http://remarkablepalate.com/blog/2007/04/25/remarkable-palate-podcast-88/ Mark C. Tafoya is a personal chef in New York City. He is also a world traveler and self-taught gourmand. He is a graduate of Yale University, worked as an actor for 10 years, both On and Off Broadway, and in independent films. His love of travel and food has taken him around the world. He hopes to share his love of world cuisine with you! Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:59:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 http://remarkablepalate.com/blog/2007/04/25/remarkable-palate-podcast-88/#comment-263 Patty Thu, 26 Apr 2007 15:58:00 +0000 http://remarkablepalate.com/blog/2007/04/25/remarkable-palate-podcast-88/#comment-263 Hello Mark. I listen to most of your podcasts - in fact, I've wondered if I went to school with you in Albuquerque - I'm 46 and went to Sandia High.<br/>I am commenting on your editorial comments regarding the legislation against things such as smoking in restaurants and using trans fats in restaurants. You said you're against lifestyle (my word) legislation and feel that people have the right to do what they want to their bodies - even if its harmful.<br/>So, then do you think people should be able to drive drunk? I doubt it - why? because their bad personal choice could harm others. It's the same with trans fats, smoking and a host of other cultural consumption choices. Our nation is bloated with people suffering the effects of self-inflicted cardio-vascular disease, lung disease, blown-out knees, diabetes and so much more. These things are the result of things people consume because they want to and they "have the right to". But here's the thing - when they require billions of dollars worth of health care for their medications and bypass surgeries and chemotherapy and knee replacements, health insurance (or the government - i.e. my tax dollars) pays. And what has that done to the cost of insurance?? Pushed it through the roof. And so, people like me, who make healthy eating and lifestyle choices can't afford health insurance for our families. My obese relative can keep eating his trans-fat loaded fast-food diet (because he has the right to!) and his company sponsored insurance pays for his doctor and hospital bills, his tons of medications and ultimately, his probable heart attack...<br/>Until our country legislates that insurance companies will not cover lifestyle-caused diseases and their complications, I'm all for them legislating the bad choices out of the options! In fact, I'd love to see them legislate against the use of high fructose corn syrup too (don't even get me started on self-inflicted diabetes!). Hello Mark. I listen to most of your podcasts - in fact, I’ve wondered if I went to school with you in Albuquerque - I’m 46 and went to Sandia High.
I am commenting on your editorial comments regarding the legislation against things such as smoking in restaurants and using trans fats in restaurants. You said you’re against lifestyle (my word) legislation and feel that people have the right to do what they want to their bodies - even if its harmful.
So, then do you think people should be able to drive drunk? I doubt it - why? because their bad personal choice could harm others. It’s the same with trans fats, smoking and a host of other cultural consumption choices. Our nation is bloated with people suffering the effects of self-inflicted cardio-vascular disease, lung disease, blown-out knees, diabetes and so much more. These things are the result of things people consume because they want to and they “have the right to”. But here’s the thing - when they require billions of dollars worth of health care for their medications and bypass surgeries and chemotherapy and knee replacements, health insurance (or the government - i.e. my tax dollars) pays. And what has that done to the cost of insurance?? Pushed it through the roof. And so, people like me, who make healthy eating and lifestyle choices can’t afford health insurance for our families. My obese relative can keep eating his trans-fat loaded fast-food diet (because he has the right to!) and his company sponsored insurance pays for his doctor and hospital bills, his tons of medications and ultimately, his probable heart attack…
Until our country legislates that insurance companies will not cover lifestyle-caused diseases and their complications, I’m all for them legislating the bad choices out of the options! In fact, I’d love to see them legislate against the use of high fructose corn syrup too (don’t even get me started on self-inflicted diabetes!).

]]>