It's not a diet... it's not a diet...

Might as well say it plainly: I am overweight.

I haven't measured my BMI or anything, but I feel physically uncomfortable in various ways every day, and I've gone all pear shaped.

I've been fighting this for years- just about when it was supposed to become a struggle for me, it did. I didn't watch my weight in my thirties, and I slid into my forties too heavy. Subsequent efforts to lose the extra flab have had no effect. Granted, I haven't really stuck to anything, and therein lies the rub: most of us drop our plan to get healthier when there's no sign of improvement after only a short period of time. This is why the experts suggest lifestyle changes, not some sort of behavior that is radically different than standard operating procedure- like adopting a weird diet.

A recent study (granted, there is probably another study that contradicts it) reveals animal protein to be a major indicator in the development of cancer. Not good, even if it's a case of correlation rather than causation. Correlation could just mean some aspect of the meat-eating lifestyle increases the risk- still something to consider. Plus, there is the fact that one in two Americans will have a problem with cancer or heart disease. The connection between saturated fat and heart problems is well documented.

Let's add the following risk factors: I'm mostly sedentary (office drone). I'm 45. and my dad had double bypass surgery in his fifties.

A plant-based diet can reverse weight problems and atherosclerosis. A plant-based diet is easier on the environment. A plant-based diet circumvents the feedlot industry, which is creating an environmental disaster with its toxic runoff and treats its animals horribly.

At bare minimum, we should be seeking humane as possible sources of meat- but that isn't always available. I wrestle with the issue of whether it is right or wrong to eat meat at all, under any circumstances. But every time my inner voice says it's wrong to kill animals for food, another inner voice reminds me this is something humans have been doing since before we moved into caves. It's hard to definitively call it "right" or "wrong" in this context. Some have argued that, since humans have enough ability and intelligence to eat something else exclusively, we have a moral obligation to do so. Again, I'm not sure if I am swayed by this argument.

While I decide what I believe about the ethical implications of eating meat, I've decided the heath benefits are undeniable. So I'm going to try to work as many fruits and vegetables in my diet as possible. I'm not going to give up meat (yet?).  I am already a flexitarian,  just not as strict with myself as I need to be.  If I did move on to vegetarianism, it would be of the lacto-ovo variety- in fact, I was a lacto-ovo vegetarian once for almost ten years.   Cheese and eggs are both good sources of calcium and protein (and fat, yes; all things in moderation). Right now, this is more about deciding to try something that I will most likely stick to. I liked being a vegetarian. I may do it again.

So tonight, my wonderfully supporting wife and I had an old favorite- eggs poached on a bed of wilted baby spinach. Situated some crusty toast under each egg along with the spinach that had melded with the egg. For added veggie fun, we diced and sauteed red peppers in olive oil, tossed with basil and sprinkled it on the eggs. Absolutely delicious!

In Praise of Electric Skillets

Thanks to Lowe's inept flooring department, we are heading into week four of our kitchen reflooring saga. We selected our tile (Armstrong Excelon) and placed our order. Assured it would arrive in the middle of the following week, we spent the better part of three days ripping the existing layers of flooring out of our kitchen- four layers of linoleum. The eldest layer was rather handsome, a mid-century pattern with stars and gold flecks. The three most recent, including what was in evidence when we moved in, were ugly as sin.

The week came and went, and we were informed there would be a delay. Fine. When it did come in, we took the two boxes home and only found when they were opened that they ordered the wrong color. So, I hauled it back in and reordered. That is where things stand, four weeks later.

All of the kitchen appliances were moved into the dining room. As we have an electric oven with a 220 plug, it's out of commission. We're making due with a crock pot, toaster, microwave and a vintage electric skillet. The skillet has performed admirably; we've used it practically every day this month, and for the most amazing things: boiling corn and pasta, poaching eggs, frying falafel, browning roasts, popping popcorn(!), and perhaps its most successful and most appropriate use, serving as a hotpot for Sukiyaki.

This morning, I've fried a rasher of bacon, and near the end, fried eggs sunny side up in the grease. Not exactly health food, but incredibly satisfying! Even if I did break some of the yolks.