i find something in the observation you've just made about americans very interesting, yakuta.
westernization, or americanization is not an insidious plot by us to infect or overthrow the world, as it's often seen by the rest of the world.
it's just convenient, while having enough taste, often salt or sugar, to satisfy. that's why it "infects" other cultures. it's human nature. americans are not much more than a collection of the rest of the world.
accordingly, i hope the recent healthier eating habits of americans follows that course as well.
and i think verablue's been watching rachel ray a little too much lately... (hee hee)
oh, beth, one of the middle eastern families ate a lot of eggs.
edited to add: photo essays can be dangerous. even more powerful than the written word, seeing something in pictures or in print tends to put a firm idea in your mind that might not be representative of a more truthful viewpoint.
i mean, c'mon. are they all being truthful? cara's horse drinks more beer than the german family displayed...