Some people think about living a healthy life, and some simply don't. As a person who's energized by the thought of creating a "health for all" America and ensuring everyone has access to education and resources to live a healthy, happy life, I thought I would share why.
My story
In 2017, I moved to a new city to pursue my undergraduate degree. I knew one person, had never been to the city and was supporting myself other than school, car and insurance.
I found a job at a juice bar and was paid $9/hr to be surrounded by health for hours a day. I loved it - I could drink juice and take supplements daily and was surrounded by great people. I could learn how to heal the body and witnessed people transform their health constantly.
However - I soon learned that living off of $9/hr couldn’t support a healthy life. The majority of my daily diet was from the juice bar with the addition of peanut butter crackers at school and easy, cheap food at home. I was chronically stressed and things were hard.
I can’t help but wonder - if I didn’t have the health resources I had, would I have been mostly consuming cheap processed foods, would I have passed my classes, would I have had the energy and courage to persevere?
My Family
In 2022, my grandmother passed away after batting dementia for several years.
She taught dance for nearly 70 years and was constantly active her whole life.
She had wonderful practices of going to church daily, surrounding herself with friends, family, mentees, and community members, reading, and keeping up with news.
That all being said, her diet consisted of processed foods. I remember her house always having Oreos, Toaster Strudels, and Lean Cuisines, and her favorite - Pepsi.
It wasn’t because of a lack of education - it was truly because she didn’t enjoy cooking, it took time, and she lived alone and didn’t want to cook for one.
I can’t help but wonder - if she ate healthier would she still be here with us today?
The Community
It’s no secret that a healthy society creates a healthy economy.
Healthy workers = greater productivity &
greater productivity = higher wages.
We often see our unhoused neighbors eating processed foods from food banks and distribution centers.
We see a workforce of individuals who struggle with chronic diseases including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
We see colleagues going for the processed snacks and lunches rather than whole foods meals then ending the day with alcohol at happy hour.
I can’t help but wonder - if our unhoused neighbors and coworkers ate and lived healthier lifestyles, would we have an economy that thrives?
The Future
We can’t change what has already happened, but we can work every day to help someone have a better future.
Today, 70% of kids diets consist of processed foods and drinks. Provided by schools through government funding or at home purchased by family members, our youngest, most vulnerable population is suffering long term because of the decisions being made FOR them.
30% of children suffer from chronic disease
1/36 children have autism
1/5 children are obese
1/5 children face hunger daily
I can’t help but wonder - if the children of this generation grow up eating whole, real foods - could the future of our country live with less chronic disease, live in a thriving economy, procreate at rates to stabilize the population, make smart decisions, and ultimately live happy lives?
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While the why is overwhelming, it is absolutely necessary.
We want our friends, family and future generations to live long, healthy, happy lives.
It is up to us and the decisions we make daily to empower each other to make decisions that enable us to live fully, free of disease and discontentment, for the greater good of the future.
Eat whole, real foods
Implement healthy habits
Support others to make healthy lifestyle choices
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