Let’s Kick Some Virus Butt!

This is not the post I had intended to write this week, but nothing about the past week has been normal. In the space of a week, we have seen our normal lives completely change. We have found supplies are limited and many shelves are just empty of the basics: paper products, bread, canned foods, canned anything really, peanut butter, and my favorite chips. The only kind I can eat and I have to eat only a few at a time. I rarely eat them and now I will not be eating them at all. This of course, in itself, is not a tragedy. Running out of the only foods I can eat would be a tragedy. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.

I am not going to panic. I refuse to panic. Instead, I have changed my shopping habits to several times a week to get the things I need. It is not because I am not prepared; it is because you cannot stockpile perishables, because they perish. I know you knew that. Sure, I could freeze or can the items, but not without some damage to the precious enzymes that I desperately need in order to digest them. It seems when I alter raw fruits and vegetables I have a harder time digesting them.

I have learned a lot this week on what I really need to get by. I am finding out as long as I have food, water, and toilet paper I can get by for quite a while. Yes, the other things do make life more pleasant, but most are unnecessary. I do not need shoes in every style and every color and I do not need 14 white t-shirts. I do need fresh fruits in every color though, but I can get by with just a few if I need to.

If living near the coast has taught me anything, it is to be prepared. Tropical depressions and hurricanes have upset the balance of daily life numerous times in my life. For that reason, I have always kept extra water and paper products in my home and I rarely run out of anything before I buy a replacement. I was in good shape for most things. I do admit I bought some extra paper products, but mainly so I would not have to go back to the store.

At this point in our lives, the only thing required of us is to stay healthy. That means of course to shelter in place as best you can. Keep safe. Keep healthy, and eat your fruits and vegetables.