Negative comments from a reader…Torn about responding…

Sunrise over Trinity Beach.

It’s a rarity that a reader sends us a negative comment. When it does occur, perhaps once a year, I struggle over whether or not to post the comment or to ignore it.

Long ago, we wrote that the intention of our site is about joy and fulfilling dreams, not an arena for negative comments and bantering back and forth in disagreement over topics or comments we’ve made. That doesn’t mean we shy from a discussion. But, in doing so, kindness is always of the utmost importance.

We don’t express political or religious views or present any negative comments regarding any person’s beliefs or preferences. From time to time, I may discuss frustration over the food industry’s money orientated goals of presenting chemical-ridden foods at us in the US markets. If this offends anyone, that’s never been our intent.

Over these past 41 months, since we began posting, we often mention the recovery of health I’ve experienced from changing my diet, a choice I’ve made for life. Tom joined me in this path except when on cruise ships and dining in restaurants.

Through sharing recipes and resources through books and medical research documents, we’ve had an enormous response from readers all over the world who have chosen their own path through their own research. 

In dozens of cases, readers have written to us via private email requesting the book list we compiled that helped me discover my own path which if they choose, may prove to be beneficial for them. 

We never claim to be medical professionals or experts in any of these fields. We always encourage readers to seek professional assistance in choosing their path to improved health. 

We’re simply laypeople, literally hungry to learn ways in which we can extend the quality of life in our senior years, which ultimately adds to the joy of continuing our world travels, hopefully for years to come.

Yesterday, when I received this comment, I struggled over whether or not to upload it to the site. The reader wrote:

“Your husband is right. You obsess over food. It’s annoying and will probably mean I quit reading altogether. I read only about the first couple of paragraphs of this page, scrolling down, and when I came to the recipe, scrolling faster.”

Here is the link to the post on which the above comment was made. (Oftentimes, readers are “catching up” reading posts from months or years ago). This post was uploaded in March 2014 but the comment arrived yesterday. If you’ll click the link to this post and scroll to the bottom of the page, you’ll see comments made by other readers at that time. 

I didn’t post the above reader’s comment online in the “comments” section at the end of the post. I didn’t since it included her name and to avoid publicly using a person’s name to address an issue, I am posting it here without the name.

Now, for my response to the reader which I assure you is done so, not with the intent of criticizing the reader but to address what may in fact be an issue for some of our other readers…our ongoing discussions of food:

Undoubtedly, I make frequent references to food including the shopping, quality of products, my perceived healthfulness of products, our way of eating, recipes, and often photos of meals we’ve had in restaurants or cooked “at home.”

As all of our readers are aware, changing my diet changed my health to such a degree it allowed us to travel the world. Had this not happened, we’d never have been able to travel. I won’t go into all of that again. Most of you know the story.

But, traveling the world is often a story about food and culture. In reading many travel sites, we often find ourselves admiring food photos and stories since for many travelers, it’s all about the food, the great restaurants, the fabulous finds of the “tucked away” spot that filled their bellies and hearts with love and joy, often a treasured story they’ll tell for years to come.

For us and the limitations of my way of eating, we tend to stay away from restaurants in some countries which are more inclined to use flour, sugar, and starch in the preparation of food. 

This reality definitely hinders our experience to a degree. In a way, it’s a limitation, not unlike those that many people experience at some point in their lives. And, we chose to adapt to the best of our ability…finding homemade food, grocery shopping, and recipes bringing us that same kind of pleasure.

Yes, I’m obsessed with food. Always have been. Always was a great cook and loved to entertain. It’s a hobby. It’s a passion. Food is love. And now, for us, food is medicine. And yes, Tom occasionally reminds me about my passion, obsession, and hobby as he gobbles us the next plate of fabulous food, thanking me for a good meal.

Another important point for us, perhaps beyond our personal enjoyment of food is the hundreds that have written to us over these 41 months that have asked for booklists, information on medical research, and recipes that they may decide to peruse in their own search for renewed health. 

If in this process, only one person through gaining inspiration in reading our posts has found a solution through a diet that has improved their health, every single one of the 1112 days that we’ve sat here writing and researching will have been worth it. 

As for the recipes, there are literally hundreds of people that have written to us requesting recipes for a meal we’ve mentioned or a food photo we’ve posted. Instead of spending the recipe via email, knowing there are others less inclined to write, we post the recipe online.

If this above-mentioned one reader decides to stop reading our posts that’s a personal choice and we’re saddened by that decision. It’s easy to scroll past those points that one may find less interesting or desirable to their owns tastes and interests. 

Our goal is not singularly about food. If you’ve had an opportunity to read the posts of the last several days regarding safety it’s evident that is the case. We strive to provide a wide array of topics that may appeal to all ages, those who sit at their kitchen table each morning, a cup of coffee or tea in hand, that travel along with us. 

We feel your presence and appreciate every single one of you.

Photo from one year ago today, August 20, 2014:

We visited the Victoria and Albert Museum for an excellent educational day. For more photos, please click here.

Both of us had a great day at the museum.

Comments and responses Negative comments from a reader…Torn about responding…

  1. Joanette Reply

    The food comments on your blog are very interesting and helpful. This is your blog, you can write about whatever you like to write about, you are entitled to your opinions. I enjoy the Low Carb tips and recipes and marvel that you can travel the world and navigate a healthy lifestyle. If that one person doesn't like the content found on your blog they can find one they do like. Please don't take it to heart. Safe travels

  2. Jessica Reply

    Joanette, how sweet of you to respond with your thoughtful comments. Input like yours, is so meaningful to us. If any anytime, you have suggestions on content, we'd love to hear from you. Thank you for continuing to enjoy our posts. We look forward to hearing from you again.

    Warmest regards,
    Jess & Tom

  3. Anonymous Reply

    Jessica, I agree with Joanette and please do not change anything about your blog. I find your new healthy lifestyle amazing and have shared it with many people. There are so many people suffering because of a poor diet and are looking for a solution. I love how your blog makes me feel as if I have known you for a long time.
    So sorry for the insensitive people out there who I think are probably just jealous of you and Tom.
    Safe and happy travels.
    Pat and Dan

  4. Jessica Reply

    Pat & Dan, your continued support of our site has been a pure joy. In your case, we had the opportunity to meet you both on one of the most wild cruises in April 2013 on the Norwegian Epic when we had three days of 50 foot swells. After a great chat that day, we handed you a business card and you've been with us since. Thanks to you both for your friendship, kindness and readership. Hope you're both enjoying life to the fullest.

    Warmest regards,
    Jess & Tom

  5. Staci Finch Thompson Reply

    I think your blog posts are wonderful, and agree with the sentiment that you should continue to post on whatever topics you like. I enjoy every one – and it's due to your blog that we discovered this way of eating, and are reaping the benefits. I also think it's just fine if someone else doesn't find them interesting. That's the magic of the Internet – with a single click of a button, one can easily move on to a topic or site more personally interesting. You are not here to cater to our individual wishes and tastes – but rather have graciously chosen to share a small slice of your life with us, and it is up to us as to whether we want to follow along.

  6. Jessica Reply

    Staci, thank you so much for your comments! Knowing there are people out there like the two of you who have adopted this way of eating and are reaping the benefits means so much to us. You're right about the magic of the Internet, we can pick and chose what appeals to our likes and dislikes. There are a few blogs I follow regularly and once in awhile the topic doesn't appeal to me. Its so easy to skip that one day and await the next post. Wow! So easy. it is magical.

    Thanks again for writing and bringing us further assurances of our intentions.

    Warmest regards,
    Jess & Tom

  7. Unknown Reply

    I think your story about how changing your diet enabled you to do things you otherwise could not is inspiring. And you both look great so it must work! We make mental notes to someday check back and adopt it for ourselves, either entirely or some measure. Waft on!

    Rich and Char Borotz from Chanhassen

  8. Jessica Reply

    Rich and Char, what a pleasure it is to see your thoughtful comments! Many of our readers have adopted this way of eating with excellent results, also able to stop taking many medications. For Tom, he was able to stop using seven meds a day. Now he needs no prescription drugs at all and his former condition is literally gone. Food is truly medicine. But, learning to use food as medicine is a process requiring both working with a health professional and conducting one's own research on appropriate foods. Should you both consider adopting this way of eating, please don't hesitate to ask for our recommending reading list which can assist you in making a decision and in presenting it to your health care provider through references to medical studies conducted at many fine universities both in the US and other countries. Thanks so much for writing. We love your "waft on" comment!

    Warmest regards,
    Jess & Tom

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