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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2017 0:00:35 GMT
Has anyone watched the documentary "Cowspiracy"? In fact, there are a number of films about food which are extremely well researched and informative on Netflix. Incidentally, I have warmed towards Netflix. It features a range of anti-corporate, climate friendly, pro-health sustainable farming, liberal/left wing documentaries.
The films I particularly liked were "Cowspiracy", "Food Inc" and 'Sustainable". These make a strong case for eating farm fresh organic food while warning you of the dangers of factory farmed animal products and industrial agriculture.
I wondered if anyone here senses how their energies change by eating fresh organic foods.
Also, are you aware of the dangers of pesticide sprayed food?
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Post by Violets on Apr 8, 2017 18:00:25 GMT
@astrokeen yes, absolutely. I haven't seen that documentary, but we try to eat food preferably from our garden (we had a nice one at our last house), or at least organic. I wish that organic and farm-fresh eggs weren't so tremendously expensive compared to the over-processed foods and meats that come from dubious places where there is no humane treatment towards the animals. It's disgusting to think about, and upsetting for sure. Pesticides are definitely horrible, and I'm right now debating on whether or not to use anything around the parameter of our house, as we have black widows in this area, but I'm not keen on killing off all insect/arachnid life forms. We used to only buy organic foods, but now as we've bought a new house and have hospital bills after having our little guy, it's harder for us to afford. One of my favorite films that touches briefly on this is Baraka (an older one now, but still good). It's not so much about food, but society, mostly. I've never tried to look into my spiritual energy regarding eating fresh organic foods, but I do know that when my diet is cleaner in that sense I definitely feel more energetic physically. A good friend of mine has her organic garden with her chickens, and we've traded a bit here and there--I make beeswax candles and sugar scrubs with oils she doesn't have, and she makes jams and has eggs. It's a nice barter when we're able to accommodate it, and we've been friends for over twenty years, so that makes it actually even nicer.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2017 19:34:21 GMT
"Pesticides have been linked to a wide range of human health hazards, ranging from short-term impacts such as headaches and nausea to chronic impacts like cancer, reproductive harm, and endocrine disruption." So what does one do? The cost of organic foods is high as you said Violets , and makes them unaffordable. My local supermarket hardly stocks any meats which are fee range and organic (which I have to write to them about). But it does sell organic milk and eggs at affordable prices, maybe be affordable for me as I don't have a family to feed. I am vegetarian but I do cook meat for guests and my kids when they visit. If you live in a warm place all year round, you are lucky because you can grow things co-operativley with friends. Urban 'farming' will become essential for our health. It was Rachel Carson who spearheaded the eco-movement with her book 'Silent Spring' in 1962 about the health and environmental impacts of DDT, which was then banned, but since equally hazardous pesticides are being used.
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Post by Violets on Apr 8, 2017 20:34:19 GMT
Not to mention herbicides, and a plethora of other things. I don't live in a warm climate all year round at all, lol. I could wish... Meat and dairy that is hormone free and free range are still considerably more expensive here, and I've also come to hold a healthy level of skepticism regarding the USFDA's definition of "organic" or anything of that nature. Thankfully, my mom has an overabundance of organic raspberries in the summer, which is where we get most of our jam. We grow our tomatoes without pesticides or anything, but I wish we had better luck with potatoes and carrots! I think that buying locally or bartering from known sources is ideal, if pricing is reasonable. Or better yet, urban farming as you said.
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Post by LeeLoo on Apr 15, 2017 11:16:13 GMT
The most horrible movie that ever existed and probably ever will is Earthlings. At the same time, a documentary every earthling should see. I managed to watch it until the end, but looking back, I don't know how I did it. It can change your life however, your view in regards to one's connection with animals, knowing what actually happens to them, how we owe them all the pills we use, their horrific journey behind the fine leather in our shoes, and of course, food. And it was made 10 years ago. I've been thinking about this a lot lately, about a possible global solution to not consuming animals anymore, which doesn't seem close at this point. As far as I'm concerned, me and my family are still eating animal products. My sister has been a vegetarian for 3 years, but it didn't work for her, she developed anemia and her health deteriorated. She restarted to eat animal products. We try to eat local produce, farm eggs and meat, farm vegetables (we live in the capital, so for now we only have the option to buy them from the market and stores). My sister is working on having her own farm though, she is a biologist. We won't be able to eat her chickens though, she will name them and pet them My main concern now is how animals are being treated. And to somehow get to the point when we don't eat them anymore. It seems that many people are vegetarians and are healthy, while others, not so much. I eat everything and I also cook, so it would be a big change for me. But on a personal level, it is always easier. What is interesting to me is how this might evolve, globally.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2017 17:45:21 GMT
Globally it seems meat consumption is on the increase. It is estimated to be double of 2000 levels by 2050. That is a horrendous figure, given that meat production is one of the top 3 polluters. It causes worse pollution than all transport put together. www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/cow-emissions-more-damaging-to-planet-than-co2-from-cars-427843.htmlLivestock production accounts for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions and uses 70% of all agricultural land. It is a major cause of deforestation and land grabs. China, for example, with rising income levels has become the biggest consumer of pork - 54% of all the pork in the world, and it is set to increase. Land use is changing drastically in other parts of the world: 25m hectares of land—which were once Amazon rainforest and great grassland ecosystems - is being used to feed China's pigs. While economic growth predominates over environmental concerns there will be no decrease in meat consumption. However, extreme scenarios caused by outbreak of disease or natural disasters caused by pollution will stop people in their tracks and hold the potential to bring about a change in consciousness. Meat is usually produced in inhumane conditions, fed on GM soya/grain and with use of antibiotics - all impacting majorly on our health. The film 'Cowspiracy' goes into depth into the "The China Study" where meat consumption was linked to a range of diseases - and this was before factory farming became the norm. Our health alone is reason enough in my view to consume other protein rich foods instead.
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Post by Violets on Apr 19, 2017 18:13:48 GMT
I was fully vegetarian before I became pregnant with my oldest son, due to the reasons you guys have listed. I'm aware of the unspeakable treatment of animals, as well as the cost to the environment and our bodies. It is distressing.
However, I wasn't sure I felt capable in my knowledge of vegetarianism while pregnant, so I returned to eating meat. I've not had a long period of not eating meat since then, although I've given it an effort on occasion. It makes it more difficult when trying to provide nutrtious meals for kids, if you're the type of parent who questions your parenting on every minute step like I am.
I do, however, tell my son quite a bit about life, not wishing to feel as though I'm being dishonest. So he knows that we eat animals when we eat meat, and he's been given the option to stop eating meat if he wants to (he is an avid animal lover, particularly chickens, as a lot of our family and friends have them as pets). So far, he doesn't care for the meat substitutes available, and soy is another topic altogether.
I have no answers, especially as he's at the age where it's difficult to convince him to try new foods or eat vegetables to begin with. But we do our best to find local places to buy from.
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Post by Violets on Apr 19, 2017 19:07:39 GMT
I always wanted to have our own chickens, as well as bees. Not for meat or honey, but for eggs and beeswax (it's hard on the bees when people take their honey, as that's their winter food, and often has to be supplemented with sugar of some sort, which doesn't sound good for the bees).
That ideal was easier with our last house in this state, as we had a half acre to use. I might still attempt chickens one day, though.
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Post by Ava on Apr 20, 2017 14:47:25 GMT
"Liking" the whole thread. I could never watch Earthlings. Just watching people TALK about Earthlings has been upsetting to me. I went through a phase about two years ago where I rented several documentaries about food, however. Some of them got explicit about the treatment of animals. For instance, even organic/"humane" animal processing plants partake in horrific practices, like putting male baby chicks through a type of shredder. Around my country house, most of my friends buy meat from the same farming operation, where they can see the cows happily grazing in big fields, where they are assured that the cattle die quickly and as painlessly as possible (a bullet to the head while they are sleeping, I think.) My friends say things like, "We have half a cow in the freezer." That means, they literally bought half of one specific cow, and have all its pieces stored. I don't digest red meat well and have never really liked it. I'm not a great fan of chicken, either. I would easily go ALMOST vegan if the food were cheaper and more convenient. I would still want some dairy and eggs now and then. Lately I have canned soup very frequently. I jazz it up. Organic lentil soups are expensive so I typically use half a can and stretch it, for example: 1. Canned lentil soup hack Saute some onions, garlic, and chopped tomatoes in ghee. Add half a can of soup and a cup of water. Add brown rice noodle shells and boil. When noodles are soft, turn off the stove and stir in a big handful of arugula. Put hot sauce and some fancy salt in a pretty bowl and add soup. 2. Canned red lentil curried soup hack Saute onions and fresh cilantro in ghee, add half a can of soup. Saute spinach in a separate pan until bright green. Add to a pretty bowl with hot sauce and some fresh lemon juice. Stir in soup and add some plain yogurt. Croutons are good here, like if you have pita bread squares to saute in ghee until browned, they go well in this. (This is a "convenience" version of the recipe for Red Lentil Soup with Lime, from Deborah Madison's Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone.) 3. Canned vegetarian chili hack Saute onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, add canned chili. When heated fully, put in a bowl with chopped cilantro, fresh salsa if you have it, and raw sauerkraut. I eat meals like that several times a week. It's easy to go without meat if you have something robust and tasty that you can throw together, and these meals aren't expensive. Organic onions don't cost much more than regular onions, for example.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2017 19:21:32 GMT
Ava, very interesting recipes! I make lentils quite often and usually eat with a little brown rice. Lentils and pulses are easy to boil and use, so I try cook from scratch as it does taste better. More green not to use cans anyway, and maybe aluminium cans could be leaching into food. The things that can affect our health adversely seems to be never ending. I am trying to read up on the latest news on what's safe and not.
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Post by Ava on Apr 22, 2017 0:52:42 GMT
Hi @astrokeen, I love brown rice with lentils also. I just get impatient with the longer cooking time. Good point about metal contamination in the cans. I looked at the brand I buy: www.amys.com/faqs/is-your-can-lining-non-bpaI'm not smart enough to read between the lines and spot whatever potential dangers are still present. Overall, I would prefer to eat all-natural and all fresh. I think we all feel better when we eat this way.
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Post by LeeLoo on Apr 22, 2017 10:35:15 GMT
Those are great vegan recipes, Ava :)I like that they are eclectic, international This is a new documentary launched today, about these matters: islandearthfilm.com/(I like that sustainable irrigation system, using the local environment) Since we've moved to recipes, I have 2 myself (Romanian) 1. Salata Orientala ( a potato salad, no idea why it's called like this) homecookinginmontana.blogspot.ro/2012/01/romanian-oriental-potato-salad-or.html2. and one very tasty, delicious veggie mix, great for sandwiches and snacks (usually made in autumn), Zacusca (if you want to put the eggplants in the stove, you need to prick them, otherwise they explode; BUT the most important part of zacusca smoky taste comes from "burning" the eggplants directly on the stove fires - putting them right in the flame until the peel is charred - which is one part of the video I recommend doing differently - and cooking the bell peppers and peppers on a hot plate like this: An open grill fire is much better, of course, just make sure the eggplants are in contact with the flames and charred, that's the catch with the recipe, that smoky taste Recipe: Much tastier than it looks, it is kept in jars. You can add mushrooms to make mushroom zacusca.
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Post by Ava on Apr 22, 2017 19:18:44 GMT
Wow, the Zacusca looks like it takes all day to make! It does look yummy. But I think I am more likely to try the Salata Orientala. In fact, I definitely will try that. I love these documentaries even though they make me sad. Some facts about GMOs in America presented here: Better to laugh than cry? America's food supply is 70% GMO, compared to Europe's 5%?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2017 7:51:44 GMT
EU laws on testing foods are much more stringent. In many European countries - e.g., Germany, France, Ireland, Austria, Hungary, Greece - there is a complete ban on selling and growing GM foods. A few countires, however, allow certain GM crops. In UK, GM enters the system through imported animal feed. Another reason to eat organic foods. Very informative UK site: www.gmwatch.orgIt includes an excellent selection of videos here: www.gmwatch.org/videos
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Post by LeeLoo on Apr 29, 2017 11:11:02 GMT
Wow, the Zacusca looks like it takes all day to make! It does look yummy. But I think I am more likely to try the Salata Orientala. In fact, I definitely will try that. I love these documentaries even though they make me sad. Some facts about GMOs in America presented here: Better to laugh than cry? America's food supply is 70% GMO, compared to Europe's 5%? Did you try the salata? I realized those two were more of autumn/winter recipes. Here is one I love for the season, it uses spinach, nettles, stevia, ramsons (wild garlic, allium ursinum) and green onions/ green garlic. Lots of greens I don't know if you eat these plants in your area. You basically chop them and add them to green onions and garlic sauteed in a big pot and cook them as they leave their juices. They are very good with polenta or as any side dish. They can also be blended and uses as soup base. You can also add Artiplex Hortensis in the mix. Nettles EDIT: In the end, you add some tomato paste
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Post by anela on Apr 29, 2017 19:22:33 GMT
I can't watch them, and have gone off eating meat again recently.
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Post by Ava on Apr 30, 2017 2:53:13 GMT
Hi LeeLooThat looks good! Do you eat a lot of polenta? I know it's good for us but my digestive system is ambivalent and indecisive. I've never learned to forage any wild greens except for dandelion. Oh and I used to eat shamrocks all the time when I was little, and chives from the neighbor's garden. Also a relative has watercress growing in their stream but I only tried that once. *thinking* Yes I think that is the full list. Never ate nettles. But this time of year there are salads all over the ground, it seems and it makes me hungry and frustrated that I don't know how to identify what's edible. Haven't tried the salata yet, I'm slow in making resolutions come true sometimes. But I will get to it, I'm motivated because it looks yummy.
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2017 19:25:56 GMT
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Post by LeeLoo on May 27, 2017 9:05:23 GMT
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Post by LeeLoo on May 27, 2017 9:17:43 GMT
Hi LeeLoo That looks good! Do you eat a lot of polenta? I know it's good for us but my digestive system is ambivalent and indecisive. I've never learned to forage any wild greens except for dandelion. Oh and I used to eat shamrocks all the time when I was little, and chives from the neighbor's garden. Also a relative has watercress growing in their stream but I only tried that once. *thinking* Yes I think that is the full list. Never ate nettles. But this time of year there are salads all over the ground, it seems and it makes me hungry and frustrated that I don't know how to identify what's edible. Haven't tried the salata yet, I'm slow in making resolutions come true sometimes. But I will get to it, I'm motivated because it looks yummy. Hi, Faith I eat polenta quite rarely, about once every 2 months. Here there is also the habit to eat it with hot fresh milk, as an evening meal. You should try it, especially when it's cold outside, it's sweet and comforting. We find those greens at the market in spring, farmers are selling them (nettles and the rest), during their specific season. What I forage myself are my herbs in my pots now I have basil, several varieties of mint and I am waiting for the coriander to grow. I love fresh coriander leaves (it seems not everyone enjoys its taste unless having been raised with it - Asian cuisine). I feel the same in spring, I feel like a cow hehehe, there is this instinctive need to eat greens, to graze. lol Also, interestingly, when I eat meat, I prefer to eat it with green leaves (salad) I have this need, just like chimpanzees do after they eat meat. Look at them, they also drink wine janegoodall.ca/our-stories/10-things-chimpanzees-eat/I've been a big fan of Jane Goodall, since childhood.
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