Column What if we ate like it was 1994?

In a world where we are inundated with food trends (I’m looking at you, cronuts) and a handful of hip diets (the P word) it makes you get nostalgic for a simpler time. In fact don’t we often use the “eat food your grandmother would recognize” line? But what happens when we go back in time? Turns out you have to go back a long time before things get simple again.

I decided to go back 20 years to see what Foodie Underground would have written about – and what we would have been eating – in 1994.

According to a December 1994 article in the New York Times, “Fat is up, but so is low fat. Organic foods are growing; pretzels are, too. When it comes to vegetables, iceberg lettuce is still a favorite.”

Ah yes, the wonderful low fat era, that made us demonize fat and buy a bunch of products with high sugar content in the process. This was the “food product” era, when food science could solve everything. Which is probably why Snackwell’s, the line of reduced-fat cookies and crackers, outsold Oreos in 1994, which up until then had been America’s favorite cookie.

We can look back now and laugh at our silly young selves and say “but a processed cookie is still a processed cookie, just look at the ingredient list!” but we didn’t know any better. Oh and also, the vanilla cream sandwich was the best seller. Nothing says “healthy cookie” like vanilla cream.

According to that same New York Times article, “Of the most popular foods in the nation’s diet, whole milk, cola and margarine provide the most calories, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Also in the top 10 are sugar, low-fat milk, rolls and buns, white flour, white bread, American cheese and ground beef.”

So you were looking at a plate with a beef hamburger, served with a can of coke, and probably with a margarine slathered roll on the side for good measure. Yum.

And oh how that diet did a number on us. According to the CDC, “In 1994, almost all states had prevalence of obesity less than 18%.” And in 2010, “almost all states exceeded 22% and 32 of these states exceeded 26%.” All to say that in terms of public health, things have only gotten worse, probably because we consumed a few too many rolls, and also for so long we internalized that “low-fat” message, in fact, many of us still do. That and the fact that we still haven’t kicked our addiction to added sugars; our consumption of which is at about the same level as in 1994.

But thank god the margarine craze is over. While people were already writing about the “questionable wisdom” of the low-fat diet, it still took people a long to come back to the though that real butter was probably better than a processed product is beyond me. Although some of us are now trying to keep that butter balance with healthy oils.

Baked brie was in, according to this 1994 dinner party menu from Saveur, and goat cheese was already topping salads, proving that people will always have a soft spot for French inspired food. You can thank Julia Child for that.

Apparently the first ever online purchase was a pizza from Pizza Hut. It was all downhill from there.

But with the low-fat foods in full swing and the organic food craze that was just starting, it would seem that we were in the process of trying to become more health conscious. Or at least conscious of nutritionism, which we all know has its flaws. As Michael Pollan so famously wrote almost a decade ago, “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. That, more or less, is the short answer to the supposedly incredibly complicated and confusing question of what we humans should eat in order to be maximally healthy.”

In 1994 however, we weren’t quite there yet. As a matter of fact, I am still not sure we’re all really there. Twenty years later and we’re still consuming food products like nobody’s business; we’re headed towards a public health crisis caused by antibiotic resistance and we’re obsessed with marketing claims – “oh! it has antioxidants in it!”

1994 was the year the the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) was  enacted by Congress, “following public debate concerning the importance of dietary supplements in promoting health.” That didn’t mean the FDA was fully regulating them, it just outlined how they should be labeled. In fact although dietary supplement manufacturing facilities must be registered under DSHEA with the FDA they do not have to get FDA approval before making or selling their products. Basically the manufacturers are excluded from all regulations that are used for over the counter and prescription drugs.

Since then they’ve boomed. Nowadays about 40 percent of Americans take a multivitamin, and we spend more than $28 billion per year on vitamin supplements. We’re now starting to come around to the fact that multivitamins aren’t really all they’re cracked up to be. And while our Standard American Diet leaves us in desperately lacking in nutrients, now we know that pills aren’t necessarily the way to get them. “Usually it is best to try to get these vitamins and minerals and nutrients from food as opposed to supplements,” Dr. JoAnn Manson, chief of preventive medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, told the Harvard Women’s Health Watch.

If a look back at food trends from twenty years ago teaches us anything, it’s the same lesson I keep repeating on Foodie Underground each week: eat real food. Definitely not low-fat pretzels. You don’t want to seem like you’re living in the ’90s now do you?

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This is the latest installment of Anna Brones’ weekly column at EcoSalon: Foodie Underground, an exploration of what’s new and different in the underground movement, and how we make the topic of good food more accessible to everyone. More musings on the topic can be found at www.foodieunderground.com.

Image: Reuben Bedingfield

The post Bygone Food Trends: What if We Ate Like it Was 1994? Foodie Underground appeared first on EcoSalon.

ColumnFrom culture and politics to sex and relationships, too many of us spend too much time living in the past. Looking back with a wink and a nod is one thing, but nursing nostalgia is quite another.

I don’t recall exactly when I first heard a song from “my era” on an oldies radio station, but I couldn’t have been much older than 30. I’m going to say it was the mid-’90s, and it was probably my own fault in the first place for playing it too loose with my channel choices. (I mean, who listens to oldies radio?) I do, however, remember a Casey Kasem-esque pop-announcer harkening back to “years ago when this classic gem was number one. And now here’s The Clash, with their popular number, ‘London Calling.’”

I wasn’t at an age to lament growing old, so that angle of grief didn’t rear its woeful head. So I skipped the denial stage and went straight to anger. “Jesus, who is this fucking announcer?! It’s so over, anyway. Coopted. Mainstreamed, tagged and shelved.” And then the real classic: “They don’t make music like this anymore.”

I imagined myself back in the pit. (We called it slam dancing, if we called it anything at all. Not moshing). I thought, how great would that be?

Nostalgia—“a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations”—is a funny thing. (For you etymology buffs, it’s from the Greek nostos [home] plus algos [pain]. Homepain. Yummy.) It can hit you at any age about anything. From culture and politics to sex and relationships, it taps into macro- or micro-eras from your past when things had a distinct and (it seems now) pleasurable feel. The rush of compelling remembrance and desire can be so vivid that you would pledge your soul to somehow turn back the clock.

On top of that, the sensory assault can come from anywhere at any time. Someone’s perfume or the smell of a fresh croissant, rereading the novel that blew you away in high school or hearing a lost recording of the band you hung out with in college. It can happen when you realize you can’t afford something you once could. It can possess you in a cynical instant when you sense that you now know something about which you were once blissfully naïve.

Truth is, it doesn’t take long for a moment to fade in terms of time (long ago can happen fast), while somehow remaining closer than it appears in your rearview mirror. If you’re a parent you’ve done the math and pondered: “I wonder if my kid sees the ’80s the way I saw the ’50s? Does he think about R.E.M. the way I thought of The Platters?” Consider this: If the Beatles were breaking up today, they would have landed at JFK, all mop-topped and black & white, in 2007. Hell, the Gulf War is to today’s youth what the Korean War was to me. I am so not ready for M*A*S*H* 1990.

Mind-bending timeframes aside, if we’re between 35 and 65 and nostalgic feelings begin to wash up quickly and en masse, we often call it a mid-life crisis. The crisis part comes from how desperately we want to return to “like it was,” be it in bed, on the road, or simply when everything looked and sounded so, so good. If we only had the money, we’d buy it all back. Some do, in fact, in the form of a fire-red sports car or a sudden quit-job-join-Peace Corp play or the procurement of a boy- or girl-toy(s) whose youth is still being (poor things) wasted on the young. (I like to say that as much as I wanted one, I couldn’t afford a mid-life crisis.) In any case, this first wave can be startling and disorienting. Bright shiny objects from your past suddenly seem to be everywhere. It’s not just about history. It’s about loss. And it can quickly become unhealthy.

Bargaining: Train in Vain

When nostalgic cravings come up, it’s useful to remember how much we like to rewrite the past. Was that thing or time or person truly as warm and fuzzy and downright perfect as you remember? How much of the memory is infused with nostalgia itself, part of a vicious cycle of live, glorify, (try to) repeat. Fact is, most experiences weren’t quite as lovely (or awful, as the case may be) as they now seem to be.

I remember listening to a one-time travel-mate recall for an audience (holding court in a bar is nostalgia heaven, is it not?) the grandeur of some of our youthful “Third World” wanderings. “Man, we were great.” We were, in many ways, though I secretly remembered that my journeys were far from invariably glorious. (Maybe I passed on that last Jäger that night.) I thought to myself: Would I really take a do-over on that third-class train ride up the Nile? And getting busted in Burma pretty much sucked. And no, I didn’t get laid that one night and in truth I fought like a bandit with a pal about some dumb thing and pretty much wanted to bail on the whole adventure. These nostalgia-in-perspective thoughts didn’t diminish fondness for my road days, but to quote (the always great) Dorothy Parker, “I hate writing. I love having written.”

It’s true that we all enjoy a good rework of times gone by now and again—or at least our built-in forgetter takes charge for a variety of reasons. If it weren’t your music or your movie, would you really still think that band rules or that flick was the greatest ever? Sure, some stuff stands the test of time (I click like on everything Patti Smith or Tom Robbins), but to confess some more of my own nostalgia-meets-truth reality, The Psychedelic Furs were a great band but not the voice of a generation and high school was not cool like “Dazed and Confused.” (In fact, it was often a cesspool of fear and loathing.) Really, for those who were there, was Dirty Old 1970’s New York City all fun and games? And VH1 celebratory bullshit aside, were the ’80s the good old days? Speaking of that lovely decade, did the blow rock, or what? Was that God we saw or the bottom of a toilet bowl?

On the collective side, our attention-span-challenged nation is no stranger to massive, group-grope, creative cultural reimaginings, as well. There were the “simpler” 1950s, when a man was a man and Sundays meant church (and civil rights were still a dream). The ’60s—awesome color and light, man (and you could still “be the first one on your block to have your boy come home in a box.” Killer tune, no?). Political revisionism? Pick a side and pick a myth. Reagan. Clinton. Already the truly horrible Boy George (the reworked watercolorist, not the also-often-revisited crooner) is enjoying an alarmingly real-time re-do for when America most recently wielded its great big stick. Give it another decade and we’ll be looking back fondly at Dick Cheney.

One more quick but important over-the-shoulder shot before knocking off the past-bashing—let’s talk about sex, baby. Next time you see someone that reminds you of your magnificent hook-up daze, ask yourself if you were “better” then or now. I once heard an unconfirmed (but sounds like him) Norman Mailer story. When asked what he knew as an older man that he could have used when he was 18, his answer was “the key to great sex—lighting.” Are there things you know now—or didn’t know then—that get in that way of how you’d like to remember your alleged prime? And on a let’s-be-honest-it’s-only-somewhat-related note, was that true-love relationship as paradisiac as you remember? Even if he or she still somewhat resembles that 10-year-old pic on their Facebook profile, you broke up for a reason right?

Acceptance: A Brand New Cadillac

Enough with retro-assault; it surely wasn’t as bad as all that. In fact, let’s assume, for the sake of argument, that everything you’re nostalgic about was as great as you remember. Let’s even call it better. The question remains, do you really need it back, or is being here now a better play? My ’68 Mustang rocked, but when it died, it died. Hard. And this (relatively) new Prius? Runs great. Super mileage. And most important, it draws zero attention from the cops—a population among us for whom I have zero nostalgia. (They seemed particularly drawn to the Detroit muscle. No need to relive that.)

Her words may seem trite, but I have to hand it to my shrink who without fail responds to almost every “I want” with a solid-citizen-like, “What’s wrong with what you have?” (Sage direction. Semi-affordable.) One thing I noticed when that unaffordable midlife crisis abated, as most crises do, was that it had something to do with my no longer being interested in grabbing at what I once had, but instead began enjoying memories for what they are—information. By that, I mean they inform us about who we are now. Even the most wonderful and deservedly-cherished memories—mom’s embrace after school, uncontrollably stoned laughter at the Dead show, “Midnight in Paris” when all the pensions were booked—are all disappeared elements of your life that should color you in without defining who you are—and help you look forward as only humans do.

Here’s the thing about nostalgia: Like any drug that takes us out of our present reality, if left unchecked, it’ll grab you by the throat. It’s certainly true that most of our suffering comes down to unhealthy attachments. Nostalgia, in the end, is like any bright shiny object—and your relationship with it can be healthy, or not, depending how desperate you are to go backwards—and get away from where you’re at.

I have an uncle who’s 10 or so years older than me. I remember when he turned 30. It seemed so old to me back then, and my 20s loomed large like the Promised Land. I asked about how he felt about his new decade. Was it a drag getting older? “Fuck that,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to do 29 again for nothing. I’m moving on.” Amen. As for that old gem, London Calling, you bet it called. But I doubt it has my cell.

Scott Adelson is EcoSalon’s Senior Editor of HyperKulture, a monthly column that explores opening cultural doors to initiate personal change. He is also the author of InPRINT, which reviews and discusses books, new and old. You can reach him at scott at adelson dot org and follow him @scottadelson on Twitter.

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Images: Katie_photographer (top), chris m. (center), IFCAR (bottom)

The post Living in the Past – You Can’t Go Back…Why Would You Want To? HyperKulture appeared first on EcoSalon.

ColumnOur favorite trendsetters and celebs are definitely bringing back ’90s fashion in a totally stylin’ way. This month’s edition of On Trend highlights some of the most wearable trends of this contradictory and fashionably nonchalant decade. Take note and add your favorite pieces to your summer wardrobe!

1. The Bayside Jean by The Reformation

These jeans are super cute and make the perfect ’90s look for a casual day out on the town or a weekend festival. Pair them with one of The Reformation crop tops, all made from surplus fabrics, and a pair of canvas kicks for a fresh and clean Jennifer Aniston look!

The Reformation, $98

2. Leopard Mix Tee by Edith A. Miller

Mixing prints was a big deal in the ’90s, and this tee by Edith A. Miller brings back that trend in a subtle but totally awesome way. Wear this rocker chic top with a pair of cut off denim shorts, a simple miniskirt or a pair of black leggings and lace-up leather boots.

Beklina, $85

3. Day Coat by Feral Childe

Katharine Hepburn may have been one of the first women to don menswear, but the ’90s brought on a whole new way of wearing your boyfriend’s wardrobe. This gorgeous coat from Feral Childe is classy and sexy in that tough tomboy meets feminine mystique ’90s Drew Barrymore style.

Feral Childe, $395

4. Samantha Dress by Frock LA

The cami dress was a huge hit in the ’90s and this bright red  body con version of it is just the ticket for a girl’s night out. Rock it with a pair of kitten heels for an uber sexy Posh Spice look or opt for a Doc Martens for an equally sexy but tougher (and probably more comfortable) outfit.

Frock LA, $75

5. Ivy Over the Knee Socks by Zkano

Iggy Azalea artfully channeled the ubiquitous Cher fro Clueless in her “Fancy” video, and we fell in love with the nostalgia of her knee socks. This pair from Zkano is made in the USA from organic cotton, and the perfect accessory for your miniskirt or high-waist shorts. Don’t forget your mini backpack!

Zkano, $17

6. Cerulean Nail Polish by RGB

Electric blue nails are back, and you can rock them just as well as Gwen Stefani, Brandy and Liz Phair did twenty years ago! RGB’s Cerulean nail polish is the perfect shade of shimmery blue and is free of major toxins found in many nail polish brands, is vegan and made in the USA. Can’t beat that!

RGB, $18

7. Tinted Lip Treatment in Nude by La Mav

Nude lips are so Christy Turlington, and who wouldn’t want to emanate one of the most gorgeous supermodels of the century? This lip color from La Mav is made from a blend of cocoa butter, coconut oil and jojoba oil and protects the lips from UV, free radicals and air pollutants with its clinically proven and hydrtaing Bio-Actives.

What’s your favorite ’90s look?

Nourished Life, $20

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