A New Idea

I'm still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up, and I'm already 30! I know some people never quite figure it out, but it's driving me crazy. Actually, scratch that, I do know, I just don't know how to get there. I want to combine my love of all things food, growing it, buying it local, cooking it, eating it, the science behind it, and educate and inspire the general public about it. See, the problem with the food movement, more specifically, the local food movement is that there are those who still see it as not practical, even unattainable. Some opponents even call those of us who are a part of this movement elitists. They claim that the average American cannot afford to buy food that is good and wholesome, that they must sustain themselves on government subsidized crop foods. I say, they can't afford not to.

While it's certainly true that you can eat lunch at a fast food restaurant for under five dollars, and that food certainly provides plenty of calories which provide energy to the body, that food is lacking so much. Not to pick on just fast food, it's any convenience food that packs in the bad and markets itself as quick and easy, for the average busy American. However, this same busy American watches 2.8 hours of television a day. I'm not disagreeing with the idea that our lives are hectic, and some down time is necessary, but look at the statistics overall. Americans are stressed, they spend a lot of time working, taking care of the household, taking care of kids, so the idea of coming home after a long day and trying to whip up a healthy dinner is mentally exhausting. I get it, I do, but here's the thing. Americans are also getting more overweight, and therefore more unhealthy. Over two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese, and even more disturbing, we are the heaviest nation in the world! The days of entitlement and over-indulgence have come home to roost, right around our midsections. As for the statement that we can't afford not to eat healthy, it all comes down to two things; economy and health care.

We live in a capitalist society. You thought we had a democracy, but we don't. It's all about the bottom dollar. How companies can make the most money by marketing to the people what they think they need. Actually, more like, how companies can make the most money by marketing to the people what the companies think they need. Over 40% of Americans are in debt, with a good portion of the rest hovering on financial insecurity. For the most part, it's not because we don't make enough to support ourselves, but because we feel like we have got to have stuff. That's the best word I can come up with, stuff. Fancy clothes, shoes, games, vehicles, books, computers, movies, home entertainment systems, recreational vehicles, etc. We don't work to live, we work to keep ourselves in stuff. I have actually heard someone once say that they weren't sure if they could make the rent, but they were definitely going out to have a good time, and it happens all the time. We spend so much money on stuff, but the second we're asked to spend $5 on a head of broccoli, we go crazy. Five dollars?! I can get a double cheeseburger and fries and a large soft drink for that!

True, but what else are you getting? This leads us to health care. A lower socio-economic status mother who works two jobs to try to take care of her three children thinks that feeding her family frozen dinners is going to give them everything they need. Or worse, when I worked as a cashier at a grocery store, I would see cartload after cartload of chips, soda, ground meat, snack foods, and nary a green vegetable. Where is this leading us? Into health care hell. With two-thirds of Americans overweight or obese, there are a lot of problems that come with that. One of the saddest is that the children of today have a shorter expected life span than their parents. Children are experiencing diseases that once-upon-a-time only much older adults experienced. Diabetes, heart disease, stress, depression. This means that the amount the average American spends on health care rises considerably as they try to combat preventable diseases for both themselves and their children.

What we need is a total change. Okay, so we live in capitalistic society. That means vote with your dollar. Keep you dollar local and give it to those who really need it- the men and women who work hard to provide quality, not quantity, and keep your dollar out of the hands of the greedy corporations. Spend less time in front of the television and more time with family. If the whole family pitches in with a meal, the task doesn't seem so daunting. Not to mention, spending time with loved ones can reduce the stress that makes the lure of overeating and sitting on your tush so appealing. If you need help, see a professional. No, not a psychiatrist. Someone more like me.

See, what I want to do is educate and inspire the average American by helping them learn how to grow their own vegetables, and/ or visit their local farmers market. I then want to show them how to turn that produce and meat into a tasty meal the whole family will enjoy. I want to show them eating well can make them feel more energized, get sick less often, and even lose some pounds, if needed. It's not that difficult, and certainly not that expensive. We are not elitists, trust me. We just want whats best for everyone.

My next step is to figure how to do this without sounding like a nagging parent- eat your vegetables, they're good for you. Any suggestions?