50. TWO WOMEN BUYING GROCERIES

At a recent trip to the supermarket, I couldn’t help noticing a middle-aged mother (Dana), and an older woman (Carla), who were buying groceries together.

They stopped at the first counter. “Why do they place these sweet-smelling cookies right in front of us? Carla asked, picking up a package.  

“It’s their way to tempt us,” Dana answered. “I know I shouldn’t buy these goodies since my husband, my two children and I all have a weight problem, but we have to eat.” She placed three packages in her cart.

“I have a weight issue also, but I can’t resist chips.” Carla added a bag of chips.  

“My family has to have their daily serving of chips,” said Dana. “I have to get at least three big bags.”

I wanted to say, “Carla and Dana, do you realize the cookies and chips are basically junk food with little nutritive value for good health?”

The produce department brought more disappointment. Carla remarked, “I don’t buy much produce. It’s difficult for me to stand to cook or prepare food, since my two knee replacements. This small container of cut-up cantaloupe is just the right size.”

Dana responded, “I buy a little fruit, but my husband and children don’t like vegetables, so they just go to waste. I do buy a lot of potatoes, because we are a meat and potatoes family.”

I spoke under my breath, “Girls, eating fruits and vegetables keeps weight down. Plant food protects against diabetes, which is an ever-increasing disease even among children. Dana, your husband needs tomatoes and other red vegetables for the lycopene which will reduce the risk of prostate cancer. All of you need green vegetables for lutein to protect your eyes. The orange and yellow vegetables will boost immune systems and protect against breast cancer.”

Then they stopped at the dairy section where I watched them put milk, cheese and ice cream in their carts. Dana spoke first, “I make sure my kids drink milk so they will have strong bones and teeth. Since they are picky eaters, I feel the milk will provide most of the nutrients they need to have healthy bodies. They love cheese so I make a lot of macaroni and cheese. And ice cream is a dessert they can eat after every meal.”

“Since the Dr. says I have thinning bones, I eat much ice cream,” Carla said. “I don’t use a lot of milk, but I eat more than my share of cheese.”

 I thought, “Oh, my friends, the dairy industry is producing an unfit food for human consumption. The cows are eating grain laced with pesticide. They are given the IGF growth factor which makes them give much more milk than normal. They have constant mastitis because of their big bags, which requires huge amounts of antibiotics. Every drop of milk is loaded with hormones, pesticides and antibiotics. The genetic modification has altered the casein in milk creating a much higher likelihood of inflammation, autoimmune disease and diabetes.”

My friends walked on to the checkout oblivious to my concerns. I quickly walked up to them to give them my health ministries card. Pointing to my address, I said, “If you are interested in health, read my blog: donnanicholasblog.wordpress.com.” They graciously took my card and thanked me.

Let’s share the message, one by one, until we change grocery shopping to include plant food and exclude animal products! THIS STEP MAKES FOR GOOD HEALTH, MAKES LIFE SWEETER FOR ANIMALS AND PRESERVES OUR LAND! 

SPAGHETTI SQUASH
Rinse squash and cut in half. Scrape out the seeds
and save to roast. Place the squash in a pan with cut
side up. Roast 50 to 60 minutes at 375. Cool, then
scrape out the strands with a fork.

TOMATO-ZUCCHINI SPAGHETTI SAUCE
1 large onion chopped
1 clove garlic minced
1 pound zucchini trimmed and chopped
1/4 c olive oil
2 28-oz cans whole peeled tomatoes chopped
2 t basil
1 1/2 t salt
1 6-oz tomato paste
1 t honey
Saute onion, garlic and zucchini in oil until tender.
Stir in tomatoes, basil, salt and honey. Add tomato
paste. Heat to bubbling and simmer 30 minutes.
Serve over the spaghetti squash.