I like her focus...I won't even consider his...

In The Orchard

Walter Boodle

I hate to admit that I agree with someone with the last name of Obama. Obesity among US children and citizens in general is rising at alarming rates. After reading several books on this topic lately, such as Original Fast Foods, Eat to Live, Green Smoothie Revolution, How to Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease, The China Study, The Starch Solution, Herbal Home Health Care, and others, I'm beginning to understand why. Sadly, we have turned from a nation of vibrant, lean, strong people who ate mostly whole garden foods, to a group of circus-seeking, obese, sick invalids, addicted to psuedo-foods and drive-throughs. True, we live longer because of better hygiene. Nevertheless, we are surviving a diseased existence instead of really living. Are fake foods and TV really worth all this?

Mrs. Obama's ideas to change school lunches and educate children about healthy eating and exercise are right on. There is one sticky point here, though. The machine that created the obesity and disease-producing, nutrition misinformation is of the last 60 years is the very same group lobbying for her husband's pet project. They spread their message of "healthy eating" through government funded public school programs, which were then carried all the way to medical schools. Hopefully, Mrs. Obama will be able to spread her message of growing one's own organic garden produce, exercising together as families, eliminating "government cheese" school lunches, eating more fruits and vegetables, and staying away from junk. It's a valid message, but will the drug, fast food, dairy, and meat lobbies allow her to continue?

Instead of relying on the government's intervention for this and other problems that are really not government concerns. Let us all think before we reach for the bright packages of chemicals in the grocery store or drive through for a "99 cent heart attack." Let us "bridle our tongues" a bit and eat to live instead of dying to eat. Twinkies and Coke are not worth dying for; really they aren't.

Since embracing a vegetable and fruit centered, mostly raw diet and participating in almost daily exercise, I feel fabulous. Slowly, I'm getting to my proper weight and health. I feel better than I did at 18. My amazing body is healing itself of all degenerative disease just the way God intended. I'm ready to really live the second part of my life.

Here's my newest recipe:

Very Veggie Yaki Soba Sorta

4 oz. 100% buckwheat soba noodles
2-3 sheets nori, cut into narrow strips
1 c. nappa cabbage, shredded
1 c. julian cut carrots
1 c. red bell pepper, 1/4 inch squares
1/2 c. celery, very thin crescent cuts
1/4 c. green onions, 1/2 inch. diagonal cuts
1/4 lb. baked tofu (recipe below)
1T. honey
1T. Bragg's liquid aminos

Have all ingredients (organic if possible) prepared ahead of time. Bring 1 quart water to a boil. Add noodles and set aside, covered for 5-7 min. Drain, reserving about 3 T. hot water. Add veggies, tofu, honey, and Bragg's to reserved water. Toss with noodles and eat. Serves 2-3

Baked Tofu
Slice tofu block into 4 equal slices. Put on a tea towel lined plate. Place another plate on top and something heavy like a gallon of water. Drain for 20 min. Place slices in a 9X13 pan. Pour over the juice of one lemon and 1 T. Bragg's liquid aminos. Marinate for 20-30 min. Bake at 350F for 20-30 min. Cut into cubes. Use immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 6 days or freeze up to 2 months.

After dinner and clean-up go out and enjoy a nice walk around the neighborhood or swim at the local pool.