If you see one movie this week or month, watch Food, Inc., a 90-minute documentary on the disaster that is the American food industry. Nora wrote a great post about it this morning, but I went to a screening this afternoon and wow, all the issues became even more real to me.

I’ve read Fast Food Nation, Skinny Bitch, snippets of Michael Pollan, and am pretty much a vegetarian for it (and even then I’m not safe), but seeing the industry exposed for what it really is on screen was truly impactful, which is why I’m urging all of you to see this movie too!

I don’t know how anyone could not rethink their eating habits after seeing a chicken today compared to one 20 years ago.  Chickens are fed so many hormones that they’re three times the size of a free range, full-grown chicken of yesteryear. They’re also grown to such a large size in 49 days compared to 3 months, the previous norm. Tyson and the other three poultry manufactures who make up about 90 percent of the market share are pumping these chickens with hormones so they can cheaply produce as many as they can to make loads of money.

I could go on and one about every point in this film, but there’s one other thing that really struck me. I originally assumed that the industrialization of the food industry was somewhat of a good thing for farmers, a republican issue, but it’s not. In fact, government subsidization enacted by both parties has had more negative affects on farming than anything. Farmers are slaves to these multi-billion dollar companies who produce bigger, faster and fatter foods. They can’t save seeds, they have to invest their own money to process their product in a certain way and they get paid nothing for their efforts. The government, including the FDA, EPA and congress is also run by many of the very same people who previously held high ranks at these monopolistic companies. The money is running the show. 

Nora also mentioned one thing that jolted me as well. I haven’t had fast food in probably five years, but I do remember trying to identify the putty-looking pieces in McDonalds burgers back in the day. It tasted like meat, but certainly didn’t look it. Well, that stuff I learned is actually a SPAM-like substance added to 70 percent of fast food hamburgers to serve as a meat filler. It’s cleansed with ammonia to combat traces of deadly E.Coli found in industrially-produced beef. Um, seriously? Why don’t they just serve up a shake of bleach on the side of those fries? 

One thing I wished the film went into a bit more was the fact that beyond diabetes the U.S. is seeing more cases of autism, ADD, allergies and depression in children, and what we eat can be linked to such problems. 

There are ways we can change the industry and that’s by taking our own eating habits more seriously. Shop at farmers markets, buy local, eliminate foods with high fructose corn syrup, etc. Little steps taken by amass of people can make a difference. 

Anyway, enough preaching!  Just go see this film! 

GPOYW - With Grandpa

Late last night my mom called to tell me my grandpa had a stroke. He was with my dad on a road trip to Montana when it happened. The doctor discovered he’s actually had a series of small strokes, which medically, often indicates a big one is imminent.

I’m very sad. My grandpa has had a great affect on my life. Yes, aging is natural, but it doesn’t mean it’s an easy thing to accept. Knowing his health is failing is extremely hard for me. 

This picture was taken at my grandparents house in Walla Walla, WA when I was about two or three years old. Don’t ask me what’s up with my mouth?! I was probably licking my lips from eating too many boysenberries in the field. I love this picture though. Even then, he was showing me around, piquing my curiosity and opening my eyes to discover and learn new things.