A Nation of Lazy Eaters

We are a nation of lazy eaters.  We want our meals ready to eat right now.  Our freezers are full of frozen dinners, our cupboards full of boxes.  We would rather spend our money on fast food instead of vegetables.  We have become slaves to convenience.  We don't know where our food comes from.  Many of us don't know what ingredients are in our foods.  Not only do we not cook our own food, but many of us don't know how to cook our own food.

After hitting the snooze button for the fourth time, you finally decide to get out of bed.  You take a quick shower and throw on your work clothes.  No time to make breakfast so you decide to stop at Dunkin Donuts for a breakfast sandwich and a coffee.  Why?  Convenience!

God forbid this man puts forth some effort to prepare his food!

It's finally lunch time.  It has already been a busy day; answering e-mails, talking on the phone, morning meetings...  You didn't have time to bring a lunch and you are starving!  There is a McDonald's just down the road.  A burger and fries sounds like a good plan.  Why?  Convenience!

It's 2:30 in the afternoon.  You feel like you are going to pass out onto your computer.  That processed burger you had for lunch is making you feel tired.  You need a pick-me-up.  A 100 calorie snack pack and a cola should do the trick!  Why?  Convenience!

100 Calories of Sugar!

Had to work late again!  Finally on your way home at 6:30.  The last thing you want to do is cook dinner.  "Should I pick up a pizza on my way home or just "cook" one of those dinners I have in the freezer?"  Tonight will be frozen dinner night.  I'll have pizza tomorrow!  Why?  Convenience!

What the heck is that brown thing in the middle?!

Does that description sound like your typical day?  If it doesn't describe your typical day I am sure it describes somebody you know.  When you take a step back and really look at it closely, it sounds pretty ridiculous doesn't it?  We would rather save ourselves 10-15 minutes a day (which I estimate is the average time it would take to prepare healthy meals every day) and eat processed, pre-packaged foods.  What are we doing with this extra 10-15 minutes a day we are saving?  Spending that time on Facebook?  Watching the weigh-in on The Biggest Loser (ironic isn't it!)?  Trying to beat Angry Birds?

It's time to stop being lazy eaters.  Hit your snooze button only twice in the morning to give yourself some time to crack an egg.  Spend ten minutes at night making dinner with your family.  Make it a family affair.  Teach yourself how to cook while teaching your kids.  Put the leftovers in a Tupperware container for lunch the next day.  Throw a couple pieces of fruit and some nuts in a paper bag for snacks.

Doing these little things can change your life.  You will get sick less.  You will stave off serious diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.  You will save money.  And most importantly, you will teach your kids valuable lessons they will use all their lives.

My mother and father both worked full time jobs when I was a kid.  We had a home cooked family dinner every night.  Eating healthy really is not that hard.  You just have to be willing to learn how to cook and make it a family priority.  The little bit of effort is well worth the benefits.

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