Trena Eiden

I recently visited with a bodybuilder who told me that to watch my weight, I should eat several small meals a day. I thought this was excellent advice and told him so.

He looked a little smug and all-knowing until I said, “I’ve actually been doing that for a long time.” Apparently surprised, he said, “You have?” I smiled and said, “Yes, in fact, just this afternoon I put a few chips on a plate and added cottage cheese as my dip, which I’d consider a small meal.” He looked puzzled like maybe he wasn’t following me so I added, “That would be a small meal if I just have a few chips right, because I could, without exaggeration, eat a family size bag of Lays and never feel stuffed.” He nodded, frowning ever so slightly.

I took his non-protest as a good sign so went on to explain further, “I recently saw an article that said the way to get rid of belly fat is to do a style of training that alternates between quick sessions of high intensity exercise followed by lower intensity periods of recovery.” He smiled in the affirmative so I went on, “Here’s the sketchy part, the recovery isn’t rest, it’s still exercise, only slower.”

Jumping in, he vigorously told me that this was true. Raising my eyebrows, I leaned close and said, “Well, as long as that slow is slow enough to carry a bag of chips, I think I could make it work.” He flinched then bit his lip so I guessed I had probably taken up enough of his time. I gave a little wave as I left, then turning, said, “Having you put a stamp of approval on what I want to do, is a real blessing.”  

That evening, I read an article on butter that was written as an update to what doctors and scientists used to believe. It was not only enlightening, it was darling. I framed it and hung it in my kitchen. It seems butter is not only NOT bad for us, it’s now being touted as “a healthy choice.” Oh Lord, haven’t we known this all along? There has been study after study showing very little in links between butter consumption and heart disease.

Instead, margarine it seems is more the villain due to it being an experiment which created a substance full of trans fats and additives. Some brands have over 20 added substances, including but not limited to vegetable mono and diglycerides, vegetable datem, potassium sorbate, calcium disodium, soy lecithin, rice starch, gelatin, lactose, artificial flavors and artificial colors.

I don’t know what all those products are used for, but I do know that the butter in my house is two ingredients; cream and salt. To be fair, margarine contains salt too, probably because without it nobody would eat it. As for butter, it comes salted or unsalted and why anyone would eat it without salt is a mystery to me. I tried unsalted butter once and thought, “Don’t be dumb and do that again.”    

Fatty acids like omega 3 and 6, which are antioxidants, are really important for our brains, and vitamins A, D and E, which are fat-soluble vitamins, are good for our vision, bones, immune function and coagulation. Butter contains these. It also contains lauric acid which is a source of healthy cholesterol and also helps with nutrient absorption. In case you’re wondering, and I’m sure you’re not, Country Crock isn’t actually margarine, it’s a “spread.” That’s a term for a vegetable oil product that didn’t meet the standard for margarine and margarine, wait for it…doesn’t meet the standard for butter. Jeepers, do you think “spread” manufacturers, feed that to their kids?  

We should eat the best we can and along with making nourishing meals, we need to get some exercise. Sadly, John Quincy Adams said it best, “Move or die.” Bummer. Why can’t it be, “Sit on the couch and be happy?” Apparently, we gotta get going and every time I look in the mirror, I think that very thought.  

A friend stopped by today, but said she couldn’t stay long because she had to get home to groom her dog. She said, “Gabby’s fur is matted and I hate to clip her before summer but she’s got to be done. I know this, but it’s just so hard to see her naked.” I said, “Ya, pretty sure it’s what Gar thinks every night when he watches me put on my jammies.”