Entry #7 - Fresh or Not So Fresh?!? Which do you prefer? Which do you eat?

Recently, I had the opportunity to watch the film, "Fresh."
I have to say it was truly an eye opening and mind opening experience. Being an American, we believe that we are a very "aware" and proactive society in regards to the foods that we eat. But, are we really?

I realize that some of us in America are very health conscious. Then there are those who eat anything and don't think about it. But, has any one of us stopped to think about the fact that whether we eat healthily or not, it doesn't change "where" our food comes from! Before watching this film, I hadn't even heard of industrialized farming. What I learned was that what we believe are "natural foods" and how they are obtained are NOT natural at all! Why? you ask. Simple! Because as a society, WE want MORE! WE want BETTER! WE want WHAT we want! AND...WE want it NOW!!!

I can't help but remember that FAMOUS commercial....You know it!

She hit the nail on the head!  WE WANT MORE...WE WANT MORE!!!
Yes, we do! So, even our food has to evolve to accommodate an ever growing society. But, why not go back to the basics? Why not go back to farming like before? Getting rid of antibiotics and more natural methods of slaughtering? Again, SIMPLE! Because as a society, there aren't enough cattle to be bred naturally. And, not enough time to allow the cattle to develop. Also, if we don't fatten them up with grain, then the longer it will take to get a cow heavy enough to be worth slaughtering. Basically, as a society, we demand more beef than our farmers can produce.

I understand, it's overwhelming concept. But, have you read the labels on your meat that you have bought recently? NOW, producers of our products are getting away with stating that their beef is grass fed. It sounds good, but guess what? They were grass fed up until they were about 6 months old and weaned from their mothers. What happens after that? Grain fed cattle! But, you're paying more because of somebody, somewhere decided that cattle that eat grass is healthier for us! It is! However, not when it's only been fed grass for the first 6 months of its life! So, now we need to look for the products that say: 100% Grass Fed and Grass Finished Beef.

According to "Fresh", the movie, we can all make a difference in the industrialization process. Just take $10 from your weekly grocery budget, and purchase farm fresh foods. Visit a farmer's market. If we as a society begin to promote change, which will ultimately change demand, we will have a healthier society!