FOOD FOOD FOOD

On the eve of this eating “extravaganza” Thanksgiving long weekend, I thought perhaps an interesting movie to pick up this weekend for you and your family to check out is “Food, Inc.” Although I myself haven’t seen it yet (I will this weekend) I have heard it will change your eating habits forever! Check out the trailer on youtube.com…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eKYyD14d_0&feature=fvst

How much do we really know about the food we buy at our local supermarkets and serve to our families?

“In Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation's food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that's been hidden from the consumer with the consent of our government's regulatory agencies.

Our nation's food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of our farmers, the safety of workers and our own environment.

We have bigger-breasted chickens, the perfect pork chop, insecticide-resistant soybean seeds, even tomatoes that won't go bad, but we also have new strains of e coli -- the harmful bacteria that cause illness for an estimated 73,000 Americans annually.

We are riddled with widespread obesity, particularly among children, and an epidemic level of diabetes among adults.

Food, Inc. reveals surprising -- and often shocking truths -- about what we eat, how it's produced, who we have become as a nation and where we are going from here.”

YIKES! So perhaps the scare tactic doesn’t work for everyone, but it works for MEEE, so check it out this weekend, and take a second look/thought next time you do your grocery shopping?

Cheaper & BIGGER doesn’t equal BETTER!

Heather and Chanel

Think outside the box... or city...

Hey there, good to see you again! My husband and I went to Calgary, AB for a little R&R. It was so nice to get away and be in a city where we didn't have any responsibilities or time schedules!

I don't know about you, but I need to leave my familiar surroundings once in a while to explore other worlds than my own. It brings me back to earth and gives me a deeper and more meaningful perspective regarding my purpose on this earth. I love comfort and leaving my comfort "zone," as some would describe it, is good for me! My hope is that this pring season you are able to do the same, whether it be volunteer with a new organization, go on a much needed vacation, or simply saying hello to a stranger who looks like they might need to know that someone cares!

I hope you had a wonderfully Blessed Easter weekend, with the weather turning a little brighter and the sun shining down a little warmer, all seems to be much better!

While in Calgary, I observed many initiatives that promote living responsibly including at the hotel and throughout the entire city! It was really great to see living a responsible and sustainable lifestyle being put as a priority. Go Calgary!

Lots of Love,
Chanel

Plastics Improvement... not that kind...

WOW! Thanks SO very much for the feedback everyone! There have been several new comments posted on a variety of entries, so we encourage you to read and provide your feedback as well! We are also in the process of trying to make the comments more easily viewed, and will hopefully have a better system for viewing by next week.... fingers crossed everybody!!!!

Nothing makes us happier than knowing you are interested and passionate!

Starting another conversation... how is the use for plastic bags search going? Are you finding you use many bags in your lives?

I am finding that in our household we have pulled out bags without thinking about it in the past, but since September, we have not gone through more than one box of "Ziploc" bags because we are using containers (Which also protect your food from morphing as well... :P) to store our food. As well, we have not accumulated our usual MASSIVE bag of grocery bags, because I have been making a conscious effort to keep reusable grocery bags in the car, so when I pick up some goods for supper, I am able to zip in and out without taking more plastic home! I must say, though, that this has been a hugs challenge for me, lol. I am aware that it sounds ridiculous and easy to follow; however for some reason it has taken me months to remember to bring my reusable bags into the grocery store even when they are in the car... pathetic, I know... but I'm trying, and I am making an effort to change things (like bringing the bags in my car so I have a constant reminder.... except when my husband insists that they go in the trunk... thus continuing my cycle of forgetfulness... oi!). Well that's my struggle with this plastic bag manifesto... they just hand them our and double-bag you everywhere you go! I do recognize that we have made huge strides in this department and for this I am grateful.

P.S. If you are wondering where on earth can I get a reusable bag? Almost every single grocer carries their own brand, general merchandise stores are beginning to carry their own (great advertising... we're thinking of putting out some ad bags as well... stay tuned...), and there are soooo many sites online that carry "designer", neat reusable organic bags (just google "reusable bags" and you will find a plethora of sites)

Lots of non-plastic wishes sent your way :P,

Chanel and Heather