I no longer have food waste.
We rarely waste food in the house. I remember sitting in my house after coming from a meeting with the Sustainability Committee in my city where we were trying to solve some food waste issues. I was thinking, how in the world could scarcity and excess exist in the same space? It seemed off to me. I have to say there is never a moment in my life that I had no food. Zero food.
There may have been a time in my adult life where I thought, oh my goodness I may run out of food–let me start to fast so it’ll be less painful! But the miracle of life is that it never got that way. Thankfully. To give you an example of what I mean, I would have rice and mixed vegetables in my house and an onion. I would go grab some soy sauce and small chicken and make stir-fry. Granted I was only feeding me as an artist on the edge but it was great. Especially with a garnish. You can do the same and make it nice for your dinner table. Kids only remember the end result, not so much the struggle unless you are complaining. I don’t know about you, but my Nana and grandmothers never complained. It was only, “come on in and eat!”
I don’t want to belittle or undermine food struggles, but I also don’t want to stoke fear and anxiety. Sometimes the solution may not be quantity but quality and true accessibility. Some of which is resolved with online shopping.
*Amazon offers discount Prime membership based on income.*
I come from people who could take whatever was left in the cupboard and turn it into a gourmet meal. At least, that’s how it was when I was growing up. These days, I notice a lot of folks let food sit in the refrigerator until it goes bad, and to me, that’s a real issue. Having abundance is a blessing, but having high‑quality food and clean water at home is even better. It supports real health, and because the quality is higher, you actually feel more satisfied.
I appreciate that we now have a new food pyramid. After decades of rising illness, it’s clear that what we were doing wasn’t working. Change was overdue. When I was younger and visited friends from wealthier families, I noticed something interesting: they rarely had a lot of food in the house. Maybe a beautifully organized snack shelf, plenty of beverages, and if I stayed over, they usually ordered takeout. Yet everyone was thin, healthy, and full of energy. Food wasn’t the center of their lives. That doesn’t dismiss food insecurity—if anything, it highlights how deeply it matters. The type of food we eat is often more important than the sheer amount. I would cry real tears for anyone who blocked another person from trying to be healthy and change their perception. Life is very precious.
A kitchen stocked with Cheetos, soda, and frozen meals might feel convenient, especially for kids coming home hungry, but true nourishment comes from proteins, vegetables, and real meals that actually fill you.
Variety is wonderful, but learning discipline in how we eat and discernment in how we shop can change everything. I’ve found that I save more money simply by buying less junk. I can still enjoy eating out once or twice a week—or even just once a month—but the biggest difference I see is in my family’s health. Their skin glows. We have our vitamins, clean water, stews, soups, meats, pasta, and salads. The meals I cook last about two days, so we don’t end up with piles of leftovers or much food waste. This is the true key to environmental activism.
What I do notice, though, is how much waste comes from crackers, chips, and snacks. Half‑eaten packages and stray cookies show up everywhere, which tells me all I need to know: these should be occasional treats, not weekly staples.
It’s important to remember that people live very different lives. Across every race and ethnicity, families fall into a wide range of income brackets, and what matters deeply to some may not matter at all to others. My hope is that everyone has access to at least a basic level of health education and support. In many places that already exists, but I’d love to see it go further—especially by empowering community leaders and local businesses who truly understand the area. They’re the ones who can help strengthen and balance the quality of life there.
When it comes to waste, buying higher‑quality items, and buying fewer things overall, can make a real difference for the environment. I learned that in an unexpected way. Two years ago, I was overwhelmed by everything happening in my life and worried I wouldn’t be able to pull off a nice Thanksgiving. Somehow, it turned into an epic $60 Italian Thanksgiving extravaganza.
This past year was completely different. Family was together, the food was plentiful, and I even had embroidered placemats and a ham. I tried to recreate the magic of the year before, but the struggle wasn’t there anymore. Isn’t that something? Maybe part of us tries to recreate that tension, that sense of overcoming. It’s worth reflecting on.
When I think of this new pyramid, among other things, I think about all of the different circles I have moved in. One thing I know for sure is that no one wants to stay where they are. If the best option exists uptown, they want it to exist where they are as well. If all we have to access as a tool for change is information, then knowledge is wealth. Building upon that wealth is up to the execution of each individual. If you do more today with mitigating food waste, buying high quality foods, and practicing disciplined eating than you did yesterday—you are winning. Let’s take this one step at a time. Let’s plan for the year instead of six weeks.
Let’s change together.
