Thursday, January 8, 2026 9:04:21 AM

Over 5 years ago I was on a path of living a debt free, a holistic and hybrid-prepping lifestyle but then I got a divorce and started struggling financially. After a period of regrouping I went on a “because I can” spending spree and now I have more debt than I care to admit to. In addition, I had been not taking my health as seriously as I should; I sort-of did what I should do but not really. I am getting older and my body reminds me daily that I may physically decline or I can do something to improve.
Last year I realized I had to stop using the credit cards(sss), extra ‘esses” because of the number of cards I had, and pay cash for whatever I purchased. I also signed up for MONARCH, in lieu of “Mint”, to help me manage my money. I am still learning MONARCH but I do know how much debt I am in!
Last year I also started cutting back on processed foods. Then around Christmas, I went on a food bing and discovered how processed foods affected my body! It was days of me feeling sluggish before I realized it was the Cheetos, chocolate chip cookies and fast food that was doing me in! In addition because I have a slow digestive system, beef is not something I should eat often, if at all, but I ate Burger King hamburgers and steak made at home. Processed food and bio-engineered foods are not good for me or anyone else. The first step towards fixing a problem is admitting there is a problem, I have a discipline problem.

Last year I learned about bio-engineered foods. I was shocked. The following are the definitions of bio-engineered food and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) from Google Ai along with the differences.

Bio-engineered foods: Food with DNA altered using laboratory methods (like recombinant DNA technology) to introduce new traits, differing from natural variation or traditional cross-breeding.

GMO foods: A broad term for any organism (plant, animal, microbe) whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques, creating traits not found in nature.

The difference between bio-engineered and GMO
Terminology: As of January 1, 2022, U.S. law requires the term “bioengineered” or “contains bioengineered food ingredients” on labels instead of “GMO”.
Narrower Scope: The USDA’s definition of “bio-engineered” is more specific than the broad concept of a GMO. To be labeled “bioengineered,” a food must contain detectable genetic material that was modified through lab techniques (rDNA) and cannot be achieved through conventional breeding.
The “Detectable” Loophole: Many products derived from GMOs, such as highly refined oils (canola, soybean) or refined sugars (sugar beets), often do not carry a “bio-engineered” label because the refining process removes or degrades the DNA to undetectable levels.

Happy New Year! I have decided to reach back and remember the healthy habits I once had B.D. (before the divorce) and bring forward the good.

Philippians 4:8 (KJV)
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Maybe it is not “old school” per say but it is not what many people are doing now which is ignoring the realities of the garbage many eat and buying now and worrying about payment later. It’s called practical living, minimalist mindset, living below your means, simplifying your life or as they used to say: Not following the Jones’.

I started on this journey last year but I did not push myself hard enough, not physically hard but mentally. Because there are many enablers around me I am going to have to refocus and encourage myself .

1 Samuel 30:6 (KJV)
And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

Unlike David, no one wants to stone me but they do want me to live like the world does, because the soul of those individuals have a have it “now” mindset. I have decided to stop listening to those people!

I have 3 other blogs in which I will be elaborating on topics that I may mention here: BEYOND THE BOOKSTORE, this is where I post book reviews and video reviews; MARSHA SEWS grows and cooks,
this is where I chronicle m crafting activities; and CONVERSATIONS ABOUT FAITH, this is where I share my thoughts on the Word of God, a type of Bible Study but not really. For at least the next few weeks I will be elaborating on this idea of going old school and why I think everyone needs to go back to basics.
What are your thoughts? Please comment, I really want to know.

Written by Marsha L Floyd
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED