tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5527451334239945095.post3581165116682216491..comments2023-12-02T14:25:25.697-06:00Comments on The Meandering Muse: Paradoxes & Dilemmasrayfamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10738836663001170089noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5527451334239945095.post-61014490827969190012013-09-09T16:06:30.033-05:002013-09-09T16:06:30.033-05:00I loved Mark Bittman's suggestion of encouragi...I loved Mark Bittman's suggestion of encouraging home cooking! So much is lost when a family doesn't cook: togetherness and connection, having a food culture to pass down through the family, vital lessons on survival and resourcefulness for the children, healthy eating habits, giving home more of that safe, sanctuary feeling, wide-sweeping empowerment. <br /><br />I have also heard many say they can't afford to eat healthy or shop at the farmers market. This really does astound me, as I regularly haul home literally pounds of produce for a fraction of the regular grocery store cost. I suspect this is really more about habit and comfort zones than cost. <br /><br />Your linner idea is very appealing and I just may borrow it.Laura Doylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14407229726272149440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5527451334239945095.post-72913427390545187992013-09-06T13:34:39.750-05:002013-09-06T13:34:39.750-05:00First, I must say that over the past couple of yea...First, I must say that over the past couple of years I have seen you "walking the talk" with all that you have done with your farm ~ the food you grow, the fun you have storing it, the meals you enjoy ~ and to hear about your taking a new approach to eating with the kids is also enlightening. While I do not farm or garden, I live in an area where I can purchase and support those who do (one farmer told me once that I am just as important to the process, alleviating my guilt a bit). And how about guilt? Food is so relative to our feelings ~ no wonder it is easy to feel overwhelmed when finding out our simple pleasures come at a cost beyond the cash register. All I can say is that we have taken many first steps, and though they may be small, they are are in the right direction, and that is progress...Cyndyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01365918364420231384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5527451334239945095.post-1561967674602774002013-09-03T05:46:40.319-05:002013-09-03T05:46:40.319-05:00Julie...Yes, I find it all very overwhelming. I t...Julie...Yes, I find it all very overwhelming. I too was particularly struck by Meade's thoughts, she was spot on and saw where things were heading. I think what made me most worried, is that the concerns I have are not new ones at all, and some of the most destructive things seem to ever increase. But I agree, the farm to table and non-GMO movements do seem to be gathering steam. Maybe it is that it took a generation to really begin to see the negative effects (at least medically), and really open eyes.<br /><br />The poly tunnel is an interesting question. What is the lifespan of one? Can they be upcycled once they have outlived their greenhouse use? And over their lifespan, even if a petroleum product, do they still reduce the footprint by reducing the food miles for many people? Interesting!!rayfamilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10738836663001170089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5527451334239945095.post-4551656812834334162013-09-03T04:11:55.283-05:002013-09-03T04:11:55.283-05:00i think the readings made me feel a little bit ove...i think the readings made me feel a little bit overwhelmed by how much needs to be done and like our small efforts simply aren't enough, especially when i abandon them to suit the level of my hunger for a good avocado.<br /><br />it was a little scary that the whole corporate farm thing was already an issue in the 70s when margaret mead wrote her piece, because that's done nothing but get worse, much worse. <br /><br />and while i found pollan prophetic, i also feel like we've moved on to a degree in the nearly decade since he wrote...there's a much bigger focus today on GMO and there is a stronger movement of farm to table going on.<br /><br />i wonder about the impact of the big polytunnels being used in places like minnesota to cultivate out of season. are they environmentally defensible in view of the energy needed to power them? and do the cucumbers they produce under artificial heat and light conditions taste ok?<br /><br />i don't have answers, but the pieces were definitely food for thought.julochkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10884096685015570257noreply@blogger.com