Sometimes, I can’t help but marvel at how delicately balanced nature is. The most important things in life are often simple, unassuming, and affordable, while the expensive ones are not necessarily better. In fact, sometimes, they end up being harmful in the long run. Am I writing a philosophical post today? Not quite. Let me tell you what inspired this reflection. It all started with a picture.
I snapped the photo using my old-but-gold Samsung Galaxy Tab A (2016). It was the dinner I prepared a few days ago: boiled ripened plantain and sauced egg. On the outside, it looked simple and inexpensive, but it was incredibly rich in nutritional value. Perhaps one reason I called it “cheap” is because I didn’t buy the plantain. It came straight from one of the bunches I harvested from my garden just a few days earlier.
The eggs used for the sauce were laid by a free-ranging local hen. I spend absolutely nothing on feeding this hen since it roams freely, foraging for its food. The peppers and tomatoes I used also came from my garden. The only thing I purchased was the oil used to prepare the sauce. When I calculated the cost, the meal amounted to less than 20 cents. But nutritionally, it was worth far more than its monetary value.
A boiled plantain of about 180 grams provides roughly 218 calories, 57 grams of carbohydrates, and 3 grams of fiber. It’s also rich in potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin C. On the other hand, the egg sauce made with two eggs, tomatoes, onions, and a dash of oil adds about 240 to 300 calories, 14 grams of protein, and 18 to 20 grams of healthy fats. It also provides iron, vitamin D, and powerful antioxidants. Together, this humble meal delivers around 460 to 520 calories, offering a balanced combination of complex carbs, protein, fiber, and healthy fats. It’s ideal for boosting energy, supporting digestion, aiding muscle repair, and maintaining heart health.
What makes this meal even more special is that all the ingredients were 100% organic. The plantain, the eggs, the tomatoes, and the pepper, none of them had anything to do with agrochemicals, pesticides, or artificial fertilizers. That’s the beauty of homegrown food: you know exactly where it came from and what went into it. Compare this to today’s woke meals. highly processed, overpriced, and often full of preservatives and additives, the difference is simply striking. While many people spend a fortune on trendy foods that offer questionable nutritional benefits, this natural, homemade meal costs next to nothing and delivers so much more.
It’s funny how the simplest things are often the most valuable. In a world where fast food and convenience meals dominate, it’s refreshing to reconnect with the basics. There’s a quiet joy in consuming food that you grew or nurtured yourself. The plantain I harvested and the eggs from the free-ranging hen tell a story of sustainability, self-reliance, and gratitude. It’s a reminder that good food doesn’t have to harm the earth or your body.
The modern obsession with convenience often comes at a cost - financially, nutritionally, and environmentally. Processed alternatives may look appealing, but they rarely match nature’s offerings in terms of health benefits. Meanwhile, nature keeps providing us with everything we need if we are intentional and willing to embrace its abundance.
In a world where organic is marketed as a luxury, isn’t it fascinating to realize that simplicity holds the greatest value? What started as a quick, humble dinner has deepened my appreciation for the wisdom of nature and the balance it offers. Simple meals, like my boiled plantain and egg sauce, may not be flashy or expensive, but they nourish the body, mind, and soul in ways that modern, overpriced foods never can. Sometimes, less really is more.