And then today I saw it. I feel sick to my stomach. I'm pretty sure that was the point. I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to eat again.
I need more money so I can eat more organic food. That's what it comes down to.
How can knowledge not turn people into activists? Who can, with even partial knowledge of the system and its many alarming and dangerous practices, can be complacent about what they put in their mouths? Or in their children's mouths?
A few years ago, I went on my first kick: I started reading Michael Pollan, and also read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barabara Kingsolver. To this day, I number it as one of the ten most influential books I've read in my life.
I have a deep thirst for knowledge, and not just the easy-to-digest type. I want to know things that will make me uncomfortable and will make me question my view, not just insulation that will reinforce my opinions and make me feel warm and fuzzy. I want truth like water from a fire hose. Ignorance is not bliss. Not to me. I don't want to be complacent.
What I really want is a small farm. So I can grow my own food and sustain my family without relying on the system. Yup. I want to be a hippie.
I realize that going through Triscuit for something like this is almost comical, but I've found their tiny projects make some home farming stuff easy to start. I grew my own chives! Nothing hippie about that! One of my fellow playgroup moms has quite the backyard garden and essentially endless squash. Check it out: http://www.homefarming.com/
ReplyDeleteCan we start a commune? I all seriousness, that is a goal of mine...enough property to raise my own beef/pork/chickens and a nice large garden to eat fresh and can the rest for the rest of the year.
ReplyDeleteIt is totally my goal in life to have a small farm! Enough to sustain my family, etc. One of my sisters wants to join in, too. :) Excellent!
ReplyDeleteAnd Amy: Thanks for the link! I have a few food plants myself that I'm growing. I'd LOVE to have space enough to keep some chickens or something. Alas. That will have to wait awhile.