connections.
It’s a responsibility, a pricey chore and the temptation to do otherwise is everywhere. Get Togetha is talking about healthy eating. And its no walk in the park. Its the difference between inhaling an extra cheese pizza and grazing over an arugula salad. The difference is a nap. And it can’t be right to nap after a meal.
Nothing worth having is easy. I tell myself that when I want to cop out with the Dollar Menu or a box of cookies. Cause there’s no price tag for being healthy. If you haven’t heard; ask the amount of folks you know who are suffering from hypertension, diabetes, cancer and heart disease. I tell myself that I’d rather buy an organic apple for my body at $3.99 per pound now than pay for expensive magic pills and surgery that costs in the tens of thousands later.
The connection is balance. Cause like it or not. Food is our medicine and diets don’t work. That is the truth. We want to believe otherwise and that’s why late night infomercials can sell us the Brooklyn Bridge.
Posted by gt on July 27, 2008
share
Ramona — July 28, 2008 @ 8:23 am
Girl, let me just offer my daily “amen”…
I haven’t always worked hard at treating my body well; but now I do. As a rule (albeit a flexible rule), I try to avoid preservatives, fast food and white sugar. Like you, I will pay 3.99lb for those organic apples, and I will buy fresh veggies three times a week. I drink hemp milk, and I am always in Whole Foods or Wegmans (my two favorite stores–for two very different reasons). However, what never ceases to amaze me is the pressure from my friends to stop being “elitist” and just go to “Shoppers,” “Giant,” or “Safeway” to find something cheaper.
Thanks for reminding all of us of the medicinal qualities of food.
reply
Tatum — July 28, 2008 @ 9:04 am
Ramona.
Since when is it elitist to treat the only body you’ve been given “well”?
One of the scariest things for me has been the notion that you will have to leave others behind to pursue what works for you. My biggest fear was that people would think that I’m better than them; and I suspect that many people have this same fear.
People are only comfortable when you are in the same boat with them. The minute you try to reach for something higher you’re labeled “elitist, selfish, self-absorbed, a black snob, bourgeois, and a host of other unfriendly terms.
It takes a thick skin to step into your divine throne.
reply
gt — July 28, 2008 @ 9:12 am
Ramona.
Oprah once said that when you met people’s expectations (which are generally low); then people are comfortable with you. It’s the minute you exceed people’s expectations is when people come out with the white teeth and the daggers.
Part of it is envy because you have the fortitude to step into the truth of your life; and many people can’t handle that. It makes them irritable. Hence the nitpicking. Been there. Done that.
reply
Ramona — July 28, 2008 @ 9:37 am
Tatum and gt,
Thanks, ladies…
You are right; sometimes I am very bothered by the labels, “elitist, selfish, self-absorbed, a black snob, bourgeois”… Recently, I told a friend that I was going to register at Williams Sonoma (among other places) for my housewarming, and she had a fit!!! OMG! In short, she said that “black people” would never buy me a thing from Williams Sonoma (herself included), and I should know better than to register at a “place like that”…
I am going to have to step out of the boat of other people’s expectations and deal with the fact that people are going to think that I am “trying to be something”…
Thanks again!!! I am glad there are two people on the planet that believe that living well is not an indictment of the lives of others.
Infinite Peace.
~Ramona
reply
Ramona — July 28, 2008 @ 11:51 am
Tatum,
This is kind of off topic, but do you love teaching?
gt: is there a section on this blog for random questions such as this?
~Ramona
reply
gt — July 28, 2008 @ 12:33 pm
Ramona.
I’m presuming that you read my bio; but I’ll tell you that I taught public school first grade for 3yrs. I loved the kiddies; but I hated the system and what it did do my spirit. I love teaching and healing, writing and living well.
By your request; I can do a post by asking the question: What God given talents do you truly feel that you were born with?
How’s that?
reply
gt — July 28, 2008 @ 12:35 pm
There’s classroom teaching and there’s life teaching.
I believe that everyone’s a teacher. People teach you two things. What to do and what not to do.
reply
Ramona — July 28, 2008 @ 1:04 pm
gt,
Love the question; it works for me. Thanks!
I used to think that classroom teaching was my life’s calling, but now–not so much. I am drained and bothered by the lack of parenting. I am saddened by the look of disgust on the faces of my students when they are asked to think about something.
Truth be told, I am not sure (anymore) about what my God-given talents are, because I apparently missed the mark on this one. As I move forward, I am still asking my life to take me in the direction of health, wellness and prosperity.
~Ramona
reply
gt — July 28, 2008 @ 1:19 pm
Ramona. I was there.
I recommend any form of meditation. Being still is key for abundance and prosperity. Expressing gratitude for what we already have works as well. There’s so many things we can do to re-condition our spirit and I believe that you’re on the right path. Otherwise this blog wouldn’t have found you.
If meditation is a jump I recommend authors Dr. Dwayne Dyer, Iyanla Vanzant, Dr. Micheal Beckwith for starters. I recommend those authors because they have had lives that weren’t so dynamic in their early beginnings. But somehow they flowered. I specifically recommend Iyanla because she is a testiomony to the strength of black womandom.
Plus; she’s a fun great read and not so heavy.
reply
Shay — July 31, 2008 @ 2:49 pm
So true, eating good is one of the best medicines IMO. I used to struggle with the costs of eating organic or eating locally produced foods but looking at the whole picture its so worth it and it taste better.
reply