Just Wonder what Norman Rockwell would have painted for lunc

8turboturtle8

We all know that the stats show America is getting fatter and lazier. No wonder, with all the drive thru's (guilty) and non-stop tv programming. But as I was stuck in traffic last night wishing I had someone at home cooking a healthy dinner to be on the table when I got home with a smile on his face...I got to wondering "What was packed for lunch decades ago, when McDonalds was a special treat not a staple, before "TV dinners" loaded with sodium could be popped in the microwave?" Think about it, there weren't shelves filled with 20 kinds of "Whole grain" breads or tortillas for wraps. I am pretty sure they didn't obsess over fat free and low fat cheese, probably didn't even know if such a thing. And I know as a kid peanut butter was standard. But I feel like it is a treat to have a PB&J sandwich because that is close to 400 calories and you bet I am using a measuring spoon!!!! I am just curious how things used to be....

8turboturtle8

WAIT!!! I got it!!! People weren't constantly on diets because they weren't in the position many of us find our selves...therefore, they didn't need to obsess over saving calories here or there...they didn't need to create a deficit. And they generally were more active than we are today.... Ahhh...I see :laugh: Go figure!

Jenks

And they didn't have all the crazy processed food we have now either. Butter was Butter and Sugar was Sugar, not chemically changed.
Funny thing, I just thought to google "Amish Women" not many of them are over weight.
:blushing: Oh yeah and becareful with some of those images :blushing:

questionablemethods

They ate FOOD and not processed, stripped, broken down and reconstructed food-like substances. :laugh:

I find that asking myself "would my great grandmother have recognized this as food?" (and, if "no" limiting it in my diet) is a pretty decent strategy for moving toward a more whole-food, unprocessed diet.

Michellerw1

We are doing a fitness challenge at work and it is insane what alot of people have grown to think is normal and healthy food (processed frozen dinners, granola bars, protein shakes, etc. etc.). I am definitely guilty of indulging in convenience food once in a while but it has really gotten out of control lately!

Also, in the same vein, why do people insist on driving to destinations that are .5 to 1 mile away? It is ridiculous; people used to walk everywhere now we cannot walk 10 minutes to the store!

kayemme

people also worked harder for their food and spent more money on it.

kayemme

a lot more people used to have gardens and ate seasonally appropriate food, sweet fruits in the late summers; starchy tubers in the winter.

the calorie thing is just a guide of energy expended vs. energy consumed. plants eat the sun's light, converting that energy and storing it. we eat that energy from the sun through the plant and fruit.

it's a simple matter of energy conversion.

questionablemethods

Also, in the same vein, why do people insist on driving to destinations that are .5 to 1 mile away? It is ridiculous; people used to walk everywhere now we cannot walk 10 minutes to the store!

OMG YES! I am amazed and horrified by the number of perfectly mobile people my age or younger won't even walk, like, 6 blocks to run a few errands! People are astounded when I tell them (on a gorgeous spring or fall day) that I walk the 1.5 miles to work every day. Then they get all concerned and offer me rides. I think I'm doing okay, but thanks!

Oh, I could write a novel. :laugh:

Michellerw1

Yeah I bike/walk everywhere. The town I live in is like 7 miles end to end and the sun shines 300 years a day! People always say "Oh, do you not have a liscence?" or "Did your car break down?" No...but I do not find it necessary to take 15 minutes driving to work in traffic when I can take 10 to bike....

8turboturtle8

I envy you girls! I wish I didn't have to drive to work! But unfortunately I work 32 miles from home...32 miles of complete traffic! But I do have a garden! It's my first year so I am learning more than eating...but I do get some fruits (and veggies) of my labor!

Michellerw1

Well there is a big difference between 32 miles and 3. No way I would do anything but drive that distance. I envy that you have a garden! I tried it a few years an everything except herbs died...

questionablemethods

I envy you girls! I wish I didn't have to drive to work! But unfortunately I work 32 miles from home...32 miles of complete traffic! But I do have a garden! It's my first year so I am learning more than eating...but I do get some fruits (and veggies) of my labor!

I definitely realize that not everyone lives or can live within walking or biking distance from work. It is something I have been able to consciously do thus far (choose my living space according to where I work/shop/socialize, etc.) because it is SO worth it to my quality of life (I really really really hate driving. I even like busing more than driving because I can just put on my iPod and tune out. Can't (or shouldn't) do that while driving!

Great job with the garden! I am not there yet. I am really bad at plants. I have a wee little indoor herb garden that seems to be doing okay, though! Baby steps!

kayemme

3 years car-free (and carefree!) i will bike up to 10miles one way to work, but will not usually commit to over 10. many days i ride 25-30 miles just getting my day on. it does take longer sometimes, but not always. depending on where i'm going, biking is sometimes even faster than driving.

if you want it bad enough, you'll find a way.