My Grits Confessions, Losing It at 50

Food Inc. has me shocked, disgusted, and totally pissed off that the large corporations that have control of the food industry can get away with these evil tactics with no retribution!  In the past, I have written on this blog, and on my green blog, spellsgogreen@wordpress.com about processed foods, and healthier eating, but I had no idea how uncontrolled the industry was until now.  When I happened to watch Oprah last week, she was discussing the documentary Food Inc with Author Michael Pollan.  I knew there were chemicals, toxins, high sodium and more in fast foods and processed foods, but they took it much further and more in-depth than that.  I had to see the documentary Food Inc. for my own knowledge.  To learn more go to http://www.foodincmovie.com/.     

A Must See For Everyone!

I am outraged at the lack of morals and ethics of our own government officials who have knowledge of the illegal activities in our food industry.  How could this be allowed to happen in our own country, and why hasn’t something more drastic been done to stop it?  The abuse being done to livestock is repulsive.   Additionally, the emotional, plus financial abuse being done to farmers is incomprehensible.   How can a country, who has survived for hundreds of years off the hard work of our agriculture community allow four large corporations including Monsanto Company, Tyson Foods, Smithfield Farms and Perdue Foods to completely take control of the food industry?  The food, agriculture, and chemical industries all have former executives in government posts and have lobbyists influencing the others.  Do I hear ‘Monopoly?”   

Movie Plot Info:  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 American consumer with the consent of our government’s regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA. Our nation’s food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment.   

Personally I am now much more informed on our foods than I was even a year ago when I started eating healthier.  Honestly, the last year has now come full circle.  When we were in Georgia a year ago we stopped by our cousins home to visit.  Her husband is a chicken and crop farmer.  When visiting outside, we noticed several large  fully enclosed metal dome buildings behind their home which had me curious.  My husband explained that they were chicken houses.  I thought it strange because the chickens houses I always remembered were open and covered with chicken wire.  When I asked, our cousin explained that these houses were how the company wanted them, fully enclosed.  He also said that the companies come down weekly with these machines and go through the houses from one end to another injecting all the chickens with antibiotics.  That was the point I decided no more drug filled poultry or meats.  When we left I noticed more chicken houses down the road that someone else was running.  Unfortunately, a year ago I didn’t have a picture in my mind of the conditions inside these houses like I do now, plus the control the corporations have over my cousins.  It all totally sucks.  

After viewing this documentary, I have now decided I can no longer eat poultry or meat. I absolutely can not enjoying eating any of these foods knowing the living conditions and abuse the livestock have been through for our indulgences.  Additionally, why would I want to eat something that has lived in feces filled conditions, eating nothing but corn and being pumped with antibiotics?  Plus the ammonia soaked fillers they put into the beef when packing it.  It is all absolutely disgusting.  I also can no longer eat processed boxed foods, because I would just be condoning the greedy corporations and their practices.    I only wish I had this knowledge while raising my children, however I am thankful I can educate my grandchildren.  

Will I ever eat poultry or meat again?  For now that answer is no and if I ever do it would be from livestock that have been able to graze and eat the way they were suppose to.  They would also NOT be injected with drugs, or antibiotics.  For now the foods I am eating are totally organic and supporting the local farmers who are struggling to survive.  I have also become a whole grain lover!  It would be safe to say I will be losing weight……..LOL………….

I ask, possibly this indeed answers the questions as to why in our country the cancer, diabetes and heart disease rates are higher than any other country in the world?  Hmmm……..it does make you think………..