New meds, new concerns

Never EVER read up on the meds your doctor prescribes. I am only half kidding, but DH has now been prescribed a few different meds and being the researcher he is, he read up on them.

"May cause blindness, whooping cough, measles, and or polio symptoms." Kidding!
But obviously there are some concerns. We went to his regular doctor and spent quite a lot of time with him. The biggest concern was the climb that his cholesterol and triglycerides took, and we were adamant about the NO STATINS and we stuck to that. Our dietary changes have been stellar.  His genes are not. They leave a lot to be desired.
Thanks Mom! Thanks Dad!

To be fair, both of his parents were smokers (at one time). His dad died young (from heart disease) and mom went to work full time so home cooking may have gone out the window. Hey, two teenage boys left to their own devices may not have been the healthiest choosers of food. And this was the 50's. Guess what came into vogue then?

And also:

(I say it like it's a BAD thing)
Then in the 60-70's there was a huge proliferation of convenience foods.

Fish sticks, Hamburger Helper, Mac n' Cheese, Tater Tots, canned fruit, canned veggies, frozen anything, Spaghetti-O's.. I am not sure I ever had a fresh green bean until becoming an adult. Green beans were supposed to start out frying bacon pieces, then open the can, boil the snot out of them till they were thoroughly mushy, then eat. Fruit? It was supposed to be a cocktail, open the can (don't steal the cherries!) add lots of whipped cream...voila! dessert! Salad? Special occasions: one head of iceburg, cut into wedges, pour blue cheese dressing on it! Yay! A salad! (Or chopped with tomatoes on a good day)

 I have tried to reverse my childhood bad eating habits by cooking almost everything from scratch, and very few canned items. If I do use canned items such as black beans etc, I read the labels and try to look for low sodium and no added sugars.

My son asked for a can of Spaghetti-o's one year for Christmas. He wanted to eat the stuff his friends had. He was so excited. Until he tasted it. "Yuck Mom! Why'd you make me eat that???"
But anyway, who knows why our arteries get clogged? Hmmm....Tongue placed firmly in cheek .

So we are paying the price of not only genetics, but years of not eating good wholesome food. I have bought my share of Oreos. I have eaten my share of hamburgers at McDonald', hey they used to be 5 for a buck! I used to drink soda (but only diet!! I swear! Not that that is much better). I have been around the heady smell of BBQ ribs and had to eat them (just one! or two at the most!).
Pizza? Bring it on! Taco Bell? OMG, so goooood and yet so baaad for you. Now if we are forced by circumstances to eat at fast food restaurants, at least there are some semi-healthy choices for us. As long as you don't pile on the cheese...or dressing on the salads.

Obesity is rampant in our country. Even people from other countries who come here to live apparently are suffering from high obesity rates because we have a lot of food that's fast, cheap, and oh so unhealthy. Even the so-called healthy lunches served at school are horrid. I have eaten lunch with my kids and grandkids and I am appalled at the unhealthy stuff they are forced to eat. If I was Queen of the world I would make every school have a garden (or at least fresh produce available), no canned pastas, no more pizza wedges the way they have now (I do believe that pizza made properly can be healthier) and no more canned carrot coins!!!!!!!

Now I will step off my soapbox and continue to try and eat healthy and urge others to do the same. I have been obese. It is a struggle every single day. Would I like to eat an Oreo (or a whole package) ? You bet! If it was in front of me. So, note to self. Don't buy crappy food. Don't say "it's for the kids!" You know you're gonna eat it too. And they shouldn't be either!

JUST SAY NO.