Like many people, I go through my bouts of eating more healthy and natural foods over time. (maybe even more as I have gotten older???) In the mid-80's, I even switched to a semi-vegetarian lifestyle, omitting meat (beef, pork, lamb and most poultry) for about 7 years from my daily diet, but did consume fish & seafood; some poultry, eggs and dairy products,while naturally increasing my intake of beans, grains, vegetables and fruits. Boy did I see the health benefits quickly; weight loss, overall health improvement and --get this-- less body odor and smells; YES!!! (So true what they say about eating all that meat and natural fat; even in Japanese, there is an expression "bataa kusai" or "stink like butter", when referring to that tell-tale natural smell that comes from our body, usually when we perspire.) This past week, I found myself wondering if I could get back into that healthy lifestyle again. Coming across our local produce stand making their own "umeboshi" or pickled plums (a favorite of mine) on bright, sunny days and having this healthy bowl of cooked black rice (looks purple when prepared) topped with my favorite "natto" or sticky fermented beans (stinky and slimy too -- now don't you just want some???) at a favorite lunch place recently were just some of the things that have inspired me to do so again!!! Now pass me some more of that NATTO; who needs meat all the time???
