Hypocrites and Movies

I wrote a blog post, and the internet ate it. I hate when that happens. I keep going back to where the post should be, half expecting it to turn up, but deep down I know it really won't be there. I had to start over. Just as I was writing the intro, the cursor jumped from the end of the sentence to the start, which made an interesting jumble of words, but nothing that made any sense. I also have two key caps missing and several sticky keys on this computer. First-world problems, for sure, but annoying nonetheless.

Normally I steer clear of even suggesting what or how people should eat. I can't stand when people try to dictate my eating habits, so I avoid telling people what's best for them. The worst is when someone insists that juicing, cleanses, fasts or some random fad diet is the way to go. I don't mind when someone suggests trying a certain meal, eating more of this or that, or eating X before or after doing Y activity. That doesn't bother me, but when people insist that the Paleo diet or Keto diet or what the fuck ever diet is the best thing ever and solves all the problems of the world, it makes me want to poke my eardrums out and roll my eyes to the point where they get stuck all up in the back of my head somewhere.

That said, I do think it's important to be as aware as we possibly can when it comes to what we eat, and that should include researching specific ingredients as well as looking at labels.

I've been on a documentary-watching rampage. So far, the list includes: Chasing Ice (amazing), Inequality for All (very well done), Food Inc. (just as shocking the second time around), God Loves Uganda (incredibly disturbing), Exit Through the Gift Shop (interesting), Unhung Hero (great) and Zeitgeist (eye-opening, even if it's not 100 % accurate).

I encourage people to watch all of these, but since I'm on the topic of eating, Food Inc. stands out among them. This and any other films or lectures dealing with food, farming, GMOs, labeling or monopolies, such as Monsanto, in the food industry should be a documentary-watching priority.

Here's a short video clip from the movie, Food Inc., in which one farmer, whose contract with Purdue was terminated when she refused to close off the open windows on her chicken farm at the request of the company, talks about factory farming:

She has since moved on to practice humane and free-range farming methods on her own farm.

And here's a short video on marketing relating to farming that will also make you sick: http://www.upworthy.com/no-one-applauds-this-woman-because-theyre-too-creeped-out-at-themselves-to-put-their-hands-together?g=2&c=ufb1

While I'm on the topic of being sick, this one about three young wannabe models may be unrelated, but it will also turn your stomach: http://www.upworthy.com/a-news-team-follows-potential-models-for-one-week-my-face-is-now-stuck-in-disgust-mode-3?g=2&c=reccon1

Boulder gets a bad rap for people being extra picky about organic food and following the hippie lifestyle, but most of them aren't even aware that their eating habits are a good thing when it comes to making a statement that we don't want animals, even ones we may end up eating, to be treated in horrific ways. For companies, it comes down to supply, demand and profit. That's it. Very, very few companies actually care. You might be surprised that companies such as Burt's Bees, Kashi and a bunch of other "natural" businesses are owned by PepisiCo Inc., and none of them give a shit about GMO labeling, your health or animals. Maybe when they started they did, but that's no longer the case.

Not all free range farms are the same.

With the corporate consolidation of organic companies, it's go big or get out of the way, so many smaller family-run business are pushed out of the ring. That's why it's important to support companies who are the real deal, companies that support GMO labeling, are family owned and care about more than just turning a profit.

While I'm on the topic of Boulder, people come here, complaining about the selfish, opportunistic, self-serving crowd and then act like assholes to show just how unlike us they are, but I suppose they do have a point. People do seem to be a little on the self righteous side here. Still, Boulder can be a cool place to live. I like that people here are unique, and whether or not they know it, the people here are making at least a small statement about how the food industry should be by being fussy about what they consume.

As you probably realize, supporting change doesn't mean simply walking into Whole Foods and buying whatever they're pushing, far from it. It means educating yourself about the products, how they are made and what goes into each step before the product lands on a shelf.

For more ways you can help, visit this link: http://www.aspca.org/fight-cruelty/farm-animal-cruelty/10-ways-you-can-fight-factory-farms