“Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” M. Pollan
Hello Friends. It’s been awhile. I sincerely thank you for welcoming me back. Some big waves (life changes) occurred over the past several months: I became single once again, retired and turned 60 all at once! So, what’s all this got to do with food? Please read on.
I started retirement with a bang as a pseudo farmer! The farm share season began in early June before school let out, so I had 12 work hours to make-up. In past years, I simply paid for my farm share, but being newly retired with bright eyes and bushy tail, I figured I’d work for my CSA. Well, let me tell you it kicked my behind! I worked a Friday, Saturday and Tuesday straight out of the gate, and it was too much, too fast!
I quickly gained a HUGE appreciation for our farmers!
Supporting local, organic small farms is crucial to our health and well-being. You can support our local Saunderstown farm by purchasing a 1/2 or full share of fresh vegetables to be picked up weekly. The other option is to work a 4 hour shift each week in return for a full share. Casey Farm is still offering CSA memberships and pick up of gorgeous produce continues right on through October!
Working the farm is one of the most satisfying things I’ve done! Not only am I gaining an education, but I’m meeting other fascinating souls while building stamina and muscle! (Bonus: I just learned that squatting strengthens the pelvic floor.) And now that I’m only doing 4 hours a week, my body has adjusted to the demand.
In case I hadn’t shared previously, below is the food formula I have lived by for the last 20 years:
- Eat 3 times a day, allowing time in between meals to rest and digest. Don’t eat anything after dinner and wait 12 hours before you eat again.
- 89.9% of your diet should consist of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, seeds, beans, and nuts.
- Eat food directly from earth whenever possible.
- Use animal food as a condiment.
- Calcium sources include: sesame seeds, almonds, broccoli, dates, spinach, peanuts, black beans, tofu, salmon, baked beans, oranges.
- Bless your food and chew your food, 25x per bite. Digestion begins in the mouth. You get more nutrition out of food and avoid causing the digestive system to work harder.
- Consume 3 tbsp. of premium olive oil daily.
- Use fresh herbs and spices: particularly curry, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon and fresh ginger.
Do I live by this formula 24/7? Absolutely, hell no. In general, I don’t eat bread, but if I’m out at a restaurant and the bread is worth it, I eat it! If my mom makes tapioca pudding from scratch, that’s a hell yes.
Recently, I joined my son and his family to meet up with cousins at Lake of the Ozarks. Lots of teenagers in the house and a corner of the kitchen filled with the best junk food money can buy (truly a dream come true for a kid). I subsisted on bread, meat, and sugar for a week. I ate some darned yummy things and enjoyed every bite. When I got back home, it was back to moderation and the best nutritious food available.
In Defense of Food, Michael Pollan writes: “That anyone should need to write a book advising people to ‘eat food’ could be taken as a measure of our alienation and confusion. Or we can choose to see it in a more positive light and count ourselves fortunate indeed that there is once again real food for us to eat.”
Let’s ride this wave!
Be well,
Patty