Monday is the start of finals week here at the University of Iowa, marking the end of the fall semester and the official beginning of the winter holidays. But I, Jessica, have a small problem.

I've studied, I've gone to class, I've taken test after test and done homework assignment after assignment, and I've gained about 10 pounds over this semester. Now, I have quite a few theories as to why I gained this fairly significant amount of weight after maintaining 115 pounds for literally years. I worked out a lot at the beginning of the semester, built up a lot of muscle, and then stopped (mostly because of my schedule), which turned all that new muscle into fat. I also now live in the city after living my entire life in a rural community, so the influx of late night snacking and eating out (usually family members buy, not us, although my husband is the guilty party in pizza delivery) may also be a culprit.

I'm sure I'll get back to my normal, healthy weight, but the fact that the holidays are just starting and I'm already heavier than normal is stressful. Not to mention that if this were to become a trend, I foresee bad things happening when I get into middle age.

I have been pondering the idea of vegetarianism and vegan-ism for quite some time. I managed about a year or so ago to maintain a vegetarian diet for about 3 months, a record for me (since I had never tried it before). My reasons aren't just selfishly weight and health related. Being an Environmental Science major, I truly understand how bad raising meat is on the planet and want to minimize my impact. My mom is also a vegan and it has been a tremendously wonderful experience for her.

The thing is, I'm a young, married undergrad. That means that 75% of the time (excluding tax return time and student aid refund time) I am broke. Not just broke either, fucking broke. I've tried to go vegetarian again since the last time, but I just don't have the money to buy the organic food that I see as vital to a good vegetarian diet. (Why only go halfway?). I shop at Aldi and although their food choices are expanding, they are still quite limited in the organic and health food departments. Vegan diets include much more than vegetarian ones do, it seems to me and I just don't see how I can afford it. The sad truth of our society is that bad, unhealthy, processed food is inexpensive and available, while the healthy food is not. I understand that it is an investment in my health, which you can't put a price on, but you can put a price on gasoline, toothpaste, toilet paper, and snow boots (it's December in Iowa and I still don't have fucking snow boots). -_-

Give me some feedback!! I need your help!! Is there a way to maintain a healthy, preferably organic diet, with limited income and limited choices? Have any of you done it before? HOW?!

Comment and I will respond back!