Fat Tuesday - Time To Lose
FAT TUESDAY - Don’t Do It
For those of you who may not know what that day represents, here is some background. Fat Tuesday is a day of "wild abandon," and it is the last day before the beginning of the "Lenten Season," practiced by Roman Catholics. I was brought up in a Roman Catholic family and I tried my hardest to meet all the rigors, rules and obligations of a practicing Catholic. We did not practice anything like "Fat Tuesday."
In one final day before the Lenten Season, one could "pig out" or eat everything desired. Then down in New Orleans, they expanded that to include a major celebration in which they practice, a kind of pagan holiday, when women are given beads for exposing their breasts. I am not a prude. Let them have their fun, as long as no one is hurt or abused, it may be a necessary "evil."
Parties and celebrations gave them license to ignore all the rules, including eating healthy. Now, if you like the way you look and can afford to indulge yourself in overeating candies, cookies, chocolates and alcohol, then so be it. However, if you’re like me, I would rather stay on a level plane. I will continue to benefit from that which I have developed in the way of muscle, a stronger immune system, and a healthy weight. If you don’t like the image in the mirror and want to continue to stay in your healthy-weight range - hang in there. Weight gained can be so hard to take off, so few of us can afford to "put it on."
"Time To Eat and Lose Weight" is in the blog site of February 27th, 2006. Refer to the regimen proposed to learn how you can develop a lifestyle approach to heathy eating without going hungry.
Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D., PhD.,recently spoke on National Public Radio about "Integrative Medicine." His recommendations closely resemble mine. He believes that the number one nutritional-problem in this country is a deficiency in "Omega-3" trans-fatty acids and I would add, the overabundant use of "Sugar." The epidemic proportions of overweight people who develop cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, stroke, heart attack and cardiovascular disease is growing by the day. People will have to know and respect the fact that their best doctor is the one in the mirror.
For those of you who may not know what that day represents, here is some background. Fat Tuesday is a day of "wild abandon," and it is the last day before the beginning of the "Lenten Season," practiced by Roman Catholics. I was brought up in a Roman Catholic family and I tried my hardest to meet all the rigors, rules and obligations of a practicing Catholic. We did not practice anything like "Fat Tuesday."
In one final day before the Lenten Season, one could "pig out" or eat everything desired. Then down in New Orleans, they expanded that to include a major celebration in which they practice, a kind of pagan holiday, when women are given beads for exposing their breasts. I am not a prude. Let them have their fun, as long as no one is hurt or abused, it may be a necessary "evil."
Parties and celebrations gave them license to ignore all the rules, including eating healthy. Now, if you like the way you look and can afford to indulge yourself in overeating candies, cookies, chocolates and alcohol, then so be it. However, if you’re like me, I would rather stay on a level plane. I will continue to benefit from that which I have developed in the way of muscle, a stronger immune system, and a healthy weight. If you don’t like the image in the mirror and want to continue to stay in your healthy-weight range - hang in there. Weight gained can be so hard to take off, so few of us can afford to "put it on."
"Time To Eat and Lose Weight" is in the blog site of February 27th, 2006. Refer to the regimen proposed to learn how you can develop a lifestyle approach to heathy eating without going hungry.
Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D., PhD.,recently spoke on National Public Radio about "Integrative Medicine." His recommendations closely resemble mine. He believes that the number one nutritional-problem in this country is a deficiency in "Omega-3" trans-fatty acids and I would add, the overabundant use of "Sugar." The epidemic proportions of overweight people who develop cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, stroke, heart attack and cardiovascular disease is growing by the day. People will have to know and respect the fact that their best doctor is the one in the mirror.
If you believe in learning what it is that prevents disease and how to build healthier cells, then you will have to rely on our best and newest weapon - the internet.
All generations on this planet had to learn to survive and adapt to a problematic environment - whether it was famine, disease, poverty, or a lack of access to clean water, clean air and food. We are no different in that respect. We are surrounded with a "splendid sufficiency" as my wife’s 92-year-old English mother would say. And she ought to know about survival. She grew up in London during WWII and tells us how she had to eat clover to survive. Even now, it is that same survival mode that bodes her well as she tries to go on. That "splendid sufficiency" may be what is causing all the diabetes. Too much food and too many choices can be a curse. Children are given school lunches, that consist of pizza, nachos and cheese, hot dogs, hamburgers and sugar-loaded beverages. When they arrive home, a tired mother, may suggest a trip to McDonald’s or Burger King, or even order out for a pizza.
As the Lenten Season starts on Ash Wednesday, remember that you don’t have to be Catholic to use good old-fashioned common sense. Eat your biggest meal in the middle of the day while you are in full stride and burning calories. Eat a light breakfast (oatmeal is excellent, or poached egg on toast with a slice of tomato) and/or fruit salad and cottage cheese with tea..
Make your night-time snack light. We have some sliced fruit, a cup of tea and an English muffin. It works, and if it doesn’t, experiment with other approaches. But, always keep your eye on the scale and know which foods will arm you best against disease, obesity, and viruses. Antioxidants in blueberries, anti-inflammatory cherries, heart-healthy wild sockeye salmon and a one-a-day vitamin to fill in the gaps.
As a nation, and a people determined to stop this endless onslaught of disease, on our health - we need to learn to eat healthy.
Fat Tuesday is not for me. Enjoy your family, friends and co-workers, by living longer, eating healthy, exercising, and most importantly, "HAVE FUN." Laughter releases endorphines that help to heal the body.
As the Lenten Season starts on Ash Wednesday, remember that you don’t have to be Catholic to use good old-fashioned common sense. Eat your biggest meal in the middle of the day while you are in full stride and burning calories. Eat a light breakfast (oatmeal is excellent, or poached egg on toast with a slice of tomato) and/or fruit salad and cottage cheese with tea..
Make your night-time snack light. We have some sliced fruit, a cup of tea and an English muffin. It works, and if it doesn’t, experiment with other approaches. But, always keep your eye on the scale and know which foods will arm you best against disease, obesity, and viruses. Antioxidants in blueberries, anti-inflammatory cherries, heart-healthy wild sockeye salmon and a one-a-day vitamin to fill in the gaps.
As a nation, and a people determined to stop this endless onslaught of disease, on our health - we need to learn to eat healthy.
Fat Tuesday is not for me. Enjoy your family, friends and co-workers, by living longer, eating healthy, exercising, and most importantly, "HAVE FUN." Laughter releases endorphines that help to heal the body.
posted by Stan Kent at
11:00 AM
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