Today at lunch time, I went to the cafeteria at work to see about getting some fresh veggies. They don't always have veggies - it's a gamble, and the only way to find out is to make the trek down there. Today, I was in luck. The had a broccoli/cauliflower mix that appeared to be steamed and didn't look too soggy or overcooked and was definitively not shiny with oil. I asked for a double order. Rather than fill a larger container with twice the regular amount of veggies, they gave me two small paper boats, each filled with one order. When I asked about this methodology for dispensing side dishes, I was told it was the only way the cashier would know that I had two orders, since they don't offer a "large" side of vegetables. (And silly me thought a large container would be the giveaway...) An attempt at humor was made, with a comment to the effect of "wouldn't want you to get too many veggies". If you know me, you can now imagine the look I replied with.
ANYway, in line at the cash register counter, I saw the day's "featured" dessert. The cafeteria has been "featuring" very large portions of desserts for past few weeks, packaged and displayed at the cash register, tempting the impulse buyers as they stand in line to pay for their other selections. Today's "featured" dessert was pie. Each clear plastic box contained a very attractive, neatly cut, cleanly presented, FOURTH of a pie.
I couldn't take it. I had to say something. And, being me, I said something that came out a little harshly. I said something along these lines... "Do you all think that the people here are all extremely fat with terrible eating habits?" I went on to point out what a standard pie serving size would be, asked who cut the pieces, and pretty clearly stated my view that the huge pieces of pie were just plain ridiculous, especially when compared to my challenge in getting a larger-than-standard serving of vegetables.
This is an example of what is seriously wrong with our society. You can turn on the television or radio, or browse CNN or msnbc online right now, and probably find some story about how unhealthy Americans are. We want value for our dollar, and we've been convinced that there is value in cheap-ass, crappy food, so we buy those "featured specials" like crazy. The reality is that there is little value in mass-produced, mostly flavorless, cheaply made junk food. Just because it comes in a big package, and you get a lot of it, doesn't mean it has any real value.
I'm no health nut, and I'm certainly not always the first in line to make the best food choices. But I'm in the "good choice line" more often than not. And I see what's in the "bad choice line" for what it really is.
Sadly, people are lazy. We all want convenience. I have nothing against convenience. But I make my own convenience and it only takes a few minutes about once a week. I plan meals, I mix spices and seasonings ahead of time, I take our busy calendar into consideration and prep meals ahead of time if there won't be time to cook. Meals cooked at home, from scratch, in eat-clean style, are flavorful. Some idiot somewhere along the way brainwashed Americans into believing that healthy food is bland and unappealing. WRONG. With a little effort, it's better than take out.
Back to my cafeteria experience, though, I'm sure my comments today won't change the world. Heck, everyone who saw me has probably already forgotten that I was even in the cafeteria today. Sadly (in my opinion, at least), they probably sold out of those huge pieces of pie. And tragically, I'll have to continue to get two small containers of veggies, because, after all, they "wouldn't want me to get too many veggies".
