___________________________

I sure can see where everyone's head is at... here at HubPages. I've written 6 hubs since joining, about two weeks ago, and the only ones which have garnered any response are my recipes, and two of those responses expressed concern. Understandable.

I'm a naturally skinny guy, The only weight problem I've ever had is with trying to put it on, and hey, don't laugh: It's just as hard as trying to take it off.

Ya, I know, you're crying me a river.

So, to put those concerns at ease, and I really do appreciate the concern, let me explain my outlook on health and food: In less than two weeks (that is April 28th) I'll turn 51 years old. Right now, I feel the best I've ever felt and I still (though not as often as I used to) get asked for I.D. I've been studying human health and fitness for 32 years now. On my own, not formally. I walk 15 miles per week (minimum), work-out four days a week (resistance training to which I add dumbbells and push-up bars routines) and have been playing drums (professionally, up to 6-nights a week) since I was 17 years old. That, in itself, is a very, very cardio-demanding job. Although I'm not playing drums right now, my current job is physically demanding, and I run rings around "the kids" 3-times younger than myself.

I'm slightly hyper and have good "young-looking" genes, so both of those two factors help, I know. But that's only half of it. The other half is due to my direct efforts. Hey, credit where it's due. I take one very good vitamin every day. I don't take any other pills. Ever. I drink a ton of water (love it!) and a lot of very good juices and nectars. I rarely drink sodas of any kind (except for soda water with Capt. Morgan!), they make me thirsty and are too sweet for my taste. I rarely do the fast food thing - except in a pinch, and it does happen, and I avoid eating chips, except for the occasional BBQ-ed, they're my weakness. I eat crackers with sandwiches, of which I eat a lot of. I eat a large breakfast of eggs and something else, as I've done all my life. Breakfast is my one actual meal of the day. The rest of the time I "graze" as I get hungry - and I get hungry a lot, because I burn a lot of calories (lucky I work in a restaurant, ay?). The food I eat is "real food," and I do know the difference. I try to stay away from processed (but in today's world that's nearly impossible) and frozen. I'm a fiend for things like fish (or anything from the ocean), Italian food, good cheeses, melons (of any kind), pizza, bananas, cheese cake, interesting breads, carrot cake, avocados (I am from Southern California), chocolate and the occasional good barbecue... and probably a few other things, but you get the idea.

When I do cook an actual meal - for guests or just all by my onesies - I make something special. It's an event and I usually make a rich, sneak-up-on-you blender drink for the occasion. I don't have to worry about my calorie intake so I don't. I go all out and make what sounds good to me, or my guests, at the time. I make Station Meatloaf, Gourmet Mac & Cheese, baked (or grilled) fruit with some kind of brandy and sugared fruit sauce, ...whatever tickles my, or their, fancy. And the reviews have always been overwhelmingly positive.

I've never had to fight the battle of losing weight, but to me the sure-fire way to do that would seem obvious: Eat Less - Move More. But,I suppose the multi-billion dollar weight loss industry wouldn't want you to know that.

And finally, if anyone's got ideas or tips for quick & easy grazing food that's not "Junky" or diet, please let me know. I love to try new foods.

_________________________________________________________________