May
2008
Sensible Vices: Round 2
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Not Miami. Sensible.
What can we say? We love our vices: those delightful, scrumptious, indulgent little morsels of gratifying transgression. O.K., this isn’t really how we look at it, but it’s kind of fun (and relatively harmless) to linger for a moment in imagined decadence.
In reality, our vices are simply healthy pleasures, satisfying and rather sensible indulgences. More Tom Hanks than Steve McQueen. More Jane Austen than Candace Bushnell. (Whatever floats your boat – you get our meaning.) The point is, these are vices that come without the guilt. What a deal! 100% satisfaction with no self-imposed penitence. Sign us up!
Fat, Fat, and More Fat
Doesn’t it feel good just to say it?? “What are you going to crave when the carbs are all gone?” people ask. “What is there to enjoy in life anymore?” Simple answer in our minds. Butter. Bacon – those chewy, salty strips of heaven! Oils of all flavors from the tangy to the spicy and savory. Sweet cream, rich nut butters… Well, you get the idea.
Don’t you love the look on peoples’ faces when you say that? Without the carbs throwing your body into havoc, you can indulge in whatever variety fat you like (minus the trans and interesterified, of course). Just make sure they’re stored and “prepared” properly. No heating the polyunsaturated fats, please!
Mid-Day Nap
Anyone recall nap mats from preschool/kindergarten? About 1:00 or so, the teacher would put on some soft, relaxing music, dim the lights, and instruct all the children to lay quietly. Those were the days!
Now we find ourselves in the office or plant, on the road, or at home juggling kids or work throughout the afternoon. Isn’t it time somebody called a siesta?! Research has found that naps enhance memory and reduce the chance of coronary-related death. Even the anticipation of an afternoon snooze is enough to lower blood pressure in study subjects.
Those of us who work at home might have a little easier time “organizing our day” to catch a few zzzs now and then, but those of us whose professions bring us to the office, factory, work site or “traveling office” might have a harder time of it. Hmmm. Wouldn’t it be great to start a petition around the workplace?
Tequila
So, the petition got canned (or maybe you did after sending it around). Did you know tequila, as well as a number of other spirits, have zero carbs? Whoa! Yesiree, Bob! Just because you’re going primal doesn’t mean you have to live in the stone age when it comes to the after-work cocktail. Once again, indulgence in real quality pays. When it comes to tequila, go for 100% Agave.
We think tequila is best enjoyed straight up with some fresh lime, but check out this article for some zero and low carb mixed drink options for tequila and other spirits. And, we would be sorely negligent if we didn’t advise moderation for nutritional sake among “other” reasons. Ever heard (or perhaps had the misfortune of experiencing) “One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, Floor!”?
Skip Your Workout
Of course, we’re fitness freaks, gym rats, you name it. But sometimes the body has its own agenda, and we’re better off listening to it. For a variety of reasons, the body can sometimes just feel drained, drowsy or simply bushed. Everybody needs a break once in a while, and physical recovery is important.
And sometimes life just happens on the way to the gym. Your daughter’s college visit trip, that last-minute meeting with a client, the major plumbing issue that requires your attention (and waiting presence for a 4-6 hour window): As long as “there will always be tomorrow” doesn’t become “there will always be next month,” you shouldn’t beat yourself up over missing a session in a regular workout routine. You’ll go back with a fresh muscles and motivation.
Cheese
While we aren’t diehard fans of all dairy, “the power of the cheese” is right on. However, we do believe in skipping the weirdo processed stuff reminiscent of school lunches. Play it snooty and go for the good, aged stuff. Not only is aged cheese a fermented food, it contains little to no lactose.
It’s also got good fat (see #1), essential nutrients, and a wallop of protein. But this will all be mere peripheral chatter once you’re actually enjoying. The satisfaction surpasses all of the above.
(Side Tip: For those interested in dipping their toe in the raw arena, try a good raw [non-pasteurized] import or local specialty.)
The Caveat
There’s always one. Whatever your “vices”, be sure they’re not self-destructive. Drugs, alcohol, days off and rich foods can quickly derail your health and your life, so choose smart.
Comments? Additions? Share your thoughts on these and other sensible vices.
PinkMoose, In Praise of Sardines, arbyreed, im.no.hero, nicholaslaughlin Flickr Photos
Further Reading:
How to Eat More Chocolate and Drink More Wine Every Day
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I’ve heard tell that napping is best done in under an hour (power nap? Is that an oxymoron?). Apparently an hour and a half or more of nap leaves one even more tired out.
Also, great way to combine alcohol and cheese is Fondue! Just use veggies and chunks of meat instead of bread.
Mmm…tequila. Have you hugged your toilet today?
Don’t forget dark chocolate! I love a couple squares of Lindt 85% chocolate with a glass of wine. It’s heavenly, low-carb, and not exactly unhealthful.
Cheers
Scott Kustes
Modern Forager
I fully agree that every office in America, no, the WORLD should have a 1pm nap time. Think of it; right after lunch time your boss comes out of his cave and and throws a few really comfortable sleep time mats on the floor and we all go to sleep for 1 hour. I genuinely believe everyone in the office would be 1000 times more productive and 1100 times nicer. It’s good to know too that tequila is apart of the primal diet as well.
Ah, such a good list. I eat butter straight, and I have a batch of homemade goat cheese aging on my counter right now (my first attempt!). Naps are delightful (as are napping kittens). It was indulgent just to read this list.
Food Is Love
Huckleberry-
Do you make your own butter? Try Kerrygold Irish Butter.
Ted-
That reminds me of kindergarten. We had mats and were suppossed to take a nap after snack time. Yeah right.
Crystal,
I have made my own butter before, but don’t do it regularly. Is Kerrygold from pastured cows? I bought the Organic Valley special pastured butter already once this season and it was tasty.
Food Is Love
Great news about Tequila. Even a 20min nap is a great rejuvenator. Right now my body has its on agenda, and I’ll take the time off to restructure my work outs and start fresh when I get feel better in a few days.
Scott,
I think that we may be kindred spirits. I read your blog each day and I was just about to share my “vice.” I have it about 4-5 nights per week and it includes - you guessed it - Lindt 85% dark chocolate with about 4 oz of red wine. Simply divine.
My other “vice”. A double shot of espresso in the morning. Rich, creamy and heavenly. No need for anything else.
I can testify to the validity of the tequila, but not the poetry.
Drinking 100% pure agave will not produce the floor, unless one consumes the entire bottle.
Not being a Mixto, but pure agave does not result in the sickness or hangover tendencies exhibited by the Mixtos.
You also do not have to spend a fortune for a quality 100% agave. Widely available is 1800.
[...] the intake of dark leafy green vegetables, adding a little cheese to the diet (one of the Primal sensible vices), or supplementing the diet with either a calcium or vitamin D – which improves calcium [...]