Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Shopping trip

Yesterday, the question was asked, how did the shopping go?

This task reminded me of when I was out of my own for the very first time and all I had in my pocket was $30 to spend and we did not know when we would have more money. I was moving out on my own for the first time and after all the moving expenses and whatnot, we were left with $30. I had no parental or family support and no job. I was young and optimistic, and I didn't realize how long it was going to take to get a job, what, they don't fall off trees?

It was the first time I had been inside a grocery store not begging my mother for some treat or another (that is how young I was) and suddenly the cost of everything hit me full force. I had no idea how long this food had to last. I don't remember the whole shopping trip. I remember that $30 was a lot more then than it is now. Generic bread cost .25 and cans of tuna were cheap. I remember not being able to buy a full gallon of milk, which is what I had to face doing this week.

The harsh realities of facing this was a lesson I never forgot. I was thinking about this in light of the fact that I had olive oil night before last. There is no way I could afford to have olive oil. I wouldn't have made that choice back then. I would have taken one look at the price tag and gotten the vegetable oil. I skipped lunch so I could do that and stay under budget but really I am not sure that is in the nature of this challenge. If I was really faced with that restriction, I wouldn't have let myself have olive oil. If I was going to splurge on something and deny myself lunch, I would have that treat my child wanted and made do. I'm actually ashamed of myself for eating healthy in light of what it costs and what it cost my family.

Is it any wonder we are in an obesity epidemic? Why do we have to choose terrible foods to fill ourselves with when we could eat healthy? The fact of the matter is, we might be able to make better choices once we are educated for sure but it will still be beyond our reach financially if something doesn't change.

2 comments:

Inspired Vanessa said...

I think I would only serve to irritate you, Steve, you likely want followers who agree with you and I already kind of don't, but you are welcome to follow my blog.
After all, there are as many words in the Bible to prove your point as to disprove your point and I am not a blind sheep.

Contra Yogini said...

Vanessa, have you seen Food, Inc. before? I think it would answer a lot of the questions you have posed recently.