Energy Crisis!
by Leeann Simons

There's currently a major energy crisis. Everyone knows it; you'd have to be hiding your head in the sand not to hear the dreaded predictions for the world as a result of our wasting resources. I agree that we need to conserve for the sake of our planet. However, I want to talk about a different kind of energy crisis, for a different (but no less pressing) cause.

What about our emotional and psychological resources? The resources we waste wondering: am I eating the right foods?  Am I
doing the right exercises?  Do I exercise enough?

My cousin told me at her work the employees discuss their diets and their bodies on a regular basis. All I could think was, “What a waste of energy!”

Why do people do this? I'm afraid we are so caught up in what we think is the way we are “supposed to look, supposed to eat” that when we possibly deviate from a given, we have committed a sin. Why can't we simply allow ourselves to do the best we can with the resources we have, including time to cook, to buy food, to be active, and accept ourselves?

Why does it seem to be easier to criticize what we haven't done, rather than congratulate ourselves on what we have managed to accomplish in a society where we are rushed, rushed, rushed? Why can't we congratulate ourselves for the ten minute walk we fit in during break instead of criticizing ourselves for not jogging for 45 minutes?

I don't know the answer to this yet, but I do like to imagine what could be done with the time and energy saved on not being critical of ourselves. Imagine if you discussed with your friends and colleagues life, politics (okay, everyone isn't like me and won't do that), travel, good restaurants, and books. Think of the lively discussions about the latest Harry Potter (spoiler alert!). Didn't you just know that Snape was a good guy?

 Think of all the things you would learn about yourself and your friends—if you just weren't wasting energy.

Leeann Simons is a Registered Dietician with over 20 years of expertise in the field of nutrition. She received her Master's Degree in Nutrition Science from PennStateUniversity.  She currently teaches nutrition, human biology, disease prevention and immunology at a college level in Massachusetts. She is also a contributing writer for several online publications. Simons now provides a number of services at her website, www.atpeacewithfood.com. She also lectures, conducts workshops, and offers one-on-one nutritional counseling.