I like to take away the power of “facts” written by snake-oil peddlers selling self-destructive denial and 2012 is full of it. I want to offer people hope from a time that offers a far different perspective on what's possible for healthy, joyous living and eating!
Friday, January 27, 2012
The Beginning of the (Bigger) End: The Remote Control
Although the first TV remote controls became available during the 1950s, they weren't the norm as they are today. Most people still got up from the couch to turn the channel. More frequent movement is good, especially when exercise time is limited or non-existent. Also, if you're looking to lose or maintain your weight it's better to get up to change the channel instead of going to the fridge for snacks.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
When's the best time to exercise? Joe Bonomo explains
From a 1950s healthy and beauty guide by Joe Bonomo. Click to enlarge:
I like that exercise is described as enjoyable and being good to yourself in conjunction with making time to relax and enjoy your dinner. Plus, he recommends fresh air and beauty sleep!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Take time to savor what's around you
 |
| New snow at daybreak in my backyard this morning |
People generally kept a slower pace in the 1950s which gave them more time to stop, take in and enjoy what's around them. Feeling less harried and more relaxed will reduce the chances of "stress eating."
Thursday, January 19, 2012
What did women eat in the 1950s?
I collect vintage recipes- not just from cookbooks published in the 1950s but also those that were handwritten. Handwritten family recipes tend to be more authentic as far as what was being served at that time since many published recipe booklets were really ads for various food products.
Women in the 50s generally ate simple, wholesome foods and served them in a manner that wasn't necessarily picture-perfect by today's standards. (Have you seen the Regrettable Food Gallery over at Lileks?) People didn't cook with the idea that they would be posting pictures of everything they ate on facebook, nor was there pressure to make elaborate meals like a celebrity chef.
The photo above is from a 1950s Maine seafood recipe book. It looks pretty delicious to me!
A presentation like the salad above was common and also appears in a cookbook. Pictured below is a roasted chicken with homemade cranberry sauce also in a cookbook- very simple. I think some people might scoff at the stalk of celery thinking it an inelegant presentation.
I think when there's less pressure to make dinner into a modeling show and more emphasis is placed on creating nourishing, simple and wholesome good food, it is far more satisfying.
2012 is about "HOW DOES MY FOOD LOOK" and getting fleeting, in-the-moment good feelings from excessive portions overloaded with fats and sugars and large helpings of "likes."
1950 was more about "How does my food make ME look and feel" with the good feelings coming from eating a balanced diet that lead to good health and enjoying a meal with friends or family while sitting down together at the table.
Women in the 50s generally ate simple, wholesome foods and served them in a manner that wasn't necessarily picture-perfect by today's standards. (Have you seen the Regrettable Food Gallery over at Lileks?) People didn't cook with the idea that they would be posting pictures of everything they ate on facebook, nor was there pressure to make elaborate meals like a celebrity chef.
I think when there's less pressure to make dinner into a modeling show and more emphasis is placed on creating nourishing, simple and wholesome good food, it is far more satisfying.
2012 is about "HOW DOES MY FOOD LOOK" and getting fleeting, in-the-moment good feelings from excessive portions overloaded with fats and sugars and large helpings of "likes."
1950 was more about "How does my food make ME look and feel" with the good feelings coming from eating a balanced diet that lead to good health and enjoying a meal with friends or family while sitting down together at the table.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)