Eye Opening

This fall, I just happened to catch the show Ellen on tv and she just happened to have the author Jonathan Safran Foer of the book Eating Animals there as her guest. First of all, the fact that I had the tv on AT ALL in the afternoon was a ‘pigs fly’ kind of moment and then to have this author on, too, so unlikely. Sometimes I just know that information is being placed in front of me at the right time. God works in mysterious ways!

So, Jonathan Safran Foer talks about factory farms and the conditions of food animals and why we should all be vegan. I was appalled by what he was saying. Truly, I had no idea. I reserved the book at the library and then another miracle moment happened. My sister’s good friend was over and I mentioned the book to her. She said, ‘Well, you really ought to read The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals if you are interested in this stuff” So I went to the library and reserved that book, too. Omnivore’s Dilemma came in first and I just dove right in.

I had mostly finished that book when we went to visit friends and family over Christmas. I was discussing the book and our food choices with my sister’s Godmother when she said, “Read the book by Barbara Kingsolver [Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life (P.S.)]” Jeanne, my sister’s Godmother, is a librarian and her advice was to read as much and as wide a variety as possible. Immerse yourself in information. So I am trying.

The effect of all that reading, I never did get around to reading ‘Eating Animals’ was a New Year’s Resolution. Really, I don’t often make New Year’s Resolutions. I just try to live daily the way that I feel best but this life change seemed to need a marker. So, beginning this year, I have pledged to feed my family as locally as possible. When I think how easy it would be to just grab a package of chicken at the grocery store or pick up a cheeseburger at McDonalds, I need only remind myself of this one thought that has been pervasive since watching… Food, Inc. and that is, ‘It is not a treat to feed my family poison.’ And truly, to me, that what this factory farmed, high processed, sometimes washed in amnomia food feels like.

We are now eating locally and as much as possible, in season. I can’t wait for the growing season this year because I intend to preserve a lot more food for the winter. But you know, even doing what we did last year: buying a hind quarter and being part of a CSA; we haven’t done too badly with having enough food to get us through the winter.

The next posts I am going to make are going to be yummy. I thought, I would entertain you all with the things that are cooking in my kitchen, where I find my food treasures and a daily reason to know your food.