Found the Farmer's Market

If I keep writing about food here it can be my "fourth half," after music, cars, and "other."

I was driving home from buying a doggie toothbrush and toothpaste at the Pet Food Express yesterday when I saw the Castro Valley Farmer's Market. Why not go grab some good-for-me food, I thought.

This Farmer's Market is not the largest in the world, but it does have a range of exciting options. I took home juicy, ripe peaches, plums, blackberries and strawberries, three freshly made (and frozen) chicken pot pies, a seriously healthful loaf of whole-wheat bread and a box of gorgeous brownies and blackberry squares. I gave the man with the steel drum a dollar for the pleasant ambiance. I might have grabbed some hummus but I'm the only one who likes it at home.

It really makes sense to eat these good things. I'll have to try to remember to come more often. The fresh produce puts Safeway's to shame. If I'm at all serious about working with the MyPlate eating suggestions I really need to.

Food Pyramid Becomes MyPlate

It seems like we have a continuing battle between what (processed) food manufacturers and fast food restaurants want you to eat and what the U.S. Government recommends you consume. The USDA gave us the Food Pyramid--a novel concept that separated out consumables into neat, proportional sections, with a little piece at the top for the bad stuff that for most of us constitutes the major part of our diet.

Well, the pyramid is out and now it's MyPlate. Go check it out. The website is actually quite informative. It's not overly scientific but boils it down to filling half your plate with vegetables and fruit and the other half with grains and protein. Dairy constitutes one Micky Mouse ear on the plate. Seems straightforward enough, but unfortunately, we tend to think in terms of meals and snacks and not in generic food categories. Where do I put a McNugget? (probably in Protein, but not in the recommended category). Where does a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup go? (nowhere--somewhat unrealistically). Diet Coke? (you're kidding, right?).

Scanning the website did remind me that having a nice selection of fruit at home and on your desk at work is not only decorative but can direct your attention to better snacking than Milky Way bars and Doritos. I didn't see either of those items on the MyPlate. I will say that the USDA seems to know that it's an uphill battle getting people to "eat right" and is stressing the positive while not outright condemning the enemies - sugar, fat and salt. Actually, that would be my ideal food--chocolate-covered potato chips. A chocolate-enrobed sirloin?

Being informed and making a plan are two ways to get moving on better eating, and I don't believe that any of us really wants to overweight, have Diabetes, or die (today at least). So you may as well go visit the website and see what you can do to think a little more about what you eat. They talk about exercise, too. I didn't come away feeling chastised, but a little bit encouraged to try to improve my choices.

P.S.: Thanks, Brooke, for suggesting this topic.