Every time someone claims that refusing junk food equates to not truly experiencing life, I find myself disagreeing vehemently. Sure, it's tempting to give in to the convenience of grabbing that bag of corn-based snacks from the convenience store - an irony that's not lost on me. Or to order that grease-dripping burger from a fast food joint. And yes, it can taste deceptively divine, especially if you're in a certain frame of mind where unhealthy equals tasty.
However, I've come to believe that embracing healthy eating habits, saying 'yes' to nourishment that contributes to my well-being and longevity, is the true essence of living. I've learned I don't miss the crisps, the buttery pastries, the stuff that's really not good for me. Yes, it can be hard to resist when they're within arm's reach, but I don't crave them when they're not around.
There have been times in my life when I've fallen into the trap of unhealthy beverages like diet coke. It's a past I remember all too clearly. But the reality is, I feel so much better when I avoid those. There's a certain lightness in my spirit, a sense of vitality that junk food just doesn't provide.
I've learned that I want my food experiences to be joyful, not burdensome. When I suffer from indigestion caused by poor dietary choices, it drags my entire life experience down, no matter how good everything else might be.
I'm adamant about not becoming a slave to food, rather, I want to have a healthy relationship with it. I want to relish my meals, to feel excited about them, not be caught in a cycle of dependency that junk food often causes. To me, that's not living at all. Quite the contrary, actually.
And yes, contrary to popular belief, I firmly believe it's entirely possible to create delicious, yet healthy desserts. That's a joy I wouldn't want to miss out on.
In fact, this philosophy is a big reason why I value co-living, or at least being in an environment where healthy food is abundant. It's about cultivating a culture that consciously chooses health, where choosing life through food isn't a Herculean task.
In the end, it boils down to the choices we make. And I choose to be in a place where it's easy to choose life. And I believe we should all be afforded that opportunity.