Americans sure are an unhealthy looking bunch

[spinbaby]

It struck me at Target last night, just how unhealthy the American public looks. This really isn't about fat--many fat people look perfectly healthy--it has more to do with complexions and the way people move. So many people have skin that's sallow, gray, blotchy. So many people have sunken eyes with dark circles underneath. They're shuffling, hobbling, and draped across shopping carts as if they're about to expire. Kids often have that pale, pinched look and dull, stringy hair. What's wrong with us?

[billyskank]

1. !

:hide:

[MissMillie]

2. I'm thinking

it's the holiday season and most of us are already sick of it

:shrug:

(I actually like the Yuletide season, I just wish it didn't start until... today. 10 days before Christmas, and then the run up to New Year's is ENOUGH for me)

[Richardo]

12. MissMillie, you need to join my Quadrennial Yuletide Movement

Proposed: Christmas (or "the Holidays") every four years, like Presidential elections or the Olympics.

This way:

1) It's more of a special occasion
2) You have time to pay off previous Holiday and save for next Holiday
3) It's just a better idea

Join us er, me! Together we can build this into a movement that will sweep the world.

Or, it just gives us a platform from which to complain :thumbsup:

[MissMillie]

13. I'm w/ ya!

You start the lobbying; I'll be your wingman, er wingperson.

(I imagine O'Reilly will be all over us for the "War on Christmas".... bring it on, Bill!)

[Richardo]

14. I can report that membership in our movement has increased by 100%

...in the last 20 minutes. :patriot:

[bleedingheart]

3. people stress themselves out too much

everyone thinks they have to do it all and they have to do it all now...

no one enjoys a good nap anymore...and very few of us enjoy the free stuff in life...like a walk..a book or just pondering the snowflakes as they fall...

[billyskank]

5. They don't want you to enjoy the free stuff in life

because nobody's making a profit from it. They want to sell you your enjoyment.

[alarimer]

4. Well I have circles under my eyes from allergies

Or so I've been told that's why. I am constantly congested and do not sleep very well so I look like hell too.

Probably a lot of people have problems like this or worse.

[LaurenG]

6. I don't think most Americans eat properly

Too much fast food and too few fruits and veggies. :shrug:

[zingaro]

7. I don't have an answer for you but

I've noticed the same thing.

And angry, too. People are always angry or rude. And I just don't mean during the holiday shopping mess.

Unhealthy and angry.

[spinbaby]

9. They looked more depressed than angry

[JVS]

8. It's December, that's how people look in December

[Little Wing]

10. Take a swing through a Wal*Mart sometime

:scared:

[BarenakedLady]

11. Hey, I resemble that remark!

One word: depression. Though I can only speak for myself.

[YankeyMCC]

15. Omnivore's Dilemma

by Michael Pollan

You might find some basis for what you're noticing in there. He talks about the so called "French paradox" - the idea that people in France who eat lots of rich foods are generally healthier than Americans who are so obsessed with 'healthy eating'. It's really an American paradox, how is it when we make such a big deal about healthy food that we all seem to unhealthy?

Also, the hubris of thinking all that we know about nutrition (Exampled by the idea of NPK analysis of soil, and the protein-carb-fat analysis of human nutritional needs) is all that we NEED to know.

It's a pretty enlightening book.