CONTROL OF THE PALATE

During a recent visit to a high school in Arlington, Virginia, President Obama was asked to name the one person, living or dead, with whom he would choose to dine if given the opportunity. He quickly responded by naming Mahatma Gandhi, the renowned spiritual and political leader of India who was assassinated in 1948. Obama noted that the meal would probably be a small one, as Gandhi was known not to eat very much.

This comment by the president intrigued me, and caused me to look further into the dietary philosophy of Gandhi. A strict vegetarian, he was initially trained as a barrister in London. (The great ones are always lawyers, aren't they?) In later years, he wrote about the importance of establishing complete "control of the palate." Gandhi advocated the idea of having a common kitchen "with acceptable food of which we may take only a limited quantity with contented and thankful mind."

In Yeravda Mandir, Gandhi made the following observations about dietary self-discipline and overcoming the natural tendency toward overeating:

--"We must not be thinking of food all the twenty-four hours of the day...We must resolutely set our faces against mere indulgence."

--"Most of us, instead of keeping the organs of sense under control, become their slaves...The body is injured every time that one overeats, and the injury can be partially repaired only by fasting."

--"Food has to be taken as we take medicine, that is, without thinking whether it is palatable or otherwise, and only in quantities limited to the needs of the body."

--"Parents, out of false affection, give their children a variety of foods, ruin their constitution, and create in them artificial tastes. When they grow up, they have diseased bodies and perverted tastes. The evil consequences of this early indulgence dog us at every step; we waste much money and fall an easy prey to the medicine man."

--"We have to give up many things that we have been enjoying, as they are not needed for nutrition. And one who thus gives up a multitude of eatables will acquire self-control in the natural course of things."

Thought-provoking ideas, aren't they? Gandhi penned these words about overindulgence almost eighty years ago. Imagine what he would have to say about the portions that are routinely served in our culture today, not to mention the availability of unhealthy fast food. If we believe that our bodies are temples, or if we just want to keep them healthy for as long as possible, we would be wise to remember Gandhi's advice. Like him, we should strive for control of the palate.

THE BLUE BELLIES, FRESH BLACKTOP AND OTHER RUMINATIONS

*I am hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst, as the Cards are getting ready to play the hated Blue Bellies in Lexington this Saturday. It could be ugly, but I'm wishing for the upset. The outcome of this game could go a long way in determining the ultimate fate of Stevie Krags as the Louisville coach.

*The new pavement in front of my office on Pearl Street has reminded me of when I was a child, and they blacktopped Borden Road where I lived. How I loved riding my bike on it, gliding on the smooth new surface for hours and hours.

*Having an early morning workout sets a great tone for the rest of the day.

*Is it just me, or does the Ohio River appear to be clearer and more blue than it used to?

*It is never appropriate or acceptable to heckle the president of the United States, no matter how much we may disagree with his or her views.

*I agree with President Obama that Kanye West is a jackass.

*I know that many people in America have been put into financial ruin by health care costs. The cost of health care in our country is obscene, and I think that something needs to be done about it. At the same time, I am uncomfortable with the idea of creating a huge new federal bureaucracy to deal with the issue. I'm not sure what the answer is, but I would like to see the debate conducted with more civility.

*I still don't know whether Certs is really a candy or a breath mint.