tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13684790.post5811841914929963710..comments2023-11-05T05:28:34.444-07:00Comments on Voice of Reason: Have found new meaning in lifeNemesishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00110470182822628791noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13684790.post-44991169504412135682012-04-30T21:51:30.583-06:002012-04-30T21:51:30.583-06:00I generally find that sticking it to the Man is a ...I generally find that sticking it to the Man is a perfect reason for doing pretty much anything. LOL Oh, and I also happen to agree with buying local. Keep fighting the good fight!Kimnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13684790.post-77327490684244320952007-09-24T13:47:00.000-06:002007-09-24T13:47:00.000-06:00Hello, Lady J! Yes, I definitely thought of you an...Hello, Lady J! Yes, I definitely thought of you and your fair-trade bananas when I was writing this. :-)Nemesishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00110470182822628791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13684790.post-38726402824801236362007-09-23T13:57:00.000-06:002007-09-23T13:57:00.000-06:00Ah Miss Nem - You have seen the light at last! (Re...Ah Miss Nem - You have seen the light at last! (Remember my comment about what I am snobbish about when you asked a month or two ago? - Local produce, fair trade bananas and free-range meat.) Well done for effectively spreading the word!Lady Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02477686086537653133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13684790.post-74023663856738360182007-09-20T23:37:00.000-06:002007-09-20T23:37:00.000-06:00But see here is the point that you (and Kingsolver...But see here is the point that you (and Kingsolver) get: you don't just can because 'everyone cans' and because using all your precious time to save 15 cents a can makes sense (because it doesn't). The kinds of principles you're talking about (buying local, eating fruit you know was grown in season, learning and preserving certain knowledge and skills) might actually be a good enough reason to sacrifice some time and effort.<BR/><BR/>I'm not anti-canning. It's just the sheep mentality that makes me scowl.choshahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07724444970503533654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13684790.post-82693289313332960592007-09-20T15:13:00.000-06:002007-09-20T15:13:00.000-06:00Don't get me started on MSG. My Dad is allergic t...Don't get me started on MSG. My Dad is allergic to all forms. Carageenan is a swear word in our dictionary. Its the stabilizer that they put in most milk products. <BR/><BR/>You should look up carageenan and msg. Its amazing what reactions some people, and some children have to it. Headaches and migraines, hyperactivity, and in my Dad, Arrhythmia.<BR/><BR/>I live next door to my parents. They offered us our dream. A whole acre of property to call our own. They also have a small fruit orchard of 10 or so trees and a berry patch that they share with us :) <BR/><BR/>Anyway, last night I cooked a new dish out of my new healthy and (sometimes) quick cookbook. It had basic ingredients such as eggs, pinto beans, cheddar cheese, sour cream (Daisy light, only a couple of ingredients!) and corn to name a few. <BR/><BR/>I made way to much for my family and offered a bunch to my parents. This led to a quick scan of ingredients (didn't want to make Dad sick). I was stunned to discover that the basic can of red pinto beans had corn syrup. <BR/><BR/>What is up with that!!!!!<BR/><BR/>-LBARAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13684790.post-90862211310863730672007-09-20T14:48:00.000-06:002007-09-20T14:48:00.000-06:00Oh, and we garden too. Tasty! And there's more roo...Oh, and we garden too. Tasty! And there's more room for it now that we've bought a new house...mirandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03789803440939980928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13684790.post-87059357982542869022007-09-20T14:45:00.000-06:002007-09-20T14:45:00.000-06:00My family's been off WalMart for more than a year,...My family's been off WalMart for more than a year, and we're actually SAVING money (no impulse buys!) overall. We buy local at the gardener's market and we get organic foods at Sweet Peas here in Logan, which also offers local stuff. We also feel better because we're not eating processed foods in near the quantities we used to.mirandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03789803440939980928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13684790.post-89264553197461636752007-09-19T18:49:00.000-06:002007-09-19T18:49:00.000-06:00I am looking forward to reading this book. I remem...I am looking forward to reading this book. I remember when it came out earlier this year and Ms. Kingslover was on just about every single NPR talk show discussing her big experiment. (I think I heard every single interview with her as NPR was all I listened to while I was prepping and painting that Big O's room). She's a very good interview. If anyone doesn't want to go and read the book right away, I suggest listening to these interviews. You'll get all the important info.<BR/><BR/>I am also looking forward to reading Omnivore's Dilemma by Micheal Pollan. Our Relief Society Book group read it back in May, but I didn't read it then because I was too cheap to buy a copy and the waiting list at the library was about 50 people long.But the discussion was excellent and now that it's finally off the NY Times bestseller top ten, I might be able to check it out from the library, or at least find a paperback copy.<BR/><BR/>Yay for you taking action!Lady Steedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12439183959591664777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13684790.post-68204931854297743112007-09-19T15:13:00.000-06:002007-09-19T15:13:00.000-06:00I just bought this book myself and am really looki...I just bought this book myself and am really looking forward to reading it. <BR/><BR/>If you haven't yet, you should also read The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan. I heard an interview with him when the Farm Bill was up for renewal and he just said he's not saying there shouldn't be farmer subsidies, but could we maybe subsidize healthy food instead of tons and tons of corn and soybeans? Amen.Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03573340707827029537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13684790.post-16071411707864897012007-09-19T14:31:00.000-06:002007-09-19T14:31:00.000-06:00Azucar will probably have better information than ...Azucar will probably have better information than I will, but there's an interesting Wikipedia <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_fructose_corn_syrup" REL="nofollow">article </A> about the subject.<BR/><BR/>The short version of the article: Corn syrup is much cheaper to produce because of the United States' corn and farm subsidies. The government also made it more expensive to import sugar, thus creating a demand for their own product (corn and corn syrup). So it's replacing sugar in a lot of foods. And it's being dumped into foods that don't necessarily need it, thus increasing the caloric content of our foods. <BR/><BR/>Some argue that corn syrup, with its higher levels of fructose, is worse for you than cane sugar. Or at least the way it's being dumped into our foods encourages overconsumption.Nemesishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00110470182822628791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13684790.post-44380422293755734622007-09-19T14:03:00.000-06:002007-09-19T14:03:00.000-06:00azucar, what is wrong with high fructose corn syru...azucar, what is wrong with high fructose corn syrup? I have heard of people removing it completely from their diets, but why?<BR/><BR/>Also, I make my own spaghetti sauce with tomatoes and zucchini I pulled from my own garden and it is so good. It could be all the good karma that makes it taste better. I put it in freezer bags and throw it in the freezer..::still blinking::.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05337616846276994140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13684790.post-48258938742199216052007-09-19T13:42:00.000-06:002007-09-19T13:42:00.000-06:001. Soy is one of the foods that absorbs and retain...1. Soy is one of the foods that absorbs and retains the most pesticides. So not only are you getting fat from soy being used in everything, you're getting more carcinogens.<BR/><BR/>2. WalMart is a horrible, horrible store that is committed to destroying public education in this country. No one should shop there, no matter how cheap their stuff is. Also, let's address the Chinese sweatshop issue when you're done with this one.<BR/><BR/>3. I got two bushels of peaches yesterday. I picked them myself, and they are fresh, sweet, and beautiful. I can't wait to can them tomorrow. Because we are going to have tasty, healthy peaches all winter long. <BR/><BR/>4. I heard B.K. read twice. She's pretty pretty cool. She probably got the idea for this new book from me, because I have thought a lot about this issue. I may or may not have mentioned it to her when I stood in line for her autograph. Even if I didn't, I bet she sensed my concern.<BR/><BR/>5. Thanks, Cicada, for bringing up the chickens. While you're at it, why don't you give me a paper cut and pour lemon juice in it?<BR/><BR/>6. Hydrogenated anything = MSG. And, as Rynell said, so do about a million other things.daltongirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16307904950109679631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13684790.post-14419202534806758742007-09-19T11:08:00.000-06:002007-09-19T11:08:00.000-06:00I whole heartedly agree. I will read this book, it...I whole heartedly agree. <BR/>I will read this book, it looks like it reaffirms my own ideas. Hey, who doesn't like their own ideas reaffirmed?<BR/><BR/>High fructose corn syrup also terrifies me. So does MSG, which I thought only went by the name "mono sodium glutamate" but I have recently learned it goes by a hundred or so other names so that it can efficiently hide on lables. Yeah, Thanks America. <BR/><BR/>I'm off to my local farm stand.Rynellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01026693487362512860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13684790.post-12814811298840639172007-09-19T10:49:00.000-06:002007-09-19T10:49:00.000-06:00Yes, great post. Also, great comment, Foxy. I'm de...Yes, great post. Also, great comment, Foxy. I'm delighted to read such right-mindedness from both of you instead of the usual maniacal rants I see on this subject. ("If you don't eat only local NOW, the Earth will explode tomorrow!")<BR/><BR/>And yeah. My mom just gave me her pressure cooker, and I'm dying to go to the FM and find something to can. Except I think I'm still doing my peaches the Costco way.<BR/><BR/>Also, it's terrifying to realize how little our society knows about farming.ambrosia ananashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05771116150816566154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13684790.post-28473509946316709822007-09-19T10:38:00.001-06:002007-09-19T10:38:00.001-06:00Also, a plug for gardening - there's nothing like ...Also, a plug for gardening - there's nothing like digging in the dirt (or checking on pots on your patio or balcony, which I have also done), and looking to see what grew overnight. Very satisfying. Only thing that's more is eating it!<BR/><BR/>And, the only thing that scares me more than cornsyrup? Hydrogenated fats! EWWWWW!Palomitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14568058196316143707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13684790.post-2717662598265876032007-09-19T10:38:00.000-06:002007-09-19T10:38:00.000-06:00Great post; great comments.Funny thing--I get my t...Great post; great comments.<BR/><BR/>Funny thing--I get my tomatoes from Arizona.Bradenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02561613173295281689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13684790.post-13742373797222338052007-09-19T10:13:00.000-06:002007-09-19T10:13:00.000-06:00Ooh, also, have you read The World Without Us by A...Ooh, also, have you read The World Without Us by Alan Weisman? It's all about how humans have tried to alter and repress nature, and how quickly nature would bounce back if we all disappeared tomorrow.Rebekahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08599286202033243810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13684790.post-33625458607690716982007-09-19T09:56:00.000-06:002007-09-19T09:56:00.000-06:00Well, I found you blog through MBC of Librarian Pa...Well, I found you blog through MBC of Librarian Pants and I have to say that your list of favorite books just made my day. Bridget Jones and Ella Minnow Pea! I'll no longer hang my head in shame.Rebekahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08599286202033243810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13684790.post-59364608061036293642007-09-19T09:49:00.000-06:002007-09-19T09:49:00.000-06:00You make me a believer. I think I'd like to read t...You make me a believer. I think I'd like to read that book.<BR/><BR/>Oh, but don't get chickens and raise them in your backyard. Because the neighbors tell on you. Then they go make their meth.Cicadahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14992280321382438701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13684790.post-85570575168849195852007-09-19T08:51:00.000-06:002007-09-19T08:51:00.000-06:00And you know who can completely help you with cann...And you know who can completely help you with canning those peaches or putting up jam?<BR/><BR/>Oh yeah.Desmamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04799831623274044784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13684790.post-63972323574935119032007-09-19T07:49:00.000-06:002007-09-19T07:49:00.000-06:00Where is the L**** farmer's market? I am missing ...Where is the L**** farmer's market? I am missing the stuff I got around Portland.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13684790.post-17264507027766846752007-09-19T01:32:00.000-06:002007-09-19T01:32:00.000-06:00Plantboy and I went to our Farmer's Market "downto...Plantboy and I went to our Farmer's Market "downtown" last weekend. It was brilliant. It is also opened year round. I'll definitely read this book. Maybe it will be our next husband-wife read aloud. It sounds like our kind of thing. Plantboy's freezer jam is exceptional; if you don't want to go to the effort, the good local brand in your neck of the woods is Weeks'--sold at Old Gristmill.<BR/><BR/>My first teaching job was AP Environmental Science. I learned so much--I took my kids to the water treatment plant, on hikes, and to the state legislature during a session. It was a blast. We had discussions about ways to control populations and it was a class project to go vegetarian (or vegan) for two weeks. My kids were required to do a big service project to end out the year.<BR/>Unfortunately, I had to switch schools after just a year, but I hope to get the chance again. I feel like I know so much more now than I did then. And I really felt like I made a difference. I ran into one of my former students at the temple grounds just before I moved from L**** last spring and he is getting a master's degree in Environmental Studies, hoping to pursue a PhD in the same.<BR/><BR/>And the Al Gore movie scared the crap out of me.Science Teacher Mommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16579558647324072199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13684790.post-37103310620571069802007-09-19T01:20:00.000-06:002007-09-19T01:20:00.000-06:00I think fish is so darn expensive everywhere for a...I think fish is so darn expensive everywhere for a few reasons. The fishing industry is protected because it's so risky and because they can get away with it. Fish is trendy right now, although we've always eaten it in our family. There's probably a gas issue in there somewhere. We are paying $14 a pound for halibut that is practically pulled out of our back yard. But a charter to catch your own is $250, plus the cost of a license and then processing costs. A decent food save is over $100. So even catching your own is a bit of a gamble. <BR/><BR/>Here, here for canning. Freezing food and making jam is as easy as it gets. Smoking fish is pretty easy too, but you need a smoker. Or a mom with a smoker. Hot water bath canning is super easy as well for all those extra tomatoes and applesauce as well as a variety of other stuff. I made my own relish for the first time last year and it was so easy and so fun. This why we must all live close and have gardens. I planted about 20 raspberry vines this year. There is jam in my future.coolmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09482034294692122709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13684790.post-75370000484531674082007-09-19T00:52:00.000-06:002007-09-19T00:52:00.000-06:00I think our brains were separated at birth...or so...I think our brains were separated at birth...or something.<BR/><BR/>High fructose corn syrup scares the crap out of me.Carinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13859567470814286102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13684790.post-58198082312427740302007-09-19T00:42:00.000-06:002007-09-19T00:42:00.000-06:00There was recently an intriguing Op-Ed piece in th...There was recently an intriguing Op-Ed piece in the NY Times about how sometimes local food actually isn't the best thing for the environment. For example, it takes more fossil fuel (in the form of fertilizers, pesticides, etc) and more water to raise sheep in England than it does to ship lamb meat from New Zealand. Interesting. <BR/><BR/>The issue of food supply and the environment is very, very complicated. But, I'm all for eating more unprocessed food, eating more seasonal fruits and veggies, shunning evil corporations, eating less corn syrup, and buying organic.And canning. I actually really like canning and freezing food. Next summer you should make freezer jam. It's super easy, and they sell the pectin in small enough packages that you can just use a few berries and make 3 or 4 jars of jam. Just enough to get you through the next year. Yum!<BR/><BR/>My big question is if eating local is supposedly cheaper, why is fish so darn expensive here in Seattle? :)FoxyJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17950095008611661757noreply@blogger.com