The Good Life

Sorry for the lack of photos thus far. I haven't been coming across any inspirational knits as of late. But rather I think it is far more interesting to reflect on my "new lifestyle" for the time being.
So today I got the book, Jamie At Home, Jamie Oliver's latest book (not yet available in North America, the last time I checked). I am a fan of his, but have to admit, I've never bought a book of his before. But now that I am living on my own for the first time, I'm going to have to cook! The subtitle says "Cook Your Way to the Good Life". That caught my attention at the bookstore. Later at home, when I read the intro, this phrase was referring to the fact that Jamie grew up watch a show called The Good Life; about a relatively poor couple that grew everything in their garden, but were content, and their neighbor, a posh couple that had everything, but were not happy. He pointed out that everyone aspires to be like the couple that has less. He then went on to talk about "luxurience", experience as being a form of luxury that money can't buy.
While I am away from home, I am a student again after 4 years from finishing college. My budget is limited, but I have concluded that I want it all. I want to eat healthy (all organic if possible), and I want to still be posh, but not a snob in the elitist sense. And of course I want to be happy. Is this possible? I hope so, I am attempting to be.
About being Healthy...
If you ever wanted to lose inches off your waist- really fast, I suggest moving to a city with many steep hills like where I am, Brighton. Walk to the market, get the groceries and climb up the hills to get home. I swear, I have lost the fat I gained from eating at my relatives' house and then some. I have also chosen not to eat out, unless I have been asked out. I buy fresh items to prepare myself rather than the almost ready to eat frozen foods (I hate microwave food, expensive and hardly tasty). This way of eating also lends to saving money, which can facilitate my wanting to be posh.
About being Posh...
After staying over at my extended families, I have realized how much I hate the scent of synthetic fragrances. I hate plug in air fresheners, and I hate the strong smell of laundry detergent. I was going to just buy shampoo at the drug store, but that turned into a splurge at SpaceNK, when I spent 15 pounds on a bottle of Kiehl's shampoo! Mind you, it smalls incredible (in the natural sense), and is gentle to use. Am I mad? It's going to come out at about $30 US! I hope my mother never reads this! I feel that this purchase can be written off if I just don't eat out or buy some other ridiculous thing I don't need.
I think being posh is about taking pleasure in the experience of everyday things, not necessarily spending a lot (not all the time at least!)
About being Happy...
I think, therefore I am, right? I keep coming back to the personal development course I took back in college. In Buddhist teachings, it says that your own suffering comes from within, I think this is very true in life. Some people like to dwell on the less perfect aspects of their lives and blow it up to extremes. They don't want to change, so they blame others. I propose that if you are not happy, perhaps it is time to consider a change from within? Sometimes a change from within. It can mean a change of environment too. This year, I started a new chapter of my life in a city that is new to me. So far, I like it.