As I’m sitting here, in the library… I’m realizing something
that is really annoying me… my stomach is growling.
I’m hungry.
I skipped breakfast (that was my first mistake) in an attempt to stay on track for time. I had to drop off one of my friends at the train station, then navigate the freshly snow-powdered city streets of Kalamazoo.
As I’m driving to campus, I wonder what I’m having for lunch…
Trying to be thoughtful of the foods I eat, I decide on Subway, It’s not the greatest for you, but it sure is better than getting McDonalds.
Today is the first day of classes for the spring semester and after 2 days of torrential snowfall and canceled classes, almost every building on campus was bustling with cabin-feverish undergrads and of course, at the Bernhard Center, everyone in their brother was in line at Subway, waiting to get their lunch as well.
Being impatient, I glance at the line for Santorini Island Grill and there is only about 6 people waiting in line, so I jump in and instantly get a craving for feta fries, a delicious combination of seasoned French fries, crumbled feta cheese with some sprinkled oregano.
Yes, Subway was kicked to the side because I was too impatient to wait in line to actually wait for something that was healthier than feta fries, but as I kick myself for indulging in something unhealthy for me, I wonder if I actually was craving those feta fries all along…
I’m hungry.
I skipped breakfast (that was my first mistake) in an attempt to stay on track for time. I had to drop off one of my friends at the train station, then navigate the freshly snow-powdered city streets of Kalamazoo.
As I’m driving to campus, I wonder what I’m having for lunch…
Trying to be thoughtful of the foods I eat, I decide on Subway, It’s not the greatest for you, but it sure is better than getting McDonalds.
Today is the first day of classes for the spring semester and after 2 days of torrential snowfall and canceled classes, almost every building on campus was bustling with cabin-feverish undergrads and of course, at the Bernhard Center, everyone in their brother was in line at Subway, waiting to get their lunch as well.
Being impatient, I glance at the line for Santorini Island Grill and there is only about 6 people waiting in line, so I jump in and instantly get a craving for feta fries, a delicious combination of seasoned French fries, crumbled feta cheese with some sprinkled oregano.
Yes, Subway was kicked to the side because I was too impatient to wait in line to actually wait for something that was healthier than feta fries, but as I kick myself for indulging in something unhealthy for me, I wonder if I actually was craving those feta fries all along…
Four years ago, at age 16, you would never have thought that
I would be sitting in a hospital in Lansing, scared to death to ever eat
anything ever again. In January 2010, my mother was hospitalized from ruptured
brain aneurysm that left her in a coma for almost a full month. The doctors say
that due to her rigorous lifestyle as a cop for the city of Grand Ledge, she had
taken on too much stress. That, coupled with her history of high blood pressure
was a recipe for disaster. The doctors at Sparrow Hospital also cited the high
consumption of coffee and poor diet as another possible factor.
Not only was I reeling from almost losing my mother, but I was also heartbroken that my poor mother was only trying to keep herself going so she can do her job, so she can earn a living, so my family can continue living a comfortable lifestyle, even if that meant going through the drive through at McDonalds at 4am after a long shift or drinking 2 tumblers of coffee all night to stay up to see me get on the bus in the morning.
Not only was I reeling from almost losing my mother, but I was also heartbroken that my poor mother was only trying to keep herself going so she can do her job, so she can earn a living, so my family can continue living a comfortable lifestyle, even if that meant going through the drive through at McDonalds at 4am after a long shift or drinking 2 tumblers of coffee all night to stay up to see me get on the bus in the morning.
As I’m getting older, I’m realizing that I need to stop
relying on fast food to satisfy my needs for hunger. It’s expensive and it’s
unhealthy. Since I’ve started writing this post, my mind wandered at least 5
times to places around town to stop and eat at…
Maybe it’s time to take a look at what’s inside my pantry…
The convenience and taste of fast food is an awful combination...especially if you have a coupon or something. I love the city of Grand Ledge! My cousin graduated from there in 2012. Have you ever jumped off the cliffs at the quarry?
ReplyDeleteSadly, I wasn't given the opportunity to participate in that favorite local pastime. Having a cop for a parent is hard sometimes. Haha
DeleteI've definitely been in your shoes before with thinking Subway would be better than some other fast food restaurant. It probably is but in the back of your mind you just kinda know that it probably still isn't that great. I really liked some of the creative wording you used in this piece too.
ReplyDeleteJoe, I have this dilemma everyday! The choice between healthy and unhealthy food. Of course I always lean towards the yummy unhealthy food but I know this choice will kick my butt later. I want to make better choices to benefit myself for the future!
ReplyDeleteWhat a powerful post!
ReplyDeleteHave you thought of packing a bag of healthy snacks/food for the day? Yogurt, Fruits / Veggies, Nuts, etc... Try making meals / snacks for the day already in bags. This way whenever you are hungry you already have your food for the day!
I feel like I struggle with this dilemma every day! Eating out is so normal in this day and age when half the time my food in the pantry spoils from neglect. It's so easy to just pick something from a fast food place while I'm out running errands or know I won't be home all day. Making healthy choices can be so difficult these days!
ReplyDeleteI read your linked article on the importance of eating breakfast. I had NO IDEA of the possible impact on heart health. Thanks, I learned something.
ReplyDeleteWell that had quite a twist. I'm so sorry about your mother and I hope she is doing alright! Sometimes it takes a traumatic event like that to help you realize what we're doing isn't good for us.
ReplyDelete