Skating Uphill - May 2015

by Judith Lawrenson

Yes, ladies that is true. Poop poop poop on those who are too skinny, too tanned and too well dressed. How can they possibly be happy? Ha, Ha, we know they must secretly be miserable, right?
Well, if you do not think so, listen to this: France, the fashion capital of the beautiful people, has just passed a law that models cannot be too thin or have their photos air brushed to make them appear too thin. In order to model now in France you must have a BMI that insures you of good health. I do not know what that is, but I assume it means you will not pass out on the runway at the Isaac Mizrahi show or be sick all over your dress at the Ralph Lauren event.

By the way, this is really a true story. I am not making this up. I actually heard it on the radio. I fact checked it and sure enough, it is true. Some model wrote a "tell all" about anorexia in the fashion industry and died of malnutrition a week later! Man Oh Man, what a way to go and how very deeply sad to think that things like this really happen.

They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I don’t believe it for a second. I think beauty is nowadays found in the eye of the movie industry, fashion magazines and Kim Kardashian wannabees. Again, how very deeply sad that so many women, especially young women, buy into that horrible scenario.

Well, not us Pink readers. We know better. Beauty, true beauty, comes from the inside out. I said last month that we would talk a bit about seasonal foods and I am here to tell you, dear friends, that there is no better path to good health and inner beauty than a local tomato. Fresh fruits and vegetables are here and they are calling out to us. The Bluffton Farmer’s Market is just one example. They have such lovely fragrant vegetables. I only have to walk past the zucchini to be enchanted by the smell and to recall all of those wonderful dishes that start with tomatoes, zucchini, onions and okra sautéed in a little butter, olive oil and white wine. Add a piece of fresh fish or a chicken breast and pig out!

I used to pay a lot of money for vegetarian fed, free range chicken eggs until I found out that there is no other kind around here. Mmm, yummy. Local strawberries are also really tasty as are the peaches when they come in.

If you don’t want to go to a farmers market, I will tell you a little secret. By company policy Wal-Mart must buy no less than 30% of their produce locally; so, if you are careful, you can shop there pretty well. Many other stores have that policy and places like Whole Foods contract with local farmers ahead of time for many crops. If you do not like either one of those choices, locals know that the outdoor stand at the bottom of the Cross Island Parkway has been there for years. It offers totally local items, including the best peaches in the universe. You can even go in the back yard and see the tree if you want to!

So, here is another very funny and totally true story that is so local it has a Southern drawl. I was at a small produce stand, that shall remain nameless, and some guy asked the owner if she knew where he could get some fresh fish. The tourist was taken to the back of the house and shown a cooler full of swimming fish and told to pick one. The one he wanted was removed, hit on the head with a stick, wrapped in white paper, and that was the end of that! If that is not fresh, I don’t know what is!  

Local gardens can be tough. The classic back yard garden is also the feeding ground for deer, and I can tell you from personal experience, that is the absolute truth. This year for the first time, I had deer actually dig up daffodil bulbs out of the ground with their little sharp hooves and eat them right up. Lucky you if you live in a plantation with garden patch availability, or have friends who do. We know someone who gardens in Sea Pines and we get lovely vegetables throughout the summer. Our next door neighbor also has access to peaches, which they are kind enough to share.

Roadside stands are a great source, as I said earlier, but do be careful. Ask where the produce is grown. Almost any of the Islands are great sources. St. Helena’s is the best in my opinion, but other locals disagree. Try things out. Ask for a taste or buy just one and eat it right there.

Anyway, welcome to summer. Buy fresh and local. Go for a swim, eat a peach, and get out your old bathing suit for the back yard and buy a new one for the pool. Remember beauty, true beauty, comes from the inside out.

Special Secret Note to PINK Ladies: Do NOT, I repeat, NOT, ask anyone if you look fat in your bathing suit. You do, so move on, don’t give a damn, go to the beach and have a ball. If you see me there, simply say “HI!” And leave it at that.

Next month we will talk about “hot” things to do for the summer.  Tune in!

If you have questions or comments about “Skating Uphill” please feel free to contact Judith Lawrenson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..