We have all heard the term 'eating good'. Rappers use it to showboat and tell the world that since they are eating steaks at Ruth's Chris they are 'eating good', people will often say once a person makes it big and is rolling in dough, they gain a little weight because they are 'eating good' but this couldn't be farther from the truth. When you eat 'GOOD' you look good too and that excludes a gut. ☺
We think fast food is equivalent to pornography, nutritionally speaking. ~Steve Elbert
It is a shame in our society that we have to push campaigns about getting off your ass and 'Let's Move' because not only are the adults obese they are shoveling fast food down their children's throats by the pound too. What happened to running outside, playing kickball, jumping double dutch and playing Manhunt? Parents don't go to the gym and their kids don't lift a finger either. Both end up having high cholesterol and diabetes just to name a few and with that said we look around and try to find someone to point the finger at because surely it can't be 'ourselves' that got us in this predicament. Right? Wrong!
I came across the picture below of a life sized barbie created by Galia Slayen’s as a push to bring awareness to the societal influence on eating disorders. This model was made for the 'Get Real' campaign to teach young women that being 'stick' skinny is NOT healthy or mainstream. The Barbie is dressed with a size 00 skirt, previously owned by Slayen, during her bout with an eating disorder. The Barbie stands about 6 feet tall with a 39" bust, 18" waist and 33" hips. GET REAL is right, who in the heck has an 18" waist in their adulthood? Don't worry I'll wait (in my Kat Williams voice).
“I’m not blaming Barbie [for my illness] — she’s one small factor, an environmental factor,” Slayen said. “I’m blond and blue-eyed and I figured that was what I was supposed to look like. She was my idol. It impacted the way I looked at myself.” says Slayen
Seeing things like this just enrages me to the fullest. I don't put the full blame on the media & modeling agencies for that matter, for promoting their so called ideal beauties because at the same token while there are some women who are literally starving themselves to have an 18 inch waist, there are others gorging on fatty foods to have a booty like Kim Kardashian and getting Type 2 diabetes to boot. Sure I did have my years of wanting to be bootylicious like Beyonce', although truth be told she is hippy not bootylicious but I digress, but will she be there with me in dialysis once it is all said and done and I have my booty by the ton? Nope! So I changed my attitude about health and what my idea of beauty means. Running miles on end actually gave me the thunder thighs I've been yearning for and you know what I didn't have to eat Big Mac's everyday to get them either. ☺
I just wish people would take onus for their health, it is your body, you buy your own food and have 3 choices a day as to what you will ingest. Yes I do know that in some low income neighborhoods there are plenty of shoddy grocers. There are also plenty of vacant lots that folks could cultivate to grow healthy foods. Giving the kids something to do and feel proud of would make the community green as well as aesthetically pleasing. Gardens are always beautiful. How did blacks go from cultivating the land as slaves, to being raised on farms, to being obese from eating fast foods and not having access to basic necessities?
How can low-income folks fight against spiraling obesity and diabetes rates if they can not access the food they need to live a healthy life? What are your thoughts?
In closing, eating good means eating the proper nutritional foods your body needs to have energy and function throughout the day. People who eat good have amazingly clear skin, their eyes are bright, hair has luster, are in shape , look healthy and have energy overall. Make it your mission to try all the veggies and fruits in the grocer. You never know what you 'don't like' until you try them and just because you mother never fixed it growing up doesn't mean you shouldn't eat them. Give yourself a few bucks a month in your grocery budget to try a new fruit and veggie. In a years time you will have a whole new outlook on food ♥
A few uncommonly eaten vegetables you should try are:
Arugula
Brussell sprouts
Chard
Kale
Sea beet
Watercress
Chickpeas
Lentil
Leek
Okra
Aspharagus
Scallion
Shallot
Parsnip
A few uncommonly eaten fruits you should try are:
Asian Pear
Avocado
Artichoke
Tinda
Squash
Winter melon
As always Love for Self Love for Health™, Lipstick Diva
