Since seeing the movie “Food Inc”, I’ve been trying much harder to buy as little processed food as possible and have been buying more organic foods. Wow, does it put quite a dent in my wallet. I confess that I have not been buying organic apples, though they are one of the worst as far as pesticides, etc. My family eats 3-4 a day! I can’t completely stop buying junky crap – my family would revolt and leave me. So I compromise. We eat less meat and more beans, but I still buy crummy sugary cereal for my dh and kids. When I snuck in some healthier kinds, the boxes sat in the cupboard untouched for weeks while they ate toast. Not that toast is bad for you, but when your husband is even begging for some Cap’n Crunch, you give in.
I also still buy chips for them. DH eats a lot of popcorn (that he makes on the stove), but he really loves potato chips. I’ve been buying much less, but holy cow, then they go through the Late July brancd cracker sandwiches and Triscuits like crazy. I can’t seem to get it through their heads that fruit or yogurt can also be a snack. I have been refusing to buy them yogurt like Trix or Danimals anymore. I get the Stonyfield Farms tubes. They probably have just as much sugar, but at least they’re made with organic ingredients.
Being more concscious about really trying to eat better has helped with not snacking on all of the treats people bring in to work. I stop and think…hmmm…was this made with margarine? Or a cake mix with partially hydrogenated oil in it? The answer is probably yes, and I KNOW none of my coworkers buy organic ingredients, so it seems much easier just to not eat any of it. I’m definitely not trying to be “perfect” — I recently ate a big piece of birthday cake that came from a bakery that still bakes with partially hydrogenated oil, and didn’t turn down a piece of homemade cheesecake from my boss. But for cookies or brownies or cake that I can easily make at home….no problem just saying no.
I’ve been back to weight training and, though my elbow is sore for a couple of days after a workout, it doesn’t hurt when I just do the elliptical at home. I’ve been using the arm bike at the Y and I’m up to 12 minutes (I was at 4 min when I stopped therapy). That little machine is quite a workout for your shoulders and arms!
I was just reading reviews of Jillian Michael’s metabolism book on Amazon, and chuckling over the number of people who complained that the book wasn’t suited for Kindle, then also complained that they can’t follow her advice because organic food is “too expensive”. Priorities, people. They will spend $300 on Kindle and $10 a download, but not buy organic food.
Are you familiar with this blog? http://www.alreadypretty.com/
I think you would like it. She’s all about positive body image, and posts many thought-provoking thoughts.
I’m not familiar with it, but I will check it out — thanks!