Vote with Your Purse and Change Your Health

Last Saturday, I watched Food, Inc. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend you do!

The movie features Daniel Pollan, author of In Defense of Food, Omnivore's Dilemma and others, and Eric Schlosser, author of Fast Food Nation. Both are investigative reporters who have spoken out against the atrocities of our nation's food supply.

It is no coincidence that we are a nation of obesity and ridden with epidemic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. We've accepted these as realities. Many of us Americans are taking meds for long periods of time, perhaps the rest of our lives, with the belief that this is acceptable. It isn't!
What I took away from the movie is that we have the power to change the abuse that is taking place in the agricultural industrial farms. How? By voting with our wallets.

So, I appeal to you, for the sake of your children's and your health and our environment, to stop purchasing meat that comes from these industrial farms (which is approximately 70% of all meat - and probably a lot higher).
Here are some easy ways to vote with your wallet and improve your health at the same time:

1. Purchase organic meats or meat from local farms.

2. Eat meat fewer times per week.

3. Eat smaller portion sizes of meat. I was at a party this week at Capital Grille and each person's portion of meat was Fred Flinstone sized. Why are these large portions considered fashionable and socially acceptable, despite how incredibly unhealthy they are?

Yes, these are all obvious recommendations, but it doesn't hurt every now and again to be reminded that we do have a responsibility to contribute to the well being of our nation.