Being healthy sucks
First things first. I ate pizza, a brownie, some ice cream, and a slice of chocolate cake today (FYI, minimal regrets) so I may have just lost all of my credibility for this post.
For those of you who don’t know — you should because I post pictures all the time — I live in Hawaii. Yes, it is paradise. Yes, I have a golden tan. Yes, there is probably (definitely) sand in my bed. And, yes, I only have $2.63 in my wallet.
So, why do I only have enough money to buy five gum balls? Groceries here are freaking expensive! At our local grocery store, Foodland, discounted apples today were $2.49/lb. DISCOUNTED. But I bought them anyway. Not because I’m careless or reckless but because I know that investing in the foods I eat will benefit me in the long run, even if it hurts my student-sized wallet now (go fund me?).
Growing up, I was taught a super-duper-overarching-important principle about health. Drumroll please…
My body is a temple.
Obviously my body isn’t a building people worship and practice religion in, but it is a sacred gift that I am the temporary owner of. If that’s a confusing concept for you, I recommend getting into contact with a couple of handsome young men here. Since I view my body as something I am in stewardship over, I need to take care of it the best I can. This means eating nutritious food such as: whole grains (quinoa, brown rice, whole wheat, oatmeal, etc.), fresh produce (all fruits and vegetables), and meat sparingly (ideally lean meats such as chicken breast, fish, turkey breast, etc.). Buying these types of groceries adds up. My last Costco run I dropped around $200 on food — for one person. What 20-year-old woman needs $200 worth of food at any given time? Let this teach you a few things about me: I love food; I can eat a lot of food; I like expensive things.
Here’s my typical grocery list and their approximate prices:
Chicken Breast (frozen) — $19
Chicken Breast (canned) — $10
Spinach 3lbs — $3
Steel Cut Oats — $8
Lettuce — $4
Salsa — $5
Almond Milk — $8
Coconut Oil — $ way too much
Frozen Berries — $8
Frozen Veggies — $6
Protein Bars — $ way too much
Protein Powder — $30
— — — — — — — — — — — -
TOTAL: $116 ± way too much
Yeah, that’s why I’m poor… Poor but semi-healthy taking care of my temple! Anything that goes into this bad boy (aka my body via my mouth) has got to be able to give me the best energy and nutrients possible — minus the cake and ice cream I had earlier today.
Financially, choosing to purchase “healthier” foods does really make a big indent into my bank account. However, I have come to learn that although it makes me monetarily poor it makes me rich in my overall well-being and contributes to my health and happiness. When I eat good, I feel good. When I feel good, I live and perform good. When I live good, I am happy. And when I am happy, I get to show my straight teeth my dad bought (shout out braces).
Invest in your health because your health will invest in you. Spend good. Eat good. Treat yo’self sometimes. And remember to live a happy, healthy, and nutritious life! ooxxooXoXXx Celeste
