5/4/2010

I think that we can all agree that eating more fruits and vegetables is a good step forward in the healthy eating direction.  So I was shocked... well, not really shocked, more accurately; the word "Figures!"ran through my mind, when I read an article in the New York Times.  It contained information on federal food subsidies in the good ole US of A.

I was actually surprised that the Grains Industry was not the most subsidized, after all the stories of farmers being paid not to grow corn ($1.3 Billion over the last decade).  Or the fact that most of the corn sold in American is sold below the production cost; thanks to subsidies.  It was the Meat & Dairy industry that receives the most federal money, to the tune of almost 74%.  Sugar, Starch, Oil and Alcohol are up next at near 11%.  Nuts and Legumes receive about 2%.  Bringing up the rear are Fruits and Vegetables which receive subsidies amounting to 0.4 %

That is why struggling family's finds it easier and cheaper to eat and a major fast food joint, than to buy fresh produce.  Don't think that you upper middle class kids is fairing any better at school!  The low prices of federally subsided foods make the very foods that your kids should be eating less of, more attractive to the school board bean counters.

This same article went on to say that as recently as a decade ago the average womans waist was two inches smaller.  Eighteen year olds are now 15 pounds, on average heavier than they were in the 1970's.

Changing the subject.... Last night we attempted to eat some 100% organic, grass fed, ground beef.  93% lean.  When I saw it in the bowl, I honestly thought it was some sort of cat food.  It was like plasma in that it was not a solid, liquid nor a gas.  We made a small "test" burger, which tasted like cooked, old dog food.  We decided to scrap the burger idea and instead make chili.  The chili was a little better but it still had a weird semi-solid yet still gritty texture.  The insinkerator seemed to enjoy it.  The next time we will buy the beef and then have it ground or grind it ourselves.

Tonight it is chicken parm!  All organic and baked not fried but still delicious.

As of yesterday I have lost 26 pounds and have dropped into the 220's for the first time in a long while.

"Eat Real Food"

Thanks for reading,

Bald Bill