#This is how we do it

Are you as perplexed as I am with all these fad diets, gimmicks and eating plans that we are bombarded with every minute?  The internet has exploded with information.  What is the correct way to eat and how about exercise?  I am always interested in keeping my options open but I must admit that the confusion is overwhelming. 

Well, I can honestly say that I think my Mother has it all figured out.  When you hear what she eats, you can bet those gluten haters and lactose free followers will be up in arms.  She starts off her day with a bowl of oatmeal (the Quaker man variety) or a bowl of farina and a banana.  For lunch she has a Boar’s Head ham sandwich on whole wheat bread with swiss cheese and a slice of blueberry pie, pound cake or some cookies.  Some days she has cream cheese (Temp Tee whipped) and tomatoes on whole wheat bread or PB & J.  In between, she munches on pretzel nuggets or raw cashews and that brings us up to dinner.  She either has a small bowl of pasta with marinara sauce (way too much acid for Yogi Cameron), or a chicken leg (trust me this is not organic) with a baked potato and side salad with vinegar and oil.  Sometimes she has fruit for dessert and maybe a little Blue Bunny ice cream before she hits the sack.  This menu varies from day to day but pretty much she eats refined carbs, dairy and sugar.  She weighs 92 pounds, goes to the gym 3 times a week, has had two hip replacements that have not kept her down and is in totally good spirits every day.  She takes Synthroid which I believe (like me) was erroneously prescribed for her years ago.  She also takes Verapamil which is for arrhythmia.  This is, no doubt, a side effect of the Synthroid.  Had she never gone on the Synthroid she would, most likely, not be taking the Verapamil.  To be honest, this is a pretty good track record for an 88 year old. 

So what do you say to all the people who preach that you must eat only organic, go gluten-free, celiac-free, dairy-free, vegan, alkaline and kosher?  It is a lot to digest LOL and my Mother has really proven them all wrong.  I honestly think the answer is to enjoy life and believe in what you eat – all in moderation.  Years ago, my gynecologist insisted that I stop eating chocolate and drinking coffee because they caused breast cysts.  I made a personal decision that life was not worth living without chocolate and coffee so I ignored her advice.  Forty years later I am doing fine!  So the take-away is if you crave nachos followed by a mojito chaser – bottoms up!  If that’s working for you, that is how you do it.  My Mother would not be living this long if she were doing something wrong. My goal is to just make it to her age.  I think that is an accomplishment in itself:)