I'm Revealing a Secret...

I am about to divulge a secret that may not be earth-shattering to those who know me but for some (those who would never read this blog probably), it may be revolutionary.

I have..... never voted Conservative. It's true. I guess I've always had a soft spot for social justice and social justice doesn't usually fit well with the Conservative agenda. Maybe it's the type of education I had and issues I chose to research while in university. Maybe it's because I've always had an eye cast around the world - keeping track of genocides, intra-state conflict and things like that. When I was in highschool, I kept every newspaper clipping I could find related to the Rwandan war/genocide. This might be considered odd or morbid by many but I haven't yet been able to throw them out even though I know it's probably accessible on the internet somewhere.

I respect everyone's right to make their choice and even announce their choice to others. Heck, I'm joining the bandwagon right now! (Sort of...) My political leanings are something of a secret because I don't usually discuss politics with family or friends. I dislike it. I suppose it's a good thing for people to feel passionate but I'm not always comfortable with the type of passion I encounter. This is usually when I draw back and make a decision not to discuss how I really feel about the political discussion at the table. I like to be informed. I like to know about things before I try to convince everyone else that I really do know what I'm talking about. Perhaps another word to describe this is cautious. Perhaps cowardice.

Two things are troubling me - firstly, the amount of falsehoods projected as accepted truths. Please be informed prior to declaring facts (or views) that you've probably heard from someone you might consider reliable. It almost pains me to read facebook statuses full of misconceptions and falsehoods coupled with the zeal of the converted. I want so much to comment and say - 'Actually, there is no coalition. Actually, the Liberals were more fiscally responsible throughout the 90s, eliminated the deficit and laid the regulatory groundwork for the banking system (However flawed it may be.).' But I won't. I won't say it because I don't like confrontation so much. I feel like many of the political opinions expressed lately have been more aggressive than necessary. There is a way to discuss politics without speaking in absolutes. There is a way to listen to each other even though most people would rather be heard. (Btw - I feel hypocritical writing this in a blog where I am the one being heard.)

So, happy campaigning my friends. Please remember to consider your arguments before passing it off as fact, understanding that we all make mistakes now and then. Also, please be civil and kind. We all have reasons for choosing to vote the way we do - one may think about their pension, another their tax credit. Or maybe it's the war in Afghanistan. Have your reasons, have your passion and be nice.

I love my food.

Has anyone else ever noticed that the cost of food in the US is unsustainably low?

I noticed the ridiculously low cost of food while travelling through the US recently. Food should not be this cheap in restaurants. It was approximately half the price of an equivalent meal here (this is a very unscientific study completed by me at the Cracker Barrel, Burger King and a local pizza joint. Maybe it's not the most comprehensive study but it was really difficult to find notable restaurants within sight of the interstate in NY, NJ, Pennsylvania.).

People wonder why Americans are gaining weight and eating processed food? Ummm... because it's too cheap not to buy the processed, hormone-laden food due to subsidization and lobbying. Nowhere else in the world is the cost of mass-produced food kept at such a low level. The caveat is - I suspect that local, organic or sustainably produced food is not nearly as affordable, even in the US. I live in Canada and travelled to Africa, Europe and Caribbean. Some of these countries do not have access to the American dream of having thousands of products to choose from at the supermarket but are they any less healthy?

Many societies still rely on a fairly traditional diet. They eat a lot of lamb, chicken, root vegetables, couscous and dried fruit in Morocco. You could probably find all the fast food trappings in Europe but many still value artisan cheeses, breads and meats. Europe also limits the amount of genetically modified food available in the marketplace. There is nothing like a traditional French meal. I was lucky enough to enjoy this with some friends - meal begins at 8pm on the front lawn and ends at 11pm. Homemade foie gras, salads, meat, charcuterie. Cousins, neighbours and friends coming to the meal and contributing a dish or two. Honestly, this is still done. I'm not kidding! We also visited my husband's family in Germany and they did a very similar thing. The tables are permanently set up outside and there is a continual trail of meats, radish, cheese from the house to the table under the castana tree. It sounds very romantic and I doubt every day is such a celebration but it is beautiful to enjoy good food with friends and family. Life is rich. Eating a traditional diet is not such a bad thing, really.

Eating well has costs. It is more expensive to eat clean or well in North America. I wish real food (unprocessed, fruits, veggies, etc) was more affordable for everyone and that processed food reflected the true costs, including health costs. Personally, I have made the decision to spend a greater part of our budget on integrating as many organic or local/sustainable food into our home. I make most of our meals from original ingredients but sometimes... I still stop at McDonald's to give my kids lunch. Sometimes, I grab a pizza from the freezer. It's certainly not perfection. Now, only if they could create a healthy alternative fast-food chain with drive-thru windows for minivans full of children.