Can I just say how much I love you? Yes, YOU! I love coming here every day and reading all the wonderful comments you leave for me, and I love posting because I know you love me back. I’m glad we have that kind of relationship.
Can I also tell you that my alarm clock did NOT go off at 4:30 today? It was on purpose. I’m conducting an experiment of some sorts this week and am only going to work out Friday and possibly Sunday.. and I’m going to keep it light. I think my body really really really needs the rest. Bring on the yoga or pilates videos please and thanks you.
So, this morning I did what any self proclaimed foodie did when extra morning time is to be had: I made more hot oats. I’m not sure, but I think I am hoping that the more hot oats I make, the more fall weather will happen. However, it was 82 degrees outside today, so I’m thinking my hypothesis is not working.
Yes, the return of the beautiful mug Allie sent to me. It was inspired after seeing Emily eating out of hers yesterday. When life gives you peaches, make peach oatmeal. I think I want to stick with that mantra. You also can’t tell, but it was a peach oatmeal parfait - oatmeal layer, peach layer, oatmeal layer, peach layer… topped with none other than coconut and peanut butter.
Do you remember yesterday when I talked about my measly lunch I had brought to school? Well, I left it in the fridge overnight for today. I figured it would possibly be okay.
I. Was. Wrong.
Honestly, who am I and why do I have no common sense most of the time? When I opened my lunch today, I was so angry… even more angry than I would have been because I ate all the fruit out of it for my afternoon snack yesterday. My students are lucky the hunger beast did not attack this afternoon.
The lunch was not even worthy of a photograph. For real.
Which is why I was so stinking happy when I rememberd I had stuck these in the fridge at school this morning.
Walnuts, raisins, and almonds… oh my! You may be wondering why I put them in the fridge. The answer would be I did not want to contaminate my classroom with tree nuts of any sort. If you’re new around here, I have a student with a deathly allergy to peanuts and tree nuts alike. I even have a sign hung on my door that says “Peanut Free Zone”. I’m still recovering from the depression which has followed in my life because of this.
After school, I went on another shopping spree - this time, for fall attire. I set out with a mission to spend $100 - because, well.. that’s what I could afford. I wasn’t paying attention to what I was picking out (prices, how much everything was adding up to be) and after sales, extra coupons, etc., I ended up spending… $99.32. No, I am not joking. And yes, I wanted to find something for 68 cents just for fun (but what else but a gum ball can you buy for 68 cents these days?). I was super proud of myself, and bought a lot of cute things!
When I got home, I had a hankering for chili. Well, a hankering for ANYTHING - chili was just what was there. Have you ever tried to “bulk up” your chili? Which is funny, because chili is already a pretty bulked up meal. However, when you’re as hungry as I was, you need the double bulking… and a bowl twice this size so you don’t have to go back for seconds.
Yes, I went there… I put broccoli on my chili - and it was good. Reeal good.
I got to thinking today about how skewed Americans (in general) have such a skewed perspective on health and eating. How many times have you heard the phrase “But I thought that was healthy!” Make “that” into whatever “health food” you would like to imagine at this point in time.
I will be the first to admit, I cannot even count how many 100 calorie packs, fat free cookies, baked chips, and lean cuisines I have had in my day. High Fructose Corn Syrup? What is that? It has taken me years, yes years for my eating habits to evolve to where they are today. I think it’s about time we stop thinking about what is “low fat”, “low sodium”, deemed “healthy” (who even decides this anyways) and start thinking about nutrition and health as a whole.
Chemicals = bad
Real food = good
That’s all there is to it - Food like substances have been overtaking the food industry for some time now, and I hope to God people are beginning to realize this.
This seems innocent enough, right?
Look, it’s even healthy! (says who?)
So wrong.
Now, am I saying this can of soup is just as bad for you as eating an entire row of Oreos? Probably not.Will this one can of soup ruin your life forever? Not in the least bit. This is just an example of what is out there. When, in reality, cooking real, wholesome food is easy to do and tastes a whole lot better.
Sorry to get all “preachy” on you - which is why I don’t let my mind wander there every day.
On a happier note, I am off to go organize some pictures! It’s time to make a “home renovations” album!
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I even got some new frames that I have been holding out on!
Don’t forget to tell your husband/boyfriend/mom/dad/family/etc. that you love them today! For some reason, that just seemed like a good way to end things.
Question: Have you ever had a shopping excursion you were especially proud of? or if you want to heat things up in the comments department, What are your feelings about the food which the majority of America eats? How do you approach this subject?
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Chelsey!
This time though, I just had to say something!
I don’t think I’ve ever commented.. but I read your blog all the time
My step-dad has his own welding company, and one of his clients is Campbell’s soups. He makes a lot of the machinery that makes the soup in the factories… which gives him access to their retail store. He always comes home with cases of soup - telling me as he points to the label that they are so ‘healthy’.. and I just can’t get him to believe me when I say it’s loaded with chemicals and stuff. Arg… it’s frustrating!
As for the shopping… I am always pretty angelic
I’m a saver at heart, and find it difficult to wrack up a bill. Especially if someone else is paying!
<3 Tat
Thanks for commenting! It is frustrating but it’s hard because you don’t want to “step on any toes”!!!
Oh Man, the whole food topic is quite weighty.
My opinion on food is quite similar to yours. I love good food; real food. I do my best to eat real whole foods most of the time, but let’s be honest, what’s life without icecream?
I think food awareness is where it starts and I think, like you said, a lot of people just don’t know.
It really saddens me to think of all the junk that we are sold and consume on a daily basis. There is so much good food out there, but so often people rely on the quick, easy and unhealthy way out.
I hope a “food revolution” does occur and that people can start to be more aware and conscious of what “healthy” actually means.
I could probably keep writing for a while, but I won’t.
You sum it up quite well.
I. Love. This. Post.
Seriously - it makes me so frustrated and SAD when I see people honestly and truly think they are eating healthy (and not just dieting) but are relying on so much processed food. Or, even the pretending to be healthy fast food salads and McDonald’s smoothies. Really…just eat REAL food and life will be good! I think people really just don’;t know any better half the time! I mean - by mom’s b/f saw my baked pasta I had for dinner tonight and goes “Geeze, Jessie…that almost looks like normal food. Is that real pasta?” And I’m just sort of crying inside because pasta’s gained such a bad rap! haha. There’s really nothing so awful about a good whole grain pasta!
Anyways - sorry for getting preachy, too! haha. That’s so sad that you’ve got a student with nut allergies!! I’d cry, too. And the poor kid! Although…I guess at least he doesn’t know what he’s missing? Or she…I don’t know why I kept saying he, lol.
And your chili looks great. I cannot. wait. to make a big pot of chili this fall
Thanks for the feedback - I totally agree.
The student actually loves peanut butter but can’t eat it - how sad!!!
Maybe you can introduce him to almond butter (it would have to be made in a nut-free facility, though.)
I’m pretty sure it is all tree nuts. I just don’t even bring any nuts into the classroom - even almonds!
I really have to bite my tongue to not get all preachy on people about real vs. processed food and what’s healthy and what’s not. Most likely, I won’t judge you for eating it. I just really want you to know why it’s not as healthy as you think…
I am contemplating when I’m going to make my first batch of chili for the year… so excited!
ooo I cannot wait to see the chili!!
I am obsessed with that mug! So cute!
I am also frequently keeping my mouth shut about certain foods that people eat on a consistent basis. Soo sick of seeing those Lance Cracker packages I swear. But, to each his own!!
Yayy for bringing out the breakfast mug
My healthy isn’t as healthy as yours!
That’s why I cringed when I pressed publish - everyone has their own definition!
I give you props! It is good to state your point of view and let it be heard.
Hi Chelsey
. I’m new to your blog, but soon becoming a subscriber. I enjoyed this post and read a post similar in regard to the “whole food” vs. “processed food” @ Laury’s The Fitness Dish. I, too, become frustrated with all the chemicals in processed food. As Michael Pollan states, avoid foods that make health claims, along with many other helpful and valid food rules. That’s immediately what I thought of as soon as saw the pic of the soup can label. I’m with you!
Welcome!!! I am so glad you found me - subscribe away! It’s hard nto to comment when you know what’s best, but to each his own, right?
I’d comment on the shopping, but my shopping habits always result in me spending way over budget!
While I can’t speak for Americans, Canadians face these same food related issues as well- it drives me crazy over what people call “healthy”. I agree with you 100% that chemicals do not = healthy! It’s funny though, because as a marketer, I have to admire the tactics the food industry have taken to ‘educate’ consumers. They’re pretty shameless when it comes to touting words like “fat free” as if it were the best thing for you. Or my personal favorite: “reduced sodium”, that doesn’t mean it is low in sodium, just lower than the original. Ah, so glad I don’t promote within the food industry
Great post Chelsy, and good luck with the reduced exercise, I’m sure your body will thank you for it!
I try to avoid stuff w/ high fructose corn syrup (unless it’s dessert stuff…..whoops). One time I bought a loaf of whole wheat Sara Lee bread and the first ingredient was HFCS!!!! I couldn’t bring myself to eat it…I gave it away and bought another brand.
Great post!
Nice job staying on budget with the shopping spree. I need to go shopping for warmer clothes so bad!
Ugh it’s so hard to watch almost everyone around me make such horrible food choices. I think it’s okay to point out when someone is eating something unhealthy but I make it a point to never come off as condescending or like I’m judging that person because I’ve been on the other side and that’s not a good feeling.
Oh boy — topic close to my heart.
I mean -all I can add is an “Amen!”
Have you read Michael Pollen’s Book In Defense of Food?
He rocks.
Eat Real Food. Not too much. Mostly fruits and vegetables.
I love how Diet Orange Cruish has HFCS as the second ingredient.
Oh, but wait! High Fructose Corn Syrup is healthy now, right? “It’s made from corn. It’s fine in moderation.”
Those commercials are hilarious! Almost as funny as the happy cows come from California ones.
~Missy
I have read that book by Michael Pollen - I loved it! That book and Eating Animals were the reasons why I decided to “fully” go veg!
I am so with you on the non-chemical eating thing! Unfortunately we can’t trust a company’s marketing department when they advertise their products as “healthy”!
oh those are fun frames- I always feel so good after getting something we really want/need at a great deal!
HEY MAMA!!1
ohhh ive missed YOU!!! i must catch up on your bloggie!! hope you are doing amazing!
I’ve missed YOUUUU!!!!