The exact prototype for the genetically altered salmon...you saw it here first!

This morning, I turned on NPR to hear Diane Rehm talking about the Pros and Cons of genetically altered salmon. While it’s sweetly politically correct of her to entertain the thought that their might be pros to genetically altered salmon, I thought I was going to be sick just listening to the show. In the program it was mentioned that these genetically altered barf salmon have been “in the works” for over a decade. When I started doing some research for this post, I found that Diane Rehm actually featured this story (about the same company!) in May, 2000. There is a link to listen to the full story at the top of this page– I strongly recommend that you take a listen…especially if you’re a salmon-lover. In the near future what you call salmon may become a rarity.

I found all of this overwhelmingly disgusting and infuriating (which are not particularly great feelings while you’re driving at 70mph on the highway). As if the food industry had not been sufficiently perverted (you know, with its corn-eating-cows, hormone-stuffed chickens and farmed fish– farmed fish wasn’t sufficient? Seriously?), here we go, perpetuating the situation.

I recently posted about the Food Revolution and my decision to become a vegetarian because of how appalled I am with meat production in this country. It is not my intention to preach to anyone. I genuinely believe that the only way to effectively implement positive changes in your life and in your government’s food policies is to make the decision on your own.

I’ve mentioned before that if you’re interested in learning more about what you’re putting into your body the documentary Food, Inc is a great place to start. There are also a few books on food on my to read list. Have I inspired you to do it yet? Not yet? Don’t worry, I will one of these days.

You’ll notice I’ve put this post under “things I love.” I love food and I am so passionate about the food revolution. I’ve reviewed the Omnivore’s Dilemma and Skinny Bitch in the Chasing Education book club. And if I haven’t mentioned the documentary Food Inc. I’m mentioning it now. Food Inc is what sparked my interest in educating myself on the foods that I put into my body.

I am not writing to preach the gospel of vegetarianism or veganism. I am writing because I think that people who educate themselves or allow themselves to be educated about the food industry in the U.S. will be able to make their own smart choices. I won’t go into the disgusting details of what exactly has to be done to get that steak or that glass of milk from a “cow” to your grocery store. Should you decide you want to know, all of the resources I’ve mentioned above are great ways to start educating yourself.

I’m writing to tell you a little bit about the way that I eat and how, even if you’re a poor graduate student, you can buy healthy food on a budget!

My philosophy is that the fewer steps away from the earth something is, the better it is for me. (Please be reasonable, I am not saying that you should consider sauteing some soil or grass!) I try to stay away from anything that comes from a can or a box and if I don’t know exactly what all of the ingredients are, you won’t find it in my pantry. This can get a little bit complicated, as almost everything that you’ll find in the center of the grocery store has magical ingredients that the average person cannot identify. If you’re contemplating starting your own food revolution, I recommend sticking to produce, lean proteins (like legumes and nuts) and whole grains.

People often comment that my diet must be so boring. Ha! I eat far more interesting meals than the average omnivore. Why just last week I had black bean chili, vegetable couscous and quinoa paella. It certainly does take a bit of effort to get into the habit of cooking full meals, but once you do, it’s more enjoyable than it is a task. It is the same as getting into the habit of exercise. The first few weeks are the hardest, but it’s so rewarding once you do!

The other comment that I get all the time is “eating healthy is so expensive.” I beg to differ. While you may initially and occasionally have to invest in some spices, you can get healthy and fresh fruits for great prices, you just have to know where to find them. Check out local farmer’s markets and produce stores for your fresh fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables that are locally grown and in season don’t come with the extra transportation cost that is tacked on at the grocery store. Another option for less expensive produce is Aldi. Shop around for the best prices on whole grains. I’ve found that I can buy quinoa and couscous by the pound at Whole Foods and it’s significantly cheaper than buying it at the grocery store that’s nearest to me. If you plan your menus, you’ll only have to grocery shop one day a week. Yes, you might have to visit two or three stores to get everything you need a price you can afford, but your body will thank you. If you spread the word, maybe your friends will join you and you can start a food revolution in your community.

While I love food, this isn’t so much about the actual food as it is about educating ourselves and the people around us about what we are putting into our bodies. The only way that things will change whether we are talking about food or politics (it’s shocking how closely related those two things are), is if people realize why these things need to be changed and start behaving accordingly. Your local grocery store will continue to sell meat that has been put through all kinds of disgusting processes and then dyed to look fresh, until people stop buying it and demand something better. Your grocery store will keep stocking gas-ripened bananas until we make the decision to stop buying fruits and vegetables that are not in season.

Save your body. Save some money. Save the planet. Just sayin’

I could go on about this forever, but I won’t. If you’d like to know more, check out the resources I’ve mentioned in this blog post!

Check out Jamie’s Food Revolution here

But today I bring you interesting news of great proportions that should matter to all people:
I’ve recently been on a quest for better health. I mentioned here that I had started reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma as an ebook. I thought reading it as an ebook might help reduce the amount of time that it takes me to actually finish a book.

I made it through the first 800 pages in no time at all (800 iPhone pages people…different from book pages). And those first 800 pages inspired me to make my single largest dietary change to date. Mind you, this is not a book about what you should be eating. It’s about what you’re already eating. How it’s processed and the repulsive, yet very creative, industry that is food. It is definitely not the most exciting read that I have picked up this year (I have to admit that I quit The Omnivore’s Dilemma sometime shortly after page 800), but it educated me.

Now back to that single largest dietary change to date…I cannot bring myself to eat meat since reading this book (and watching Food, Inc, in which Michael Pollan collaborated). I am not saying that I am quitting meat forever, but I promise you that the next cow I eat will be grass-fed. I promise you that I will avoid processed food as much as possible and when I do have to consume processed food, I will read the label.

Now I’m going to stop myself before I become that preachy vegetarian who everyone hates.

Stay tuned for my next compelling book review: The Sivananda Companion to Yoga.

xoxo