One big question I've had in the back of my mind as I've been doing all this learning is how far I go with this. I mean, I learned pretty quickly that organic food is better for our environment and our health in numerous ways and that eating locally when possible only deepens the benefit. I made some changes to my buying habits and our diet that reflect that new learning, but all the while, I've been keeping in mind all the other issues that go along with eating consciously. I just don't know how much I want to pursue them!
For example, the movie Food Inc. raises all sorts of issues about eating, including GMOs and agribusiness, food safety, and the safety of those working in fields and processing plants. I'm now reading the companion book to that film, also called Food Inc., and those issues are being brought up again and again. It's making me realize how much we vote with our forks, and I hate that I've been 'voting' unconsciously all these years. There was a powerful quote from Eric Schlosser, author of Fast Food Nation in the first essay: "I don't see any point in having heirloom, organic tomatoes if they're harvested by slave labor." That really struck me.
Of course, I have a lot more learning to do as I go along, about businesses and their practices. I want to make sure I'm making the right vote with my fork as well as making the right decisions for my family. Who knew that the simple act of eating could be so complicated? So I guess I'm back to the chaos from the clarity. It's not quite as simple as "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.", huh?
One thing that might help is that the FDA has issued draft guidelines for limiting antibiotic use in animals that are to be eaten. This is a huge step in the right direction!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
What I've been eating lately
I got very absorbed in my first week of summer and managed to barely post! Part of my absorption, though, has been taking care of things around the house which includes cooking and eating good things!
I went to Trader Joe's last week to pick up just a few things for the recipes I was planning on cooking, but, as always, left with more than I planned! Their fruit just looked so good that I ended up getting grapes, strawberries, and blueberries. Add to that the cantaloupe, peaches, and pluots that came in my Full Circle Farm box, and I've been enjoying lots of sweet treats. I made a fruit salad and then demolished it in less than a day! Hot weather makes that cool, sweet mixture just call out to me.
In the last couple of weeks, I made the Veggie Burgers from The Great American Detox Diet, the Crunchy Chicken Salad Wraps from Weight Watchers, and a Kale and Bell Pepper Strudel from the Moosewood cookbook, all delicious. The strudel is a bit misnamed, I think, since it uses filo dough and looks much more like spanikopita. It was relatively easy to make, even with never having used filo before, and it was quite good. I actually had leftovers from that tonight. I coupled it with some Moroccan Roasted Veggies over bulghur from the Moosewood cookbook, which was delicious. Add some fresh cantaloupe, and it was a great dinner!
One thing I've been struggling with and know that I will continue to this summer is all the celebrations and cookouts that come along with it. I agree with the commenter "Uncle Paulie" that said that you sometimes have to give into those cravings and really just enjoy what's in front of you. The problem is, I seem to crave it all and give into all of it! I tend to equate food with relaxation and celebrating, and need to be really mindful of that. It's an ongoing process, you know?
I am managing to be really slow in my reading which is very unusual for me, and so had to return In Defense of Food to the library. I'll put it back on my hold list and see when I get it. I also picked up Food Inc., which is evidently a collection of essays that are a companion to the movie. I'll let you know what I learn!
I went to Trader Joe's last week to pick up just a few things for the recipes I was planning on cooking, but, as always, left with more than I planned! Their fruit just looked so good that I ended up getting grapes, strawberries, and blueberries. Add to that the cantaloupe, peaches, and pluots that came in my Full Circle Farm box, and I've been enjoying lots of sweet treats. I made a fruit salad and then demolished it in less than a day! Hot weather makes that cool, sweet mixture just call out to me.
In the last couple of weeks, I made the Veggie Burgers from The Great American Detox Diet, the Crunchy Chicken Salad Wraps from Weight Watchers, and a Kale and Bell Pepper Strudel from the Moosewood cookbook, all delicious. The strudel is a bit misnamed, I think, since it uses filo dough and looks much more like spanikopita. It was relatively easy to make, even with never having used filo before, and it was quite good. I actually had leftovers from that tonight. I coupled it with some Moroccan Roasted Veggies over bulghur from the Moosewood cookbook, which was delicious. Add some fresh cantaloupe, and it was a great dinner!
 |
| From Drop Box |
One thing I've been struggling with and know that I will continue to this summer is all the celebrations and cookouts that come along with it. I agree with the commenter "Uncle Paulie" that said that you sometimes have to give into those cravings and really just enjoy what's in front of you. The problem is, I seem to crave it all and give into all of it! I tend to equate food with relaxation and celebrating, and need to be really mindful of that. It's an ongoing process, you know?
I am managing to be really slow in my reading which is very unusual for me, and so had to return In Defense of Food to the library. I'll put it back on my hold list and see when I get it. I also picked up Food Inc., which is evidently a collection of essays that are a companion to the movie. I'll let you know what I learn!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
The state of nutritionism
I was reading Michael Pollan's book In Defense of Food last night and read something that really resonated with me. It's in the chapter that's talking about "nutritionism", how since the late 1970s, the U.S.'s food policy and the scientists that help create it views food as the sum of its various parts, or as the parts itself. How often do you see the words protein, carbs, and/or fats on the front of a food package? Those words are as critical as the pretty colors or the happy mascot to our buying, it seems.
The quote that really made me think is from Harvey Levenstein, that for the last century "...taste is not a true guide to what should be eaten; that one should not simply eat what one enjoys; that the important components of foods cannot be seen or tasted, but are discernible only in scientific laboratories; and that experimental science has produced rules of nutrition which will prevent illness and encourage longevity." It's like we Americans think that we need others to tell us how we should eat. Ridiculous! I for one want to eat what is enjoyable and the things that I know are good for me. I'm glad I'm doing all this learning, but I'm finding that I know more about what's good and what's bad than I thought. The hard work is just sticking with that!
Today when I was on the treadmill at the gym, a local tv show was airing a profile of Dave of Dave's Killer Bread. I've always seen Dave's Killer Bread at Costco and was able to try some at a friend's party, but never really thought about buying it. It's a little spendier than the others out there and I thought the brands I was buying were just fine. After seeing the profile today, though, and learning a little more about the products, I'm sold.
It turns out that Dave was in prison several times over the years for armed robbery and assault, amongst other things. He turned his life around and took up his father's trade, which was baking. He now makes these amazing breads that are all organic with as few ingredients as possible. Not only that, but they strive to make the breads in a sustainable way. The next time I buy bread, that's what I'm getting!
The quote that really made me think is from Harvey Levenstein, that for the last century "...taste is not a true guide to what should be eaten; that one should not simply eat what one enjoys; that the important components of foods cannot be seen or tasted, but are discernible only in scientific laboratories; and that experimental science has produced rules of nutrition which will prevent illness and encourage longevity." It's like we Americans think that we need others to tell us how we should eat. Ridiculous! I for one want to eat what is enjoyable and the things that I know are good for me. I'm glad I'm doing all this learning, but I'm finding that I know more about what's good and what's bad than I thought. The hard work is just sticking with that!
Today when I was on the treadmill at the gym, a local tv show was airing a profile of Dave of Dave's Killer Bread. I've always seen Dave's Killer Bread at Costco and was able to try some at a friend's party, but never really thought about buying it. It's a little spendier than the others out there and I thought the brands I was buying were just fine. After seeing the profile today, though, and learning a little more about the products, I'm sold.
It turns out that Dave was in prison several times over the years for armed robbery and assault, amongst other things. He turned his life around and took up his father's trade, which was baking. He now makes these amazing breads that are all organic with as few ingredients as possible. Not only that, but they strive to make the breads in a sustainable way. The next time I buy bread, that's what I'm getting!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Chaos, then clarity
So my work year doesn't officially end until tomorrow (with 10 days worked in over the summer), but I have my sanity in enough check now to surface and post. It's amazing how a little fuller schedule can knock you off track!
I have to admit, part of my drowny feeling was due to all the reading and learning I'm doing. It just seems that the more I know, the more I worry about what I'm eating, the more I try to do about it, and the more overwhelmed I feel. Organic? Local? Vegetarian? Grass-fed beef? It's so much. I really identified with this post by my favorite blogger (warning: a little profanity and a lot of funny). Basically, I get on this empowered high and want to make and eat everything just perfectly, but that's exhausting and my resolve and energy start to crack, and then I find myself eating Hershey's All-Corn-Syrup Chocolate Nibs alone in the closet.
Okay, so not that last part, but you get what I mean. It's a lot to take in.
I found some clarity this week, though, when I picked up Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto (what's with the manifestos and the food movement?) at the library. I haven't gotten too far into the book just yet (I keep falling asleep again), but the simplicity of his message is really resonating with me: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.
The gist of his argument is so far is that scientists and food marketers have made eating much more complicated than it needs to be over time. That the discovery of the micronutrients such as carbohydrates, protein, and fats led to people focusing on one more than the others at certain points in time and calling them out either as the enemy or our friends. South Beach Diet, anyone? He says we've gotten ourselves to the point where we're relying on those scientists, food marketers, and the occasional nutritionist to tell us what to eat when it's really quite simple: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. His argument is that if we will surround ourselves with great fruits and vegetables and other whole foods and try to prepare things our grandmothers would recognize, we'll be a lot better off.
I can buy that. (Literally.) It made me feel a lot more clear on what I need to do and what I need to focus on, and I think I can continue this. Whew.
A couple of resources for you:
I saw this extraordinary video on the Organic Authority feed on Facebook and just have to share it.
Also through Organic Authority, I found a link to the Environmental Working Group's top sunscreen recommendations. Totally no shock here, but it turns out that many sunscreens either don't protect you well or have harmful stuff in them, or both. Great. So, check out their recommendations. I've never heard of 90% of them, but I'm definitely going to check them out with my fair-skinned crew heading to the beach next month!
I have to admit, part of my drowny feeling was due to all the reading and learning I'm doing. It just seems that the more I know, the more I worry about what I'm eating, the more I try to do about it, and the more overwhelmed I feel. Organic? Local? Vegetarian? Grass-fed beef? It's so much. I really identified with this post by my favorite blogger (warning: a little profanity and a lot of funny). Basically, I get on this empowered high and want to make and eat everything just perfectly, but that's exhausting and my resolve and energy start to crack, and then I find myself eating Hershey's All-Corn-Syrup Chocolate Nibs alone in the closet.
Okay, so not that last part, but you get what I mean. It's a lot to take in.
I found some clarity this week, though, when I picked up Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto (what's with the manifestos and the food movement?) at the library. I haven't gotten too far into the book just yet (I keep falling asleep again), but the simplicity of his message is really resonating with me: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.
The gist of his argument is so far is that scientists and food marketers have made eating much more complicated than it needs to be over time. That the discovery of the micronutrients such as carbohydrates, protein, and fats led to people focusing on one more than the others at certain points in time and calling them out either as the enemy or our friends. South Beach Diet, anyone? He says we've gotten ourselves to the point where we're relying on those scientists, food marketers, and the occasional nutritionist to tell us what to eat when it's really quite simple: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. His argument is that if we will surround ourselves with great fruits and vegetables and other whole foods and try to prepare things our grandmothers would recognize, we'll be a lot better off.
I can buy that. (Literally.) It made me feel a lot more clear on what I need to do and what I need to focus on, and I think I can continue this. Whew.
A couple of resources for you:
I saw this extraordinary video on the Organic Authority feed on Facebook and just have to share it.
Also through Organic Authority, I found a link to the Environmental Working Group's top sunscreen recommendations. Totally no shock here, but it turns out that many sunscreens either don't protect you well or have harmful stuff in them, or both. Great. So, check out their recommendations. I've never heard of 90% of them, but I'm definitely going to check them out with my fair-skinned crew heading to the beach next month!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
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In the tradition of the last week of school, I'm crazy busy with work and for some reason, all sorts of after-work activities. Things like going to the vet, I mean, not anything fun like drinks with friends.
Anyway, I just don't have the energy to post coherently at this point, and I don't even really have the energy to gather links to post. So, I'm going to take a break for a day or two, do some reading, and get back to you.
Cheers!
Anyway, I just don't have the energy to post coherently at this point, and I don't even really have the energy to gather links to post. So, I'm going to take a break for a day or two, do some reading, and get back to you.
Cheers!
Friday, June 11, 2010
My Chemical Past
No, this isn't some rehab tale. Anyone who's met me knows I'm too square for anything of the sort. Like I've been saying, I've found my interests in learning about our food have been a sort of springboard into learning more about the way we live and how that affects the environment. Diving into the deep end, so to speak.
One thing I'm learning is just how much the companies that bring us all the products we just must have are polluting the earth. The BP oil spill disaster aside, it seems like every day there's a story in the news about a company paying fines of some sort or lobbying against regulation. And speaking of regulation, it's appalling how little regulation there is and how the EPA and other agencies really have no ability to stop many dangerous practices. I fear what we're doing to the world we're passing onto our children.
This especially hit home for me this week when I was doing some genealogy research. It turns out that much of my mother's side of the family worked for DuPont, the chemical corporation. Same for my paternal grandfather. They worked in various positions in the mills from the early 1900s to the late 1980s. DuPont is one of the big bad polluters I was speaking about above: it has been named in numerous lawsuits about pollution over the years. Searching for "dupont pollution" on Google brings back 865,000 results. Now, none of my family were in the R&D area and I certainly can't fault them for taking what at the time were very good jobs, but I have to admit it rankles a bit. Here I am trying to create a cleaner world for myself and my family, and my family history is intertwined with one of the worst polluters! Not that we knew then what we know now, but...
One concrete step I can take is to try to eliminate the use of unsafe chemicals in our home. I found this list today on the Rodale site that's a good starting place. I need to take a look at our antibacterial products first and then move on to the cleaners. The hard thing is that there's no way Jeremy would ever let me get rid of them, but I can certainly have alternatives in place when those run out. Does anyone have any favorite, good-for-the-Earth commercial cleaners or homemade recipes they love?
I'm also still thinking about alternatives to products that contain BPA, especially given this story about the prevalence of BPA in canned foods. Eden foods has cans that don't use BPA. I'd like to find them in stores so I don't have to order online. Another job for this summer!
On a non-chemical note, I have been a paragon of eating this week. Part of my success has been due to the cold turkey approach I've taken to sugar. I've realized that sugar is my gateway drug: once I have a little sugar, I'm likely to binge on other things. Another reason for my success is having a whole boxload of fresh veggies that need to be used immediately or they'll go bad! Funny how motivating that is. Finally, I'm motivated by the fact that I've been working with a trainer starting this week. I don't want my eating to undo that hard work. And, boy, has it been hard work. I thought I was in good shape, but apparently not so much!
One thing I'm learning is just how much the companies that bring us all the products we just must have are polluting the earth. The BP oil spill disaster aside, it seems like every day there's a story in the news about a company paying fines of some sort or lobbying against regulation. And speaking of regulation, it's appalling how little regulation there is and how the EPA and other agencies really have no ability to stop many dangerous practices. I fear what we're doing to the world we're passing onto our children.
This especially hit home for me this week when I was doing some genealogy research. It turns out that much of my mother's side of the family worked for DuPont, the chemical corporation. Same for my paternal grandfather. They worked in various positions in the mills from the early 1900s to the late 1980s. DuPont is one of the big bad polluters I was speaking about above: it has been named in numerous lawsuits about pollution over the years. Searching for "dupont pollution" on Google brings back 865,000 results. Now, none of my family were in the R&D area and I certainly can't fault them for taking what at the time were very good jobs, but I have to admit it rankles a bit. Here I am trying to create a cleaner world for myself and my family, and my family history is intertwined with one of the worst polluters! Not that we knew then what we know now, but...
One concrete step I can take is to try to eliminate the use of unsafe chemicals in our home. I found this list today on the Rodale site that's a good starting place. I need to take a look at our antibacterial products first and then move on to the cleaners. The hard thing is that there's no way Jeremy would ever let me get rid of them, but I can certainly have alternatives in place when those run out. Does anyone have any favorite, good-for-the-Earth commercial cleaners or homemade recipes they love?
I'm also still thinking about alternatives to products that contain BPA, especially given this story about the prevalence of BPA in canned foods. Eden foods has cans that don't use BPA. I'd like to find them in stores so I don't have to order online. Another job for this summer!
On a non-chemical note, I have been a paragon of eating this week. Part of my success has been due to the cold turkey approach I've taken to sugar. I've realized that sugar is my gateway drug: once I have a little sugar, I'm likely to binge on other things. Another reason for my success is having a whole boxload of fresh veggies that need to be used immediately or they'll go bad! Funny how motivating that is. Finally, I'm motivated by the fact that I've been working with a trainer starting this week. I don't want my eating to undo that hard work. And, boy, has it been hard work. I thought I was in good shape, but apparently not so much!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Cold Turkey
As I've wavered in my resolve to avoid things that I know are bad for me, I've definitely discovered that I have next to no willpower when it comes to sweets. Especially chocolate and very especially chocolate ice cream. I've tried to eat them in moderation, but just can't seem to. I have a bite of something sweet and suddenly I'm craving, and indulging in, more. So, back to avoiding refined sugars again. It wasn't that hard before, and I just need to stick with it.
Tonight for dinner we had the Hearty Vegetarian Stew from the Weight Watchers Turn Around cookbook. This is one of our old favorites: it's so easy and delicious. It's #19 here.
I paired it, sort of randomly, with a curried quinoa from the Moosewood cookbook.
Very easy to make, and quite tasty. The second Jeremy tried it, he said it reminded him of biryani, and I agree!
Tonight for dinner we had the Hearty Vegetarian Stew from the Weight Watchers Turn Around cookbook. This is one of our old favorites: it's so easy and delicious. It's #19 here.
 |
| From Drop Box |
I paired it, sort of randomly, with a curried quinoa from the Moosewood cookbook.
Very easy to make, and quite tasty. The second Jeremy tried it, he said it reminded him of biryani, and I agree!
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| From Drop Box |
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Food Movement, Rising
I found this fantastic article about the rise of the "food movement" in recent years. The gist of it is a history of the food movement and some of the issues it faces today. I've been doing all this reading, and here it is, all summed up in one article!
A couple of interesting facts:
-"Americans spend a smaller percentage of their income on food than any people in history—slightly less than 10 percent—and a smaller amount of their time preparing it: a mere thirty-one minutes a day on average, including clean-up."
-"...the “hunger lobby” (those concerned about hunger and poverty) has traditionally supported farm subsidies in exchange for the farm lobby’s support of nutrition programs, a marriage of convenience dating to the 1960s that vastly complicates reform of the farm bill—a top priority for the food movement. "
It's an interesting read and would be a good primer for anyone trying to understand the movement as a whole.
As a follow-up to something I posted a few days ago: I found this article about health fraud in labeling. Several prominent food companies are called out for promising health effects that their foods don't deliver. This just goes back to my frustration that those that are supposed to be watching out for us, namely the FDA and USDA, aren't.
You may notice that I'm talking a lot here about the food movement in general and not so much about my own eating. Sigh. Let's just say that I understand how people get caught up in the convenience foods. I've been eating better than most, for sure, but haven't been cooking as much as I'd like. It's tough right now, with my busy work schedule. I'll be out of school on June 21st and I will be much better about all of this then. I need to find ways of balancing things and eating better when times are crazy; it'll come in time, I guess. I have some good things I'm planning on cooking this week, so I'll post pictures.
A couple of interesting facts:
-"Americans spend a smaller percentage of their income on food than any people in history—slightly less than 10 percent—and a smaller amount of their time preparing it: a mere thirty-one minutes a day on average, including clean-up."
-"...the “hunger lobby” (those concerned about hunger and poverty) has traditionally supported farm subsidies in exchange for the farm lobby’s support of nutrition programs, a marriage of convenience dating to the 1960s that vastly complicates reform of the farm bill—a top priority for the food movement. "
It's an interesting read and would be a good primer for anyone trying to understand the movement as a whole.
As a follow-up to something I posted a few days ago: I found this article about health fraud in labeling. Several prominent food companies are called out for promising health effects that their foods don't deliver. This just goes back to my frustration that those that are supposed to be watching out for us, namely the FDA and USDA, aren't.
You may notice that I'm talking a lot here about the food movement in general and not so much about my own eating. Sigh. Let's just say that I understand how people get caught up in the convenience foods. I've been eating better than most, for sure, but haven't been cooking as much as I'd like. It's tough right now, with my busy work schedule. I'll be out of school on June 21st and I will be much better about all of this then. I need to find ways of balancing things and eating better when times are crazy; it'll come in time, I guess. I have some good things I'm planning on cooking this week, so I'll post pictures.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
More about organics
I get a Runner's World digest in my email every week; I love their stories on nutrition and their training tips. I thought it was fitting that the top link I received today was 5 Reasons to Go Organic. It's written by Maria Rodale, author of Organic Manifesto.
The article goes into much more depth, but the 5 suggestions are:
1. Eat Nutrients, Not Toxins - I especially found this quote interesting: "They found far fewer chemicals in the children's urine the same day they switched to an organic diet—and a return to high levels when they went back to a chemical diet."
2. Protect Your Body - Did you realize that arsenic is commonly used in pesticides? I didn't! Yikes!
3. Get Plenty of Protein - This we knew, but it's emphasizing the fact that grass-fed, humanely treated animals are out there.
4. Solve the Climate Crisis - I thought this was unsurprising, but interesting: "In a study commissioned by PepsiCo, an independent researcher found the most significant component of the carbon footprint for Tropicana orange juice (a PepsiCo product) wasn't transportation or manufacturing, but "production and application of fertilizers."
5. Enjoy the Taste - Again, something we knew, but organic does not equal bland. In fact, I'm finding the taste to be better with organic fruits and veggies!
The below was posted at the bottom of the article and I thought it was really important:
What's Organic, Anyway?
How to decode the claims on food labels
By Joanna Sayago Golub
100 PERCENT ORGANIC
Must contain only organically produced ingredients and processing aids. These foods can carry the USDA Organic seal.
ORGANIC
Must contain at least 95 percent organically produced ingredients (remaining ingredients must be approved). Can also carry the USDA Organic seal.
MADE WITH ORGANIC INGREDIENTS
Processed products that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients. Will not have the USDA Organic seal.
NATURAL
Term often refers to food without artificial ingredients or preservatives, but (aside from poultry and meat) no official standards legally define it.
As a follow-up to the study I posted recently about more obese shoppers shopping at the cheaper chain store like Albertson's, I wanted to share this blog post. I think the author makes a good point about people needing not only the time but the skills to be able to cook good, whole foods. I was also pleasantly surprised at the intelligence of the commenters as relative to many of the comments I see on others sites. There are some pretty diverse views there, and I saw a few that were pretty interesting. I have a feeling that this will be something for which there is no easy answer, but it's good that people are thinking about it.
The article goes into much more depth, but the 5 suggestions are:
1. Eat Nutrients, Not Toxins - I especially found this quote interesting: "They found far fewer chemicals in the children's urine the same day they switched to an organic diet—and a return to high levels when they went back to a chemical diet."
2. Protect Your Body - Did you realize that arsenic is commonly used in pesticides? I didn't! Yikes!
3. Get Plenty of Protein - This we knew, but it's emphasizing the fact that grass-fed, humanely treated animals are out there.
4. Solve the Climate Crisis - I thought this was unsurprising, but interesting: "In a study commissioned by PepsiCo, an independent researcher found the most significant component of the carbon footprint for Tropicana orange juice (a PepsiCo product) wasn't transportation or manufacturing, but "production and application of fertilizers."
5. Enjoy the Taste - Again, something we knew, but organic does not equal bland. In fact, I'm finding the taste to be better with organic fruits and veggies!
The below was posted at the bottom of the article and I thought it was really important:
What's Organic, Anyway?
How to decode the claims on food labels
By Joanna Sayago Golub
100 PERCENT ORGANIC
Must contain only organically produced ingredients and processing aids. These foods can carry the USDA Organic seal.
ORGANIC
Must contain at least 95 percent organically produced ingredients (remaining ingredients must be approved). Can also carry the USDA Organic seal.
MADE WITH ORGANIC INGREDIENTS
Processed products that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients. Will not have the USDA Organic seal.
NATURAL
Term often refers to food without artificial ingredients or preservatives, but (aside from poultry and meat) no official standards legally define it.
As a follow-up to the study I posted recently about more obese shoppers shopping at the cheaper chain store like Albertson's, I wanted to share this blog post. I think the author makes a good point about people needing not only the time but the skills to be able to cook good, whole foods. I was also pleasantly surprised at the intelligence of the commenters as relative to many of the comments I see on others sites. There are some pretty diverse views there, and I saw a few that were pretty interesting. I have a feeling that this will be something for which there is no easy answer, but it's good that people are thinking about it.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Now that's just gross!
I pretty much have a cast-iron stomach and seem to be immune to most gross-out types of things. I dissected cats in Anatomy lab no problem, and happily watch programs on the Body Farm and other gross delights, usually while eating something. Suffice it to say I have a pretty high tolerance for the gross.
Last night, though, I read something that really, truly grossed me out. So much so that I swear my stomach actually turned over in disgust. Where did I find this gem of a fact? Organic Manifesto. Ready for it?
It comes from a section describing the cycle of chemical farming and how so many farmers end up in a cycle of debt with poorer and poorer soil quality and eventually smaller yields. Coming from a family of farmers, this made me quite sad. Even farmers that want to go organic can't, because it's too expensive to break the cycle of debt and difficult to break the relationship with Monsanto and/or Cargill, the companies that create the GMOs and the weedkillers that farmers need. Add to that that it takes 3 years to purify the soil to become certified organic, and most farmers don't do it. No wonder there aren't organic farms popping up more often!
That's not the gross part, though. That comes in a section about the products of the chemical farming, including the food itself and the waste from the farm. Are you ready for this?
"Most farm waste (including dead animals) is fed to animals or sold for fuel. Some farmers fertilize their fields with sewage sludge, or municipal waste. It contains human waste, which is contaminated by pharmaceutical drugs and cleaning supplies that have literally been flushed down the toilet, as well as industrial waste."
!!!
I swear, every unwashed grape or other bit of produce I have even eaten flashed through my mind in that moment. Why in the world is this okay? Why are we not only intentionally putting chemicals on our food, but growing them in human waste that contains other nasties? Is this some subconscious masochist trend we have going on? Because it seems to be working.
This latest nugget just once again reaffirmed my belief in eating organic. I need to know where my food is coming from and in what it was grown. The health benefits are great, sure, but it's the control freak in me that needs to be watching over what my family is putting in its mouths. I've abdicated responsibility too long and I need to wrest that control back.
This whole food business has gotten me thinking in a larger sense about how we're living and how we can be better stewards of the earth and of our bodies. I saw this article today about alternative food containers and I love them! I'm kind of an organization nut anyway, and these all look so pretty and neat. I've been suspicious of our Gladware for a while (even though it's better) and I think when that wears out, I may need to buy some of these.
In the comments section of that blog, there's a link to another blog with a wider look at living green. The quote “If every household in the U.S. replaced just one bottle of 100 oz. petroleum-based liquid laundry detergent with our 100 oz. vegetable-based product, we could save 460,000 barrels of oil, enough to heat and cool 27,000 U.S. homes for a year” really gave me pause.
Last night, though, I read something that really, truly grossed me out. So much so that I swear my stomach actually turned over in disgust. Where did I find this gem of a fact? Organic Manifesto. Ready for it?
It comes from a section describing the cycle of chemical farming and how so many farmers end up in a cycle of debt with poorer and poorer soil quality and eventually smaller yields. Coming from a family of farmers, this made me quite sad. Even farmers that want to go organic can't, because it's too expensive to break the cycle of debt and difficult to break the relationship with Monsanto and/or Cargill, the companies that create the GMOs and the weedkillers that farmers need. Add to that that it takes 3 years to purify the soil to become certified organic, and most farmers don't do it. No wonder there aren't organic farms popping up more often!
That's not the gross part, though. That comes in a section about the products of the chemical farming, including the food itself and the waste from the farm. Are you ready for this?
"Most farm waste (including dead animals) is fed to animals or sold for fuel. Some farmers fertilize their fields with sewage sludge, or municipal waste. It contains human waste, which is contaminated by pharmaceutical drugs and cleaning supplies that have literally been flushed down the toilet, as well as industrial waste."
!!!
I swear, every unwashed grape or other bit of produce I have even eaten flashed through my mind in that moment. Why in the world is this okay? Why are we not only intentionally putting chemicals on our food, but growing them in human waste that contains other nasties? Is this some subconscious masochist trend we have going on? Because it seems to be working.
This latest nugget just once again reaffirmed my belief in eating organic. I need to know where my food is coming from and in what it was grown. The health benefits are great, sure, but it's the control freak in me that needs to be watching over what my family is putting in its mouths. I've abdicated responsibility too long and I need to wrest that control back.
This whole food business has gotten me thinking in a larger sense about how we're living and how we can be better stewards of the earth and of our bodies. I saw this article today about alternative food containers and I love them! I'm kind of an organization nut anyway, and these all look so pretty and neat. I've been suspicious of our Gladware for a while (even though it's better) and I think when that wears out, I may need to buy some of these.
In the comments section of that blog, there's a link to another blog with a wider look at living green. The quote “If every household in the U.S. replaced just one bottle of 100 oz. petroleum-based liquid laundry detergent with our 100 oz. vegetable-based product, we could save 460,000 barrels of oil, enough to heat and cool 27,000 U.S. homes for a year” really gave me pause.
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