Today I went plant shopping with my friend Tracy. Since my encounter with the movie Food Inc. I have completely changed how I view food in the supermarket and what I choose to serve my family.
Food Inc. is a documentary exposing the less than savory practices of the food industry. From meat processing to corn, the shocking truth about how chickens are raised and slaughtered, the mass processing plants for meat, the run off from cattle farms into vegetable crops carrying e-coli. All of this scared me into being a more contiencious consumer.
It isn't just becuase of this movie that I am changing the way I shop. It has been a progressive switch and for many reasons. I use my local butcher because he gives me what I need and the quality is superior. We are now buying farm fresh eggs because the eggs are bigger and you can see the difference in the yolk which is a dark orange rather than yellow. I also just found out today that a local apple orchard sells produce beyond just apples so I am going to go there first for my fruits and vegetables. I am also going to TRY to get to the farmer's market here in town but to be truthful it is very small and the selection is not good. Still I want to support local farmers so as I said I will give it a try.
This brings me to my next venture. For the past 2 years we have had a vegetable garden. It's been more of a hobby than anything else really but this year I would like it to become the primary source of our produce. We also have an enormous pear tree that gives us about 10 baskets every year. I may even plant a cherry tree this year. Eventually I would like to have our own chickens but I think my husband might have something to say about that. Perhaps when we are older and retire to the country, as we dream to do one day, I will be able to get a cow too!
In order to further the 'freshness' factor I started baking my own bread last week. I cheat a little and use the bread maker to do the mixing and rising but I still take the dough out and make buns or loaves. I don't find the bread maker does a nice job doing the final bake.
I don't know if it is old age or watching too much documentary television but I just feel a need to 'make' more of what we eat. Years ago we would have to work the land, grow our crops, reap what we sow and bake the bread. There was more of a sense of appreciation for the food we ate. Now we just jump into our car and head to the store.
There is so much waste in our society including our food and I think alot of that has to do with our sense that everything is disposable. If we had to work hard to make everything we eat and grow then maybe we would value it more. I know I have been guilty of wasting food in the past. I went through a phase where you couldn't see the back of my fridge either but that time has passed. I want to value the food I put on my plate and savour every morsel. I know all this sounds pretty pioneer-ish but if it makes me and my family healthier then slap a bonnet on my head and move me to Elmira with the Amish because I think they have the right idea. Work hard for what you have, support the community, provide for your own and you will thrive.
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