Advice I like

Coffee and chocolate -- two "indulgences" I have most days. I read various magazines and blogs and papers that like to print advice to older people about how to stay healthy. Suddenly a new wind is blowing, the stern old proscriptions against these lovely substances has turned to grudging smiles.  I'm reading about the things we should have:  yes, coffee and chocolate, also wine.  In moderation, of course, a couple of cups of coffee -- the good caffienated kind, none of that wimpy decaffienated brown water -- and dark chocolate, just an ounce or two, but that's enough to satisfy.  Also a glass of wine, occasionally even two.  And nuts, those yummy little morsels that we were warned have such high calories.  No pigging out, of course, but surely we at or beyond the Big 7-0 have learned some self-restraint and the lucky ones have even gained some good sense.

The frowns from the autocrats with the stats about what's good for us come when they talk about red meat -- only a little once a week.  But fish two or three times.  Otherwise lots of salads, fruits, veggies, whole grain cereals and bread.  One of these days they're even going to admit that butter is probably better for us than all that tasteless margarine -- but not yet.  So this new year the advice for living long and healthily and happily is eat, drink and be merry (but skip the burgers and roast beef. fried chicken and such) and enjoy crunchy apples and beautiful green foods -- I mean green in both the senses. Sounds good to me.  Oh, and keep those feet in motion -- it's usually stuck on as an after thought as I've just done, but it should be up front and shouting loudly.  MOVE IT!  Walk, exercise, play active games, shovel snow, push the vacuum, etc.   That's what "THEY" say. I think it works.