The Cost of a Burger

***This food for thought spawned from a post on Facebook I read stating “Please don’t write another article on obesity in America until you explain why salads are $7 and a burger is $1!." This is a topic that I feel should be expanded upon. I thank you in advance for your time.***

Honestly... from my many professional years as a Holistic Life Guide, as well as in my personal experience throughout my entire life, I have found that we find excuses to do what we want to do, no matter how detrimental it is to us and/or others.

1st, I would like to address the myth that "it cost more to eat healthy." We must address value in order to gather the total cost of a thing. To me, there is nothing in existence with a value greater than my being, which is completely relying on my health (mental, physical, emotional, etc.).

With that said, and I am sure many of you, if not all of you, already share the sentiment that there is not a monetary value great enough that is to bring you back once you pass the “point of no return.” Just ask Steve Jobs. Therefore, there is no such thing as “too expensive” when it comes to my well-being or my loved ones.

2nd, add “health-care” to the equation and “cost” goes way overboard financially. After all, when was the last time an individual was prescribed blood thinners due to clogged arteries, weight loss pills for obesity, then put on the stretcher to undergo a triple bypass surgery from eating too many leafy greens and vegetables?

3rd, this is a comparison with a burger from a cheap “fast-food” joint ($1 to $5) vs. an average restaurant salad ($4 to $9). Keep the comparison fair. For example: In every single restaurant I have ever been to, in all the different countries across the globe, the pricing differences of these two things are consistently telling—salads are ALWAYS less expensive than burgers. In fact, more often than not, salads are the cheapest (in price not necessarily quality) things on the menu. In addition, subtract the meat from any dish and the price goes down.

4th, why is ANYONE still eating ANYTHING from these “fast-food” places?!? Seriously, none of us need to be told how unhealthy they are. Personally, I would NEVER even buy a water, let alone a salad or burger from such a place. They only serve as a bathroom stop during my time of need. Low-grade fuel yields low-grade results. Cheap materials make for a cheap end product. I think you all know where I am going with this.

5th, you truly want fast food? Buy any of the following: An apple, grapes, a pear, strawberries, blueberries, a mango, a banana, a peach, a plum, an orange, and the list goes on and on. Faster, cheaper, and infinitely more healthy.

6th, as parents, it is OUR job to instill the proper dietary habits in our children and ourselves, in hopes it will carry on. It is NOT the job of the folks pricing food to make it easier for anyone to be more healthy nor to be obese.

7th, America is very sick, in more ways than just obesity. Though, America is not alone in this madness. It is prudent to discuss such matters, rather than make excuses for them. These are symptoms of much larger issues.

All this and I haven’t even touched on the most important part…

8th, the unnecessary killing of this cow/animal to make your “burger.” “Humanity”often feels that other animals (and everything else) are here for their exploitation and not for the animals own purpose. We do not need to eat them, nor do we need to suffer for it in the end, particularly when it comes to this “$1 burger” garbage vs. almost anything else, other than straight poison.

In conclusion, it is far more expensive, in every way, to consume the SAD (Standard American Diet). I have literally helped thousands of individuals realize this and many of them chose to make significant enough changes to save money, time and quite literally… their own lives.

I say this out of true and profound love folks. Do well. Be well.

Health & Harmony,

Razi'El