June 17, 2004
Thursday

Ketchikan, Alaska - Much controversy exists today about food, eating behavior, and our western, sedentary life style. The health risks associated with these things have created a whole set of health and medical considerations not known in in 1900. In 1900, the top ten causes of death were principally infectious disease. Today, the top ten are primarily life style disorders related to poor nutrition habits, lack of exercise, and stress. We all get tired of the doom lectures presented by health experts concerning our eating and exercise behavior. Here's a lighter view of the situation that makes the point just as well if not better than most of the lectures you'll hear. (Note: Any brand references are solely to illustrate the point, not to demonize a manufacturer.)


THE FATITUDES:

In the beginning....
God covered the earth with broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, with green and yellow and red vegetable of all kinds, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.

Then using God's bountiful gifts, Satan created Ben and Jerry's and Krispy Kreme. And Satan said: You want hot fudge with that? And Man said: yes! And Woman said: I'll have one too, with sprinkles.

And, lo, they gained 10 pounds.

And God created the healthful yogurt that Woman might keep the figure that Man had found so fair.

And Satan brought forth refined white flour from the wheat and processed Sugar from the cane, and combined them. And Woman went from size 2 to size 14.

So God said:
Try my fresh green garden salad.

And Satan presented crumbled Blue Cheese dressing and garlic toast on the side. And Man and Woman unfastened their belts following the repast.

God then said:
I have sent you heart healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them.

And Satan brought forth deep-fried battered zucchini and mushrooms that Man ate with coconut shrimp, butter-dipped lobster chunks and chicken-fried steak...so big that it needed its own platter. And Man's cholesterol went through the roof.

Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and brimming with vitamin C, potassium and good nutrition.

Then Satan peeled off the healthful skin and slicked the starchy center into chips and deep-fried them in animal fats adding copious quantities of salt. And Man put on more pounds.

God then brought forth running shoes and gyms so that his Children might lose those extra pounds.

And Satan came forth with Nintendo and a cable TV with remote control so Man would not have to toil changing the channels. And Man and Woman laughed and cried before the flickering light and started wearing stretch jogging suits.

God then gave them lean fish and poultry so that Man might consume fewer calories and still satisfy his appetite.

And Satan created McDonald's and the 99 cent double cheeseburger. Then Satan said: You want fries with that?
And Man replied: Yes! And super size 'em! And man developed diabetes.

And, lo, Man and Woman went into cardiac arrest. God sighed....and created quadruple by-pass surgery.

And then...Satan chuckled and created HMO's and medical insurance.

flora@sitnews.org
 

©Compliments To Your Health
Joann Flora 2004

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