Wow, I am awed by the response to yesterday’s post! Thank you to everyone who left such intelligent, insightful comments.
A few people made a very good point that I thought I’d address.
I used to care far more about being thin than being healthy, and I believed there was only one path to get there. Minimal food, nothing sweet, lots of cardio – the list goes on. Obviously, that was the wrong state of mind.
the mango in question: with oats, cranberries, and acai powder [courtesy of navita's naturals, review to come]
The truth is, there isn’t one path to good health. We’re all unique. For me, I like oatmeal in the morning and mass quantities of vegetables in the evening. I could care less about french fries, but I adore ice cream. I don’t eat 100-calorie desserts, but more and more, I am able to enjoy the ones that are real and homemade when the occasions arise. Even so, I still get more excitement from farmer’s market vegetables than peanut butter cookies.
But that’s me.
I am lucky not to have any food allergies or health concerns. Some aren’t so lucky, and they have to pay more attention, even if their food choices are plant-based. Even without health issues, we’re all different, and we each have to discover the structure [or lack thereof] that works for us, as individuals.
more mango: salad of baby spinach, mango, pomegranate seeds, edamame, evoo
I no longer strive for someone else’s idea of perfection. I want the choice to eat or not to eat something be a personal one, not one that is prescribed. Sure, I have days where I criticize the image in the mirror. But I know that I try my best, and I know that is enough.
That’s Friday food for thought. 
And now, a Friday treat:
As you may know, I am an avid supporter of organic dairy.
Stonyfield, the only producer of organic Greek yogurt [you know, the yogurt I rarely go a day without], has offered up a wonderful package for one reader! The contents contain:
- coupons for 4 free containers of Oikos Greek yogurt
- a reusable tote bag
- the “Take 5 Anti-Stress Kit” from Earth Therapeutics, which includes a loofah massage sponge, Anti-stress massage soap, Anti-stress massage lotion, a body brush, and a soothing gel eye mask.
Basically, the winner gets a package full of natural ways to take good care of herself [or himself, if you males are out there!].
There are three ways to enter:
1) Leave a comment on this post. Tell me one food you love and one you don’t – your tastes, not society’s, the media’s, or that of the latest craze.
2) If you have a blog, mention the giveaway and link back to this post.
3) If you’re on Twitter, tweet about the giveaway and link back to this post.
Each counts as a separate entry. The giveaway is open until Wednesday, November 18th, at 12 PM EST, at which point I will randomly select a winner.
Sound good? Good luck, and happy Friday!
Related posts:
Once again, great post and great perspective. (I plan on linking back to that in my next post tonight, if that’s okay.) At any rate, on to the yogurt!
I enjoy the Oikos (plain), especially when it comes in the form of free. I can honestly say that I love so many foods just because (even if they’re healthy)–oatmeal with bananas, PB and banana sandwiches; a really great grainy, soft bread; a huge salad with a plethora of fresh veggies, etc.
One I don’t? Meat. Jello. There are more, but I’ll refrain.
I too crave vegetables and fruit over sugary snacks. I guess its just comes down to the individual.
One food I love….right now I have a love affaire with kabocha and sunbutter..it just gets me craving it all day. I could eat a whole one!
I don’t really hate any foods I make but I dislike the way I use capers. Maybe I do not know how to cook with them but they always leave me feeling icky. Mehh.
Thanks for the lovely post and giveaway! I posted on my blog about it and tweeted!
Maggie
I love this post. It’s hard to find what works for US because everyone is so unique. I get very wrapped up in the latest crazes/hype about certain foods, and forget that what works for one doesn’t work for someone else. I can’t enter the giveaway since I am in the UK, but answering question anyway:
- food I love regardless of what ANYONE says is cornbread/corn muffins
- food I don’t like despite what people say about it’s benefits is kale
another inspirational post! love it!
food that I love? kabocha, just plain steamed!
food that I don’t like? pork… I can’t stand it .. don’t know why? I’m supposed to like it more than beef since I’m chinese, but I really can’t stand its smell.
i love love fresh vegetables and fruits, along with yogurt. right now i’m loving chobani with cinnamon and flax. (plain 0%)
one food i HATE is onions. that and peas.
love this post! once again such a great perspective on health and eating…loved reading this!
and this giveaway sounds fab, i am a huge oikos lover
well one food i am loving is kabocha with coconut butter or any nut butter.
one food i dislike is hmmm i dont dislike much, but i have always hated potato chips, not because of the calories or what not just dont care for the taste.
xx
Eliza
this post is amazing! so inspirational.
as for the giveaway
1) i will link back to this post the next time i put up a post! (probably tonight)
2) one food i love: baked potatoes – i could eat one every single day and not get bored.
3) one food i don’t love: malted milk balls – i’ve always thought they were too pithy!
hope you have a great day/weekend. i seriously wish i could escape to ny and visit you!! maybe soon. hopefully soon!
lots of love,
Lexi
This is a great post. I think many people probably struggle with the issues you wrote about, myself included.
I don’t have a blog or twitter account, so this is my only entry:) I LOVE edamame (all iterations are great, but salted, in the pod are the best) and I HATE scallops.
Thanks for the giveaway opp!
P.S. I live in New York as well (Brooklyn)–it’s getting chilly! More oatmeal and coffee!
such an inspirational post
i really enjoyed it
food i love- almond butter
food i do not love- roast beef
I linked back to your post for my second entry. I’m not a Tweeter, so I’m done trying to get free stuff from you now.
“I no longer strive for someone else’s idea of perfection.”
Amen, dear Leslie!!
I *love* ice cream. As in, I could eat it every single day and never get sick of it. But I don’t keep it in the house because I don’t have enough self-control — besides, it’s more fun to enjoy as a treat.
The food I don’t like is cottage cheese. Even looking at it completely grosses me out! Ew!
I’m totally with you on this! My way of eating if FAR from perfect by typical standards, but it’s perfect for me most of the time.
One food I love is avocados, one food I don’t love is pumpkin.
i love sushi and sashimi! on the other hand, i hate chinese food!
I adore eggplants (love it every way it’s cooked!) but never liked milk!
i just caught up on your last post leslie and i have to agree with what man readers said. and i totally second your way of thinking about being healthy and exercising 24/7. that is not healthy at all yet our society somehow delivers this message to us.
i’d love to enter the giveaway but i guess its only open to US residents right?
Love- tart yogurt, HATE OLIVES AND HOT DOGS>>>>ICK!!
Thanks for the contest!
I love good quality chocolate, avocado, and apples! Hmm, I really can’t think of anything I really don’t like. Maybe beef? Or grapefruit?
One food that I love is bananas. I can’t believe that all of the haters these days are saying that they are high in fat. (Eat half a banana?!? Hah!) Like you say–if it’s from the earth, it’s OK with me.
One food I don’t like is processed meat. I’m a vegetarian, but I have a particular problem with such an unnatural meat that uses, well, you know…
Just Tweeted.
Great post! I agree that everyone is unique and should eat what works for them rather than striving to have the “perfect” diet (whatever that is…)
Food I love: oatmeal cookies
Food I dislike: milk chocolate (but I love really dark chocolate!)
Honestly, there isn’t any “healthy” foods/fruits/vegetables that I don’t like. I also love almost all desserts and “foods to be eaten in moderation” that sometimes I wish I didn’t love so much, but I’ve learned to balance!
I linked to the giveaway in my latest post. I love Stonyfield!
I have never met a veggie or fruit that I didn’t like. My newest obsession though? Chestnut butter. Its not really butter, but its amazzzzzing.
One I don’t? Meat. Blegh.
Thanks hun! I just got caught up (ie read yesterday’s post). I like your plan: if it comes from the earth, its just fine. Boo on cookies. Hurrah banana! (Random note – banana was my first word).
LOVE
I love Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches and Kevaccinos from Keva Juice…not a big fan of celery!
Linkback!
http://nutritiousisdelicious.blogspot.com/2009/11/white-chocolate-banana-pb-oats.html
p.s. LOVE the looks of that salad!
i actually love my veggies!
I love love love ice cream. all of it, high fat, low fat, frozen yogurt, all of it. I dont really like sushi though, everyone seems to love it but something tastes funny about it.
OMG, i just stumbled upon your blog and i love it almost as much as i love oikos…
hmm, i have a lot of favorite foods (all sorts of fruits and veggies included), but my current obsession = greek yogurt (how timely). i also love natural nut butters, hummus, pita, oatmeal mixed into yogurt (try it!), roasted brussel sprouts, pumpkin bisque…i could go on for a while, haha.
a food i don’t like…corndogs. ew. gross. i’m also not a fan of watermelon and honeydew.
I love love love apples, they are so crunchy and fresh! I do not like squash, any kind it just turns me off,bleh.
I just adore your blog. I have been reading for a long time but rarely comment. I really love your approach to food and life in general. So to get to the answer: I loooove any sort of fresh vegetable or fruit. I can’t really think of one of those I hate. Hummus is also amazing. Obviously. A food that I just DESPISE is mayo. I literally gag at the thought of it.
Thanks for great posts! I love reading each day.
I linked back in this post!
I love nanners w/ a dab of nutella and don’t like peanut butter.
i linked back!
http://catchingbananas.blogspot.com/2009/11/mmm-mm-good.html
thanks
i tweeted
(cakewithlegs@twitter)
i LOVE kabochaaaaaaaaaaa and apples. heehed i had to pick two because can’t decide between them. i actually love chard greens too
hmm one food i can’t stand is processed meat substitutes.. iono they are just so fake! I’m not talking about food like “sunshine burger” or that are made of whole foods ingredients. but the ones that have weird funky ingredients are YUCK!
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