Every thread being hijacked....Can we talk about it ??!?!?

[AztecAlien]

On 2/5/2025 at 12:48 PM, The Barber said:

OK, sometimes you come across as the cranky, old guy on here.

Fixated on politics.  I assume because you are a right winger, and surrounded by Democrats in California, you use this place to vent toward the "Libs"?

So, when you were a younger man, were you always so politically opinionated?   Or, what was your focus then?   Just odd how people change / get grouchy as they get older.   There is even a medical explanation for men getting grouchy as they get older.

I assume you didn't charm your wife with political debates when you were pursuing her?

Here's the thing, I was a registered Democrat for 30 years. I voted for Bernie Sanders in 2016. Obama in 2012. Al Gore in 2000. That was bad. And Bill Clinton twice. I just got sick of what the Democratic Party has become. I also grew up in California as did my wife. We decided to leave nearly 25 years ago. We both have family there. Northern and southern. 

And yeah, my wife is awesome. 

[halfmanhalfbronco]

On 2/5/2025 at 12:55 PM, happycamper said:

 

you must be blessed with a family that likes the same stuff (or are not picky).

my wife is picky. my oldest is not very picky but doesn't like much wheat or sauces. my youngest can't handle spice, hates mashed potatoes, and prefers her vegetables raw

it's such a pain in the ass

well. not the only barrier. time is another one. chemical dependence is another one. so is availability. 

Yeah, shopping, prepping and cooking can be time consuming.  If you don't enjoy cooking I can see how that would be a major turn off.

I really love the time I spend in the kitchen bonding with family though.  Usually the highlight of my week

[renoskier]

On 2/5/2025 at 7:16 AM, retrofade said:

Food deserts are also very much a thing.

not nearly as prevalent as it's often made out to be

there are no "food deserts" in Reno/Sparks

can anyone here say they live in a "food desert"?

[renoskier]

On 2/5/2025 at 7:28 AM, InnZoneU said:

Yeah it's not like I am just pulling sht out of my ass on this argument.  It is fairly well known why we are the most obese first world country.  It's easier and cheaper to go to a drive thru.  End of story.

Then again, I think I could post that the sky is blue and I'd get a bunch of posters refuting that. 

what the fuck!? yesterday I proved that you're wrong

why persist?

show me a typical meal you have, breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and I'll prove you wrong

 

also, does it make sense to anyone that a restaurant, fast food or otherwise, could pay rent, labor, and food cost and still make a profit selling their product for less than you could make it yourself?

[BroncoInferno]

On 2/5/2025 at 11:34 AM, renoskier said:

not nearly as prevalent as it's often made out to be

there are no "food deserts" in Reno/Sparks

can anyone here say they live in a "food desert"?

I don’t live in a large city, but I’ve been in cities where a grocery store is an inconvenient walk or bus ride away. Fast food was close though.

[renoskier]

On 2/5/2025 at 10:46 AM, The Barber said:

Can you share some of your meal ideas?

That sounds impressive.   Is it mostly rice and beans?   I feel like Americans should eat more of that in their diet.

we should definitely eat more beans...great source of fiber and protein

 

[BroncoInferno]

On 2/5/2025 at 11:40 AM, renoskier said:

what the fuck!? yesterday I proved that you're wrong

why persist?

show me a typical meal you have, breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and I'll prove you wrong

 

also, does it make sense to anyone that a restaurant, fast food or otherwise, could pay rent, labor, and food cost and still make a profit selling their product for less than you could make it yourself?

Well, maybe. Economies of scale, lower quality raw ingredients than available to the public, markups for inner city bodegas or convenience stores, time and transportation costs. I don’t have any specifics but I can see how it’s a tougher choice for someone in bad circumstances without a lot of knowledge.

[RSF]

On 2/5/2025 at 2:34 PM, renoskier said:

not nearly as prevalent as it's often made out to be

there are no "food deserts" in Reno/Sparks

can anyone here say they live in a "food desert"?

No, but it’s a regular issue on the news here in south Dallas. 

[BroncoInferno]

On 2/5/2025 at 10:45 AM, halfmanhalfbronco said:

Ok that says 490 calories.  I just did a quick google.  Even at 490 calories it's slightly more per calorie.

So you can eat super healthy for about the same price per calorie as canned processed food.  It takes time and knowledge, that's the barrier, not cost.

And fast food?  Way more expensive

And if you’re obese or mobility challenged, don’t have a car, spend 8 to 10 hours at a low paying job, and don’t live a convenient distance from a grocery store? You have limitations on how much you can carry, how much you can safely store, how much you can spend on transportation, etc. There is more to the actual cost of food than the price tag at a large grocery store.

 

[halfmanhalfbronco]

On 2/5/2025 at 1:40 PM, renoskier said:

what the fuck!? yesterday I proved that you're wrong

why persist?

show me a typical meal you have, breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and I'll prove you wrong

 

also, does it make sense to anyone that a restaurant, fast food or otherwise, could pay rent, labor, and food cost and still make a profit selling their product for less than you could make it yourself?

Also, when I cook, it's the unhealthy meals that cost more.  Sauces, cheeses, wine/beer all add up.

 

[halfmanhalfbronco]

On 2/5/2025 at 2:02 PM, BroncoInferno said:

And if you’re obese or mobility challenged, don’t have a car, spend 8 to 10 hours at a low paying job, and don’t live a convenient distance from a grocery store? You have limitations on how much you can carry, how much you can safely store, how much you can spend on transportation, etc. There is more to the actual cost of food than the price tag at a large grocery store.

 

Ok, and there is WAY more to the cost of fast food than the price tag as well.  I heard clogged arteries can get expensive.

If we are going to play the hidden costs game....you lose

[renoskier]

here's what I made last night for my son and me...kind of a "what do we have?" mix

it took me about 20 minutes to chopped and sauté, then I let it simmer for about an hour

cooked the dried beans in a separate pot and added for the last 15 minutes or so

this was enough for at 8 large burritos...the leftovers will last at least 4 or 5 days in the fridge and can be mixed with a couple eggs for breakfast burritos in the morning

• 1.5 lbs 95% lean ground turkey $7
• 1 large yellow onion  .60 cents
• 1 cup pinto beans .30 cents
• 1 can of diced tomatoes $1 ...tossed it in because I didn't have any fresh ones
• 1/2 bag of baby carrots  .65 cents
• taco spice ~.50 cents
• olive oil ~.50 cents
• Monterrey jack cheese $2
• 4 medium avocados $4 ...1/2 per burrito  I'll say $1ea but I actually bought them at Winco a few days ago for .33 cents each!
• 8 large tortillas $2 ...we only had 1 each for dinner and it was plenty

and @retrofade I guarantee it was cheaper and more nutritious than anything you pay for at Taco Bell

[renoskier]

On 2/5/2025 at 1:02 PM, BroncoInferno said:

And if you’re obese or mobility challenged, don’t have a car, spend 8 to 10 hours at a low paying job, and don’t live a convenient distance from a grocery store? You have limitations on how much you can carry, how much you can safely store, how much you can spend on transportation, etc. There is more to the actual cost of food than the price tag at a large grocery store.

 

is there anyone here, who spends their days chatting, in this situation?

[BroncoInferno]

On 2/5/2025 at 12:07 PM, halfmanhalfbronco said:

Ok, and there is WAY more to the cost of fast food than the price tag as well.  I heard clogged arteries can get expensive.

If we are going to play the hidden costs game....you lose

No doubt fast food has effects health. Was that the topic? Did you win?

My point is that the solution to the poor diet and obesity epidemic isn’t as simple as you are making it out to be.

[BroncoInferno]

On 2/5/2025 at 12:26 PM, renoskier said:

is there anyone here who spends their days chatting in this situation?

I don’t think I understand your point 

[renoskier]

On 2/5/2025 at 12:46 PM, BroncoInferno said:

Well, maybe. Economies of scale, lower quality raw ingredients than available to the public, markups for inner city bodegas or convenience stores, time and transportation costs. I don’t have any specifics but I can see how it’s a tougher choice for someone in bad circumstances without a lot of knowledge.

yes, but is this the norm or the exception?

[halfmanhalfbronco]

On 2/5/2025 at 2:32 PM, BroncoInferno said:

No doubt fast food has effects health. Was that the topic? Did you win?

My point is that the solution to the poor diet and obesity epidemic isn’t as simple as you are making it out to be.

Where did I make it out to be simple?

That was my ENTIRE POINT lol.  You have to KNOW how to shop and cook and prep.  90% of the population would be totally lost if I told them to butcher up a ball top sirloin and save the coulette for a roast.  Life skills like this need to be taught, I LITERALLY said that in my first post lol.  We should be teaching how to shop, cook, meal prep and plan in school since not everybody has parents and grandparents who can teach them like I did.

It's just not EXPENSIVE.  If you know how.  And it absolutely cheaper, SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper to eat healthy than to eat fast food.

[CoachKenFTW]

On 2/5/2025 at 12:34 PM, renoskier said:

not nearly as prevalent as it's often made out to be

there are no "food deserts" in Reno/Sparks

can anyone here say they live in a "food desert"?

My neighborhood in the Oakland Hills is not a food desert. But East Oakland is mostly food deserts. Those same neighborhoods lack most other kind of retail stores as well. You're lucky to find a liquor store and check cashing place, if that.

[halfmanhalfbronco]

On 2/5/2025 at 2:36 PM, renoskier said:

yes, but is this the norm or the exception?

The people who can not get to the store once or twice a month, or who don't have friends, family or neighbors willing or able to pick them up groceries, would be a very small percentage of the population and many would be in assisted living facilities or have a social worker to help them shop.

Meanwhile 73% of Americans are overweight, and 42% are obese.

Stats would suggest the overwhelming majority of Americans who are overweight or obese can, indeed, make it to the grocery store lol

[renoskier]

On 2/5/2025 at 12:48 PM, RSF said:

No, but it’s a regular issue on the news here in south Dallas. 

I can't refute it but IMO I think it's smaller problem than it's made out to be

I've never encounter it where I've lived but I've never lived in a large city.

I do have experience with New York, Chicago, Denver, and San Francisco and am surprised at how many markets are located in downtown areas.