Twelve weeks ago I decided to make a change regarding my health, consumption, and understanding of food in general. Of course I wanted to lose weight, look healthier, and feel better but I also wanted to make a change for the future. I want to be healthy for my husband and our future children. The likelihood of a child being overweight or obese is 80% greater if their parents are. My mother was overweight most of her life, and I have been as well.
Through this push for healthy choices, weight loss, and planning for children in the future I began to wonder about where my food was coming from especially that which I didn’t prepare, or that was prepackaged or served at restaurants. I then discovered the Slow Food movement, Cornivores vs. Herbivores, and the overall demise of human connection with soil. Who knows where their food comes from anymore? Luckily I was brought up with a love for food from the earth, traditional family meals, and a pretty strong disdain for foods that are processed so I feel like I have a head start. But the truth is that the majority of food we consume as Americans is owned by 4 or 5 companies, corn-fed, and promoting obesity.
I am currently reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle which is so inspiring, informative, and shocking all at the same time. I also just watched Food, Inc. for the first time, and am even more focused on continuing my decision to make the right choices in regards to food production, health and traditions both for myself, family, and our world.
Reading about Polyface, Inc. farm made me cry a bit. I feel so strongly about this - it’s like a deep rooted connection I can’t yet articulate. But I know I can make a difference…little by little.
Here is a list from the Food, Inc website of 10 simple ways we can all change our food system. I don’t yet do all of them, but I’m committed.
1. Stop drinking sodas and other sweetened beverages.
2. Eat at home instead of eating out.
3. Support the passage of laws requiring chain restaurants to post calorie information on menus and menu boards.
4. Tell schools to stop selling sodas, junk food, and sports drinks.
5. Meatless Mondays—Go without meat one day a week.
6. Buy organic or sustainable food with little or no pesticides.
7. Protect family farms; visit your local farmer’s market.
8. Make a point to know where your food comes from—READ LABELS.
9. Tell Congress that food safety is important to you.
10. Demand job protections for farm workers and food processors, ensuring fair wages and other protections.
My next step is to look into supporting local farmers and agriculture. During the summer months I frequent our farmer’s market three or so times, but I should be doing this more often. The Green City Market in Chicago opens its outdoor market May 12th - I am committing to shopping for my vegetables and fruits in season and here as much as I possibly can this year. They also have a lot of volunteer opportunities, too!
