The previous Great NEWS post shared Parenting Principles for Preventing Problems Part 13 – Independent Adult Children Parenting Challenges and today we totally shift gears by beginning a mini series with Happy Healthy Travel Tales and Tips. I have been traveling a lot lately and am noticing several disturbing trends and troubles around the US and globe. There are many direct and subtle messages in these powerful posts so read carefully to help you enjoy your life and travels even more. The upcoming posts will summarize different trips and the trends observed as well as share Happy Healthy Travel Tips.
Spain is a beautiful country and many of the people seem very nice, open and warm.
In late April I took a Royal Caribbean transatlantic cruise from Galveston, Texas to Barcelona, Spain. Be sure to check out the informative previous posts before you take a cruise by putting the word cruise in my WordPress site search box. https://www.michaelmorningstar.com/cruise-cautions-and-concerns/ and https://www.michaelmorningstar.com/cruise-coaching-common-sense/
This post will pick up with the end of my cruise covering my visit to Alicante and Barcelona Spain. Spain is a beautiful country and many of the people seem very nice, open and warm. It is always best to cover what is great about a country first like the food and the people before discussing what can be improved.
Special About Spain
Spain is blessed with a great climate and soil which yields an abundance of delicious and nutritious foods. Many of these foods can be grown year round in Spain or Canary Islands (part of Spain). Due to Spain’s great location in southwestern Europe along the northwestern Mediterranean Sea it has the right combination of cooler nights and warmer days.
In addition the geography, rain, soil and sun seem to be perfect for growing great berries, fruits, grains, greens, herbs, mushrooms, nuts, seeds, tubers and vegetables.
In addition the geography, rain, soil and sun seem to be perfect for growing great berries, fruits, grains, greens, herbs, mushrooms, nuts, seeds, tubers and vegetables. In addition the country produces a lot of grass fed natural and organic animal products and wild caught fish sea foods.
Animal products: beef, cheese, chicken, dairy, eggs, goat, lamb, pork and rabbit.
Berries: arbutus, blackberry, blueberry, cranberry, currant, raspberry, sloe, strawberry,
Fish and Sea foods: calamari (squid), clams, fish (anchovies, herring, mackerel, sardines and other sea foods.
Fruits: apples, apricots, bananas, cherries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, lemons, limes, loquats, oranges, peaches, pears, plums, pomegranate, tangerines
Grains: barley, oats, rice, rye, sorghum, wheat
Greens: arugula, cabbage, celery, celery root, chard, collards, dandelion, fennel, kale, lettuce, spinach,
Herbs: basil, bay leaf, cilantro, garlic, mint, nettles, oregano, paprika, parsley, rosemary, sage, tarragon, thyme,
Legumes and beans: black, broad, chickpeas, fava, green beans, kidney beans, lentils, lima, purple, red, white
Melons: canary, cantaloupe, honey dew, watermelon.
Nuts: almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, pine nuts, walnuts,
Roots and Tubers: beets, carrots, onions, parsnips, potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams
Seeds: flax, hemp, pumpkin, sunflower
Spices: cayenne, chilies, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, pepper, sea salt,
Vegetables: bell peppers, eggplant, okra, peppers, squash, string beans, tomatoes,
Other food crops include avocados, coconuts, corn, mushrooms, soy beans, sugar beets
Soy oil use and sweets are really starting to show on the population especially among the middle age and young people.
While most of these foods can normally be quite healthy the soy beans and sugar beets have become problematic due to the excess sugar and soy oil consumption. Excess consumption of fried foods many of them using soy oil is a recipe for being sad, sick, stressed and suffering. Soy oil use and sweets are really starting to show on the population especially among the middle age and young people. This is sad because they are trading being happy and healthy for an addiction to foods robbing them of the health and wealth.
Due to the large agriculture industry and production capacity food prices and variety in Spain are fantastic. It is easy to find an incredible selection of fresh, healthy and nutrient dense whole foods in Spain at local markets. It is also easy to find a lot of fake, fast and junk food in the markets and streets.
SAD, Sick and Stressed in Spain
Like most places in the world the Standard American Diet (SAD) has developed a strong foothold. In every city visited there are the big American franchises Burger King, Coca Cola, Domino’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Subway and Starbucks. Burgers, French fries and a soda are one of the top meal choices of the younger generation. Bread, cereal, crackers, cookies, pasta, pizza and sandwiches have replaced many of the traditional foods in Spain and the country and its people are paying a major price.
Eating early at 18:00 is very unusual and results in no waiting and reduced meal prices for those committed to being happy and healthy naturally without upsetting the body’s biorhythms and natural cycles.
Many people are dealing with blood pressure, blood sugar, diabetes and weight gain while losing their energy, health and vitality. Another serious concern is the late night eating that takes places throughout most of the country. It is not unusual for people to start eating at 21:00 or 22:00 and go until 24:00 and beyond. Eating early at 18:00 is very unusual and results in no waiting and reduced meal prices for those committed to being happy and healthy naturally without upsetting the body’s biorhythms and natural cycles.
Another issue is the late night alcohol, beer and wine consumption that occur late into the night and early morning. This late night partying affects their mornings, impacts their day and then siesta time in the afternoon is reducing their competitive position and productivity. Smoking is also a big problem in Spain in spite of the governments guidelines to reduce the problem.
Luckily most people in Spain are more active, fit and healthy than other developed countries due to their more active lifestyle, less indulgence in SAD foods and portion control. They are currently struggling economically and hopefully this will reduce their desire for fast, fake and junk foods. Maybe when they go back to following a more traditional eating and lifestyle they are more likely to be even more happy, healthy and in harmony with life.
This Great NEWS post is the first one in the Happy Healthy Travel Tales & Tips series. The goal is to share simple steps and smart solutions to help you enjoy fresh foods and terrific travel. This post on Happy Healthy Travel Tales and Tips is shared to help you with better choices.
What is your current Gap?
How educated and empowered do you feel for being happy and healthy?
Mastery Action Plan (MAP)
What action plans will help you be even more happy and healthy at home and while traveling? What great books or websites have been helpful for you?
Call to Action
What comments, commitments or concerns do you have regarding being happy and healthy at home or while traveling?
Next week the Great NEWS blog will share:
Happy Healthy Travel Tales and Tips Part 2 England
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