Boulder Brands, or, How I Maintain a Funny Food Filosophy

My dinner last night consisted of chicken (two types), tuna mayo onigiri, and chocolate. Mmm.

Hey wait stop. I'm usually pretty good about eating more balanced meals, but lately I've just been...off. It's OK, it happens. (But PK got me a Klean Kanteen food canister that can hold up to 3 servings of soup, so at least I'm set for my lunch.)

I have a strange relationship with food. I love to eat, but I'm a bad cook. But I try to cook, because I don't like to eat out. (I don't like not knowing what's in my food, or paying for food when I can make acceptable meals with stuff in my kitchen.)

The conclusion: I am mindful about the effects that the food I eat has on my body and the environment—but I don't stress over it.


I try to stay away from junk food (despite my love of 7-Eleven (specifically—not all convenience stores)), but if I really want junk food, then I eat it.

I try to eat gluten-free because of eczema, but I love mini cake ring donuts from 7-Eleven (that come six-to-a-pack and only cost ¥100 including tax).

I tend not to eat (or cook) meat, but if I want some, I eat some (like my karaage stick from 7-Eleven). (Besides, my avoidance of meat is primarily for my lack of cooking skills, secondarily for the environment, and tertiarily for ethics and morals.)

I tend to skip dairy because I think cow milk is for cow babies, not for human adults. But I love yogurt (plain) and ice cream, and I must have cheese with wine. Otherwise I go for soy milk and almond milk (but NOT rice milk. That stuff is just white water. Then I'd rather have water) and choose coconut oil over butter.

I eat organic when I can, but not when I can't. I eat local when I can, but not when I can't.

I don't do coffee because I don't like its taste, but I do like mochas and Starbucks Frappuccinos. I don't mind having green tea through an IV drip.

I like maple syrup and agave nectar more than I like honey—but I like brown sugar the best.

I try to not to break my bank with groceries, but I'm happy to splurge on quality.

I like companies like Boulder Brands (with their array of brands that cater to various dietary practices) and companies like Dunkin' Donuts (with their array of donuts that cater to various taste preferences).


I've been thinking a lot about food lately, and I've been trying to think more positively about it. I don't stress over food, but I do eat when I am stressed out—so some occasions of eating 1) are caused by stress, which then 2) cause more stress (and guilt). I want to sort out my relationship with food so that I don't turn to it to relieve stress (which itself has nothing to do with food)—otherwise I feel like I've failed at being healthy.

It's cool; one step at a time. If I can get through today without a donut, great. Then tomorrow maybe I can try to eat strawberries or something.