#9 Fueling Up The Right Way

 

    The temptation is often sickeningly overwhelming. Grocery shopping has become a battle of willpower for many people. The simple task to obtain nutritious sustenance to keep our bodies functioning is now a war zone against prominent retailers and their devious tactics. Every aisle has an endcap overflowing with preservative-filled, chemical-laden, pre-packaged “food” items. The ingredient lists are filled with unpronounceable jargon that the average person can not decipher. They draw you in with brightly colored packaging and advertisements showcasing big smiles of healthy individuals. 

 

        

              BUT….. 

                     Are these actual “food” items? 

    The human body needs a regular source of vitamins and minerals to live. In fact, when the body does not receive these requirements, it will scream out, begging for natural, fruit of the earth, nutritious food. 

Lack of Energy 

        Obesity 

                Sickness 

                        Diabetes 

                                High Blood Pressure 

                                            Renal Failure 

    These are all some of the ways our bodies can, and will, react when forced to live on a diet that is starved of rich, healthy, “Real Food.” 

    When exploring where our food comes from, it is not meant to be factory-made. Food is grown in the ground, obtaining the necessary nutrients to thrive, which it then passes on to the consumer. The “by-products” big companies use from actual food, such as corn, are then mixed and mashed with artificial chemicals to create a product that is devastatingly enticing for its victim. 

    The distressing reality is that people have forgotten what actual food tastes like and passed that on to their children over time. Corn does not taste like a corn tortilla chip, cocoa beans do not taste like store-bought chocolate, and tomatoes do not taste like ketchup. Sugar, salt, and preservatives are mixed into the original item to make the products so delectably mouth-watering that consumers continue to stock up on this convenient junk food that slyly masquerades as healthy alternatives. 

                                So, how can we fix this problem????? 

    The nation has become so busy rushing to work, school, appointments, etc., that the time left to eat has become depleted. Grab and go is the new motto in society when it comes to sustaining ourselves. Instead of giving our all to everything else, it is time to pull back, take a breather, and truly focus on self-care.

Uncomfortable cooking? 

    Try visiting YouTube for great how-to videos. Perhaps borrow cookbooks from a friend or the local library. There are even places such as ThriftBooks where you can purchase some used but high-quality cookbooks from amazingly talented chefs. Another great option is trying out a few meal delivery services such as Hello Fresh. Pick out the meals you want, and they will deliver the products and recipes, saving you time and reducing waste. 

 

Low on time? 

    Meal prepping is the way to go! Spending only a few hours each week, you can pre-make your meals, ensuring that you are eating REAL FOOD and not being tempted by those devilish fast-food drive-thru’s constantly tantalizing you from every street corner. 

    Join social media groups focused on eating and preparing healthy foods or get together with friends and family to bulk cook. Whatever option works for you, slow down, sit down with your loved ones, and eat actual food. 

         Your body deserves to be placed on a pedestal!!!

    We only get to wear it out once, so stop and smell the roses. Start the day right, sipping on a warm cup of herbal tea and eating a spinach feta omelet packed in Omegas.