Comments carol from jersey has made

  • Don't forget that local is only part of the equation. If, for instance, you live near to a greenhouse which is heated in order to grow lettuce in December, and/or artificially lit to extend the 'growing season', it would be inaccurate to say that you're not part of the problem. If your own window-grown greens don't make it necessary to over-heat your well-insulated house in December, then rock on! Have a salad with a clear conscience. Justifying consuming the green-house grown stuff that's produced nearby, as opposed to green-house grown stuff that's produced a thousand miles away is still only a weak half-measure.On Is Michelle Obama about to take on Big Food? posted 1 month, 1 week ago 40 Responses

  • Hey, Dana-

     

    I see that it wasn't clear that the labels to which I referred were the ones letting us know where the produce comes from. I agree with you whole-heartedly that each of us needs to take charge of our nutrition by investigating what our own bodies need to thrive.

    What was that phrase? 'Eat food*. Not too much. Mostly plants.'? The asterisk is to indicate that 'food' is the stuff you find that comes out of the ground, or from appropriately raised animals, if your body needs the nutrients contained therein.

    I'm personally not in the market for products which have already been mechanically chewed and half- digested for me. I can almost hear the machinery grinding and pureeing and mashing and shaping the stuff as ingredients to optimize the 'shelf-life' are mixed in. You know the stuff I'm talking about, apparently- the stuff with the labels touting 'low fat' and 'no cholesterol'. Stopped believing that fluff long ago...

    Caloric intake isn't the only way to think of what's going to keep me well and able to live the way I want to live. By the way, I never mentioned being 'fat' as opposed to being 'thin' in my post, either. People of all sizes make wise or foolish food choices, don't you think?

    Again- thankful for your thought-provoking comments, and glad that your well-being has improved with the fish oil. {my grandmother turned me onto that, and I'm not a youngster myself- I guess she was right about some things}

    Oops- I'd better go back into the kitchen & check the soup-

    C from NJ

     

    On Pollan says health-care reform will fail unless we change the way we eat posted 2 months, 1 week ago 11 Responses

  • Hey, Javaman-

    Understood that Mr. Pollan may not be the boy scout you'd like to think that he was- let's not forget the part of the equation which is our own ability to read, discern, and make decisions about our nutrition. The message that I've gotten overarching any picking at nits which may occur is that a dialog has begun about what and how we eat. I feel Pollan has had something to do with this.

    Yeah, Whole Foods doesn't necessarily come up smelling like a rose, either- organic, fair trade, or otherwise. At least they clearly mark the garlic's provenance. I choose not to buy garlic from China, either. This doesn't make me a saint; it merely indicates that I learned to read awhile ago, and I choose to use that skill whilst food-gathering.

    I wish I could let you in on what it's like to work at a unionized conventional Supermarket (extremely recent experience). We're not talking about enlightened management styles here- trust me.

    I'm thankful that you're using your discernment to shun produce with a carbon footprint the size of Idaho, too. I'm also thankful that Pollan's gotten us into a food forum here.

    You've got the opportunity to lead by example, read the labels and make wiser choices.

    Bon Appetit from the Garden State!

    Carol

    On Pollan says health-care reform will fail unless we change the way we eat posted 2 months, 2 weeks ago 11 Responses

  • 'children's art supplies'

    Don't forget how much fun it is to make paper mache creatures and objects with good old newspaper and paste made from wheat flour and water. I agree that making stuff with a little person is the most fun- monitor whilst indulging your own child inside. Don't forget to make time for clean-up, and make that a fun part of your time together. As a mature artist, I still am thankful for whoever it was who encouraged me to wash out my brushes & put the caps back on pens, etc.
    What a great birthday present!On Umbra on children's art supplies posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago 2 Responses

  • how about keeping it local?

    I'm all for this type of gift-giving; note-cards and fancy soaps are so cliche--
    I understand that the rainforest needs preservation, truly I do, but I'm afraid that it becomes a feel-good out-of-sight,out-of-mind type of gesture. If you're really interested in where your money is being used, why not research a LOCAL land-preservation program? In my neighborhood we're lucky to have an outstanding non-profit dedicated to land preservation. A wonderful follow-up to your donation might be to make a date with your 'gift-ee' to volunteer with said organization- to do trail maintainance, restoration, and the like.
    What a thoughtful gift! you've helped your friend feel connected to the landscape they live in, and offered them some lungs full of fresh air, and some rare critter sightings, to boot!
    Best wishes for a fulfilling holiday and a mindful New Year!!! On Umbra on rainforest-protection gifts posted 1 year ago 6 Responses

  • dept of agriculture

    Has no one thought of Michael Pollan for this post, or for an advisory position anent the food/land use question? Just asking...On Meet the people who might fill top environmental jobs in an Obama administration posted 1 year ago 8 Responses

  • Imagination

    Halloween parties for adults..., well- if you are planning to go and have a good time, this is the time for you to show your reuse-ingenuity! Ditch the buying a [probably imported from afar] premade costume- look in your own closet, your recycling bucket, etc. Way back 'in the day', one of the creepiest-looking ways to make up our faces was also considered good for the skin- Rub honey on your face & stick dry oatmeal on it! This is especially creepy in a darkened room with a flashlight stuck under one's chin (light beam pointing up). Substitute granola for the honey, and you can go as an environmentalist cliche. Obviously, your clothing should be washable...On Umbra on eco-themed Halloween costumes posted 1 year, 1 month ago 5 Responses