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I get that Paula Deen is a public figure. But unless you are in the President of the United States, your health records are not public business. And even then, there are limits. She does not owe her fans any details of her private medical records. And I am appalled that the media is making such a fuss about this. Must be a slow week for news.
Paula's job is to create recipes and show folks how to cook them. She never said she was a medical professional. She never said you had to eat all of what she makes or any of what she makes. You don't have to watch her. She's on a cable channel for crying out loud.
No one is double checking that the celebrities who endorse yogurt or diet pills or gym equipment or vodka or make-up actually use those products all the time and exclusively. American Idol showcases people who are neither American nor idols. So what if Paula uses lots of butter on TV and less at home. What's it to you?
So what if Paula took a few years to get a grip on her health. That's life. That's aging. She's older and had a health matter and took time to figure it all out without the help of the peanut gallery. Do you blame her? When Bobby is on the show with her, he always cooks healthier. I've seen him cook lots of fish and healthy sides.
She has a loyal fan base who enjoy her recipes as much as her personality. I'm not sure why this bugs me so much. Because while I love her cooking show, I personally think she is very over saturated. Selling magazines, hams, dishes, candles, and then some. But just because a person is a public personality does not mean their entire being is public property.
I have an aunt who had breast cancer but didn't tell anyone until she completed treatment. Why? Well I am still not sure. I suspect she didn't want to burden family and feel different. I'm not sure that would be my method but I don't know it wouldn't be either. It was her decision to make and we just need to learn to respect each other's limits and privacy.
Paula, I'm glad to hear you figured out how to manage your health. Cheers to many more years of giggling in your kitchen !
And you're right...butter (and in my opinion, bacon too!) makes it better! But in moderation.
24 comments:
I totally agree with you - I posted about this today as well. It's clearly sexist. Mario Batalli is grossly overweight, yet nobody questions what he cooks or the fact that he clearly over-consumes food.
Well said! Love this post!!
Very well said, girl! it is her business and there is no need to make a fuss about it!
Agree! I love her cooking and you can obviously tell by many of her recipes that they are not recipes you should be eating everyday. Duuhhh! It doesn't take a genius to figure that out; Look at all the butter she uses. If you have a problem with it, alter the recipe or find someone elses recipe to use. Don't blame Paula, she didn't MAKE you eat it! It is kind of like the person who sued McDonald's for making their child fat!?!?! Seriously, suing McDonald's when you were probably the person feeding them McDonald's all the time is ridiculous!
Plus, we all know southern recipes are probably the most fattening. Southerners generally use a lot of grease (fat back), butter, cheese, buttermilk, and flour in our recipes. Paula is a down home southern cooker. Again, if you have a problem with her recipes don't eat them! I on the other hand LOVE her cooking and usually cook 1-2 of her recipes a week and alter it if I feel it is necessary.
Her medical history is no bodies business but her own! The media should not be blowing this up in everyone's face!
http://pearlspinkandsouthern.blogspot.com
Amen, sister!
Amen! I love Paula!
I didn't even know there was something going on with Paula Deen. What happened? Do you mind cluing me in? I usually tune her out since I can't make about 99% of her stuff.
I was talking about this to my mom yesterday (whose sister and late father are/were diabetics) and we were both saying we felt it was more a missed opportunity than something the public should be upset about. She could have perhaps started incorporating it in her show a bit--like occasionally making a recipe 2 ways or suggesting a substitute. While there are many "health-conscious" celebrity chefs out there, there aren't any that specifically address diabetes.
I do believe that an individual's private medical concerns are just that, private. But, she herself released this information in conjunction with the new diabetes drug that she is being paid to advocate to the public. It is also her diet that contributed to her having diabetes, a diet that she advocates to people via her television show, yet during interviews she has denied it is part of the problem. I do believe that you do not get to cherry pick what you want people to focus on when you are a celebrity. You cannot say, cook this food and oh, yeah, take this diabetes medication that this very food will contribute to and not expect backlash.
Medical issues should be private, but when you choose to disclose your "private" medical issue in conjuction with the new diabetes medication you are adovocating (and being paid to do so) you should expect a blacklash from the public. Her cooking style directly contributed to her condition. As to the reference that this "attack" is sexist, I would like you to refer to the problems that Chef Jamie Oliver has had his criticism obesity in America,yet he himself is overweight and his cookbook was called out recently in the New York Times for being one of the most unhealthy cookbooks distributed for sale in 2011.
I think the only reason people are upset is because she's hawking a diabetes drug. If she were to just say that her cooking made the unhealthy, it would be one thing, but she's now taking advantage of it from both sides, profiting from both showing you how to be unhealthy and subsequently treating it.
I agree we are our own person and she isn't forcing us to eat that richly. I like some of her recipes but know everything can be ok in "moderation". I don't get how some people couldn't realize that eating that way (a lot) can cause diabetes. I just think there are too many people out there that want someone or something to blame and not take responsibilities for their own actions.
This reminds me of when Star Jones lost all that weight and Rosie was demanding she go public with her gastric bypass. I dont see why she needed to when it isnt anyone's business!
It doesn't bother me that she has it and I think it's great that she's raising awareness, but it does seem a little sketchy that she only comes out with it when she has a big contract with Victoza.
I work in pharma advertising and let me tell you - contracts like that aren't chump change!
So agree!! I don't know all the details but whatever the hoopla is, its ridiculous!
If someone doesn't like what she cooks or how she eats, then DON'T WATCH HER SHOW. Simple as that. This is absurd, these same people need to go and do their due diligence with some of the shady characters running for office to RUN OUR COUNTRY. Now THAT warrants an investigation!
I agree with you. Her medical history is nobody's business but hers. I know that her dishes are full of butter, sugar, flour, etc., but most people know not to eat like that all of the time...or should.
Some of Paula Deen's food would make me really happy right now. I love that woman. She is always so sweet and cheerful and her heart is just huge. I pray she takes care of herself and does what is important for her health.. in the meantime moderation is a good thing for all of us, but little indulgences are what makes life sweet. xo
I am so with you on this issue. I love Paula and always will.
Leave it to the media to blow it out of proportion and make it seem she is responsible for everyone's health. Ugh.
I think I'll send Paula some twitter love.
Thank you for this post.
I just want to let you know that my Url has changed. I hope you continue to visit my blog
xoxo
Thank you!
I'm getting rather tired of hearing people discuss this and add their so-called medical advice.
Live and let live. If you don't care for her, turn the channel.
Jo
Like Anthony Bourdain said...it's like going into the leg breaking business and then selling crutches. I love her recipes and believe her history his her business, but she should have stressed moderation. I used to work at Whole Foods in Raleigh where she did a book signing a few doors down. Many of the people came in afterwards and plenty were obese!! And they bought cakes and croissants. She didn't shove it down their throat but gee whiz! Substitute some ingredients...I saw her make fried chicken with sticks of butter!!!
Holy doodle you got that right! I have no idea why people feel they own celebrities! There needs to be common respect for all people!!
It could very well have been a business decision not to share her health issues. Power to her. We all know the right things to eat! Doesn't mean we do it! Thankfully she got a handle on her health. Good for you writing this post!!
Hugs Giggles
I did a Paula post yesterday but haven't posted it yet. I love Paula....and her recipes. But I have enough sense to eat them on special occasions. Bless her as she walks the road of diabetes.
I totally agree with you. No one says you have to make any of her recipes our watch the show. I love some of her recipes but I also know there is a thing called moderation. Many people in my family have the same thing and follow that principal.
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