I hope you'll join me today at LV Barat's blog where I'll be talking about drinking in the medieval world where so many high fantasy novels take place. You'll also find a link to one of my favorite reference books when you get there.
Didn't think it possible for twenty degrees to feel like a heat wave but that's where we're at this February. But March is only days away and soon we'll see those spring bulbs pushing their way toward the sun. Cold weather and get a person down, depressing the creative urges and even the urge to exercise and eat right. Just in time to get us thinking about our health, new dietary guidelines have been published. Here's an article from the New York Times where they share some opinions and facts.
It seems that despite all those terrible facts about cholesterol and eggs, they really aren't bad for you and are an excellent source or protein. Coffee, can be good for you. I saw an article in the paper suggesting that 3-5 cups of coffee per day might be okay for a lot of people.
Things everyone should watch out for, added sugars like in soft drinks and many fruit drinks and juices. Just eat the real fruit and don't buy juice at all. Sodium is a big item to avoid also. Processed meats and cheeses are very high in sodium content and should be avoided as much as possible. Red meat, not so good, and anything high in saturated fats.
Eat as natural as you can, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and get your protein from poultry, fish and nuts. Drink water.
Exercise, exercise, exercise. I'll be so glad to get back outside working in the yard. I have a lot of ground to take care of so it gives me a second bout of activity after my morning runs or walks. Even weeds sound lovely after all this cold and snow.
I'm past the mid-point in my next science fiction romance. I haven't settled on a title yet but my publisher is good at suggesting possibilities so we'll come up with something together. My next series is already taking shape so I need to get this one done.
"Never go to a doctor whose plants have died." Erma Bombeck
What do you think of the new dietary guidelines? Any surprises? Ever think about how lucky we are to have clean water supplies?
Do stop in at the A to Z blog today for some more inspiration and leave me a note if you'd like to be a Dragon Soldier and help me out during the challenge. I could really use one or two more helpers. And a new post at IWSG will get you on track for another week of inspired writing.
Most of that sounds very common sense. We eat a lot of fruit and natural foods at our house. And I drink at least six bottles of water a day.
ReplyDeleteI drink a lot of water too and unsweetened tea which counts too.
DeleteLove that Bombeck quote! :)
ReplyDeleteWe tend to eat whole fruits but we do occasionally drink orange juice - fresh squeezed, local Florida orange juice.
I would think fresh squeezed juice counts for the good.
DeleteYep, knew all of that for years. Funny how they keep changing their tune, right? Although they never seem to point out how dairy and wheat aren't the best for you either. Have to watch fish too, too much of that and you can get mercury poisoning
ReplyDeleteYeah, we've been taking a lot of wheat out of our diets and you have to watch the fish thing. I should have included that.
DeleteMy bulbs have already forced their way up and the trees have their baby leaves. But last night we got hit with icy rain. Treacherous weather. Fortunately, we bundled up all the outside animals with extra food, hay, and water. I'll brave the ice in a few minutes to check on everyone.
ReplyDeleteUsually I would see some green sprouts from the bulbs too by now. Not this frozen year.
DeleteErma. Now she was a funny woman.
ReplyDeleteErma left us with a lot of wisdom.
Delete:-)
DeleteI was so excited yesterday when the temperatures also got into the 30's. I didn't even wear my coat for most of the day.
ReplyDeleteExercise, exercise, exercise. I've been really slacking off in this department so far this year. Still time to turn it around, though.
I felt the same way yesterday. Walked today at 5 whole degrees.
DeleteHa! 3-5 cups a day? I'm a full-on coffee addict. My daily baseline is the law. But even that sounds like a lot.
ReplyDeleteThen again, we have big mugs at our house...
I do about 3-5 sometimes but not every day.
DeleteI used to be able to drink that much coffee, but now it would give me the shakes.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how much I would have to drink to get the shakes.
DeleteMy body doesn't like grains. I get bloated and retain water, so I'm more of a lean protein/veggies kinda guy these days.
ReplyDeleteI prefer my fruits to veggies but we go easy on the grains.
DeleteAll you have to do is live long enough and your favorite food group will become popular and healthy.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny, Lee, and possibly true. Like clothing fashions.
DeleteHey, Susan, hope you meet your minion target. Thanks for the health tips, I need to get some exercise.
ReplyDeleteI need it too. The winter has shredded my exercise routines.
DeleteI love eggs! I don't eat meat so they are a nice source of protein for me. I never listen to those studies saying this or that is bad for you, because another study always takes it back. In my opinion, everything is good in moderation.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right Chrys, especially if you avoid all that processed stuff.
DeleteI love eggs! I don't eat meat so they are a nice source of protein for me. I never listen to those studies saying this or that is bad for you, because another study always takes it back. In my opinion, everything is good in moderation.
ReplyDeleteThere was such beautiful melting.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how there are so many things that are good for you one day and bad for you the next. Although salt and sugar are always on the bad list. Too bad they taste so good...
JE, yeah, too bad. Sometimes salt just hits the spot.
DeleteThey change the rules so much it is hard to take much of the advice seriously. I didn't drink coffee for years and now it is supposed to be good for you in moderation of course. Now sugar and excess salt are a good thing to cut. I cut sugar about five years ago due to diabetes. You know, my skin improved, I felt better. If I had known that I would not miss it at all, I would have made the cut forty years ago.
ReplyDeleteInteresting about the skin improvement. If I didn't use sugar to bake, I could do away with it. None in my tea or coffee.
DeleteI watch my sugar and sodium intake, and I do get out more in the warmer weather than I do the winter. Eventually all this snow will melt, right? *LOL*
ReplyDeleteIt really does have to melt sometime doesn't it. I can't remember when we didn't have any.
DeleteYou're having a heat wave and we're getting a cold spell here in L.A.--it's been getting down to highs in the frigid 60's. Had to wear a long sleeve shirt yesterday.
ReplyDeleteSeems like everything we eat is bad and good depending on who is doing the study. I just eat the things I enjoy.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Eggs have been the center for food controversy since I was very young. Its always something though.
ReplyDelete