The Foolish Man

What made the foolish man foolish? Was he foolish because he knew building on the sand would make his home unstable and eventually washes away but decided to build on the sand anyways because it was easier and cheaper? Or was he foolish because he didn’t know? Did he not do his research and find out the best way and place to build a home? Any way you look at it he is foolish.

This is what knowledge can do to you. Either you will be the foolish man or become the wise man. The past 3 years I have been studying about alternative health and nutrition. I have read many books and I have learned much. I have acquired knowledge. No, I don’t believe everything I read or hear. But when something rings true in my heart, I have pangs of anxiety that come along with my new found knowledge. What I choose to do with that new knowledge will make me the foolish man or the wise man.

Sometimes I wish I hadn’t learned something because I don’t want to change my life or alter some life long habit. But now that I have learned better, if I don’t change I am the foolish man. If I hadn’t researched and acquired the new knowledge then I am also the foolish man.

Changing life long nutritional habits can be very difficult. When I hear something that makes me question my eating habits, I decide to research. The more I research and learn the more likely I am going to want to change my old ways. True knowledge can be a powerful motivator. It can help you do things that you never thought was possible. When you get correct information most likely you will decide to be the wise man and change your life.

The other powerful motivator is my family. When I learn something, I want to share it with them. I want them to live long and healthy lives. But at that end, I cannot tell them to change their lives unless I am willing to do it myself. The following story illustrates my point perfectly.

A mother took her child to Ghandi, to help her child stop eating refined sugar. Ghandi thought for a moment: “Bring your child back, tomorrow.” The puzzled mother did so, at which time Ghandi said to the child: “Stop eating candy.” The mother then asked: “Why didn’t you tell him that yesterday?” Ghandi replied: “Yesterday, I was eating candy myself.”

I hope I can be the wise man. I hope I can gain enough self respect, control and determination to be the wise man.

Keep your Girlish Figure

A few weeks ago we went to the city Health Fair. There were a few testing stations set up to supposedly tell us how healthy (or sickly) we are. Mr. Smiley and I both had our body fat, glucose, bone density and cholesterol checked. Mr. Smiley had his body fat tested first. He fell within the normal/healthy range for a man of his age and height. His number was on the high end of normal. Body Fat woman (the tech) told him he needed to start exercising and eat better and he could lower his body fat. I was annoyed.

Next it was my turn. I also fell in the normal/healthy range for my age and height. My number was on the low end of normal. Body Fat woman then started lecturing me about being to thin. How I am sooo unhealthy because I don't have enough fat. What a load of garbage. I was getting pretty mad. She then said, "You must be a runner! YOU RUNNERS just don't know when to stop." I started fuming. The steam was coming out of my ears when she delivered the final blow. "Don't even think about getting your bone density tested it will be horrible." she snidely remarked.

So I immediately went over to get my Bone Density tested. The tech there was in shock as she told me my bone density was the best she had ever tested. Take that body fat woman. Can't good ever be good enough? I would like that body fat woman to know that I am proud of my body fat percentage. I think it is healthy for me. Not to mention that I have had a body fat percentage in the past that was 11% lower than what I tested that day. And I was healthy then too. I think she was just jealous. I am happy with my body. I work to keep it the way I want it. Oh maybe I am just lucky because I am tall and have good genetics. Don't ever mention the fact that I get up at dark thirty in the morning and have for many years to try to keep my body fit.

Don't mean to open a can of worms. (I will open that can later) Most people who are fit and healthy work at it. They don't just become that way overnight. God has given us all an amazing gift - our body. We all choose what we do with our bodies. Let us do the best we can with what we have been given. Some are thin, some are fat. Some need to lose weight, some need to gain. I just wish it was as easy as Betty Boop demonstrates.

This is my all time favorite cartoon about weight and exercise. I always laugh at this film. Just over 5 minutes in length. It is worth watching the whole thing.

Fresh Food - Elevates my Mood

Fresh Spring Rolls are the most wonderful food. They elevate my mood. I love to eat them in the morning, I love to eat them in the afternoon, I love to eat them at night. They give me so much delight. (Do you like my rhyming?)

This one is for Nellie ( I hope you like your new blog name).

Thai Fresh Spring Rolls

1 package dried rice rolls (also called "rice paper" – Asian Markets)
1 cup cooked chicken sliced or cut into bite-size pieces, and tossed in 2-3 Tbsp. fish sauce (OR substitute tossed in 2 Tbsp. soy sauce) - If Vegetarian, substitute baked tofu or flavored wheat gluten - I like them with no meat.
1 cup fresh coriander leaves (cilantro)
1 cup fresh sweet basil, roughly chopped if leaves are large
1/2 large cucumber, sliced into matchstick-like pieces
1 carrot, grated
1 cup fresh bean sprouts
(You can experiment with other veggies and herbs.)
Except for the rice rolls, place each of the above ingredients in a separate bowl
and set aside.

Take out one of the rice wrappers and place it in a bowl of hot water. You may have to gently press the wrapper down into the water. The rice paper will soften in approximately 30 seconds.
When the wrapper is soft enough to eat (these rolls do not require cooking), remove from water and place on the clean working surface.
Working always horizontally, place slices of the chicken (or tofu/wheat gluten) toward the end of the wrapper. Now place some of the cucumber on top.
Now add a little carrot, fresh coriander, basil, and bean sprouts.
Begin to roll by folding the bottom portion of rice paper over the ingredients.

Roll up burrito style.

Serve with the peanut dipping sauce, and/or Thai Sweet Chili Sauce (available by the bottle at most large grocery store chains in the Asian section).

To create Thai peanut dipping sauce from scratch, place the following ingredients in a blender or food processor:
1 cup dry roasted peanuts
1/3 cup water
1/2 tsp. dark soy sauce
2 tsp. sesame oil
2 Tbsp. brown sugar (OR other sweetener - ie. agave, or honey)
2 Tbsp. fish sauce (OR Vegetarian fish sauce, OR 3 Tbsp. soy sauce)
1/2 tsp. tamarind paste (OR lime juice)
1 tsp. chili sauce
Process well. Now do a taste test for sugar and salt, adding more brown sugar or fish sauce as needed. If too salty for your taste, add a squeeze of lime juice.

Your taste buds have never had such love. Enjoy!