Archive for the ‘Issues’ Category

Making a Difference

Filed Under: Issueson November 7th, 2009

There are few things that I will political advocate or even talk about but when it comes to the environment, sustainability, and eating locally I have a lot to say.

It annoys people, I can tell. And I don’t care.

The reason why I think it bothers people is because words such as “organic” and “sustainability” and even the idea of eating “local” have become buzz-words lost in translation. eat-local

This country is in serious need of a health makeover. I know at the moment things such as the economy and the war overshadow the need for becoming a healthy nation, but it needs to start somewhere. People need to take action into their own hands and learn about REAL food, grown by REAL people, that can make a real difference on their lives. I don’t agree with many of Obama’s healthcare reform logistics but his core idea is a legitimate one. We need health care, not sick care. And right now we have the latter.

Good health care and good health begins with real food. Finding out where it comes from, how it’s made, what it’s made with, and how it impacts your life and the world.

I could go on for days … I won’t, don’t worry. Not yet …

One thing I can say is that many people in the country (celeb chef included) are doing their part to make it an issue. My boss Kimberly Belle passed this wonderful petition on to me and now I’m passing it on to you. The petition is Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution which is to invigorate healthy school lunches and teaching for students. It’s a great idea no matter what you think about all the buzz words.

Drown out the noise, and sign the petition.

Food Rules to Live By

Filed Under: Issueson October 13th, 2009

One of my all-time favorite food writers, Michael Pollan, who wrote both the Omnivore’s Delemma, and The Bounty of Desire shares with the New York Times Magazine influential quotes from other foodies. Lessons on “how to eat.” It’s something everyone in this day and age could use.
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Check it out!

Back Handling a Problem

Filed Under: Issueson October 3rd, 2009

An article published in the New York Times yesterday entitled, “Bake Sales Are Banned in New York Schools” really got me riled up.

The article states that according to Education Department of New York City bake sales have been banned from schools. No cookies, no cupcakes, no zucchini bread even. The claim is that during “school hours” children should be focused on school, and the best way to do this is by creating an ideal environment.

Life isn’t ideal. Sweets are everywhere. Limiting a child’s ability to CHOOSE to eat or not eat something isn’t creating an ideal environment, it’s crippling them.

I think every Dr. and nutritionist would say that depriving someone of something will make them want it more. Isn’t that standard protocol in just about EVERY diet, “Do not deprive yourself of anything, just learn time/place/and portion for it.”

Education about being “healthy” doesn’t come from taking away the decision, it comes from teaching kids about what is good and bad for health, and HOW to make health decisions.

Blew me away. Feel free to pass it along, maybe I’m acting silly, but to me this all seems a little backwards.