Eating Well

Living Well

Success can be so relative, therefore I like the idea that living well is the best revenge. This would, of course, include eating well. (Honestly, when I thought of "eating well" as the best revenge I had no idea that it was already a book.)

There was a time when I wholeheartedly believed that eating well meant a 16 ounce T-Bone steak - medium well, with a baked potato smothered in butter and/or sour cream, with chives. However, now that I am an "older adult" I realize that this may not be my most sensible choice. Especially since my HMO assigned me to a Registered Dietitian.

Recently, I received a mailing that spoke about superfoods.  While readily admitting that the word "superfoods" has no official definition, she does agree that some foods may may contain high levels of certain beneficial nutrients. Therefore, while eating a "balanced diet" is best for all concerned, one might want to think about incorporating some of the following foods into the mix.

Avocados

Avocado Toast: photo by Cliff Hutson

Who among us does not like avocado? There may be some, but it has become very popular. It may be good for us as well.

While most fruit consists primarily of carbohydrate, avocados are high in monounsaturated fat, which is a "good" fat that helps lower bad cholesterol, as long as you eat them in moderation.

Beans

Beans on Toast: photo by Cliff Hutson

Eating beans adds significant amounts of fiber and soluble fiber to a diet. Experts recommend you consume up to three cups of legumes a week—because they are very beneficial to one's health.

Berries

Blueberries: photo by Cliff Hutson

Berries are a great source of antioxidants. Some say that this means that they have proven benefits for heart health. Which include lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, while reducing oxidative stress.

Citrus Fruits

Mayer Lemon: photo by Cliff Hutson

Citrus fruits include oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruits. We could also toss in uglis,  tangerines, and pomelos for crossword fans. Famous for the prevention of scurvy, citrus fruit intake has also been associated with a reduced risk of stomach cancer.

Cruciferous Vegetables

Broccoli & Shrimp: photo by Cliff Hutson

Cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts.  

Dark Chocolate

Dark Chocolate: photo by Cliff Hutson

I am a huge fan of milk chocolate which is too bad as dark chocolate contains a higher percentage of cocoa solids and cocoa butter, little to no dairy product, and is better for your health. There is evidence that cocoa flavanols help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, improve cognition and possibly lower the risk of diabetes. But, chocolate must be used in moderation as basically it is more of a candy than a "real" food. And, where possible, choose natural cocoa over Dutch processed cocoa.

Dark Leafy Greens

Spinach Salad: photo by Cliff Hutson

Chief among the dark leafy greens are kale, spinach, and collards. All are a great source of vitamins A, C and K. They are also a good source of calcium and iron. Packed with fiber, the leafy green vegetables are a good  addition to a healthy diet.

Eggs

Eggs & Bagel: photo by Cliff Hutson

Not all that long ago, to me anyway, eggs were high on the list of things that were bad for us. Now, they are a favorite superfood. We are told that eggs offer protein, as well as vitamins and minerals that make them a healthy addition to our diet.

It seems that the healthiest ways to cook eggs are to boil, poach or scramble them using reduced-fat milk. That is the way I prepare them at home. But, there are few breakfasts as good as a plate of huevo rancheros. [Editor's note: The astute reader might recall that Cliff is not one to turn his nose up at Steak and Eggs.]

Fish

Halibut & Greens: photo by Cliff Hutson

Fish are a healthy, high-protein food. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish, particularly fatty fish like salmon, lake trout, sardines, and albacore at least two times a week. Eating fish is an important source of omega-3 fatty acids. It is also a good source of protein, with out the downsides associated with red meat.

Nuts

Almonds: photo by Cliff Hutson

"Sometimes You Feel Like A Nut. Sometimes You Don’t." So went the old ad. I can almost always eats nuts. And, while they are a superfood, they do contain some saturated fat and in the past I felt that is possible to have too much of a good thing. More recent studies have shown that people who eat nuts live longer than those who don't; and that we can eat them without fear. This is due to their ability to help prevent a number of chronic diseases. Still, moderation may be key.

Moderation

as expounded by Michael Pollan.

September 2018 Reading

The books that I finished reading in September 2018

September 2018 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

“Cruise Control,” A.J. Stewart

Another amusing Miami Jones story. It further strengthens my conviction that I will never go on a cruise.

“The Lost City of Z,” David Grann

A fascinating look at the history of exploration. Col. Percy Harrison Fawcett believed in a lost civilization he called the City of Z; in 1925 he enters Amazonia in search of it and is never seen again (as they say). This author recounts his own journey in Fawcett's supposed footsteps to see what he can find. 

This book tied in really well with “John Woman” as to thinking about about history as truths, lies, or something in-between. 

“John Woman,” Walter Moseley 

It says "Walter Moseley on the cover. His usual author photograph is on the inside jacket. But, I swear, based on the erotica,  this book seems to have been written by Mat Johnson rather than by the creator on the Easy Rawlins  mystery series. 

Regardless, it is one of the best I have read this year. Heck, one of the best ever. I say this not so much for the story, but the philosophical discussions of history - what it is and what it isn't. 

“The Tangled Tree,” David Quammen 

Quammen is one of my favorite authors. This book may not be at the top of his oeuvre, but this overview of how molecular biology is turning the "tree of life" on its side is captivating. 

There are more things on earth than are dreamt of in the science I learned in school. Institutional standards, by their nature, lag behind the times. Therefore, I have known that some of the material I am asked to present as a part of my work can be construed as well intended, but misleading. Now, I realize that it is even more out of step with current thinking.

As an aside, speaking of my training - I joke that, as of 2016, the periodic table has 118 confirmed elements. But, when I was in school there were only four; earth, air, fire, and water.

“The Lost World,” Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 

A presumed classic, I have seen the movie, but never read the book.  So, as the “The Lost City of Z” cited Col. Percy Harrison Fawcett as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's inspiration for this story, I decided that it was time to do it. The tale, first published in 1912, is very entertaining. However, I was quite put off by the blatant racism. But, then, not much has changed.

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Gone Fishin'

Downtime

Gone Fishing: photo by Cliff Hutson

Sometimes a person just needs to take a break. 

“Insight comes, more often than not, from looking at what’s been on the table all along, in front of everybody, rather than from discovering something new.”—David McCullough

August 2018 Reading

The books that I finished reading in August 2018

August 2018 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

Long Haul Dining

I am not now, nor ever have been, a long haul trucker. There were more than a few times when my late wife and I would fantasize about getting a conventional cab Kenworth and hitting the road as a team. But, we realized that it was probably not as glamorous as it seemed and kept on doing what we doing.

However, on our road trips we liked to eat where the truckers stopped. Some say that truck drivers frequent diners where the coffee is good. Others say that they just stop where there is room to park a big rig. We, in any event, usually found the food to be to our liking.

I still do, and present some of my standard fare:

Steak and Eggs

Skillet Steak with Fried Egg: photo by Cliff Hutson

Steak and eggs, another timeless meal. Most people probably think of this dish as breakfast, but like pie, it can be eaten any time of day or night. Many a long haul has been fueled with nothing else. Except maybe grits. And, biscuits. Don't forget the biscuits

Grits

Bowl of Grits: photo by Cliff Hutson

Grits is a food made from corn, or hominy, that is ground into a coarse meal and then boiled. Said to be of Native American origin, they are now most associated with American Southern cooking. They are a great side dish at breakfast, or whenever steak and eggs are consumed. 

Biscuits

Pile of Biscuits: photo by Cliff Hutson

George Bernard Shaw supposedly said, “The United States and Great Britain are two countries separated by a common language,” even though it is not found in any of his writings. However, the word "biscuit" certainly proves this conjecture. It is used, in Great Britain  to describe what I call a cookie or cracker. While, in America, it means a soft, leavened quick bread.

Some people say that they feel uncomfortable eating in truck stops as they don't fit in. This has not been a problem for me, as long as I did not try to sit in the "Log Room" or whatever area was set aside for truckers only. 

The one point of friction I have encountered is in ordering biscuits - which I prefer over toast or muffins, or any other bread product associated with breakfast. A surprising number of roadside diners seem to only offer "Biscuits and Gravy".   So, to get biscuits with my meal I order biscuits and gravy and have them hold the gravy. I do this with a little trepidation as it reminds me of a scene in the movie "Five Easy Pieces." 

Coffee

One More Cup of Coffee: photo by Cliff Hutson

Breakfast in the morning, of course, calls for a cup of joe. Other times of the day, that can be problematic. 

The Next Move

The next move is up to you.  If you are enticed by the call of the open road, eschew the chain restaurants and try a place where you see the big rigs. By the way, it is not all breakfast, you know.

Cheeseburger in Paradise: photo by Cliff Hutson