seniors shouldn't have to work (if they don't want to)

this morning i went grocery shopping.  i got in the wrong lane (behind a frazzled woman with 8 kids - that i counted - under the age of about 12).  the check-out cashier was an elderly woman.  i'm not good at guessing ages, but she had to have been over 65.  very sweet looking.  hair neatly curled.  kind smile.  nicely dressed (not always the case at wal-mart).  

she had arthritic fingers and she struggled a bit to bag my groceries but but was so sweet about it!  i always bring my own bags and she had to set them up before filling them.  often i get the sense that the check-out person is looking at my bags with disdain.  this kind woman was so helpful and did a wonderful job - nothing crushed, groceries evenly distributed.  

i thought, this lovely person should be at home loving her grandkids!  what does it say about our country that we don't take care of our seniors.

i realize that people need to take responsiblity for their own actions and lives.  in my head, i can understand conservative values of individual responsibility and capitalist principles.  i do believe that individuals and the church should be a source of help.  

but in my heart, i feel that this system works for some and takes advantage of others.  there has to be a structure that supports the weak and doesn't only celebrate the strong.  

there has to be a way we can reduce this trend.

on my way out of wal-mart, i noticed the greeter - also a senior, a kind old gentleman, neatly dressed with suspenders.  i don't think it's just a coincidence.

food is more than just what you eat

is it too extreme to say that this book changed my life?  probably.  more likely, it was the right message at the right time.  but in any case, animal, vegetable, miracle has significantly changed my thinking on the things i eat, how i shop and cook, and the things i feed my family.  maybe changed isn't the right word.  sharpened.

this book is by barbara kingsolver, an author i have always enjoyed, although i had never read any any of her nonfiction work.  i picked it up at our fabulous new bookstore downtown, thought it looked interesting and took it home.  i found it difficult to put down.  

in summary: the book demonstrates in a fun and practical way how eating locally grown and produced food is better for the world, communities and families.  

this is what it comes down to for me:  local food from local sources has the following advantages (no particular order):

• flavor!  this is so true.  i started buying farmers market cucumbers and tomatoes.  the best lunch in the world = sliced fresh cucumber and tomato + tiny sprinkle of kosher salt + little drizzle of olive oil.  seriously, can food be more delicious than this??  (don't ask yet where that olive oil came from; i'll get to that)
• support your local economy.  it's easy to say you want to support local businesses and then head over to walmart (although around here, walmart almost is a local business, but that's another story too).  but just about everywhere in north america there are small farmers trying to make a living.  why not support them and get good food as a result?
• save money.  it won't always be cheaper, but you can save money by buying some local produce, especially in bulk.  also, it's often cheaper to buy ingredients and make something from scratch (like pizza - mmmm) rather than buy it.  
• better farming practices.  if more people support this kind of agriculture i think it will be better for the earth.  not just reducing the chemicals used in farming, but not using genetically modified seeds.  
• reduced carbon emissions.  have you thought about all the fossil fuel required to get that food to you from california or even chile?
• help our planet!

it gets a bit preachy in places, but i did appreciate that you could read a chapter here or there and gain new insight.  

as a result of reading this book, here are the changes i'm making in my life:

• less meat (can you believe it?)!  we're now only eating meat once or twice a week.  it means i have to be more creative in the things i cook, but it's been fun.  
• local produce.  i've been trying to buy all my produce at the farmer's market.  now that the farmer's market is closed for the season... well, i'm afraid i'm buying 
• limit specialty items.
• organic, when i can afford it.