YOU can find all sorts on the Forest Machine Operators Blog, from used machinery to advice on repairs to, most recently, a smashing recipe for ‘fakeaway’ katsu curry.
‘Fakeaway’, for those not in the know, being a term denoting a meal which looks and tastes almost indistinguishable from its fast-food equivalent, without compromising on your wellness goals.
The harvester operator who posted the full ingredients and method for making this mouthwatering delicacy wrote: “Remember, healthy living doesn’t mean skimping on flavour or enjoyment! Your meals can be both nutritious and delicious, and this katsu curry is proof of that. Dig in and enjoy, fellow wood tinks!”
A member replied: “I am here to discuss forestry machines, not my diet.”
A harsh comment, but fair? No, not fair at all, said others.
“It is a machine operator’s blog,” said one. “Tis a very relevant subject to avoid the inevitable ‘cab rash’.”
You’ll have to consult your own medical expert about that one.
Meanwhile, the original poster said he had received enough private messages of support from like-minded ‘operators’ who enjoyed his content with advice on healthy living to keep it a regular thing “and maybe help change the odd life or two”.
Weighing in to support him, another member said: “I’ve recently went from cutter who jumps in and out of tractors, trailer and forwarders to full time in a harvester. Your videos and diet posts are great to help stop the ballooning of the auld belly. Keep up the good work and keep the posts coming!”
Blog founder Mark Curtis was similarly supportive, commenting: “It is an operator’s blog and I for one could do with losing a few tonne… I mean stone. I was at a first-aid refresher yesterday and got told the damning facts of people like ourselves that eat wrong and sit on our ass all day and the high risk of heart attacks in our 40s and 50s. It’s bloody scary.”
The original poster responded: “It’s only been in the last few years I’ve taken a keen interest in nutrition and really only the last year that I’ve properly wanted to learn more. But aye, it’s bloody frightening when you realise the damage of processed foods. Good on the first-aid guys for bringing this to your attention.
“When you realise the long-term damage we all do to ourselves, I for one don’t want to be a statistic – especially when I’ve got kids to take care of. Personally I don’t want them visiting me in hospital in my 60s or 70s. I still want to be walking around in my 80s and able to enjoy playing with the grandkids etc.”
We know this sort of thing will make uncomfortable, even mildly irritating reading for many with Christmas approaching. We certainly wouldn’t want to put anyone off indulging in all the sweets, snacks and alcoholic beverages that make the season pass so pleasantly (God knows we won’t be holding back).
But the fitness of our industry and its operators should be of paramount importance to a publication such as Forestry Journal. Perhaps this could be a bold new direction for the magazine, adding a few pages each month with workouts, guidance on reducing back pain and even the odd bit of culinary content?
We hear editor John McNee has an excellent recipe for stuffed sole poached in Meursault, while Jack Haugh makes a tuna pasta described by some as ‘tolerable’.
Maybe that’s exactly what Forestry Journal and its readers need. Watch this space!
In the meantime, for further (edible) recipes and more, check out the Forest Machine Operators Blog on Facebook.
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