The times they are changing...

There was a time when each of us had this meal and two hours later we could also have dessert!
Though healthy in so many ways, this meal is not proportioned to our current health needs.
The halibut is freshly grilled.
The coleslaw made just hours before.
The ciabatta bread toasted on the grill next to the fish.

The amount of halibut is enough for three people.
We could all use three times more vegetables.

So, nowadays, we share this meal and we order an additional salad.  We save money. Most importantly, we save ourselves from over indulging.

How about you?
How do you save yourself from over indulging?

The Cost of Unhealthy Life-styles.

This billboard is all over the L.A. area. An 800 number for lap-band surgery.
When my daughter was in high school, girls in that neighborhood got a nose job or  boobs reconstructions as graduation presents.

The pressure never ends.

Now, all over the land, we are told to go ahead, have a major surgery to shrink our stomach, we can be thin, the way this girl is.  Imagine driving by these billboards day after day, too tired to go to the gym after work, too poor to shop at the farmers' market, too sleepy to cook a meal from scratch.  You stop at the grocery store to pick up milk and cereal, and grab a bag of pre-mixed salad fixings for four people. You think of the cost, and you hate getting out of the car.
So, you drop in at your favorite fast food.

One day, this billboard will send you to the doctor for help.
There, you will put all your hopes in this basket.

Your life will change all right.
But, at what cost?

Wouldn't it all make better sense if we subsidized the local farmers so they could pass on the savings to us at the farmers' market, even show up how to prepare quick meals with greens? Right now, we are subsidizing  big corn producers, not family farmers.

Wouldn't it make better sense if companies had gyms on site?  Sure, it would cost them a bit to start off; but, health care costs would lower, absenteeism would decline; and most of all, the energy level of the employees would soar.

First Lady Michelle Obama is promoting better nutrition and  more activities for school children. It's a great start!

Food Rule Number Three: Eat smaller meals, often.

Say Hello to Jason, my daughter's husband, the other Comforter.  If you have not visited their web-site and listened to their music, you are missing a major .music treat.

(but, i digress....)

Jason and Pia have designed their lives carefully, so they can spend their time creating and making music when they are not working to pay the rent.

 They are vegan. 

Back in June, I wrote about cooking vegan meals when I visited them.  They became vegan by way of elimination.  They eliminated foods that would cause them distress, or medical problems in the long run.  Now, their eating style supports their busy life beautifully.
Visit sixtyfivewhatnow ,  the June posts,  if you wish to read about my experiences .

They eat small meals, often, mainly stuff they get from their farmer's market or grow themselves.  Their friends  bring them eggs from their coops, and they buy legumes and nuts in bulk from known sources.

They work outside the home, their busy lifestyle is the same as yours.  They  pack healthy snacks to have before and after shows, after work, during work.Eating often keeps us fueled evenly throughout the day. Big meals would actually slow us down.

When I confronted vegan cooking in June, I was skeptical and anxious. I knew I'd be hungry and cranky.  I was never hungry.  I actually lost five pounds in those three weeks, and have kept those pounds off, just by having smaller meals.