Healthy Choices and Other Countries

     As I sit here tonight, watching Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, I am fascinated with the food choices and cooking practices of other countries.  So many healthy ways of eating delightful foods.  I know that we have healthy choices here in the U.S. but it's not the same. Here in my little world, where are they?? Well, other than my next door neighbor, Martha, who is a baker with her own company called Briarpatch.  I enjoy food and I love healthy foods.  Martha makes the best homemade cinnamon buns, scones, and baked breads using organic ingredients. I love anything she bakes using walnuts, almonds, cherries, and of course dark chocolate for my sweet tooth.  OK I know, it's still sugar and it's still fat... but everything in moderation people!  Her personal roasted organic coffee is my addiction of addictions.  
     Just this past August, I took a trip to Austria and I could easily move there just for the food alone, but just as easily for the way they take care of their land and the towns, and their culture isn't so bad either!  Imagine, walking a short distance through stone streets to the local market for fresh fruit, baked breads, meats, and hand made pastry treats!  Not to mention fine restaurants for all walks of people and pets too!  This photo is from a lovely restaurant we dined at which had mouth watering dishes, of course we had Wiener Schnitzel (the "w" is pronounced like a "v"), and fresh greens with what I call true yogurt dressing.  Any milk and cheese product that you put into your mouth was the most wonderful taste you could ever imagine. Not at all like our dairy products.

     Granted, with all the wonderful choices in Austria, eating too much fat, sugar, and sodium will have the same unhealthy affects.  Just look at the famous dessert we found in Salzburg, the Sacher Torte!  Wow.  Now that's sugar.

     

I wish the U.S. would pop up more markets around our cities and towns, and help more farmers to raise fruits, veggies, and dairy.  We seem to recognize the results of too much sugar and all but are we doing enough?  Click to see this clip from ABC News.  Pretty disturbing.  We have more options for organic foods now in our local grocery stores so start small and make a change for the better.  Don't scrunch your brow over the term "organic" because it's simply the process of growing foods without using harmful chemicals and such.  Just grown your own tomato and you've got an organic tomato pretty much, all but the certification!