That was President Gerry Ford back in 1974; the quote’s attribution goes back much earlier. Under Obama and Michelle (he of everything is a crisis and she of the “I will fix the non-existent school lunch crisis because I can (because everyone is scared of the power I can muster against you all, seeing that I’m the wife of the guy that joked about having the IRS audit my enemies (and he has)). And given that she has decreed what students will eat, they’re stepping it up and their Federal Government is telling us how we are to eat on July 4th – fittingly, our Country’s Birthday (emphasis mine, reformatted):
The Obama administration is encouraging Americans to eat a healthy Fourth of July holiday meal — one that excludes lots of the things most people look forward to, like ribs, soda and dessert. Jocelyn Harrison, an intern at the Department of Agriculture’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, acknowledged in a blog post that July Fourth is a big food holiday for most people. “What do you have planned?” she asked. “A family reunion at the beach? A backyard barbeque with family and friends? A picnic in the park? Or a few friends on your patio?” But she says Americans should do all they can to make their meals “healthy and delicious!” For meat, she suggests: “Go lean. Choose skinless chicken breasts and lean cuts of beef like sirloin or ground beef that’s at least 90% lean.” She mentions turkey burgers, grilled seafood and veggie burgers, but makes no mention of barbequed ribs or any pork products, an affront to a major U.S. industry.
Gosh, I’ve been doing it ALL wrong for decades! Chips, cookies, chocolates…and that’s just the stuff out in bowls around the house. Sure, steaks sometimes, but great big honking double cheeseburgers, chili dogs, slathered up chicken (skin on – so crispy!). Oh, is potato a veggie if it is immersed in mayo or Miracle Whip and all that other good stuff. Oh, and potato as French Fries – that count too?
Harrison recommends eating lots of vegetables. “Make an ‘everything’ salad,” she suggests. “Choose at least 10 of your favorite salad ingredients. Include a leafy green like romaine or spinach and add celery, radishes, carrots, sunflower seeds, cucumbers, tomatoes, avocado, grated low-fat cheese, scallions.” If you must put a non-lean meat on a bun, Harrison recommends whole-grain buns.
But she is emphatic about the importance of skipping sweets. “Think fruit for DESSERT!” she exclaims. “Nothing says Fourth of July like an ice-cold watermelon or fresh summer peaches. Or, create a patriotic and healthy-licious red, white and blue fruit salad.”
Oh, if anyone knows me even one iota, this ain’t happening at all:
Oh, and no soda either. Instead, use fruit to flavor your water. “Drink water instead of sugary drinks!” she suggests. “It’s usually hot this time of year so make sure you have lots of ice cold water on hand. Add thinly sliced lemons, limes, watermelon or strawberries for a flavorful, refreshing drink the whole family will enjoy.”
Gee, thanks bunches – I would have NEVER been able to figure this out by myself! What would I EVER do without Government??
More seriously, can you see a time when, like our school kids, we will have no choice at all – even on our Country’s birthday?
