As of this minute, I'm embarking on a personal campaign to try lots of new foods to eat. My incentive: I visited an old friend recently hospitalized. Due to a trip to the emergency room in the middle of the night, not eating for a whole day due to waiting for surgery, then another day for surgery and recovery, she had not eaten for more than two days. The hospital then brought her food she had ordered, but it was not cooked to her satisfaction, so she didn't eat. This happened for two more meals. Yes, she drank the protein shakes but that is not nearly enough for an older woman of slight build. I brought her the specific breakfast bars she craved. I'm no hero, just her old friend.
But seeing her debilitated condition and dislike of so many foods shocked me into making sure I would never become so 'picky.' I want to be able to survive on nearly anything.
We in America have nearly unlimited choices when it comes to everything, especially food. No wonder most of us are overweight (I include myself, for the moment). Of course, I didn't grow up during World War II rationing nor did I grow up in the lean years of the Great Depression. But I was made to eat whatever was put on my plate because the starving children in China would be glad to have it.
I see so many families with children and teen who have very poor eating habits that include only a few favorite foods. Thank McDonald's for their chicken nuggets! If it wasn't for them and peanut butter, I think many of our children would eat no protein at all.
Not all that long ago I experienced a year with four surgeries for kidney problems. I found myself so worn out physically and mentally, basically, I just pampered myself and withdrew into a cocoon of limited foods and activities - only what I really liked. A friend of mine saw where I was headed and gently told me, "You shouldn't pamper yourself so much. Push yourself." His kind advice jolted me into realize what I was doing and where I was headed: into even worse health. So I changed and slowly regained really good health. I wish I could inspire my newly hospitalized friend to that extent!
Lord, all I ask today is to help me get far, far away from being a picky eater and lazy exerciser!
I, too, heard the "starving children in China" line as a child...but don't recall questioning it. When I used it on my son, now in college, he replied, "but the starving children in China won't know that I threw my dinner away..." He had a point. You may want to explore new vegetable recipes. Vegetables are so full of nutrients and very tasty. Also, I lot of people don't eat soy and soy products, but it is a staple in my diet. I love it! I drink Silk soy milk, snack on dry roasted edamame, and cook tofu in a variety of ways. My favorite is extra firm tofu, cut up into small cubes, and baked with diced onions, a few fresh organic garlic cloves, and extra virgin olive oil from Crete. Total decadence! And very tasty. :) When you go out to eat, if you dine at an Asian restaurant, try tofu fried rice. Yum!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment - now I have more ideas to try!
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