readers’ comments on health and good living

I really had no idea what kind of response I would get when I shared the story about my health concerns and my personal health manifesto. When experiencing a life event like this, it’s easy to think you’re the only one who has gone or is going through it. But I was pleasantly surprised, encouraged and occasionally moved to tears by the comments that came from friends, neighbors, and readers of this blog. Not only did these folks send words of support for my journey, many were kind and bold enough to share stories of their own health challenges.

I was so moved by them, that I asked if it would be ok if I shared a few of them with you here.

from Kimberly:
“Your story kind of sounds like mine. About a year ago now, I was diagnosed with abnormally high cholesterol which threw me for a loop because there was nothing else going on with me in terms of my vitals. My doc and I went through my diet and came to the conclusion that much of it was attributable to stress (I *really* hated my job). She didn’t prescribe meds (first time high cholesterol and too young), but she did ask me to monitor very carefully my diet and get rid of the stress.  To make the story very short, fast forward to January of this year, I decided to change my diet to a plant-based, low-fat diet (essentially vegan).  I never felt unhealthy before, but in these three short months, I know the change has brought about renewed energy and my body now feels really great. Admittedly, I haven’t recently had my cholesterol checked, but I know leaving the classroom and changing my diet have worked for the best.”

“I know you’re highly knowledgable on issues of food, health and related things, but I’ve found docs such as Esselstyn, Joel Furhman, T. Colin Campbell and others helpful as they all attest to and celebrate a plant-based diet and its power to heal the body of many “food-borne” illnesses (e.g., high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease) naturally. They’ve been in several documentaries (maybe a little biased) promoting their findings, including the most recent Fork over Knives….”

(sidenote: I watched Forks Over Knives the day after I received Kimberly’s message. I agree with her comments, and definitely recommend the film.)

 

from Melanie:
“We are SO in the same space and place!!! I have been in a battle with HBP (high blood pressure) for years and I am determined to win. If you need info or perspective let me know – I am willing to share.”

 

from John:
“I recently listened to the old folks talk about the diet they had growing up. Meat but not a lot of it, plenty of veggies, rice, peas, and taters. I have been giving it a try along with some modest exercise, good things have been happening. The point is it works for me, lifestyle changes have to work for you, find activities you like and it won’t feel like exercise. Best of luck to you K Solo, and if you want to go on a bike ride sometimes, I have an extra bike.”

(sidenote: I am now the proud new owner of a bike – my first since childhood!)

from Rhonda:

This is a wonderful, honest account of your experience. I also have high blood pressure – and take care of it through a lifestyle approach. Best of luck to you in this journey, my friend! You are far too special to leave us anytime soon….

(sidenote: Rhonda and I have been FB friends for a while now. Though she lives in Canada, we’ve found we have a lot in common via the thoughts and messages we share on FB. I knew Rhonda was in the health/wellness business, but had assumed she was a trainer for serious athletic types only. Boy, was I wrong. Turns out, Rhonda does work with serious athletic types, but she also works with regular ol’ folks like me. I asked her to share a little bit about her amazing business, so I could share with you.)

Satori Concepts helps individuals realize a myriad of health and fitness goals using a holistic, lifestyle-based approach. Over recent years, the health industry has become more and more about “thin” than about good health. My organization focuses on a healthy body image, awareness of media messages, and most importantly, what good health “feels/looks” like. Clients follow a health-first path towards the realization of their individual goals – whether that is to become a competitive athlete, or to have more energy to play with their children. We always consider the question, “Will this approach contribute to your overall best physical/emotional/mental fitness?” before all else, which is not always easy in a world that sells us on quick fixes and unrealistic role models. Through the magic of technology, I am able to offer services that reach far beyond my little office/fitness studio here in Calgary, Canada. Clients receive ongoing contact and training with me via methods that accommodate their own identified learning and motivation needs, in addition to receiving daily contact with me in their venue of choice. Additionally, being a client with my organization means that you will experience networking and mentorship with other clients. So much to tell…and we are just getting started.

I highly recommend that you check out the Satori Concepts website and ‘Like’ Satori Concepts on Facebook – you will not be disappointed!

If you’re experiencing a health challenge or are feeling lost or alone in your journey to better health, feel free to share your story as well, or if you’re looking for more resources on healthy living and eating, reach out for suggestions. Leave a note in the comments or send an email to: health (at) bonvivantonline (dot) com.

cheers,

k

food and sex: a full frontal exploration

 In a recent article on this here blog, I mentioned that eating was one of the few activities that engages all 5 senses at once, and that travel was a close second.

Well Dear Reader, once again, I have something to confess. My Southern demureness (and the fact that my Mom occasionally reads this) kept me from truthfully asserting my real choice for 2nd place in the ‘stimulates-all-your-senses’ category… Sex.

There. I said it. Sexsexsexsexsexitysex…sex! Have you clicked away yet? Unsubscribed? Fine. Better do it now before we really pass the PG-13 zone (Yes, mom. That includes you.).

So, why the change of mind?

After reading a recent Creative Loafing article on the eroticism of food, I was emboldened by this quote from chef-cum-prophet Paul Luna:

“Sexuality and erotica play essential roles in exploration and self-discovery. These elements seem to be culturally suppressed in Atlanta and Southern culture — at least, overtly.”

Well, I’ll be.

Not one to be restricted by the often prudish Southern attitudes towards either food or sex, I decided to take Chef Luna’s quote as a challenge to overcome my own self-repression and explore – in one fell swoop – the various facets of the food-sex connection. I hope it’s as good for you as it was for me.

 

Erotic Foods

The most commonly cited erotic foods are usually ones that resemble certain parts of the human anatomy, such as: asparagus, bananas, figs, and pomegranates. But you already know about those, so let’s indulge in a few lesser-known sensual foods.

Mole (pronounced, mole-ay) – A Mexican sauce that comes in as many varieties as there are sexual positions (well, almost).  When prepared from scratch, it’s a labor of love that typically combines rich chocolate with chiles and spices like cumin, and cinnamon. Like most new adventures in bed and out, mole might take some getting used to,  but if you find it’s not for you, you can always go back to more tried-and-true tastes.

 

Peel-and-eat crawfish – The well-known instruction to ‘pinch the tail, suck the head’ is sexy, albeit in a somewhat juvenile way. But hey, silly can be sexy too. Plus, any eating experiences that requires tearing at food with your hands, getting your fingers all messy and sucking your digits clean can be a real turn-on. Of course, you’re not limited to crawfish. Try other peel-and-eat seafood, fresh cut fruit, Moroccan or Ethiopian food, or, for you prudish Southern-folk, barbecue.

 

Truffles – Truffles have an earthy, mouth-watering flavor, but they can be both hard to find and very pricey. As an alternative to whole truffles, a bit of sprinkled truffle powder or drizzled truffle oil can transform a conservative dish into something downright decadent.

 

Mango - This one has highly personal significance. I dated a gent once who literally made me blush at his method of consuming every fibrous piece of a whole fresh mango, all the way down to the pit. But even if your mang0-masticating skills aren’t as… entertaining, the fruit itself  – with its blushing exterior, brightly colored flesh, and exotic fruity flavor – is enough to titillate.

 

Sexy Food on Film

Like Water for Chocolate – An enchanting story of two lovers who, for years, can only express their passion for each other through food. Keep an eye out for the making of Mexican mole.

 

Tampopo – Man, those Japanese are weird. While this film centers around a Japanese housewife on a quest to make the perfect bowl of ramen, the movie is interspersed with several seemingly unrelated food scenes. Of particular interest are scenes of a couple who really enjoy playing with their food. Like, really.

 

The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover – a deliciously dark drama that is at once brutal and beautiful.

 

Eat, Drink, Man, Woman – A Chinese dad and his three daughters experience life and love with sumptuous family feasts as a constant backdrop.

 

9 1/2 Weeks – Kim Basinger, a young unscary-looking Micky Rourke, and a refrigerator full of goodies. A classic ‘food-play as foreplay’ scene.

 

Oh, and let’s not forget the erotic scene from The Matrix:Reloaded in which the Merovingian delivers a sexy slice to an unsuspecting diner (extra points for both Monica Belluci’s appearance and her character’s name: Persephone).

 

Food, Sex, and Song

According to an article in Psychology Today, the link between food, sex, and music isn’t circumstantial, it’s scientific. Here are some sexy food-centric sounds to get you in the mood.

Ungodly Fruit – a sensual, lilting instrumental from Wax Tailor.

 

The Sensual Woman – Jello makes a notable appearance in this slickly sexy song from the soundtrack of Snatch (warning: some explicit language).

Sweet, Sticky Thing – a classic from the Ohio Players album ‘Honey’.

 

Kelis’ Milkshake – Yeah, I did it. So what? You need the Vitamin D.

 

And for a song that seems to be a song about food that’s really about sex but is really about neither, D’angelo’s soulful ballad ‘Brown Sugar‘ takes the cake.

 

You might also want to check out my YouTube playlist: music to cook to – lots of spicy, savory, and sweet sounds for heating things up in the kitchen or any room of the house.

 

Food Scents that Stimulate

Some food scents are so arousing, you might even call them ‘olfactory Viagra’. But these scent-ual smells don’t have to be confined to the kitchen. Scented candle, oils, and scrubs are perfect ways to bring the smell of your favorite foods into the boudoir.

 

Coffee – Even if you don’t enjoy drinking this stimulating beverage, the scent of a fresh-brewed pot or freshly ground beans is quite invigorating, even arousing. Maybe that’s the reason so many first dates happen at coffee shops? Or maybe it’s because coffee and sex have been inexplicably linked since the 16th century. If you really like the scent of coffee, a quick home-made body scrub of ground coffee and olive oil is an easy way to be enveloped by the aroma all day long.

 

Vanilla – a comforting smell whose soothing, calming effect could ostensibly make your sweetheart more open to your advances. It’s also alleged to stimulate the production of the sex hormones testosterone and estrogen.

 

Japanese Quince – Some historians believe that the apple referred to as ‘the forbidden fruit’ in the Garden of Eden was actually a quince. Ancient Greek mythology associates the quince with Aphrodite, the goddess of love. While I can’t tell you what a quince tastes like, I can tell you what one smells like. Well, kinda. The japanese quince scented products from Seda France are so mouth-wateringly good that they’re well worth the price.

 

cheers,
k

 

title photo:Food is sex by Mr. dale, on Flickr

you might be a bon vivant if… (part 3, or 4…if you’re counting)

Still not sure if you’re a bon vivant? Here are three more tell-tale signs that you might be one.

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You Might Be a Bon Vivant If…

8. You tend to overindulge in both work and pleasure, often to the detriment of your health

Bon vivants are known for burning the candle at both ends. Since their work is also their play, they are likely to spend long hours at their profession, with seemingly endless energy for the tasks at hand. Bon vivants put as much energy into their leisure (especially wining and dining) as they do their work. Though this work hard, play harder mentality often earns them the admiration of their associates, it can be quite detrimental to their mental and physical health. The bon vivant’s penchant for packing a lot of living into a short period of time is one reason – I’m sad to say – that many bon vivants throughout history have died relatively young.
“My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends – It gives a lovely light.” – Edna St. Vincent Millay

9. You value high-quality goods, services, and experiences

Bon vivants have high standards of quality, but aren’t necessarily big spenders. A bon vivant will go out of her way for the higher quality item, but isn’t necessarily swayed by the more expensive item.

 

10. You are uninhibited (or less inhibited than most) or gregarious

There’s a reason that bon vivants tend to have such a wide and diverse circle of friends. They have no problem striking up conversation with relative strangers. And because of their diverse experiences and education, they’re generally able to find something to talk about with almost anyone. This social self-assuredness makes the bon vivant both fun to have and easy to spot at parties. He’s usually the one enthralling a small group of people with his sparkling wit, a funny story, or a string of well-timed bon mots between sips of his drink.

 

cheers,

k

photo:The Good Life by Steffen M. Boelaars, on Flickr

photo: Burning My Candle at Both Ends by gfpeck, on Flickr

you might be a bon vivant if… (part 4)

The last in a series of posts that will help you determine if you are, in fact, a bon vivant.

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You Might Be a Bon Vivant If…

 

11. You are heavily dependent on rewards from others

Since bon vivants are such social creatures, they will often choose professions with higher visibility and influence, even if it means lower pay. More than most, the bon vivant is motivated by people’s appreciation of her and her work. This is why many bon vivants tend to thrive as performers, artists, and politicians. Read Psychology Today’s ‘Field Guide to the Bon Vivant’ for more on this trait.

12. You’re somewhat irreverent or a button pusher

Bon vivants are very keen on social graces and will shun those who obviously lack them – as it offends their sensibilities and love of beauty. However, bon vivants enjoy thwarting or challenging conventional ideas, and the bon vivant is often the first to bring up a controversial subject or adopt an unconventional, eyebrow-raising lifestyle.

 

13. You dress well and/or in a way that expresses your uniqueness 

To the bon vivant, image isn’t everything, but it’s pretty damned important. Bon vivants love to express themselves, and their choice of clothing is one of the main ways by which they do it. In other areas of life, bon vivants tend to gloss over the fine points, but when it comes to their clothing, they’re all about the details. Accessories like feathers, hats, scarves, bow ties, rings, and brooches are favorites of the bon vivant, as are unique blends of contemporary and classic styles.

 

14. You enjoy life to the fullest

Bon vivants recognize that living a good life doesn’t mean there will be no bad times. In fact, it’s the bad times that make the good times taste even sweeter. Whether they’re down on their luck or riding high, bon vivants find a reason to celebrate life for as long as they live.

 

cheers,

k

photo: Good life by Brett Jordan, on Flickr

photo: Dapper Gentleman embroidery by Totally Severe, on Flickr

amuse bouche: biodegradable

Extreme patriotism / chauvinism /  partisanship = little piles of dirt arguing over which piles of dirt they belong to and which long-since-turned-to-dirt people they believe in.

In the grand scheme of things, does it really matter ‘who ya wit’? or ‘what set you claimin’?

“By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” – Genesis 3:19 (NIV)

cheers,
k

photo: Compost making class by Milkwooders, on Flickr

you might be a bon vivant if… (part 2)

Continuing the series of posts entitled, ‘you might be a bon vivant if…’, here are 4 more ways for you to tell if you or someone you know is a bon vivant.

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You Might Be a Bon Vivant If…

4. You have an extensive and varied social network

Bon vivants love to surround themselves with interesting people. Especially those with unusual occupations, intriguing conversations or personality traits that the bon vivant finds entertaining in some way.

 

5. You have above average intelligence

Bon vivants tend to not only be well-educated, but also well-learned. They are perpetual students, always seeking to learn new ideas, languages, skills, and concepts. But unlike academicians or scholars, bon vivants often get bored with classroom learning, and prefer to learn by experience. Bon vivants are likely to opt for apprenticeships and self-directed learning to sharpen their intelligence instead of rigorous classroom instruction and advanced degrees.

 

6. You’re a Jack or Jill of all trades

The bon vivant’s love of novelty inspires him to cultivate many interests and skills, and he’s usually experienced enough in all of them to be dangerous. As a result, bon vivants thrive in careers or professions where they can be generalists or universal adapters versus specializing in one well-defined area of practice.

 

7. You’re equally philosophical, spiritual, and religious 

Because of their unconventional ways of thinking and living, bon vivants aren’t likely to be strictly religious. They may even have their own sense of morality or spirituality that is a hybrid of several religions or philosophical traditions. Yet even professed atheist bon vivants will usually have a strong sense of right and wrong that guides their behavior and is reflected in the behaviors and philosophies of their friends and associates.

 

cheers,

k

photo: the good life is closer than you think! by fabi_k, on Flickr

photo: Twilight zone by patries71, on Flickr

you might be a bon vivant if… (part 1)

A little while ago, I mentioned that I would be delving deeper into defining – in my own terms, based on my own observations – what it means to be a bon vivant. Unfortunately, the term bon vivant is one that is not well understood or is often misconstrued to be an individual who puts on airs or enjoys a excessively lavish, high-priced lifestyle.

Of course, I couldn’t disagree more. So in an effort to clear up any confusion, I’ve penned what I hope will be an informative series of clues that will more clearly define what it means to be a bon vivant and help you decide if you are one of that illustrious ilk known as bon vivants.

Let’s get started, shall we?

 

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food porn: weekend in amsterdam

This year’s trip to London included a weekend jaunt to Amsterdam. 2 days in Amsterdam isn’t nearly enough time to see all that the city has to offer. But… I did my best.

Here’s a recap of the weekend in Amsterdam, as told by my belly.

The trip to Amsterdam had been a long one. By the time I reach my room, I’m exhausted and a bit frazzled. The bottle of wine and tasty crackers my host has laid out looks like mannah from heaven to me.

 

 

Shortly after I hit the streets of Amsterdam, I’ve already made a new friend. Frankie, a Surinamese Dutch guy. Frankie introduces me to Romeo – the cook in a Surinamese bar/restaurant in central Amsterdam.

 

And Romeo introduces me to Surinamese food. I can’t identify half of the items on the plate, but I enjoy every bit of it. There’s some pickled veggies going on here, along with a spicy sauce and plantains.

 

I would have asked Romeo more about the food, but I know better than to try to get a guy’s attention when football is on. The bar is packed with older gents watching (and loudly yelling at) the evening’s soccer match. Frankie, Romeo, and everyone else in the room is enthralled. I am invisible. Which is great. ‘Cause nobody needs to witness my assault on this food.

 

 

 

After dinner, Frankie plays tour guide for the next few hours. He walks me around most of central Amsterdam, pointing out street names and points of interest that I need to remember when I’m on my own tomorrow. I pretend like every street name he makes me repeat doesn’t sound exactly like the last one.  I sometimes have difficulty understanding Frankie’s English because of his accent, but after a while, I tire of asking  him to repeat himself. A little past midnight, my head is spinning from it all. I suggest we stop for coffee. Frankie takes me to a little Middle Eastern eatery with really, really good coffee. I take sips of coffee and stare appreciatively in silence at rotating, shiny meat.

 

Frankie moves like a hummingbird. I feel lucky I convinced him to stand still long enough for me to get this pic. My friend Regina had previously asked me to take a pic of the Amsterdam Hard Rock Cafe. Two birds.

 

The next morning, I’m up early to make the most of the day. I was out with Frankie ’til almost 2 am. When I spy this fruit market on my morning walk, the colors are so bright against the overcast Amsterdam sky, I think I must be sleepwalking.

 

 

 

The clerk at the fruit market describes these berries as ‘the lovechild of a raspberry and a strawberry’. I cop some. He’s right.

 

By this time, I’d been sightseeing by foot and by boat. Time for a snack.

Lovely people, the Dutch. Can’t for the life of me figure out why they (or anyone) would want to do this to their fries. Ech.

 

That’s more like it. Perfectly prepared by a man in a lab coat. I secretly dub him, Professor Fry Guy.

 

 

My view of the table top at Pancakes! Amsterdam.

 

 

 

I’d intended to come to Pancakes! Amsterdam for breakfast, but by the time I make it there, it’s well after lunch. I decide to skip the more breakfast-y American pancakes and go for a Dutch pancake. It’s more of a crepe-style pancake with a choice of sweet or savory toppings. The English version of the Pancakes! Amsterdam website claims that they also have “Glutton free” pancakes available. I wasn’t interested.

 

 

For my last meal of the weekend, I thought I’d try a rijsttafel – a sort of smorgasbord of Indonesian dishes served with rice.  Not the best plate of food ever. But a decidedly flavorful end to the trip.

proost,

k

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