The TPU UK Clubhouse

[mechtech]

None of the things you mention cover a basic principle of a functioning health system, and that is for people to look after their health. It wouldn't fix the system, but modern culture is practically guided by mass consumerism. That includes alcohol, junk food, sugars, and unhealthy consumables. Folk are quick to cry 'nanny state' when governments try to intervene, but these voices are stirred up by the very same private companies making a fortune out of this very model of over consumption. They literally profit from our over consumption, all the while finding ways to substitute natural (costly) ingredients with synthertic ones.

There are new worries coming though, and those centre around increasing bowel cancer rates in people under 50 - and these rates correlate with changing environmental factors (plastics). Remember - correlate doesn't necessarily mean cause - it means need for further study until the burden of proof is statistically overwhelming.

Above all, sedentary lifestyles lead to a decline in health (mental and physical). It's technically easy to increase our activity, but in motivational terms, it's far harder.

This is posted by someone with 27 years experience in the health and fitness industry.

I think that's part or a large part of the problem here in Canada. It cost me $4 for a head of lettuce, but I can buy 2kg of sugar for $2, a chocolate bar is 80c and a grapefruit is $2.50. "Healthy" food should not be so expensive.................

 

[the54thvoid]

I think that's part or a large part of the problem here in Canada. It cost me $4 for a head of lettuce, but I can buy 2kg of sugar for $2, a chocolate bar is 80c and a grapefruit is $2.50. "Healthy" food should not be so expensive.................

It's the same here. Has been for years (like pre-BC - before covid). Junk food is cheap - healthy food isn't. It's how the industry works.

 

[lexluthermiester]

It's how the industry works.

Depressingly ironic..

 

[AusWolf]

I think that's part or a large part of the problem here in Canada. It cost me $4 for a head of lettuce, but I can buy 2kg of sugar for $2, a chocolate bar is 80c and a grapefruit is $2.50. "Healthy" food should not be so expensive.................

It's still much cheaper to cook at home than to order takeaway or to eat at McDonald's (at least over here). You can buy a 1 kg gammon for a tenner at Morrisons, spend another 5 quid on vegetables, put the whole lot into a pressure cooker, or a pot in your oven with some stock and herbs, and you'll easily feed a family. The same size meal would cost you at least 40 quid at any fast food chain.

That grapefruit isn't expensive because it's healthy, but because it isn't local.

Edit: The other key is not being lazy to cut your fruits and vegetables. It's cheap to buy them in bulk, but if you're looking for chopped onions, and those small pots of cut fruit, then you're in the wrong place.

Said goodbye to my friend and the pup I helped raise in Devonshire two weeks ago. Broke down crying. Miss them with all my heart. Most important lesson I have learned in life is if you find happiness, true happiness, don't ever give up on it even if it is only temporary. I have never been with someone where I was constantly laughing, enjoying shows/movies, helping each other out, walking the dog twice a day, and just a genuine happiness. I have only had this level of happiness 3x in my life, and all 3x were when I visited her in the UK, less to do the with the UK and more i just found the right person for me. All my problems would have been solved if she just lived near me back home, or I could figure out a way to get hired in the UK. I wish life were more simple.

I don't want to speculate, but she sounds like more than a friend to me. If that's the case, couldn't you marry her and come over with a spouse visa? Scrap that if I'm mistaken.

 

[kurosagi01]

It's still much cheaper to cook at home than to order takeaway or to eat at McDonald's (at least over here). You can buy a 1 kg gammon for a tenner at Morrisons, spend another 5 quid on vegetables, put the whole lot into a pressure cooker, or a pot in your oven with some stock and herbs, and you'll easily feed a family. The same size meal would cost you at least 40 quid at any fast food chain.

That grapefruit isn't expensive because it's healthy, but because it isn't local.

Edit: The other key is not being lazy to cut your fruits and vegetables. It's cheap to buy them in bulk, but if you're looking for chopped onions, and those small pots of cut fruit, then you're in the wrong place.


I don't want to speculate, but she sounds more like a friend to me. If that's the case, couldn't you marry her and come over with a spouse visa? Scrap that if I'm mistaken.

Ironically it is cheaper to get other "takeaways" than through mainstream fast food chains over here, also get more "value" as well.
A average meal from Mcdonalds price is insane now but yeah cooking will always be cheaper but buying "healthy" ingredients is expensive.

 

[AusWolf]

Ironically it is cheaper to get other "takeaways" than through mainstream fast food chains over here, also get more "value" as well.
A average meal from Mcdonalds price is insane now but yeah cooking will always be cheaper but buying "healthy" ingredients is expensive.

True. Papa John's prices their pizzas something insane. You can get 2, sometimes even 3 other pizzas from a non-chain eatery, which are usually better as well.

Still, my point stands. Eating healthy isn't that expensive if you don't mind cooking for yourself, and buy local, cheap fruits and vegetables.

 

[lexluthermiester]

True. Papa John's prices their pizzas something insane. You can get 2, sometimes even 3 other pizzas from a non-chain eatery, which are usually better as well.

Ah but no one does BBQ Chicken & Pineapple Pizza like Papa Johns!

and buy local, cheap fruits and vegetables.

Many do not have that option.

Eating healthy isn't that expensive if you don't mind cooking for yourself

This is 100%.

 

[AusWolf]

Ah but no one does BBQ Chicken & Pineapple Pizza like Papa Johns!

Oh no, we're back to pineapple on a pizza!

Many do not have that option.

How do you not have the option to buy local? Every supermarket has cheap, local stuff. Sure, the UK isn't famous for its tasty fruits and vegetables, but we have potatoes, carrots, onions, apples, etc.

If you live in an arctic climate, fair enough. But with a little attention, I'm sure you can find cheap and healthy options even there.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Oh no, we're back to pineapple on a pizza!

Oh hell yes!!

How do you not have the option to buy local? Every supermarket has cheap, local stuff.

Not everywhere. When I'm out in SoCal, it's not an option. Most major Cities are like this.

 

[AusWolf]

Not everywhere. When I'm out in SoCal, it's not an option. Most major Cities are like this.

You mean Southern California? One of the sunniest regions of the US? Are you kidding?

 

[lexluthermiester]

You mean Southern California?

Yup, LA.

Are you kidding?

Nope. Food is very expensive in SoCal.

 

[AusWolf]

Yup, LA.

Nope. Food is very expensive in SoCal.

I can't imagine how that's possible. I thought Cali was big on agriculture.

 

[Caring1]

I can't imagine how that's possible. I thought Cali was big on agriculture.

Probably was once, a lot of good farming land is sold to developers for estates now.

 

[Space Lynx]

True. Papa John's prices their pizzas something insane. You can get 2, sometimes even 3 other pizzas from a non-chain eatery, which are usually better as well.

Still, my point stands. Eating healthy isn't that expensive if you don't mind cooking for yourself, and buy local, cheap fruits and vegetables.

I think cooking home is faster than takeout, to be fair though, most of the stuff I buy is just pop it in the oven stuff or microwave. Doesn't bother me at all, saves me loads of money and tastes great. I actually did try a local fish n chip place awhile ago, and the fish was soggy, and cost about 400% more than the frozen fish I bought at Morrison's. The Morrison's one tasted better, had a nicer crunch, and was bigger and only cost 1 quid per fish. I just see no reason to eat out at all. Never will again most likely. If my quick and easy meals aren't on sale, I will just find something cheaper for that weak, usually works out good for me.

I don't want to speculate, but she sounds more like a friend to me. If that's the case, couldn't you marry her and come over with a spouse visa? Scrap that if I'm mistaken.

I think you mean more than a friend? We are in a way, but she prefers to live alone and just have me visit every couple years.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

I actually did try a local fish n chip place awhile ago, and the fish was soggy, and cost about 400% more than the frozen fish I bought at Morrison's

The problem with most takeaways is none of them are ever equal. You'll find many which are varying levels of disaster. They all might do things better and worse than one another. Then you come across one place that might not look good but turn out to make the best damn food out of all the other places you've been too and really blow the socks off you and you avoided the place because either its in a bad part of town. too far away to walk, didnt know they were there or didnt look all that from the outside.

There are tonnes of chicken and kebab shops. Its all about finding the place that makes the best chicken/kebab etc.

If you were dead set on fish & chips. I would have visited a few more places.

 

[AusWolf]

I think cooking home is faster than takeout, to be fair though, most of the stuff I buy is just pop it in the oven stuff or microwave. Doesn't bother me at all, saves me loads of money and tastes great. I actually did try a local fish n chip place awhile ago, and the fish was soggy, and cost about 400% more than the frozen fish I bought at Morrison's. The Morrison's one tasted better, had a nicer crunch, and was bigger and only cost 1 quid per fish. I just see no reason to eat out at all. Never will again most likely. If my quick and easy meals aren't on sale, I will just find something cheaper for that weak, usually works out good for me.

Well, it depends. If you're a "just throw it in the oven" kind of guy, then probably. I'm not. If I cook, I like making something special. I love to cook.

On weekdays, I don't have a problem eating eggs or pasta, but I wouldn't call that a well-rounded and healthy diet (although eggs are good for you). Cooking anything more substantial takes a big chunk of my time.

I think you mean more than a friend?

Yep, typo, edited my post a bit late.

We are in a way, but she prefers to live alone and just have me visit every couple years.

That's odd, but I won't ask more.

 

[mechtech]

I can't imagine how that's possible. I thought Cali was big on agriculture.

A lot of our produce comes from Cali as well, shipping is actually cheap part, its all the middle men and everything else between.

Even local stuff is expensive now, we can grow peaches etc here in the summer - well Niagara region of Ontario, not that long ago was $3 for 5lbs, now its more like $6 for 2 lbs.

But yes with a family of 4 it's more economical to make supper at home that fast food or any restaurant.

Edit - sad face indeed. If I was to take a guess I would say its about $300-$350 per month per mouth to feed trying to buy decent food (lots of fruit and veg) from the grocoery store.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I can't imagine how that's possible. I thought Cali was big on agriculture.

That's central California and food prices are not affected by proximity. There are also other considerations.

A lot of our produce comes from Cali as well, shipping is actually cheap part, its all the middle men and everything else between.

This is one of them.

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

In the cities of SoCal everything is expensive. The median house price in LA is $1.2 million.

Also, its a bit like saying meat should be cheap in London because Wales is a big exporter.

 

[mechtech]

In the cities of SoCal everything is expensive. The median house price in LA is $1.2 million.

Also, its a bit like saying meat should be cheap in London because Wales is a big exporter.
View attachment 383892

House prices about the same here. Madness has ensued here since about after the 2008 crash in regards to homes/housing/realestate. Only winners are the agents.............

 

[Space Lynx]

House prices about the same here. Madness has ensued here since about after the 2008 crash in regards to homes/housing/realestate. Only winners are the agents.............

I already decided I am staying with my parents forever, it's not ideal, but it's not terrible either. Our house is paid off in I think three years or maybe four. We just got a new roof a few years ago, but that is completely paid for. So, yeah I just don't see the point of living paycheck to paycheck just so I can live on my own, much nicer being able to travel, enjoy my hobbies fully, etc. Plus, I do mostly get along with my parents, so it's not terrible. I think I am going to try to ask my Mom and Dad if they will let me teach them Settlers of Catan and 7 Wonders, and set up a board game night that we stick to one night every week or so. Or if they end up not being able to get into that, maybe just something like Uno or Yahtzee.

 

[Tatty_Two]

House prices about the same here. Madness has ensued here since about after the 2008 crash in regards to homes/housing/realestate. Only winners are the agents.............

That's absolutely mad, especially for a country/area with low-medium population density. The median house price for the whole of England is arround £307,000 but if you want to live in the south of England (but not greater London) then that median increases to pretty much £500k for Surrey for example.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I already decided I am staying with my parents forever, it's not ideal, but it's not terrible either. Our house is paid off in I think three years or maybe four. We just got a new roof a few years ago, but that is completely paid for. So, yeah I just don't see the point of living paycheck to paycheck just so I can live on my own, much nicer being able to travel, enjoy my hobbies fully, etc. Plus, I do mostly get along with my parents, so it's not terrible. I think I am going to try to ask my Mom and Dad if they will let me teach them Settlers of Catan and 7 Wonders, and set up a board game night that we stick to one night every week or so. Or if they end up not being able to get into that, maybe just something like Uno or Yahtzee.

Whatever works. No judgement here. This is how things worked BITD. It's only been in the last 80 years that children have plodded off on their own. Most homes BITD were multi generational and the kids stayed with the parents until they died. It was how family units worked and really still should unless they can't get along. Your living and family situation is perfectly acceptable and traditional. More power to you good sir!

 

[AtiAmd]

Whatever works. No judgement here. This is how things worked BITD. It's only been in the last 80 years that children have plodded off on their own. Most homes BITD were multi generational and the kids stayed with the parents until they died. It was how family units worked and really still should unless they can't get along. Your living and family situation is perfectly acceptable and traditional. More power to you good sir!

There are some drawbacks though...

 

[lexluthermiester]

There are some drawbacks though...

Of course. That is the variability of family dynamics. Some families can make it work, not all though.