Food, Inc. was very good. I think everyone should see it to better understand where their food comes from, and to understand what actually happens in the food industry in America. To put it bluntly, it's a disturbing business in too many ways. I spent a lot of time hiding in my jacket while "watching" the film. But, it's an industry that's so consumer driven it seems possible to make significant changes, if people start making more conscious choices in the food they purchase. Of course, it's a problem that it's less expensive to buy a dollar menu hamburger than it is to buy broccoli. But, perhaps we should be saying no to overrun feed lots and beef from corn-fed cows. Or, hamburger mixed with a corn filler doused in ammonia to kill E coli (which wouldn't be much of a problem if cows were grass fed). Or, pitch black chicken houses with the chickens piled up on top of each other, and their beaks clipped as babies to keep them from killing each other in close quarters. I couldn't even watch the segment on the pig slaughterhouses. My Just Say No policy is far reaching. What I don't get is how big business can live with its greedy self. Animals are not part of a machine. They deserve some respect. And, if the argument of human decency toward other living things doesn't carry any weight, then let's think about the saying "you are what you eat." I don't know about you, but who wants to eat an animal that has lived a miserable, stressed out existence? Outside of hormones they're fed, or god knows what, think of the effects stress has on our own bodies.

Obviously, I have a lot of thoughts about this. I also say no to soybean monopolies (how is this happening?), and to all the bad for us things made of corn (no more high fructose corn syrup!). And laws saying you can't say anything negative publicly about specific foods. And treating farmers like crap, nickel-and-diming them, and bullying them into poverty.

I say yes to re-examining how our food is made and processed. Let's take a step back and think about going back to the basics. I don't think we need to utilize technology to complicate the system, or to fix problems created by the technology in the first place. This very simple thing that nature has largely designed for us is getting bogged down in man-made process that ultimately makes our food worse and worse for us. It's like people get so lost in the process that they forget the bigger picture. This isn't ok. To me what's happening in the food industry is another stark example of humans on a collision course with self destruction. It's upsetting. I could go off on an even huffier, preachier rant, but I will refrain (for now). Instead, I encourage you to see the movie, and think about what you eat. Try to buy organic and locally grown. Pay attention to what's on the ingredient list of the food you choose. If you eat meat, look into the practices of the companies behind the brands you choose. Please!!!

Whew.

On a lighter note, I can't wait to see It Might Get Loud! Jack White! Musical genius!

I'm hitting the road this week, peeps. I'm going to swing by Portland to pick up littlest sis Bryn and the Travman, and the three of us are going to head down to K Falls to visit the 'rents for a while. I'm looking forward to it. I asked Mols about bringing Trav with us the other day. She talked it over with Joe, and they decided that would be fine. Molly called Trav at his dad's today to tell him about the invite. He instantly replied with, "I'm going. Yeah. I'm going!" Now he's on her case to get him packed and ready to go. :-) Trav is so cute this way. He totally loves his parents, but he also likes having his own adventures. This will be fun.