Wednesday, June 22, 2005

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Did you know that baby carrots taste different than round, sliced carrots?  I didn't.  I was informed that they most certainly do.  My logical explanations were wasted on ears that in their 7 years already know better than I do.  He insisted that while he likes round boiled carrots, he doesn't like baby boiled carrots.  Enter Art, the Wise and All-knowing.

'Did you know that your taste changes every 7 years?' he told his cousin.  'That means what you don't like now, you will probably like in 7 years?  So when you're 14 you'll love baby carrots and broccoli.'  My nephew gave me a 'see you in 7 years' grin and left me with a 'what the heck just happened' look on my face.

Many things have changed recently concerning food.  When I was younger a carb was something that was found in a car.    Nutrition was based on 4 basic food groups, not a whole fricken pyramid.  Starch was a welcomed ingredient in the basic 4. Butter was good for you.  So was red meat.  People counted servings, not calories and carbs.  Dessert was part of the meal.  Healthy food didn't turn your toilet green.  Vitamins were the supplement, not the meal.  You didn't have to be rich to be able to afford the safe and healthy cuts of meat, it was all good.  When you went to a fast food restaurant, you weren't forced to choose from a menu that limited your choices to what health-conscious advocates have decided that junk-food addicts should eat.

My mom and dad are in their 70's.  They have never jumped on the health-food band wagon.  In fact I'm willing to bet all those health guru's would totally freak out if they could see a list of what my parents eat on a daily basis.  Rice is a big part of it.  Mama cooks with real butter if the recipe calls for it.  She fries food... in oil!  Daddy loves meat... red meat!  And don't hold back on the gravy for his potatoes.

I try to adjust with the changing world, but I hesitate with the changing fads.  I still believe in the basic 4, in moderation.  We haven't had whole milk in the frige for close to 10 years, but I won't go lower than 2%.  I eat red meat and drink red wine.  I serve my kids dessert, but only after they've eaten their vegetables.  And yes, make my fries super-sized.  I don't eat out often, but when I do, I want my money's worth, and I want my hunger to be satisfied.

In 7 years I will be at my nephew's house with a pot of boiled baby carrots to see if his taste has changed.  Of course by that time all of my children will probably hate baby carrots in favor of lima beans.   (yuck!)

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

my kids likes and dislikes change daily!
Becky

Anonymous said...

I say stick with keeping things in moderation and ignore fads, which change everyday. I like my sugar, carbs and fats just fine, but will thrown in some baby carrots (or lima beans?) to keep everything balanced :)
http://journals.aol.com/bigred3392/TracysAwesomeJournalofAwesomenes

Anonymous said...

I am amazed at how prices change according to fads. I remember when crawfish were what you ate when you were broke. now ,since the yuppies have discovered them, they are expensive!
Same for brown bread and rice. For a while, It was more expensive than white.
so you pay for something they leave in?
Marti

Anonymous said...

It was nice when they were little. I decided to try something new when my daughter was about 3. I think it may have been peas or broccoli. She turned to me and asked "Do I like this?" I jumped at the opportunity and said "Yes! You gobbled them up last time!" She ate them. That won't work these days!
Mary

Anonymous said...

To tell you the truth, I cook like your mother. I tried eating healthy last winter and ended up gaining weight. So yeah, I'll stick to food that tastes good.

Ari

Anonymous said...

When I was a kid, my gram told me something that has worked for me. Eat what your hungry for, and only until you are full. She said that your body would tell you what it needed, and how much if you would just listen. So, I only eat if I find myself hungry, and if I'm hungry for red meat, or veggies, or a bowl of soup, that's what I eat. And if I'm hungry for a whole bag of oreos.... well, who am I to argue <eg> I think the problem with all the fad diets is that they all want to get rid of something... fat, or carbs, or sugar, or starch. Moderation and a little bit of everything would make more sense, but I guess that wouldn't sell a book <LOL>
http://journals.aol.com/astaryth/AdventuresofanEclecticMind

Anonymous said...

i pride myself in being someone that is not a "surprise" fat person (as i call it)  i KNOW that i should be thinner....  i KNOW that i should exercise....  I KNOW THAT I SHOULD EAT RIGHT!!!   and i would do these things more often...  BUT everytime i sit down to watch the television for a few moments...  i see a bunch of commercials about how they can help me....   then i think about how i cannot afford these programs....  blah blah blah.....   then i get so depressed  , I HAVE TO EAT!! lol     i'm not fat (wink wink)  I'M HEALTHY!!!!  
have a good one!
rachel

Anonymous said...

Oh my! You must be related to my family! I tell you the truth when I say my 6 year old told me the same thing! He did not want the baby carrots, he wanted the round carrots like the ones we had the other day!! Thank you for the laughs!! Have a great one!!
HCiani13471@AOL.com

Anonymous said...

Eating has become very complicated as of late, lol. Brandy

Anonymous said...

I agree with what you have said here...I think it should all be included but in moderation, that is the key....

http://journals.aol.com/derasta/ADayInTheLife/

Anonymous said...

Well, for the past 40 years, I've loved almost everything edible.  What happened to my taste-change?

Anonymous said...

Being 80, my taste has changed eleven times.  You know what that leaves me liking?  Lima beans are my favorite vegetable, avocado my favorite fruit, grits is my favorite cereal.  Good God, what is left to change to at my next change"