Comments on: Racism Is Out Of Remission And Growing Stronger

By: Health Info

Health Info — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:08:34 +0000

Dining Out and Snacking for a Healthy Heart
Today many restaurants offer fantastic, low-fat, low-cholesterol options. If you’re in the know, the menu from any type of restaurant—from Cajun to Vietnamese—is open to you. Wouldn’t it be great to scan the menu of any restaurant and discover low-fat, low-cholesterol choices that are loaded with the distinctive tastes you crave? Well, guess what? In most cases, you can!
You can find low-fat foods in almost any restaurant. And whether the gang from work is going out for Mexican food or you’re taking someone special to a romantic French restaurant, enjoying ethnic cuisine doesn’t have to mean high-fat foods. From Chinese to Greek, Cajun to Vietnamese, you can find delicious dishes that will do your body good.
The tips found here will help you make healthful food choices when dining out. Here’s a handy one to get you started: If you splurge once in a while—such as on a favorite dessert—offset the high-fat high sugar food by choosing others high in dietary fiber and natural sources.
Many restaurants offer delicious whole foods that have not been refined or filled with saturated fat. Eating less fat (especially saturated fat) and cholesterol is important, because a diet high in saturated fat raises blood cholesterol. High blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart attack. These practical tips will help you make great choices, even before you order:
• If you’re familiar with the menu, decide what you’ll order before you enter the restaurant. That will help you avoid the temptation of ordering something that won’t pamper your heart.
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• If you’re trying a new place, take some time to study the menu. This will help you avoid making split-second—and often regrettable—decisions.
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• If your companions don’t mind, have the server remove unneeded temptations, such as butter.
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• Drink two full glasses of water before your food arrives.
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• Avoid foods described in the following way: buttery, buttered, fried, pan-fried, creamed, escalloped, au gratin or a la mode.
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• Good bread-basket choices are melba toast and whole-grain rolls. Avoid higher-fat muffins and croissants and skip the butter or margarine.
Knowing your healthy options and making a few simple requests can help you order tasty, nutritious and healthful meals. These tips will get you started in the right direction:
• Don’t be shy. Ask the server about ingredients or preparation methods for the dishes you’re not familiar with. You deserve to know what you’re eating.
• Ask the server to substitute low-fat foods for high-fat ones. For example, ask for steamed vegetables in place of French fries or fresh fruit salad in place of mayonnaise-laden coleslaw.
• If virtually everything on the menu is high in saturated fat, ask the server if the chef could prepare a fruit or vegetable platter for you. Most chefs are eager to please.
• Ask the chef to remove the skin from poultry, or remove it yourself at the table.
• Order all dressings and sauces on the side, so you can control your portions. Use them sparingly or not at all.
• Be selective at salad bars and choose fresh greens, raw vegetables, fresh fruits, garbanzo beans and low-fat dressing. Avoid cheeses, marinated salads, pasta salads and fruit salads with whipped cream.
• Order foods that are steamed, broiled, grilled, stir-fried or roasted. Or ask the chef to prepare the food with very little butter or oil, or none at all.
• If you love potatoes, order them baked, boiled or roasted—not fried. Then ask the server to leave off the butter and sour cream. Try salsa or pepper and chives instead.
• For dessert, check your menu to see whether the restaurant offers low-fat dishes. If not, order fresh fruit or sorbet. Consider ordering fresh, seasonal fruit without whipped cream or toppings.

By: Sandra

Sandra — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:00:17 +0000

WOW!

What an interesting topic. I am a black woman who has lots of white friends. I asked some of them to read what you wrote. You would be surprised at some of the emails I got. I was so surprised at some of the anger in a few responses. I think my greatest surprise was that it came from some of my closest friends.

Why were they so angry that I had read such an article? We have been friends for more than 20 years. I am hurt that they would think that I thought they were racists because I asked them to read your article.

I take solace in the fact most of my white friends that read your article didn’t react that way. Thanks for printing it. I will say that this Anonz is a scary person. I went back to read more of what he had to say because this is the first time I have read your blog. (It’s some crazy shit here girl) and it peaked my interest.

you may have another regular

Sandra

By: an american high school

an american high school — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:16:31 +0000

We have been trying to write in on your topic. It doesn’t seem like we will succeed. As senior class president, this is my try.

We have a mixed group OTWs(our first exposure to the word) and whites are about even. We have had our racial clashes. But over all we get along. It is scary reading what you wrote. Who wants a race war? Is it the baby boomer generation or the one after it. Are they trying to influence our generation? If so what can we do to prevent this?

By: Zen Lill

Zen Lill — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:23:07 +0000

Hi Misch, well this is bad news, and it runs counterpoint to my last blog entry ‘self esteem knows no color (anymore)’ and that’s a bummer. I would love to just carry on with life without color/religion being such a judgment call 24/7.

Hmmm, sweet pea, the Mormons?? That’s almost funny – if you didn’t sound so serious…but I will say, that’ll happen over MY dead body. I’m ready for that battle on my own : ) or maybe I’ll just beg Mischa to order Madaline to annihilate all white males that are not ‘spong worthy’ (a little Seinfeld humor for you there, hahaha) especially old white dudes who think it’s OK to marry and impregnate numerous fifteen year old’s, that’s pathetic and sick and they deserve to die.

I’m back and talking, just needed to be mute and stand my ground over upcoming holiday presh, it’s over now, sometimes it’s best to just shut up until everyone is listening carefully. My Zen Lilly practice is hereby renamed ‘speak softly and carry a big stick’ now if I can get inspired to write something I will get back to blogging also.

Luv, Zen Lill