Hi Mr. Prokhorov,
How life is treating you? In some of your pictures you look tired. With your regime of working 15 hours a day, I'm not surprised. You definitely need a good nutritious food.
Let's talk food. Very important. Not only for physical and mental health, but also for your social life. Because you're single and right now you might not care about this research, but it says that the family who eats together most of the week days has more harmony and less divorce. So it's not only calories, but interaction, attention and intention around the table. On the other side, you shouldn't eat with people you don't like or have problems with. Religious Jews have a wonderful law of observance - Shabbat, when family must get together around the food, prayer and break from work. Going to house of worship and meeting other people who share the same values, gives everyone a feeling of meaning, belonging, purpose and devotion. It's emotionally rejuvenating and spiritually healing. Feeling that you're not alone in your convictions, and on top of it to believe that someone almighty is looking out for you, can not be compared with having things such as jewels, cars, yachts, employees, the robot and the hooker.
I personally think that no matter the religion every family should have a rule like that. And, if you're single you should have your extended family to join you for a dinner as much as possible. Just a wish from my part...
People that I know who are spiritual or religious start eating by saying "Our father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy Kingdom come..." or "Baruch atah adonay elohenu melech ha olam..."
Because you say you're an atheist I'd suggest the following procedure custom-made by me especially for you: put your hand on your heart, make sure you feel it, top-top on it, close your eyes and whisper to yourself; "leave politics to Kremlin, leave politics to Kremlin, leave politics to Kremlin," until you deeply yawn and say "Amen," which means "True." Make sure you fellow up on this commitment every day, every step of the way and avoid enticements by all means.
Hallelujah, praise the Lord!
Now that I've done the theoretical part of this report, as my academic classic education taught me, let's go to practical, which is more American.
What do you like to eat? Are you picky? Do you have a discriminating palate? Do you use food for comfort, do you know your comfort food when you need it? Pastries? What you grew up with? Did your mother or grandmother cooked something that you crave for? For instance, Gary Kasparov's favorite dish was her grandmother's "d...a." It's a Mediterranean perfect dish. Here it's considered an appetizer.
I love "borscht" with stew. And the meat should have bones attached while cooking. It's a delicate dish and one should know tricks of every component cooked separately. And, you shouldn't eat it right away. It should stay and cool off to work everything together, then warmed up and add the parsley and cilantro at the end. Chicken soup is essential for health; it's a comfort food and it's called "grandmother's penicillin." If you feel under the weather or have a little cold, it should be on your table. My favorite one here is in Spanish restaurant. I don't cook for myself - no time. I like the lentil soup in one of the Italian restaurants. American's most favorite food is Italian; traditional spaghetti and meat balls. Road Runners' club members before NYC Marathon are having big bowl of that. Meat balls can be made with different meats separately or mixed. It's all about the taste. I personally prefer fresh Italian crusty breads over pastas. Barbecue I'd recommend as it was done in old country; marinated over night, first on the grill go the veggies, then the meat (on smoke) and the potatoes go deep inside the hot coal. Of course the taste also depend on where and how things were grown. You need fiber for good digestion; celery, green beans, all sort of salads are good. More colorful food is better. Some veggies are good when raw, some better slightly steamed or cooked. Besides beautiful and tasty, you should follow what vitamins or minerals you need. Blood test called CBC will tell about it. It's not recommended to put sugar on top of protein. If you're having all sorts of meats, don't rush into your pastries and sweet coffee. Wait at least half on hour. When I go out with friends we usually don't have coffee in restaurant. We walk out, walk a little more and go to specialized coffee shop. 1st it's healthier, 2nd, coffee is better and in more varieties, the 3rd, we support two businesses instead of one.
I can go on and on, but don't know about you as an eater.
Generally I can say this; you start eating with your eyes, you want to pick something which looks appetizing, then check it with your nose, then the palate. But at the end what matters for your body, besides the entertainment or fancy-schmancy, is what nutrients you've got and how your system absorbs them. We're not born with all the enzymes needed to break down all the foods grown or made around the planet. Sushi is good for Japanese, but can make you sick. We didn't grow up on raw fish. Some enticing foods can make you sick or even poison you.
The same is with people.
For example, let's say you go to a party, see someone as tall as you, she has a painted art deco face, no bleach spared on her hair, half naked and high wearing some sort of male hormone triggering fragrance and jumps at you, what do you do? You're hot, you take her home in ecstasy... In the morning, after shower, you see her real face and in horror realize that those #46 size shoes next to your bed are not yours. You feel sick... You look at her big toes coming toward you and feel sicker... She starts talking and what leaks out of her brain through her mouth makes you vomit right then and there. You need help, but you're alone... You get cautious... Retrieve to a corner and wait... Before she leaves make sure she doesn't throw her cell phone at you or, worse yet, hit your face with it. After throwing up all the expensive food you spent good money on, I recommend a cup of tea brewed with fresh mint. It's an antioxidant and kills bacteria. Caution: not good enough for nervous breakdowns or STDs. Let's not go there - not my field.
Hope I'm getting my point out to you. Only emotionally insecure man doesn't like a woman with sense of humor. Smart man enjoys good company. I wish I could come to your birthday party. It's 29th of April and I didn't send your cards yet. Don't know even what's your address.
I can go on and on with food subject. Just want to add; in terms of fruits all berries are good. If you ate lots of salty stuff all day, have a banana in the evening, or if you feel clogged by fatty foods get a fruit salad with apple and pear, also bunch of strawberries will do.
In terms of pastries, I used to bake a lot, napoleonchik from scratch, which would take an entire day (I'll never do that again), heavy cakes, not now, no more. I remember one pastry which was around, fluffy, light and very delicious called "e..." It's not a slang, it's a cute animal's name, just don't want to give it out. I'd gladly make it for you. I imagine after tasting first one you coming to the kitchen hovering over the tray and grabbing those one ofter another with both hands, looking at me mouthful with defensive eyes (mean I have to have it) until they all decipher on front of my eyes and I'm left with none (I make sure I'll keep the recipe for myself).
I do not recommend burgers, hot dogs, sausages, candies, rice, dry fruits, nuts, sauces and condiments, sodas, preserved juices and wine. Also I'm not fan of most dairy products. Beer is better than milk for adult body. I've got so many enemies for writing this right now.
You need someone to organize your food around your schedule. I have ideas how to do it. Depend on your preferences and lifestyle, there can be 2 ways to go about it.
You should be a able to choose from 20-30 different dishes a day and those dishes can be changed every day. I'm not rich, but I'm able to do so every day in here. It's not complicated. One person can't cook all those at home, of course.
Also maybe for your fitness you want stress test done. Maybe it'd be better to do 2 one hour each exercise sessions a day instead of one 2 hour one?
I saw the picture of your office in NY Times. That's next.
Best regards.
P.S. I just remember, my favorite comedian says:
"Now that California makes better wine, Wisconsin makes better cheese and Swedish make better p.rn, French are out of International business."
