Fact : Eating healthy is not as easy as "they" say it is.

                The general consensus of healthy, thin, wealthy, people seems to be that all “FAT” Americans, spend their days and nights on the couch. The gluttons of society. Scarfing down egg mcmuffins, nuggets, sodas, fries, burgers, candy bars and cakes. I have heard it a million and seven times ” If you want to be healthy all you have to do is eat right and exercise- So SIMPLE”  with a shameful head shake as the eye rolls to your fat frame.Just the look on their face tells the story of what they think of you. Everyone knows the way fat people are judged. I wont lie, I think it too. When I see an extremly big person I start to think "Man, I am so thin compared to them they must live at the donut shop!" WOW, its true I am no better than anybody else. But I get it too, “Just eat fresh this and fresh that, snack on nuts and twigs, cut out red meats and eat more fresh fish and whole grains” It’s not that hard, like ‘why do they make it seem soo difficult, Im so sure. (in my best valley girl speak)?! RIIIIIIIIIIIGHT……I will give them this, Exercise is free as is water. Those are 2 things I can afford. The rest, not so much.
        For years I have been saying that many people in our country are fat not just because of Fast food joints but because the food that makes you fattest is the cheapest. Top Ramen, Macaroni, pastas, Sugar, Bleached Flour, Margarine, ham hocks, Chicken Thighs, processed boxed and frozen foods. Obviously portion control goes very far in this as well, but lets be real.

              Far too often the public overlooks the prices at the local grocery store. I myself have 6 people to feed, occasionally 7. I use coupons, a lot of coupons. They are a huge help (shout out to my friend Margie the coupon queen that always helps me out) Other than meat and produce, many things I buy are free or less than a dollar because of coupons and I am sooo thankful for that. I generally save 50% on my entire bill. However, most of it is processed food. If you take a good look you will notice that most of the processed food is the cheapest. Would I like to buy fresh broccoli at $1.79 lb (2lbs) with fresh Tilapia for my family at $7.99lb (2lbs)  & 2 boxes whole grain macaroni $1.79box – Total $23.98. Of course, we love a meal like this! Is that realistic on my budget? NO. What do we get instead? 2 bags of Value broccoli cuts from the freezer section $.99 , 2 boxes of Macaroni $.99 box (.50 after coupons), and bag of Fish Sticks $6.99 bag (5.99 after coupon) – Total = $8.97. Do I WANT to feed my family processed food? NO. Do I have much choice on a day to day? NO. Of course, every once in a while we splurge like anyone else. And, we definitely go out for fast food as well. We are not deprived, but we must make ends meet, so, after the bills are paid we buy food with what remains. Pretty sure this is how most struggling families do it. I make a good living but realistically not enough for 6 people to “Eat Healthy”. After bills I have about $500 to shop on for a month- that breaks down to $125 a week, about $3 a day per person. It seems so unrealistic!!! It is ! And if I’m telling you the truth , I spend only about $160 every two weeks thanks to coupons, if I go over I feel terrible - because if something unexpected comes up we need to dip into the fund. We have no credit cards or car payments this is just necessity bills – except cable about $45 a month and other about $100 month. I am not looking for pity just showing a sample of  reality, It is what it is.

   I’m glad to see someone is finally taking notice of this problem and hopefully in the years to come it will get easier for families like mine to eat healthier. So Thank you Michelle Obama, I’m excited for some change at the supermarket.