Talk of The Villages Florida - The Pure Pleasure of Eating

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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---

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Quote:

Originally Posted by dbussone (Post 957712)

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!

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."

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandybill2 (Post 960395)

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barefoot (Post 960354)

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

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbkmaine (Post 960765)

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:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Villages PL (Post 960750)

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...

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

It's very sad when someone must give a reason for doing something enjoyable, and someone else says it has to be "productive"(their word, not mine) or healthy or if it isn't, then blah, blah, blah.

Something has to be healthy and is wrong and you are going to die? Why must someone always be negative when another person wants to share good memories of dinner with the family and other good times that revolved around mother's home cooking or foods that were so delicious but unhealthy by today's standards, or by the standard of someone who seems to always throw a monkey wrench into a happy situation.

If that person knows who he is, he really needs to calm down and show a little respect to others who are simply making a nice post. We all know what is healthy and what isn't and we don't need it constantly jammed down our throat.

The real key to all of this is sharing -- sharing old times, sharing memories, sharing food from grandma's cooking after church, sharing favorite foods from childhood. I'd rather smile after reading this entire thread, instead of thinking about it as being a "downer."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polar Bear (Post 960795)

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

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubicon (Post 960528)

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."

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichMeister (Post 960809)

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Villages PL (Post 960821)

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

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!