Loudoll: Those were the days when many more people hunted and fished. Today the deer population is over run in many states.

do you recall the outcry when Sarah Palin on her series special killed a moose and was dressing it.

The hunters in our town ate what they killed from squirrel to turtle to bear elk you name it. it all taste like chicken when downed with a brewski.

One thing I missed out on was the brewski. I'm sorry to say my people abstained. lol...yes, it's true that deer are over populating and yes, I sure do remember Sarah Palin getting that ridiculous press over the moose. :mad:

Great picture
 

This is a beautiful family. do you realize there are ten people around that small table? Really nice.:mmmm:

I had the best of both worlds with my Italian mother and Portugese father. IMHO. I'm sure others will disagree.

Love my pasta, and "Paella", in my favorite seafood dish. Mom could not cook seafood, (butchered it), so we went to the Portugese restaurant, in Newark, NJ, (a very large Portugese community). Most of the chefs were from Portugal and serve their fare, in large cast iron pots. The portions were humongous and everyone would overeat. A lot of my family loved the bacala, and Mariscada, (seafood in a brandy sauce).

I don't agree with VPL much, but he is right, in that as we age, we can't continue to eat, as if we are young, and expect to enjoy optimal health.

BTW - Homemade pasta made from stratch, is the best. I could never stop eating it, once I started.

This thread brings so many happy memories.
 

Found this picture of one of our good times. We never think to take a picture BEFORE, we are all too hungry!

This assertion that as we age we can't eat the same thing we did when we were young is true. We can't eat as much and we do find foods that we find no longer seem to agree with us......but we keep on trying:pepper2:

I'm not giving up my pasta sauce I draw the line there:icon_hungry:

Speaking of expense, what happened to the price of flank steak? My mother cooked with it a lot since it was a cheap, tough cut of meat, and now it's hip or something? Rummaging around online, Wegman's has it this week at $9.99 a pound!

To answer your question more directly, yes, I have lots of good memories of family around the table. But I think in many cases it was destructive from the standpoint of health. What did we do on family get-togethers and holidays but overstuff ourselves.

Nothing wrong with looking at the past as long as we are realistic about it. If we only see it as good, we are doomed to repeat the same mistakes. How many grandparents still want to bake cookies, pies and cakes for the grandchildren when they come over to visit? And lots of candy for Halloween, Christmas and Easter, etc.

Your post reminds me of these.
 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8cf3ZIrX12...as-Cookies.jpg

I still remember all the homemade pastries, pies, cobblers, cakes and cookies made by both my grandmothers during the holidays. All usually enjoyed with an ice cold glass of milk or ice cream.

Everything in moderation. Pies, cakes, cookies - I see nothing wrong with a piece of pie, a cookie (or two). I'm not a frequent dessert eater but I do enjoy it with friends, over coffee. Nothing wrong with that I my book

For those who understand, no explanation is needed. For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.

One day I had lunch with some friends. Jim, a short, balding golfer type about 85-years old, came along with them; all in all, a pleasant bunch.
When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, except for Jim who said, "Ice Cream, please. Two scoops, chocolate.
I wasn't sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast. "Along with heated apple pie," Jim added, completely unabashed.

We tried to act quite nonchalant, as if people did this all the time. But when our orders were brought out, I didn't enjoy mine.

I couldn't take my eyes off Jim as his pie a-la-mode went down. The other guys couldn't believe it. They ate their lunches silently and grinned.
The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Jim . I lunched on white meat tuna. He ordered a parfait. I smiled. He asked if he amused me.
I answered, "Yes, you do, but also you confuse me. How come you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible?"
He laughed and said "I'm tasting all that is possible. I try to eat the food I need, and do the things I should. But life's so short, my friend, I hate missing out on something good. This year I realized how old I was. (He grinned) I haven't been this old before. So, before I die, I've got to try those things that for years I had ignored.
"I haven't smelled all the flowers yet. There are too many trout streams I haven't fished. There's more fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown overhead.
"There are too many golf courses I haven't played. I've not laughed at all the jokes. I've missed a lot of sporting events and potato chips and cokes.
"I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face. I want to sit in a country church once more and thank God for His grace.

"I want peanut butter every day spread on my morning toast. I want un-timed long distance calls to the folks I love the most.
"I haven't cried at all the movies yet, or walked in the morning rain. I need to feel wind on my face. I want to be in love again.
"So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner, then should I die before night fall, I'd say I died a winner, because I missed out on nothing. I filled my heart's desire. I had that final chocolate mousse before my life expired."
With that, I called the waitress over.. "I've changed my mind, " I said. "I want what he is having, only add some more whipped cream!"
This is my gift to you - We need an annual Friends Day! If you get this twice, then you have more than one friend. Live well, love much & laugh often - Be happy.
Be mindful that happiness isn't based on possessions, power, or prestige, but on relationships with people we like and respect. Remember that while money talks, CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM SINGS!

I've really enjoyed this thread, the real pictures and the pictures created in my mind by the descriptions of families, food, and memories.

Consider the following:

The average 65 year old takes at least one medication per day. By age 75 the average is 3 or more medications and 5 or more is not uncommon. Is it any wonder why the average U.S. life span is only 78? From age 65 to 75 the average person can see where he/she is headed by observing their increase in medications but is unlikely to do anything about it.

Just some FOOD for thought :)

I do get it. :coolsmiley:
A long life isn't promised to anyone, we need to enjoy the ride.
I think the healthiest thing any of us can to is have a supportive circle of friends.

A supportive circle of friends will certainly be comforting when the person is diagnosed with cancer. It's not so much that we want a guarantee of long life, but at least a healthy life that's free of pain and suffering. The average person isn't getting that with the current high rates of degenerative diseases, together with the side effects of taking multiple medications. In other words, the average U.S. person isn't enjoying the ride in their final few years.

I suggest you read this link:

Debbie Downer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I get it. When you can't defend your position, change the subject.

It's about living life joyously. :pepper2:
No position to defend.

LOL. I've met some Debbie Downers in my life. One of the best skits on SNL.:a040:

Lived with my Maternal Grandparents in Lynch, Ky (Harlan County)---My Grandfather was a Coal Miner----Sunday mornings---I would awaken to the sound of a pressure cooker----the Psst-Psst- sound----my Grandmother singing along with her favorite Gospel Quartets----preparing dinner before we left for Church---the "things" I "had" to eat---would give anything now to have them again----the fried pies for dessert---my Grandmother made these weekly as it was easy for my Grandfather to take them into the mines---the homemade rolls---fried okra---so many things that I hated then---would give anything to be able to sit down at the table --with my Grandparents---

Discussion has veered off topic and is now more member against member.

Please stay on topic.

Moderator

dbussone: Spot on. I recall an article Irma Bombeck wrote on this subject. she said "Just think a few seconds before the Titanic went down some ladies waved off the dessert cart."

sandybill2 indeed a happy home and understand your yearning for those moments. My side of the family has all but disappeared and how I long fr those family gathers laughter, love, good food

Why not live both joyously and healthily? The point I was making is that the average American is not doing this. That's why all the increase in medications and old age degenerative diseases.

Answer to the above question: The way people eat when they get together with family and/or friends is symptomatic of a poor attitude regarding healthy living. The average person equates "living life joyously" with consuming large amounts of unhealthy foods. But it's short sighted because there's no joy in getting one or more of the many degenerative diseases

Hmm. Not necessarily, Villages PL. When I think of the best things I have ever eaten, it's not all bad. Vine ripe tomatoes in the summer. Florida watermelon. That first crisp Winesap apple in the fall. A steaming pot of vegetable soup in cold weather. Roasted root vegetables. Homemade hummus. Pears dripping with juice. A salad lightly tossed with olive oil and apple cider vinegar. Those wonderful thin beans called haricots verts, lightly steamed. All wonderful, and vegan. I am not a vegan, but I do feel better when I eat like one. So I would love to hear about some delicious vegan food that you have enjoyed.

Staying with the topic theme of the pure pleasure of eating. I often say I can do all the things I did at 17 it just takes me longer to recover.

Likewise with food. I can eat all the same things and do, however what you discover as you age is that you need to slow down the pace of eating and you are better served to eat small meals rather than larger meals. Save the over extending yourself for special occasions.... as my mother use to say don't bring your diets to my house

My wife and I explore various recipes change them up a bit. We had a recipe that called for broccoli rabe we substituted spinach and my wife wanted to try kale. My choice was spinach because of its texture and sweetness as I found the other two to be too bitter.

It seems you may be one of the few who enjoys healthy foods so you're not typical. But you did say, "it's not all bad" which suggests that some of it is bad. Hmm, I wonder what the bad stuff consists of. :icon_wink:

I don't make what most people would call "delicious vegan food." I don't follow any recipes, I just make it up as I go along. I keep it very simple and I don't mind some repetition. Although, every day it's a little different depending what I happen to have on hand.

Basically, my standard breakfast is a small bowl of chopped fresh fruit. Then I have a serving of steel-cut oats with chopped nuts. Sometimes I melt a small amount of Baker's chocolate in the cooked oatmeal.

Lunch often consists of a big salad with beans and one teaspoon of olive oil. Dinner is usually some sort of soup, lentils or split peas etc., with lots of vegetables and one teaspoon of olive oil.

Variety comes from the many different choices of fresh and frozen vegetables and fresh fruit. Or different types of nuts can be added to a snack. Whole grain rice, barley or pasta can be added to a soup. So there's no limit to the variety. I seldom plan it, it just happens. The hungrier I am the more creative I get.

It's easy for me because I like healthy foods, but I think anyone can learn to like healthy foods if they would at least try. The pay-off is big in terms of good health. :).......:ho:

...and don't forget all the increase in life expectancy too!!

How much has life expectancy increased and what caused the increase?

How much better off would they have been with the dessert? They might have sunk the life boat.

I'm not buying that line of thinking that says, "it's just harmless fun so give us a break."

The Pure Pleasure of Eating
 

Not sure of your motive for asking, but I'll bite...

Multiple sources say about 30 years since 1900, about 25 of which are due to improvements in public health...general improvements to medical care, vaccinations, improved workplace safety, chlorination of drinking water, etc.

Hmmm. Dessert cart or liquor cabinets. Only seconds to decide if you can get to both!

I'll put a couple of cherries in my martini. That takes care of the dessert cart & the liquor. LOL :clap2:

Hi villages PL : you missed the point.

And as to eating healthy, most foods are healthy for various reasons. Steaks are healthy as are lentils. What we are discussing in this thread is arranging those healthy foods into appealing meals. My mother was a dietician her Italian Wedding soup was to die for as was her leg of lamb or veal roast. I have eaten pasta with a meat sauce my entire life. In fact my mother filled my baby bottle with pasta sauce. i am still here and work out 3-4 days week and have no belly fat.

I didn't want to go down this road with you about this but you have been a nudge for the past seven pages

Please don't preach to us join with us in sharing memories and recipes you enjoy and create for you "pure pleasuring in eating"

Personal Best Regards:

The Slow Food Society
 

I joined The Slow Food Society in Italy and now I am a member of the chapter in the U.S. This society started as a joke in Italy as a group to counter the first McDonald fast food in Italy. Now it has spread far and wide helping out local producers and restaurants using those local ingredients. As long as the dishes come out delicious, we can even wait an hour having drinks and what not. One day, they'll be restaurants like that in The Villages. I want to believe there will be a visionary chef like that here too. Where are you graduates of CIA, not that CIA but Culinary Institute of America. I am a foodie, foodie, foodie and miss great foods of the world. By the way, I like Oakwood Barbeque for one.

Bananas Foster would seem to solve that dilemma, or perhaps Cherries Jubilee. Oops we have a new conundrum.

Yes. You're right. Bananas Foster would be one way to fill that order.:MOJE_whot: