
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 19, 1994                   TAG: 9411040042
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ALMENA HUGHES
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

HERE'S TO YOUR HEALTH - THROUGH WHAT YOU EAT, WHAT YOU THINK

I ate the cutest little kiwi the other day. Fuzzless and looking like a slightly engorged scuppernong, it was eaten like a grape, too - just popped it in and chewed. The kiwi was among several interesting new produce items featured at the recent PYA/Monarch Food Show at the Roanoke Civic Center. These items reflect consumers' growing interest in eating more fresh fruits and vegetables and eating healthier in general, said Peter Jacob, PYA/Monarch vice president marketing and procurement.

However, judging from the displays of rich pies, cakes, cookies, breads and decadent entrees, as well as Italian, Chinese, Tex-Mex, fried, cheese- and/or meat-filled snacks, "old-fashioned comfort foods" haven't lost any appeal.

Technically, the show was closed to the public. But the products touted will ultimately reach general consumers in health care and educational facilities, restaurants and other institutional settings that hope to please them. Keep an eye out for the cute kiwis, which may show up on a few salad bars. More likely to appear there, though - and certainly worth sampling if they do - are a honey-mustard pasta salad; a low-fat red skinned potato salad; and a black-eye pea, black bean, navy bean medley in a tangy vinaigrette sauce.

Some people are overwhelmed by salad bars, buffets and other all-you-can-eat opportunities. Shad Helmstetter, co-author with Bob Schwartz of "Self-Talk for Weight Loss" ($22.95, Breakthru Publishing) said he used to be among them, but not anymore. Speaking by telephone recently from Virginia Beach, where he was wrapping up a 60-city book promotion tour, Helmstetter said that the principles outlined in his book are based on medical and neurological research that proves the brain is like a computer and can be reprogrammed to lose weight without dieting or to accomplish other goals.

"The book is really about getting in control," said Helmstetter, who claims to have lost almost 60 pounds in a little over 10 weeks by using his techniques 10 years ago. He emphasizes that during his loss, which was much higher than the generally recommended one to two pounds per week, he was monitored regularly by a medical doctor. But, he maintains, he never regained those pounds, and now, because he has a different eating "program," buffets aren't a battle, but simply a place to choose among options to satisfy his hunger and provide nutrition.

Helmstetter says Self-Talk isn't a diet, but a systematic change in thinking and actions. Give it at least three weeks, which is the minimum time required for reprogramming, and watch what happens, he says. A catalog, the book, or a Self-Talk cassettes starter package ($89.50) are available from (800) 982-8196. Another recent release, seemingly in a similar vein, is "Living Without Dieting," by John P. Foreyt and G. Ken Goodrick (Warner Books). Does this portend a ``damn the diets, they don't work anyway" books trend? Maybe.

Meanwhile, food,where to find it and how to fix it continues to consume us.

Find the Monday Night Supper Club, Mondays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at its new location in the Unitarian Universalist Church, 2015 Grandin Road (at Brandon) Roanoke. Same generously portioned vegetarian fare as at the old Healing Light Center location; slightly higher suggested donation of $6.

Fix food healthfully using what you learn in Lisa Mortellaro's three-part whole foods class at the Sedalia Center in Big Island, Bedford. See the description and schedule on Page 6 or call (804) 299-5080.

Consume a fruitcake and help support the Trappist Monks at Holy Cross Abbey in Berryville. The traditional 21/4-pound fruit- and nut-laden hand-prepared cakes, topped with brandy and a honey glaze, recently received the prestigious "Virginia's Finest" designation. Cakes sell for $21 plus 72 cents sales tax in Virginia. Order by fax at 955-4006 or write to Monastery Bakery - R, RR2, Box 3870, Berryville, Va. 22611.

Shelf Life runs twice a month in the Extra section. If you have an interesting new product, cookbook, contest, gadget or gew gaw, tell us about it. Write to Shelf Life, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010.

by CNB