Most of us know that the amount of calories, fat, sugar, and fiber we consume combined with caloric expenditure (i.e., exercise) play a large role in weight loss. The latest news is that Vitamin D plays a role in weight loss too. Turns out women with low levels of Vitamin D in their blood tend to be, on average, 16.3 pounds heavier than those women who have a sufficient amount of Vitamin D.
It's very difficult for your body to access vitamin D through food. Some food choices that help your body to produce vitamin D include: salmon, egg yolk, and fortified foods. Your body is better able to manufacture vitamin D when it is exposed to the sun for 10-15 minutes a day without sunscreen. Who knew?
As an epicurean, when finances allow so, I enjoy dining at fine European-style restaurants. The top-notch quality of the food is SO evident in the taste. Lately, tons of research has been published on the benefits of a Mediterranean diet. In fact, a recent study conducted by Harvard researchers found that a Mediterranean diet is MORE effective for weight loss and cholesterol and triyglyceride reduction than a standard low-fat diet. WOW!
I recently read a poem about a Mediterranean meal, written by the USA's 15th Poet Laureate, Charles Simic and I was moved. Years ago, I wrote a poem about the American diet. I dug it up today and reworked it a little bit. See for yourselves the difference between the two diets. Which would you rather feed your body, mind, and soul?
The Mediterranen Diet as told in The Invitation By Charles Simic
We are going to serve a late lunch
For a few close friends in the garden.
We'll start with a cold squid salad,
A pot of black and green olives,
And a loaf of homemade bread to wipe
The garlic and the oil off our plates.
Between the sips of the yellow wine.
And if some bird graciously assents
To sing for us after the grilled lamb,
The cheeses and the wild blueberries,
We'll raise our glasses and toast
The golden light between the leaves,
The shadows on the lawn lengthening.
And keep them raised till the song is over.
The American diet as told in Gas Station Goodies By Shannon Martin Morehouse
Snacks, Soda, Beer, Candy, Coffee!
Premium American Happiness!
Chew on a Slim Jim
Slurp-Up a 32-ounce Pepsi
Indulge in a Hostess Cherry Pie
Don’t forget those Skittles
or Smarties.
Yum-
Solidified Corn Syrup!
Grab some Dorritos
or Ruffles Cheddar Cheese
potato chips.
Don’t forget the
sour cream and chives
canned dip.
What good are chips
without dip?
And mmmm all these things
contain monosodium-glutamate
the headache-creating tasty additive.
Can’t live without that!
How ‘bout a Snapple,
the best stuff on earth!
Peach-flavored tea,
again, gotta love
that main ingredient,
High Fructose Corn Syrup!
Yum!
Make room for Cheetos,
3 Musketeers,
Hawaiian Fruit Punch
and remember a chili
dog for your lunch.
Oh!
Grab some Michelob
for only $3.99!
What a deal!
Can’t go wrong!
You’re getting tired
are you?
Oh, then you gotta get
the French Vanilla Cappuccino,
gas station style,
so sweet,
but hey, why not add
four sugars
and some flavored creamers
with the partially hydrogenated oils and all,
it’s free!
You’re good to go!
But don’t forget to pay for your
oh-so-cheap
gas
along with you
snackssodabeercandycoffee.
Now, don't get me wrong The Invitation meal would not be healthy if consumed daily, but it sure the heck beats the processed junk we thrive on here in the USA. What I admire about Simic is how he marries the concepts of nature and fine, natural homemade cooking together. We're meant to collaborate with nature in our lives, not destroy it or defeat it, or out-do it, which is exactly what processed food attempts to do. So, please, find time this week to make a homemade meal and nourish yourself!!!
As for me, it's my goal to do this DAILY!
All for now folks! And I'm sure you'll see more of Charles SImic in my blog. I will get to hear him speak at the Geraldine Dodge Poetry Festival, which I've been attending now for six years!
