Nutrition
March 2, 2015
By Doug Sheaffer
Anyone else out there have a clean-out-the-refrigerator night when growing up? We did. It was matter of minor celebration due to the variety of dishes provided. And, a pretty clever way of getting rid of recent leftovers.
The idea of throwing out food was something to be avoided, as we heard about starving people in various other countries, and were duly reminded when we didn’t want to eat something. (Even kids have some brains, so we decided not to suggest sending them that food.)
When you have parents who came through the Great Depression, you get a different slant on what’s “waste” and what’s going to contribute to the cleanout dinner. And as I think back, it seems that we had pretty healthy dinners, with salads, vegetables and so on. Of course, we also had the meat, potatoes, gravy center-piece..and now I’m getting hungry.
There wasn’t much discussion about “healthy eating”, and—depending on the latest food pyramid, tree or whatever—some would say it wasn’t all that healthy. So be it. The emphasis seemed to be that we had enough, and a variety of greens, vegetables and protein—and even then, I don’t believe it was thought out in a planned healthy diet way—it was just cooking dinner.
In many ways, we’ve become a health-conscious society, and being a human society, at the same time we acknowledge healthy living, we go on our own way. Again, so be it. Obviously, the healthier foods you use, the better off you are; however, many folks read about some exotic detoxifying, regenerative wonder plant from the other side of the world, and think:
Huh, interesting. But we just need to eat..
Thankfully, there are choices even for those who are struggling to just get a decent meal. We are fortunate to have various agencies and other resources providing low-cost and/or free meals that are balanced and nutritious—without leaving the country!
Coastal Community Action Program (CCAP) provides Senior Nutrition meals both at congregate sites and–for those homebound–Home-Delivered Meals in both north and south county.
Food Banks throughout the county also offer a variety of foods, including contributions form community gardens and the Senior Farmers Market.
There are also some free meals available through area churches on a regularly-scheduled basis. Trying to get all the details of where, when, cost-or-no-cost in this space would run pretty long, as they are scattered throughout our area and each operates more or less independently.
Know this, however: People are available to help you get the nutrition you need, and you can contact any of the numbers at the end of this column to get the details.
So if you can’t travel the world to find that certain healthy plant that does it all, you can travel your own communities and get nutritious food and/or meals. People helping people—that’s why it’s called “community”.
Information & Assistance
Long Beach: 642 3634/888 571 6558 Raymond: 942 2177/888 571 6557