when I’m traveling at a hotel that doesn’t have a little refrigerator in the room. I was able to buy a case of milk, keep it in a box and not worry about it spoiling while the refrigerator was sitting without its doors in the middle of my kitchen because it couldn’t fit in the space without removing molding from the wall.

  • Canned veggies: Fresh veggies are always healthier, but canned do in a pinch and they don’t need to be refrigerated. Most cans have three to four servings of vegetables in each, so in a pinch, I was able to open a can and knock out three of my required veggies in one sitting. One note of caution, however, remember where you packed your can opener.

  • Eating out the healthy way: After three days in the new house, we still haven’t gone grocery shopping. I have been eating out at restaurants so that we can just focus on moving, unpacking and getting the pets acclimated to the new place. Instead of cooking food, I have been doing my best to choose healthy options while I’m eating out. I found the menu and nutrition facts for a bunch of restaurants online (See Dotti’s Weight Loss Zone), so I can choose wisely no matter where I go.

Just because I’m moving, doesn’t mean I have an excuse to binge on whatever food is nearby. There are ways to eat healthy, even when I can’t find my pots and pans. Eating healthy is easy when I plan ahead and know that it is possible.

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