Article in June Issue

[JulieM]

What are your thoughts on the "Kings of the Road" article on page 36 of the new June issue? It seemed terribly out of place in CL to me. The message it sends is completely wrong. We all know that some people can eat what they want and somehow avoid heart disease but those people are not typical. CL motivates and inspires me to eat well and this article seems out in left field. Maybe they just like getting lots of mail from their readers! What are your thoughts? Maybe I'm offbase here.

[KLynn]

I read this article last night and had the exact same thoughts.

[Maggie]

I actually didn't mind the article. I like the variety in their recipes as well as in their articles. In fact, my favorite thing about CL is that it makes a healther lifestyle seem like the most normal, simple thing in the world. And, to me, part of that is the inclusion of articles like this one--an interesting written snapshot of what somebody else is up to.

Just IMHO.

[sneezles]

Julie,
I would have to agree with you. In fact, I find some of Jane's responses rather flighty!..."Do a lot of physical exercise, have a really good mental attitude and enjoy your life. Sorry but if it were just that simple then obesity wouldn't be a problem in our society. And just because some elderly person happens to eat pie and cheese doesn't mean they eat that way all the time! And as for the cardiologist, he obviously practices the "Do as I say, not as I do" type of medicine!

[cchhbb]

I have to agree with Maggie that Cooking Light trys to normalize having a healthy lifestyle. I did enjoy some of the quotes and do have to admit that I sometimes crave the comfort food that they are talking about. I think that comfort food is okay as long as it is done in moderation.

[Grace]

I would TOTALLY agree with you all. They may see some old people eating pie and cheese, but have them take a trip over to the local hospital, or go interview these people eating their pie and cheese and ask them how many meds they are on and how many are diabetics. They seem to think that these people are healthy, sitting there eating their pie and cheese (and that's not to say one could NEVER eat these foods, but they are painting the picture that this is normal fare for these people), when actually, they are more than likely taking mass meds for diabetes, high blood pressure, etc., etc. More than likely they shouldn't be eating those foods, but do anyway (just my observation, having half of my family come from a rather poor, very, very rural area - they eat TERRIBLY, and then go take a whole bunch of pills. They are always at the doctor, going in for tests, treatments, operations, etc., then they come out and continue their unhealthy lifestyles. It's as if they have no concept of a connection between the two). But anyway, off my soapbox, just wanted to say that I thought this article wasn't so great either, particularly when you look at the picture of the woman who wrote the article - she is obviously not too healthy, and I highly doubt she gets a "lot of excercise" as she states in the article!

Sorry if I sound judgmental. It's just something I feel strongly about. (I had an uncle who was a full blown diabetic, and his wife would make a BIG chocolate cake, give him a huge hunk, and we'd all gasp! His wife would say, it's OK, Hon, he'll just go give himself a shot when he's done!) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif!!!

[SQ]

I agree with Maggie. The article held my attention, but at the same time I thought, "that's definitely not a lifestyle that interests me".

[This message has been edited by SQ (edited 05-23-2001).]

[sneezles]

Yes, the article held my attention, also, simply because I couldn't believe what I was reading!

[tobykitty]

I just received my June issue yesterday and I couldn't believe that CL would have included them. I thought that I was just being witchy, so I'm glad to know that I'm not alone. Why in the world CL would include an article on people who make a living out of eating artery clogging food is beyond me.

[comabri]

I guess I didn't take this story that seriously. It just looked like a little piece about two people who love food (and more food, and more food...). I didn't read it as Cooking Light telling us that eating like they do is okay or healthy. I also didn't think it was a valuable part of this issue though either.

It says that that section of the magazine (First Light) covers what's in, what's up with food & fitness - so maybe they were jsut thinking that these two people - who seem to be pretty popular writing for Gourmet and several books and a radio show - are part of the "what's in" part???? Just guessing.

Maybe it was the food that was mentioned that was off-putting - appli pie with cheddar cheese and deep-fried chicken livers?

[Grace]

comabri, you are probably right. "Unhealthy" food is DEFINITELY in! I just worked 5 days at the National Restaurant Show here in Chicago (my company had a booth there), and let me tell you, the big BUZZ everywhere was how low-fat and healthy items were becoming less and less popular, and the trend was back to the full-fat stuff. I was disappointed and a little worried, actually in that I rely heavily on the lower fat items I can get at the grocery store. I worry if these items become unpopular enough, they'll discontinue them...THEN what would I do!!!???!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif

Anyway, excellent observation comabri, and while I still feel the same way about what they presented, I am not so disappointed that they included it in the magazine. Thanks for straightening out my attitude!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[lindrusso]

Excellent points pmmahan. Especially the part about denying ourselves. I have slowly changed my diet to one of INCLUDING healthy food, not one of EXCLUDING fattening or "unhealthy" foods. If you include many healthy things, you are naturally going to eat less of the less healthy foods. But I never deny myself that scoop of Moosetracks ice cream, I just don't do it every night. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Yum!

[ElinorC]

I was very surprised at the article because I thought it was saying that you don't have to follow the dietary guidelines that are promoted by health professionals but rather just eat all the comfort food that you want. It puts out the wrong message and I too was amazed that CL would have such an article in their magazine. I know they promote moderation in eating but that article didn't say anything about balancing the comfort food with some more healthy choices.

[Joyce]

I think this article was ok, since it was an interview, not an editorial. I don't think C/L's views were being displayed. Also, I think it was interesting to know that there are people critiquing small diners and out of the way restaurants for people traveling. There is always a time to "splurge", especially when traveling. I don't think that one comes away from one article a new philosophy on what they should eat. I certainly allow myself an occasional "treat", and when I am traveling, I would be interested in finding good tasting comfort food as opposed to bad any day!!

[KValley]

Well, how do you like THESE APPLES! I don't have pages 35-41 in my CL. I never would have noticed but for this thread. CL- hello? Could you talk to your production people?!

So, not having read the article, my HO may not be worth much, but I get the gist of the content from your posts and have to agree heartily with pmmahan. As a nation, we consume far more calories than our bodies need to function healthfully and to achieve maximum nutrition.

Through keeping a food journal, I have learned how my body and psyche respond to my caloric intake and how much better I feel eating less- always, always being aware of what I'm putting into my body, but not denying myself the occasional treat. There is always room for Ben and Jerry's or camembert and bread, but in moderation!

I look at my MIL, who now has Type II diabetes, or my brother, who is headed in that direction- after too many years of eating whatever and too d*** much of it, and not getting enough exercise- it makes my heart ache. The formula "eat less (and better), move more" IS that simple,but carrying it out is not- it is a daily commitment, a struggle, taking a few steps forward, a few back.

Goodness, sorry for the rant. Now I've just got to read that article....

Julie

[This message has been edited by KValley (edited 05-23-2001).]

[valchemist]

Originally posted by KValley:
Well, how do you like THESE APPLES!

I haven't got my june issue, so I can't comment on the article. I just wanted to post because, kvalley, I have never heard this expression before!
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/confused.gif


[This message has been edited by valchemist (edited 05-23-2001).]

[KValley]

Originally posted by valchemist:
I haven't got my june issue, so I can't comment on the article. I just wanted to post because, kvalley, I have never heard this expression before!
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/confused.gif


[This message has been edited by valchemist (edited 05-23-2001).]


Hee hee - are you serious? Is it a western thing? It's usually "how do you like them apples? But that's in reference to something in the past, whereas I was trying to express my current, ongoing bewilderment and dismay and to set up my exclamation for an explanation.

Could I get any more convoluted? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[valchemist]

maybe it's a washington thing...

you know, washington and apples kinda go together.

[Norma]

Well, how do you like THESE APPLES!

Funny... she's in Washington. I'm in Oregon. I have heard this saying all my life.

[aggie94]

Ah, but Matt Damon says it in "Good Will Hunting," too. Where was that movie set? I thought it was the midwest.

[bossy]

I've heard the apple saying all my life - grew up in upstate New York so it sure isn't just the West.

[KValley]

Originally posted by aggie94:
Ah, but Matt Damon says it in "Good Will Hunting," too. Where was that movie set? I thought it was the midwest.

Boston, South end. Hey, Val- that's not so far from you! Well, HOLLYWOOD Boston maybe...but I think Matt's a Southie.

How, why do I know these things?

[Linda in MO]

Originally posted by aggie94:
Ah, but Matt Damon says it in "Good Will Hunting," too. Where was that movie set? I thought it was the midwest.

I was thinking the same thing! I knew Matt Damon said it, but I couldn't remember what movie it was from.
I use this phrase with my son and husband all the time. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[valchemist]

hmmm...
never saw that movie.
am I the only one not familiar with this expression?

[Kelli Kerrigan]

I think the pages could have been put to a better use, like How to Eat Well on the Road. There have been posts about fast food places, but I can't recall any CL articles regarding the issue.

[Jewel]

I got my June issue today, and after reading this thread this morning, it was the first thing I turned to...and I guess I have mixed feelings about it. I don't fault CL for printing it, since it's a magazine about food and people who love food. I question their motives, however. I guess I wonder exactly what point they were trying to get across?

What bothered me most was the attitude of the couple they interviewed. I am a former weight loss counselor, as well as an Al-Anon Hotline Volunteer. Everything they said about the elderly farmer eating his greasy breakfast and then going to plow the north 40, and the rest of the town eating their apple pie and cheese, was nothing but an attempt to justify their own habits. How many times have you heard someone who smokes say 'My grandpa smoked till he was 90 and he's OK!' or an alcoholic tell you that his father has had a couple of glasses of wine after dinner for 50 years and hasn't ever had a problem. In my opinion, that is nothing but rationalizing and justifying their own behavior.

The female was obviously overweight, and obviously wasn't 'doing the exercise' needed to work off that 'moderate' amount of greasy food she eats 'for her job'. Instead of justifying her eating habits by calling it a job, and pointing at the other customer's lifestyles for leverage, I'd rather her be honest and come right out and say "We love eating this way, and feel that we can manage whatever could happen to our health because of it".

I could appreciate the honesty over the justification of their lifestyle. Sorry for rambling, just my opinion! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[pmmahan]

Let me preface this by saying I am a full believer in moderation. I think you can eat anything in moderation (provided you don't have heart disease or diabetes). I think America's problem with obesity stems from our inability to have balance and moderation. If its not low fat, low cholesterol, low calorie, then its not healthy for you? Not necessarily. I think the pendulum in the 90's swung toward really healthy, but clearly it wasn't working, because Americans got fatter. Its because we try and DENY ourselves foods that we enjoy because we perceive them as unhealthy. europeans have no concept of "health food". A german friend of ours was horrified that he could not find full fat yogurt here - it was all fat free and non fat. The French eat fatty foods - their diet is not low fat, and while Italians have olive oil and such, their diets are still about 40% fat. They eat smaller portions and enjoy their food - slowly. They exercise - walking, mostly. I think it is almost better that the price of gas is skyrocketing - maybe people will start walking to more places!
I think what Cooking Light is trying to say is that it is possible to eat a cheddar cheese and apple pie and still be healthy. You just can't do it every day.
I think the problem with America's waistline is not in the food we eat (although I am sure we could do with less McD's), but rather our attitudes that surround food.
Okay, I'll get off my soap box now.

[ellielk]

I, too, was surprized to see that article in CL. I read it after hearing that a guy I work with occaisionally had a heart attack. He's 52 and one of those people who lives an extremely healthy lifestyle: eats no red meat, eats lots of fruit and vegetables, doesn't drink, exercises regularly. Of course, he's a walking ball of stress because he internalizes everything. But, I couldn't help thinking about the 90-year old farmer who'll probably eat his greasy food, go out to plow the north 40 and drop dead of a heart attack. I couldn't help noticing that the woman in the picture looked overweight and not just big but healthy. She's obviously not getting much exercise. However, on the other hand, I'd like to take a live and let live attitude about other people's food preferences. I just don't need to eat at the places they recommend. In fact, I might use their recommendations as a guide to where not to eat in the same way I use the opinions of some movie reviewers.

[HUNGRY!]

Originally posted by KValley:
Boston, South end. Hey, Val- that's not so far from you! Well, HOLLYWOOD Boston maybe...but I think Matt's a Southie.

How, why do I know these things?

I've heard that expression all my life too, but maybe thats because my Mom is from Southie too.

[Grace]

Oh Jewel! Thanks for doing a much better job of saying exactly what I was trying to say in my long post above. Here! Here!

[JulieM]

This is my first time back to the board since I started this thread yesterday. I'm happy to see I wasn't the only one that felt that article was out of place in CL. My DL pointed out that the column is called "What's In, What's Up With Food and Fitness." I don't think this article fits that description, unless you want to throw the Fitness out. I do agree, however, that comfort food is "in" and is responsible for a lot of the obesity and illness in this country. Irresponsible articles and headlines about what's good for you and what's not is a big problem. For example, someone just beginning to make healthy changes in their diet and picks up this copy of CL could get the wrong idea from this story! Thanks guys, it was a fun thread to read.

[YankeeWoman]

Originally posted by aggie94
Ah, but Matt Damon says it in "Good Will Hunting," too. Where was that movie set? I thought it was the midwest.

Matt Damon's from South Boston, but most of Good Will Hunting is set in Cambridge (MIT area ) and Charlestown (Bunker Hill Community College - where Robin William's Character teaches). Good flick! Loved seeing the local spots.