The Cost of Convenience
Americans LOVE convenience, in whatever form it has to offer us. Why? Why do we rush through everything for the sake of “convenience”? What is it we are gaining? When asked most people would say that they seek out convenience for time saving purposes. This reveals itself in so many different forms of American culture. We, as a society, are constantly demanding faster, easier routes instead of stepping back, taking a deep breath and collecting our thoughts. While convenience can have its Pros, no doubt, there are also Cons that have consequences we don't always realize. This craze has a price tag that most people are willing to face, from the effects on the environment to the cost of healthcare.
How is it that living a life of convenience is going to lead you to higher healthcare costs you ask? Opting for a meal from a fast food restaurant for lunch can provide you with all (and often more) than the recommended calorie count and fat for the entire DAY! In one meal! Brown bagging it with a home made sandwich on whole wheat would be around a quarter of that fast food meal and significantly cheaper to make. Those added calories and fats add up at rate that can incredibly difficult to work off and the added poundage can eventually lead to chronic diseases such as Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and more. Not to mention the effects on the brain of the added sugars and preservatives that made fast foods and other quick meals so dangerous for us. So on the day that you skip packing your own lunch and decide to stop by the drive through, remember your $10 bill is going to end up being significantly pricier down the road. That bill doesn't just cost more in Doctors visits but there is an environmental price as well. Every time we buy an individually packed product whether it be gas station nachos in their little compartmentalized plastic container or an individually plastic wrapped frozen burrito, we have to consider the environmental impact that product has. The plastic nacho container and the wrap the burrito came in are not recyclable and go immediately to the trash once after the one time use. It’s a complete waste of energy and resources. This excessive obsession with plastic and packaging could be avoided by making and prepping meals at home with reusable products. I made a dozen burritos at a time and freeze them in reusable silicone bags. All I have to do is thaw them the night before and I can just heat them up in the morning without a single piece of packaging to discard. By just taking the time to make my own, I have saved hundreds of pounds of waste from polluting out planet. For some it can feel daunting to make everything yourself and for those folks, I would just recommend starting small, making little changes until you’re suddenly living a life without waste.
If the cost of healthcare or the environment are not enough motivation for you, consider the sense of accomplishment and pride that comes from making your own. Suddenly for me, conventional yogurt has nothing on my homemade version. And I can made a pot of dry beans better than any canned around. Make it a game to see how many things you can make yourself as opposed to buying the more convenient version. There’s a sense of therapy with making your own too. Not just that it tastes better but the going through the motion of creating something delicious is well worth the time invested.
In the spirit of the slow food movement; slow down, take your time and make your own. Over time you’ll see not only does it benefit the world around you but you’ll feel better too!