Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead - Moving

A lot of us realize that we are not eating the right food, and that our conditions--including fat bellies--come from those bad habits. But the world we live in here in 21st century America is filled with bad eating choices. What can you do to really make a difference?

Australian businessman Joe Cross was severely overweight, and ill for years with a condition that made him swell up with red splotches. But when he went on a fresh juice fast -- no solid food for two months--he regained his health. And not only that--he spread the word to others. What happens to Phil, a 429-pound truck driver from Iowa, is heroic and poignant.

This movement, known as Reboot Your Life, is going viral, as you can see on Facebook. There's nothing like a great example and a story you can  relate to to move you along. Although I don't have the issues that Joe and Phil do, I am still above my ideal weight, and my blood pressure is a little high. My wife and I are already making changes -- and we have one of those great Breville juicers. Next - a juice fast--but not for 30 or  60 days!

I need this.

Cafe Gratitude - Wholesome and Delicious

Before attending a concert last week, I had a remarkable meal at Cafe Gratitude, a "health food" restaurant located in the far corner of the largest Whole Foods store I've ever seen. Next to De Anza College in Cupertino, this modest cafe says that it's, quote:

"...our expression of a world of plenty..." and "...a celebration of our aliveness." Yeah, it's a little much, but apparently sincere. They use all organic ingredients and support local farmers, and claim that their "food is prepared with love." Much of the produce comes from the BE LOVE FARM in Vacaville, California. Sounds great to me.

The meals are all named for declarations, such as I Am Adventurous (soup) or I Am Elated (Enchilada). I enjoyed the I Am Transformed, which was two handmade corn tacos with brown rice, black beans, salsa roja, guacamole and cashew nacho cheese. It was incredibly tasty, and even better, it really did feel like it was made with care, and seemed to traverse my system smoothly and happily.

The place also features tea and coffee (organic of course), fresh juice concoctions, smoothies, milkshakes (not cow milk, though), and some delightful desserts.

I've only visited once, but I will definitely return. There are locations in other San Francisco Bay Area locations: Oakland, Berkeley, San Rafael, and San Francisco, and further afield in Santa Cruz and Healdsburg.

Much thanks to my friend, Lowell, who suggested it, persevered when we couldn't find it at first in its "hidden" location, and paid the bill.

Lost in the Produce Aisle

Like many men who had moms who made their dinner (and wives who work and aren't housewives), I am pretty much mystified in the produce aisle at the supermarket. Yeah, I can identify broccoli (and actually like it, steamed) and I know what Brussels sprouts look like (wife's not keen on 'em so they're not a welcome visitor at home). Spinach--fine. Corn--check. Green beans--OK. Corn--of course. I even know what kale is and have eaten it willingly. Then, there's all that other stuff. (bags of mini potatoes pictured)

I know that I need to eat more vegetables, but they just sit there in their neat little trays, sometimes bagged but usually just sprawled out in front of me. What do you do with them? Would you eat them with something else? I'm just not comfortable with that.

Sadly, that leaves resorting to frozen bricks of spinach, which are actually good for you--they freeze it right when it's picked so in a way it may be fresher than what's sitting there at room temperature. We have bags of peas and green beans in the refrigerator, too. I like to cook some up--preferably in the microwave--with a nice juicy Aidell's Chicken & Apple sausage. Mmm.

What will it take to make me more active in the vegetable-eating world? We need to hire ourselves a housewife--or at least a cook. Maybe we can choose one random mystery vegetable at a time and experiment with it. At least that cuts down on the panic of too many choices.

Fruit's easier--I brought home apples, grapes and some cute mini bananas (which probably cost twice as much as regular-sized ones). Now--step 2 is to eat them before they go bad. Sigh.

Pom - Wonderful Way to Start the Day

I used to drink orange juice with my breakfast. Perfect for washing down the vitamins and adding appeal to the blandness of my cereal. Well, now, I drink Pom Wonderful pomegranate juice instead.

I just pour a half to three quarters of an inch in a short glass and fill it with cold water. It's so strong, you can drink it diluted -- actually, you really should.

I've had the original flavor, but you can have it with blueberry--or others if you take a peek at their website.

I remember, as a kid, that actual pomegranates were very red, and very hard to eat. And there was so much pulp, too. This way is much easier.

The little Pom bottles looked like two pomegranates stacked on top with a slim waist. Now, the big bottles come in that shape too. You can't miss it in the store--look for it in a cooler, though. It isn't sold on a plain shelf.

By the way, if you go to pom.com, you'll find a parking meter company in Russellville, Arkansas. Really.

Two Moms in the Raw - Good for You

I was looking for a healthy snack the other day. I passed on the candy aisle, but near the check-out I found a Two Moms in the Raw Gojiberry Granola bar. Later, back at work, I nibbled at it during the afternoon and it did the trick.

What I learned on their website is that the founder, Shari, was diagnosed with Multiple sclerosis in 2004 and decided that a raw food diet would be the best path to healing. She was making great recipes and at some point, it got too expensive to just give it away. So she started her company.

Two Moms in the Raw makes and sells cereal, chia bars, granola, nut bars and sea crackers. All of it is tasty and good for you.

I guess I don't have to give up snacks--just the bad ones.

Gotta Eat Better

I've been around long enough to know that everything that happens in your life is a result of something else--usually your own actions (or inactions). Today, I celebrate the sad fact that the better the food you eat the better you feel--and look--and the longer you will probably live, too. Sigh.

About a year and a half ago my doctor found that my blood pressure had risen a little higher than what is accepted as the threshold of prehypertension--120/80. It was more like 140/90. So, I decided to eat better and exercise more. My goal was that when I came in for my next visit, in six months, I'd be able to fit into a size 32 waist pair of pants and my blood pressure would be normal. Well, about a year ago, in August of 2010, I succeeded and strolled into the office in my 32's--and got the results I wanted. I'd lost 15 pounds--and matched the weight that has been on my driver's license for decades.

Well, today, I am tight in the 34s and my wife has decided she needs to eat better too. So, we had a wonderful salad for lunch today (no sarcasm). Then, off we went to Whole Foods. The first thing in the cart was broccoli--a favorite of mine--and spinach--of hers. We got Jonagold and Gala apples--which we sampled at the store when the produce guy cut them open for us right there. Yum! I think he was happy because I complimented the beautiful arrangement of the vegetables.

In any case, here we are, trying to avoid McDonalds and eschew candy. Gotta keep an eye on the big picture and think long term.