Healthful Blackberries Are In Season (how to make them unhealthy)
 

Delicious healthful blackberries can now be picked locally. It's fun to pick your own, you can save a little money over the store price, and it's nature's supper food.

Blackberries are high in the following:

Vitamin C (just 2 cups of fresh berries will give you your recommended daily allowance (RDA)

Fiber (pectin is good for those who have high cholesterol)

Phytochemicals (ellagic acid is anti-cancer)

Anti-oxidative action helps to control free radicals

In summary, it protects your heart and protects against cancer.

Yesterday, May 30, The Daily Sun couldn't wait to teach people how to cancel-out or destroy all of the above health benefits. They published, in the Lifestyle section, a recipe that calls for adding regular sugar and brown sugar, white flour, butter, with ice cream topping optional. All of these ingredients are responsible for creating the conditions that blackberries are supposed to fight. To me, it doesn't make sense to take one of natures super foods and turn it into junk-food.

Evidently, The Villages Daily Sun doesn't understand what it takes to become "America's Healthiest Hometown". Or else they don't care and are playing to our baser instincts. "America's Healthiest Hometown", is in danger of becoming an empty slogan, if it's not already.

To a significant extent, aging and disease are the result of accumulated free radical induced cell damage, and the new "Health Care Centers" won't be able to reverse it.

For a healthier way of eating blackberries, try mixing them with other fresh fruit and a small sprinkling of chopped walnuts.

I kind of agree with you. But you can make a nice dessert using the recipe from the Daily Sun using the diabetic sugar products. Eating fruit and nuts as a dessert is okay but boring. I like the fresh berries on my cereal and on my sugar free ice cream also.

:blahblahblah::blahblahblah::blahblahblah:


chilout


Talk about taking the J out of Joy!

"The condition, which affects equal numbers of men and women, is described as a "fixation on righteous eating".

Experts says sufferers with the obsession for healthy eating tend to be aged over 30, and were middle-class and well-educated.

"I am definitely seeing significantly more orthorexics than just a few years ago," said Ursula Philpot, chair of the British Dietetic Association's mental health group.

Deanne Jade, founder of the National Centre for Eating Disorders, added: “There is a fine line between people who think they are taking care of themselves by manipulating their diet and those who have orthorexia.
“I see people around me who have no idea they have this disorder. I see it in my practice and I see it among my friends and colleagues."

The condition, named by a Californian doctor, Steven Bratman, in 1997, involves rigid eating eating which includes not touching sugar, salt, caffeine, alcohol, wheat, gluten, yeast, soya, corn and dairy foods.

Any “bad” foods that come into contact with pesticides, herbicides or contain artificial additives are also banned.

The obsession can lead to some sufferers ending up malnourished, lead to pressures in personal relationships and make them become socially isolated......

......“They are solely concerned with the quality of the food they put in their bodies, refining and restricting their diets according to their personal understanding of which foods are truly 'pure',” she said.

Nutritional consultant Ian Marber, who is also aka The Food Doctor, told the Daily Telegraph earlier this month that the “very worrying phenomenon” was becoming more prevalent in men.

"It's an obsessive fixation on eating so healthily that it becomes dangerous, characterised by feeling proud and superior by virtue of how little one eats,” he said."

Rise in 'orthorexic eating disorders sparked by healthy food obsession' - Telegraph

So, what is your point? What does the above information have to do with this thread?

What about the white flour and butter (saturated fat).


Well, I thought it was a lot more than just "okay". In addition to the chopped nuts, I had blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupe and bananna mixed together. I thought it was great! Almost too sweet for my taste. Then, a little bit later, I ate my steal-cut oats separately, lightly salted with an unprocessed salt.

You're not saying that what you do is healthier, just that it's less boring to you.

I guess that means you don't like fruit unless it has white flour, sugar, butter or other dressings added to it?

Alas, plenty.

Life is a series of choices, some voluntary, some forced upon us. Some of our choices work out well, some not so well. Diet is a personal choice. You have made your choice. Fine. I hope it works well for you. But to categorize those who don't subscribe to your specific dietary regimen as succumbing to baser instincts I find offensive.

Now you're talking........Meet you at Peachwave:1rotfl:
Skip 2

Well, what? I'm waiting.

Why do you assume that The Villages isn't a healthy "city?" While the diet plan you follow works well for you and others, it is NOT the only way to eat, nor is it the only healthy way to eat. Villages, you enjoy your food choices. There is absolutely no guarantee that by eating in one particular way that we will live a long life. Life is uncertain, unforeseen accidents happen. We can' t tell all others how to eat, it's presumptuous to assume that our way is the right way, in diet choices, in life choices. It isn't my intention to get into a pi**ing contest over this, I'm not even a fan of berries ....my body just doesn't like them, but others are and they might just enjoy a sweet treat now and then.

As I've said in the past, Live long and prosper.

People who are obsessive about food usually cannot see the obsession.
 

Orthorexia Nervosa:* The Healthy Eating Disorder

The above article discusses a condition that is being diagnosed more frequently these days.

We each have a right to choose a healthy diet for ourselves.

I don't think that anyone is going to change their mind about eating choices by this thread.

Extreme views encourage negative responses.

The American Legion Post at 466 and Rolling Acres is having a blackberry festival this Saturday. See the DS for times.

Everybody enjoy the fresh berries in your own way!

:icon_hungry::icon_hungry::icon_hungry:

Blackberry festival
 

Yummy! Lots of jellies, jams and other good treats at the Festival on Saturday, June 2! See y'all there!

It's still a free country and we'll eat as we damn well please.......as in "moderation is the key in everything".

There's no argument there, I agree that it is a lifestyle choice.


That's not exactly what I said but okay, if you want to put it that way. I believe my complaint was directed at the Daily Sun for appealing to our baser instincts. How would you categorize refined sugar, white refined flour, ice cream and butter? Do you think the promotion of those items appeals to our higher instincts?

Why close this thread? Because you and others have tried to unsuccessfully change the subject?

The subject was blackberries and the healthful benefits of eating blackberries and the fact that the recipe suggestions in The Daily Sun would only make blackberries less healthful.

Do you disagree with my assertion? If so, give a logical argument instead of wandering off to another subject.

You're off the subject again.

Your complaint was not only directed at the Daily Sun, but also at the developer with the assertion that "Healthiest Hometown" was perhaps an empty phrase. I don't believe the paper, although owned by the developer, is intended to be a health newsletter. The Sun simply published a recipe of a resident that people have enjoyed. It was not published as part of a recommended dietary regimen.

The ingestion of those items you list is a personal choice, for better or worse, and is not a reflection of higher or baser instincts. It is exactly that categorization that I find objectionable.

Your lifestyle, your choice. My lifestyle, my choice. I have not, and will not, denigrate your dietary choices. Do not denigrate mine or others' as succumbing to "baser" instincts.

Thank you. Well said. You are right. Exactly. Yes Sir!! Boy Howdy!

As long as there's no science behind the assertion that this is "America's Healthiest Hometown", I think it's fair to assume that we are about the same as any other retirement community. The burden of proof belongs to those who make the claim that The Villages deserves a better health status than anywhere else. Where's the proof?

When did I say that my diet plan is the only way to eat? You made a false assumption. I posted to jimbo what I eat because he asked me. Did I ever say it was the only way?


I have been saying that all along since I have been participating on this website. But even if I didn't, why would you assume that I don't believe that accidents can happen?


I believe it's perfectly okay for me and others to give opinions on what we think is healthy or unhealthy. I believe that's part of what this board is for. That's why it's called "Medical And Health Discussion"


I wish you the same.

I went back and reread my opening post and I stand by my opinions. If anyone can show me scientific proof that this is America's healthiest hometown, I will gladly change my opinion. Where's the proof? If there's no proof, then it's just an advertising slogan, in my opinion.

To me it shows that they are not being consistent with their stated goals of being (or becoming) America's healthiest hometown. With a lot of hoopla they announced a new health alliance with USF. I am mearly trying to hold them to their word. The Lifestyle section offers them a unique oportunity to show what their intentions are.

To me it's like advertising to the community (and beyond) that they have no idea what's healthy and what's not healthy. If life is nothing more than a crap-shoot, why did they start a health alliance with USF?

Sorry that you didn't like my choice of words, but to me that's exactly what I believe they did. They tried to appeal to our baser instincts. They certainly were not encouraging us to eat healthier so that we might become America's healthiest hometown.

You may assume that TV is like any other retirement community, I do not. There are many aspects to being "healthy" VPl, and it isn't always showing lab results that are considered optimal.

What sort of studies do you want done? What criteria will be used to determine health? Why is the developer the "bad guy" so to speak? This community offers lots of activities, programs, sports, community services, things shown to keep people active, healthy and happy. Many other retirement communities do not offer as much.

I do apologize, you have not said your diet is the only way. I've taken some of your words as pontificating and think others may have also.

Time is the true test of what really "does a body good.". Many studies show positive results and those are the ones brought to light. Negatives might not initially show up or if they do, they may be minimized. Over time, a study either continues to prove itself or it is shown that the negatives outweigh the positives.

LL&P, VPl.....I'm starting to sound like a Star Trek movie.....;)

Life is a balancing act...
 

Eating healty is a wonderful thing. There are many opinions on how to do it and avoiding sugar, white flour seems to have many advocates and the support of science. It's also important to enjoy life and "splurging" every once in a while is probably not a bad thing. Especially if it makes us happy. I believe I recall a few studies on the impact of happiness, contentment, moderation in life being linked to health and longevity. I have two people in my life who are extremely concerned with eating - they don't really eat, they "fuel". Going to a nice restaurant, sitting down with friends for a long, leisurely meal is not something they are able to do. They are both extremely intelligent people, very opinionated, and not too tolerant of others who don't subscribe to their beliefs on matters of nutrition and exercise. Their relationships have suffered as a result. It's important to ensure that a balance occurs in our lives so that we don't miss out on something that could enrich us as well as impact our health and well-being.

This is a great article and very relevant to the subject of healthy eating.

What a great way to word what I too believe.

We must always, ALWAYS, try to remember that we may be wrong on things that we think we know, have been taught, have always believed.

Keeping an open mind on all issues is good MENTAL health.

And....Villages PL, that goes for YOU, too. You must entertain the idea that you could be wrong on your ideas about a healthy diet and life style. AND that others may be right.

villages pl doesn't even have to accept that they might be wrong about anything -it would just be nice if they could simply admit that it is okay for others to have their own ideas about health and nutrition rather than berate them for their views!

don't need to be right or wrong - just need to be accepting of others opinions!

You are right. As usual.

No one knows for sure; that's my point. There are many aspects to being healthy, as you said. But that can be turned around, as follows: There are many aspects to being unhealthy as well. For example, some people may feel well but their sense of well-being may be propped up by medications. And too many medications usually spells trouble in the long run.

USF stated, in one of their lectures, that they would eventually compare the results of our health survey with other surveys of other communities. They also said they would have a follow up lecture to give us the results of our survey. I'm waiting.

People usually adapt to whatever is available. I visited a small retirement community in Zepherhills FL one morning (several years ago). I was amazed at how many people where out walking.

I'm glad you brought that up. That's exactly why I always look to large long term studies to keep things in perspective. I'm talking about studies that last 20+ years. One is "The Okinawa Program" and another is "The China Study".

Beam me up, Scotty!

In your post above I put the word "moderation" in bold print. Why? I guess it's because I'm fascinated by the concept. Sometimes I wonder what it really means. On average, I go out to eat about twice per month and I call it moderation. Another person might go out to eat once per week and call it moderation. And another might go out to eat twice per week and call it moderation.

As a result, just about everyone claims to practice moderation. Think about that for a minute: Have you ever met anyone who said they don't practice moderation? I have never met such a person. I think it's because the word "moderation" is a relative term and it usually applies to processed foods. So, whatever amount of it we eat, we tend to rationalize and catagorize it as "moderation".

I'm so glad you brought this up because it has to do with my point about sugar and other unhealthful items being put on blackberries. People will say it's okay as long as you practice moderation. Sounds good, doesn't it? Yes, it does, until you realize that the average person in the U.S. consumes 150 lbs. of sugar per year.

Then keep in mind that obesety, diabetes, cancer, and other degenerative diseases are very high and continue climbing.

This is why we certainly don't need The Daily Sun publishing recipes calling for refined sugar, white refined flour, butter and ice cream, especially due to the fact that The Villages claims to be interested in being America's healthiest home town.

villages pl - YES WE DO need the d.s. to continue to publish those recipes. and PLEASE stop trying to foist your dietary habits on the rest of us and let us go on our merry SWEET way!

thank you!

you are sweet to post that - but my post is a small semantic change from yours. we share the same intention. ;)

It is difficult to define moderation; actually, it’s difficult to quantify most things that are outside the realm of mathematics. My use of the word was more in reference to one’s overall approach to living a healthy lifestyle, i.e. it may be unwise to focus too much attention on any single aspect of ones’ life. A more “moderate” approach for me has been to try and bring multiple things into balance – nutrition, exercise, rest, meditation, relaxation, relationships – what I take from them and what I give back, etc. I’m a work in progress, but the ultimate goal is happiness while I’m here and some positive impact that will, perhaps, live beyond me. I’m very blessed, I’m past 60, have no chronic ailments and feel pretty darn good every day – probably in most part due to heredity, some to good luck, and much to lifestyle and choices. I don’t disagree with much of what you say and your message is valuable. But value can be missed if delivery is uncomfortable.

Sugar isn't essentially bad for us. It is a component in breast milk. It doesn't matter if we use refined sugar, corn sugar, cane sugar, sugar from nectarines, apples, pears, bananas or an ice cream sundae, it only harms us if we eat too much all of the time.

The bread you eat is good for you but not a heck of a lot different than other forms of carbohydrates which our bodies also need.

Humans are carnivores. We need protein and that is easier to obtain from meat than from nuts etc. It is the excess of fat that harms us in most meats.

Fiber is important too and most folks do not consume enough plant material to get it. But you can get it from taking fiber supplements and eating oat bran cereal too.

Because the human species is so smart we have discovered reliable medicine that will and does extend our lives. There isn't anything wrong with taking medicine prescribed by a qualified physician and a hell of a lot wrong with NOT taking it.

That is what I call a moderate approach.

What the heck does The Villages have to do with our health. Is there anyone doing anything differently that they would not be doing or have done over the years? I mean cities throughout the country have health centers, bike paths walking paths specialty stores for those health foods we believe assists our longevity. i am dumbfounded when I read someone's post attributing health to living here as if the moment you move into this place all of a sudden all of those nastythings we did to our bodies disappears.

Frankly genetics is the main factor and moderation as the Greeks have told us help. As Irama bombeck once said " Just think two minutes before the Titantic sank some women waved off the dessert cart."

I don't smoke, laugh a lot, drink a glass a wine a day, continue to exercise just as I have done for many years before moving here,,,,and best of all I continue to enjoy my mother's cookiing thanks to an attentive wife.

Thanks, ariel; nice post. I can't find one thing to disagree with, and that's rare. All the things you mentioned like nutrition, exercise, rest, meditation, relaxation, and relationships are the things that I work on and value.

I'm 71 and in excellent health. The first time I went to my new doctor for a check up, he looked at me like he couldn't believe I was so healthy. Everything on my blood test was perfect and my blood pressure was 100/50. So I have never needed any medication. The last time I took an aspirin was in 1979. Sorry to get carried away but being healthy is one of my biggest pleasures in life.

And I feel like my good health is well deserved because I have paid attention to it. Regarding food, I never think in terms of how much I can get away with. Rather, I think in terms of how much good can I do. And that's part of what I enjoy. When I know that a particular food is healthy, I enjoy it all the more by having that thought.

:wave:

I take it you are not a fan of the health alliance between The Villages and USF.

I have nothing against breast milk. I love breast milk! :1rotfl:

Your statement is too generalized to be of much help to anyone. But I'll try to give a reply. The problem with refined sugar, corn sugar and cane sugar, is that they represent empty calories. Sugar that comes from fruit contains fiber, vitamins and minerals. Each piece of fruit is balanced buy nature and the fiber slows down the absorbtion of sugar into your blood stream. Non-sweet fruit is better to keep your blood sugar at optimum levels. That's why I choose grapefruit over navel oranges.

Ice cream is one of the worst "foods" a person can eat. It's high calorie with very little food value. If you're looking for calcium or protein there are much better ways of getting those nutrients than by eating ice cream.

I believe a person should stick to one serving of one starch per meal. In other words, if you're having one serving of white potatoes for dinner, then you shouldn't have bread, corn or rice in the same meal.

I don't know about easier. What's so difficult about getting protein from lentils, beans or split peas, for example. Balanced protein comes from most of the whole foods that we eat. And protein from plant sources has the added value of more fiber. We need at least 25 to 35 grams of fiber per day.

Oat bran and fiber supplements will give you fiber but not the other nutrients you would get from eating natural whole fiber foods.

Well, that's your judgement call. It's between you and your doctor since I have no idea what your health status is. Personally, I prefer to eat right and hopefully never have to take any medications.