There are people among us with known allergies to various food components. Eating out means gambling with life for these people. Yet, they keep doing it and trusting the waiter and the chef to take care the served food is without the fatal allergens.
Every now and then we read and hear about allergy caused tragedies. The most recent one - the death of a 22 year old israeli allergic to milk , on a trip in Colombia. News like this leave me hurting inside and speechless.
I remember well when my father (no allergies) was offered to work for a while after retirement. He consulted his family doctor who was not happy about it because of the daily commute involved. 'But I don't drive, just sit on the bus chair', he said. 'Well, that's it', she replied. 'You sit, and sitting is bad for your high blood pressure'.
His work was mostly physical , albeit of a light nature. She was not worried by that, only about his daily commute to and fro work.
Go figure! Millions sit in cars and drive for hours, and she made a fuss over less than a two hours commute (40 min to, 40 min. fro)! She was referring, however, to an existing health condition (high blood pressure) of a person at a certain age (retirement age) when things might deteriorate and become a kind of gambling with life (she did use the phrase 'don't gamble with your life').
We tend to philosophically say 'All of life is a gamble'. Still, by taking the right measures, we can minimize, avoid, prevent - in fact, control - to a certain extent, the gambling side of life.
Thanks for the post. Yes, we do have a way of sitting through things in life. Even movies are getting longer. A 3 hour movie! And if you do go out to a movie then most of us are stuffing our faces with popcorn (which isn't really that bad..unless you think of the salt and the butter). We are a society..you just aren't moving unless you are going to the gym. Although, like you said, it's best to get up and move and not plant yourself on sitting through the day. Of course, this heatwave isn't helping much. I hope you are doing well and keep moving.
ReplyDeleteSince you've mentioned 'popcorn' - it is highly recommended for diet (without butter and salt, of course). I've got a device for making popcorn, but use it merely in winter.
DeleteAs for moving, it's much healthier than sitting, of course.
Well...I have COVID. Nothing too major. Just a sore throat. I am glad I got the vaccine and boosted too. Also they gave me an antiviral. We had a box of Covid tests at home. Something I could get from the library. I would advise to do a test try before you have to take the test. I had taken two earlier that said negative, but when I took another the next day it said positive. Cold things help my throat, but I like the mint tea. And warm mashed potatoes in chicken soup have been good too. I have not lost my smell or taste. Thank you for comment. Stay well! Stay healthy! I'm pretty sure I caught this from my husband who also has Covid. He drives a bus for Senior Citizens and most of the bus drivers are out sick too.
DeleteSorry about that! Perhaps, not surprising as both you and your husband come in daily contact with people; he on his bus, you at the library.
DeleteWishing you both a swift and smooth recovery!
I hope you are having a good August. Thank you so much for your comments. Thanks for the L. Cohen reminder too. He was such a great song writer and singer. A classic we should admire more..and enjoy! Back to work tomorrow! Masked, no doubt!
DeleteGlad you're OK and resuming work.
DeleteAugust has just begun, and we hope for some lower temperatures.
Anyway, listening to Leonard Cohen will help us overcome the heat :)
Totalmente de acuerdo contigo de que toda precaución es poca, pero, tenemos que confiar en los profesionales, porque si no salimos a comer y a disfrutar fuera, nuestra vida sería aburrida y monótona.
ReplyDeleteMi nieto de trece años es alérgico a los huevos, y el mismo conoce los riesgos de ciertos productos que aunque no sean huevos, lo contienen en parte, y el mismo se encarga de repetirlo a los camareros una y otra vez con el fin de que se aseguren.
Buen fin de semana, estimada amiga.
I personally prefer boring but alive.
DeletePeople with allergies usually carry with them a life saving device called 'epipen' which injects a drug to someone experiencing severe attack of allergy.
Athough nowadays, allergy awareness in restaurants has increased, still it's a risk to trust waiters and chefs with your life.
Oh no. That is very sad about the milk allergy!
ReplyDeleteTerrible. One of the most common allergies is allergy to milk. Other common allergies: to egg, peanut, soy, wheat, tree nuts, shellfish.
DeleteI agree, Duta. We can take those right measures for our health. The obvious is no smoking, eating healthy, getting exercise, checkups with doctors, avoid excessive drinking (or no drinking) etc. But it is also taking care of our inner being. Reducing stress, anxiety, worry and fear. Those are big killers in their own way in more ways than one. Did your dad take that job after retirement or did he listen to the advice of his physician?
ReplyDeletebetty
In my father's days, the doctor was considered almost God;s deputy; he'll follow doctor's advice.
DeleteNowadays, it's a bit different. We'll closely pay attention to our body's reactions to various things: food, drugs, stress, exercise - and decide accordingly.
A person with allergies should be extremely careful, no doubt. A friend of mine is allergic to nuts. She always carries an EpiPen.
ReplyDeleteAnd let's keep moving... : )
True. Yet there were cases when even the use of the epipen was too late, or for some reason not effective. Prevention is the best cure, as they say.
DeleteMostly it comes down to good or bad gens. Sometimes it just doesn't matter what you do. Cholesterol comes to mind. Mine is quite high. I'm very active, not overweight, and eat well; but still I have high cholesterol. None of my good behaviors made an improvement, so I finally had to give up and take meds. Doc said it was in the gens and had virutually nothing to do with my lifestyle. BP though perhaps can be helped or at least not made worse by things we do and don't do?
ReplyDeleteWell, I believe HBP could be controlled with no, or few medication.
DeleteFor a start, salt has to be eliminated. I never add salt. I read the labels on bought items to make sure the salt content is low.
No smoking; my father used to smoke. He quit, but perhaps some damage has already been done.
No to stress, yes to some physical activity.
I have a lactose intolerance
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know, this condition of intolerance is quite uncomfortable, but harmless - not dangerous as allergy.
DeleteHere in Nashville it is a gamble to drive anywhere. Too many cars and not enough roads. However the people keep flocking to TN and now we look like where they came from. Peace
ReplyDeleteRight. " too many cars and not enough roads" turn driving into a gambling thing. I'm afraid that's the case everywhere, not only in your area.
DeleteLike Christine, I'm lactose intolerant too, but it's not life threatening. Thank goodness. I see people taking a lot of chances going out to crowded places unmasked here in Hawaii. My daughter tells me it's lots worse in Illinois.
ReplyDeleteThe mask issue makes me sad and angry. I keep wearing the mask, but if those around me are without masks, it puts me at risk too.
DeleteEating out must be some of a nightmare for some people who have allergies. The chefs do have to be trusted in this situation as a sniff of a nut for some people will send them into an anaphylactic shock as an example. Driving in traffic is not a problem down here, well not for my husband or myself as we don't have a big population.
ReplyDeleteIt is. Even if you don't have a known allergy, eating out might surprise. When out, I tend to eat only familiar , simple dishes, to avoid unpleasant surprises.
DeleteTotally agree we have to treat our lives with care especially when there is a specific need for that because of intolerance e.o. You don't gamble with that My son had a milk allergy when small but he seems to be all right now
ReplyDeleteGlad your son has 'grown out' of his childhood milk allergy. That's a great relief both for him and family.
DeleteYes, allergy can be fatal. I know someone who is allergic to prawns. If he accidentally consume one, his throat will get inflammed and he will have difficulty breathing and have to be rushed to a hospital.
ReplyDeleteIn a case like this - immediate hospitalization, regardless of whether he's got an epipen with him.
DeleteIf diners have allergies, it is up to the particular diner to make the restaurant staff aware...at time of booking etc. At one restaurant in which I was the cook I had a regular couple who dined at the restaurant a couple or more times a month. They always rang to book to let me know they were coming to eat. The wife had an allergy..she was a celiac...and it was important she had no gluten in the food I prepared for her.
ReplyDeleteLife is a gamble...every day...and in some areas, more so than in others.
Take care. :)
From what I know , people with allergies do inform the restaurant staff about components not to be included in their food, but it doesn't always work; tragedies nevertheless occur.
DeleteIn my experience, the older you get, the harder you have to work to keep moving. But you must do it. I feel so lucky to not have any allergies. It seems to me that life must be so scary for those who have severe allergies. You can't let down your guard ever. Posted by Inger from Desert Canyon.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Inger, life is tough and scary for those with severe allergies, as it requires being on guard all the time.
ReplyDeleteFortunately I have no allergies, but my grandson has or had. When he was a baby he was alergic to almost everything, milk, cats, dust, etc etc and NUTS and this is what remained til today and he is now 11. It is terrible to do shopping for him because I have to check everything if there are no nuts in the ingredients ! He always carries a shot with him when by accident he eats nuts. It's really dangerous, twice he just made it to the hospital otherwise he would have suffocated. Well maybe it will go away in the puberty !
ReplyDeleteSorry about your grandson's allergies, Gattina. Nasty things, allergies.
DeleteHopefully, it will go away in his later years, as it often happens.
my father in low is also a driver
ReplyDeleteWhether he's a professional driver or he just drives a lot - he's got to sit - and sitting is not as healthy as moving.
Deleteyes and because of it he has legs trouble. It is sth connected with blood presure
DeleteHigh BP control is of great importance in preventing heart and leg deterioration. It can be done by taking a few right measures.
DeleteAll we can do is do our very best -- be aware of actions and consequences and make the wisest choices possible. Sometimes that doesn't happen and sometimes it isn't easy. But life is worth the try.
ReplyDeleteWell put, Jeanie!
DeleteLife is worth our efforts to try and do our best regarding awareness and choices.
Boa tarde minha querida amiga. Parabéns pelo seu excelente trabalho e matéria. Acho que eu não tenho nenhuma intolerância à nenhum alimento. Mais alguns que realmente não gosto. Obrigado pela matéria.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're free of any intolerance to food. After all, food gives us not only pleasure, but also energy. Our bofy runs on food like a car on fuel.
DeleteThis is very interesting, and it is also helpful. I had no idea about this (sitting being a problem for those with high blood pressure). Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteWishing you well, my friend. Have a wonderful week!
I was also rather surprised, and thought the doctor was exaggerating, but in those days the doctor had the last word.
DeleteA wonderful week to you too1
Eating out is not easy for a person with allergies, they need to be very careful.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
No doubt, allergies complicate life. One has to be very , very careful as to where and what one eats.
DeleteBoa noite minha querida amiga Duta. Passando para desejar uma excelente quinta-feira.
DeleteThank you, Luiz. Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
DeleteGood blogpost. I am regularly ashamed of my allergies and it is sometimes very difficult to say "no" to people again. Especially if they baked something special. Then I sometimes say: nice, can I take it home? Then I make my husband happy with it. People forget I have a gluten allergy. Or they think it will pass.
ReplyDeleteNothing to be ashamed of, Aritha. There are many out there with gluten allergy. It has become quite a common condition. Anyway, your husband is the winner:)
DeleteRight. By taking the right measures, one can put off some avoidable health issues.
ReplyDeleteOh, we know that, and yet most of us ignore helpful tips convincing ourselves that nothing bad is going to happen to us.
Delete