Fast food

Fast food was never in my menu as a child, at least the fast food we associate with the term fast food, we think fast food and we automatically assume pizza and hamburgers. I grew up in Mexico City, the food and eating habits are very different than in the United States in many different ways, although equally unhealthy the meal itself differs dramatically as well as the ease for one to purchase a fast food meal. We find ourselves comfortably buying 6 or 7 dollar meals, for the average American earning minimum wage this is still feasible, it brings food to satisfy you’re hunger at a reasonable price. When in Mexico the same meal cost is an average of 60 pesos, when the average Mexican earning minimum wage earns about 80 pesos for an 8 hour shift. You can see how fast food is not cost effective for someone living in Mexico City. Moreover, culture is a significant factor, as a child, teenager and even a young adult I was expected to sit for a family dinner.

I was introduce to a wonderful world of great tasting, fast and ready to go meals in my early twenties, I was never forced to eat such meals but my situation definitely made it much more convenient to stop at a drive thru window and pick up dinner. I lived alone and often found it very difficult to cook, not to mention the fact that my cooking skills were not the best and my menu was very limited. Over the past two years I have made a commitment to myself, I try to stay away from fast food as much as possible, I either pack a lunch or a plan for a sit down meal. The consequences of my bad eating habits have left me with a couple of medical conditions such as, hypertension and high cholesterol. After being diagnosed I became more aware of the possible outcomes and risk factors. I engage in a more active lifestyle and my eating habits have improved.

After doing a little research I came to know that high cholesterol and hypertension have always been present in my family, had I know this before I would have definitely made different choices. I don’t blame the food itself or the marketing behind it, however I would recommend that parents and young adults read and document yourself to make the best possible decision. 

Past, Present, Future

I was born in Mexico City in the year 1983, I attended elementary school as well as junior high before moving to California. Once in California I attended high school for a little over a month when a family emergency pushed my family back to Mexico. Back in Mexico I graduated high school. By far the most amazing time in my life.  When living in Mexico I took part in my father’s business, I got to travel over 80 percent of the country while learning the business.  During my stay in different parts of Mexico I learned a lot about myself and it gave me a good picture of where I wanted to be.  Even though I loved the fast pace environment, the long lines in the metro station and the bumper to bumper traffic I wanted to move to California. I remember it like it was yesterday, when I graduated high school my dad gave me two options. If I wanted to stay in Mexico he would pay for my college or he would fly me out to California, help me get established and support my decision.  A week later I decided to sell my car, pack my stuff and move. 

Once in California I started working at Kragen Auto Parts, my first job.  It was much more difficult than I had anticipated.  I was alone, renting a room in a stranger’s house and having to struggle with the language. Although I had always been indirectly exposed to English having to actually carry on a conversation and reading and writing was very intimidating. I worked at Kragen for a little over two years. I received a promotion a year in to my assignment and was eligible to attend safety trainings.  At that time I did not have the slightest idea of such a thing as Occupational Safety. I remember leaving the training with a new job objective. After Kragen  I worked at HD Supply, I worked there for about one year before quitting to enroll in school and pursue an Occupational Health and Safety career.  I started attending Ventura College and soon realized that money was a big issue, I had no other option but to look for work. I started working at my current place of employment as a health and safety associate, I been working here for the past 6 years. I love my job as it gives me the opportunity to work with people and better their work conditions.

Currently I’m preparing myself for an examination in December to obtain my OHST (Occupational Health and Safety Technologist) certification. As well as transferring to Northridge for a degree in Health and Safety.  Obtaining the previously mention would mean a lot to me and it would bring a sense of completion and achievement that began in Mexico City 10 years ago.