"How to switch to healthier food if there's precious little affordable and close by?" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ask the mayor, community leaders and other "activists" who resisted and squashed efforts by Wal-mart to open a grocercy store in Roxbury. They would have provided, fresh, low-cost healthier food options in a safe, clean environment. Instead poor urban residents are left to shop for unhealthy food at the very places the opponents of Wal-Mart sought to protect.

It's real easy for so many of us to say "just eat healthy and exercise". The reality for many is that is not an option either because where they live is not safe to walk, bike, or play outside (particularly for young children) and/or the grocery choices are not available. Hats off to Teneka Williams for making a real effort (and results to show) for her daughter!! Instead of building another fast food restaurant how about some decent grocery stores. Growing healthy people is far more profitable than having some fast food chain increasing their earnings by xyz% We have an abundance of healthy food in this country; there is absolutely no excuse for that to be withheld from people because they have less income. And, we all need to turn off the televisions and computers for the majority of the day!

Actually, although I do admire this mother and family for their efforts, I have little sympathy for excuses. It doesn't take much to cook brown rice: do other things in the kitchen while it is cooking. I start the brown rice first and move onto the myriad other tasks in the kitchen or elsewhere and turn back to the brown rice 45 or 60 minutes later when it is done. And make enough for a few days, that's all. I have long days with much to do, too. And I, too, live near a store that has cookies, ice cream, candies, chips and all of that and have to hoof it by car or a long walk to get fresh veggies and fish. So do most of us! I don't like her excuses. If she can't afford to buy fresh veggies and healthy foods well then why did she have kids? C'mon! I live on a very modest household income, comparable to hers, too.