I have a little secret to share, one that may raise eyebrows among the health-conscious suburban moms of 2015. Here it is: I don’t frequent Whole Foods. (Gasp!) My excuse isn’t particularly compelling. The reality is that the closest Whole Foods is an extra 15-minute drive compared to my nearest grocery store. So, laziness is mainly what keeps me from this organic paradise.
But let’s be real—if I mustered the energy to drag my three fussy children those extra miles to this all-natural wonderland, I doubt I’d be welcomed with open arms. Our family is caught in a limbo between striving for perfection and embracing mediocrity. Here’s the proof:
- We drink organic milk, but it’s still cow’s milk. Shocking, right? Cow’s milk? What kind of parents are we?
- I whip up homemade mac and cheese, but I rely on pre-packaged shredded cheese. Is that any better than the powdered stuff that could poison our family? Who knows?
- We limit fast food to just a couple of times a year, yet we indulge in cheap, no-name freezer pops and Star Wars fruit snacks.
- I only splurge on organic fruits and vegetables when they’re on sale, but we do manage to eat some form of produce daily. (Wine counts as mine. Don’t argue, it does.)
- We’re soda-free, but a family-sized bag of Cheetos disappears faster than you can say “yellow dye #6.”
- I don’t own those trendy muslin-colored reusable grocery bags. Nope, I let cashiers pack my groceries in old-school plastic bags, which I recycle (see what I did?) for wrapping up my toddler’s stinky messes. I’m pretty sure the smell of his poops contributes more to air pollution than land pollution anyway. (I know, San Francisco. I know. I’m not welcome there either.)
- Cloth diapers? Not in this household. I didn’t use them for baby messes either. I love my washing machine way too much to put it through that ordeal.
- I use baby wipes and paper towels more than I should, but I recycle like a champion. Every beer and wine bottle finds its way into the always-overflowing recycling bin. We do our part for Mother Earth—well, aside from the points made in #6 and #5.
- I don’t buy juice boxes, but every so often, I grab a giant jug of 100% apple juice when the kids are under the weather (store-brand, because I’m also frugal, even when my child has a fever).
I know I can improve, and I must! Otherwise, the doors to that chemical-free paradise, just 15 minutes away, will remain closed to me. Yet, honestly, it’s exhausting to keep up!
Remember when butter was deemed unhealthy, then it was celebrated, and now it’s back in vogue? Soy milk was trendy for a fleeting moment before being dethroned by almond milk, which has now been replaced by coconut milk. Seriously, can we get a break, world? I’m doing my best (kind of), and at least my kids aren’t growing up in a cloud of tobacco smoke and aerosol like I did. So, they’ll be okay, right? (I reassure myself as I pour my daily fruit serving…)
For more insights on navigating parenting and health, check out our post on Couples’ Fertility Journey and explore Gluten-Free Grains for delicious recipes. If you’re seeking guidance on pregnancy and home insemination, this resource is excellent.
In summary, I’m just a mom juggling the challenges of parenting while trying to keep it real with food choices. Whole Foods may not be in my immediate future, but I’m making strides in my own chaotic way.