Don't Worry, Eat Cheese (and Tomatoes)--Live to 80

By Cal Orey

“Many's the long night I've dreamed of cheese - toasted, mostly.”
-- Robert Louis Stevenson

Today is Monday and the world seems to be obsessed with health care or lack of it. On CNN and msnbc.com--I've tuned in all day and now I'm ready to tune out. It's time to make a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich on sourdough with tomatoes--like the Dutch do... After all, the stats show folks in the Netherlands live longer--to 80--than Americans do. And when I did a quick search about their diet I discovered that for breakfast--cheese and French bread are a thumbs up. What's more, the Netherlands is a hot spot for tomatoes.

It seems like health care companies are raising their premiums and deductibles and we the people in America are getting less not more health care. I flunked math in college but this formula doesn't add up. I'm not getting my money's worth or so it seems. I decided to downgrade my catastrophic insurance plan. It's depressing me. I'm still in "healthy tier 1" but it's my healthful lifestyle strategies not theirs that is keeping me healthy, poor (not wealthy), and wise...

So, what are the odds that I will get slammed by a catastrophe tomorrow, next month, next year, or in 10 years? In my Woman's World days, as the diet and nutrition columnist, I wrote, more than once, that 60% of all diseases such as cancer and heart disease can be prevented by eating a healthful, nutrient-dense diet. And in my book Doctors' Orders, the 101 docs dished out tons of personal tips on how diet and a healthful lifestyle can keep you happy and healthy. Plus, I figured out today that health insurance doesn't make you healthy (it's nice to have though in case a bear attacks me or I get snowbound in the wilderness for a week)--it's the lifestyle choices that play a big role in staying out of the hospital.

Meanwhile, I sort of wish I were anywhere else but here--a comforting place where everyone gets health care. No worries. Comfort. As a kid, I loved grilled cheese sandwiches. They're comfort food. Now, as a disgruntled baby boomer I'm craving a healthful sandwich: Edam and Gouda gourmet cheeses (I won't give these up) sliced on whole wheat French bread with fresh tomatoes off the vine. Grilled. No complicated instructions or hidden ingredients. It's simple. It will make me feel better. And maybe I will plan an escape to the Netherlands where everyone has health insurance, eats cheese and tomatoes. And then, I can plan on finding hobbies when I am ready to join the octogenarian group. Sounds like a doable plan to me.

Who Says Nachos Are a Forbidden Food?

HEALTHY NACHOS:

THE FORBIDDEN FOOD WITH A KICK

By Cal Orey

“Many's the long night I've dreamed of cheese - toasted, mostly.”
-- Robert Louis

I just got back from swimming and doing the lap thing always makes me hungry. But no, I don't want to cook. So, I plopped a handful (a large one) of natural multigrain tortilla chips onto a plate; sliced all-natural gourmet cheddar cheese on top... The Brittanys--my two dogs Simon and Seth--were behind me the entire time to make this easy snack a human challenge. Note to self: I need to call my dog trainer. Oops forget that. I just taught Seth how to jump over the cat tree! Wow.

Speaking of hot stuff, I snatched up some of those jalapeno peppers I used for the guacamole aka "green goo" (I did make that) to make the nachos have a kick to it. And I nuked it. Yes, this popular appetizer is crunchy, chewy, and gooey. It's fun and tastes good.

But warning, fast-food nachos can be oh so fattening and high in calories which spells unhealthy and homemade ones, too can be bad news. Translation: Say goodbye to these popular munchies if you use too much cheese (or unnatural processed kinds) or not the good chips--multigrain or low-sodium are best if you're watching your blood pressure (or don't want to be). Also, making your own with whole wheat flour tortillas and made with olive oil can be the ticket to heart health, too...Lots of people who want to lose unwanted weight believe they can't eat cheese or chips. Not true. The secret is, moderation and making it as natural as possible.

I wrote in that little mini mag (the ones you find at the grocery store) From Fat to Firm at Any Age!--"If you avoid cheese because you think it'll pack on the pounds, you may be right--but don't write it off entirely. You don't want to miss out on a super source of calcium and other important nutrients such as protein, phosphorus and vitamin A--and not to mention taste."

Instead of eating large quantities of tasteless "lite" and reduced-calorie cheese, savor the rich flavor of gourmet cheese--just like you can do with dark chocolate and extra virgin olive oil. You'll get more satisfaction from just a small amount.

I remember when I was cranking out the Diet and Nutrition column for Woman's World magazine, that I got in trouble. A fan wrote to the magazine and claimed our nutritionist used more than 50 ingredients for several meals and that no way, no how could she afford it. (I laughed back then. Gosh, I wanted to make the recipes creative as possible.) But I get it now. And using up those little jalapeno peppers was no sweat. (Those puppies, especially the red ones can be expensive!)

So, the snack filled me up. But now what in the cooking world do I cook up for dinner? Ugh. I don't even want to go there. Chinese with veggies and fresh scallops? Sounds good to me. I wonder if I can teach my bird dogs to flush fish out of the Lake for me. Need to do research on that one.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil for Your Pet? You Betcha!

“Five Ways Olive Oil is a Pet’s Best Friend”

Holistic medicine is in your kitchen

Ever use olive oil to remove ticks from a dog? Clean your pooch’s ears? Can you really add olive oil to your cat’s shampoo? Whether olive oil is used for home cures or health, this ancient remedy—a powerful golden liquid—is a versatile and natural helper for both dogs and cats in the 21st century. Here are some things you can use it for, straight from the bottle.

1. Smooth a Dog’s Snout. As a South Lake Tahoe pets author who knows what cold, dry air does to my skin, I can tell that oil may be helpful to dogs’ cold noses. My two Brittanys, Simon and Seth, love the snow. If their paws can become red, dry and cracked from long walks on the cold, dry ground, why not their tender black noses? RemedyRx: Use a small amount of extra virgin olive oil (only the best for our pets, right?) on your dog’s nose and gently massage in.

2. Fight Ticks. I know in mountain regions, a tick or two can find their way into a dog’s coat. Rather than try lighting a match to the pesky tick on your best friend, there are safer, natural remedies. Remedy Rx: In the film City of Angels, Maggie (Meg Ryan), a surgeon, must remove a tick from her yellow Lab. Her doctorboyfriend’s first recommendation is alcohol. When Maggie claims she doesn’t have any hospital stuff in her home, he inquires about olive oil. She offers jalapeno or rosemary. It was a dab of rosemary olive that was the oil of choice and did the trick to remove the tick.

3. Gooey Foot Pads. Uh-oh. Did Fluffy or Fido step in something sticky such as gum or tar? This sticky situation can be frustrating for both pet and caretaker. So, what can you do rather than watch your poor cat or dog lick and chew the unwanted substance? Olive oil comes to the rescue. Remedy Rx: Try soaking the foot pad in a solution of warm saltwater and olive oil. The two ingredients may break up the foreign substance, and both the oil and the salt may also soothe any redness.

4. Clean Ears. Dogs and cats can get ear mites, small parasitic creatures that take up residence in their ears, causing itching and inflammation. Olive oil or a natural product that contains it, whether you use it to prevent a case of ear mites or to treat it, may help ease the itch and fight the infection. Remedy Rx: You can dab olive oil on a cotton ball and rub gently inside and outside your pet’s ear canal.

5. Dog and Cat Shampoo. Olive oil in your pet’s shampoo? You bet. The olive oil may keep the skin healthy and leave the coat shining. Also, it may help maintain good skin hydration and even prevent matting on a long-haired pet. Remedy Rx: Mix 1/2 teaspoon with your pet’s recommended amount of natural shampoo. Massage in, then rinse.

And that's not all. Yep, without a doubt I go gourmet food for the pooches, too.

Dog Biscuits They'll Roll Over For!

Cheese Dog Biscuits

3 cups oat flour

1 cup grated Cheddar cheese

1 egg

2 tablespoons olive oil

Water to moisten



In a large bowl, add all the ingredients. Mix well, form into a ball, and roll out to a 1/4-inch thickness with a rolling pin. Cut into desired shapes, place on cookie sheets, and back in a 325 degree oven for about 30 minutes or until well browned. Turn off the oven, leaving the bisuits in the oven until cooled. (Source: http://www.knowbetterdogfood.com/)


Excerpted from The Healing Powers of Olive Oil (purchased by One Spirit Book Club).