Is it Just Me

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In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 3rd decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM...
WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM

As I was following my grocery list this morning, I came upon the item “ice cream.” I turned into the frozen food section, and began the block long search of which ice cream I wanted to buy.

Forget brand names or flavors, I was mesmerized by the selection of 1/3 less fat, 35% less fat, low fat, fat free, low carb, no sugar added, low carb and fat free, and the odd choice, natural. Picking up one selection after another, I was either inundated with names of chemicals I couldn’t pronounce in order to put back the flavor that the no sugar or fake sugar took out, or the names of the chemicals that stabilized the ice cream once the fat was removed. I actually stood there, immobilized and blankly staring, and laughed to myself. I quickly looked around to see if there were any other shoppers in my aisle watching me chortling. Luckily, there weren’t. They were stuck on another aisle trying to figure out which cereal they wanted to buy.

It is getting to the point that one needs a degree in chemistry or nutrition just to go food shopping. No wonder stress and sleep disorders are on the rise in the States. Who wouldn’t be on anti-depressants?! We don’t even have the confidence to buy ice cream. And if we finally do decide on a flavor, and the

amount of sugar or fat we want, and forget about the chemicals, then we have to put up with the peer pressure telling us that one or another of our choices is bad for us, and they begin to list the reasons why. Like I asked.

When we travel overseas life seems easier. If I go shopping, I have two decisions to make. Do I want it? (or not), and do they have it? (or not). If I want it, and they have it, it’s simple. I buy it. If I want it, and they don’t have it, then I don’t buy it. Childlike, elementary, but very appealing.

Of all the places we have lived, I still prefer the States for many reasons. However, I do wonder if we are making life too complicated, and therefore, less easy to decide if we are happy (or not).

Other countries are not so “fortunate” to have all these alternatives, nor do they have all the differing opinions of well wishers “helping us out” with their friendly health and dietary advice.
I will enjoy my ice cream as a treat later on, pushing aside any guilt or judgment, but I will still have that nagging doubt of whether I should have just stayed with the lone pick of “natural”, and let it go at that. When we are on the beach, marveling at the ocean, listening to the waves, and a vendor comes by with fresh coconut ice cream, I only have to shake my head up and down, or sideways. Aaahhh…. Simplicity. Or is it just me?