What’s wrong with what we eat 2

Comments View as Threaded

1. 

   javaearth Posted 3:04 am
   20 May 2008

   Thank youThank you. Of course I knew this, but its great resources to pass it on.
   Thank you
   Happy Healthy Vegan.

   Permalink

2. 

   kmp Posted 7:26 am
   20 May 2008

   Local "elitism?"Mostly preaching to the choir here, I suppose, although I do like concrete recommendations like "we should probably only eat 1/2 pound of meat a week."  The scientist in me would like to see back-up of such a statement (such and such a study showed that 1/2 pound of livestock meat per person per week can be sustainably produced with pastured cattle, pigs and chickens, and/or such and such a study recommends no more than 1/2 lb of meat per week to decrease likelihood of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, etc.) but the same analytical brain likes a specific recommendation (1/2 lb of meat a week) better than a vague recommendation (eat less meat).  It makes you think - I have substantially cut down the amount of meat in my diet, but still, I'm sure I generally eat more than 1/2 lb a week (which is basically two dinners with a reasonable 4-oz portion per week). So it's helpful to have a little reminder, a nudge in the right direction, for me to reassess and think maybe I should decrease my meat-eating even more than I already have.
   I find his disdain for eating locally a little odd, however; it seems clear, given the eye-rolling, the 'elitist' comment and the fact that he considers locally eating in NY a "sad joke" that he has issues with this particular form of carbon footprint reduction.  Why, I wonder?  Firstly, I find the accusation of elitism off-base; I live in NY, and eat as local as possible without too much deprivation (about 75% local in winter, about 90% in summer); most of my friends who aren't also trying to eat local accuse me more of being a dirty hippie than of being elitist.  Elitist is kiwi & mango salad in February; local is fresh produce according to it's season.  Elitist is not knowing, or caring, who grows your food; local is a CSA and the farmer's market. Elitist is Kobe beef and foie gras; local is your neighbor's pastured-chicken eggs and and spring onions from your garden. Secondly, why discourage eating locally when there is a choice?  No, you won't find New York oranges.  But you will find New York apples - so why not choose those instead of apples from New Zealand?  You can buy local flour, beef, pork, chicken, eggs, cheese, milk, honey, preserves, bread, baked goods and root vegetables all year round here in NY. Wouldn't it be better to encourage the purchase of at least those local items that you can, instead of write it off as elitist?  

   Permalink