Down with HFCS!

[Strangler Lewis]

Originally Posted by €uroMeinke

As an unashamed hedonist, I take pleasure in food and have the waistline to show for it. I wish it were otherwise and fantasize of trips to Paris, where I could eat whatever I wanted, food most delicious leaving me satisfied, smiling and – unbelievable but true – lighter. Fresh ingredients, small portions packed with flavor, I don’t know why but if I could eat like a Parisian I would be most happy and probably healthy.

Sadly, I hear the French are succumbing to our American ways – more processed foods and convenience foods are increasing the size of the average Frenchman.

I think what frustrates me most is the food I eat without pleasure, the fast food lunches I take because I can just drive-thru. I hate the psychology at play where ordering a “small” makes me think I’ll be less satisfied with my meal. Today my lunch dilemma sent me to Quiznos – where I ordered a “regular” sandwich with a Rosemary bread that sounded at least some flavored compensation for the bland meal I would have.

Bread shall be my downfall –oh for the hard crust of a genuine baguette, or the delicate flakey-crispiness of an actual croissant – I haven memories of such foods that trick me into trying yet another ersatzes doughy chew – I would love to eat better, pull my meal fresh from the morning market, or as a little aside in my café lunch – but the Spartaness of steamed veggies returns food to simple fuel.

But I still think back to Paris, where food can be a rarely disappointing pleasure and I have to think that perhaps this should be the next focus of my hedonism – to tease the pleasure of eating back into my mouth and combat the laziness of convenience that tricks me into believing I am fulfilled when really I am settling.

It’s time for a revolution.

As an unashamed narcissist . . .

You do steamed veggies a disservice because, as you rightly recognize, meals are what you bring to them. I was only half joking with my earlier tea ceremony remark. If you take pleasure in drizzling the olive oil and balsamic, in slicing the lemon, in pinching the oregano and thyme and salt or lightly dusting the cumin and turmeric, you'll be in a good place.

I note that the "French Women Don't Get Fat" lady promotes compromise and how you can't have every indulgence you might want with every meal. She also promotes walking, which none of us do enough of in our day to day. And, though she doesn't mention it, she probably chains Gitanes.