tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131844.post6091497741251885888..comments2024-02-28T19:37:14.696+01:00Comments on moments of perfect clarity: food for thoughtjulochkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10884096685015570257noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131844.post-38761367736895707962013-09-09T22:33:26.125+02:002013-09-09T22:33:26.125+02:00I think all the questions/concerns you mentioned (...I think all the questions/concerns you mentioned (such as 'were these chickens that laid these eggs crowded in little wire cages, with no possibility of ever going outside?'), perfectly sum up our food dilemmas. When I am speaking with in-laws or acquaintances who are mostly oblivious to food things, I find it hard to know where to start if they have questions. There is simply so much to know and so many dilemmas, we can become lost in them. It's almost easy to understand why so many people I encounter prefer to remain in the dark about their food. Being more self-sufficient with small-scale homesteading activities is the popular solution but like you say, we like to cook with olive oil. While I have found articles on making your own, olives certainly don't grow everywhere and yet home cooks everywhere (more or less) rely on it. Even Barabara Kingsolver in her year of local eating made concessions for olive oil and other similar condiments. And let's not forget coffee! Where would be without imported coffee? We have local roasters around here but that's as close as we get to local. Definitely more questions than answers at this point in our study. I dread being the self-appointed doomsdayer that does nothing but wave around red flags of negativity so I hope to find some solutions to our food dilemmas in our study. I suspect there is no one-size-fits-all solution.Laura Doylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14407229726272149440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131844.post-61325289909559045652013-09-06T20:24:19.922+02:002013-09-06T20:24:19.922+02:00Pollan's quote about "guilt" has bee...Pollan's quote about "guilt" has been perhaps the thing I've quoted most from these readings in conversations. Wasn't it interesting how different the answers were in the American/French definitions? Although there is much to be concerned about with food miles, carbon footprints, animal abuse, etc., I think there has to balance, as well. We need to pick our battles carefully and then perhaps over all the war will be<br /> won. I, too, am energized by this course ~ and by the blog camp members' submissions and comments, for if nothing else, I realize that none of us are alone in the quest for a better life...and that begins with food...Cyndyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01365918364420231384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131844.post-83067415540856081312013-09-03T12:35:30.984+02:002013-09-03T12:35:30.984+02:00The food mile conversation can become very overwhe...The food mile conversation can become very overwhelming, and I think your thought processes are all there. I feel about food somewhat how I feel about the farm.... I want to accomplish everything, yesterday! Brian always reminds me it is a marathon, not a sprin.t<br /><br />. I think we need to be thoughtful in our decisions, limit our food miles as much as possible, yet not eliminate some of those special items that we so enjoy. I always try to by local or regional fruit (after garden season), but this far North many times it comes from further away. I have to think that the ripple effect is in place and all of the things we do build not only to reduce our footprint, but some little bits rub off on others too.<br /><br />rayfamilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10738836663001170089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131844.post-81877711647083351382013-09-03T10:46:35.208+02:002013-09-03T10:46:35.208+02:00thanks for the links to narratively and strangers ...thanks for the links to narratively and strangers together, really liked them.Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03470810820417327936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131844.post-88389409104429057462013-09-03T10:10:40.862+02:002013-09-03T10:10:40.862+02:00@bill, that's a pretty ameri-centric list, but...@bill, that's a pretty ameri-centric list, but i do like hank shaw.<br /><br />@tara - i DO use the eggshells and give them back to the chickens, but i think that the seashells, which are a natural product and produced in denmark are just fine as well.<br /><br />we too have the luxury of organic boxes delivered to the door and you can choose a produced-in-denmark focused one. <br /><br />you should really be part of our group - i'll invite you on FB and you can read along as you have time and inclination!julochkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10884096685015570257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131844.post-53172424646494421982013-09-03T10:01:47.197+02:002013-09-03T10:01:47.197+02:00I think in SA we are incredibly lucky that our foo...I think in SA we are incredibly lucky that our food industry is "relatively" unadulterated. Or maybe I'm being totally naive? We have fantastic free-range red meat (lamb, beef etc), excellent wines, fruit & oil oils. As much as I moan about our local grocery shop, a lot of the produce is local. To the point where John plays cricket for the same club as the guy who grew the potatoes I bought last week (his name was stamped on the bag).<br />Here I can (and do) subscribe to a weekly organic veggie box that comes from no more than 100km away. Gorgeous peas and cabbages, carrots and broccoli. We're so lucky<br /><br />But we can afford all this. What about those who, for purely economic reasons, cannot? Who eat the fluorescent pink sausages they sell for a few cents each at my local butcher? <br /><br />Organic and free-range farming are simply not as productive as the more intensive methods. And yet, people must eat. Who am I to dictate where you choose to get your food from? Or whether you are doing 'enough'?<br /><br />Oh and change of subject, I remember my Mom washing and saving eggshells then grinding them up and mixing them with the chicken food for good strong eggs. Instead of seashells?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7131844.post-46841401296285964462013-09-03T01:33:29.636+02:002013-09-03T01:33:29.636+02:00The "Big Fish" of the oceans are shrinki...The "Big Fish" of the oceans are shrinking in both their physical size and their quantity. Factory fishing ships are are extremely efficient - their over-fishing practices are quite devastating.<br /><br />Here's just one site listing endangered fish.<br /><br />http://fishcooking.about.com/od/howtochoosefreshfish/tp/avoid_fish.htm<br /><br /><br /><br />willhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15590217997145761582noreply@blogger.com