The cost of good health.

And no, I'm not speaking of health care.

I just read a really fantastic article about the costs of food increasing and how it is changing the ways families shop. It really hit home with some of the things that we've been struggling with lately.

In our house, I am the "kitchen boss" and J is "money man." I used to do all the money, but it turns out I can't say, "no." So, now J gets this job. Have I mentioned how much he LOVES it?

One constant bone of contention is the food budget. Now, J knows that I work really hard to keep this down. I shop sales, I use coupons religiously, and I comparison shop where possible. Part of the problem is that I live in a medium sized town with small town amenities. We are a fast growing county, and developers can't keep up. I refuse to go to certain stores because the crowds are just unbearable. Still, I go cheap where possible, and I go sales in all the other places. The Internet certainly helps.

The problem comes out in the fact that we refuse to eat crap. I have this mentality that I would rather not eat anything at all, if my only choice is something that has no redeeming value. It either has to taste AMAZING or I know it has to be good for me and tastes pretty darn good. In other words, I can't remember the last time I bought ramen.

We buy organic for the dirty dozen and dairy, and natural in most other places. We have a few indulgences (mostly kid stuff), and eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Mainly, I refuse to feed the kids anything that I can't pronounce. At least I refuse 90% of the time. Yes, we hit McDonald's. The kids love it, and it's a good treat no more than once a month. As are a few other terrible items that have been known to make it in our cart. So sue me for spoiling my kids a little.

But still, it kills me how much it costs to eat well. I spend insane amounts on food and household items. All because I want to raise my kids in a clean home with natural foods, the way God intended. It boggles my mind that it takes two average incomes in our house to be able to meet our dietary and chemical expectations.

Truthfully, I could write a book about my opinions on the American diet, its ramifications on our health, and how I would like to change things for the better. Alas, I have not the attention for a book. Besides, it's already been written. It's just up to us to read the information, and realize that you have one life and one body.