Local Foods – Why am I not eating veggies anymore?
Posted on Jun 13 in Food Porn, Local Food, Meta Talk, Off Topic, vegetableby nikaPrint
So, I have to admit to this disturbing dynamic in my eating habits – my mouth doesn’t water over vegetables. I know from childhood and our acre garden in Iowa what fresh lettuce and spinach tastes like as you pick it right off the plant. Same for strawberries. Yet, when I walk in the vegetable section of the grocery store, and I FORCE myself to walk the isles, I am so completely unappetized and uninspired. I WANT to grow my own food because I know intuitively that it is more likely I would eat it. When I browse the seed packets at the store though, I find a similar uninspired feeling.
What is that all about it?
I find my answer after putting a little thought into the experience I have with vegetables, in the grocery store.
Yes, sure, I walk the isles, look at veggies, try to imagine delicious preparations that might titillate me. Just doesn’t happen. What happens is that I look at a vegetable and the scientist and mom in me looks at the rind or skin and wonders just how much pesticide lurks there. I look at the potatoes and wonder the same. I become exhausted by this experience and do not buy anything beyond a few tomatoes that I figure wont kill us off RIGHT away.
Thus, its not a wholesome, joyous, sustainable experience.
You might think it would be wholesome, joyous, sustainable at Whole Foods but its not! For one, I live like more than 50 miles from the closest one so when I buy anything there I have to plan as if I am dragging the haul to north of the Arctic Circle. I do find myself admiring the beautiful greens and fruits, even the conventional ones but then my frugal side kicks in and I just cant spend that much money and it makes me mad that we cant eat it 24/7. Honestly, it would not kill us to eat it 24/7 in terms of absolute budget on the food alone but the gas to get there and back would make it simply obscene.
So, all of this gets in my way, all this is what is floating in my mind as I stand in Whole Foods by the flowers near the front door, sniffing them and staring at the vegetables and fruits across the way.
PA-THE-TIC.
My veggie world has closed down, perhaps you could say it never opened up, because I fear the chemicals (and with good reason). I do not know what the answer really is. I would like to become dependent on vegetables. I want them to sustain me because they can be so strengthening and invigorating where meat pulls me down into a stupor.
So it’s a clash between an easy stupor-fix and the harder to obtain vitality of pure vegetables.
Now if I could just convince my tastebuds.
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These are GORGEOUS photos Nika! OMG I go through the same thing at the produce store on the corner..avoiding veggies AND fruits because of the pesticides. Though I give it no thought at all when I buy chocolate everyday or the odd bit of junk food. I can get to 3 WHOLE FOODS but I find their prices repellent
Thanks for the scientific POV
Carol, only the bottom photo is mine
You can tell by the image source note beneath the photo.
You are so right about the chocolate and junk food.
To be super honest the price just plays such a huge role.. its like I get quality blind and become a bargain-robot.. tho instead of buying the lowergrade stuff I just give up and not buy anything!
Nice blog. If you’re interested in locally produced food, check out http://www.localharvest.org This summer I signed up for a share from a local farm-all organic and it has been fantastic! It tastes even better than Whole Foods produce. I hope there are some farms offering CSA shares near you. Best of luck! Mark
Mark, Thanks for the kind words and the link. My garden was not very productive this year, sure wish I had a CSA account, will try for next year.
My area is a gap between Boston and Amherst, not alot happening here CSA wise, would take a drive but would be worth it.