Blowing Off Steam
I’m suffering from sensory overload! I had the TV on while clipping coupons and writing out my grocery list. Then the commercials started.
Seems one of the local eateries now has an unbelievable breakfast. They take their huge pancakes and stack cream cheese in between the stacks, pile on whipped cream, top with butter, sprinkle with chocolate, and pour on the fruited syrup. If this doesn’t put you in a diabetic coma and add four inches to your waistline, I don’t know what will.
The next TV ad just happened to be for KFC’s new sandwich. There’s no bread or bun. It’s two chicken breasts in the place of the bread with bacon and cheese in between. Now, whoever thought of that one?! I changed the channel only to hear a commercial for a new drug to help you grow thicker eyelashes. No kidding. They have Brooke Shields as the spokesmodel. Does she really need this? Or do you? This was followed by a drug ad for depression. Holy smokes, the side effects could cause uncontrollable gambling, heart palpitations, possible stroke, liver problems, suicidal thoughts, or even death! Want to feel better? Join a gym and work out.
I turned off the TV and grabbed my grocery list and coupons. Nick and I usually shop two to three supermarkets and save money like crazy. Now, excuse me while I blow off some steam but what happened on Rick and Nick’s Incredible Grocery Store Journey was downright frustrating.
First, navigating these places has become downright dangerous and confusing. Why do the stores feel the need to move everything around once you finally get to know the floor plan? The aisles are clogged with displays so that you have to let the oncoming carts through while you pull to the shoulder. These aisle displays are usually soda, chips, cookies, cakes, candy, or snack crackers. Zero nutrition; high calories.
Nick said pound cake was on sale. I don’t buy it usually, but once in a great while we splurge. Have you noticed that pound cake is now downsized? I asked the bakery manager when a pound (16 ounces) became 14 ounces. He laughed and said, “Welcome to the real world.” We decided not to purchase the so-called pound cake.
From there we headed to the frozen fish department. They had our favorite frozen fish, tilapia and swai, on sale —cool! Hold on. They used to be in 3 pound bags and now both weighed in at 2.5 pounds. Last year the tilapia was sold in a 5 pound bag, now downsized to a 3 pound bag. Did I mention the price was still the same as before the downsize? Pay more, get less. We passed on the frozen fish for this week.
We are not having a good day. The boneless-skinless chicken breasts that are advertised at half price are injected with 15% solution (salt). Same goes for the pork loin—injected, too, with 12-15% solution. Even frozen turkeys now come injected!
The canned tuna we used to buy weighed in at 6 ounces a can. Last year they reduced the size to 5 ounces, but not the price. This week we saw that it now weighs 4.5 ounces at the same price.
You know, at one time soup used to be in 16 ounce cans—today they are 10 ounces each.
Even our pets are being short-changed. The puppy chow that I used to buy for Zak at one time was in a 10 pound bag, and now it’s an 8 pound bag for the same price. Our cat, Nifty, is in the same boat. His kitty chow used to be in an 18 ounce box. Now? 16 ounces.
We need to be totally aware of what we purchase at the supermarket. Read the labels for salt, fat, carbs, and protein content. Ask yourself if this product is really worth the price, and if it is a healthy choice for your family?
Rick Moore, a personal trainer certified by the American Fitness Professionals & Associates.