Health for life

Weve all been there with our parents – the same ol restaurant, with the same ol menu– because theyre reluctant to try something new, strange, or simply unappealing. And theres nothing intrinsically wrong with that, per se. People like what they like, and odds are, your parents eating habits have been pretty set for decades.

But wouldnt it be nice to try something else for a change?

Convincing your folks to move on to new cuisines and cultures can be a wonderful experience for all involved, and not just because kimchee is awesome. "Ethnic" foods, or foods found outside your traditional cuisine, are frequently:

• Less expensive: When HOTUS and I order Chinese takeout, we can turn $15 into dinner that night and lunch for the office the next day. While not as cheap as home cooking, its darn comparable.
• Healthier: Okay, so the ghee (clarified butter) in Chicken Korma wont put it on the happy side of the Eat This, Not That list, but non-traditional dishes can often pack in vegetables, lean cuts of meat, and healthy oils. Compared especially to most American-style restaurant meals, ethnic food is frequently a lighter choice.
• Educational: By eating foods outside of your customary cultural cuisine, youre exposing yourself to a new world of ingredients, flavor combinations, and styles of preparation, which you can then implement at home.
• Delicious: Mmm. Take two bites of baba ghanoush and call me in the morning.

But then again, were not talking about you here, are we? Were talking about your parents – wonderful people, to be sure, but not necessarily the most daring of eaters. So, how can you get your beloved Ma and Pa to dig into falafel, injera bread, and even sushi (or "bait," as a certain family member calls it)? Try five these strategies:

1) Pay for it. Sometimes, older folks (actually, any folks) simply dont want to blow money on something theyre not sure theyll like. So, pick an inexpensive restaurant and treat em. Think of it as an adventure you dont need hiking boots for.

2) Start at home. Prepping a meal for mom? Throw in a teriyaki side dish or a plate of pierogies. By surrounding a new food with ones she likes, it may seem more approachable.

3) Order a gateway food. Introducing your parents to a mild dish – one with a less-assertive flavor, similar to a recipe they might already love. Pad Thai is way Americanized, but its an effective tool for getting reluctant eaters into more daring Thai Food. For me, lassis and samosas were the gateway dishes to a lot of delicious Indian cuisine.

• SPECIAL NOTE: This can be a way effective strategy for people with an aversion to spice, which was probably the most-cited fear in yesterdays Ask the Internet comments. Feeding your parents a super-mild quesadilla proves to them that all Mexican food isnt a five-alarm chili, which could encourage them to attempt other dishes.

4) Embrace media. This might sound lame (I hope not), but for many folks, seeing a dish in a magazine, on a TV show, or at the movies – when its been styled and served in the best possible light by super-attractive people – can make it seem tremendously appealing. I wonder how many parents wanted an Italian meal after watching Julia Roberts slurp spaghetti in Eat Pray Love? Or how many folks decided Indian food could be super-awesome after 30 minutes of Aartis Party? Or how many moms and dads tried matzoh ball soup for the first time after seeing a glossy photo in Saveur? Probably a lot.

5) Know when to accept defeat. My dad will never, ever, ever develop a love of curry, no matter how many "mmm … slurp … ahhh" sounds I make while eating a big ol bowl of it. And that is totally, 100% fine. Not everyone has similar tastes, and pushing a loved one too hard can (seriously) get pretty annoying. Food should be a joy, not a struggle. Move on.

Opening parents - and anyone, really - up to new cuisines, and as a result, new cultures, is something from which we can all benefit. Happy eating.

Readers? Comments? Questions? Suggestions? Fire away.

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If you enjoyed this read, you might also dig:

• Healthy Takeout on a Budget
• Learning to Love Foods You Hate: A How-To Guide for Frugal Eaters
• Serving Sizes and Portion Control: A Primer

Its the time of year when cinnamon starts appearing in warmed apple ciders, teas, and baked goods. Thats good news for people trying to control their blood sugar.

A study that appeared in the December 2003 issue of Diabetes Care found that cinnamon could:

• Lower blood glucose by 18 to 29%
  
• Lower triglycerides by 23 to 30%
  
• Lower total cholesterol by 13 to 26%

The study participants received either 1, 3, or 6 grams/day of ground cinnamon (thats about 3/4 tsp, 2 tsp, or 3-3/4 tsp respectively). Benefits in blood glucose were similar regardless of the amount taken. The cinnamon was consumed for 40 days, with the best results seen at the end of that time.

More research needs to be done before a recommendation can be made. But its worth adding 1/4 tsp. of cinnamon to your diet, once or twice a day, and testing your blood glucose to see if it works for you.

________
For the study (no registration required):
Cinnamon Improves Glucose and Lipids of People With Type 2 Diabetes

This autumn, why not get out of the gym and try something new? Exploring the beauty of life around your city. Or try a class that youve always considered but never dared participate in. You can do a variety of excellent low-impact workouts, and yet still get in great shape. Now that bikini season is over, youll be under less pressure to get in "prime condition." Its time to have some fun with your workouts, and take it easy on your joints too!


1. Fusion Classes

Have you ever tried to do dance and Yoga at the same time? Or cardio Pilates? Fusion classes are all the rage, and theyre a fun way to get in shape in a new and unique way. This workout involves two or more different styles of exercise, and combines them in a way that youd never have dreamed of before. Youd be amazed at the crazy combinations people can dream up when theyre trying to come up with new exercise programs--which may be surprisingly fun!

2. Paddleboarding

This is somewhat of a cross between surfing and kayaking, and youll find that its a great workout for your upper body. Stand-up paddleboarding is done using a paddle to propel your board out onto the water. Those on the West Coast will no doubt have heard of this style of boarding, and youll find that theres even crazy combinations like Paddleboard Yoga. What a fun way to get in shape before it gets too cold to swim!

3. Aqua Aerobics

Most people think of Aqua Aerobics as being for senior citizens only, but there are many hardcore water aerobics classes for the younger generation. Imagine trying to run in place while knee deep in water, or trying to do inverted push-ups while half submerged. Its a pretty intense form of exercise/cardio, and yet the water makes it very easy for your joints. These classes tend to be low-impact workouts that get you breathing hard!

4. Swimming

Theres nothing quite like a good swim to take the edge off the late summer/early autumn heat--particularly in the south of the country (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Florida, etc.). Swimming is very low impact--easy on the joints--but its amazing for both your cardio endurance and for your upper body muscles. As long as youre actually swimming and not just splashing around, you can get in amazing shape. The best part: you can swim in a heated indoor pool even throughout the chilly winter.

5. Canoeing or Kayaking

Kayaking and canoeing both involve very little stress placed on your knee and ankle joints, and its pretty easy on your arm and shoulder joints as well. It will work those upper body muscles like nothing else can, and youll find that youre in much better shape after just a few weeks of hard rowing.

6. Inline Skating

Inline skating is a bit hard on your feet and ankles, but its actually quite good for those with tender knees and arms. Youll be amazed by how quickly you can tire out, and youll love the feeling of speeding down the street on those slick inline wheels. Whether you train on the streets or at a track, its a good way to take the pressure off your upper body.

7. Walking/Hiking

If you want the ultimate low impact workout, let Mother Nature be your trainer! Taking a walk/hike out into the forest or mountains near your home will allow you to see the beauty of the autumn wilderness, while easily walking away those calories. A daily walk in the park can help you to prepare for those weekend-long hiking and camping trips youll plan with your family. Its a low-impact exercise that involves a whole lot of fresh air--it doesnt get better than this.
_http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/7-fun-low-impact-workouts-you-should-try-this-autumn.html

For their wedding favors, my friends H and I gave each one of their guests a small jar of pink, white, or black high-end salt. Husband-Elect chose the latter, which we weren’t exactly sure how to use at first.

Then, a few weeks ago, I bought a 13-pound watermelon. I gutted it, cubed the whole thing, and on a whim, sprinkled a cup with a little bit of the salt.

And? It is CRACK. Juicy, salty, sweet, powerful, cheap, healthy crack. Here’s a picture:

See? Crack. Go try!