Month: December 2007

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Steroids in Athletics

I am constantly amazed by people who are shocked to learn that ‘steroids’ or any performance enhancing substances can be found in athletics. Where have they been? Do they really understand the history? Probably not.

Athletes have endeavored to enhance their performance since ancient times. In the days of ancient Greece, athletes would chew on animal testicles to extract testosterone. Yes, it worked. Later, athletes found that small doses of certain poisons acted as stimulants and finally in the 1930’s, Adolf Windaus received the Nobel Prize for discovering steroids ( to his credit, he also discovered Vitamin D). Steroids have been chronicled as a part of virtually every Olympic Game since their discovery.

So, we might wonder, who would want to use or benefit from steroids?

Every athlete in every sport — not just baseball players — could benefit in ways large and small…. even whimpy soccer players. It doesn’t seem to matter if the sport has money or fame… athletes appear to be looking for any edge. However, the significant — if somewhat anecdotal — heavy physical long term side effects of many performance enhancing drugs are daunting. However, the long term issues have little play with young athletes; after all, they are ‘immortal’ in their own eyes.

So, what can be done?

Outside of draconian penalties and public embarrassment… the motivation for the little edge is almost overwhelming to many athletes who will accept almost any risk as part of the game.

However, as a coach, it is important to teach athletes to look for long term success beyond athletics…. because most of us won’t make it to the ‘big leagues’… and very few make it where they can make any money. So, keeping an eye on the long term prize will make them happier and ultimately more successful in life.

One still wants to be around and in ‘the game’ when they are 60.
Roger Freberg

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Secret of Life: Butter & Eggs!

the secret of life is butter and eggs
One of the wonderful things about living a while is realizing how much we are told really doesn’t stand up to the test of time. We’ve been fed a lot of bad stuff.

What has been said about good nutrition simply doesn’t sit well with the facts. Vegetarians — for example — certainly are not healthier; it is more religious fever with them than based on any scientific evidence. Now, we are learning the value of animal fats play a vital role in our well being… who knew?

There’s an interesting book entitled “Nourishing Traditions” that challenges all of the rules we have been taught about what is and isn’t good for you. Without stealing any of their thunder… here’s what is being said:

“A full-spectrum nutritional cookbook with a startling message–animal fats and cholesterol are vital factors in the human diet, necessary for reproduction and normal growth, proper function of the brain and nervous system, protection from disease and optimum energy levels.”

Here’s where you can buy it.

Frankly, this doesn’t really surprise me… and this is why I have so enjoyed the refreshing turn-of-the-century pure fat saturated goodness of ‘the Epicurean.’

Yes, Virginia, you are what you eat… and if it be the 16 egg recipe for Eclairs in the Epicurean… so be it! My total cholesterol is down to 152 total… what’s yours?

Roger Freberg

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If I had only one Cookbook, it would be …

the best cookbook!

“The Epicurean” — as described in AbeBooks.com is:

“A complete treatise of analytical and practical studies on the culinary art, including table and wine service, how to prepare and cook dishes, an index for marketing, a great variety of bills of fare for breakfasts, luncheons, dinners, suppers, ambigus, buffets etc. and a selection of interesting bills of fare of Delmonico’s from 1862 to 1894. Making a Franco-American culinary encyclopedia. 1183pp + index and illustrated with 800 plates.”

There is so much offered in this unique and historical cookbook. Every aspect is covered from how to butcher sea turtles, to the proper table settings to wonderful desserts like ‘Chocolate Eclairs’ (I will post their recipe later as I intend to make it!). Chef Ranhofer’s cellar selections might be a little amusing too, back in the day when Absinthe was in vogue. (My Laura writes about Absinthe in a recent Blog )

Some of the older cookbooks — like the ‘Epicurean’ — wrote their recipes and planned their menus based on seasonal variability and scarcity of foodstuffs. Recipes were written for certain months with the expectation that some foods would be available and others would not. Although this may seem quaint, there is a certain charm in serving food that is expected for the season.

So, if you are looking for the perfect gift for the Chefs in your life…. you could do far worse than one of the most historically important cookbooks in American life.

Bon appetite!

Roger Freberg

Karla bought a cookbook each for her sisters.

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The Best Christmas Presents are the ones you remember

I think there are very few children that don’t love the Christmas as it approaches… especially the gifts and the exquisite food prepared once a year!

Certainly, I am one of the biggest kids around. I have never really been much for receiving presents… although that is always appreciated… I have enjoyed giving them and watching the smiles erupt from little happy faces!

When our children were young, I would ask them to make a list and then rank them in order as to which one they wanted most. Interestingly enough, more often than not the top presents were not the most expensive. I would start buying at the top and then stop when the ‘budget’ ran out…. they understood that ‘Santa’s” purse wasn’t limitless and it gave them a chance to make choices.

The biggest present that I enjoy the most… a phone call.

Roger Freberg

PS. My happiest memory… when they still thought I WAS Santa.

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the high price of eating healthy

onions and peppers oh my!Contrary to what experts will tell you, most people make fairly good decisions based on the restrictions and limitations they are confronted. If food is beyond their budget, they might bake their own or buy inexpensively delicious food.

So it is no surprise that fast food outlets can offer a hamburger for $1 are in such demand. The food may not be perfect… but it will allow you to survive and fight another day without breaking the bank.

However, what if you believe you need more fruits and vegetables into your life? Well, hold onto your wallet! Anyone who has at least visited the produce section in a local supermarket can measure how many ‘whoppers’ they can buy instead of a small carton of tomatoes or strawberries.

Fruits and vegetables are merely a garnish or overlooked in many meals today. In olden days, vegetables were ways to ‘extend’ or allow many more people to eat on a scarce amount of meat, today , it looks like it’s almost becoming the other way around.
Here’s what Science Daily has to say:

“That the cost of healthful foods is outpacing inflation is a major problem,” said Drewnowski. “The gap between what we say people should eat and what they can afford is becoming unacceptably wide. If grains, sugars and fats are the only affordable foods left, how are we to handle the obesity epidemic?”

Well… I would disagree slightly by saying that the ‘obesity epidemic’ has a lot more to do with how we live our lives rather than just what we eat. In the early 1900’s it was fashionable to say, ‘you are what you eat,’ but exercise and a healthy lifestyle are big contributing factors to increased longevity and should not be ignored. We cannot forget that many schools today have reduced or eliminated recess, reduced to two years the amount of physical education required in high school and in many overt and sometimes unconscious ways encouraged a sedentary lifestyle among our youth.

For my two cents… everyone needs to participate in a vigorous sport in high school, period.

Roger Freberg