‘Factoring’ in colorful healthy vibes

Fried chicken isn’t the healthiest food on the planet, but pair it with a salad instead of starchy sides, and it balances out, right?

I’m writing this column as I finish off a piece of fried chicken. Life is about balance.

I’ve worked very hard to be more intentional and have seen myself shrinking a little in the mirror as a result. My new headshot is definitely less round than my first one four years ago.

My recent run-ins with eating healthy coincided at two different Krogers. The first time, I wasn’t planning on shopping there.

I forever volley between being a night owl and an early bird. I’m either going to bed at 4 a.m. or waking up at 4 a.m. This time, I was an early bird, but instead of yoga, like I should have been doing, I was scrolling Facebook.

That is when I saw the catalyst for a newfound sense of hope. On a local buy nothing group, a post advertised four free Factor meals: looking delicious and still before the expiration date.

Factor is a meal service kit touting “the healthiest meals you’ll crave.” The company offers freshly made meals, packaged up and sent to your door. Cooking them is a breeze, just two minutes in the microwave.

I had seen advertisements and even asked my husband if we should try them one day. But we never got around to ordering.

Immediately, I commented: “Interested! My husband and I were thinking about trying them.”

Four meals for free? Sign me up for the trial.

The keeper of the food texted me: “Can you meet this morning?”

I had a lot to do, so that was a no. My dreams of ultra-clean eating slipped between my fingers.

“Or I can meet after 5:00 today,” she continued.

“Sure,” I replied. “I’ll meet you after work.”

5:35 came around and I was sitting in a Kroger parking lot. A woman pulled up next to me, gave me a white bag, and I drove off into the sunset. Officer, I promise, I was picking up food.

I got home and couldn’t wait to dig into my Athenian-style feta chicken with polenta, cauliflower and peppers. Two minutes wasn’t fast enough.

It’s essentially a fancy TV dinner, so I ate said meal while watching TV. I was blown away by how delicious it was.

It was the prefect crossroads of health and convenience.

I told my husband, “we are getting these,” and promptly began entering our household info. I read the website out loud in the process.

“What are my goals? Eat healthy, save time in the kitchen…”

“Meal preferences? I eat everything.” (Probably not best to admit that publicly).

“I don’t like mushrooms, two of us, just one meal, every day,” I muttered to myself.

Then, the sticker shock.

“Please give us $160 a week for your dinners,” the website said.

“ABSOLUTELY NOT!” I replied.

“What if we throw in a free breakfast item and 50% off your first box?”

“Still no. I spend $150 a week for ALL our meals. Why would I drain it for dinner and still need to figure out breakfast and lunch? Sorry, Factor, this is not economical.”

“Okay,” the website said. “We’ll be bombarding your Facebook feed from now on.”

That was three weeks ago, and I’m still seeing Factor advertising every day. Meanwhile, I’m roughing it at the grocery store, choosing healthy on my own.

The other day, while pushing a box of Kroger fried chicken in my cart, I was stopped by a woman in the deli section.

“I don’t know if you’re growing your hair out like that or what, but I love your color!” she said.
My brother’s fiancée did a black-to-blue ombre on my hair in January.

“Awe, thank you so much!” I replied. Also of note, I was wearing a rainbow colored tie-dye dress.

“The world needs more color,” she said.

“I agree,” I said. “Take care.”

Then, in the soda aisle, I ran into another woman I know who is a bright spot in this world. Her yellow flower-brimmed sunglasses are proof positive. She reminds me of myself.

We talked for a few minutes about National Day of Prayer.

“I gotta tell you about Jesus at some point,” she said. I’ve been a born-again Christian for six years.

“I’d like that,” I said.

Both women are right. The world needs more color and more Jesus.