Is This Even Safe to Eat?

Hey friends,

Let’s talk about something that’s been on my mind lately… food quality. You ever just try to do the right thing—choose healthier options, eat more veggies, maybe grab some grilled chicken instead of fried—only to find out the food you trusted might not even be safe?

It’s frustrating.

Every other day, it seems like there’s a new recall, a report about contaminated produce, or some viral video exposing filthy restaurant kitchens and expired food being served to paying customers. People are cutting corners to save money or turn a bigger profit—and unfortunately, it’s happening at the cost of our health.

I can’t even count how many times I’ve walked out of a restaurant disappointed. The food didn’t look like the picture. It tasted off. The presentation was sloppy. And let’s be real—they don’t care. Once you walk out that door, most of these places aren’t thinking about your well-being. To them, you’re just another transaction.

That’s why I’ve decided: no one is going to take better care of me and my family than I will.

So what do we do? We take control where we can. For me, that means cooking at home more often.

Is it a little more effort? Sure. But it also gives me peace of mind.

• I know where my food came from.
• I know it’s cooked to the right temperature.
• I can season it how I like and clean it how I feel comfortable.

Let’s talk about that for a second—cleaning meat. There’s a lot of back and forth about whether or not to rinse poultry before cooking. Some say it’s unnecessary or even unsafe, but for me? It just feels right. I usually rinse my chicken in cold water, soak it in vinegar and water, then rinse it again. Some people prefer lemon juice, and hey—whatever works for you. I’m just not throwing unwashed chicken into my pan and calling it a day. That’s not happening over here.

The same goes for fruits and veggies. I either use a produce wash, or if I’m out, I go for vinegar and water or baking soda and water. And can we please stop grabbing unwashed fruit from the store to snack on while shopping? 😅 That’s like playing Russian roulette with your gut health. You don’t know who picked that produce, how it was handled, or where it’s been. Wash it, friends!

I know we can’t prevent everything, but there are so many small things we can do to protect ourselves and our families. So this week’s focus?

✅ Be intentional with your food.

Take a little more time to wash your produce, clean your meat, and cook at home whenever you can. You’ll save money, reduce risk, and probably eat something that actually tastes better too.

Let’s protect our health, one plate at a time. 🥗🍓🍗

Have you found any good at-home cooking hacks lately? Or had a restaurant experience that made you say, “Never again”? Let’s talk about it.

Stay safe and eat smart!