Saturday, January 12, 2008 Moderate life By Ober Khok
“PEOPLE who drink moderately, exercise, quit smoking and eat five servings of fruit and vegetables each day live on average 14 years longer than people who adopt none of thee behaviors, researchers said on Tuesday.”
No, it wasn’t my Uncle Gustav who told me this shocking news, but Reuters. A coffee buddy of mine sent me this message through my e-mail. He has been trying to convince me to go slowly on fatty food and gnaw more guilt-free food, which are on the good side of nutrition.
Carrots, cabbage and string beans sound like bad words to a confirmed carnivore. A juicy slab of steak always attracts me. Give me a plate of pretty vegetables and a plain plate of pork chop, and chances are I will choose the meat dish.
I thought this preference over the past few weeks. No, seriously, I did. Health is a serious matter.
Why do I like meat?
After a week of careful dining, switching from meat to vegetable dishes, I found the answer.
It’s the sauce in meat that makes my mouth water. I simply just like food that has gravy or sauce. Most vegetable dishes swim in broth, and I am not a soup man.
And with this knowledge, I have asked my aunt Blitte to teach me the art of eating vegetables. She did so by cooking only vegetables and sometimes, fish with vegetables.
From then now on it has been just mixed veggies stir-fried in little oil; or maybe green leafy, little things drenched in sauce made from a bit of broth and cornstarch.
I know it is doing some good to my cholesterol level and keeping at bay arthritis and diabetes. However, I feel my power to write slipping away. Don’t you notice it?
This column looks “minimalist” this week, doesn’t it? It’s like my soul isn’t here, and it’s just my body that’s trying to keep up with what’s needed.
Maybe I am still adjusting to this new diet of greens and fiber Give me time and your old Ober Khok will be back, more slimmer and naughty.
