https://lifebylarabee.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250808_103735.mp4

The Zucchini Loses the Fight

Many of you are aware that John and I follow a Mediterranean-style meal plan. Like all “meal plans” (forgive me, but I hate the word “diet”; any word that begins with “die” should not be in the dictionary), there are healthy ways to use the guidelines and not-so-healthy ways to use the guidelines. It’s somewhat like the teenager I knew years ago who professed to be a vegetarian but only ate starch, with no vegetables whatsoever. Bottom line: the devil is in the details. Eating real vegetables is critical to the health of the vegetarian meal plan. It’s vegetarian, not starchiarian—enough of the rant.

Our way of eating requires lots of whole grains and true vegetables. John is an organic gardener, and every summer we enjoy the blessing of his labor with the harvest of tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, kale, zucchini, squash, and whatever else he decides to plant. Many of our meals are strictly vegetables and whole grains, although, as you know from last week’s post, we do enjoy limited amounts of seafood, chicken, and the occasional splurge when we are out with family or friends.

Honestly, it is far easier to eat the American Standard Diet, but I feel better when I eat better. For me, it is a decided choice. I like the idea of preserving my health for as long as possible. Some day, something is going to get me, but I have no plans to grow old gracefully. I am a warrior. I will fight until the end.

There are days, though, when my body fails to cooperate, and the large zucchini I recently harvested from the garden decided to take me at my word and put up a fight. Sigh…that is one battle I was destined to lose. I struggled to cut it into grillable pieces and had to call for backup. Some days require a sense of humor. This is especially true as one grows older. The body resists formerly easy activities. Add a few giggles (watch the video) and persevere. You are worth it.