Lazy, Lazy Days of Summer

Good afternoon! 

I have had the laziest, rainy Saturday quiet possibly in the history of all Saturdays.  It has been amazing!

I had a little trouble sleeping last night, so I slept in to almost 10 AM!!!  I could have probably slept even longer, but I peeled myself out from under the covers and started the day.

First things first, I made protein pancakes.

This time around I added a little apple sauce to the batter.  When baking I always try to replace the oil or butter with apple sauce (I’ve even heard of people using canned pumpkin) to decrease calories and fat.  This recipe had no “oil” like substance, so I thought the apple sauce would add a little richness and fluffiness.  They were pretty darn good, if I do so say so myself 😉

Next up was lounging, and what serious lounging I did! 

Back in February, I put Food Inc on our Netflix Watch Instantly queue, but have never taken the time to watch it.  I have to admit I was a little terrified.  I have already read books that describe the corruption found in our food system.  I wasn’t so sure I was ready to see it in action.

However, today I decide to push aside my fears and get over the whole “ignorance is bliss” notion.  

[Source]

If you have not watched this documentary, you really must.  Because so many people do not know about these problems, these problems will continue to happen. 

One of the most disturbing facts (although there were many) that I learned from this documentary was that 70% of ground beef served in the United States is combined with “filler” that has been cleaned with ammonium to kill e-coli bacteria. 

 

They definitely don’t put that on food labels!!! 

They also don’t let you know if your meat is from a cloned animal, because those corporations don’t believe it is in the “consumer’s best interest” to know that information.

Hmm…  what else are they hiding from us?

They did highlight a farmer from Polyface Farms in the video that followed humane and clean practices for raising and slaughtering animals.  They are the perfect example of the kind of farm I want my food to come from. 

“Polyface, Inc. is a family owned, multi-generational, pasture-based, beyond organic, local-market farm and informational outreach in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.” [Source]

I was even more pleased to discover that Ellwood Thompson’s carries Polyface Farm products.  Yet another wonderful reason for me to shop there! 🙂

I won’t continue to burden you with such unlovely thoughts on this rather lovely Saturday, but please take the time to watch this documentary, or to read Michael Pollen’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma.  After all, losing ignorance is how we develop knowledge, compassion, and understanding. 

And wouldn’t that make for a world that is a much better place?

~Jen

Remember, Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be You!!!