Money fears are great for our health and the environment
Now that everyone is getting all worked up over the state of the economy, it seems as though we’re much more willing to pay attention to things that we weren’t concerned about before. For example, the costs of food waste. Really tells you where our priorities lie, doesn’t it? Rather than cut back on portion sizes for health reasons, it takes a severe hit to the economy for us to start getting stingy about how much food we want to waste.
This article from the Washington Post states that somewhere between 30 and 50% of all food in the United States is wasted. This means that when people are eating all that delicious tasting processed chemicals masquerading as actual food, they toss much of it aside (well, do you blame them? Who wants to eat something that tastes artificial? I know that I throw that stuff out). Into the garbage all that precious “food” goes. Unfortunately we are now so accustomed to this kind of food that we can’t recognize good taste when it’s right in front of us, so we throw out real food, too. And on top of that, we have forgotten how much food we really need. So once our bellies are bloated beyond their capacity, all that extra food that we were sure we would need also gets chucked. And it costs the United States about $48 billion a year.
A head chef at one hotel reports that most of the food that was going to waste was from sauces and dressings. Remember, that’s where a lot of hidden calories lurk in our food. Much of our food is already swimming in the stuff when it’s served to us, and there’s still a large amount of it going to waste? Boggling.
But there is hope! The same chef reduced portion sizes (for health matters? What’s that? No no, this was for saving money. Obviously). He found that the consumers “weren’t bothered by the switch”, which I take to mean that they didn’t actually notice. And he’s managed to save on wasting food by 15-20% in this way.
At least having a bad economy is good for getting our act together to help both the environment and our health by cutting back on how much food we make and eat. Who says being cheap is a bad thing?
How are you all doing on our challenge so far? Yesterday I did the entire sequence in one go without any problems, which tells me that it wasn’t quite challenging enough. If you find that you are able to easily complete all 100 reps without feeling too burnt out, try repeating the sequence and shoot for 200 reps instead! Maybe wait a little while before you do the whole thing all over again, though. We want to make sure that we’re maintaining proper form throughout! I did the first 100 reps in the morning and in the evening I did the challenge all over again.
We’re all at different levels of strength and we are all strong in different ways, so bear that in mind when you are trying to decide whether or not you are capable of another 100 reps later on in the day. The strongest part of my body is my core and for the challenges that work the core I will likely always do those twice, myself. But personally I can feel the burn after doing just 10 shoulder presses, so I can’t see myself being eager to complete 200 of those in one day! Listen to your body to determine what strength level you’re at and which muscles are your strongest and weakest to figure out each day if doing the challenge twice is something that would be appropriate for you.
Day Three
20 push ups
20 static lunges (for each leg)
Repeat 5 times for a total of 100 push ups and 100 static lunges! Do it all together at once or space it across the day; it’s up to you.
Fitness Tip: Even if you have only ever done modified push ups, try doing push ups on your toes. Do at least the first couple of each set on your toes before dropping down to modified. Push ups on the toes work more of your entire core than the modified push ups, so you’re going to get more out of your workout!
I have always been appalled at how much food gets wasted in North America. It’s sad that it has taken this economic disaster to bring it to the attention of the masses.
I agree… it’s awful that a recession had to be the key to cutting down on waste. Sadly due to Christmas shopping I’m severely cutting back on my food spending this month. I just have so much stuff in the freezer, fridge and pantry that i always forget about!
Wow, that’s pretty staggering. I know that I make sure to use all of my fresh produce now, when before it wouldn’t bother me too much if a cucumber went bad.
And if it cuts portion sizes down in restaurants, I’m seriously for it.
It’s kind of sad that it takes a poor economy for people to start being mindful about what they eat, although I guess I should feel happy that at least people are catching on.
As a society we do waste so much food… I rarely throw anything away, but I know some people will buy tons of produce and let most of it go to waste. I won’t let myself buy anything new until I use what I already have. It’s so sad to see so much food thrown away though.
I love the idea of the 100 rep challenge. I’m stil working on getting back to full health, but I would love to participate once I’m better!
Bag Lady- it’s awful, isn’t it?
Catherine- there’s always so much food hidden at the back of the pantry! If it wasn’t that I always need to get more fresh produce and milk I don’t think I’d have to go shopping for a month.
Jenn- yes! Restaurant portion sizes are just WAY too big.
Tricia- hopefully we won’t just revert back to our old ways when the economy recovers…
Magpie- it just seems illogical to buy large quantities of food when they’re constantly getting thrown out, doesn’t it? If we run out we can always go and get more. But for some reason that knowledge doesn’t stick…
Blueberryhil- that would be super! Feel free to join in whenever you like.
Restaurant portions are out of control, I can never finish a meal in a restaurant.
Today’s workout looks like a toughie Sagan, you’re going to whip us into shape whether we like it or not, aren’t you?
ugh, food waste. Supermarkets are the worst- they throw away so much perfectly good produce.
The economy sucks but theres always a silver lining!
Kelly Turner
http://www.groundedfitness.com
JavaChick- pretty much, yep. 🙂 I have to make a point when I go out to eat to decide beforehand that I’ll package up half of it- otherwise, no matter how huge the portion, I’ll eat it all. Food just tastes so darn good!
Kelly- the thought of how much fresh produce must just go to waste makes me sick… hell, I’ll gladly take all those extra apples that no one else wants! Yummy.
I hate wasting food. The economy right now is so dreadful. Funny how now everyone’s concerned about waste.
Yes, I’ve continued to do your challenge! I love it! It’s so easy to do at home whenever! Such a great idea!
I gotta tell you. I don’t waste much food. I eat what i’m served much to my dismay at times.
You know, I used to be so frugal and efficient when I lived on my own. Now that I have kids though, an astounding amount of food goes to waste. Absolutely mind boggling. And I still have guilt over it!
how interesting. i love this article!
I tend to go food shopping every day so I rarely buy what I don’t need. I know for a fact it won’t be like this forever though, I often wonder how I’ll cope if I ever have my own family!
TA x
Strongandhealthy- I’m so glad! Let me know if there’s any exercises you want to see incorporated into our challenge!
James- yeah… me too. I’m not so good at stopping when I’m full sometimes:)
Charlotte- kids are the WORST wasters! Hehe.
TA- I love living really close to the grocery store. It just makes life easier altogether.