Happy Holidays to all! We
hope everyone had a fun Christmas break, and all of us at Pathfinder Produce
wish you a happy, healthy New Year 2018! To round out 2017, we'll be open this
Thursday at our Edmeston fresh produce market at the Pathfinder Village
Commons, from 1 to 5 p.m., with the best buys around!
***
Over the long weekend
during a lull between visits with family, I had a chance to look at some
vintage LIFE
magazines that we have … it's sort of a tradition to look at them during the
last week of the year at our house. The one issue I went through was from April
1942, just as the United States was facing some of its darkest days during
World War II. (Many of these issues are available online too!)
There were stories
about General
Brehon Burke Somervell, the Army's Supply Chief, and some photo-essays on
the Allies’ defense of the Philippines. Other stories focused on Tulsa'
progressive education programs (combining academics with practical
training/internships), how to patch
clothing for extended wear (tres chic!), and how “Primary Elections raise the
curtain on a Battle to Control War Congress.” Those were all interesting of
course, but the one thing I was really looking at was how nutrition and health
issues were presented 75 years ago.
One full color
ad, featuring a wholesome, fresh-faced nurse, expressed: AMERICA HAS A JOB TO
DO … KEEP FIT! The ad then went on to say how Dr.
West's Miracle Tuft toothbrushes could help you stay healthy: “One simple,
yet vitally important precaution in any health protective program is proper
care of the teeth.” The ad also offers these five rules for 100% (yes, 100%)
physical efficiency:
·
Avoid over-fatigue
· Have meals regularly
· Dress sensibly
· Never neglect an illness
· Watch your dental health;
practice oral hygiene daily.
All of these tips are sound
advice, and would still be in a top-ten list from 2017. Another smaller, less
flashier ad for Soft-Lite Lenses noted, “Your Life May Depend on this Man's
Eyesight” and used the examples of Civil Defense
Spotters to encourage everyone to have their eyes examined: “Are you sure
your eyes are doing their part to help you keep up with today's all-out
production pace?” (The ad keeps it on the square by ending with “Buy Defense Bonds for
Victory.”)
Other items
alluded to physical fitness, as Americans needed to be at their healthiest to
serve in the military, work in war industries, and grow healthy foods to beat
fascism. In a photo spread featuring pin-up Jane Russell, it noted that Miss
Russell, “is an excellent swimmer at 122 lbs. and is 5'7.” It also shows her
regular gym workout ...doing handstands on the parallel bars, vaults over the
gym horse, and leg pulls using wall weights. (“She doesn't worry much about
what she eats, keeps thin easily,” according to the caption).
It seems in
April 1942 that easy-to-prepare packaged foods were just starting to get a
toe-hold in grocery markets. Rice Krispies (sold by some really weird versions
of Snap,
Crackle and Pop) are sold for their “tempting goodness and flavor.”
Campbell's Chicken Soup is bound to make you “think of days in Grandma's
kitchen, down on the farm!” In a somewhat bewildering ad, Birds Eye touts its
frozen chicken with, “This wondrous chicken practically fries itself!” The first-name
in frozen veggies also has a national weekly special … the frozen chicken with
a pack of Birds Eye peas … cleaned shelled and ready to cook.
Finally, in one
ad hawking Ovaltine, it talks about waking up with “Clear-Eyed Morning
Sparkle,” and how “today, science is reporting startling discoveries about
food. About new-found, almost magic food elements, with power to revitalize
millions of the tired and nervous and build them up for vigorous days … our own
government is seeking ways to supply more of these elements (as) studies show
that 2 out of every 3 Americans aren't sure of getting enough of these vital
food factors to be their best.” The ad goes on to say that the product
provides “11 important food elements, including vitamins and minerals frequently
deficient in ordinary foods, (including) significant amounts of Vitamins A1,
B1, D and G(?),
protecting minerals, and complete proteins.”
So, in looking back to
1942, it's apparent that Americans valued healthy, wholesome foods, were
relying on the scientific method to research nutrition, and believed that
keeping healthy was important to the war effort. We've come a long way since
then, continuing along on the path of health discoveries and medical progress …
it is probably time again for us to recommit to keeping America healthy as a
national priority.
Until next time, we wish
you peace and joy. Enjoy life and be well!
Lori
