The New Food Movement

So, this post is probably going to come off as sounding really mean. But I can't help it. I've been thinking about this since my shower this morning and I just HAVE to post about it. And know that I am not judging anyone who reads this, and I still like all of you.

I find it fascinating that "real" food is all the rage these days. That living close to the land is the new fad. I think it's hilarious that people are reading books that tell them that certain fast foods, or just tampered-with foods are bad for them and they are amazed. "This book tells me I shouldn't eat McDonald's! This internet article tells me that partially hydrogenated oils are bad for me! What a relief that now I know how to eat because I was TOLD how to do it! I must change my lifestyle to live by these rules!" Isn't it kind of common sense? I don't understand how this is news to people. That changing your food in any way is bad. Of course organic is better for you. Of course the less packaged foods, additives, preservatives, unnatural foods you eat the healthier you'll be. Why are so many people able to make money by writing books and making movies that tell you this? I eat McDonalds and I know how bad it is for me because I can FEEL it. I don't need to read it to know that it'll kill me. I eat three bites of a cheeseburger and I don't want to eat again for the rest of my life. I think that makes the facts pretty clear. I know that refined sugars and flours are bad for me because they make me zitty and fat. I know that beef with added hormones is gross because.... well, just because.

Martin and I, like many people, have a longterm goal of only eating our own basic foods. This is not a new concept, and it's not a unique goal by any means, (in fact, it's ridiculously popular) but some people seem to think it is. People seem to think that the old way is something new because the concept is the new hot topic in the media. It wasn't so long ago that life was simple and everyone had a garden and everyone hunted and everyone ate clean, natural foods. In fact, chances are, if you want to learn about eating clean and naturally, you can ask your parents. This is not a new concept. And I don't really know why I find it so aggravating, but I do. I think it's the attitude some people have of being clever, or thinking they are the first to come up with this, or that they are in on some secret.... or possibly that since they are eating better than others that they ARE better than others? I don't know what it is. But something about the new Food Movement really rubs me the wrong way. And I'm not even against it. I think it's a great, healthy way to live, and I think that things like working for your food in the way of hunting and gardening, and the way of building community and relationships by buying your food from local farmers are wonderful and SO beneficial to you and to your children. I look forward to the time when we have the means to live that way. But why all the hype? This is the way people lived their entire lives up until about a generation ago. Yes, it's more difficult to do now, in the age of instant gratification and convenience, and yes, it might give you a feeling of self-satisfaction having worked hard to give your family the best foods possible, and that is really great, but it's anything but new.