I worked in enough hospitals and morgues and watched enough people die lingering painful deaths from conditions that could have been easily prevented had they but paid attention to their own bodies to have a very different outlook about death and dying  from your faux melancholie.

Feb 19, 2011 -- 10:36PM, writingal1 wrote:

GC--I'm sorry you feel so bad that you feel you have to grub for every imagined way to "insult" someone who is trying very hard not to address you directly about eating and food issues since you posted about an eating disorder.

I try never to bother people with that kind of problem.

I will go back to not responding because I don't want to make things any worse.

Wgal, I don't feel bad about anything in my life and I have not insulted you and up until now, I didn't take anything you said as an insult.

Yes, I have had an eating disorder. I watch what I eat and am quite healthy these days. And, according to every nutritionist that I had to see to get better, part of being healthy is eating all things, healthy and unhealthy, in moderation so, unlike you and Solf, I will allow myself potato chips and I will allow myself creme brulee and I do exercise, but I certainly won't over-exercise. At the end of the day, my diet consists of a lot of fruits and veggies and organic meats. I do though enjoy french fries and dark chocolate. [tried to insert the smiley face, but it's not showing up]

Feb 19, 2011 -- 10:51PM, writingal1 wrote:

I worked in enough hospitals and morgues and watched enough people die lingering painful deaths from conditions that could have been easily prevented had they but paid attention to their own bodies to have a very different outlook about death and dying  from your faux melancholie.

My melancholy is quite real, WG,

Quality of life is more than physical well being, it calls for hopes and dreams. What I see here in today's society drives me to an almost suicidal despair.

Feb 20, 2011 -- 12:19AM, Stardove wrote:

Feb 19, 2011 -- 11:42PM, Roodog wrote:

Feb 19, 2011 -- 10:51PM, writingal1 wrote:

I worked in enough hospitals and morgues and watched enough people die lingering painful deaths from conditions that could have been easily prevented had they but paid attention to their own bodies to have a very different outlook about death and dying  from your faux melancholie.

My melancholy is quite real, WG,

Quality of life is more than physical well being, it calls for hopes and dreams. What I see here in today's society drives me to an almost suicidal despair.

Roodog, I take talk of suicide very seriously.  This is not something to casually mention even on a social site like Beliefnet. 

If you are truly having thoughts of suicidal despair please reach out for help.

Suicide is not chosen; it happens
when pain exceeds
resources for coping with pain.

Please click on the link.

Or call: 800-273-8255

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), a free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Your call will be routed to the nearest crisis center to you.

Thank you for your concern. The despair comes and goes in my life, it is my cross to bear. I usually count on my failing health to take me away.

Back to the topic, I hope to grow vegetables this spring/ summer to offset the depressing rise of cost in food. It may be practical for all of us to eat less red meat,and more vegetables for the sake of making ends meet instead of philosophical or ideological reasons. Most of us cannot raise our own livestock but we surely can turn our flower gardens into vegetable gardens.

Feb 20, 2011 -- 8:56AM, tmore35 wrote:

I have not read every post in this thread, but I've read enough to think that I have something to contribute.

Yesterday I returned home from the hospital after experiencing my second heart attack in 16 months.  Fortunately, this second one was not as grave as the first.  Another stent was inserted and after a day in the hospital I was alowed to go home.

My question to my doctor was, "How did this happen?"  After the first heart attack I followed every instruction, took all medication regularly, excercised every day, and was very careful about my diet. I was never overweight, don't smoke, and use alcahol in moderation (whatever that means). Fruits and veggies were always my favorite components to any meal, I always prefered whole grain bread to white.  I have not eaten any fast food for 16 months, and was not a big consumer of that stuff before then.  I reduced my red meat intake, added Omgea 3 oil,  and a variety of other of recommended suppliments.  So..What happened?

I do think that many of us may be led to believe that if we eat a "proper diet", add this or that suppliment, cut some things out and add others in, we will be gaurenteed good health, and, if we carefully measure every mouthful for whatever good or bad elements may be contained within we will be able to control the condition of our bodies.  This is not necessarily true, and it can lead to an unhealthy obsession. Prudence is what is called for.

In my case it is likely that genetics has made a contribution to my cardiac problems. This is a major area in life we have absolutely no control over. My mom and her five brothers and sisters all had heart trouble.  However, most of them lived into their 80s, after going through heart attacks, open heart surgeries, medications and other procedures.  I really do not know what my future holds.  I can only do whatever I think is best for me, and maintain an optimistic attitude.

As for "quality of life", I think each of us has to determine for ourselves just what that means to us, and then take the necessary steps to achieve it. Likely, it will be different for everyone. It depends on circumstances, personal preference, and individual personalities.  None of us has the right to determine for another what "quality of life" means.     

Nice point.  By the way the single best predicting factor for longevity is the age at death of a person's parents.  Of course the nutrition, smoking and such are MODIFIABLE risk factors unlike genetics.  You must play the hand you are dealt but you can play it wisely or foolishly ... or for fun!  All are valid choices.