do you know about hunger in america?

49 million Americans struggle with food insecurity. Watch this video to get informed on who they are and why they struggle to feed their families.

Magritte

I like this very much, and it seems in keeping with the theme of my recent posts. I don't know if it has a "real" meaning, and I don't think I want to. It's beautiful just as it is, when I can imagine a meaning for myself and you one for yourself.

average american women & men

drawing by arica houy

Did you know that the average American woman is 5'4" and 165 lbs and man is 5'9" and 195 lbs? (cdc.gov)

To compare, average 5'4" female celebrities weigh between 100-110 lbs. While many celebrities would be considered "underweight" by doctors and nutrition professionals, the size of the average American woman can be considered "overweight". Is our obsession with weight distorting our view of healthy and pushing us all to extremes?

healthy or obsession?

This morning I heard this great story on NPR's Weekday called Body Obsessions, which asked the question: When is body-consciousness healthy, and when does it become an obsession?

This has me worrying about how altered perceptions are of what a healthy, normal person looks like.

I was recently reading in a trashy mag about how Gwyneth Paltrow has early signs of osteoporosis, and what a shock this was to everyone. I can't be the only person who has ever noticed that she weighs practically nothing (110 lbs at 5'9" one website says). And, she is known for sharing weight loss tips - in the issue following her osteopenia announcement was a spotlight on the master cleanse she does to drop pounds. A woman so thin, with a history of extreme dieting...is it any wonder that she would have a medical condition related to lack of calcium and vitamin D?

The normalcy that has been created around extreme thinness and the culture of dieting is disturbing. It is a complex issue, and also heartbreaking. I would like very much for us to break this cycle for future generations. Can we please start appreciating the many shapes and sizes we come in? And stop publishing the "lose weight quick" trick of the month instead of focusing on what being healthy really means? Maybe once we learn to honor and listen to our bodies we can be lead naturally to our healthiest selves.

fresh green bean, potato and steak salad

My sweetie grilled this salad up for me on a lovely summer evening.

The potatoes are tender, the beans crunchy, and the whole dish is bright and hearty.

What a nice meal (and man!) to come home to...

fresh green bean, potato and steak salad with horseradish dressing

eatingwell.com

ingredients

• 1 pound baby potatoes, scrubbed (you can prepare these ahead of time and refrigerate up to 3 days)
• 12 ounces green beans (about 3 cups), trimmed
• 1/2 cup sliced fresh chives or scallion greens
• 1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
• 3 tablespoons white-wine vinegar or red-wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, divided
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 pound sirloin steak or strip steak (1-1 1/4 inches thick), trimmed
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 ears corn, husked
• 
  
• 1. Preheat grill to medium.
• 2. Steam potatoes in a saucepan fitted with a steamer basket, cover and cook until tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board to cool. Add beans to the steamer basket, cover and cook until bright green and just tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Rinse in a colander with cold water until cool. Drain thoroughly and transfer to a large bowl. Cut the potatoes into halves or quarters and add to the bowl with the beans. Stir in chives (or scallion greens).
• 3. Meanwhile, combine sour cream, vinegar, horseradish, Worcestershire and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Whisk in oil.
• 4. Sprinkle both sides of steak with salt and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Grill the steak about 5 minutes per side for medium-rare, 6 minutes per side for medium. Grill the corn, turning occasionally, until marked and tender, 8 to 12 minutes total. Transfer to a cutting board; let the steak rest for 5 minutes. When the corn is cool enough to handle, cut the kernels from the cob. Thinly slice the steak crosswise. Add the steak and any accumulated juice and the corn kernels to the bowl with the potatoes and beans; toss with the horseradish dressing (dress lightly to start, adding more to taste - I find that this salad can be easily overdressed).

Feeling human is essentially the state of being in which one is actively in touch with and moving closer to one's destiny, one's higher purpose in life, joy.

-david scherer, flat win company

an inquiry

I saw this question today and it got me thinking pretty hard about what is really important -

What is the greatest thing that could happen to you (not to the world or anyone else, just you) in your lifetime?