Why We Try

I came across a speech given by Sally Fallon (author of my favorite cookbook, Nourishing Traditions), and it was a great reminder of why I try to keep certain foods close, and others far.  Sometimes the 'weirdness' gets to me, and I forget why I go to all the extra trouble to *be* weird, when so many are happily being 'normal.'  I think the weirdness gets to others too, when they realize it's no accident that I don't cook with teflon or aluminum or crisco or canola or soy or msg or low-fat dairy or aspartame or splenda.  And that's just some of what we don't do.  Toss in the things we *do* do, like raw milk or fermented vegetables or kombucha or kefir*** or grass-fed beef, and we make no sense at all!

So... Why?  My brother likes to give me a hard time about such things, and I usually answer, "because it'll KILL you!"  And he laughs and tells me how fine he feels as he munches his Cheetos and chugs his RockStar.

And then I tell him I'm not changing his diaper in 40 years.  hehe.

Because while some people measure health in a day-to-day basis, I try to look at the longer trend.  I really don't think Processed Whatever is going to put me in the hospital tomorrow.  Obviously.  While that *does* happen to some people, the possibilities are slim.  Truly, I'm far more concerned about the progressive effects down the road.  [Note in particular the rat experiments and the dry milk information.] And as the speech points out, sometimes the effects only noticeably show up generations from now.

This paragraph sums up "why try" for me:

We know from animal studies that if you continue a deficient diet for three generations, reproduction ceases and that's what we're seeing now. About 25% of our couples are infertile, and if we don't go back to a diet that produces good facial structure and good health, the human race will simply die out.

Now, I'm not quite that dire.  I serve a living God, you know!  And yet, I also know that He is not mocked; we WILL reap what we sow.  And like so many other areas of life, when convenience, comfort, immediate satisfaction and sloth trump the important things, we sow tares, or weeds.  Things that choke out the Life, the fruit, the increase.

Lord, help me to remember that I don't eat (or abstain) as an end unto itself.  You have numbered my days, and careful choices will not make this life last forever!  Rather, I want to steward my resources to be best equipped to accomplish what you have called me to, and all the better if my sacrifice helps my children and grandchildren do the same.

≈≈≈

Below are some blogs and sites that I've found helpful and encouraging in my efforts.  Some are "farther along" the journey than we are, some have different ideas, even things I *disagree* with, but I've found good elements in each!  Recipes, ideas, organizing a 'weird' kitchen, natural/safe cleaning...  You'll find that and more!  If you know of other sites, please list them in the comments!

Passionate Homemaking
Keeper of the Home
Health, Home & Happiness
Nourishing Gourmet
Naturally Knocked Up
Sue Gregg
Keeping the Home

UPDATED TO ADD:
Real Food Media
GNOWFGLINS
Kitchen Stewardship
(Thanks Donielle!)


***I don't usually manage all of these all at the same time yet, I'm just giving examples. :)