•10:20 AM
I was shopping at a very large retail grocery store over this past weekend. I walked through the Produce Section and felt a little sick to my stomach.
Remember when you used to be able to touch the fruits and vegetables? There were no styrofoam trays or paper bags or plastic wrap. As I looked down a row of coolers, I noticed that everything was in packages ... the broccoli has a plastic outer wrapping, the carrots come in bags, the tomatoes are in mesh packages. It is really ridiculous ... first because of the impact plastic has on our environment and secondly, because we should be able to touch/smell the food before we buy it. Some may say that it is unsanitary to touch food before you buy it because germs could be easily spread that way. But, you wash your fruits and vegies before you eat them, right?
I wish there were big bins of field tomatoes to choose from and that I could choose which red, yellow and orange pepper I want. 'Cause I feel qualified to pick my own food.
However, if you visit a local Farmers Market, you can do all these things for yourself ... and you can smell the sweetness of the food and the dirt from the fields.
As I walked through the produce department, feeling disappointed about the state of our food production, it reminded me that I had a book to tell you about. One that I read a couple of months ago, but wanted to wait until the summer months to tell you about it.
Plus, I was feeling a little sneaky ...
But desperate times call for desperate measures. Even though I have (almost) given up on reading 100 books in one year, I still want to read as many books as I can.
A couple months back I read a book called, Food Rules by Michael Pollan. It is very small; in fact, I read it in a day. It's a pocket book, an Eater's Manual, Pollan calls it.
But it is still a book that I read, right?
It is a book of sixty-four rules by which we should govern our eating habits. It seems to me that it is just a book of reminders, because there are no real revelations that will change what you know about food, but it will serve as a reminder about all the things you know about food in your heart of hearts.
I guess, it's kind of a book of common sense rules for eating. And we can all use a reminder sometimes.
I have picked a few of my favourite reminders to share with you.
Rule #10: Avoid foods pretending to be something they are not. Imitation butter (margarine) is a great example of this ... it is about as unnatural as it gets. Products like "no-fat" cream cheese or sour cream are highly processed, rendering them very unnatural. And those products that are imitation meats, made from soy products are very worrisome. I used to eat them sometimes, but not anymore. Try to stick with what is real and wholesome.
Rule #15: Get out of the supermarket (when you can). Where I live (in sourthwestern Ontario), this is the best the time of year for sustainable living. I have not enjoyed the extreme heat and humidity this year, but that is a story for a different day; however, I have enjoyed the bountiful supply of local foods. Just today, Jonesy went down to a local Farmers Market, and bought fresh (never frozen) perch from the fisherman. Honestly, it does not get better than that ... it was so good. Addie C. ate three pieces, along with at least three helpings of fresh, local yellow beans. I am lucky to live in the centre of such a rich supply of food and I appreciate it. And, we are trying to teach our children to appreciate it as well. So, get out of the grocery store and visit a local Farmers Market. Taste what your region has to offer - you won't be sorry, I promise. And for those of you who visit a cottage, you are the luckiest of all because you can combine the local foods from two different regions on the same plate!
Rule #21: It's not a food if it's called the same name in every language. I am talking about a Big Mac, Doritos, Triscuits, Oreos ... these are not true food items. I'm not saying that these things do not taste good ... but they should not be part of your everyday meals.
Rule #25: Eat your colours. There are different nutrients to be gained from each colour of food. I don't know what they all are ... but I know that it is important to eat a varied selection. Plus, it makes your plate look pretty and appetizing.
Rule #43: Have a glass of wine. Enough said, really. I'm sure this will be your favourite rule, as it is mine. However, research does show that those who enjoy alcohol regularly and in moderation, live longer and have fewer heart-related problems than those who avoid a cocktail or two. Now, in no way am I suggesting that it okay to get fall-down drunk every night. But a glass of wine with supper, or a nice cold beer after a long day at the office, is a way of maintaining a healthy life style. My own philosophy is that a nice cold cocktail helps you to relax, and gain a little perspective. At least, it does for me.
Rule #55: Eat meals. Sounds ridiculous to even mention it ... but according to studies, more and more people are snacking throughout the day. Just grabbing something while on the run. Eat a meal ... sit at a table, with a plate and utensils, and share the meal with someone, if you can. Of course everyone has eaten a sandwich or a piece of toast while walking out the door ... but that should be the exception, not the norm. It is important to experience the food. Because if you think about it, when you are just stuffing something down your throat while driving to your next meeting (or child's soccer game or Doctor's appointment), you don't really taste it. Probably because you are starving by that point, but also because you are not really focussed on what you are doing. If you sit at a table, with utensils and a friend, you want to enjoy what you are eating; you will ensure it is something full of taste and quality. Take the time to schedule yourself some meals ... with your family or a friend.
Rule #60: Treat treats as treats. This is one area my children need to work on. "Can I have a treat after lunch?" I hear this question every single day. Now, luckily for me, they think watermelon is a treat ... but that doesn't cut it every day. They want a popsicle, or cookies, or a brownie ... all the same stuff your kids want. And they get to have them, it's just that I try to ensure they mostly have home-baked treats. Pollan, however, broadens his definition of a treat to include whatever you really, really enjoy but know is not particularly healthy. For instance ... fetuccini alfredo, fried chicken, doughnuts, ice cream, Cheese Whiz. What's your (food) vice? You should limit your intake of that particular food to special occasions, instead of every day.
Rule #63: Cook. I am good at this one, and it ensures that I maintain a high level of control over the quality of food my family eats. 'Cause you know I am a control freak, don't you? You should not be surprised to learn that the decline in home cooking parallels the rise in obesity; and those who cook are more likely to eat a healthful diet.
One day, when Caiden arrived from school, he reported that the kids in his class told him that he must not eat enough because he is too skinny. He was not too bothered about the comments, but it must have been on his mind because he mentioned it to Jonesy and I. Caiden does not have an ounce of fat on his body ... in fact, he has a six-pack of muscles at the tender young age of eight years. None of my kids are chubby ... and neither are they under-weight or sickly looking. The point is that Caiden was singled out as being different because he is not fat. Things sure have changed since I went to elementary school ... when the odd one out was the child who was a little chubby.
I have visited Caiden's classroom over the past year, and I can offer my own observation that the majority of his classmates are overweight, nearing obesity ... in Grade 2. It is causes me great concern for their future health and reinforces some of my thoughts on the food industry. And the marketing industry. Caiden tells me that one little boy's mommy brings him food from Burger King every day for his lunch. Every day? Most kids bring Kool-Aid Jammers for their drink ... or a Coke. When I asked him if other kids bring fresh fruit or vegies in their lunch, he thought for a moment and could remember two kids out of his class who did. Now, of course this is not a scientific gathering of information, but Caiden is pretty observant. Plus, he has recently announced that he wants to be a chef and has taken a great interest in food, nutrition and recipes.
As I have read this back to myself, I realize that I sound bossy and judgmental. I don't mean to. However, I am very concerned for the quality and over-processification (I made that word up ... ) of the food that we eat. And, I guess I just assume that if everyone understood that the food they are eating is not the highest quality that it could be (just because big producers want to make more money), they would want to do something about it. They would make some different choices about what ends up in the grocery cart.
What do you think would happen if people found out that the gasoline we were pumping into our cars was (directly) resulting in a shorter life for our vehicles? And, it was causing them to break down repeatedly and requiring consant repairs? Would you purchase that gasoline anymore? Would people stand for that? No way, because we need our cars to be reliable and run smoothly.
Shouldn't you feel the same about your body, and the "gasoline" that you put into it? Because we need it be run reliably, with very few repairs. At least, I do.
And so in an effort to promote local foods and Farmers Markets, I have listed below some links ... check them out sometime. It's fun finding your own food!
Windsor's Downtown Farmers Market ... open every Saturday from 8am til 1pm, now through October 30th. Local produce, fisherman, Angus beef, some artisans as well.
Galati Cheese Company ... that's right, there is a family-owned company (here in Windsor), who produce their own cheese. It's fresh and delicious and makes incredible pizza! Check it out sometime.
Sartaj Flour ... this is the only flour I buy now - no more do I buy the highly processed, bleached flour found at the grocery store. Sartaj is a family owned company, and they are just the nicest people. They even gave my kids and I a tour of their mill the first time we visited. They make wheat flour, spelt flour, chick pea flour and corn flour. I have tried them all ... but I'm not real sure what to do with chick pea flour yet. It is all high in fibre and has a great taste. I use it in all my baking ... cookies, muffins, pancakes, pizza dough.
Sun Parlor Honey Company ... Did you know that there is a honey producer in Cottam, Ontario? Me either, til recently. Take the kids for a drive one day, and visit a bee farm. And you can buy as much as you can afford because honey never goes bad!
Chatham-Kent Local Farmers ... This is a website listing all the farmers and their products in the County of Kent.
Nickels Orchards ... what I love about this website, is that they have included an availability guide ... and according to that availability guide nectarines, apricots and plums are just coming into season. I've got a recipe for an apricot pie I have been itching to try ... so, I'm thinking a road trip will be happening for the Jones children any day now!!
Hope that will get you started ... but make your own list of local food suppliers. And if you have a favourite that you want to share, leave it in the Comments Section. I'd love to hear from you.
Remember when you used to be able to touch the fruits and vegetables? There were no styrofoam trays or paper bags or plastic wrap. As I looked down a row of coolers, I noticed that everything was in packages ... the broccoli has a plastic outer wrapping, the carrots come in bags, the tomatoes are in mesh packages. It is really ridiculous ... first because of the impact plastic has on our environment and secondly, because we should be able to touch/smell the food before we buy it. Some may say that it is unsanitary to touch food before you buy it because germs could be easily spread that way. But, you wash your fruits and vegies before you eat them, right?
I wish there were big bins of field tomatoes to choose from and that I could choose which red, yellow and orange pepper I want. 'Cause I feel qualified to pick my own food.
However, if you visit a local Farmers Market, you can do all these things for yourself ... and you can smell the sweetness of the food and the dirt from the fields.
As I walked through the produce department, feeling disappointed about the state of our food production, it reminded me that I had a book to tell you about. One that I read a couple of months ago, but wanted to wait until the summer months to tell you about it.
Plus, I was feeling a little sneaky ...
But desperate times call for desperate measures. Even though I have (almost) given up on reading 100 books in one year, I still want to read as many books as I can.
A couple months back I read a book called, Food Rules by Michael Pollan. It is very small; in fact, I read it in a day. It's a pocket book, an Eater's Manual, Pollan calls it.
But it is still a book that I read, right?
It is a book of sixty-four rules by which we should govern our eating habits. It seems to me that it is just a book of reminders, because there are no real revelations that will change what you know about food, but it will serve as a reminder about all the things you know about food in your heart of hearts.
I guess, it's kind of a book of common sense rules for eating. And we can all use a reminder sometimes.
I have picked a few of my favourite reminders to share with you.
Rule #10: Avoid foods pretending to be something they are not. Imitation butter (margarine) is a great example of this ... it is about as unnatural as it gets. Products like "no-fat" cream cheese or sour cream are highly processed, rendering them very unnatural. And those products that are imitation meats, made from soy products are very worrisome. I used to eat them sometimes, but not anymore. Try to stick with what is real and wholesome.
Rule #15: Get out of the supermarket (when you can). Where I live (in sourthwestern Ontario), this is the best the time of year for sustainable living. I have not enjoyed the extreme heat and humidity this year, but that is a story for a different day; however, I have enjoyed the bountiful supply of local foods. Just today, Jonesy went down to a local Farmers Market, and bought fresh (never frozen) perch from the fisherman. Honestly, it does not get better than that ... it was so good. Addie C. ate three pieces, along with at least three helpings of fresh, local yellow beans. I am lucky to live in the centre of such a rich supply of food and I appreciate it. And, we are trying to teach our children to appreciate it as well. So, get out of the grocery store and visit a local Farmers Market. Taste what your region has to offer - you won't be sorry, I promise. And for those of you who visit a cottage, you are the luckiest of all because you can combine the local foods from two different regions on the same plate!
Rule #21: It's not a food if it's called the same name in every language. I am talking about a Big Mac, Doritos, Triscuits, Oreos ... these are not true food items. I'm not saying that these things do not taste good ... but they should not be part of your everyday meals.
Rule #25: Eat your colours. There are different nutrients to be gained from each colour of food. I don't know what they all are ... but I know that it is important to eat a varied selection. Plus, it makes your plate look pretty and appetizing.
Rule #43: Have a glass of wine. Enough said, really. I'm sure this will be your favourite rule, as it is mine. However, research does show that those who enjoy alcohol regularly and in moderation, live longer and have fewer heart-related problems than those who avoid a cocktail or two. Now, in no way am I suggesting that it okay to get fall-down drunk every night. But a glass of wine with supper, or a nice cold beer after a long day at the office, is a way of maintaining a healthy life style. My own philosophy is that a nice cold cocktail helps you to relax, and gain a little perspective. At least, it does for me.
Rule #55: Eat meals. Sounds ridiculous to even mention it ... but according to studies, more and more people are snacking throughout the day. Just grabbing something while on the run. Eat a meal ... sit at a table, with a plate and utensils, and share the meal with someone, if you can. Of course everyone has eaten a sandwich or a piece of toast while walking out the door ... but that should be the exception, not the norm. It is important to experience the food. Because if you think about it, when you are just stuffing something down your throat while driving to your next meeting (or child's soccer game or Doctor's appointment), you don't really taste it. Probably because you are starving by that point, but also because you are not really focussed on what you are doing. If you sit at a table, with utensils and a friend, you want to enjoy what you are eating; you will ensure it is something full of taste and quality. Take the time to schedule yourself some meals ... with your family or a friend.
Rule #60: Treat treats as treats. This is one area my children need to work on. "Can I have a treat after lunch?" I hear this question every single day. Now, luckily for me, they think watermelon is a treat ... but that doesn't cut it every day. They want a popsicle, or cookies, or a brownie ... all the same stuff your kids want. And they get to have them, it's just that I try to ensure they mostly have home-baked treats. Pollan, however, broadens his definition of a treat to include whatever you really, really enjoy but know is not particularly healthy. For instance ... fetuccini alfredo, fried chicken, doughnuts, ice cream, Cheese Whiz. What's your (food) vice? You should limit your intake of that particular food to special occasions, instead of every day.
Rule #63: Cook. I am good at this one, and it ensures that I maintain a high level of control over the quality of food my family eats. 'Cause you know I am a control freak, don't you? You should not be surprised to learn that the decline in home cooking parallels the rise in obesity; and those who cook are more likely to eat a healthful diet.
One day, when Caiden arrived from school, he reported that the kids in his class told him that he must not eat enough because he is too skinny. He was not too bothered about the comments, but it must have been on his mind because he mentioned it to Jonesy and I. Caiden does not have an ounce of fat on his body ... in fact, he has a six-pack of muscles at the tender young age of eight years. None of my kids are chubby ... and neither are they under-weight or sickly looking. The point is that Caiden was singled out as being different because he is not fat. Things sure have changed since I went to elementary school ... when the odd one out was the child who was a little chubby.
I have visited Caiden's classroom over the past year, and I can offer my own observation that the majority of his classmates are overweight, nearing obesity ... in Grade 2. It is causes me great concern for their future health and reinforces some of my thoughts on the food industry. And the marketing industry. Caiden tells me that one little boy's mommy brings him food from Burger King every day for his lunch. Every day? Most kids bring Kool-Aid Jammers for their drink ... or a Coke. When I asked him if other kids bring fresh fruit or vegies in their lunch, he thought for a moment and could remember two kids out of his class who did. Now, of course this is not a scientific gathering of information, but Caiden is pretty observant. Plus, he has recently announced that he wants to be a chef and has taken a great interest in food, nutrition and recipes.
As I have read this back to myself, I realize that I sound bossy and judgmental. I don't mean to. However, I am very concerned for the quality and over-processification (I made that word up ... ) of the food that we eat. And, I guess I just assume that if everyone understood that the food they are eating is not the highest quality that it could be (just because big producers want to make more money), they would want to do something about it. They would make some different choices about what ends up in the grocery cart.
What do you think would happen if people found out that the gasoline we were pumping into our cars was (directly) resulting in a shorter life for our vehicles? And, it was causing them to break down repeatedly and requiring consant repairs? Would you purchase that gasoline anymore? Would people stand for that? No way, because we need our cars to be reliable and run smoothly.
Shouldn't you feel the same about your body, and the "gasoline" that you put into it? Because we need it be run reliably, with very few repairs. At least, I do.
And so in an effort to promote local foods and Farmers Markets, I have listed below some links ... check them out sometime. It's fun finding your own food!
Windsor's Downtown Farmers Market ... open every Saturday from 8am til 1pm, now through October 30th. Local produce, fisherman, Angus beef, some artisans as well.
Galati Cheese Company ... that's right, there is a family-owned company (here in Windsor), who produce their own cheese. It's fresh and delicious and makes incredible pizza! Check it out sometime.
Sartaj Flour ... this is the only flour I buy now - no more do I buy the highly processed, bleached flour found at the grocery store. Sartaj is a family owned company, and they are just the nicest people. They even gave my kids and I a tour of their mill the first time we visited. They make wheat flour, spelt flour, chick pea flour and corn flour. I have tried them all ... but I'm not real sure what to do with chick pea flour yet. It is all high in fibre and has a great taste. I use it in all my baking ... cookies, muffins, pancakes, pizza dough.
Sun Parlor Honey Company ... Did you know that there is a honey producer in Cottam, Ontario? Me either, til recently. Take the kids for a drive one day, and visit a bee farm. And you can buy as much as you can afford because honey never goes bad!
Chatham-Kent Local Farmers ... This is a website listing all the farmers and their products in the County of Kent.
Nickels Orchards ... what I love about this website, is that they have included an availability guide ... and according to that availability guide nectarines, apricots and plums are just coming into season. I've got a recipe for an apricot pie I have been itching to try ... so, I'm thinking a road trip will be happening for the Jones children any day now!!
Hope that will get you started ... but make your own list of local food suppliers. And if you have a favourite that you want to share, leave it in the Comments Section. I'd love to hear from you.
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farming,
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3 comments:
Jill,
Yes, i like rule #43!!! My favourite local supplier (for me) is my neighbour, Maynard!! He gives me tonnes of tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, corn; all from his garden. I love it-- all the rewards and none of the work!
I'm lucky to have a great eater(Jake) and not so lucky to have a VERY picky eater (Megs). We're trying though. Hopefully, she'll want to be healthier as puberty hits and she cares more about herself.
Great blog
Annette ... I wish your neighbour was my neighbour! Jonesy's Dad chartered a fishing boat with a bunch of friends, and they caught a whole bunch of fish. And he shared with us ... cannot wait to try some. I thought that was a great idea ... to charter a boat and spend a morning out on the water, catching some dinner!! Don't count on Meg caring about what she eats (as a teenager) ... remember what we use to eat? I recall McDonald's at Midnight and Taco Bell for lunch!!
I recently heard Michelle Obama being ridiculed on TV (by the right-wing news channels mostly)because she has taken up the cause of preventing childhood obeisity by changing school menus in the USA. Are they nuts?? Cudos to Mrs. Obama ----this concern is long overdue. I wish she could read your blog, Jill.