Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Day 214 or You Can't Un-See That

I have had my eyes opened (or burned, depending on your perspective)! Two things have changed the way I see things PERMANENTLY and will forever change the way I do things.

First off, I watched Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. I don't know if any of you saw the show but basically, Oliver is trying to repeat in the United States what he did for British schools by exposing what our children eat in schools (and in their homes). I highly recommend the show but don't expect to eat for several hours thereafter. One of the things he showed was how they make frozen chicken nuggets. Oh My Goodness! I had no idea but it was horrid! I can't un-see that!

I am not a cook and I have picky eaters. Not the greatest combination for healthy eating. So I admit it. We have eaten many a frozen nugget. While I knew processed food wasn't great, I was so naive. I will never make them for my kids again. Hell to the NO! Never. I don't know if you are enjoying a snack with your blogging so I will spare you the details but it was absolutely disgusting!!!

Secondly, many of you may be like me and have credit card debt. (Yes. I know. It's impossible to believe that someone so together as I may have debt. But oops! There's the pin. The bubble has burst!) Anyways, in my surprisingly debt-filled world, my husband and I have gotten serious about getting out from under this beast So I have been paying attention to our bills. And those you who receive monthly love letters from those handsome fellows over at Chase and Bank of America may have noticed the same thing. There is this new box that tells you how long it will take you to get out of debt if you just pay the minimum payment each month and compares it to how much you need to pay each month to be debt-free in three years. Again, Oh My Goodness. I can't un-see that.

Now don't get me wrong. I always tried to pay more than the minimum but this showed how a difference of $65.00 a month could save me 28 years (yes -- 28!) and over $13,000. It makes me look at going to the movies differently. It makes me reconsider buying a new DVD each week. Sometimes it is easy to think that you are never going to be out of debt and then it is easier to redirect your funds into more immediate gratifications. But three years is not that long. And the difference each month is doable. I can do this!!!!

So, like I said, I have seen it and I can't pretend that I didn't. But in truth, I don't want to. Because these are things that make my life better. And in the end that's why I started this crazy journey.

15 comments:

TS Hendrik said...

I loved the first show that Jamie Oliver did for the Brit schools, and I've been looking forward to the American one, but I missed it! I have to see if I can find it online somewhere.

Nicole @ WhenDidIBecomeMyMom.com said...

I've been trying to discourage my husband (he's the cook) and kids from the whole chicken nuggets and hot dogs thing for a while now. If there is something I can make hubby watch on this I would be soooo glad. Been hearing a lot of buzz around his petition this past week. Must get around to checking it out.

Thx for sharing this.

CaneWife said...

Since having Turtle, we have made a conscious effort to change our eating habits. We use very little processed foods and have even cut down on eating out (even though it's such a nice break).

I also noticed that on our CC bills. I was stunned that just $30 a month could make such a huge difference.

Messy Mommy said...

I have been hearing a lot about the Food Revolution but I'm terrified to watch it. Sometimes things are better left unseen!

Mary said...

Congrats on trying to unload the debt. I've been doing the same thing at our house. Its a beast but so worth the effort.

Sounds like I need to watch the movie. We have eaten many the nugget around here. Yikes I may not be ready to tackle that just yet.

Sonya said...

Chicken nuggets are evil for sure! You can make your own by cutting up chicken breasts and dipping them into egg and bread crumbs..sometimes it takes awhile for the kids to get on board but if they are hungry they will eat! :) Im super lucky in that way. I never let the kids become picky, they ate it all and now I can serve anything..welll almost anything. My youngest has texture issues with salad..he looks like a sad cow when he has to eat it! LOL If you google kid recipes you'll find a ton of things to try with the:)

Credit Card debt sucks..I know! have you signed up for Netflix? thats a cheaper way to rent all kinds of movies without feeling the need to go and buy one. We loved netflix. We exposed the kids to the classics..you know like the Apple Dumpling Gang? LOL It's a challenge for sure to get back on track. Im learning how to create fast food recipes at home. I can make them healthier plus at a fraction of the cost.

Lorenza said...

I am vegetarian since three months ago and I am happy not to eat living things. My kids are to little to make such a choice (the eldest is vegetarian too, joining my husband and I)but I agree that we must make an effort to choose healthy food for them. A study has shown that the increase in the no. of hermaphrodytes (oops is the spellig right?)is due to the ingestion of processed food by the parents...Scary, indeed....

Tiffany said...

I missed the show...but from what you said, I'm really glad I don't feed my kids nuggets!! ;) And the money thing...ouch, that is hard to see...but it helps if you have a positive attitude like you do!

One Photo said...

Being English I have been a long time fan of Jamie Oliver. He has done lots of great things, like taking unemployable young adults and offering them an opportunity to train as chefs and many other things. I did not see the UK school food series but am glad I can watch the US version (he created an uproar with his hard straight talking over there too). It does make you stop and think but I am still struggling with a 3 year old who will only eat a very limited number of foods!

Liz Mays said...

I wanna know about the nuggets! I heard hot dogs were like a bunch of leftover crap all smooshed up. Is that kinda what chicken nuggets are?

Marilyn (A Lot of Loves) said...

Getting out of debt is no fun and you certainly have to make sacrifices, but just think how much better life will be once you aren't getting those letters from the bank any more!

Nancy C said...

I've heard nothing but good things about that program.

I know in my heart that I need to get rid of the nuggets. Maybe this is the nudge I need.

Andrea said...

I just watched his first episode last night. Ew. It made me feel ill, sad, and guilty, too. As for debt, I hear ya, sister. Hang in there!

Tired Mom Tésa said...

I have the Jamie Oliver show DVR'd and really want to watch it, but just haven't had time yet. Maybe this weekend - although now I'm afraid about what I might see!

Claudya Martinez said...

I saw the chicken nuggets demo. Pretty gross.

I have not looked at the boxes on the credit card bills, but I will.