The Next Hundred Pounds

TRAVEL FOOD AND FITNESS

Every time I travel to a new gig, I face a new and unknown living situation. Sometimes it's possible to have a pretty good idea of what I'll be getting --- if I'll be in an apartment or hotel, for example --- but if I'm staying in someone's home, either as a guest or a renter, you never know until you get there what the accommodations will be like. Will there be space to work out, and will it bug your hosts if you do? How far do your kitchen privileges extend?

So, the name of the game is preparation and flexibility. I always bring a few key items that I need for food prep (good knife, my trusty little food processor, sometimes a blender) and workouts (resistance bands, DVDs, yoga mat). And I've developed a scaled-down on-the-road repertoire of menus which involve a few foods that don't take up a lot of space.

It took me a long time to get over the notion that traveling = vacation = laze around and eat whatever I want, damn the consequences. Eventually I realized that this IS my life, not an escape from it, and even though it's harder to be healthy when you're traveling for any number of reasons, if I don't want to end up looking like Jabba the Hut's younger, prettier sister, I have to come to terms with it. Sometimes it's harder than others, such as when the cast wants to hang out after rehearsal, which inevitably leads to a drink or two and a lot of snacking, or when my darling husband is able to join me (because we DO tend to treat that time like a vacation ... working vacations are the only kind we take). 

I had had big plans to use my time in Sarasota to work hard, recover from my Christmas break milaise, and start the scale moving back down. Sarasota was an important milestone to me because it was a photo from the steps of Ca d'Zan, taken on a visit to a friend in the summer of 2007, that helped me realize changes had to be made. I had a sort of fantasy of taking an "after" photo in the same spot.

Well, that didn't happen. I didn't want to see what such a photo would look like right now. I know it's silly, but it would make my backsliding seem more real, possibly more permanent, and I am not willing to let go of the fight. So in a way, I'm in hiding. But while I haven't lost any weight for some time, I did accomplish two important fitness goals while in Sarasota. Number one, I worked out almost every day. I did Power 90 --- nothing as strenuous as P90X,  but still good cardio and strength training --- and biked and hiked quite a bit. Number two, the beautiful atmosphere there and my wonderful experience with my cast and the show helped me in just the way I needed to shake off the final remnants of that debiliating stress episode I'd been dealing with. No doubt the exercise helped, too.

So here I am in Miami, and it's an adjustment. Drivers here are crazy and mean --- I'd be afraid to ride my bike anywhere on the streets. My cast here is friendly and cordial but we don't hang out. No one's going for drinks after rehearsal. I can cook, but have limited space to store food. The nice lady from whom I am renting a room has a beautiful but small kitchen, and I don't think she's used to her guests wanting to do much cooking. I can store food, but she couldn't give me my own shelf in the pantry or fridge, and I just feel inhibited.

Good thing I have the Barbie Gym and my Road Food Repertoire.

There is a great article here about eating right when you're traveling. It's geared towards runners, but it applies very well to opera singers, business travelers, and even vacationers who are serious about not going overboard. Singers have to be fussy about their food just like athletes do --- just like anyone who wants to stay fit does. There are lots of good points and tips in this article: overeating or skipping meals can mess you up; you have to prepare for both transit and time on the ground.

The article recommends high protein snacks like string cheese and hardboiled eggs, peanut butter, hummus and carrots, turkey, granola bars, and trail mix. When I'm on one of my redeye flights for auditions and lessons, I always have 100-calorie packs of almonds or a baggie of homemade trail mix; single-serving packs of peanut butter, and Think Thin bars (which are very high protein and relatively low carb). These travel well and are great if I get stuck and don't want to spend $18 on an airport salad composed of iceberg lettuce and a few coldcuts. I've also found that salad bar salads --- one of those big cardboard boxes from Whole Foods --- keep pretty well outside refrigeration for a couple of hours at least on an airplane. I always stock up at the salad bar (with vegetarian options; unless there's a lot of dairy, they'll stay good longer) before I hit an evening flight, and believe me, I am the envy of my seatmates and many a flight attendant when those plastic-wrapped microwaved cheeseburgers start making the rounds.

When Eric and I drive long distances, we always pack a cooler with treats for picnic stops, rather than stopping at restaurants. We like to get smoked fish, hummus and carrots and fresh broccoli, a small piece of really good cheese to share, and maybe something snacky and crunchy like pretzels. It's become a little ritual we really enjoy.

Once I'm settled into town, I keep my eat-at-home foods pretty basic. It saves money, space, and decision-making.  I also follow the law of "if it ain't in the house, you can't eat it" and try not to bring temptations home with me. If I want a treat, I have to go get it.

Spinach is my miracle base. You can cook it, you can eat it fresh as a salad. I throw a big handful or two on a plate and top it with black beans and corn; or tuna fish and sprinkle of  lowfat cheese, or a mix of frozen veggies, soy sausage, and a little cheese. Or I make a big salad. At home I prefer fresh veggies but on the road I usually buy a package or two of frozen broccoli and whatever else appeals in the moment. I usually buy one rotisserie chicken per trip --- one person can eat off that for a week. I buy eggs for hard-boiling and omelettes; omelettes with lots of veggies make a great quick meal. I also always buy a few really good olives, sun-dried tomatoes, a bit of really good cheese, and something crunchy like soy nuts or walnuts. Just a couple of these can really dress up a salad or a hot meal with little bursts of flavor and texture. A few pieces of fresh and dried fruit, Greek yogurt, oatmeal, and maybe some whole wheat pasta for those times when I get really busy and need to have a heat-and-eat meal ready, and I'm good to go.

Yes, it gets boring. And when that happens, I eat out.

So, the good thing about Miami is that I can really concentrate on working out and eating better, and get myself geared up for the summer.  I guess this is part of the cycle, too, learning to deal with the really busy times and the less busy times, the swings towards better fitness and the backsliding.  A lot of my colleagues are really on the fitness bandwagon, and that helps. A lot of them are doing Crossfit and the whole Paleo thing. I'm intrigued by Crossfit and would like to try it, but it needs to be a time when I'm not working. Paleo ... I can see adopting the basics but I'd never, pardon the pun, go whole hog.

So, it's time to hit the gym again. Today's treat: something called Ballet Barre Burn. Barre classes are all the rage these days, so I am really looking forward to trying it. I just really hope the music isn't so loud.

 

WORKOUT SMORGASBORD AT THE BARBIE GYM

So, I joined a gym here in Miami.  I'm only here for a month, but there isn't room in the house where I'm renting a room, and places like Miami Beach and South Beach, while doubtlessly havens for workout mavens, are just too far away and difficult to get to from my present location.

So, I joined the Barbie Doll Gym.

That isn't really what it's called. It's called Ironflower Fitness. And despite the website's claim that it is for ladies only, it is NOT, because there was a big, hairy pile of testosterone gentleman  in my class yesterday evening, and no one blinked an eye. If you're wondering why a man would join a gym where everything is bright pink and extremely girly, take a look at the website, which features lots of hot girls in skimpy outfits advertising the health benefits of pole dancing.

Anyway, I call it the Barbie Doll Gym because if Barbie designed a gym, this is what it would look like. Hot pink walls with B&W graphic wallpaper, whimsical furniture, crystal chandeliers. There are even hot pink Everlast sandbags for kickboxing class. Also, because every instructor I saw there was a tiny dancer. My right thigh weighs more than the lot of them combined. Collectively, they could probably wear a pair of my pants. Three to each leg. Possibly four.

There's not a lot there in the way of free weights (they have a set ... they're in the hall, and there's no place to really use them except in the hall). They have a few pieces of standard cardio equipment, and I do mean a few; again, lined up in the hall. No, this place is all about the classes. And they have a great variety of them.

So after rehearsal, I booked back over to my side of town and tried out my very first spinning class. Happily, I had the forethought to bring earplugs; I was fairly certain the music would be way too loud, and in this I was not disappointed. The room was very small and stuffy, with the bikes placed so closely you couldn't mount without kicking the one next to you; and there was a huge floor amp fit for a rock concert in an arena, for a room about the size of someone's master bedroom. It's too bad, because the class was challenging, a great workout, and might have been fun could one have heard and/or understood the instructor. Anyway, it certainly wrung me out with sweat and wore me out, and I'll probably try at least one more class (perhaps with two sets of earplugs) just to see if I like it better now that I've done one and have at least a partial clue of what's going on; but I suspect the only way I'd really like a spinning class is if it were in a larger room with music that didn't make my spine vibrate.

This morning, I tried Zumba for the first time, not without misgivings. My friend Nick had warned me that it's extremely cheesy ... and I can see how it might be, but this one was not. Yes, they did play the Macarena, but mostly it was hot Latin dance music, and towards the end, an African samba that really got your blood pumping. Perhaps it was the fact that our instructor, Yazz, could be Penelope Cruz' little sister; and like all the instructors here is a professional dancer; but the music was hot, it was very energetic, and it was fun. And even if I was the oldest, fattest, whitest person in the room, I kept up just fine. I do not have good dance moves, and I never will, but that's not really what it's about. It 's the cardio. And this was some good cardio.

One thing I really do like about this gym is that you can book which classes you want to take online. (You can also just drop in, but booking means you're assured a spot). Tomorrow, I'm signed up for Ballet Barre Burn (strength and stretching at the barre);  and next week will sample TRX Suspension Bands (been dying to try this strength/resistance workout), Kickboxing, Iron Power Blast (billed as a half hour, intense full body workout), and AcroYoga (which sounds like it's going to involve suspension and "flying") . I'm just treating this like a workout smorgasbord, where I'll spend the first week sampling a little of this and a little of that; and the classes I really like I'll repeat. What a fun way to work out, really! 

HIKING HONEYMOON AND MYAKKA

I know, I know, it seems like I've completely abandoned this blog, but 'tisn't true. I really have been busy sucking the last bits of delicious enjoyment out of my time in Sarasota, finishing up the run of the show, packing up, and moving to the next gig.

My husband made in into town for the final performance, and we had a whole day and a half to play together before that illustrious event, so we made the most of it with two GREAT hikes. He flew into Tampa, so after I picked him up we headed to the beautiful Honeymoon Island. The trails there are not particularly long, and they are all flat ... but as it turns out, you can spend a lot of time slogging through slippery, soft white sand, and that will do a number on your calves, thighs, and butt, yes it will.  Pretty good lower body workout, that.

It was a hot but gorgeous day, and we got off to a great start as we sought the trailhead with an encounter with a nine-banded armadillo who was happily grubbing in the underbrush beside the road. They don't see well, and he was really focussed on his grubbing, so we were inches away from him and he never noticed!

As we hit the trail, we began noticing osprey nests right away, and quickly lost count of the number of mated pairs we saw. They were everywhere! We also saw a couple of ladderback woodpeckers, owls' nests (but no owls) and even a bald eagle in the distance.

We also encountered a number of gopher tortoises, who were quite nonchalant about approaching us (provided we were standing close to something they wanted to eat).

It was a lovely hike through pines swathed in Spanish moss, with palmetto undergrowth --- a very typical Florida terrain.

And when we weren't in the pines, we were in the mangroves, or on the beach, where we found a very large (deceased) horseshoe crab.

We spent a happy couple of hours wandering the trails at Honeymoon Island,and I'd highly recommend it if you're in the area. There are some beautiful beaches, there, too.

The next day was our only full day off, and we had big plans. I'd read up about Myakka River State Park, and that's where we were determined to spend the day hiking. But first, we opted for sunrise on Siesta Key Beach and  delicious, healthy omelettes at the Sun Garden Cafe.

When we got to the park, we were greeted at the ranger's station with a map and a handout warning about the dangers of VULTURES EATING YOUR CAR. I am not making this up.

Apparently, if you park close to the lake at certain times of day, the vultures will come and eat the vinyl and rubber off your car. Also, any body of water in the park boundaries should be assumed to contain gators. And as if that isn't enough, this is the place where my colleague Audrey was chased by wild boars while jogging. So, Myakka State Park. Not the most welcoming environment.

Nevertheless, rewarding if you take proper precautions and respect the wilderness. There are some 39 miles of trails --- none of them particularly well-marked or well-mapped as it transpires, but we made it back, so you know this story has a happy ending. And there was lots of interesting wildlife. We had a couple of real "Circle of Life" moments.

The first wildlife we spotted was a wild turkey, pecking in the undergrowth. Then, we crossed a bridge over a pond full of alligators, so we had to stop and take a look there. And this is what we saw:

The Standoff.

Here are a bunch of black buzzards, an enticing dead fish, and a very large gator. The park ranger who was standing on the bridge taking photos said that the buzzards seem quite fascinated with gators, and whenever one is close to shore, they cluster around him. We later saw this phenomenon with a couple of different groups of buzzards/gators. But in this case, there was a storyline going on.

You see, those buzzards REALLY wanted that fish. REALLY wanted it. But they were cautious. They'd hop close in, take a little peck, hop back. Mr. Gator didn't even move. His snout was mere inches from the fish, but he just sat there. Patiently. Doubtlessly hoping for a buzzardy snack.

This standoff went on for quite some time, and at last, the alligator, who had not moved the entire time, casually reached up and gently took the fish in his mouth and began munching on it with great enjoyment, much to the dismay of the vultures.

MINE.

NOM NOM NOM.

That hit the spot, but I sure could use a buzzard chaser.

I swear he was teasing them.

There were plenty of birds at the pond, as well -- wood storks, Great Blue Herons, ibises, a small night heron with a beautiful blue bill, and many others. But the really exciting birdwatching was yet to come!

First, however, the Canopy Walk. After a short trail into the woods, you come upon two tall wooden towers, connected by a swingy wooden bridge, taking you ever higher into the canopy.

When you emerge at the top of the taller tower, you have a beautiful panoramic view of the park. And it is the sort of place where you would not be at all surprised to see a Brontasaurus head rising gracefully out of the trees.

After the Canopy Walk, we were ready to hit the trail in earnest. The maps, as mentioned, were pretty basic and left a great deal to be desired. But we settled on starting out at Fox Low Road, and off we went. It promised to meander through hammocks,  pine flats, dry prairie, and seasonally flooded wetlands, and it delivered. Very quickly we found ourselves in what appeared to be the jungle!

We didn't see much wildlife here; mainly the little lizards that seem to come one to a palmetto and make noise completely disproportionate to their tiny size. We wandered by creeks and a couple of primitive campsites, enjoying the shade. But soon enough that shade dissipated as we emerged into the palmetto scrub prairie.

I won't lie. This was a long, hot slog, and after the initial viewing of the new environment, not all that interesting. Plus, I managed to sunburn ONLY the backs of my knees, as the sun was now behind us. A lot of the area had also been subjected to controlled burns, so not so pretty. We were both happy to get back into some shade, and to find our way back to the car (with the help of the GPS feature on my  Garmin Forerunner and a friendly cyclist who happened by). We were out for over three hours, but we're not sure how much ground we covered. Hard to tell with the maps. Still, it was great exercise.

We headed over to Vultures Will Eat Your Car Lake to grab a cold drink at the concession stand and cool off. First thing we saw: wee baby alligator!

He was hanging out around the mouth of the creek, doubtlessly hoping to swim under the radar of his voracious and much larger relatives (some of whom we had previously sighted in the lake). The lake was a haven for all sorts of birds. We saw all the usual Florida suspects: Great Blue Herons, wood storks, Great White Herons, snowy egrets, ibises, night herons, wood storks, and several flocks of white pelicans. A couple of snowy egrets took exception to each other and engaged in aerial battle.

We also saw a pair of sandhill cranes.

Somehow our car escaped vulture consumption, so we headed over to the other side of this large lake, where there is a long boardwalk over the marsh in a spot ideal for birdwatching --- it's called the Birdwalk (get it?). It was here we had our second thrilling Circle of Life moment. On the far bank, there was a family of wild  boar (possible the same ones who took an exception to my friend Audrey's running technique), and many varieties of birds in and around the water. There was one VERY large bird sitting on a sandbar, and this turned out to be nothing less than a bald eagle. There was a distance viewer, so we were able to get a closer look at him, but even without magnification you could see his distinctive markings.

As we watched, the eagle spied an osprey winging over the treeline, which had to be at least half a mile away. He launched himself from the sandbar and took off after that osprey. We watched as he pursued and overtook it, chasing it in a couple of circles before shoulder checking the thing and forcing it to drop its fish! The eagle then caught that fish as it fell and headed lazily back to the lakeshore, ignoring the angry cries of the cheated osprey. We watched the eagle enjoy his stolen snack. I'm sure there's a political metaphor in there somewhere.

It was a very enjoyable day, and I would love to go back to Myakka and do more hiking (preferably with a good topo map and a better GPS).

Saturday was the final performance of Vanessa, and that was a very bittersweet experience for me. It's a truly great opera, one that is not done all that often, and to get to do such a beautiful production with a fantastic cast, all of whom have become dear friends, was a very special and treasured experience. I got a little teary at curtain call! Before we left the stage, we snapped a "family portrait", complete with Victorian scowling.

Sarasota Opera's Vanessa cast, L-R, back row: Stephen Fish (Majordomo), Scott Piper (Anatol), Kara Shay Thomsen (Vanessa), Thomas Potter (the Old Doctor). Front row: me (The Old Baroness), David Neely (Conductor), Audrey Babcock (Erika).

And without the scowling ...

And that was the end --- for now--- of my adventures in and around Sarasota. I loved being there, and hope I get to go back!

On Sunday, we packed up and headed down to my next gig in Miami. We ended up with an unexpected day off on Monday, so once we got settled in, Eric and I drove down to Key Largo to the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. This is the first state park which exists mostly underwater, and it's a haven for divers and snorkelers, as well as all sorts of boating and swimming. You can take a number of tours out to the reef, and we opted for the glass bottom boat tour. As we were waiting for it to begin, we strolled along a couple of the short nature trails the park offers. 

The Tamarind Trail wound through a hammock filled with interesting trees, including the poisonwood (a relative of poison ivy which you must not touch) and the red gumbo limbo. I was particularly taken with the intricate designs carved by nature on this bare trunk:

I have no idea what caused them, but I find them quite magical and lovely.

We also took a stroll on the mangrove boardwalk. The keys are thickly ringed with mangroves, as we saw as we took the boat out through the saltwater creek.

Pics of the coral reef as seen through the glassbottom boat don't really come out, but suffice it to say that it's a wonderful. We saw a gigantic brain coral that is hundreds of years old (it takes them 50 years to reach the size of a basketball; this one was the size about about three beanbag chairs put together), a large green moray eel (rare, as they are nocturnal), a spotted eagle ray, and lots of varieties of fish and coral, including some rare elkhorn coral. Up top, there was a great view of the bird life and the beautiful, sparkling ocean, which appears mottled between bright turquoise (where there is a sandy bottom) and navy blue (rocky bottom).

We returned to Miami hungry and tired, and hit the jackpot with the venerable Versailles restaurant, which despite its name serves delicious Cuban cuisine. It's a Miami institution, complete with old-fashioned decor and service, and AMAZING, inexpensive food.

Alas, Eric had to go home the next day, and I embarked on my new singing adventure: Gertrude in Romeo & Juliette with Florida Grand Opera. I am still getting settled in and figuring out my way around town; it's a bit of culture shock after quiet, easy-to-navigate Sarasota with its long, straight boulevards.

I am staying in a lovely home, but there is no room for working out and the neighborhood isn't really suitable for biking or running. So I am off today in search of a gym, as I am very determined to keep working out and even step it up a little. So stay tuned!

 

 

 

 

BIKING GASPARILLA ISLAND

Only two shows left ... I am going to be so sad to leave this cast, this show, and Sarasota (even though there are exciting new adventures awaiting in Miami). We got another really nice review.

I'm really glad I brought my bike on this trip. It's been living in the back of the van, covered up in an old blanket, and out it comes whenever there's an opportunity. For instance, St. Paddy's Day, which happened to be one of our days off. It was a Saturday, and the traffic was awful, so I parked in the opera garage and rode over to Longboat Key, about 4 miles one way. Had a delicious (but not very healthy) lunch at a fish shack, and then went to explore this inviting little boardwalk.

 

The first thing I saw was an osprey, a fish-eating bird of prey.

And at the end of the boardwalk, there was a lovely spot overlooking the bay. Glancing down in the water, I spied this huge shell ... which turned out to be a live whelk. So cool! I'd never seen one before.

On Sunday, we had a matinee, followed by the Artist's Concert (that made for a very long day)!  For compae/contrast purposes, I present my Act I look:

And my gown for the Artists' Concert:

Today was another day off, and I was very determined to get my workout in first thing, before any play. I've been very faithful about doing Power 90 and it's rewarding to see how quickly my stamina and strength have grown.

Then, I drove down to Gasparilla Island. This is a gorgeous little spot about an hour south of Sarasota. The island is seven miles long, and has a spectacular bike trail that runs the length of the island. Most people there don't even use their cars --- they bike, walk, or drive golf carts (frequently with their dogs perched on the seat next to them).  When in Rome! I parked my car, hauled out the bike, and cycled down to the southernmost tip of the island to visit the Boca Grande Lighthouse.

Then I toodled back up through town, stopping to visit some of the cute shops and the Loose Caboose, where Katherine Hepburn once enjoyed ice cream (as did I). It's the former railroad depot.

I visited the gorgeous library, the spectacular beach, the lovely shady street lined with banyan trees ... it's a pretty idyllic place. And what better way to see it than on bike!

I'll be honest. This is not how I wanted to look when I came back to Sarasota. Every day is a fight and I'm not giving up. I am proud that I am so much more active, and I will continue to fight to get back to a better weight for me. I don't know why it's so hard now when for several years there I was in the zone --- maybe it's because I was so focused during that time, and now my focus is divided. Whatever. I will continue to pursue the best health I can be in. Heck, I want to end up like some of these fierce, fit old folks I see around here.

Tomorrow is Show #5, and then my sweet husband comes into town ... and we're planning a hike in Myakka River State Park. So stay tuned!

BIKING LONGBOAT KEY

Dark Night, the night off between the final dress rehearsal and opening night, dawned gorgeous and sunny ( a few morning sprinkles notwithstanding ) .  I was determined to spend as much of it outside as possible. So, I headed over to Bird Key.

Hauled my bike out of the van, and set out to ride. No destination, just ride along the keys until I got tired, and then turn back. The goodness of this plan seemed confirmed by a manatee sighting, first thing, from the little causeway connecting Bird and St. Armand's Keys. I'm kind of obsessed with manatees, so it was a thrill to see one diving and resurfacing a little later, a little further away. However, I didn't get a good pic.

I did get a good pic of the pelican R&R taking place on this pier by the causeway over to Longboat Key.  The photos don't really do justice to the color of the water, which is AMAZING.

I toodled along past pricey condos with private beach access, tony shops, modest beachfront motels, and the occasional stretch of open beach.

And then, when I was tired, I pulled over in the lovely Durante Park, a wetlands restoration project with  boardwalks  meandering through the mangrove forests and salt marshes. I sat on an isolated deck and snacked while watching the fish leap. It was gorgeous. And on the way back, I stopped to snap pics of Great Blue Herons, spoonbills, and ibises.

It's a paradise. When all was said and done, I'd cycled over 17 miles in the fresh air and sunshine.It was great, and a wonderful way to energize before opening night.

I always like to work out a little on a show day; but after a really big day it's better not to do too much. Yoga is a great pre-show workout --- gets you limber, focuses your concentration, and gets the blood pumping. A little toning doesn't hurt, either.

Opening night went really well. We've had a couple of nice reviews, here and here. Today is Show #2, and I did my resistance training --- just enough to get flexible and energized, and not enough to tire me out. And with more days off coming up --- I'm looking forward to more beautiful bike rides.

FOOD AND DRUGS - WHO CAN YOU TRUST?

I'm not sure what I think about the Paleo diet. It does make a certain amount of sense, but the emphasis on fat and protein is a little much for me. And maybe it's just that it's getting kind of tiring reading about yet another set of "what you should eat, what you must not eat" rules, another diet where you have to go to extremes to find your food. (Which is not an exclusive feature of paleo, by any means).

As I understand it, you're supposed to eat a lot of unsaturated fat, animal proteins, and fresh or raw veggies. Butter and oils of olive, coconut, avocado, and macademia nuts are okay.  You can eat a little bit of fruit and nuts, but you're supposed to stick to low-sugar fruits. You're not supposed to eat dairy (at least not much), legumes, grains, cereals, veggie oils, or sugar. These are basics; if you're interested in finding out more, here's a link to a good site.

What I do like about Paleo is the de-emphasis on carbs. We eat way too many of them. And here is an excellent article, written by a Paleo enthusiast, which explains thoroughly and simply why they are so bad for you. I also like what he has to say about the evils of Big Agra --- they don't care about your health. Not news, not news at all, but it needs to be said over and over because there is so much advertising, so many temptations, so much misinformation thrown in our faces day after day. Meanwhile,  agro behemoth Monsanto continues to contaminate organic fields with pesticides, create Frankenseeds (genetically modified organisms), and gain ground in world food domination. It's impossible to avoid them --- they have their fingers in every pie. Even my beloved Whole Foods is involved, forcing me to rethink my grocery shopping practices. I guess it really is best to buy local, from farmer's markets, or a CSA, whenever possible.

Speaking of people (corporations are people, don't you know)  who don't care about your health, recently Gwen Olsen, a former pharmaceutical company representative, published a tell-all book about the industry and their appalling practices. Food Renegade has a great writeup on it that everyone should read. Confessions of an RX Drug Pusher is Olsen's account of her fifteen years as pharmaceutical rep, her own struggles with mental health issues, and the suicide by burning of her niece, Megan, who was attempting to withdraw from a cocktail of prescription psychiatric drugs.

We can't afford to be complacent about our health on any front. We have to educate ourselves and take charge. Don't get your information from the people who are trying to sell you something! That's difficult, because in a sense, everyone is trying to sell something --- but some have a lot more to gain in others.

As for Paleo ... well, let's just say I'm intrigued, and I'm going to do some more reading. I don't see myself adopting the strict diet, but the no carbs thing ... that is sounding right.