Thursday, February 9, 2012

Eating Local and Organic

Do you ever think about the food you eat and where it comes from?  Does it even interest you at all?  I tend to feel proud of myself whenever I purchase wholesome, healthy food - such as chicken, beef, pork, fruits and vegetables.  I thought I was buying the best food I could for my family.  What I didn't realize, was how oblivious I was about where all this "good" food came from and how it got here.

I watched a documentary last week that has made me much more aware as a consumer, and has got me asking lots of questions.  The documentary is called Food, Inc., an American film, directed by Robert Kenner.  This wonderful documentary has opened my eyes to a whole new way of thinking.  The film is based on farming in the United States and the industrial production of meat, grains and vegetables.  It shows how "in the dark" consumers are about food and how it is produced. 

After seeing this film, I promised myself three things:  First,  I am going to pay more attention to the food I buy.  Next, I want to know where my food comes from.  And lastly, I want to buy local  (whenever possible) and purchase more organic.  I want the food industry and big corporations to know I care about my food and what I eat.

I don't want our cows injected with hormones, in turn, tainting our beef and milk.  Despite international concern, the USA and Canada continue to allow the hormone injections!!  
I could go on and on about this documentary, but I'd like you to see it for yourself.  If you have Netflix, you can watch it on there.   It is so important that we, as a society, become more aware of the food we are eating.  We are being kept in the dark and we need to know the truth about what is really happening behind the scenes. 

Enough of my ranting...

On the weekend, Nuno, the girls and I went to our local farmer's market in downtown Barrie, inspired and on the lookout for local, fresh ingredients.  I bought some organic kale from one vendor and came across another vendor who sold organic chicken and other meats.  She told us about her farm store, Nicholyn Farms


Lucky for us, it was only 10 minutes north of Barrie. So we took the short drive.   If you click on the link above, you will see that they are a family operated business, certified organic, and raise all their animals locally without growth hormones.


We weren't sure what to expect.  We were so pleased with the quality and selection! 
Here is Annabel pushing the grocery cart with some of our goodies...
organic chicken, turkey breast, spaghetti squash and milk!



I will definitely be shopping here more often.  I am not saying that all my groceries will be organic - the cost is definitely higher - but I will make an effort to purchase organic more frequently.  I want the food industry to know that natural, drug free food is important to me. 

"You must be the change you wish to see in this world"
- Mohandas Gandhi



I roasted the organic chicken for Sunday night's dinner.   This is a photo of the chicken just before it went into the oven.



2 1/2 hours later...crispy skin, moist, delicious, aromatic chicken. 



I made a delicious gravy with chicken stock, the pan drippings and a touch of cream.



Turkey breast with roasted carrots and stir-fried kale.

I must tell you how absolutely delicious this chicken was.  You could really taste the difference in the meat and even in the crispy skin! 



This is the spaghetti squash I roasted on Monday evening for our spaghetti dinner...



I cooked up my homemade tomato meat sauce and used the spaghetti squash to replace actual "spaghetti".  And now it's low-carb!



I don't think I'll ever enter a supermarket and look at food the same way again.  When I look back, I think, how was I so unaware of the food I was consuming?  The important thing is that now I know.  Knowledge is power.  I will be making better food choices in the future and will be visiting farmer's markets more often.  I can't wait for Spring!  I'm looking forward to fresh, local asparagus in May and supporting our local farmers and community! 
Happy Thursday, dear friends!   I appreciate and love reading your comments!
Have a healthy, happy rest of the week!  xo

14 comments:

  1. Exactly....this is what I've been saying and preaching for years now. Food has changed drastically. Farmers are using hormones, things are genetically modified, and pesticides are stronger and stronger....our population is growing and farmers, in order to keep up with demand and hold prices down, do these things to food to sell 'food.' However, the food that is available to us is unsafe, for the most part. Being a responsible consumer is very difficult, expensive, and confusing. We all need to become more educated to become responsible consumers. Don't believe all you hear on any level, good OR bad. Read, learn, become educated. In the long run, it is our lives and our health that is at stake and I'd much rather spend a little more money for healthier food than pay for it later with disease and medical bills. We can't avoid everything. Our water is filled with chemicals; we get it 'in' us just bathing; it's scary, I know. Thank you for helping YOUR daughters to learn about the world around them and teach them to make informed choices.....
    EXCELLENT Rosinda.....

    and to all those who say they can't afford it. Truly, you can't afford NOT to.

    xoxo
    Joann

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    1. Thanks so much for your comments, Joann! I couldn't agree more with you! xo

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  2. Wow...Wow Rosinda,
    I'm speechless. How smart you are!!!
    You're so right in everything you're saying.
    More and more you keep on amazing me:)
    What a proud Mom you make me. Keep up the good work!!!

    Luv ya. XOXOXO

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    1. Thanks, Mom! You are always so supportive. I love you! xo

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  3. I've known about this for decades of course what with being in CA and having lived with my young health nut bf for a long time. Here it's not hard to buy local since so much of the food comes from here but even at the farmers' markets, which used to be a good deal, the prices are much higher. To pay 2 bucks for an apple seems like a lot. In terms of the hormones, what a mess. I've heard that girls are entering puberty too early as a result of these hormones they're ingesting in food. It's a disgrace. Good for you being on the health bandwagon.

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    1. Thanks, Nancy! You are fortunate to live in a place where the climate allows for fresh, local ingredients year round! We have to rely on a lot imported food in fall and winter months.

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  4. AND I want to eat everything you make! Isn't it all beautiful? We appreciate food with our eyes and our tummies. xo

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    1. Thank you, JoEllen! I know what you mean. Food is as much about visual, as it is about taste! :o)

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  5. Great post, Rosinda! This is a subject that has been near and dear to my heart since I was about your age. Back then it was SO hard to get access to organic food, but I've always gone out of my way to purchase it (voting with my dollars!). I'm so glad to see more and more people demanding it. I think the tide is turning and people are getting smarter about what they're eating. It warms my heart to see the good food you serve your family. By the way, I came to your blog this evening from Sue's link -- how cool to see you there :-)

    Also, I just want to say that I love the comment your mom left (and your reply). xoxo

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    1. Thank you, Janie! I'm so glad the tide is turning and people are beginning to ask questions and demand change. Susan is such a sweetheart for posting a link to my blog on her website. I felt so honored! xoxo

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  6. Hear! Hear!

    I feel exactly the same way. You really can taste the difference when you buy local, organic foods and the health benefits are so surprising. I'm curious to see the documentary you mentioned!

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    1. Thank you, Emily! I think you would enjoy watching the documentary, although certain parts can be quite graphic and disturbing. I didn't watch it with my girls. I hope you get a chance to see it. It's a real eye-opener, to say the least!

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  7. Great post. I have been trying to make an effort to eat local as well. We need to support our farmers, the ones in our backyard and in turn take care of ourselves. Thanks for the great reminder...and the wonderful food as a result!!

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    1. Hello Samantha!
      Thank you so much for your comments and your follow! I am honored! I can't wait for our local farmers markets to open in the Spring! I'm looking forward to all the local, yummy fruits and veggies! :o)

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