Food court conundrum

After spending money I don't have on two new pairs of shoes, I decided to brave the dangerously tempting food court for a post-shopping snack. I willingly passed right by McDonald's, Panda Express, Popeye's, and Taco Bell, all with lines reaching way out to the devouring diners at the plastic chairs and tables in the center of the sunlit three-story square. The mall didn't seem very crowded, so I pondered the reason for the avaricious throngs in front of these particular counters.

Then I came upon a counter with a lighted green sign and buffet-style compartments featuring dozens of toppings for mixed greens, spinach, and/or green leaf lettuce. The vegetables, cheese crumbles, nuts, and fruits glowed with their respective colors and emitted nutritious wonder behind the plated glass. Suddenly, I had been standing there for about 30 seconds, and I realized that I could ogle these fresh feast components because there was no one in line for "Salad Creations." Shoppers who had already indulged on clothes, jewelry, toys, etc., had decided to continue their splurges by making Kelly's Cajun Grill, Villa Pizza, and Great Steak & Potato Company a part of their allowances. I wanted to scream "WHY?!" into the crowd, but I knew it would take more than little old me to convince these people to alter their diets. Unfortunately for some people, it will take sluggishness, fatigue, diabetes, or heart problems to get these folks to fixate on their food intake. The pressure of the media to be thinner, taller, better will cause them to turn to Larry's Cookies or Auntie Anne's Pretzels for comfort. The rise in health care costs will concern citizens that there is no hope to heal and that a 99-cent cheeseburger is a better deal than a $7 salad. It's going to take a lot to turn some people around, but I know it can be done.

A start can be found on the website, Eat Better America. Visitors can find inexpensive and creative ways to incorporate healthier eating into their lifestyles.

Although I may come off pessimistic and ashamed of my country's culture, I do have hope that we will prevail, just as we have through war, bipartisan conflict, and economic fallout. So toss that muffin, grab a banana, and go for a walk; enjoy the natural wonders of your world.