Nor'easters and new books

So how about this weather? We got slammed this week with the remnants of Hurricane Ida and a nor'easter. Virginia doesn't get nor'easters all that often, even though they form in the Mid-Atlantic and New England. Check out nor'easters on wikipedia for a quick tutorial. Nor'easter article

On days like this, it makes you want to curl up with a good book and a cup of hot tea! My favorite tea is Lady Grey Tea by Twinnings. 

 

 

This, and the book I'm currently reading, The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan and you have a great day.

 

The Omnivore's Dilemma begins with a look at the farm bill, the big grain operations and cattle feedlots (like those in Garden City, KS). Pollan then spends the middle section of the book at an intensive pastureland operation in the southeast that is so idyllic it's almost like farm stories of yesteryear. The last section is about hunting and gathering. I haven't finished the book yet, but it's been very eye-opening thus far.

I like the idea of sustainable farming and the organic movement, but because it is very expensive to produce this kind of food, it is not accessible to most Americans. The book goes into detail about how the foods that cause obesity in America, like those with refined sugars and corn derivatives, are inexpensive, and therefore more likely to end up in grocery carts, especially these days with such a poor economy. Those with very limited funds are not going to pay a few cents (or even dollars) extra for something that many believe is just a fad.

Nevertheless, the organic and sustainable movement is gaining ground, and Americans are starting to take notice. It is very important that people do as much research as they can on these two important food movements so that they are educated consumers, rather than blind consumers like the food industry wants us to be, and stay.

It is my goal to read up on the movements and make informed decisions about what I put into my body and my grocery cart.

 

 

Sustainably yours,

 

Nay