Man vs. Fat

I understand that TV is supposed to be mindless, and the MPAA and FCC have too much time on their hands to deem what is and what isn't suitable for children of some, most and all ages are able to watch. Since most TV is garbage, (as I have said, the majority of the TV that I watch is live sports); I know what I am getting myself into when I "unwind" before I go to sleep.

With the growing health epidemics called obesity and heart disease plaguing America, I find it highly unfortunate that any TV network pays and profits from "Man vs. Food". The Travel Channel offers this rubbish programming during the summer when healthy people may be out of town, yet the concept of the show is absolutely disgusting.

Adam Richman travels the United States looking for the most gluttonous foods available, and then is "challenged" to eat this heart-stopping, belt bursting food, acid inducing food. Not only does he have to eat this food that should send most people to the ER, but he has to eat this food in under a certain amount of time - not enough time to enjoy what might be delicious food.

Moderation has been the word of the century, but clearly America did not get the memo when some TV execs green-lit this show. In addition to heart disease and obesity, the next growing epidemic is diabetes which is spiraling out of control in this world, and especially in the lower classes who are glued to TV without outdoor and active activities offered to them.

I've had enough of the MPAA and FCC telling me forever that the word "FUCK" is offensive, when the same people who regulate the words that come out of the mouth's of people ON TV should be regulating what goes into the mouth's of other people being watched on the same TV.

The Game of NO OFFENSE

The NBA has been on rampage making sure that homophobia is banished from the game of basketball. Just over a month ago, Kobe Bryant was caught on national TV using a derogatory slur against gay people. The NBA handed out a large fine of $100,000 for his words, and the LGBTQ world applauded the NBA for its quick and strong reaction to Kobe's misbehavior.

Shortly after that, president and CEO of the Phoenix Suns, Rick Welts, came out publicly. The NBA executive is one of the most high-profile figures still active in sports to declare that he is gay. This was a positive step forward in the world of sports and the progressive world that has encouraging these brave actions.

Former NBA player and current NBA analyst, Charles Barkley responded to the recent anti-gay and gay openness by saying, "I’d rather have a gay guy who can play than a straight guy who can’t play.” He is absolutely right. People make a big deal out of the possibility of of homophobic responses in the locker room, the fact remains that these people are here to do a job, and get paid A LOT of money for it.

There's never been a peep from anyone who works in business, law, or medicine who works with openly gay people. A brilliant manager of a hedge fund, trial lawyer, or surgeon is never questioned for his or her sexual preference -- the quality of their work speaks for itself.

Last week Joakim Noah, of the Chicago Bulls was fined $50,000 for using a gay slur directed towards a spectator during the Eastern Conference Finals. He apologized almost immediately and absorbed his punishment with grace. People will make mistakes, people will be insensitive, but as things seem to be going people are becoming more tolerant in the world of sports, and especially basketball.

What I've been eating

Normally food is not something that I would blog about, but recently I have been having stomach issues. Readers, please use your imagination when I say stomach issues. Over the last few weeks, almost everything I ate did not agree with my stomach. I'm not talking like a small argument that people have everyday, I'm talking about an all out war, where whatever went into my mouth was dead WRONG.

After basically not eating for nearly three days, I regained my appetite and slowly began eating "normal" foods again. I started out with plain rice, chicken soup, and simple tuna sandwiches without any veggies or sauces. Then I my body was aching for more substantial food (a good sign) and I had a plain hamburger from Pico Kosher Deli with a knish. So far so good. That was Thursday.

Friday my diet contained a protein-filled breakfast with egg whites and toast, and I was feeling good. For lunch I had a meal from Real Food Daily with my Vegan-Gluten Free partner who we shall refer to as "VGFGF". Friday night VGFGF and I ventured to simple pea soup and chicken salad with very little dressing for myself and a steamed vegetable salad for her. and it digested FAIRLY well. Saturday brunch was at Le Pain Qutidien, egg whites and bread with jam -- worked out well.

Saturday night we went to a sushi restaraunt that we had never been to, Takami Sushi in Downtown LA. The ambience gets an A, the knowledgability of the staff regarding the food, food intolerances, and dietary choices gets an A+, but the availability of gluten free and vegan food were scarce.

After that meal I can definitely say that my stomach was back o normal! I haven't jumped into the sauces, and I just observed my first Meat Free Monday! My vegan meals today were not only delicious, but healthy and nutritious. I feel more energetic overall, maybe my excitement and energy is due to the VGFGF being back in town.

Food intolerance tolerance

I recently began dating a wonderful person who happened to be a vegan. As a regular meat eater, even though I have cut down my meat intake by more than fifty percent, I didn't blink for a minute at having to eat at Vegan-friendly establishments with my partner. As our romance continues to blossom, my partner has recently been diagnosed with Celiac disease; like any concerned partner, i quickly noticed that the real world (read Whole Foods WFMI) takes gluten free and vegan diets very seriously.

I frequently go to Whole Foods, even though it is more expensive than other grocery competitors, to buy produce and almond milk. I myself have a dairy intolerance that requires me to have non- dairy milk with my cereal. I cant help but notice the extensive gluten-free and vegan alternatives that are offered at this store.

Furthermore, the ample amounts of gluten free options at two of my favorite vegan Los Angeles restaurants, Native Foods and Real Food Daily make dining out with my very significant other easy and delicious. I have totally embraced the restricted diet lifestyle myself, and do not experience any hindrances in my day to day life. So much so, that I am always seeking out gluten-free, vegan options and having nothing but good things to say about these products!

Sadly, my dairy intolerance is not as widely accepted in the yogurt world. Not that I was a huge fro yo consumer, but I definitely enjoyed my fair share of the delicious treat. The only non dairy fro yo that I have found is at Big Chill on Westwood and Olympic in Los Angeles. There hasn't even been an "adjustment" phase for me to be tolerant of my VGFGF because in addition to my love for vegan food, my partner is more than a pleasure to be with.

Dr. Addict: Does America need a dose of reality?

The bulk of TV that I watch is sports and news shows. One of the shows that I watch regularly is Nurse Jackie on Showtime. In recent years, Showtime has created some excellent original programming that has rivaled HBO. Nurse Jackie is about a drug addict nurse who is selfless, caring, and most importantly a great nurse.

In the most recent episode, Jackie’s husband is portrayed in a darker light when he breaks up a bar fight in his own bar by banging a baseball bat on the bar and kicks out the two drunk people fighting. This scene transpires with Jackie and their two young girls in the bar watching the “nice guy” father figure protecting his property.

Immediately, the father explains to his children, with the help of their mom and aunt that he was not going to hit the men fighting. He explains that he was only trying to scare them into leaving, which they did. The scene ends up portraying the bar owner/ father as a hero instead of the observed angry person that the children saw have a fit of rage.

The show somehow finds a way to show Jackie’s husband as somewhat of a bad guy who cannot catch a break while the audience constantly is rooting for Jackie, the lying drug addict, to succeed. I find it somewhat disturbing that while drug abuse is not glamorized in this show, the protagonist is the person who the audience wants to succeed especially with her drug problem.

In this era, where we have heard of way too many prescription drug overdoses, and young people are using drugs recreationally either to cope with a harsh reality or out of “boredom,” it upsets me that the writers of this adult show want their audience to be jubilant when Jackie uses drugs. I understand that it is just a TV show, but Jackie seems to get away with too many close calls that make me wonder what the show is trying to prove.

There is a major difference between illicit infrequent use of drugs that is glamorized and the addiction to drugs that is shown in carefree light. Jackie’s lack of consequence and escape from trouble through her manipulative ways is not something that even the most mature adults should be watching. Maybe reality TV has some value for the public. Maybe seeing what drugs and other terrible things can do to people and their families is the best deterrent for abuse.