Water, Water Everywhere But Not a Drop to Drink

As someone who is passionate about sustainable food, urban farming, nutrition, and many of the various aspects of the food justice work I sometimes find the amount of organizations and resources in the field to be overwhelming; mostly in a good way as the food system we currently have could be much improved. However, on occasion I'm overwhelmed in a negative way.

I've been looking for a job in the field for 6+ months now- depending on what your opinion of really looking is- and I've applied to quite a few jobs. I have yet to be gainfully employed. I'm not trying to have a pity party for myself on a public forum (I've had many in a private setting) but I do wonder what my future holds. I was interviewed by a wonderful organization but ultimately the position was given to someone else- the luckiest of the over 60 applicants. 60! Let that sink in. 60 applicants for a entry level position in my local area with a growing but relatively small organization.

Many organizations have high aims, well intentioned goals, and caring staff and volunteers. These are all great qualities but I wonder if there is a weak link. A link that could make efforts more effective, streamline the movement, and accelerate the momentum. The link? Too many organizations combating the same evils (hunger, poverty, obesity, malnutrition... the list goes on) without partnering with already existing organizations or institutions.

Like trying to work on a cluttered desk, its a little choatic, underdeveloped, and things get in the way. Usually the things getting in the way are funding, volunteers, and community support. The community might be suffering from whiplash as they don't know which project to support as so many pop up in a short amount of time.

Being a steward of our resources means using them wisely so they make the greatest impact. As stewards of time, money, green space, real estate, knowledge and more, shouldn't we be concerned with using these gifts effectively?

My aim here is not to stifle progress; quite the opposite really. I want ensure that progress has the strength to effect the populations and issues we target. But if we're spread out too thin, the string could snap. The tension lost.

How can we be generous with out gifts but clever in the ways that we use them so that the tension isn't lost? This is a wonderful thing we have- the capacity to care for others and their health. That capacity can change the world.

In my search to find a job in what is a vast market, I have been overwhelmed by visions of a better future but also saddened by the inability to use my passion for gainful employment. It makes me wonder how many under/un-funded projects have to slip away before we realize that working together in a smaller, but more targeted, way can deepen our impact.

Am I out of bounds? Am I the only one who feels like they're a little boat lost in a sea of opportunity?

ThanksGIVING: Share the Bounty, Cut the Waste

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for the bounty we receive due the hard work of farmers and ranchers. Much of that bounty, however, is wasted in uneaten food, dumped leftovers, and disposable table settings. Americans will waste 25 million additional tons of food and materials during the holiday season. That is a staggering 1 million tons per week! Take simple steps to reduce your waste and respect the harvest this Thanksgiving.

Food is key component of all holiday celebrations. With so much good food, here’s how you can make sure that favorite comfort food is good for the planet too.

·       Support a local farmer! Buy your holiday staples from local, sustainable farmers and ranchers who grow and raise healthy products.

·       Before heading to the store, inventory your fridge and pantry to see what you have already. We all have cans hiding in the back corner we forgot were there. There’s not reason to buy more of what you already have.

·       Plan your menu and have a head count. Planning your holiday menu and building a grocery list based on that menu cuts waste by lessening tempting purchases that don’t make it to the table. A head count will help you increase or decrease recipe measurements to the correct proportions, making it easier to buy just the right amount of ingredients.

·       Repurpose turkey giblets, stale bread, and other “waste.” Remember Grandma’s to die for gravy? Chances are she used turkey giblets to flavor the family favorite. Using parts of the bird that normally go in the trash is a great way to pump up flavor while reducing what ends up in a landfill. Stale bread makes great croutons and breadcrumbs. That mound of veggie tops and roots? Make homemade soup stock and freeze for an easy addition to any recipe.

·       Ask your guests to help you! If your guests are bringing sides, desserts, or are helping you prepare the meal, ask them bring those oh so good cookies on a reusable plate or bring their casserole in a recyclable container. In return, send everyone home with a plate of leftovers so they can continue to enjoy a delicious turkey sandwich and mashed potatoes days later.

           

 Some people donate their leftovers to community food programs but this can be tricky. While a wonderful gesture your leftovers may end up in the trash instead of on someone’s plate. Food safety, allergies, and storage space are all concerns of programs, which may mean your donation goes uneaten. While working at A Place to Turn, I personally had to sort through countless boxes of expired canned goods that were given to us through donation drives and holiday collections. Tossing well meaning, but 5 year old canned cranberry, is heartbreaking. That food shouldn't end up in a dumpster, it should end up filling the belly of someone in need. Be thoughtful with your donations. You don't want your rusting can of pumpkin and nor do our clientele and their families. If you wouldn't eat, don't donate it.

 Good intentions don’t prevent food sickness. I caution donating prepared foods but if you would like to provide for those in need, make a monetary donation. The organization you donate to will know how to use your gift in the most effective way.

There are many more ways to revamp our holiday traditions to make them even more delicious, less wasteful, and enjoyable for everyone. Do you have a creative way to reduce holiday food waste?

Plant the Seed

The Boston Food Justice YAV program ended 3 weeks ago and since its end I have been doing some soul searching and job searching. I'm back at home readjusting to life in my hometown and trying to figure out where I go from here. Part of me knows what I want to do and is ready to get started. Another part of me is holding on to my old ways, my apprehensive ways.

I want to build gardens. I want to build gardens that provide produce to those in need. I want these gardens to be a place where communities come together and neighbors help neighbors. I also want those on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) to shop for produce at farmers markets because the market has a matching program. But where do I start?

During our time in Boston I really appreciated the social programs the state and localities sponsored. We went to farmers markets almost every weekend to buy our groceries, even while on SNAP. We were able to buy nourishing produce for our bodies which then became nourishing to our souls as we spent time in fellowship around the table.
I want to provide this same experience for families who need a little extra help making ends meet.
*Just because they need help making ends meet does not mean that they should have to eat less wholesome, unhealthy food and not have fellowship at the dinner table over a delicious meal. We are all children of God and deserve to be provided for in God's bounty.*

Last week God had a message for me. I went to church hoping to hear something special. I got what I asked for. Our pastor's sermon started with Moses and the burning bush. God spoke to Moses through the burning bush and gave Moses a message he had to deliver to Pharaoh. I feel a little bit like Moses. I have a message to deliver.
The sermon continued and our pastor mentioned that you never know who you might affect when you go out into the world. Something as small as a kind word or deed can really affect those around you. He made a metaphor that made me think God has his sights right on me that morning. He said its like being a farmer and planting seed. That seed is going to grow into something and you never know who you're going to help. Farmer. Seed. Growing. Helping. Its exactly what I needed to hear. We also sang one of my favorite hymns, Here I am Lord.
The lyrics "Here I am Lord, is it I Lord? ... I will go Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart" strike me every time I sing it.

Here I am Lord, I will go where you lead me. Lead me like you led Moses. Help me grow fruits of the Spirit.

Rotting in the Crates

I work at a food pantry that supplies fresh produce and non-perishables for countless individuals and families. Just today we had 18 clients visit us in just an hour and a half! These clients range from individuals and couples to families of 6 or more. They are all shapes and sizes, ethnicities, personalities and so on. There is rarely a dull day at our pantry.

That is even more true now. A local grocery store chain, embattled in a family feud, has had managers walk of the job (and some have been fired subsequently) and workers protesting outside stores. Produce deliveries and stock shipments have either been delayed or haven't arrived at all in some locations. No one to stock the shelves and produce means that fruits and vegetables that has been cultivated for weeks, likely harvested by migrant workers, and trucked to these locations are now rotting in the crates. CRATES full of produce going to waste- all over a family feud. (Now, I'm not part of the family and I'm not a native loyal customer so pardon me if it feels like I'm dismissing a family's clearly troubled relations. I don't discredit that its not a pleasant situation for anyone.)

Through divine intervention, I'm sure of it, local gardeners and other pantries have dropped off their unused abundance. We have huge zucchini, loads of summer squash, lettuce heads, kale leaves, and 4-5 bunches of both radishes and turnips. We already had the very last of our dwindling supply of tomatoes and potatoes out so we ended up with a nice assortment.

We, as a society, have let so much get in between us and our food. Our clients rely on our pantry to supplement their groceries and we can't provide our best service to them because of a third party. How many more family feuds will result in crates of produce wasted? How many miles do peppers have to fly just so we can have bell peppers whenever we want, whether they're in season or not? When we start to become so dependent on our broken food system we put ourselves in a sticky situation.

Instead of flying bell peppers in from Holland (I checked the stickers on the peppers at one of the local grocery chains), maybe we eat seasonally. (Holland- they are flown in from Holland!) Instead of relying on grocery store chains, maybe we can have little backyard gardens that supply a small portion of our weekly produce. The food system, that has become so distant to Americans, would seem a lot more humble and personal.
Let us, as a spiritual discipline, begin to take back our food system and make it personal again.

Hear Me Roar!

One of the biggest lessons I've had to learn this year is how to deal with difficult people, uncomfortable situations, and how to be a self-advocate. My dad calls this "letting the tiger out."

You see, my mom wasn't one to shy away from confrontation and she had an opinion on almost everything... and you heard it, asked for or unwanted. My dad is much more gentle and subdued. This is not to say he doesn't have opinion or that he is a door mat. He's just more docile. The apple didn't fall far from the tree- if it fell at all. I usually err on the side of being reserved and sometimes even passive.

Through various interactions and situations this year, I've been forced to grow pretty drastically in this very specific way. Whether its because of a miscommunication or elements completely out of my control it has shown up time and time again. Its been an issue I've been struggling with, knowing I need to be more firm and direct, and this year has been a down and dirty express lane.

After my mom died my dad let the tiger rage. He took amazing care of her for 5 years. He was a faithful and dutiful husband. A true care giver. But that also meant that he had to give up or compromise on a lot of his needs and wants. When he had the freedom to decide things for himself, her grabbed the reigns and was off to the races. His inner tiger was out of the cage and roared loudly. There was no mistaking how he felt. In the process of regaining his autonomy he alienated a few people and we got into a few good spats. Luckily that has all calmed down, we've had multiple heart to hearts, and the tiger is back to manageable ferociousness.

Get used to me letting my tiger growl more and a bit more loudly. Its all about balance though. The key is to keep the tiger from becoming to aggressive but I don't want it to return to being caged up either. I nice leash is appropriate. This new found voice has given me more confidence and I feel much more empowered. Putting peace ahead of my own personhood is not helpful in all situations. Being part of a team or a group doesn't always mean that the team's needs mean I have to sacrifice my wants. Honesty can greatly improve group dynamics. Also, not speaking your truth repeatedly in the name of peace isn't actually peaceful. Its allowing another person to act in certain form of violence toward you. That's not peace. That's keeping your tiger caged.

I'm going to let my tiger roar. Let yours roar too. Maybe we can all start doing this hard but beautiful work called being true to ourselves and with each other.

Mission Through Polity

The idea of this blog post is a bit overwhelming so it'll be a continual work in progress.

I spent last week in a confused, yet happy, yet exhausted state. I was all sorts of emotions at all times. Presbyterians know this week as General Assembly- and it's a force to be reckoned with.

The biannual national gathering is a meeting of some big Presbyterian players and a lot of us little guys. I describe it as "the church's Congress." There are committees, lobbying, plenary sessions, interest groups of sorts, and overtures (the church's version of bills).

As the "Food Justice League" we were there to follow some food justice overtures concerning the first 1,000 days of pregnancy and a child's life. This window, from conception to the child's 2nd birthday, is the most vital for development. If there is any sort of malnutrition or famine, the child can be stunted for life *without ability to regain lost development.* Other overtures concerning food sovereignty and precautionary principal were all on the docket. Luckily these measures are all pretty self explanatory and are non-controversial. They don't instigate the bickering that comes with other issues that are more hot topic and in the news. For that I am grateful. But with the "over there" mentality we also loose a chance to be educated and affected on a deep emotional level concerning the atrocities that are happening on a daily basis.

These atrocities are happening in our cities and in our nation, the richest nation on earth.

GA met in Detroit this year. Yes- broke, almost abandoned, crumbling Detroit. Through discernment and thoughtful planning our church decided to invest our 2,000 person strong gathering and all the finical benefits that come along with it into a city that has been struggling for some time. This was a conscience move. Mission through church polity if you will.

Our small but tenacious Justice League decided to do our own mission through polity. Days at GA are full to the brim of committee meetings, organized lunches, making the rounds through the exhibit hall, and plenary sessions. 12 hour days are a blessing, 14+ hour days are the norm. To break up the constant sitting and to get some sun, we volunteered at an urban farm. Earthworks Urban Farm was right down the road from where were staying and had an open volunteer time on Wednesday mornings. You just show up ready to help, no questions asked, no need to RSVP. Its a great idea.

Without any sort of introductions or orientation the farm staff rounded everyone up and we walked to their urban farm, a few blocks from the wash station, greenhouses, and warehouse space that acted as home base. As our group moved through the neighborhood we talked to some of the staff and volunteers. The produce that is harvested from the variety of growing spaces is used primarily in meals at the soup kitchen that is under the same parent organization. A small portion of the produce is sold at farmers markets.

Most of the workers are members of the community and come from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. Many of the workers are recovering from addiction, finding their way out of homelessness, and some have criminal records. Those things don't matter. Well, not in the sense that they would matter to most outside their small community. These folks have been working at the farm and are constantly learning life skills through farming. (As someone who has worked on a farm, I can attest that you learn life skills on a daily basis- not just farming skills.) They are helping those who are currently experiencing what they have experienced.

Harvesting collards, scallions, baby beets (for the greens), chard, and sugar snap peas with such a diverse group was so much fun. Everyone was enjoying themselves, honest conversations were being had, and there were lots of smiles and laughter. Picking snap peas was my favorite. Not only do I love to eat snap peas but we got to pick them with an African-American man who was easily over 6 feet tall and wasn't shy about voicing his opinion. He was a riot. We got to talking about states since we're from all over the country and he offers up "You know whats wrong with Kentucky? Their grass in blue." That got everyone laughing.
We, white upper middle class young adults, picked peas with a guy who was our opposite on almost every accord. Now that's urban agriculture. That's community.

Mission through church polity brings you into community with folks who are hoping to grow a better Detroit. Who knew?

The Great Banquet

The parable of the great banquet is an explicit example of how we are called to invite those who are less fortunate to our feasts, our abundance.

Hartford St. Presbyterian doesn't have a lot of youth but we don't have in numbers, we make up in personality. These kids are great! I've been working with them on and off during my YAV year- talking about food justice and donating to A Place to Turn. Then I told them that we'd be participating in the World Vision 30 Hour Famine. Soon the usual teenage blank stare turned into disbelief and perhaps a little rebellion.

30 hours. No food. Only juice and water. Oh and by the way, you're going to be doing donation drives for those who are hungry... in front of a grocery store.

I can hear it now: "But we're hungry!"   "You mean I can't eat for a whole day?"

The youth arrived enveloped with duffel bags across their chest and sleeping bags hanging off their shoulders. We started out by laying out the ground rules for the weekend and playing some games. World Vision does a great job in coming up with games and providing the materials you need to play. All that needs to be done on the youth leader's end is to print some things and divide up the kids into "tribes." This year's edition of the TRIBE game was focused on Central and South America. Teams, or shall I say tribes, represented countries and to get everyone acquainted there were some facts about life in those countries, including the difficulties in finding food and getting an education.

After what would have been dinner time we all spread out our sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, and changed into our PJs to watch "We Bought a Zoo." I thought a movie would keep them distracted for a few hours and they might not think of their hunger pangs. It mostly worked. There were some comments here and there about watching a movie and not having snacks. Something about it being a crime against humanity or something... ;-) Next was the easiest part: sleep. Playing games and not eating to refuel is rough. I was tired, but then again I'm not 16.

We woke up the next morning and started off with a devotion. Our conversation was great and some of the youth had some pretty deep thoughts about sharing God's love, not just our resources, with those who are in need. Our next stop was a local grocery store to host a donation drive for the pantry where I work, right next to the church.
Wow was I impressed! Our hungry, hot (it was unusually hot that day) talked to strangers going into the store, telling them about the Famine and A Place to Turn, and letting them know that they were asking for donations. In total they raised over $300 for A Place to Turn and got 4 plastic storage bins full of food donations! Even on top of that they raised $250 for World Vision! What a group!

I am proud of our youth for making it through all 30 hours. Not one of them gave in to temptation, even in front of a grocery store. Our youngest participant was 10, our oldest was in their 40s. We even had different nationalities represented.
Our small, diverse, enthusiastic group made a difference in the world! What could be better? We shared our great banquet.

God in Your Salad

The Trinity. God in 3 persons. Father, Son, Holy Ghost.

Heard it since you were in Sunday school right? Well, have you ever compared the Trinity to salad dressing? Or the church to palette flavors? Probably not. Have no fear- it'll all make sense by the end of this post!

Salad dressing, as we learned today in our Salad Dressing Throwdown (yes, we had a competitive salad making-off-- and you should too!) is comprised of 3 main components. 3 components like the Trinity. See how I did that?

Salad dressing= salty -- fatty -- sour

A proper, palette pleasing salad dressing has all 3 parts: salty, fatty, and sour. Granted salad dressings come in all sorts of combinations but those 3 parts come together to form one. Like God, no? Does God not have 3 facets that come together to form one? The building blocks of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are all essential to form one being. One being that when active in your life creates one, not only palette pleasing but also soul pleasing, experience. 

The secondary flavors of good salad dressings can also relate to faith. They relate to parts of our faith journeys.

Remember those great moments when you are "on fire for God" as some would say? That's the hot/spicy part of your faith journey. Your faith is alive, you're ready to go, you've got the fire. Maybe you're bold and you go on a new service trip or maybe you have discovered a passion for a certain topic. Whatever it is, you are ready to blaze a trail in the name of faith.

Sweet faith are those sentimental moments that give you the warm fuzzy feelings. When you realize how much you are loved and the unfathomable grace we've received, our faith becomes very rich and deep. We keep coming back to these moments and wanting more as we do with our favorite dessert or sweet treat.

I'm a lover of the outdoors and frequently find God when I'm out in the sunshine, gardening, or hiking in the mountains. Being outside in Creation is a form of herbaceous faith. Herbs and so many other wonderful, beautiful things were created for us to enjoy. If you ever need to be reminded of just how beautiful our Creator is- take a look outside. The mountains, trees, rivers, and weather were all created by the most masterful artist. 

Finally, the indescribable part of faith. Sometimes we get just a small taste of it and other times it last for significant periods of time. The umami flavor is one of pleasure and satisfaction. Its usually found in things like meat and seafood but its rather elusive on our faith journey. Its when everything is aligned and we feel whole, blessed. This is the "cup overfloweth" kind of bear hug from all aspects of our lives.

I think of umami faith as the faith we are all trying to reach. Does that mean there won't be pain, transitions, spicy moments, or questions? No. Our faith can eb and flow but umami, just like in culinary terms, is the 5th taste, the one that no one can quite describe but everyone enjoys it. Whether everything is going wrong or you're shooting for the stars remember that God is everywhere, including in salad dressing.

Bread of Heaven

What do you think of when you envision a monastery?
A stone building?
Beautiful gardens?
A large, ornate church?
Monks wearing robes and sandals?

That's what I pictured too- and most of it is accurate but there is much more to a monastery than silence and hooded monks.

When people found out I was going to a monastery for a Lenten retreat, most made some joke about the difficulties of being silent while drinking beer. Again, accurate but not the point. The point was that I was going to a place of devout religious life where men made life long pledges to follow Christ. A place that would teach me a lot about this title I'm trying to live out- Christian.

The monks of St. Joseph's Abbey are monks belonging to the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, known as Trappists. The Trappists are a Roman Catholic order of monks and nuns that can trace their history as far back as 1098. The order seeks to live in unity with God through Jesus Christ by practicing a life of prayer, worship, and hospitality. The daily of a monk is both regulated and free. Its an interesting paradox, which we got a small taste of during our short time there.

Monks rise at 3am and retire at 8pm. They attend services for the Liturgy of the Hours; one service once every couple of hours. The first service is vigils at 3:30am and the last one is compline at 7:40pm. And yes, I did attend the 3:30am service, once. Between services the monks work on grounds, have time for prayer, and have time to read and study. The Liturgy of the Hours services and work take up a majority of the monk's daily routine but he does have some free time to pursue his faith. Many take time to walk the grounds, read one of the books in the enormous library, spend time in prayer, or talk with their Brothers.

We attended most of the services, none of them were mandatory, and spent our mornings in conference with a monk named Father Peter. He entered the life in a monastery in his native Germany where he spent 25 years there before moving to the abbey in Spencer, MA. He's been there for 18 years. His dedication was inspiring. He entered the Trappist lifestyle as a young adult and has stayed with it even though a monk is not married to monastic life until he takes final vows.

One of the main things that hit me time and again during the week was the intention and dedication of these men to a life centered on their faith. They rise at 3am to worship their Christ. They attend multiple services a day and live a life of contemplative prayer. I took a few walks during my time at St. Joseph's and most of the time I ended up in the visitor's chapel. Every time I was in the visitor's chapel, at least one monk praying in the lowly lit, silent abbey church. Their dedication to a life of constant worship and prayer is fascinating and awe inspiring. I don't think I've had that amount of dedication for a single hobby, never mind a way of life.
Their way of life is their daily bread. They live on the the love of the Spirit and keep Christ as their focus. When they take the Eucharist they take part in a breaking of bread that is over 2000 years old. The Love is their sustenance.

They are nourished by the Spirit, the bread of heaven. I am hungry.

(Photo from: http://spencerabbey1098.blogspot.com/2011/10/our-lady-of-rosary.html)

Farmed and Dangerous

When I got home from work the other day one of my roommates greeted me with a big smile and a very enthusiastic "You have to watch this!" I obliged and was not prepared for what I was about to see, in a good way. Chipotle has created a video series called "Farmed and Dangerous" which is a tongue in check revision of any action movie with an evil villain, explosions, and a hero willing to risk life and limb for a noble cause concerning us all.
Yes, a burrito chain has sponsored an episodic series about the dangers of questionable ingredients. This is the world we live in now- for better, for worse.

While all in good humor, this marketing campaign does have a good message. I'd even venture to say its one of the defining messages of the food justice movement- how our food is produced matters. It matters big time.

Despite the mixed reviews on the series and whether it really address issues (or whether it addresses the right issues) I think Chipotle played their hand very wisely. If for a moment we forget that this gives them even more brand recognition and is good for their bottom line, the issues discussed during the, frankly, strange videos are indeed worth while. Quality, responsibly grown meat and produce is key to the burrito joints success but shouldn't that be the case for all of our restaurants and meals? Shouldn't all restaurants be concerned about the quality of the ingredients they put on our plate? "You are what you eat" is a phrase everyone has heard at some point in their life. If most of were what we ate we'd likely be ashamed. Who wants to be a burger or a two-liter? I find it interesting that a country with a saying like "You are what you eat" continues to allow factory farmed meat and fertilizer laced produce into our bodies without much foresight into how these things are leading to disease of both man and planet. I say "without much foresight" because there are people who discuss produce integrity, if you will, and who fight the good fight but as a whole our nation has let agribusiness run the show. Its similar to letting the fox gaurd the hen house.

Our farming culture allows the majority of produce to be grown with pesticides and fertilizers that are made of unpronounceable compounds. Chickens and animals raised for meat are kept indoors all day with no access to grass or sunshine. The term "farmed and dangerous" is not far off. Its a cute play on words that carries a lot of meaning.  The pesticides that are sprayed on acreage all across the country are harmful to those who spray them, the consumers who eat that produce, and the plants themselves.

I no longer want to put up with "farmed and dangerous" produce and protein. Its not a status-quo I am willing to literally swallow. How do we fight for "farmed and wholesome?"

"Farmed and Dangerous" can be found here.

Junkfood Awareness Day

"What are we going to do with all the watermelons?"
"If we get another bunch of kale..."
"I think... I just... I... I'm tired of squash. There I said it."

Those now famous one liners will be less familiar at our house. Now we'll be asking what kind of crackers we want and who drank all the orange juice.

Our local eating challenge has come to a close. Whew! That was a whirlwind. We spent the past 5 months delving head first into a life constrained by where our food was sourced.
We asked people weird questions about their farming practices, we spent what seems like years discussing routine grocery store purchases, and we read every label trying to find the coveted organic and fair trade logos. Yes. We were those people. (I apologize to those who had to witness it. ;-) )

We trudged through all the weirdness and came out much more educated about food and its sourcing. Its amazing how previous grocery store enthusiast like myself (I mean come on, its a haven of all things delicious) can now be so uncomfortable in the weirdly lit, confusingly laid out zoo that is a grocery store. I had to pick up some produce from a local store for work this week and it was rather disorienting- wonderfully timed as well.

Now that I know about and have tasted seriously fresh produce, I don't know how to feel about red peppers from Chile in the middle of winter. How? How does that work? I have found myself making comment to my roommates like "What kind of greenhouse wizardry do they use to grow 'local' peppers in Massachusetts in January?" I said that. To other people. Luckily they understand what I meant and had the same suspicion but most shoppers don't. And that's disheartening.

I want people to question why stores carry things like red peppers in January when peppers peak in summer. Peppers plants want nothing more that to spend all day in the hot, humid sun. So why are we using resources, time, and money to grow heat loving plants in a season of freezing temps and snow? Not only are we raising the plants in a fabricated climate but agribusiness is willing to heat greenhouses via fossil fuels to do so. I know farmers in Virginia who stop growing peppers in September due to the falling temps and declining productivity of the plants.
We are using Earth's finite resources to grow food, that has a natural season, in an unnatural season. That doesn't sound crazy to anyone else?

Local eating is hard. It involves a lot of research and a lot of tough decision making. You miss food that isn't in season and get tired of food that is but isn't that how its supposed to be? "You can't appreciate the mountain tops without the valleys" becomes "You can't appreciate the sweetness of a watermelon in the summer without unending kale in the fall." Foods in season taste so much better because they thrive in the appropriate climate. Eating in season makes food taste so much better because you get to taste that food in all its deliciousness while experiencing it for the first time in months. You savor it.

This new way of eating is something I will certainly take with me for the rest of my life and I'm going to eat in season as much as possible, but this girl needs some citrus in her life.

My roommates and I are taking ourselves out to dinner tonight in celebration. We'll leave the confusion of the grocery store and daunting task of picking one kind of cracker from the 40 on the shelf for another day. Baby steps folks, baby steps.

(Please mark your calenders- February 1st: "Junkfood Awareness Day" and feel free to celebrate with us in spirit by indulging in your own favorite snack)

Participation

Have you noticed an increase in obesity in our nation? What about a decrease in physical activity?

The makers of HBO's "Weight of the Nation" sure have and did something about it.
The 4 part documentary is a commentary on our nation's health crisis: obesity. At times is tough to watch and other times its more upbeat with ideas to help change your lifestyle or fight for those who have no voice. Whether you find it alarming or inspiring- or both- there are ways to improve your health and the nation's health.

  

These are the 7 essentials to a healthy heart and cardiovascular system. Statistics show that only 1% of the entire U.S. population qualify for all 7 of these health indicators. 1%. That's it.






Did you know that soda companies make a 90% profit on sodas and other sugary drinks that provide you with 0% of your daily nutritional intake? They are guaranteed to make money while you are guaranteed to gain weight and increase your risk for chronic health issues. I don't know about you but I don't like those odds. 

Most of us are unaware of how much exercise it actually takes to burn off the calories of our daily food choices.

Popular all American food like burgers and cookies are everywhere in our society but the knowledge of what that food does to your body, and how to mitigate the effects, is lacking.
The truth is that fatty and/or sugary foods take more physical exercise to burn off than most people assume. 

Dismal statistics like the ones above pepper this movie making it really hard to watch without feeling inspired and fired up to change the system. Let that fire burn! Get mad! Take that anger for injustice and turn it into positive change.

Our current food system values profit more than health. The companies that produce foods high in fat and sugar while low in actual nutrient content have decided that lining their pockets is more important than the health of our nation's youth. Kids today may be the first generation to have a shorter life span than their parents, making them the first generation to die younger... from (here's the kicker)... preventable causes! All of the chronic illness and health issues young people are facing in today's America can be contributed in large to the huge increase of unhealthy food and poverty.

Significant proportions of overweight kids also live near or under the poverty line making the burden twice as heavy. Not only do they have to battle temptation on every block, their family can't afford to buy fruits and veggies. Parts of the documentary were focused on lower income neighborhoods where there are corner stores on just about every block but no parks and public greens spaces. Snack cakes wrapped in plastic and chips are 25 cents each while bananas and apples are over $1. The calorie count and price make the choice easy when you have 75 cents in your pocket. 75 cents goes a lot further and provides more calories in chips and cakes than an apple. Produce isn't affordable and it doesn't provide as many calories to satisfy an empty belly.

The odds are stacked against these kids and families from the very beginning.

Big problem right? Right. But there are ways you, yes you, can help. PARTICIPATE!

Participate in your own health, the health of your family, the health of your community, and the health of the nation at large. Start from the bottom, the most direct source of change, and come up with some personal goals. Cut back on your soda intake, eat a serving of veggies with every meal for a week, or gossip with a friend while out for a walk in the neighborhood. 

Buy your produce from a local farmer. 

Walk in one of the many fundraiser walks for a cause you support. 

Run your first 5k.

Turn a vacant lot into a park for neighborhood kids to play kickball and just be kids.

Once you see how these small changes in your life effect your well-being, bigger changes and broader influence are sure to follow. Change things up, ask your friends to join you, and move this country towards a healthier future!

To watch "Weight of the Nation" (for free) and find out how you can help, please visit the "Weight of the Nation" website.

Flour Stains

Life is a little messy.

So is baking bread.

Last weekend one of my roommates and I attended a bread baking workshop at The Food Project near Dudley Square in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston. The Roxbury, and Dudley Square especially, area of Boston is a rougher part of town. Houses are older, some falling apart, and trash is thrown on the sidewalk and in vacant lots. Amongst the aging houses and storefronts, there's a colorful building on the corner of Dudley St. and W. Cottage St.

The Food Project

The Food Project is a wonderful place where community members and folks from all over Boston can learn about farming (and even get their hands dirty!), take free cooking classes, and participate in educating youth on healthy eating! Its really a great place. The Food Project has a total of 43 acres in the Boston metro area dedicated to chemical pesticide free farming for education and CSAs. And who works the land? Staff, volunteers, and 140 teens who are part of a tight knit work crew.

Back to the bread!

We weren't sure what to expect and went in with few reservations. We arrived a bit early, talked with one of the interns, and met our fellow bread bakers as they trickled in. Everyone was very nice and we were in good company- many were there for the first time. In a complete surprise, Libby and I were some of the most experienced bread bakers in the group! We've only made bread maybe 10 a handful of times and it went... decently?

The lot of us crammed into the small commercial kitchen in the back and got to work. The staff had already picked out a few recipes: egg bread, French bread, and basic white bread.

As a community we made loaves of egg bread and French bread, and some other off the cuff recipes. Lots of laughs, lots of people doing something they've never done before- and being empowered!

It was wonderful to see. We were all strangers just 2 hours before and we were suddenly joking with each other and breaking bread together.

Curry bread! Our fearless leader made this dough before we got there and encouraged us to be creative!

I've found that cooking is a great way to interact with your neighbors, met new people, and learn or hone skills. I respect The Food Project's presence there on Dudley St. and in Boston at large. Its a wonderful resource. The staff and volunteers are doing their best to fight hunger and reach youth who might otherwise be spending their time doing less constructive things.

Find a similar organization in your city... and if there isn't one? Maybe you're just the person to start one.

We went home with bread, flour all over our shirts, and a sense of community. 

That's a lot to be thankful for.

Keep 'Em Buzzing

Most people jump when they hearing the buzzing of bees. What they unfortunately don't know is that bees are crucial to pollination and therefore food production. They are 1 of 2 ways plants pollinate. These little insects are actually quite docile and are just trying to find some pollen to bring back to the hive.

A new phenomenon has been making it harder for bees to collect pollen and bring it back to their hive. Its a random absence of bees and any sign that they were even around, except for the empty boxes that were once a hive. The shell of a hive is of particular concern as they aren't covered in dead bees or have any noticeable damage. The bees just left. No explanation, no trace.

While the whole picture is still fuzzy there is some research that suggests steps are being taken to fix the problem and try to revive lost colonies. Colony Collapse Disorder could stem from many different causes but some have been shown to have direct effects on the bees. GMOs and systemic pesticides are the leading causes of CCD currently (article from the Boston Globe). These conventional farming practices seem to trigger a response in the nervous system of the bees causing the bees to lose their ability to gather pollen and return home. Each bee has a built in GPS but chemicals from farm practices confuse the GPS function of her brain, sending her flying off into the ether. If enough bees have this problem the whole colony will vacate- sometimes leaving the queen to attempt at repopulating the hive with the young that are left behind. However without her worker bees the queen and young won't have pollen for food and honey production. I think you can guess the end of this story.

Luckily some farmers and beekeepers have decided that CCD is costing agriculture and the planet too much. A group of farmers nation wide have taken a cue from France, a leader in CCD research and solutions, by starting organic and holistic beekeeping. Organic beekeeping sounds a bit lofty and like something you'd find in old Switzerland but its everywhere! There are organic beekeepers in rural Virginia, Florida, and many European beekeepers have been organic for years. I had the pleasure of working for farmers who loved bees and their incredible gift of pollination, so they decided to start a hive just a few yards from the farm.

(Pictures from Broadfork Farm blog)

These ladies will happily feast on some pollen produced from organic plants grown without GMO seeds or harmful farming practices. Hopefully happy, healthy bees at one farm can encourage others to do the same. Bees are relatively easy to take care of and provide us with so much- the food we eat.

The Simple Life

My roommates and I have spent the past 4 months reading, researching, and discussing an idea- living simply. For us this means having an apartment full of donated furniture, kitchen wares, and linens. We also make very intentional decisions about where we buy our food and which companies/farms/businesses we want to support through our spending.

Our most recent reading, Freedom of Simplicity by Richard Foster, introduces the idea of simplicity through the lens of faith. From a faith perspective, simplicity is appealing and satisfying. God becomes the center and the self (for the sake of self) fades.

Now these sorts of self-help or lifestyle changes can be difficult. People have strengths and weakness, likes and dislikes. We have the self we present to the world in a business setting which is different than the self we present to our best friend, and those other selves can sometimes be different than our selves we discover in time spent alone. Foster discusses the goal of bringing these parts into one being-- that is focused on God. That's the kicker. A whole person; focused on God, not on "me." That's hard, really hard.

The way I've been approaching becoming a whole self while being focused on God is by simple living choices. Like I mentioned, our house has decided that a life of intention is how we want to pursue focusing on God. Our choices about what eggs to buy and whether to go with organic or fair trade sugar, if we can't find a organic and fair trade source, may seem trivial but there are a lot of threads to a simple choice in sugar. When you become aware of how workers are treated, how sustainable the farming practices are, who receives the profit and so forth, the threads start to unravel. The decision suddenly becomes much larger and starts to feel overwhelming.

To remain focused in a problem much larger than myself I think of how my spending contributes to the world and specifically God's kingdom. Does my money go to overhead costs or does the money keep workers employed in fair wages jobs? Are the farms taking care of Creation or exploiting it?
We keep our decisions intentionally focused on God and his kingdom, therefore making the choices easy. When God is the focus, the self or selves lessen, and a whole person follows.