The Skinny on Getting Thin

            We all, as Americans, can probably stand to lose a few pounds.  As we make our way through the Thanksgiving holiday buffet, the work Holiday party, the Hanukah holiday celebration, the Christmas holiday feasts, the up and coming New Year holiday and the associated Hors d'oeuvre and let's not forget about the food filled Chinese New Year holiday grazing  we are bound to put on a few extra pounds.  Not as if we didn't already carry a few with into the holiday season.  The point is we are all tempted to make the coveted New Year's Resolution...  Well, don't...  You read correct, don't make another resolution that is bound to be covered with disappointment like last year's purchase of a tread mill, elliptical or stair climber.

            Please, just go with me here...  Instead of a resolution, commit to a subtle change in life style first.  Stop eating potato chips.  That's it, just stop doing that one thing and in a month or two, after you are over your urges, add something to your life like walking or taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work.  Then in a few months take away another thing, something like soda or sugar in your coffee or something along those lines.  Then in a month or two add something fun like, jumping rope for 20 min a week.  Increase as you feel comfortable and pull back if it's too much.  If jumping rope is not your thing, try walking at a brisker pace when you walk somewhere.   

           If you want to get serious, how about seeing a counselor...  Oh boy, have I gone too far?  Think about it... Often our eating is emotional.  The "add" does not necessarily have to deal only with physical exercise.  The point is, to add something that will give your decision to be healthier, a little momentum.

            By the "take away and add" method you can make subtle changes in your daily life that have very long term, positive consequences.  It's not about a resolution, it's about a decision to be healthier in your mind so that you can be healthier in your body.  Slow, gradual changes are almost always better and longer lasting than quickly gotten gains.

            A good friend of mine was very over weight and they had one of the weight loss surgeries to help them lose the weight.  After about 6 moths they did in fact lose a considerable amount of weight.  Two years later their weight crept back up to almost where it was prior to the surgery.  The point is, most of us have multiple things that are complicating our weight issues.  We MUST deal with the internal as we deal with the external. 

            Healthy lives are not based on only healthy habits.  It's got just as much to do with asking the difficult questions.  Questions like, when I talk to my son, why do I eat a bag of Doritos?  or When I talk to my mom, why do I feel like making cookies and eating most of them?  When I don't feel good about myself, why do I do things that add to my negative self image? 

            By finding the answers to these questions and embracing the "take away and add" method, your life can be one full of joyful surprises.  By staying away from the New Year's Resolutions you can also stay away from the all or nothing mentality that has left you frustrated in the past.

So, what's your first take away?

To be organic, or not to be organic, that is the question!

 Are organic foods worth the extra price and hassle?  Let me answer that question with a question.

 Which is wiser, to change the environment to allow a specific kind of seed to germinate and grow or is it wiser to plant a seed into an environment that is best suited for that seed?  Change the environment or plant a different seed?

Vegetables raised on mega farms are often doused with all sorts of chemicals that kill weeds, spur unnatural growth, and kill pests.  These farms eliminate the natural balance of a normally diverse ecosystem and replace it with an environment that is suited to only allow one seed type to germinate and grow.  Any other plants and animals either leave the area or die because it is  simply too toxic for their survival. 

 This is where organic produce and farming comes into the picture.  Organic farmers use the ecological diversity of an area to help them grow the plants that are best suited to that particular environment.  Organic farming is not just a method of farming but a method of living.   It's more labor intensive, it's costlier, and the harvests are less than with traditional farming practices.

 Even still, there is much discussion regarding the benefit of organic vegetables.  I believe that it's a worthy discussion to have.  As we discuss these kind of things we tend to do a little research and in turn we can find out all sorts of useful information.  And like they say, an informed decision, is a good decision.

 Did you know that some fruits and vegetables are more susceptible to contamination from pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizer than others?  Below is a list of the "Dirty Dozen" from the Organic.org website.

12 Most Contaminated
Peaches
Apples
Sweet Bell Peppers
Celery
Nectarines
Strawberries
Cherries
Pears
Grapes (Imported)
Spinach
Lettuce
Potatoes

12 Least Contaminated
Onions
Avocado
Sweet Corn (Frozen)
Pineapples
Mango
Asparagus
Sweet Peas (Frozen)
Kiwi Fruit
Bananas
Cabbage
Broccoli
Papaya

 When considering whether or not to go the organic route, the "Dirty Dozen" list is a great place to start but take some time and consider the following questions before you ever get to the grocery:

1.  How much of my budget can / should be be allocated to organic foods?

 Maybe you are considering moving to an organic diet.  If so allocate 20-30% of your food budget to organics.  If you try to buy all organic products it can get a little overwhelming and a bit pricy.  If you are a seasoned organic consumer, then maybe you allocate 60% or more of your budget to organic products.  Either way, food prices are only going up.  Eating healthy does not have to be cost prohibitive.  Plan your budget and stick to it.  It's amazing what you can do when you stay disciplined in sticking within your budget.

2.  Do I regularly throw away food that I intended to cook but never got around to?

 In America we tend to throw away a LOT of food.  If you find that you are buying food to cook but end up eating out two or three or even four times a week then you may want to purchase less when you go.  Sure you will make multiple trips to the grocery store throughout the week but that way, you are getting fresher produce and meats, you are not buying food that you will not cook, and you will become what I call a "purpose driven shopper".  Meaning that you are more likely to go into the store on a mission to get a few specific things and as a result you will be less likely to "impulse buy" which will undoubtedly save you plenty of cash by the end of the month.  However, if you tend to use a farmers market then frequent the same vendors each time you go.  This is a great way to get to know the families that actually grow your food and they often give price breaks to frequent flyers.

3.  Are there children that will be eating the food that I purchase?

 If you are feeding little ones then you may want to consider sticking to all organic fruits and vegetables.  Their little bodies have enough to fight against, adding herbicides, pesticides, and hormones to the mix only makes it worse.  If not, then you can make wise purchases by using  the dirty dozen list and managing your budget accordingly.
 
4.  What fruits and vegetables do I eat the most?

 When it comes to vegetables I usually eat the same vegetables year round.  I will eat some off the wall veggies when there is a sale going on or if find a recipe that I'm interested in trying that has a vegetable that is not normally on my radar.  The point is, I can usually get a couple bushels of corn in the late summer / early fall and can corn or green beans or carrots or whatever it is that I like the most.  If it's local and organic I can often get a better price if I purchase in bulk.  Investing into some canning equipment is a great way to get the freshest vegetables year round.  Think about going in on some of the equipment with a friend and take a weekend a put up your beans and corn together.  It's a great time and it is much easier on your wallet than you might think. 

5.  Is there a local CSA in my area?

 CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is a great way to make darn sure that your fruits and vegetables are truly organic, and if they are local then they have a better carbon foot print since they did not need to get shipped from Mexico or Florida.  Using a CSA supports your local growers and it gives you a chance to even visit the farm and even help out if you want to.  Most CSAs give you fruits and vegetables and sometimes even eggs and flowers for up to 30 weeks out of the year.  In the Dayton region there are quite a few CSAs.  Regardless of where you live, you can find a CSA near you by going here: http://www.localharvest.org/.

6.  Why not grow it yourself?

 Starting a small family garden is a great way to ensure that your vegetables are fresh and organically raised.  While managing and maintaining a garden is work, it's also very rewarding.  You can grow your own tomatoes, green beans, cabbage, collard  greens, potatoes, broccoli and just about anything else you can imagine.  Family gardens usually provide much more than a small family can eat so you'll end up giving your produce away to your neighbors.  It's a great way to meet the folks in your neighborhood and maybe they will grow something that you like and you can trade vegetables. 
 All of the answers to these questions require you to  be and/or become a part of the solution.  Remember what I said earlier, an informed decision is a good decision.  Get involved and don't be afraid to ask questions.  A farmers market is a great place to start, even if you don't end up buying anything.  Get a feel for the place and the sellers, listen to what is going on around you and take it in.  Before you know it you may have your own booth there selling your own homemade salsa and canned green beans. 

At the end of the day it's your decision and you are the best judge for what is best for you in this stage of your life.  All that I ask is that you be willing to ask yourself if organic produce and food products are right for you.  Whatever your decision I have no doubt that it'll be the right one.

Chef Pat @ CFL