Now that my healthy food shopping and eating routine was well on its way, this lifestyle would become synonymous with my name.  I quickly realized the importance behind eating organic, drinking water, and eating throughout the day.  I would get the weirdo looks at work when I spoke of my latest passion and hear comments like, “But eating healthy is so expensive” or “Don’t you get tired of cooking and chopping up veggies?” My response would always be the same. “I’d much rather spend a little bit more on healthy food than spend thrice as much on hospital bills due to weight related health issues.”

Not long after starting my new health kick, my girl Nereida and I decided to see Nina Sky and N.O.R.E. perform at Copacabana on 34th Street. I was feeling good about my eating habits and my jeans that were once too snug were now a little looser. I didn’t have to look in my back pockets this time to find the culprit behind the tightness. There was no tightness because the pounds were slowly shedding. Little did I know that on that night I would meet the man that would become my husband.

By the time I finished browsing my cookbook for a recipe, my delivery had arrived. Living on the 5th floor of a walkup, I knew the delivery guy would be out of breath.  Sure enough, I opened the door and he was sweating and breathing heavily. “Thank you so much. I know the walkup stinks so I truly appreciate it,” I said as I handed him a tip.  “Actually, this is good for me.  I am out of shape and need to get back in the gym,” he answered. I said good-bye, closed the door behind me, and thought about his comment. If going to the gym was the only thing we needed, then we’d all be healthy, I reflected. It really does begin with every little piece of food we put in our mouths.

Back in Kingsbridge, I arrived at Stop & Shop and pulled out my shopping list. I began to work my way through the store with my cart, quickly reminding myself to stay alongside the perimeters of the store.  You see, the outside perimeters of a grocery store are where you find your produce, dairy products and unprocessed meats. I had worked on my list most of the day and knew I didn’t have any business anywhere but around those perimeters.

As I began to place the fruits and vegetables in my cart, I was greeted by one of the managers.  A faint “Hi” was all I could mutter in response. His name was Carlos and I had been eyeing him since I had moved to the area.  Did he notice for once that my cart was full of healthy foods as opposed to sugary treats and snacks? Probably not, but it inspired me to continue my healthy shopping spree.  Besides, I was much more interested in working on myself and getting my sexy and not getting a date at the grocery store!

The stairs leading up to the train didn’t hurt as much as I expected them too.  After that delicious oatmeal at the Riverdale Diner, I was ready to begin the commute to work. I patiently waited for the train and continued to work on my shopping list.  By this time, the platform was pretty busy with other eager New Yorkers but I couldn’t help but notice the food choices that people made in the morning: there was the young 30-something Latina with a hot chocolate and a buttered roll; the middle-aged, African-American, corporate America gentleman indulging on a bagel with cream cheese and coffee; and lastly, the hot papi chulo with a chocolate covered doughnut. “Where does all that go so early in the morning?” I asked myself.