Food Inc.- Food for Thought
Over Christmas break, I finally got around to watching Food Inc. and last night I read this article about Monsanto’s GMO corn being linked to organ failure. If you haven’t seen Food Inc. I’d like to suggest you do. It’s powerful, thought provoking, and it might even change your perspective on food or make you think twice before cruising up to the drive-thru. In the very least you can feel validated and self-righteous if you are already making the suggested choices. 😉
I try really hard to be a reasonable person and not jump to conclusions despite a little conspiracy theorist who likes to whisper in my ear. I try not to constantly attack large corporations although I prefer to buy local as much as possible. I try to remember there are two sides to every story. Still, I agree with Food Inc. our food system is sick. Not as in “gross”, although I’m sure I would feel that way if they visited a large slaughter house, but unwholesome. Animals, workers, and consumers are routinely being taken advantage of for the sake of profit. Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for making a profit (My husband runs his own business.) and I believe hardworking ethical businesses should enjoy the fruits of their labors but not at the expense of their laborers. Or their consumers. Or their products, i.e., crops and animals.
While, I’m hardly an animal activist of PETA proportions or a tree-hugger, I believe all living creatures and the earth deserve respect. The earth and her laws of nature have been around for quite sometime and I’m not sure sure it’s the laws of nature that need a redesign? Especially when it’s so a select few can enjoy the profits at the expense of others. Herbivores eat plants not meat. Tight crowded spaces are breeding grounds for sickness. Antibiotics are not the answer. Steroids are banned from most official athletic events so why are they being given to our food? The types of fish we eat were meant to swim in the sea (or lakes) not antibacterial tanks. The suffix “icide” as in pesticide or herbicide is from the Latin word “caedere” which means to kill. I admit to being a simpleton but as far as I know, mankind has managed to survive for quite some time even with bugs and weeds in the fields so please leave the genes in our food alone. I’m not saying forget science. Not at all. I’m constantly amazed at the modern day miracles being preformed every day and as a woman who got an epidural after 6 hours of excruciating back labor, I am glad I live in modern times. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to sit in my lazy chair sucking down milkshakes, made from milk produced from cows pumped full of hormones and antibiotics, that been sweetened with subsidized sugar and pretend like everything is alright. I think that was a run on.
The morning after watching Food Inc. I was filled with mixed emotions. Empowered and powerless. Angry and sympathetic. But finally, I decided to choose hopefulness and determination. Determined to make more choices in my life hoping that will contribute to change because I believe my dollar counts. One of my favorite parts of Food Inc. was the two Wal-mart executives explaining the changes Wal-mart had made due to customer demand. Consumers are partially to blame. So many people want food “fast” and “cheap”. Cheap meat. Cheap vegetables. Cheap dairy. We may want the cheapest food but remember everything has a price. Animals. Workers. Consumers. Personal health. It really may be worth giving up cable or switching cell phone plans for quality food. The more people demand healthy food the more accessible it will be for everybody.
Yes, there are two sides to every story and this article simply explains arguments against organic food…if you read it make sure to read the comments too. Monsanto responds openly to the criticisms they receive. However, I certainly don’t think those are reasons to not have concerns or ask questions. Why is corn, one of the least nutritious crops, one of the most heavily subsidized? Why is it less expensive to buy a double cheeseburger on the “value menu” than to buy a head of broccoli? What really comes at the bottom line…numbers or people? The answers, if any, are far beyond me but I know there are healthy choices I can make for myself, for my family, and for others. Tomorrow, I’m going to post a list of possibilities we can do to contribute to change and invest in our health.
I realize I only touched on the tip of an iceberg. I’d love to hear your thoughts and insights on the state of our food industry or Food Inc.
xoxo
jenn
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This is my (almost) sane quest for insane health. Let's 
Great post. Sort of funny that in my reader there was a “schwans” ad. :-/
Thanks! Funny! I don’t have anything to do with the ads. Looks like Schwans sells lots of fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed meats. It’s a start!!
I still haven’t seen this movie and ya know why: fear. I live with so much food guilt already (raised by veg now vegan parents) that I am afraid this will just add to it.
I *almost* rented it over Christmas week but didn’t. I need to. I will. Someday.
Dan and I just got around to watching this the other week, and I just read this post that I had saved in my inbox. Thanks for the thoughts Jenn. I am with you on it!