How the Recession Ruined My Trip

In my mind my bags were packed and I was ready to go to Umbria, Tuscany, and Sicily. And upon return I was ready to lease the bigger, better home with an acre backyard playland for my two fur children, Simon and Seth, to romp around daily. Instead, I have found myself changing my health insurance to the catastrophic kind; bargaining with the cable and phone people to get the best deal. And each week I toss Victoria's Secret catalog in the trash can before the dogs are walked. But recession or not, generic food (both human and pet) is not in my vocabulary yet.

I admit it. It could be worse. The recession (which I predicted in a national press release back in August 2007) has no doubt wreaked havoc on countless people around the globe. Not only is it affecting our savings to day-to-day pocketbooks, downgrading our lifestyles, but the meanspirited, widespread, worldwide economic shake-up can make you fat--if you let it. So, I strive each day to be healthy and fit, whether I stay put in my rustic home (with a Mediterranean-style charm) or migrate to another state with promise of a new, improved life as did the hardy folks in the bestselling classic novel The Grapes of Wrath.

Whatever happens, like Europeans who follow the traditional Mediterranean diet and lifestyle I will continue to graze (eating mini meals). The fridge and tablestops in my dining room and kitchen are chock-full of fruit--apples, bananas, oranges, strawberries, and blueberries. My best friends are fresh veggies (spinach, potatoes, green peppers, tomatoes) whole grains (pasta to bread), nuts (cashews to almonds), olive oil (EVOO), organic low-fat yogurt and milk, water (I can't give up the bottled stuff yet), and did I mention dark chocolate?

P.S. On the list of Must-Haves I include regular swims and a hot tub bath; and dogs walks. In a cocoa bean shell: As long as I have fresh food, water, and artisanal chocolate, my body, mind, and spirit will survive the recession for as long as it takes.