A Pretty Plate

I received an email from my cousin, James Rahman, passing on some “Maxine” wisdom.  It read: 

Yesterday I went to the doctor for my yearly physical.

My blood pressure was high.

My cholesterol was high.

I'd gained some weight, and I didn't feel so hot.

My doctor said eating right doesn't have to be complicated and it would solve my physical problems. He said, "Just think in colors. Fill your plate with bright colors. Try some greens, oranges, reds, maybe something yellow,  etc., and  eat an entire bowl of bright colors."

And sure enough, I felt better immediately!  I  never knew eating right could be so easy!

This funny little story reminded me of Mama Swann (my grandmother, Eddye Mae LOYD SWANN).  Every time we sat down to eat, she performed the same ritual--she folded her napkin (real cloth) in her lap and served her plate from the bowls as they were passed around the table. Then she surveyed her plate as though she was examining a fine piece of art. With a proud little tilt of her head she would say, "Now this is a pretty plate!”

One day I asked her why she did this. That is when I received my first lesson in good nutrition. “Joan,” she replied, “if you have all the colors (red, yellow, orange, and green) represented in the food on your plate, you have your basic nutrients.”

That was about 60 years ago, but I always think of her when I look at my plate and check for all the colors. I wonder if Maxine's doctor knew Mama Swann!