tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308921546745481048.post7683680624696502097..comments2023-05-28T04:45:28.401-07:00Comments on Chalice Spark: Ethical Eating.....on my dime.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308921546745481048.post-13159035218544271852008-10-24T13:39:00.000-07:002008-10-24T13:39:00.000-07:00Family of four omnivores here, two of them teen bo...Family of four omnivores here, two of them teen boys.<BR/><BR/>I'll let you know the answer--from debtor's prison.<BR/><BR/>We grow some fruit--and one of the boys loathes fruit other than apples, bananas and watermelon (sigh). He is, however, a big fan of bean and cheese burritos. And some tomatoes, peppers and the like.<BR/><BR/>We've also kept our own chickens (fewer now; we were called on the code violation, although no one had complained about that, and there weren't any health or noise issues, just a violation of the permitted number) for organic, free range eggs.<BR/><BR/>As a society, we've gotten used to the idea that food doesn't cost that much, and shouldn't. That it's not a major part of the budget (that's ahistoric, and it's not the world norm today either). We've faced up to the fact that it's going to cost more--and should. But not break the bank...<BR/><BR/>We've decided that eat local is our (barely) first concern--as much as possible. So organic/humanely raised food a very, very close second. We've started buying meat in bulk direct from the rancher (in-state) and know it's grass-fed (asserted, and you can taste the difference). Which means we keep a freezer--and we have solar panels so that our electric bills are quite modest.<BR/><BR/>Ethical eating is a challenge because it's not one thing. It's not eat organic. It's not eat fair traded. It's not eat local. It's not eat humane. It's not eat union labor/fair wage grown. It's not eat what's sustainable. It's not any of those--it's all of those and more. Which means that there's a constant, subtle balancing of ethical goods against what each of us can do.<BR/><BR/>It's part of why this is such an awe-inspiring undertaking. It's big--and it's also utterly personal and individual. It's not easy, it's not a matter of writing a letter, putting on a bumper sticker, attending a rally and nagging a politician--or even donating. It's constant, on-going, daily work.<BR/><BR/>It is, I would say, the most distinctly daily life spiritual undertaking that UUs have taken up. It will change us--and in changing, we'll change others and the world.ogrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15910505029382522110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308921546745481048.post-63070556008426462922008-10-09T11:36:00.000-07:002008-10-09T11:36:00.000-07:00A good portion of my waking hours is taken up with...A good portion of my waking hours is taken up with this problem, as well. We're on a tighter than usual budget these days, and my awareness of food ethics is higher than ever before. These two values, frugality and food ethics (sustainable, farmer-friendly, earth friendly foods that are delicious and nutritious) conflict all the time, and I have begun dreading my grocery trips because each trip to the store is made up of a thousand small choices and compromises.<BR/><BR/>As for "food not lawns," I planted my garden in the front yard because that's where the sun is most constant. The main feedback from my neighbors has been complimentary, but West Seattle is pretty eclectic and mostly "whatever" is okay. I say you go for it!<BR/><BR/>I just got back from PCC, and I turned down the yummy organic bars that Tessa likes because they have too much packaging and they're expensive. I skipped the delicious (imported though organic) mango in favor of less expensive local apples. I bought from the bulk bins, and decide I couldn't afford organic almonds at $15/pound when the non-organic ones were less than $8/pound. I bought proscuitto for the chard and polenta dish I plan to cook, and though it says "no antibiotics" I am concerned that isn't enough. And since bananas are so cheap (even organic) and my family loves them, I bought a big bunch even though I'd prefer local food. Compromise, compromise.<BR/><BR/>All of these choices. We're working on it, though, and we have made progress. It will catch on, I think. It must!<BR/><BR/>All that to say - keep thinking, keep blogging. I enjoy being a part of the conversation; thank you.Kristinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08069440381654278765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308921546745481048.post-79830604113846857272008-10-08T07:34:00.000-07:002008-10-08T07:34:00.000-07:00Families with hungry kids are having the hardest t...Families with hungry kids are having the hardest time, all right. And it's hard to choose between non-hunger and sustainability. I say feed your kids first, no matter how you have to do it, and do the best you can with sustainability.<BR/><BR/>And you're totally right---good food grown responsibly shouldn't break the bank. I think about the class issues around food too---how many on food stamps or welfare can afford to shop at farmers' markets or Whole Foods? I want to support local farmers, here on the island, but their food is far more expensive than Freddie's.Lilylouhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02328027965155428624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308921546745481048.post-19382265309976769202008-10-08T07:09:00.000-07:002008-10-08T07:09:00.000-07:00Guess this is part of the ethics. Good food grown ...Guess this is part of the ethics. Good food grown responsibly shouldn't break the bank.<BR/><BR/>I just turned my garden for the winter, all I have now are a few chives, some oregano, parsley and one scrawny bit of sage. I was thinking about "Food not Lawns" as I worked. I wonder what my suburban neighbors would do, and wouldn't it be fun to see?Karihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04779463691582868798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308921546745481048.post-67598546076982612912008-10-08T06:11:00.000-07:002008-10-08T06:11:00.000-07:00No easy answers. Growing some food is good in the...No easy answers. Growing some food is good in the growing season, which is not all year in most parts of the country. It seems like a luxury to talk about ethical eating in these difficult financial times. In CA we're voting on a measure that would prohibit cruelty to farm animals. It's not much, but it's something.Anna Bananahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10824356086811880655noreply@blogger.com