Granular thinking: February 2007 Archives

I was one of those people, just like on the commercial, that said, "I could have had a V-8." Every so often, maybe not more than once a year, I'd have a V-8. I really liked it, and I liked the idea of it, and I'd say "I'm going to drink this more often."

Then I'd go to the store and buy a six pack of those little cans, and they'd sit in the fridge until I threw them out. I've been doing this for years and years.

Recently I heard a news report about how juice in particular can curb the onset of Alzheimer's Disease. They even mentioned V-8. Once again, I hit myself upside the head, and said "I could have been drinking V-8."

I told my husband about it, and he surprised me with the news that he loves V-8. Go figure! Why didn't he drink what I had bought? What is it with this V-8?

So we decided together that we will drink V-8. After all, we do like it, right? This time, instead of those little cans, I thought I'd buy one of those big plastic jars, because we were so committed this time.

And it worked. We're drinking V-8 a few times a week, rather than a few times a decade.

What has made the difference between then and now?

I'll bet you think I'm going to wax eloquent about motivation, determination, or commitment. But I'm not. It suddenly hit me one day, just as I sometimes hit myself upside the head--the difference is the bottle. The V-8 tastes better from the bottle than the can. That V-8 I always thought I liked had an aftertaste. But from the bottle, it has no aftertaste.

What's my point? Everything matters. Presentation, color, even whether it's packaged in a bottle or a can. Pay attention. Your body is finely tuned. It knows what it needs.

Are you still struggling to throw out food from your plate? If so, then you're probably not shopping right either.

What do I mean by shopping right? Certainly there's no one right way to grocery shop. True. But if what's in your fridge isn't appealing because you hate to waste, then are you really eating the way you want to be? Stock up your fridge with good food!

Maybe it's time to buy a fresh bag of onions. But you don't drop some fresh ones in your cart because you still have some onions left. You somehow know those onions at home are old, but you hate to waste. In fact, those onions at home are mushy, smelly, and growing tops. Buy that new bag of onions, and toss out the old ones when you get home.

Do you keep potatoes in the house? Same thing. If it's time for a fresh bag of potatoes, then it's time. Buy some beautiful new Yukon gold, and toss out the ones at home that are growing eyes.

How about that bread. Not moldy, but the crust is a bit stale? Bury it in the bottom of the trash bin where you can't see it. If you forget to to do so before shopping, buy fresh bread anyway. When you get home, toss the old bread, or take it to your local pond and feed the ducks.

Here's another idea. Two bags of leeks in your fridge? One is old and one is new? Stop the mentality of "I must use them in order of freshness." Instead, use the lovely one, and toss out the old one.

What about those leftovers your froze? Do they have freezer burn? Do you keep telling yourself someday you'll thaw out that spaghetti sauce? Throw it out. It's not what you really want, and if you leave it there, you'll just go for the chocolate cake instead. It's time to tell food not to make you feel guilty any more.

Food use is a very approximate thing. Think of your kitchen as not unlike a restaurant kitchen. Have you ever seen the waste in a restaurant? But you can do even better than a restaurant, because you can freeze leftovers. Just don't leave them in the freezer too long.

If you keep fresh wholesome scrumptious food in the house, you'll be more likely to cook and eat it, right? When you cook your own food, you can control the ingredients. That means you can eat plenty of tasty meals because you know exactly what you and your family like to eat.

You'll save money in the long run, because cooking and eating will stay enticing, dulling the lure of "Oh let's just go eat out." Home is a great place to experiment and discover your tastes in food. But treat yourself well. Eat only the best. Throw out the rest. Shop often.