Remembrance of Foods Past - Thriving in old age isn’t simply a matter of nutrition—it’s a matter of

[BridgeTheGap]

taste.

Everywhere we look another edible schoolyard is sprouting. In the most progressive schools, children are bringing their produce into the cafeteria to clean it and cook it. Junk food and soda vending machines are disappearing; some districts even outlaw lunchtime visits to fast-food restaurants.

The national concern for our children is important, and it’s one that I share. When my daughter was small I tried to get the local school district to allow more than 20 minutes for lunch; the kids would wolf down their food in eagerness for a few extra minutes of recess. These days my daughter is lucky enough to be at a college where healthy eating is considered part of the larger education. But I am still thinking about institutional meals—except now at the other end of the age spectrum.

Last spring my mother had to enter long-term care. She is someone who always cared passionately about food. In her hands a simple roast chicken was transformed into a dish that both embodied longing and fulfilled desire. And oh, her sweet and sour meatballs! Now she can no longer command her kitchen; she is presented with three generic meals a day. I recognize that the trays are put together with an eye to variety as well as nutrition. But even in her diminished state she discerns what tastes good and what does not, and she responds accordingly.

This experience is shared by many people who find themselves in institu­tional care at the end of their lives. Yet hardly anyone is speaking about better food for the elderly. Their eating habits are not a public health issue, like type 2 diabetes or childhood obesity. But providing pleasure through food is not frivolous; what and how we eat are crucial to the quality of our lives.

http://www.utne.com/Spirituality/Remembrance-of-Foods-Past.aspx?utm_content=04.26.10+Environment&utm_campaign=Emerging+Ideas-Every+Day&utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email

[Frustratedlady]

1. I totally agree with your article.

Having grown up on a farm, my memories of the wonderful fresh garden fruit and vegetables, farm-raised Angus, hogs and chickens are still alive and well. Our meals were made from scratch, our appetites were great and our energy levels were much higher.

I recently gave up eating chicken, as it didn't have any flavor unless it was covered with sauces or marinated. Then, I ran across an organic co-op and could not believe the difference between the pale, yellow chicken breasts and the pink and plump free-range organic chicken breasts. I couldn't wait to try them and, after baking with nothing more than salt and pepper, I took my first bite and was back in my childhood again. I will never go back to the anemic chicken breasts available in today's grocery stores.

As we age, we don't have many things to fill our days other than eating. What good does it do to keep the elderly alive longer if they despise the food that is put before them 3 times/day? Let them enjoy the last few months or years of their life. Quality over quantity.

[truedelphi]

4. Sixteen years ago, our household began to eat organic foods.

Looking back, it is amazing about why we did so.

I saw some people grabbing up Org. potatoes that were $ 3.50 a LB. Couldn't believe that people would do that, and as a joke, I bought a bunch.

I figured both of us would have a laugh over how people would spend so much money for something that didn't make any difference.

Wow, It was no laughing matter. For years I wondered how back in my childhood, my mom could get her mashed potatoes so light and fluffy. No matter what I did - short of adding whipped cream in equal amounts to the spuds, I could not get them to whip up.

But with the organic potatoes it was a snap.

Luckily as time has gone by the prices on organics has dropped significantly. Often the organics where I shop are the same price or cheaper than the regular foods.

[roguevalley]

5. my mother fed her papa everyday, bringing him at least one meal

for him that he liked and candy.

[Clyde39]

2. We just watched "Food, Inc."----today's "food" is NOT food!

I may never eat chicken again. This film investigates how widespread demand for cheap and fast food has drastically altered our food production, resulting in a virtual monopoly among manufacturers and leading to damaging effects on our health, our livestock and the environment.

[BrklynLiberal]

3. This is why so many older folks prefer to be and should be allowed to stay in their

homes..with assistance if needed. The cooking and food prep is part of their lives..and that of their children and grandchildren.

[trof]

6. Check out Chef Jamie Oliver's "Food Revolution. (link)

Fighting to get healthy non-processed food back into schools.
http://abc.go.com/shows/jamie-olivers-food-revolution