A friend of my sent me an article written in the Washington Post about Google with the subject, “we should all be as lucky.” It talks about the amazingly top quality café (notice how they chose not to use the word cafeteria instead) which Google offers its employees. Did I mention that it’s free? For all three meals every day? And how by noon menus are distributed electronically for all the 11 cafes on its campus? Furthermore, I am happy to say that “Google supports local farming, organic produce, hormone-free meats and healthful eating.” Don’t you wish you could work there?

However, there are a few catches. Since they can enjoy this tasty perk so close to their offices, employees no longer leave campus as frequently and therefore work more, and let’s not forget the fact that they eat more! The term “Google 15” refers to the weight new employees gain during their first year of employment at Google. Don’t worry - Google’s on-site doctor is handing out free pedometers to balance this problem and they have restocked the snack machines with healthier items. Even though they were upset about the latter decision, employees still wait on line for the café doors to open.

This article was so interesting and was thought-provoking about different food issues. One area in particular is the “Google 15.” I can totally relate to this challenge. I work in a great office, where many of us share the same passion for sweets (chocolates in particular). We, as Jews, like to eat, regardless of where we are. Thank God, in America our society is so fortunate to have such a surplus of food, which is one explanation for the current weight problem in our country. We feel like we want to continue eating, even though we are full, just because the food is there, we like it, or for emotional support (i.e. - turning to comfort foods). I am guilty of this practice and do strive to practice self-control and stop eating when I feel satisfied.

It could be a good practice to accustom ourselves with less – fewer dishes served at a meal when we know we’ll get full after the first course, fewer dishes served at a shul’s Kiddush when most people will go home and eat after they leave shul (synagogue). Sometimes it takes appreciating the little things in life to help us be grateful for its source and the central role they could play in our lives.