Last week I was desperate.
I had 65.9 minutes until I had to pick our first grader and I was DETERMINED to get some alone, outside time. It was a beautiful afternoon, and I had picked up one of my 2019 resolution items (a book!) and I wanted, no NEEDED, some quiet reading, reflection time.
But I had this problem.
I was hungry.
Really hungry.
The kind of hunger that you know won’t let you focus on anything else, especially for the next hour, and so, I had a conundrum. I needed to find lunch, but I didn’t want to spend the time getting a lunch. Have you ever been there? This is what I was thinking…
” OK… CHOICES?! What choices do I have? I can’t just get anything. It needs to be nutritious. I mean, that’s part of my job. I need to set the example (Yes, I have these thoughts). So, I can’t go to Papa Johns. Too greasy. Plus I’d have to wait for them to make it, and I don’t want to wait. Subway is a better choice. But I’d have to drive down there and maybe stand in a big line since it’s prime lunch time. Nope. Not going to waste 20 of my precious minutes waiting for someone to decide if they want their sandwich toasted or not. Publix would be a great option. I like their sandwiches better. BUT… could be the same Subway scenario. Probably worse. I’ll walk out with a package of cheese, run across the store to get a gallon of milk… don’t we need oatmeal? —- NO. That won’t work. But I have to have SOMETHING. Chinese? Too long of a wait…”
And as I was driving, I spotted it.
The Circle K.
Not the new ones recently built… but one of the older, smaller ones.
Yes, a gas station.
I said, ” You know. I’m going to go in there. I’m going to find SOMETHING NUTRITIOUS at the gas station of all places. The lines are short. Maybe it’ll cost me a little more, but I’ll save the time because it’s on the way, and that’s the most important thing to me right NOW.”
So, I did.
I walked in, scoured the aisles for something that had protein in it and not just sugar or empty carbs, and I was…. pleasantly surprised!
They had something. Actually, they had a lot of somethings. I probably could have made 4 or 5 lunches from my choices, but I grabbed a few items that gave me a balanced meal, turned, and stood in line to check out.
Now, there were two ladies in front of me.
They each purchased an icee. Their total: $1.70 (for both icees- I think they were larges. I don’t know) ANYWAY, Now, I’m not judging here. I loved icees growing up, and every once in awhile, I’ll have one. But when my order was rung up, I couldn’t help but notice the difference:
1 package Hilshire snacking crackers (with meat and cheese)
1 Gogo Squeeze Applesauce
1 Dippin Sticks Baby Carrots and Ranch
Total? $6.47
I mean I COULD have gotten 7 icees for what I paid for my lunch (not that anyone would drink that many). And it reminded me once again the obstacle of price for nutrition. (By the way, it’s worth the extra money!)
So, I learned that day that yes, you can find a nutritious lunch at the gas station. And it’s fast! If you’ve never considered stopping at one to grab some food, think twice and check it out. It might be a game changer to your day. It certainly was for mine.
Keep Moving,
Coach Priscilla
If you’ve had a great experience with buying nutritious food at a gas station. I would love to hear it! Post in the comments to share your experience!
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