First foray into the comment world of Grist

Okay, so it is 3 pages into the comments and won't see the light of day but its a start. A touch of the toe to test the waters:

http://www.grist.org/food/2011-07-12-why-its-so-hard-to-reform-food-system-explained-in-one-chart/N20

Here's my comment...

I'm hoping my post will shine a light on the dichotomy of the lazy, t.v watching, processed foods-eating group and the elitist, organic make everything from scratch group. I am and have been both (hopefully not elitist but I definitely have my soapbox moments). I kind of see it like enlightenment waiting to happen. Maybe one day, that redbull swiggin 14 year old will choose differently when they are ready. You can't force them. You can educate them, show them the movies, read the books, visit the farms, look at the videos, read the articles, but they will make those choices when they are ready. For me it is about understanding and being patient. Some may never get it. But if I just expose people to how good food can taste and how it is possible to feed a family of 8 locally while working a full time desk job, I feel hopeful. Don't preach, just live it and love it. Passion is what spreads.

My experience was like waking up and seeing things with new eyes. I grew up eating junk (by my own choice) and had a beautiful girl and continued my processed diet and fed it to my child. We visited McDonald's every week, ate frozen pizzas, burritos and CAFO meats as staples. Veggies hardly ever crossed our plates if it wasn't in a salad. I was a single mom and we loved to chill in front of the tv after a long day at work and school. We actually had a very pleasant life. Mind you, I have a Masters degree in biology and am very educated on how the body works and physical fitness. I knew what I was doing...I knew what we were eating. I wasn't ready. The big question is what makes you ready? For us, a disaster of our husky eating our cat causing my 10 year daughter to proclaim vegetarianism pushed both of us to make drastic changes. We had to learn a whole new way to eat and that was the beginning of our journey. After 3 years of food education, we have moved to a very local, organic flexitarian diet (we live w/in 100 miles of Polyface and have joined two CSAs!).

I remember clearly just 6 months ago, after learning about the artificial everything in processed foods that we ate in the past and how it impacts a child's development, I tearfully apologized to my child for "poisoning" her. And her wise beyond her years response of "it's okay mommy, you didn't know what was in it. I know you love me" was a heartbreaking low. Now my heart soars when she asks for an omelet with kale, squash, tomatoes, garlic and raw milk cheese. I am amazed everyday when I eat every meal just how good it tastes. I never realized how yummy "real" food is.

We have added to our brood (boyfriend with 5 kids) and cooking from scratch is definitely a challenge to incorporate with the full time desk job. I'm not 100% successful (dang flour tortillas and Netflix) but I am ready...finally ready to embrace this challenge.

In my opinion, the internet has given me the power to make these changes. I race to it for everything. I think the widespread availability of the internet will help usher in a shift in food awareness and simpler lifestyles.

Passion and Patience!

Cross-posted from Grist.