DIETARY GUIDELINES +
New article from Self: “The New Dietary Guidelines Are Stressing Me Out as a Working Mom of 4” Seriously!!! Who bases their grocery shopping on government “dietary guidelines?” THANKS FOR THE CHUCKLE.
I shop. My wife has more than enough to do. I also prepare a few meals (simple ones, like spaghetti). I’m THIS old and I’ve NEVER based my shopping or cooking on a government (or anyone’s) dietary guidelines.
There are only three questions. Is it tasty? Is it cheap? Does it include more than 2 food groups?
I made beef stew a few nights ago. We had some chunks of stew beef in the freezer. I took a few potatoes, carrots, some celery, half an onion, a few mushrooms, some leftover green beans, a spoon of minced garlic, and a few spices and called it good. Actually, it was. I forgot to mention I cooked the beef in bacon fat. Want some?
I’ve no clue where that fits in the guidelines. All I know is I achieved my daily sodium supply.
Some have to watch their diets because of diabetes, heart issues, or cancer. You, too? Plus, I’m trying to shed two pounds in 2026. That’s easy, by the way. I eat less bread and potatoes. I add fruits and vegetables. I lost 3 pounds over Christmas and New Years by just eating one meal a day plus coffee (and avoiding most holiday sweets).
Long ago, as a freshly minted adult living on my own, I had to make meals (and wash dishes). I wondered, “How do you make macaroni and cheese?” The box said to put the entire contents in quarts of boiling water. I didn’t want to make that much.
I admit I hadn’t paid much attention to how my mother, and schools prepared a “balanced diet.” I did learn one thing: “If you eat something with nutritious attributes your body knows how to use it.” Thinking back I remembered the food groups offered … a little meat, something starchy, some vegetables, maybe something sweet (but just a little). Milk and cheeses had always played a part in meal presentation. As a result I was able to pack on a few pounds.
Another little tidbit also helped me socially … be careful about garlic, onions, broccoli, and beans. I loved them all but apparently they are of concern if you plan to go to a concert where seating is very close.
I learned to appreciate fruits. They make wonderful snacks (if you don’t eat them too close to bedtime).
Kidney stones taught me the value of proper hydration. That was a painful lesson. (I also learned not to trust doctors who specialize in kidney stones. Another painful lesson.)
So, how am I doing today WITHOUT knowing one blessed thing about the new “dietary guidelines?” Just fine, thank you! I do have to watch out for other drivers.
Dietary guidelines have not been the cause of the increased longevity (now up to an average of 79). Nope. The actual cause is fewer people dying from drug overdoses. If you aren’t an illegal drug user your likely lifespan has not changed at all. Changing the dietary guidelines won’t change your likely “use by” date either.
WHY BE BURIED?
I’m tired of seeing human bones in the dirt (aren’t you?). It seems that every few days some archeologist uncovers what never was intended to be uncovered and the pictures are posted online. We bury people for reasons. Two major reasons have to do with privacy and respect. Respect? Yes. They can do nothing to stop people from uncovering them, therefore we should respect that when they were dying they desired to be covered.
When we die our bodies begin to rot. It is very dehumanizing. We give the dead a place of privacy … sometimes a wooden box, sometimes in a vault or crypt, but away from the eyes and noses of those who shouldn’t see us that way. The plan is to give the ultimate privacy for eternity.
For legal and prosecutorial reasons, sometimes the dead are unearthed (“disinterred”). Otherwise the dead should be allowed to literally rest in peace in their final resting places.
Popular Mechanics had this headline: “Archaeologists Followed a Forgotten Staircase—and Uncovered a 400-Year-Old Burial Vault.” Great! More human bones!
This is why I’m not leaving my burial to chance. I’ve asked to be flame-broiled and scattered. No DNA, no bones, no lack of privacy. You won’t be able to show off my bones to the gawking world.
Is there no law about digging up the dead? Is there no minimum time allotted? Say, 1,000 years. What gives an archeologist the RIGHT to disinter the long dead? Can anyone do it or only someone with a degree in grave robbing?
Does the flesh have to be gone? Apparently not, because we have seen pictures of the hanged man’s body that was thrown into a bog, the ancient man who tried to cross a glacier, and the body of the man who was wood-smoke preserved from early last century.
What is our problem! If you had a funerary degree I imagine you’d have some curiosity. The remainder of us don’t have the right.
That MAY be one reason cremations are on the rise.
Cremations are now twice as common as burials in the U.S., reversing a norm from two decades ago, according to the National Funeral Directors Association.
There is another reason for cremation: Cost. Do you know how much it costs to put your body on display? There are sanitary rules. Dead bodies can hold many diseases and, if the funeral is more than a week after death there is a stench. So, the cleaning, embalming, and other preparations take money, the casket and death notices take money, the vault and the grave take money, and the headstone and plot take money. No embalming, casket, plot, vault, or headstone needed with a cremation. The memorial service without a body can be held anywhere, even in your own back yard. The service can be held any time, even at 7:45 pm on a Tuesday three weeks later.
Copyright 2026 Donald Whelpley
[PLEASE NOTE that Don is always open to discussing the thoughts and opinions he shares here and welcomes comments as shared in the comment section. He doesn’t use other social media platforms and won’t see whatever you’d like to share with him if you post it elsewhere.
ALSO, Don is always open to offer his thoughts on various topics. If you have a specific request, you can let him know in a comment; he reads – and replies to – them all. ~ Sherry]
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