I once read that healthiest people in the world live an inconvenient lifestyle. These healthy people cook fresh food from scratch and exercise daily (not necessarily at a gym). They make sure to sleep at night and maintain a clean home. They obtain fresh food frequently and they are careful to not overstock their homes with excess.
Yesterday at the gym I was thinking about making dinner (it was taco Tuesday). I was thinking about all the time I could save if I purchased convenience foods. Instead of making fresh guacamole, I could just buy it. Instead of fresh made picco de gallo I could just buy it or use canned salsa. Hell, I could just serve some boxed enchilada entree from Trader Joe’s or Stouffers.
Yes, I’m a fan of homemade, I believe in the slow cooking movement and I think MOST convenience foods are a waste of money. I’m not going to lie, I do eat some convenience foods. Bread, yogurt, granola bars, skinny cows and jarred marina as a base for a quick pasta sauce are a few that I use frequently. I do buy jarred condiments (I’ve tried making mayonnaise and its hard, really really hard). On more than one occasion, I’ve stopped at Whole Foods and bought some pre made salads and and I’m not going to lie, I probably will in the future. But the majority of the time, I have no problems cleaning my own carrots, chopping my own celery or cutting up an apple. I even debone my chicken about 50% of the time.
I use to make my own pasta until I broke the pasta maker and found out it cost me more per pound (the pasta maker was expensive) to make it than going to the little Italian grocery store where they make it by hand. I’ve gone as far as TRYING to make my own tortillas (not worth the money or the time by the way, I yielded about 1 tortilla out of the batch I made, something went wrong and I had a big ole mess in the kitchen).
Why is it that we can give 150% effort at our jobs yet can’t make a 100% effort to make sure we cook a decent meal, eat fresh food and get in 30 minutes of exercise daily? Why do people eat food out of boxes, cans and plastic containers when they can make the same food themselves for the half the cost, 50% less sodium and have 100% more taste. Are we just lazy? Do we not know how?
So I ask you, do you eat convenience foods? If so why? What would make you start cooking fresh and using whole ingredients? Is it time? Is it lack of knowledge? Or is it that your lazy? Do you think you could go an entire week without eating out of a box or can?
Today’s outfit is inspired by having to turn in my check and application to a community garden. I’m so excited to grow fresh ingredients and help the community I live to grow fresh produce to cook with.
Don’t get me wrong, I think there is a time and a place for convenience food. I won’t say that I’m NEVER going to eat it EVER again. That would be a lie. But I will certainly trying not to make it a habit.
Day 144
Top- Cabi (2009)
Pant- Ann Taylor Loft (2007)
Shades- Michael by Michael Kors (TJ Maxx 2009)
Watch – DKNY (Off 5th 2000)
Shoes- Tory Burch (2009)
Necklace and earrings- Gift (AM Feldman)
PS. this single tumbs up is for Charlie, becuase its Hump Day, Wednesday, and were half way though the week.
I admit it. I use a lot of convenience foods.
The excuse I use is time, but the real reason is that I’m lazy.
I have two teenagers, and my 15 year old son eats a ton! He will eat a couple of hot pockets after school then eat the dinner that I cook later on in the evening and be ready for a snack before bed.
I’m usually all-or-nothing. Maybe I should focus on eliminating one type of convenience food at a time.
Love today’s post! And super cute top!
I know you’ve read my stuff (thank you 🙂 btw) so you know I was ALL about the convenient foods. For me it was a couple things…
1. Portion control. Portion control. Portion control.
2. I didn’t know how to cook and make it taste good.
3. Time
Education was what changed my behaviors. And all of those three things have now been debunked. I container/measure most things before eating it; I learned how to open a cook book and get tips from WeWa peeps; and I make things ahead for time saving.
It has definitely become a priority. Now “maintaining a clean home”…that is another story. 🙂
Tammy – that is a good idea – eliminating one thing at a time.
Joining a CSA helped me because it made it so I didn’t have to think about what produce to buy. I just build a menu around it.
(Sorry for the blog-like comment!)
I wax and wane on convenience foods. Depends on what I have in the house and how I am feeling. Mostly I cook for myself though.
Love the picures of the community garden! Let’s hope for a warmer summer this year, my tomatoes had hard time last year….
Since I lost my job, we have started looking at our lifestyle. Yes, we eat dried pasta (don’t have a pasta machine, and D doesn’t like fresh), but popcorn…Still working on the bag we bought in March and we eat popcorn about 2-3 times a week.
I use packaged spinach because it lasts longer for some reason. And condiments.
What a pretty top !
It’s an interesting post, because indeed to eat better an healthier it co$ts more and takes more time…
Love the outfit!
I use convenience food all the time. It is a combo of things….laziness, lack of time, but my number one reason is that I hate planning and cooking.
Although….
it is one of my new years resolutions. I am making progress.