A Post About Food

On Losing Weight


I have been thinking a lot about food lately—in a variety of capacities. First of all, I want to lose some weight. I am not overweight, but I know if I ate a little better and exercised a few times a week, I could be at a much more satisfactory weight—not to be “skinny” but to be healthy and feel more energetic.

I happened across this amazing website that helps you track your meals, gives you ideas for what to eat and how to exercise. For someone like me, this site has been a revelation. (And it’s free!)



Get a Free Online Diet

First, it allows you to really easily track your food intake and the calories/fat/nutrients you’re getting in the process. I used to think I ate pretty well since I don’t like a lot of fatty things, I had no idea the amount of empty calories I was taking in on a day. And how much I lack in eating good things like fruits and vegetables. And how little water I drank in a day, and how much fat and nasty stuff comes from just one meal eating out.

Which is where all this weight loss talk ties into this blog—it’s all about the fruits and veggies—fresh ones, preferably. I haven’t really been eating much fruit or many vegetables because nothing is really local right now. Now that I know I want to buy local, I am hoping this will help me plan for the next winter season—so I have local on hand to eat.

It’s also about planning so it isn’t easier to say, hey, let’s get Taco Bell. It’s going to take a lot of planning and work and dedication to wean myself off the desire to eat a meal out so often—not in an effort to lose weight or save money, but really in an effort to be good to my body.

With all of these outbreaks of salmonella and e.coli it’s a wonder more people aren’t realizing the problem is in our food system as much as it’s a companies mistake. Society puts such importance on quality goods—clothes, technology, houses, perfect lawns—why aren’t we putting any importance on the quality of food—one of those basic needs?

I suppose because it’s easier to just buy a frozen pizza or get a hamburger at McDonald’s. It’s easier not to think about food and what it is—and if we’ve grown up knowing no different, why should we be expected to change?

I’m not one for super activism. I believe what I believe and don’t try to push my beliefs on others. I often keep my convictions to myself because it’s not my job to change someone’s mind. But, I’m beginning to feel a little bit differently on activism and this issue. I think this is one issue (quality of food) that most people don’t think about because they’re ignorant—they grew up as I did with trips to the grocery store, meals out every week, and no emphasis or thought put on to what we’re putting in our bodies. If we don’t know or see that something’s wrong why should we change it?

So, from here on out I’m going to start telling people why I’m doing what I’m doing and why. Why local and organic are better choices. They don’t have to agree, or listen, they can even laugh—but if knowledge is power, then I feel it should be part of my responsibility to spread my knowledge—I am going to be a teacher after all ;)