What the smoke are you talking about?
Categories: Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
My family of four walked into a North Carolina Cracker Barrel not long ago, fresh out of our mini-van after logging more than 500 miles on the road. We'd almost reached our destination at the time of our stop but needed to stretch our legs and put something healthy in our bellies so we could happily complete our Florida-to-Virginia trek. Now I'm not sure what the Cracker Barrel offers in the way of health food, but I'm pretty sure we wouldn't found some sort of salad on the menu. Without creamy dressing, it would have done us adults well. For the kids, sandwiches would have worked.
We didn't eat at the Cracker Barrel for two reasons. First, we weren't prepared for the long wait. Second, the hostess asked us upon checking in, "Smoking or Non-Smoking?"
"Are you kidding me?" I thought. Spoiled by the public smoking ban in my sunshine state, I'd completely forgotten other states still allow smokers to light up in eating establishments. My kids, ages six and four, have never dined with smoke swirling around their heads. There is not a first time for everything -- as long as I'm in charge, my kids will never fall prey to such a toxic environment. So we walked out of the Cracker Barrel and headed across the street to McDonald's. Another toxic environment, you might be thinking. You'd be right. But we did the best we could with the evils facing us. Sitting bundled up in our winter coats to avoid the indoor smell of grease and to keep the same odor out of our vehicle, I ate an Asian Chicken salad -- no dressing -- and my hubby ate fruit we'd brought along for the ride. Our boys ate plain hamburgers and a few chicken nuggets, some fries, and flavored water from the car. Not my ideal scenario. But we made good on it as soon as we got to a local grocery store. And we packed some nutritious meals for our trip home.
We didn't eat at the Cracker Barrel for two reasons. First, we weren't prepared for the long wait. Second, the hostess asked us upon checking in, "Smoking or Non-Smoking?"
"Are you kidding me?" I thought. Spoiled by the public smoking ban in my sunshine state, I'd completely forgotten other states still allow smokers to light up in eating establishments. My kids, ages six and four, have never dined with smoke swirling around their heads. There is not a first time for everything -- as long as I'm in charge, my kids will never fall prey to such a toxic environment. So we walked out of the Cracker Barrel and headed across the street to McDonald's. Another toxic environment, you might be thinking. You'd be right. But we did the best we could with the evils facing us. Sitting bundled up in our winter coats to avoid the indoor smell of grease and to keep the same odor out of our vehicle, I ate an Asian Chicken salad -- no dressing -- and my hubby ate fruit we'd brought along for the ride. Our boys ate plain hamburgers and a few chicken nuggets, some fries, and flavored water from the car. Not my ideal scenario. But we made good on it as soon as we got to a local grocery store. And we packed some nutritious meals for our trip home.
My friend Bev warned me: Pack your own meals, find a picnic spot on the road, and you'll be safe. I should have listened but instead figured we needed a diversion on our second day of driving. Why I thought I'd find a health-conscious location on the side of the Interstate, I'll never know. But this I do know: We live and we learn. And I have definitely learned a few things concerning smoke and junk food. In a nutshell, I don't like either one. And that means I simply must do better at ensuring the health of my family by steering clear of both.
Recent Posts
- Heidi Klum Hits The Runway After Baby (11/20/2009)
- Thanksgiving Dinner Satisfaction And Perfect Portion Control: Time to Celebrate (11/20/2009)
- Cheesy Workout Video Round-up (11/20/2009)
- Kim Kardashian's Sexy Salad Commercial (11/20/2009)
- Simple Thanksgiving Swaps (11/20/2009)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Winterswan 1-01-2008 @ 10:42AM
Oh please! If your as smart and picky as you pretend. why didn't you pack a lunch for your children!!
Your article is Bunk!!! better yet, buy an island in the South Pacific.
Don't believe a word of it. BUT if true, I feel sorry for all of you!!!
Reply
Winterswan 1-01-2008 @ 3:27PM
Hi,
Just to rewrite, in a kinder way, I too am a non smoker. belong to an outdoor club. walk am generally health conciious. however, I choose carefully, wherever I go, and use portion control. all my fathers family. lived into the ninetys. Uncle Ned. died 1 month before his 100th. birthday. most smoked, I am glad I do not. But for pete sakes. let your children enjoy life. A positive attitude. on life. see the best in everything. as well as the things to avoid. goes a long way. for good health.
Thanks
Reply
Dan 1-01-2008 @ 2:10PM
This woman clearly needs her head examined. The best thing for her to have done was to stay in Florida.
Reply
aanidaani 1-01-2008 @ 11:25PM
I agree. Sooner or later everyone gets exposed to smoke and it's a simple fact of life. That's not to say that you should indulge in it -- by all means avoid it. But at some point it's going to happen and you shouldn't freak out about it.
sezmra 1-01-2008 @ 1:16PM
"have never dined with smoke swirling around their heads"
Weird, most restaurants here are smoking/non-smoking combined and I don't see smoke swirling around anyone's head in the non-smoking sections...
Reply
Old Knudsen 1-01-2008 @ 3:31PM
I'd rather not spoil someones cigarette by my eating, shows you McD's has more consideration but I don't think this woman would be happy anywhere, typical American.
Reply
Kass 1-01-2008 @ 3:29PM
I'm sorry, but this woman comes across quite smug and intolerant. If you really feel that strongly about health and nutrition, you should have stopped at a farmer's market on the side of the road or maybe picked your own fruits and vegatables as you traveled along. These places are in business to make money and please their customers, not as a charity.
Reply
mj 1-01-2008 @ 3:28PM
Give me a break. If you're that picky, and think you are saving the lives of your children or the whole world, then think about the polution you subjected your kids (and the rest of us) with the automobile you were driving. Do everyone a favor...sell your car & stay at home. Also, unplug your computer to save energy and reduce two types of polution...environmental and any more ridiculous postings like yours.
You are a bit too self-righteous. By the way, I'm a non-smoker and I don't eat at McDonalds. However, I have eaten frequently at Cracker Barrel and am none the worse for it, either by the food choices I made or sitting in the non-smoking section.
Reply
mj 1-01-2008 @ 3:34PM
YOUR sunshine state?! You better check out the facts regarding the population's health in your state. It has one of the LOWEST life expectencies in the USA. While you're checking out that fact, also look at the obesity rate, smokers rate per capita. I wouldn't be surprised if Florida also ranked up there with Type2 diabetes per capita.
You can have your sunshine state and your self-righteous attitude. Stay home, sit in the dark, and eat your tofu. What an enriching life experience you'll be providing for yourself and your children!
Reply
realist 1-08-2008 @ 8:23AM
My husband is in the medical field....and OMG you are right on. Very funny..comment...also very accurate.
realist 1-08-2008 @ 8:23AM
My comment goes to the rate of diabetes, overweight, life expectancy for the State of Florida...not the silly Cracker-Barrel-girl comments regarding smoking;)
(see my comments below)
jim 1-01-2008 @ 6:12PM
I enjoyed the writers comments because they point out the real issue with smoking bans. Ban yourself or your family from a resturant if you don't want to eat where they allow smoking. The free enterprise system is alive and well without any interfearence from the State. It is the choice of the owner of the establishment and obviously from the comment that there was a lengthy wait, the choice to allow smoking has not hurt the business.
Reply
Tater 1-01-2008 @ 8:14PM
The restaurants I have been in lately that have smoking/non smoking, have put the smokers in a seperate room, complete with doors and everything, although instead of walls, they have glass so you can see into each part of the restaurant, and what I have found, is looking into the smoking section , I have never seen any smoke, swirling around heads or standing, no smoke, so I thought if their exhaust system is that good for the smokers, then they must also be getting germ free service, all the other peoples sneezes and coughs and runny nose germs are going up and away. so maybe the smokers have it better than the non smokers, haha. Plus they get the added benefit of dining with no kids noise, so if you are going out for a quiet evening, take the smoking section.
Reply
Debby 1-01-2008 @ 10:14PM
Oh here we go again.. Those bad bad smokers are killing all of us. I have yet to read a death certificate stating cause of death second hand smoke. On the flipside I know that clogged arteries kill. So, so much for those bigmacs and fries you're letting you kids eat.
Reply
Jeanna 1-02-2008 @ 9:12AM
I was raised in Califronia where smoking was not permitted in public places, even the bars had outside designated smoking areas. However, I now live in a state where untill the last yer smoking was permitted in all public places except stores and the mall. You are absolutely correct that it is your right to not be in a smoke filled environment. On the same token it is a smokers right to have a cigarette before,during, and after their meal if they so choose. All people know the risks associated with smoking but as a human and an american it is every persons right to make the decision to smoke or not. Also, every food establishment has a semi healthy food choise on the menu, even with the smoke in the air your children would have been better off eating Cracker Barrels food over McDonald's hamburgers and fries. Don't believe that watch the movie super sized and you see what I saying. Bottom line don't condemn people for their choises right or wrong it is still thier choise and it makes you sound like a self rightous jerk.
Reply
ESK 1-02-2008 @ 2:02PM
"the evils facing us"
This is, hands down, the best parody site on the net! Keep up the good work guys, I'm sure The Onion will include you as their health section soon!
Reply
Betty 1-04-2008 @ 9:50PM
Good grief-up until the last 2 generations,humans always ate with smoke, the smoke of the cooking fire.
The fumes coming off your car's interior, rugs etc. and the chemicals leached off the plastic in your bottled vitamin water are probably a lot more toxic than one meal at Cracker Barrel..
Reply
Grasvaly 1-04-2008 @ 10:22PM
not that I'm into smoky restaurants,either...
Reply
Steve 1-04-2008 @ 11:43PM
Interestingly, a brand new Cracker Barrel opened up in Virginia recently and is completely non-smoking.
In other news, I'm quitting cigarettes and podcasting about it at http://timetoquit.libsyn.com
Reply
amily2000 1-05-2008 @ 12:45PM
hi, so nice discussion, New Year is coming, would you love to try something new to celebrate the great day? How about interracial hot dating? http://interracialsingleonline.com …you will be surprised…
Reply