THE GAS CRISIS - THE CURE FOR OBESITY?

THE GAS CRISIS COULE BE THE ANSWER TO OBESITY

So is there a positive side to this gas hike crisis? Almost $4/gallon for gas – OH MAH GOD??? Outside of the positive for the oil behemoths making record profits at your expense, could there actually be something POSITIVE for the rest of us? In my pain at the pump, I decided to look for something constructive about this economic reality – and guess what, I actually found it.

First, I must expound on the downside. The rise in oil prices affects everyone and everything. Not only does it just hurt to fill up your gas tank these days, think of the costs to the massive trucking industry- which moves the nations food supply and more. This creates an increase in the cost of basic staples- from milk to toilet paper (you get the connection) and everything in between. If you are reluctant to fill up the gas tank more often, you will take less trips which affects tourism and the restaurant and hotel business. Even the fast food chains get hit. All this can end up resulting in layoffs and higher unemployment payouts.

Unemployment = loss of medical insurance. That can lead to more depression when you can’t pay your bills or properly care for your family. And, you don’t have insurance so you can’t even get the medical/psychological attention you may need. Oh, I could go on, but then I will be terribly depressed AND I did say there was an upside to all this. So, let me get to it.

Higher gas prices typically result in cutting down on travel (I am assuming this, of course). This means less pollution in the air. What a way to clean up the environment, wouldn’t you say? Consider car pooling. Stop using your gas guzzling Humvee. Could this possibly even mean less traffic. Since I live in L.A., just the thought of less traffic excites me.

It also means spending more time at home with the family. I would suggest you make it quality time and not spend it silently in front of the tv. If you don’t have the screaming children that are featured in The Nanny, more downtime at home could result in less stress, resulting in less physical and emotional problems, i.e. less medical bills.

Then there is the increase in the cost of food – which just might result in your spending less on food. Are you aware that there are many people who make ends meet – and do well- living off the healthy food that is thrown in dumpsters. And, I am not referring to the homeless. Restaurants have to throw away perfectly good food because it was put out on someone’s table. The health department requires that whether or not it is touched, once it is out on the table, it must all get dumped after you’ve paid your bill (unless the help eats it). Just think of all the bread and butter and pizza you could survive off of that has been thrown out. How much do YOU throw out after each meal or after a week? How much food do YOU waste?

With the increase in food costs, you can be more discerning and less wasteful. I would suggest you buy as you go. None of this buy in bulk stuff. I realize that some economists tell you to buy in bulk, well I say phooey on that one. You end up spending more, throwing away more and maybe even using more than you otherwise would. So, buy your meals daily or every other day if you can. Your food will be fresher. You will throw away less and consume what you need. You will even discover as you do this, that you will buy less because you will learn what you do and don’t need or even want. Walk to the store. If you must buy for more than a day or two at a time, don’t buy what you aren’t going to consume. And, this goes for things other than food as well. Do you really need a box of staples that will last you a lifetime?

This country’s obsession with over consumption is about to get a good reality check. How much do you need? How many new clothes, shoes and other items made from oil products do you need (anything plastic is a petroleum byproduct). If you want a list of just some of the things made from petroleum check out: http://www.saskschools.ca/~gregory/sask/oilproducts.html (and here I just bought new contact lenses) or www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/non-renewable/oil.html.

What’s more, you might even find that this gas crisis results in weight loss for you. If you can walk to the store, you increase your caloric output. The high prices will result in eating less and walking more. Could we have found the answer to our nation’s obesity problem!!???

There is a lot to say on this and I know you can find additional upsides to this situation. Comment and let me know what you think.