Today’s post is in conjunction with a post written by my friend Megan Bord who is the creative force behind the blog called It’s All About Joy! …My new feature (The Happy Lotus Diaries) will begin this coming Sunday.
Many many months ago, Megan asked me if I would be interested in doing a joint post on the movie Food, Inc. Unfortunately, the movie was not available in my area so she patiently waited until the movie came out on DVD so that I could watch it. It was recently released and I watched it with my husband. It was an amazing film and it was so heartbreaking to watch.
Megan and I talked about the film over the phone and we each agreed we would write a post about our thoughts on what we had seen. I spent many days debating how I would write this post and what I would say. So many things came to mind.
A lot of the information that was presented in the movie, I had already known. There was a lot of powerful imagery that made me feel sick in my stomach.
Being that I am a vegetarian, I was concerned that with this post many people would think that my views would be stated with the intention to convert others to my way of eating. Granted, there are many militant vegetarians out there who want everyone to become like them. I am not one of those kinds of vegetarians. Yes, I love being a vegetarian but I have never been the kind of person who needs to convert everyone.
I will be candid and tell you that being a vegetarian in a meat eating world can be a challenge. The minute I state that I am a vegetarian, inevitably without fail, the other person will rationalize or justify why they eat meat. I have had people tell me their eating habits even though I truly have no interest in knowing what they eat.
Some people become cruel and start saying how they love the taste of raw cooked meat with blood coming out of it and so on. Like I care to hear that? If you love eating meat, fine…just don’t be defensive or insensitive because my choice is different than yours. And please, don’t trash my choice. If it does not make sense to you, don’t judge it or mock it. Try to understand why I do what I do and suspend judgment. I do not hold any negative thoughts about people who are not vegetarian. Why hold negative thoughts about my choice? Am I not free to eat what I want?
Someone once told me that the reason people get defensive upon hearing that I am a vegetarian is because they feel that I may think I am superior to them. How sick is that? Why in the world would I think I am superior? Makes no sense to me. If I were to have such a thought I would be ashamed and disgusted with myself. Only an insecure person would have the nerve to think that they are superior because they are a vegetarian.
Yes, I have seen people who do have such notions of superiority and it has always made me kind of sad. The human ego is so messed up that it has to feel good by bringing down others. The interesting thing is that the more secure a person is in who they are, the more tolerant they become of others and their choices.
This brings me to the concept of competition where food is concerned. My view as not only a vegetarian but as a human being is that we all should be sold products that are natural and healthy. If you want to eat meat, it is my prayer that you will eat meat that comes from a healthy cow that was fed on grass as opposed to animal carcasses and chemicals. For what that cow eats, you will eat too.
It truly makes me mad to know that most of the food that is available at major supermarkets is processed with a list of chemicals that none of us can even pronounce correctly. I am cool with the fact that corporations are in the business of making money but to make money at the expense of human health makes no sense.
When I was in law school, I found out that I was allergic to high fructose corn syrup. Every time I would eat a product with that ingredient, I would be in massive pain for hours. So I began to read labels and it was amazing to see how that one ingredient is in bread, soups, cereal, cake, soda, ketchup and so many other items. As a result, I had to start shopping at a natural foods store which was much more expensive. So here I was with the choice: my health or my wallet? I decided that my health was important.
We live in a world where many of us do not want to think about what happens behind the scenes of what we eat. I totally understand that but when our health is at stake, I think it is important that we take an interest in the things that we consume.
Since I have to shop at a natural foods store, every time I have to go to a regular supermarket, I am shocked at how big everyone is becoming. It is sad when you see so many people having to use motorized carts because they are too heavy and have difficulty walking.
The best way, in my mind, for all of us to insure that we all eat healthy, reasonable priced foods is to start to demand it when we shop. By buying local or organic, you are sending a signal to the food companies that you want healthy food. Executives are smart people. They will sell what people want. Use your wallet to be your method of protest. There is no reason for all of us to endanger our health so food executives become rich. Let them become rich by selling us what we want. The more we demand healthier food, the lower the cost will be.
I do realize that this food issue is predominantly an American problem. When I lived in India, food was food. I never saw high fructose corn syrup in any of the products that were sold over there. The majority of the ingredients in food products were ingredients that I knew and could pronounce. I do know that Japan inspects every piece of beef that is sold there. Many countries are very careful to purchase American food products due to the lack of strict inspection standards.
While traveling in Europe, it has always been amazing to see how much people eat and yet remain healthy looking. Granted, portion sizes here are very large compared to other countries. I know that a piece of pie sold over here is three times the size of one sold over in Europe. So this is definitely more of an American issue.
And in closing…today is a holiday over here. Happy Thanksgiving to you all! Every day is a day worthy of gratitude. Please know that I am thankful to you all for reading my blog and for being so supportive. May you always be healthy, safe and happy! Have a beautiful day!
P.S. Here is the link to my newest article, Being a Dharma Bum , over at Elephant Journal. Please check it out!
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Hi Nadia .. food is very emotive. As you say people don’t seem to realise how food comes to us – whether we’re vegetarian or not – it’s the same thing. People who’ve been brought up in towns, or perhaps haven’t travelled much and seen markets etc – have never seen a farm, or an allotment.
Here in England we are educating people a lot more, and yes American portions are larger. People unfortunately are lazy though and don’t realise the damage they are causing themselves and thus the impact on society it causes .. hospital, allergies etc etc
I’m horrified to hear you were vilified for being vegetarian – that is a bit much. I know I always try and cook different things for vegetarian friends (as I do generally – I like to offer different foods if I can anyway) .. but 30 years ago before I’d adjusted it was quite tricky to think laterally .. and also produce something that we could all eat – perhaps just with a different filling for the vegetarians amongst us.
Enjoy Thanksgiving .. and if we can influence one person to eat better and more sensibly and with more awareness of what the effects are on life .. we’ll be doing the world a favour.
The vegetables and flowers that come from Kenya and the lettuces and salad greens that come from India .. are taking all the fresh water out of the soil and the river systems can’t cope – I can’t quite remember the details .. but it’s obviously wrong – to turn the rice crop over that’s last centuries and thousand of years to these water essential absorbing plants.
I won’t go on – could for ages .. just eat fresh as much as we can – as you say and try different foods – there are plenty of websites now with some really good vegetarian recipes .. get our brains into gear!
Enjoy this weekend – Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
Hilary´s last blog ..Witches, Hazels and helmets …
Hi Hilary,
Even though I have been a vegetarian for twenty-one years, it was not until I became allergic to high fructose corn syrup and my mother’s cancer did I really begin to understand what was happening behind the scenes. Up until then, I never really gave much thought to what was going on with food.
Once I started to read about what goes on beind the scenes, it not only scared me but made me mad. Food should be food. The more natural we are, the healthier we will be. I think one reason why people are getting bigger is because they are eating products that are made from chemicals and not real food.
Like you, I could go on and on about this subject but I shall stop here. Since you are interested in the subject, you should watch the movie. It is really interesting and gives great insight to what is happening here in America.
Have a beautiful day and weekend!
Hi Nadia,
First off, I completely agree with you about this concept that some people feel they must “justify” what they eat. I get that sometimes when I eat healthy in front of others who have chosen less healthy alternatives. And I feel the same way. While I might not agree with the choice they are making – it is not my part to judge where they are at and how they got there. And the truth is also – that I know, all too often, I don’t make “perfect” choices in food either.
Thanks so much for sharing (both you and Megan) about this movie. I guess, sometimes we don’t realize what we don’t see (the stuff that happens behind the scenes). And to that, I can not imagine working in any part of that environment and being able to come home and sleep okay at night. But then, if we are buying into this, by buying products that have somehow been affected by this inhumanity – I guess we really are being a part of it … indirectly. Nadia, that thought right there is really making me think about where I’m at with all of this. Thank you.
Lance´s last blog ..Exposed
Hi Lance,
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I am with you…no one has a right to judge another for what they eat. And let’s face it, we all give in sometimes and eat things that may not be perfect for us. For example, last night I indulged in eating much more vegan ice cream than I should have but it was so good.
When I learned that I was allergic to high fructose corn syrup, it was a huge eye-opener. Then when my mother was diagnosed with cancer, that just made me even more educated on the issue. As a result, even though it is more expensive than I would like, I always vote with my wallet and buy products that are healthier. Corporations want to make money and as a result, if they see people wanting more of a certain kind of product, they will make it.
When I started being a vegetarian there were no veggie burgers on the market and soy milk was really hard to find. However, as more and more people became vegetarians, more and more products were developed. So the same is true for all kinds of food. We vote by what we buy. So let us use our power to get the foods that really nourish us.
Hi Nadia,
I popped over from Megan’s blog. I just watched Food inc a couple of weeks ago and, as I mentioned on Megan’s blog, was completely shocked and quite frankly outraged. Because of that, I have had trouble getting my head around a post, but plan to do so shortly in an effort to continue spreading the word. It’s an important one. And as someone in the wellness field, I feel it’s part of my work to shed light.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. And have a great Thanksgiving.
Stacey Shipman´s last blog ..Exercise and Yoga: You’re Never Too Old to Start
Hi Stacey,
Happy Thanksgiving to you too! I know what you mean about being shocked and outraged. I started to become aware of this issue when I found out that I was allergic to high fructose corn syrup and when my mother was diagnosed with cancer. As a result of both events, I started to read up on food and it truly not only scared me but really made me mad.
Good for you for doing a post on the same subject. More and more people need to be aware of this important subject. If you need to know more resources, let me know. I can tell you about all kinds of books and other movies that are out there.
Thank you so much for writing this wonderful, thought provoking post. I appreciated reading your take on it, as well as Hilary and Lance’s comments. I think what Lance said is spot on — we tend to ignore what we don’t see. But when it’s right in front of us, begging us to take notice and act on the information in a loving, compassionate way, well that’s a different story. That’s what I think this movie did for me. I couldn’t ignore the fact that what I ate affected other Beings anymore, and had to start voting with my wallet as you so brilliantly said.
And like you, I wouldn’t want to tell anyone that they should or shouldn’t be a vegetarian, eat more naturally or any of that. From personal experience I know that when a person is ready, they’ll hear the message and act on it, and not a minute before. All we can do is share information in the meantime.
Happiest Thanksgiving, Nadia! Much love to you, my friend!
Megan “JoyGirl!” Bord´s last blog ..In Favor of Friendlier Foods
Hi Megan,
You are so welcome and thank you for inviting me to do a joint post with you.
I think the interesting thing about food is that we assume that what we are being sold is good for us. I think there is this unconscious thought that if something was not good for us, it would not be out on the market. Unfortunately, things do not work like that.
Hopefully, with more awareness, people will start exercising their power and demand healthier options. It is sad that vegetables (which are the most natural foods you can get) cost more than a meal at some fast food place.
Hi Nadia,
I too am a vegetarian and often get ridiculous comments from people like…”plants are living too, don’t you think a carrot cries when you pull it out of the ground?” or very defensive attitude…I like you consider being a “militant vegetarian” to be an oxymoron…because to be a vegetarian is to choose a peaceful existence…So I never, ever try to suggest to others that they change their ways of eating…even if I am thinking it, it is not my right to judge their choices. I have felt in my heart since I was a child that eating the flesh of a formerly living being was wrong and would have terrible fights with my father about this at the dinner table-he’s a hematologist and protein from red meat was a really big deal to him! Always worried about am I getting enough iron…concerned about my hemoglobin. One of my daughters is nearly vegan. She decided on her own at age 4, when she asked me where the chicken on our plates came from that she was not going to eat any kind of living creature. Up to that point I had been a vegetarian on and off for years…since that time I committed to being an ovo-lacto vegetarian and have stuck with it for 15 years. I do not cook any meat in my home. My younger daughter eats fish and poultry outside of our house but only free range or kosher so pretty occasional (personally I think free range is closer to intention of kashrut, even though the strict ritual slaughter and salting might not happen…I figure if the animal LIVED a cruelty free life, that more important than the way it died, but that’s just my opinion) My husband is the same as my younger daughter. The main thing for us is to be conscious about what we put onto our table and into our mouths…think about where it comes from, all the people involved in getting it to store, harvesting, growing, rain, sun, God Creator of all things and life. That is how we have raised our daughters…to feel true gratitude for the abundance of food we have been blessed with and to utter those prayers of thanks aloud together or silently to ourselves.
Thank you my friend for this meaningful post,
xoxo
Laura
Laura Hegfield´s last blog ..Mega Moebius Gratitude Quilt: Woven and Stitched with Loving Words
Hi Laura,
The similarities continue. My dad is a hematologist too and he often tells me that I need my protein and iron. He even has bought me vitamins in order to convey his message. It is really sweet but sometimes it can be funny. So I totally can relate to what you wrote.
In our home, my husband and I are both vegans. My father is a vegetarian for the most part but he does eat chicken, eggs and fish. However, he buys organic and cage-free versions becaus I shared with him what I had learned and he realized that I had a point. Plus, after my mother passed away from cancer, we all become really health conscious. Watching someone you love wither away, just does something to you and makes you really aware of how important it is to be harmonious not only in thoughts but in all of your being.
And amen for gratitude for everything that is in our lives. Hope all is well!
Hi Nadia:
I’ve been intrigued by this movie since I saw the trailer and I just saw it at my video store so I am psyched to see it. I am not vegetarian, but I respect anyone who is and some of my best friends are vegetarian. I have wanted to cut down on my meat consumption for a while…not that I eat meat all the time.
I remember walking into the Transitions Bookstore in Chicago and hearing a former hog farmer talk about what went into getting the meat onto our tables and I was pretty sickened…the most telling thing I learned from the 10 minutes that I caught is that the hog farmer became a vegetarian. I can’t remember his name…he had a book out.
In any case, you are right…we humans, especially Americans need to re-think how we eat. We need to be more mindful of what we eat. I watched a PBS pledge program called the UltraMind Solution that details how what we eat affects our energy levels. Hearing your story about HF Corn Syrup also reminds me that many of us are allergic to what we eat.
Thanks for sharing your story and bringing to light something that all of us need to be aware of. Have a great Thanksgiving!
Hi Tim,
Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
I love to watch documentaries and “Food, Inc.” was one of the best documentaries I have seen. It was hard to watch in some parts but it was really an awesome movie. If you do watch it, let me know what you think. It is always great to get another point of view.
And cool about the hog farmer. That is interesting and very courageous of him to speak so openly about what he did. I think it is a shame that so many of us have no idea how the food we eat gets to the stores. So much is involved…it is mind-blowing.
Thank you for telling me about the UltraMind Solution. I will have to check that out. I am a big believer in the concept that what we eat does influence our energy levels.
raw vegetables and fruit are always the best for the body. The problem is that no one gives them too much importance until you get sick or fat. If you do some kind of sport it’s always good to eat some meat and eggs etc.
and really doesn’t matter to the animal if you kill it or not.in fact he really loves it when he serves his purpose. If we would not take care of cows will there be any more cows on the planet?
many vegetarians respect and maybe love the animal from witch the meat they eat because they think the animal should live and not to be killed. Well, first of all you are meat
Hi Florin,
Raw vegetables and fruit are definitely good for the body. I love both and you are right, most do not eat those things until they are forced to due to health issues.
As for the purpose of cows….only God fully knows the answer to that one. So to each their own. We each have to do what is right for us and therein lies the beauty of being a human being. We have the power to choose how we want to live.
Happy Thanksgiving to you, Nadia!
Great post, very informative. I haven’t watched Food, Inc. because I am afraid to see the images that go with the information. But after reading your post and Megan’s I feel compelled to. Thank you for writing about this important subject!
Jodi at Joy Discovered´s last blog ..Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi Jodi,
Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
The images in that movie are hard. There is one scene that shows little baby chickens which is just heartbreaking. That scene haunted me for days. So be prepared to be grossed out but it is an awesome movie. Definitely worth watching.
Great to see you spreading this message Nadia. I too am voting with my wallet. We only buy organic food, cleaning agents, beauty products, etc. It’s not easy, it is more expensive and quite a few people think we’re obsessive about it (mainly because we are!). But I’d rather be obsessive about our health and our planet than not.
As much as possible we support the local organic farms and stores. I am waiting for the day when organic products are all you can buy, chemicals are a thing of the past and the cost of organic food is way lower. This will only happen if the majority of people also vote with their wallets.
It amuses me that the women of the 1700’s are now ridiculed for using lead based make-up to make their faces white. When you consider what many people breathe in, eat, put on their skin, and spray around their gardens, I don’t think anyone living today can pass judgement.
Great post Nadia. Thanks!
Sami – Life, Laughs & Lemmings´s last blog ..Climbing Out of the Depths of Despair – Part 2
Hi Sami,
I totally agree. In our home, everything is organic and as natural as possible. That includes the laundry detergent, toothpaste, shampoo and everything else that we use. You are right, it does cost more but I feel better that we are doing our part to make sure we are not adding more harm to the planet or ourselves.
After seeing what my mother went through when she had cancer, it was enough to convince me that health matters more than saving a few dollars from buying junk. So everytime we buy stuff, I always feel good that we are voting with our wallets. Interestingly enough, the store that we shop in is now carrying more and more brands of environmentally safe cleaning products. They expanded the whole section. I would like to think it was due to people like us who are demanding that stores have such items.
And thank you for Thanksgiving wishes! Every day is a holiday, as far as I am concerned, so Happy Thanksgiving to you in the beautiful Land Down Under!
PS. We don’t officially celebrate Thanksgiving in Australia but I love the concept so Happy Thanksgiving!!
Sami – Life, Laughs & Lemmings´s last blog ..Climbing Out of the Depths of Despair – Part 2
Hi Nadia!
I am so happy you and Megan teamed up with this! I am here cheering you both on and hoping that more people will “tune in” and do a bit of investigating before their next trip to the store!
I grew up on a farm. In those days it was organic before anyone knew what that was. I think all farms were back then. We were never in a grocery store, but bought flour in barrels and sugar in huge sacks a few times a year. Boy those were the days! Point is – our food was GOOD! It had taste and it was fresh – even our meat.
Fast forward 50 yrs. and everything is chemical laden, genetically engineered garbage. Please, if you haven’t already, watch a several hour long expose on Monsanto @ Mercola.com. It tells the true and frightening story of what farmers GLOBALLY are going thru with this company and their poisonous programs. It was filmed in France, India, Mexico and the U.S. You may have to dig thru his archives because I saw this well over a year ago – but it is STUNNING. From that I was able to download a list of what is in the grocery store right now that has genetically engineered food in it – all the labels. And I don’t buy them. I only buy organic everything and I’m happy to see more and more people doing this!
You are allergic to corn syrup and I’m allergic to aspertame, the artifical sweetner – and that is in a ton of stuff too! You know, people really need to spend more time watching movies like this food one and doing a real “look see” at other information that IS available. You are right, we can make an impact by keeping our wallets closed up! I know there is a lot of attention paid to our spiritual lives in the blogs we are all reading, but if we don’t spend a good amount of our time looking at what we are eating, we won’t live long full lives to get all spiritual about! Thank you thank you! I’m with you!!!!
suzen´s last blog ..Monkey Goes Bananas on Banana Schpeels
Hi SuZen,
When I first started this blog, my original goal was to share information about food and health. I was only going to write about spirituality and happiness very rarely since I thought everyone knew what I knew. The interesting thing is that no one wanted to know about what happens with our food. It became very obvious that people really wanted to be blind on this subject. Ironically, people wanted more and more posts on spirituality and happiness so that is when I started to write primarily on those two subjects. This happened before I went public with my blog.
I was really surprised that no one really wanted to know about how food is no longer food. I can understand the resistance but when you see people getting bigger and cancer happening so frequently, it really makes you wonder why people do not care to wake up and see the truth.
As for what you said about that expose on Monsanto, don’t even get me started on that subject. I have read and seen enough documentaries on that one company….it breaks my heart to see and know that such things exist. That said, I will definitely check out that site. Thank you for letting me know.
And you are so right about how when it comes to spirituality, people focus on what they think and feel but not on what they eat. Actually, that is why I became a vegetarian…for spiritual reasons. In Eastern thought, a lot of texts mention the importance of the kinds of foods you eat and the importance of how some items can effect your clarity and serenity. Mind, body and spirit all have to be in harmony.
Hope all is awesome!
Nadia, thanks for writing about this and passing the message along! Great post!
Positively Present´s last blog ..100 things i am thankful for
Hi Dani,
You are welcome. Hope all is awesome!
I gave up “landmeat” about two years ago and also see it as a personal decision. I do still eat seafood. No one else in my life eats this way and sometimes makes jokes but in general, they are supportive. I do not feel superior in any way and respect other people’s choices.
I think the most effective way to make change is to educate people in a non-judgemental way and then people can make their own choice. I try to slowly make changes in my life as I become more educated about these types of issues. I think your post does this type of education successfully–non-judgemental, just presenting an issue and some ways to deal with it effectively.
Just to let you know, I continually love your blog; it helps me keep positive energy!
lena´s last blog ..The Best Gifts are Creative Gifts
Hi Lena,
Thank you so much for what you wrote. I am happy and humbled that my blog helps keep positive energy. You made my day!
You made a great point about the importance of educating people about what is out there. Each one of us has to do what we feel is right for ourselves. No one is entitled to judge another because that is not our job. The problem is that we need to be able to make informed choices and the information that we need is not often available. I think if I had not been allergic to high fructose corn syrup and if my mother had not died from cancer, I think I would be totally unaware of what was going on in the food industry. So I think it is important that we know what is going on…I have no idea how that will happen but it is wonderful that people create documentaries as “Food, Inc.” and write books about food.
I am so sorry you were vilified for being vegetarian. I guess having lived my entire live in the San Francisco Bay Area and now in Portland, I’m used to vegetarianism (and healthy eating in general) being the way of life for many people. I have been vilified for NOT being veggie though I have tired and failed (not healthy for ME) in the past. I also dont like the assumption that just because I’m not veg, I’m a beef eater!
Regardless of being veg or not, I think the important thing is knowing where your food comes from, (I know a lot of “junk food vegetarians”) and how it affects your health for better or worse. I tried to explain to a vegetarian friend how horrible aspartame is to the body and she looked at my like I had five heads. I guess I expected more from her!
Carla´s last blog ..Three Things I’m Thankful For
Hi Carla,
I use to live in San Francisco and it was so much fun. It is such an awesome city. So open and tolerant of anything. Words cannot describe how much I miss Boudin bread, Chinatown and Sausalito. Of course, I just loved Golden Gate park. I hear Portland is very nice too. Good for you for living in such beautiful places.
You are so right that many people make the assumption that people who are non-veg, eat beef. So everyone seems to be assuming stuff about other people. We got to stop doing that. And I know what you mean about how some vegetarians have no idea about health. I am often amazed when I read cookbooks from vegan and/or vegetarians and the sugar content or fat content is insane.
I guess what matters most is to just eat as natural as we can…whether vegetarian or not.
Hope all is awesome!
@Nadia – I’ve had a hard time looking for vegetarian cookbooks (to change things up a bit in the kitchen) and so many recipes require so much soy – something I cant eat. My best bet has always been raw vegan recipes.
Carla´s last blog ..Three Things I’m Thankful For
Hi Carla,
I know what you mean about the soy. I don’t like to eat soy too much which is hard since so many recipes always have soy in it. Thankfully, we have found ways to work around it and raw vegan recipes are really good. The trick is to find ones that do not require too much time.
I am amazed at how judgmental people can be – I just assume that they are unaware and they don’t wish to learn anything new – and that I will be paying their health care bills in the future, while they eat on the cheap now.
My husband and 2 of my children have Celiac Disease, one also has lots of allergies and my youngest came to us from an Asian Country with a complete cleft palate and a lesion in the brain over long term memory.
I decided to heal with food and help them be the best they could be….folks could not believe how few ear infections and colds my kids had when growing up. We gardened and I made things from scratch. I even found organic grains, cleanly raised and ground them myself.
I have added wild salmon to my diet to assist in my own health and may have to add organic, free range grass fed beef to help my problems…I am having trouble wrapping around that idea after 30 years …
We had roasted squash and dried fruit and bean compote for Thanksgiving that was so amazing.
I have been writing a lot about voting with the dollar and doing the UNICEF fundraiser eBook too….I was going to write about Food, Inc but have found 19 sites about it this week so I did a review of Michael Pollan’s book In Defense of Food instead…
Thank you for being one of them….:)
I too can not ingest corn syrup or dairy of any kind and now have added antibiotics to the list….they are getting to be in everything also. Oh to live a day without a headache…
Thank you for your good words
Hi Patricia,
Thank you so much for sharing your passion on this subject. Your Thanksgiving menu sounds yummy.
Michael Pollan’s book is awesome. I have that book and it was such an interesting read. He is in the movie too which is kind of cool. It is great that so many blogs are writing on the subject. Awareness is key and hopefully between movies, blogs, and books people will begin to realize that it is so important for food to be real and not a bunch of chemicals.
It is so sad that food is no longer food and we have to make lists of things we cannot eat since they are no more natural. It is so messed up. We were at one store and was looking at a bottle of carrot juice and to our surprise one of the ingredients was gelatin from one kind of fish. Why is there gelatin in carrot juice? I had to read it a few times to make sure that my eyes were not playing tricks on me. Of course, there were dyes in there too which is so weird considering carrots are naturally orange.
Anyway…I could go on and on….hope all is well with you and your family!
Hi Nadia
When I become defensive it is ususally because I know deep down in my heart that the other has a point AND that I am not able or courageous enough (yet) to be confronted with that knowledge. So I attack out of denial rather than go internal and be gentle on myself for knowing and not doing.
The whole food issue is massive, Barbara Kingsolver’s animal, vegetable, miracle book shows how massive.
A solution is to grow your own as much as you can, even small garden plots on the outskirts of the city would help.
I noticed now we grow our own and eat as fresh as possible, I feel less hungry and crave less rubbish food. Fancy that, real food is nutritious and feeds me.
The rubbish food is empty of nutriants and does NOT feed me, so I am never filled up and can keep going.
In the end when you buy good food, do you too think it might cost more but because you eat less, it actually does not cost more?
It is important to get informed and that movie is really gruesome.
Good on you and Megan for taking a stand, walking the talk is all we can do.
Love to you both, Wilma
Wilma Ham´s last blog ..Ann-Marie on Do-ing Community
Hi Wilma,
You raised a great point about how when you eat real food, you end up eating less. That is so true. The thing is that here the cost of fruits and vegetables is quite high in comparison to junk food. So it does cost more even though you eat less. We have no junk food in our house and we are pretty conservative in terms of what we buy. We only buy what we need and it adds up because organic is expensive. We hope to one day have land where we can grow our own food but until then, we have to stick to the supermarket. Thankfully, we have a place we can shop at for such items.
I have not read Barbara Kingsolver’s book but I have seen it at the bookstore. It sounds fascinating and hopefully we will be able to read it sometime soon.
And great point about being defensive. It is very true that often when we get defensive it is more about us than the other person.
Love to you too! Hope all is well with you and John!
Hey Nadia,
I just saw the DVD out in my local store last week but did not rent it. Good huh? I will have to rent it one day! It’s great that you are vegetarian! I haven’t gone totally meatless but have gone on periods of time with only vegetarian food.
At a dinner gathering in a gourmet restaurant recently, I recommended that my friends order salad meals. Trusting that I have ordered similarly before, they took my advice. However, I could see them having a hard time relishing their vegs. They didn’t like it. The one or two who did absolutely loved the huge servings of greens!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Evelyn
Evelyn Lim´s last blog ..10 Tips To Setting Powerful Intentions
Hi Evelyn,
No worries on not renting “Food, Inc.”. As for being vegetarian, I have been one for twenty-one years. I have to admit, it is hard to believe it has been that long but it has. I think it is an individual choice. It felt right for me and so far, no regrets. Each person has to do what feels right to them.
One of my favorite meals is a huge bowl of salad. I just love it because it always makes me feel so light and energized. However, not everyone gets that but no worries. That is the beauty of life…we have options.
Thank you so much for the Thanksgiving wishes. We had a wonderful holiday…then again, every day is a holiday in my mind. Hope all is well with you!
Hi Nadia,
“Food Inc.” is now high on my list of must watch movies. I believe people’s eating habits are simply determined by the conscious level they are at. And, when it is time for them to change up an eating habit…such as turning from being a meat eater to vegetarian…the desire for meat will fall off naturally (maybe a movie like this would disgust them enough that it would raise their conscious level enough and they would no longer find meat appealing.) The point being…that when it is time for them to “give something up” the right information will be brought their way and the change will come naturally without force.
If they are still eating meat it is because they are not yet ready to experience the change.
I honestly believe that the way we approach our eating has as much to do with it than the actual piece that we are eating. It is all God and if we bless our food and acknowledge that it comes from our Source and we’re grateful it becomes real sustenance for us.
The Aborigine’s in Australia eat anything that might come their way on a particular day….and most of it is moving and crawling…;) They believe that that is what has been brought to them by their God for nourishment for the day and they bless it with gratitude and eat it knowing that it was a gift. It is all about the relationship we have to food.
Bottom line is we’re all doing what we need to do at the conscious level that we are at. When it is time for change, change will come naturally as our conscious level changes. But, I certainly understand what you are saying about people who feel like they need to defend their need to eat meat. Most likely they are reacting that way because they have experienced someone who judged them for their meat eating and now they have become defensive about it to everyone who is not a meat eater. And, so it goes…round and round.
Rather than judge diversity, we just need to relax and see the beauty of God all around….in everything, including our eating habits…;)
I think we would be wise to remember these words:
Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’
Peter said, ‘Explain the parable to us.’
‘Are you still so dull?’ Jesus asked them. ‘Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ “
Matthew 15: 10-18
What goes into our mouths can only have an effect on us, whereas what comes out of our mouths can have a major impact on others…either positively or negatively.
Kathy
Kathy Dobson´s last blog ..Companionship
Hi Kathy,
Thank you so much for all that you wrote. I totally agree with everything you said and I just love that verse from the Bible. It is so true.
When I became a vegetarian, it was not in so much a mental choice. It just felt like the right thing to do and it was for spiritual reasons. With time, I noticed that what I ate did have an effect on how I felt. So if I ate food that was really heavy, my soul felt heavier. When I would eat things that were light and raw, I felt more in tune with my inner voice. So to me, there is a connection between mind, body and spirit.
That said, I have known vegetarians who were really negative and arrogant people. I have also known meat eaters who are full of light. So there is no set standard, in my mind, for how to be be when it comes to eating. I do think that the body has to be treated as a temple and we each have to choice how we feel that temple should be treated. And of course, to be rooted in love and tolerance is truly what matters more. Like the verse you shared, what matters more is what comes out of a person’s mouth.
Hi! Nadia,
“You are fifty seven years old,” my wife said one day, out of the blue. “What have you learned from all that living?” Her tone of voice implied that the answer would be “not much,” but her question reminded me that few of us spare more than the occasional moment to reflect on what we have learned from all our rich experience of life. Yet if we don’t know what we have learned, we won’t be able to capitalize on it, to use it to its best advantage.
Unexamined learning can turn out to be wasted learning, while those who fail to learn from their mistakes are doomed to repeat them. Which is why wise organizations build in regular review sessions for their work groups, to help them spell out the lessons, good and bad, that they have learned from their recent experiences. The most fruitful appraisals, too, are those that focus on what has been learned during the year, rather than on grading performance. Leaders, in particular, I now believe, need to devote time and intellectual energy to reflecting on their experiences in order to crystallize what they have learned and can now add to their stack of knowledge.
My wife’s question set me thinking, and, ultimately, to writing a memoir of my life of learning. What, I asked myself, were the times and events in my life where I had learned most? They weren’t, I realized with some surprise, the long years I spent in formal education, years that taught me facts, skills, and concepts in the hope that they might one day be useful, most of which soon faded, like all warehoused learning, without an opportunity to use them. No, they were the small events, often the mistakes, the times when I was pushed beyond my experience or when I was confronted with my own mortality.
Now that I started reading your “Diaries” I was somehow reinforced to re-evaluate most of the things I had been doing subconsciously without even trying to focus my mind on what harm I can do by putting courageously all sort of junk food in my poor stomach. Not that I was not aware that I should take serious care of my body that was transporting me so faithfully. But the temptation to eat things that should by all means be avoided is so strong
that one just can’t help it. If I start reasoning normally, I could at least convince myself to
put my priority on prophylactics instead of ending up with a serious disease that has to be medically treated. We would all be much better off if we had a sound theory of prophylactics that has to start with what we eat and how we are fed. As you state:
“We live in a world where many of us do not want to think about what happens behind the scenes of what we eat. I totally understand that but when our health is at stake, I think it is important that we take an interest in the things that we consume.” Otherwise the probability to end up in trouble is very high.
As time went on the questions and the learning got more fundamental as I found myself struggling with life’s big dilemmas. “What am I trying to achieve in life?” “What does success mean?” “What is Enough, in terms of money, or achievement?” My own experiences posed the questions but for answers I found that I had to turn to other sources, to the philosophers of Ancient Greece, to the religions and to authors such as Shakespeare or Montaigne. These are not the books normally found in business schools, but I found them necessary in order to put concepts around my unspoken feelings, for what is not conceptualized is not fully understood.
The questions that I struggled with as I worked my way through life are not unusual. They are especially relevant to anyone who is charged with responsibility for the work and lives of others. But, as I discovered, we may need help to make sense of our experiences and our dilemmas, to consolidate the learning. Business and leadership development programs at their best can offer this help, providing that they allow the space to draw out the personal experiences of the participants. Mentors, at their best, can be invaluable, or, if they are no longer around, their books can substitute.
What is not conceptualized is not fully understood.
What is essential, however, is allocating time to this type of reflection and creating a procedure to make it happen. I found that the need to write a book with a list of seventeen learning experiences was invaluable. I wish only that I had done it earlier. It might have saved me a lot of pain.
Of course, most people in leadership positions, or aspiring to them, are not going to sit around writing an autobiography. Writing, however, is a way of talking out loud to oneself, following the old Irish saying, “How do I know what I think until I hear what I say?” Reflective learning needs a voice, and a deadline. A diary is less onerous than a book, but it does capture the raw material of what are, in effect, personal case studies, material that can be revisited later to draw out the lessons learned, often with the help of a sympathetic listener. Indeed, the very act of writing it down can often alert one to the assumptions and priorities that had been taken for granted, unexamined and unquestioned. The unexamined life can still be worth living—but a life will be more successful if some regular reflection is built into it.
Wow! I even missed to congratulate all of you with your wonderful “Thanksgiving”holiday.
Poor me. There is still a lot to learn.
Hi Mike,
One of the beautiful things about life is that there is always so much to learn. For some reason, I have always known that there is no limit to how much we can learn. The key is to be aware that none of us knows it all. We are all works in progress and we each have to be true to who we are. We each are beautiful. We each are important. We each have gifts to share with the world. So our focus should be on using what we have to make the world a better place.
The problem is that people think that they are isolated from one another and therefore, are just focused on their own needs and wants. We do have to pay attention to our individual needs but we are also citizens of the world and have to do what we can to make the world better. Otherwise, what is the point in being alive if you do not help others?
To be candid, I have never quite understood how people cannot live the examined life. What a waste of a human embodiment if one just goes through life without any regard to what they are doing or what they have learned. Life is a journey…we have to make the most out of the journey. That means we have to take responsibility for how we choose to be in this world. We can blame everyone else for our problems but that is wasted energy. We are only responsible for our role and we ought to play our part to our ultimate best. There is no room for shortcuts.
And thank you for the Thanksgiving wishes. We had a wonderful holiday. Hope all is well with you!
Nadia,
My first thought is if a person believes in energy, then that person must be aware that what is ingested contains energy that is directly ingested into your being. You could spend your entire day being mindful of external energy and what you are surrounded by, yet still be stumped by consuming negative energy. I sometimes make the conscious choice to eat “whatever” but I do so knowing how Iwill probably feel after. I did not see the movie. Since I respect you and Megan I will watch it. I am sure there is much to learn.
In my personal life, I was a vegetarian until my second year of college when I ate a hamburger (people tease me–it must have been a good looking burger, or a good looking guy eating the burger, but I actually don’t remember either!). I know I feel better when I choose to eat clean and healthy, much like I feel better when I choose good and healthy actions. When cooking for my vegan friends, it is an exciting challenge for me to find the right ingredients to prepare something fantastic; a challenge I enjoy and then incorporate into my own diet.
I’m glad that you share your views with us as openly as you do. Thank you!
Hi Joy,
Great point about how everything whether it is food or people is a form of energy. As I have written in response to other comments, I have known people who were vegetarian and not the nicest of people. I have known meat eaters who are full of light. The kind of diet you have does indicate the kind of person you are and I find it funny when people get so moral about the issue. Each person has to do what is right for them and no one can tell another person do otherwise.
My personal wish is that food be food again. There is no need for food to be so full of chemicals and not natural ingredients. So it is my hope that with time we get back to being as natural and organic as we used to be. Actually, organic is normal and natural…not this unusual thing that we have no made it to be.
And thank you for all your kind words and support. If you do see the movie, please let me know what you think. I always love to hear how people react to something.
Hope all is awesome!
Dear Nadia, Wow! I’ve miss so much here. I was out of action for over week due to computer and web host challenges, which seem to be sorted out at last. Keeping my fingers crossed.
This is SUCH an amazingly comprehensive article. I am just floored and can relate to it. I’ve been many things in my life, a vegan, a vegetarian, a raw food-ist vegan, a fruitarian, a vegan who ate meat once a year, LOL!! a breathanarian and more. BUT through all of that I never was bothered by how others ate. Like you, I prayed that whatever they ate that it be healthy and if possible nondestructive to the planet.
I shop at health food stores and buy organic. On the rare occasion that I’ve been into the regular stores I am stunned by the obesity and the wheeled carts that people sit in and drive around. It seems to get worse every year. I think you wrote this whole post with the right amount of spunk and compassion. Very well done. And I also think you focused on the key important issues. I could never have done such a comprehensive review. I am totally floored and impressed. I want to get the DVD and watch it with my husband.
I’ve missed you and it is so good to be back here and feel your bold and yet compassionate spirit. I like that and so much more about you. Sending you love and a big hug, Robin
Robin Easton´s last blog ..Lifting the Lid on Age and Death
Hi Robin,
I did read about your computer issues so I am thrilled that you are back! You were definitely missed. And fingers and toes are crossed.
Years ago, I read about this woman who lives in Australia and she just lives on sunshine, water, and fruit. From what I hear, she looks a whole lot younger than her age and is full of love and light. I often joke with my husband that I would love to be like that lady since it seems so simple. I am all for being a breathanarian. Sounds awesome.
The movie is really good but just know that some scenes are really hard to watch. At least, some scenes were really tough for me. I had to cover my eyes because it was just heartbreaking. Actually, some of the images still haunt me and it is just kind of sad but a very educational film. Please let me know what you think if you do see it. I really would love to hear your perspective.
And as for having a bold and compassionate spirit….people are just mirrors for one another….so I see the same traits in you! Keep shing bright and lots of love and hugs to you too!
I’ve been trying to figure out what eating healthy means. It’s amazing how much of a spectrum there is, and contradictory models. I have found some principles that seem consistent. The worst issue seems to be spiking your blood sugar. Part of the problem is not knowing what to measure, so testing your results is tough. I think next year I’m going to focus a lot more on putting the pieces of the puzzle together.
Here are some interesting tidbits:
- natural hygiene attempts to figure out the laws of life (and how to preserve/restore health)
- Dr. Joel Furhman teaches us to focus on nutritional density and to cover the nutritional spectrum (his own version of the pyramid.)
- The Zone teaches us the ratios of carbs/fats/protien, to treat food as a drug, and to regulate our hormones.
- Atkins teaches us low carb, know your carb intolerance, and focus on fibrous carbs over starchy carbs (and don’t spike your blood sugar.)
- key enemies are malnutrition, bad fats, spiking blood sugar, and carrying excess weight.
I haven’t read Gary Taube’s book, Good Calories, Bad Calories, yet, but I heard it’s a must read.
J.D. Meier´s last blog ..What 16 Movies Can Teach Us About Life and Leadership
Hi JD,
After years of struggling with the issue of food, I have come up with the solution that works best for me. Just eat as natural as you can and in moderation. All those diets such as the Zone, Atkins and so on, just complicate an issue which is truly very simple.
Food is meant to nourish and so it is best to pick foods that actually nourish. I think so often we forget to listen to our bodies. Our bodies know what we want and we just should listen to it. Food is also supposed to be enjoyable and not a science. Long before there were nonfat version and lowfat versions, people were actually healthier than they are now.
So my solution and belief is to eat natural and in moderation. It has made eating so much more fun and I feel a whole lot better physically too.
As always, the depth of you deepens. Hey – deep, eh??
I’ve lost 5 lbs! So happy at 120 lbs. (I’m 5′3″) Walking must’ve made me lose it. And European-sized pie slices. And cutting back on the high-fructose corn syrup beer, yuck.
I like your thought, “Use your wallet to be your method of protest.” If we all did this, we’d be closer to the consciousness we can attain.
And your encouragement to be non-judgemental of others is a steadfast reminder of love.
Thanks!
Jannie Funster´s last blog ..Getting To Know Him… Getting To Know All About A Wonderful Blogger.
Hi Jannie,
Congrats on losing the 5 pounds! That is awesome. I have also learned to cut down on portion sizes. As for walking, I love it because it is like a meditation for me and it is my alone time. Helps me clear my head.
As for using our wallets as a method of protest, it is a very effective method. I really believe that because business people just pay attention to profits. So if they see some kind of products earning more, they will make the connection that more and more people want such stuff. You are right, if more people realized that we would be closer to the consciousness that so many of us want. Everything is connected on some level.
And thank you for always being so much fun and supportive. I really appreciate it!
Hey Nadia Supremo Deluxe
really really liked reading this won.
reading it sent little “this is spartaaaas”, hrust out the mouths of a chorus of cartoon carrots, down my spine, past my stomach, and back up into my heart. warm tingly feelings.
i’ve been a vegetarian(ish – i eat fish) all my life and arguments definitely arise with friends trying to impose their habits.
Really liked your quip about india. food definitely is food in india. though to me, food took on a multitude of colourful meanings during my stay. was an amazing experience. not just for my stomach but all-round
Maybe it’s just here in Cape Town, South Africa, but i find it cheaper to be vegetarian. And indeed, cheaper to buy healthy food. There are all sorts of quirky farmers markets and places to get pulsing pulses and happy vegetables – one of them is this quirky indian farmer living around thirty minutes out of town who sells a bag of organic vegetables for the price of a bag of potatoes at a regular supermarket, plus he’s got 7 chickens, 6 cats and 5 kids running around. you just gotta hustle yo
really really cool post all round.
smoldouring. like you dipped your proverbial pen in your syrup of wahoo. glorious
keep well and in touch Nadia dearest
alex – unleash reality
Hi Alex,
Thank you so much for the kind words.
Africa is the one continent (besides Antartica) that I have not been to but would love to visit especially South Africa. When we were living in India, it was so cheap to be a vegetarian. Here in America it is very expensive. So good for you for being able to get such great deals. Enjoy it!
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