When it comes to marketing, we humans are the most gullible breathing machines on planet Earth. We buy into the latest new gadget, skin cream, fat burner and whatever only to find out after our money is gone, so is the promise of the product. When it comes to the infomercial, we can spend those sleepless nights watching a plethora of miracle makers just waiting to take our dollars and make our lives so much better.
One of the biggest 'wools' that has been pulled over our eyes is that of the diamond, most notably, the diamond engagement ring. It has only been in the last one hundred years or so, that the idea of a diamond engagement ring came into existence. It was a marketing ploy invented by the largest owner of diamond mines and it worked like a charm. "Diamonds Are Forever" was the phrase that put would be couples in debt before they ever said "I do". The diamond mongers even came up with the brilliant scheme to sell the idea that the amount to be spent on a diamond engagement ring should equal two months salary. If a man would not spend that amount, well, cheapskate be his name.
Although the truth of this is readily available, if one would just look for it, it does not matter. Millions are spent on the beautiful jewel each year and I'm pretty certain that will not change anytime soon. And no.......I'm not going to stop wearing mine.
The next thing that is taking the nation by storm is the gluten, gluten-free craze. Gluten is a protein in grass based grains, wheat, barely, rye, that makes dough sticky and gives the end product a chewy texture. The word gluten comes from a Latin word meaning......yep, you guessed it........glue.
Gluten is now the new enemy of the people. There are vast resources that tell of its evilness and tons of tests one can do to see if they are gluten sensitive. Most doctors will agree that yes, there are a few (few being the key word) people who truly are gluten intolerant, but the majority are missing a key point.
The wheat flour products, that are consumed by the zillions of tons each year in this country alone, are made with wheat flour that is far from what it was meant to be while that wheat stalk was blowing in the breeze before harvest. It has been refined to the point that most of its original healthfulness has packed its bags and left the building. Our wheat flour has been pulverized, bleached, and washed leaving behind a mere shadow of the wheat itself. When folks stop eating refined wheat products and begin to feel better, the marketing wheel that is turning at a high rate of speed, convinces them that they were certainly gluten sensitive. The reality is, less bad carbs will make just about anybody feel better.
The most amazing thing about this gluten scare, and that is what it is, fear of food, is the products that are labeled gluten-free that never had any gluten in them to start with. Here are just a few:
marshmallows, smoked turkey breast, pickles, coconut flour.....that seems obvious, it came from a coconut, oats, cheese, garlic, diced tomatoes, yogurt, black pepper and my all time favorite......Gluten Free Bottled Water............really? If you do not think this is true, take a closer look the next time you are in the grocery store. The labels will tell the story. That can of red kidney beans labeled gluten-free will not hurt you, but keep in mind, it never, ever had any gluten in it.
In her later years, when I would reprimand her on whatever she was eating, Mother used to say, "If you can't eat what you like, what's the point?" So, the next time I sit down in front of a deep dish, loaded to the max, pizza, I shall feel no guilt, but I may check to see if my diamond ring is sparkling in the light over the table.
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