I have a little secret to share—one that might raise eyebrows among the suburban moms of 2023. Here it goes: I don’t shop at Whole Foods. (Gasp!) And honestly, my excuse isn’t exactly groundbreaking. The nearest Whole Foods is a solid 15-minute drive longer than the grocery store just down the road. So, it’s mainly a matter of convenience—and maybe a bit of laziness—that keeps me from this organic paradise.
But even if I did muster the energy to haul my three fussy kids those extra miles to this all-natural haven, I suspect they’d turn me away at the door. Our household seems to straddle the line between striving for wellness and settling for mediocrity. For instance:
- We drink organic milk, but it’s the classic cow’s milk. Scandalous, right? I mean, milk from other animals? What are we thinking?
- I whip up my own mac and cheese, but I opt for pre-packaged shredded cheese instead of going all out. Is it really better for us than the boxed stuff? Who knows.
- We limit fast food to just a couple of times a year, but we’re okay with cheap, no-name freezer pops and Star Wars-themed fruit snacks.
- I only splurge on organic fruits and veggies when they’re on sale, but we do manage to eat some form of produce every day. (Wine counts as mine—don’t @ me.)
- We don’t drink soda, but we can demolish a family-sized bag of Cheetos quicker than you can say “yellow dye #6.”
- I don’t own those trendy muslin-colored reusable grocery bags. Instead, I let cashiers pack my groceries into classic plastic bags, which I recycle (see, I’m eco-conscious!) for dealing with my toddler’s less pleasant messes. Honestly, I think the toddler’s dirty diapers are more of a pollution issue than my plastic bag usage anyway. (I know, I know, I probably wouldn’t be welcomed in San Francisco either.)
- Cloth diapers? Nope, never used them for either toddler or baby messes. I cherish my washing machine too much for that.
- I might rely a bit too heavily on baby wipes and paper towels, but I do recycle like a champ. Every beer and wine bottle finds its way into our overflowing glass recycling bin. We’re doing our part for the planet—mostly, anyway.
- I don’t buy juice boxes, but I do grab a massive jug of 100% apple juice a few times a year if the kids are under the weather. Of course, it’s store-brand; frugality runs deep in my veins—even when my kid is burning up with fever.
I get it—there’s room for improvement, and I should aim higher! Otherwise, the doors to that chemical-free paradise, a mere 15 minutes away, will forever remain closed to me. But let’s be real: it’s exhausting to keep up with the ever-changing food trends! Remember when butter was deemed unhealthy, only to be celebrated again? And what’s the deal with soy milk getting dethroned by almond milk, then coconut milk?
Seriously, could the universe cut us half-hearted moms a break? I’m trying, at least a little, and hey, my kids aren’t growing up in a haze of smoke and artificial fragrances like I did. So they’ll be just fine, right? (Of course, they will, I reassure myself as I pour another glass of my “daily fruit serving.”)
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In summary, while I might not be the ideal Whole Foods shopper, I’m doing my best to balance convenience, health, and a bit of fun for my family. And let’s face it—every little effort counts!
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