So... for just a little while, I've been attempting to eat what I call "real" foods.
No or few prepared foods
Organic, if it is something we consume a lot of (like salad greens and coffee)
100% whole grain pastas, cereals and breads.
Absolutely nothing containing high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, trans fats, etc.
Avoid over-processed items that have lost the vast majority of their nutritional value
Avoid too much sodium

You get the idea. (and no - I'm not asking for a critique of my food decisions, thankyouverymuch)

This can cause quite the problem when we go out to eat. Now I don't expect to find organic foods served at our local restaurants. I do expect to be able to find something that isn't too horribly off my diet.

For example, K took me to Red Lobster for my birthday. I scanned the menu and decided that I would get fish that was either broiled or grilled. When the waiter came back, I asked for details of how some of the food was prepared and... was stymied by his inability to just give me a yes or no response. Every response turned into a sales pitch for one item or another... I was frustrated. I ended up just going with the broiled seafood platter but completely forgot that one of the items was shrimp scampi (translation: smothered in garlicy butter or butter-like sauce) I've decided that next time, I will look at the menu online before we go out so I have an idea of what to order.

This weekend, I went to a charity masquerade ball (we go every year). The appetizers were about what you would expect: fresh vegetables and dip, cheese cubes, and some deadly-looking buffalo wings that I avoided.
Next came the dinner: Salad which was mostly a bowl of iceberg lettuce with a bit of red onion and carrots, white rolls with butter, vegetable lasagna, roast beef, grilled boneless chicken breasts in some sort of white sauce with what looked like canned mixed vegetables stirred in, mashed potatoes, gravy and corn.

Well! I took a bit of salad, but only a bit as iceberg lettuce doesn't really have much nutritional value, a bit of the vegetable lasagna and a slice of roast beef. I skipped the potatoes, gravy and corn because there was no reason to eat that stuff and the chicken would have been alright, but I figured the cream sauce was mostly fat and heaven knows what and canned vegetables may not even be called vegetables by the time they are done processing them.

The desserts looked absolutely deadly so I avoided them completely.

I guess I should have filled up on the fresh vegetables earlier in the evening.

I listened politely as folks around me went on about how good the food was. I'm sure they meant it tasted good, which is entirely possible, but it was not good for us. I could go on and on, but I won't. I'm just a bit frustrated that we have come to consume this sort of food and think that it is just fine for us. Then we wonder why we are obese and sickly.

*sighs*

I imagine I come off as a bit of a snob, but I just don't see the point in willingly eating stuff that isn't good for you!

It's not looking like it's going to be a good day (or week) (or month, even).

*It's suddenly turned unseasonably cool around here. They're talking about possible snow later in the week(!). (Most likely up in the mountains, not down here in the valley, but still!) A nor'easter in October!

*I (stupidly) didn't get to bed as early as I should have Tuesday night, so yesterday was a foggy, zombie-like day for me. I thought I'd turn in early last night, but it was not to be... As I was literally saying "Goodnight" to some online friends I was chatting with, one of them told me to hold on and proceeded to give me some bad news. I didn't fall into bed until near 11:00, then (and couldn't sleep right away, of course)

*The bad news is that one of our mutual online friends is dying of cancer. (No - not a blogger. This is not anyone here on Xanga) Last night was spent crying, laughing and discussing our own experiences with cancer in our own families. Needless to say, it's going to be a bit rough for all of us to try to remain upbeat for the sake of our friend when she needs that and good "listeners" when that is what she needs.

*It's financial period close week at work and things have not been going very well. I'm so behind on my work, I wouldn't be surprised if I catch up to myself eventually. (<--small attempt at humor, there. I'm tired so it probably makes no sense at all)

So! That's what's going on!

There's some fun stuff in life, isn't there? (<--sarcasm)

Update: HA! I've found some good news! (I knew I could find some if I looked hard enough...) I don't know if any of you recall, but the St. Louis Rams are the team I root for in the NFL. Well, the team is for sale and Rush Limbaugh (*mutters*) was involved with a group who is interested in purchasing the team. (Note: I've been a fan of the Rams since the late '70s but there was no way in hell that I was going to support a team owned by Rush Limbaugh so this was a BIG issue to me.) Well, today I saw a blip that Limbaugh will not be involved with the group who is looking to purchase the team. Yay! That made my day!