Should we stop eating and drinking !!!?

[vivandorron]

One moment we are being told by the 'health experts' that a few glasses of red wine each day is good for you. However, the latest news is that more than seven glasses a week can cause all sorts of health problems.

Vitamin C has always been regarded as important for good health. However, whislt there is more of it in a plateful of chips than a full glass of orange juice, we are told to avoid the chips because of their high fat content.

Consequently, as fat supposedly causes a narrowing of the arteries and red wine thins the blood, I am happy enough, as an O.A.P., to carry on eating and drinking, whatever I enjoy, in the belief that my arteries may have degenerated but appear to be coping with the thin blood which is running through them.

In all seriousness, I am lucky to have good health but think that the 'dietary dogs' are often barking up the wrong trees. Surely hereditary genes play the major part in matters; irrespective of what one eats and drinks......Ron.

[country_boy]

Hi
I have no doubt genes play a major part in health matters, however, I also think times have changed and processed sh1te, factory farming, lack of proper home cooking passed on to the next generation and lack of exercise/lazy convenience lifestyles are the main factors of poor health and subsequent nanny state food policing.
I reckon how much exercise you got and how you were fed as a child has to make a big difference to how your body copes in the later years.
I'll take the chips tho - as long as they're cooked in dripping!

[BBWCHATT]

You can't eat eggs.
You can eat eggs.
You can drink red wine.
You can't drink red wine.

Ron - anything they tell us they eventually reverse. I think the old adage "all things in moderation" is the best advice, don't you?

I hope you and Viv are well and happy.

BBWCHATT
The old lady in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA

[hammerman]

Life has changed so dramatically in the past 30 years. As a 70's kid, i was bought up on homemade pie and chips, roast dinner (meat from the butcher), egg and bacon and gawd knows what else.
We had lots of freedom because there seemed little danger from anyone except rumours of the occasional dirty old man flasher type character.
Video games hadn't been invented and we only had 3 channels on the tele.

However, the food explosion has really hit us. Socialising back in the 70's usually consisted of a pub lunch with some friends once a year or a dinner party annually.

But now, with the garden becoming an extension to the home and the barbeque a focal point, social evening are becoming almost a weekly....sometimes daily event. There are sooooo many cookery shows on tele filling our homes with gorgeous recipes that were never heard of in the 70's. We're being encouraged to cook more and be experimental and adventurous with what we do.

So, more and more exotic and, dare i say it, fattenning ingredients are being used. I can't get through the week without using at least one pot of double cream in my cooking and who doesn't love grated cheese on their chips.

With the cheapness of food compared to the 70's and the availability of it, along with all these wonderous chefs in every paper, magazine and TV channel, it's no wonder we're all getting fatter.

It's the same with booze. It's so cheap and available these days....of course we're going to drink more. I'm currently 5 stone over weight (mainly due to giving up smoking 3 years ago) but i love my food and drink so much....and i love entertaining at home too, that i'll be absolutely ******** if i'm going to give it up !!!

[vivandorron]

Thanks folks for your observations to which I say:-

country_boy......You've summed -up matters.I was brought-up by grandparents and convenience foods were unavailable to Victorian/Edwardians. Chips in dripping....Yes please...Dripping on toast as the main menu item with Bread and butter dipped in the sugar bowl for dessert. Local Butcher, Baker and Candle-maker.( I remember a local General Store that sold candles and paraffin oil for 'Valor' stoves...We didn't have central heating and not everyone had electricity.)

In A Pickle.....I chuckled at your reply and am pleased that you have not completely given up reading and humourously responded to my question.

BBWCHATT.....Yet again you've come-up with a perfect recipe; this time for living healthily. Viv and I are great for our age group; although we do sometimes complain to each other about tender joints.(not the slow cooker ones of which you fully approve.) Hope all is well with you (also the rest of our correspondents) It was great to hear again from our cheerful Chattanooga Chick.

Hammerman...What can I say....you are so right. Viv and I were regular lunchtime village pubbers but some friends moved to Spain and others could be said 'faded away' and maybe cooking elsewhere.(Heaven's above; what a wicked thing to say.) Anyway the crunch came when the Government objected to my smoking. So I'm trying to keep my weight down with food,red wine and cigarettes at home.

Bon appetit everyone......Ron.

[Kleiber]

Ron, I sympathise completely! I've always said that today's "convenience" foods will be the death of us all. I cook every night, even though I work full-time, but at least I know what's going into our food! We raise our own pigs, but haven't had any for 2 years, since Mr. K. passed away, and we've recently finished the last of our pork. K Jnr asked if we could have pork for Sunday dinner, so I had a look in our local Co=Op today and was disgusted to find that every joint had "added water" (!!??) Why? I'll buy some from the butcher next week! We're having duck tomorrow, by the way. You're totally right about this Nanny state - I'm so fed up I'm thinking of moving to Italy! I stay at home nights, now & have a few glasses of wine & a cigarette or three, in the comfort of my home!! Good luck to you & Viv !! K xx

[vivandorron]

Good afternoon Kleiber (Mrs Kleiber I should really say.) You are 100% right in what you say about convenience foods. Water is added to all meats because it adds to the weight and increases the retailer's profit. Not only is water added but salt and preservatives of all sorts are also injected into the meats we buy at supermarkets.

There was a time when we had good butchers in every community, but now'tadays they are hard to find. Hope youv'e got a good one near you....we haven't.

Viv and I don't have a traditional roast meal on a Sunday; our weekend big meal is at home on Saturday evening. Last night was nothing special....just a turkey roast. At the moment we are waiting for Viv's sister to join us for a late afternoon meal which is cold brisket ( slow cooker cooked.) and fresh homemade bread with pickle etc.

Hope your duck was good and you are able to get a nice joint of pork for junior.

Enjoy those ciggies and the wine ( I do.)......Best wishes .....Ron

[Kleiber]

Cheers, Ron - the duck was lovely! Yes, we're very lucky in that we're in a farming community & have several good butchers locally, who get their meat from local farmers, too, so it's all traceable. Hope you enjoyed your meal as well! K xx