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!)