You are what you eat...

I love the saying “you are what you eat” because if it is true than I am sugary and sweet. Ever since I was young I ate a lot of candy and sweet foods. To this day I probably eat more sugar than the average person. I’ve also always been pretty skinny; but this is not the same for the rest of my family. One of my family members has suffered from being obese most of my life and even had gastric bypass surgery. Although I’ve never had this issue, it was hard to watch someone I cared about struggle constantly with weight. To support them, I would often practice their diet when eating with them, this made me very aware of diet trends and the effects they had. It also made me feel self-conscience about my weight and fear becoming over weight. Although I have a great fear of it, my eating habits have not changed. As a nation it obesity is a problem we face; fast food places everywhere, children becoming more sedentary, and so many other reasons. What should be done about it? Who is responsible? It is important to look at these things both personally and as a community. I know they only way for me to combat becoming obese is to be aware; the same needs to be done as a nation. 


I am recommending an Opposing View Points book. It presents articles that show different aspects of the topic of obesity.


Obesity : Opposing Viewpoints. Detroit, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2006. Print.

We are what we eat

Throughout my life, I have never been given much of an ethic about what foods I eat. I've just obtained what drips down through the socialization I've been taking part in throughout my life, which admittedly, isn't much.
I've never had the money to go out and eat socially, I've never been given meals that consist of more than the bare minimum amount of meats my mother can afford in any one given week. What I'm given is all I get and I've been okay with that.
The one thing I've been taught not to do is eat fast food regularly. My father, whom has always been at a distance from my upbringing, doesn't care one way or another - he just wants me to be fed somehow.
Mum has always told me that fast food isn't something I should be eating because its unhealthy, but aside from that, never gave much more reason to it.
As I've been in school, I've often heard people discuss animal cruelty, PETA, and other related matters. They make good paper topics.
Through my surfing of the internets, I've happened upon videos capturing the brutal killing of animals in various situations - raccoons for their fur, chickens for food in large bloody facilities on conveyor belts and hanging from hooks, and the mistreatment thereof in their dying moments.
These videos have usually been brought to my attention simply because someone wanted to shock everyone and cause a riot... or, as the terminology online goes, a "shitstorm."
Nevertheless, there is a message I have taken away from these videos. I've always had a negative attitude towards the rampant American consumerism. I feel that, the more we rely on mass produced products, the less creativity and variation in products we will experience in any given area. Of course, mass production has many benefits - availability being the most undeniable. But when a particular product comes into high demand, animal products specifically, what we see is a holocaust for the animals required to make such a product.
There is a cause and an effect in this situation. The demand being the cause, and lack of regard/respect and mass destruction of said animal being the result.
Because of this phenomenon, I have always seen *buying* something as *endorsing* all that occurs in the process of creating it. What we need to come to grips with is that *products* aren't created by a magical wizard living in big white building with garage doors on it.

=Getting More to the Point=
So how does this reflect the main topic of this blog post?

When we consume an animal or plant that we have paid for - we are supporting the way it was made. And in this way, we are solely responsible for it. We are the funding.
And much like how, in Gary Snyder's poem "Hunting Season," the deer become a conscious and living part of the person who killed it without the hunter knowing, whether we know or do *not* know... we commit the atrocities that are happening behind the scenes to put food in our hands.
What we need to do in order to avoid this is... well, first get a job that pays you enough money for you to afford all organic foods or the ability to raise your own foods. So, until I am out of college and a part of the working America, I'll have to live with the black blood on my hands.
Anyways, the point being that we need to make educated choices when we choose what we pay for... because you might be paying for a service that isn't what you expected it to be.

*end of official blog post*


Now we all know PETA wants the world to stop using animals for ANYTHING and they'll only be happy when the world stops eating chicken eggs, even if it means using misleading propaganda about egg yoke having a soul - but they have collected some rather shocking instances of really cruel things happening.
Now we can all reassure ourselves that most of the time when we buy "real fur" that this isn't happening behind the scenes. And that there aren't a bunch of sick people killing the chickens we eat by the World War II load every day... but the odds that something like *this* is happening behind the scenes is enough to scare me off.

And yes, this was a shocker vid posted on a website that I was browsing, probably for the sake of getting people worked up. Don't watch it unless you don't plan on sleeping tonight.
http://www.peta.org/feat/chinesefurfarms/index.asp


Singer, Peter, and Mason, Jim. The ethics of what we eat / Peter Singer and Jim Mason Text, Melbourne : 2007

You Are What You Consume

Lindsey Crawford

Library 201

26 April 2010

Blog 4

You Are What You Eat

When my siblings and I were kids, my dad would terrorize with the idiom, “You are what you eat.” He would tell us that when he was a kid, he lived on junk food, greasy, salty, fatty, junk food. And because of this he had terrible skin; he had acne. He hated having acne. So. When he turned 16 he went to a dermatologist and got a skin peel--yes, he had the top layer of his skin peeled off! Then, when my brother, sister and I were all on the verge of vomiting, he’d pipe up and say, “Now remember guys, you are what you eat!” That lesson stayed with me. Despite being a sugar addict--I love gummy bears--I have been good about avoiding fast food: I tend to equate it with acne and getting a skin peel--irrational, I know. Anyway, for most of my youth that cliche saying had negative connotations for me, causing me to not give it too much thought; however, later in life, I began to rethink it--I even wrote paper themed around it once, for this agricultural class called plants and society. The thought that I was entertaining was that now a days the old idiom, “You are what you eat,” doesn’t cut it, especially in America. Instead, it should be revised to, “You are what you consume” because let’s face it, we are consumers--and not just when it comes to food either.

The things we eat, the things we buy, the place we live, the jobs we work at, the majors and career paths we pursue, all these choices are interconnected, and they all say something about who we are. The things we consume define us, and food habits are one way of looking at the definition of who we are. For example, someone who eats all organic, also tends to fall into other categories: they work at a non-corporate job, enjoy exercise, practice yoga, likes to go hiking, likes to commune with the outdoors, doesn’t follow fashion trends, bikes, walks or takes public transport to work, reads the newspaper regularly, reads books, especially ones by new ages authors, is democratic, maybe even socialist, doesn’t spend much time watching TV, is community oriented, believes in affirmative action and the list could go on. On the flip side, someone who routinely eats fast food or makes junk food the staple of their diet can also fall into other categories: works at a fast paced, high stress corporate job--hence eating on the go all the time--, watches a lot of TV, doesn’t like to get outside a lot, is a sports fan, isn’t concerned with monoculture techniques, is more on the conservative side of the spectrum, is into mainstream media trends, likes to go out, isn’t community oriented and, I hate to say, probably is overweight or obese. Now of course there are exceptions to every rule and there are reasons behind every food choice or lifestyle choice. People who come from the last quartile in the socioeconomic ladder are going to have less education about nutrition and wellness and be set up on a more unhealthy track than someone at the top who has the time, leisure and education to devote to a more “natural” lifestyle. And are a host of other reasons for choices. I’d also like to say that choices like these are personal, and I don’t wish to make any normative judgements. All I want to point out is that we are what we consume. The image of ourselves is reflected in our food choices. So if you want to take a closer look at your life, eating habits is a good place to start.

To classify myself, I am a semi-organic, home food, eater. I try to eat organic as much as I can, but can only buy what I can afford. I avoid eating fast food. I don’t eat out much at all. I am not a vegetarian, but I only eat meat in one meal per day, usually it is bacon with breakfast--little quirk about me, my favorite breakfast is a BLT. I enjoy cooking and preparing meals for myself. I am not the best cook, so I have routine meals and stand-byes that I make over and over again. Like for breakfast, I have either a BLT, oatmeal with fruit, cheerio with fruit, corn beef hash (before ski days) or a fresh smoothie and rye toast. For lunch, I am a bean wrap girl; I roll up canned pinto beans, shredded cheddar cheese and Frank’s red hot sauce in a flour tortilla. I also like making tuna salad sandwiches for lunch. For dinner, I make veggie and tofu stir-frys, white lasagna, NY strip and baked potato, steamed veggies with brown rice and homemade cheese sauce or lemon pepper chicken is another favorite. So. What does that say about me? Yes, I am guilty of my own stereotype. I walk, bike or take the bus to get around. I love to ski, hike, climb, kayak and play outdoors. I am an avid reader. I don’t watch TV, but I appreciate film. I netflix instead of paying for cable. I don’t have a job yet; I’m in school, but I am currently pursing a double major in history and economics, with the hopes of becoming a journalist specializing in economic theory and economic thought. Yes, I do love economics. I am no socialist. I am a capitalist--with a heart. I am not a Republican or a Democrat. I consider myself to be a fiscal conservative / social democrat, and I vote for whoever, on either side, the best exemplifies my values. I am a product of my family and culture. I am lucky. Both my parents have advanced degrees. I grew up in an upper-middle class household in upstate NY. My mother is an organic freak. My dad likes to golf. I realize that they are the reason for my stereotypical behavior. I’d like to say it again, I am lucky. And I feel despair for all those who grew up without my advantages. I’d like to believe that I have a sense of entitlement, but I do :(. I hate that. I hate that deep down I am a yuppie, a patagucci wanna-be-hippie. But I am what I consume. I cannot escape that.

Wow, I think that was more than I wanted to share. So I’ll stop now.

Pollan, Michael, In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto. New York : Penguin Press, 2008

You Are What You Eat

While thinking about the phrase "you are what you eat" I recognize it in the way that I think most people in mainstream American culture do--health reflects diet. Diet influences both our physical and mental health. The foods that we take into our bodies can range from being very nutritious to being bad for us. If we maintain a healthy diet, we can benefit from good health, greater strength, and possibly a longer life whereas having an unhealthy diet can lead to poorer mental and physical health. Of course diet is only one aspect of our health and other things such as exercise and genetics play a role in our overall health.

While examining the "you are what you eat" phrase, I thought that it can take on many other meaning besides health reflecting diet, as suggested. One other way that I interpret the saying is cultural, you eat what you know and what is available. I believe that for the most part, people's diets consist of resources that are available to them, at least historically. Many islander and seafaring cultures probably have a lot of fish and seafood in their diets, whereas inland cultures probably hunted more often. based on what was available in the environment, cultures had to adapt to what they had and foods became embedded into the culture, even now after Westernization has occurred and many cultures have other food options available to them. besides culture, food is very telling of an individual. By looking in someone's kitchen you may be able to guess their ethnicity, religious affiliations, socioeconomic status, whether they are a college student, a vegetarian, a health freak, or a single parent of two.

Dolfsma, Wilfred. Consuming Symbolic Goods: Identity and Commitment, Values and Economics. New York: Routledge, 2008. Print.

I was raised to believe that food is something to be greatful for. I believe my teachings can relate to the cliche "You are what you eat" because food is related to every part of our way of life as native people. I was raised by my father, who is currently 77 years old. He was a fisherman his whole life ,as was my grandfather and his father.My husband, brother and brother-in-law's are all fisherman as well.At one time all Xwlemi (Lummi) men were fisherman.
Growing up I was fed salmon, clams, clam chowder or fritters,elk meat, crab, shrimp.These are the foods my father was raised on. My father has a smokehouse in the backyard to smoke fish for the Winter. The first catch of the season, that my husband, brothers and brother-in-laws get, all go to my father. This is how it is in all the families on my reservation. My Dad then smokes the fish and packages it the "modern way", which we were only able to talk him into about 10 years ago.
It is the same tradition with the first deer or elk caught of the season. A prayer is said for the spirit of the deer, A Hyshque for for all it will provide. Every part of the deer is used from the hide to the heart.The hide is dried and used as regalia.My father dries some of the meat and freezes the rest.
Now my Dad teaches my son and nephews how to do all these things so that the traditions can continue. This is the first season my son is able to pull canoe, he is being taught by his grandfather what kind of diet he must follow throughout the season. He must be pure mind, body and soul. Food has nutritional, spiritual and traditional values in my culture. As much as "You are what you eat" is a cliche, I believe our elders would even be able to relate it to our beliefs.
Being taught these beliefs my whole life it is expected of me and my husband to teach them to our children. Our children have grown up understanding the importance of the food we catch, hunt and eat. We now live in a much more modern world than my father or grandfather, however food will always be a rich tradition


"Lummi (Xwlemi)" Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia.
Wikimedia Foundation n.d. Web 29.Mar.2010

Blog 3

I have to say that there is a reason I like meat, because I personally don't kill it. Ever since I was a child I have been aware of where meat comes from and what it looked like before it hit the table. Over the years I have been known to refer to myself as a wishful vegetarian. I am not a fan of killing anything really but the taste of a good steak is too hard to pass up. And yes, I order mine rare -- also known as still bleeding. So as you can see I have fixed emotions regarding hunting. I love shooting and go with guy friends but don't think I could turn the gun on a living creature. I killed a pair of raccoons with my car years ago and had to pull over I was so upset.
For some the connection might be stronger. I could understand someone feel proud of the accomplishment -- shooting a moving target is. Hunting can be moral if: it is done humanely, with the intention of using the animal as much as possible, and done legally. There are reasons why the government regulates what can and cannot be hunted. I feel the same standards apply to fishing as well. I do not believe in killing more than is needed.
On page 11 of The Scavenger's Guide to Haute Cuisine, where the deer dies of natural causes and the family then makes it a meal. If I had a choice, this would be how the steak got on my plate each and every time.


1. Costa, Margaret, and Luis Verrissimo. The Club Of Angels. 1 ed. New York: New Directions, 2008. Print.
2. Hayes, Ruth. Gluttony. 1 ed. Seattle, WA: Random Motion, 1985. Print.

Blog 3

Lindsey Crawford

Library 201

19 April 2010

Blog Post 3

Last summer I worked as a part time volunteer for the Sierraville Organic Farm. Once a week, for a period of two months, I donated my time and labor and in return I got a basket filled with fresh organic produce from the Sierraville farm, along with fresh foods from other farms that participated in a weekly local farmers’ market. The Sierraville Farm specializes in greens, romaine, red leaf lettuce, green leaf lettuce, European mix lettuce and spinach. It also grows radishes and carrots. As a volunteer, my job was to harvest and package the produce. Because the farm is all organic, this labor is back breaking, with everything being done by hand and without the help of any herbicides or pesticides. Despite being tired and sore by the end of each day on the farm, this experience was rewarding, giving me a deeper connection to the food I eat and a respect for the agricultural process.

Obtaining food in the U.S is easy. If I am hungry, say for some lettuce, all I have to do is walk down to the co-op and buy a bag and then go home and eat it. However, before the days of supermarkets, drive-throughs and food processing plants, getting a salad was anything but simple. Working on the farm made this clear for me. I realized just how much I took for granted the convenience and availability of food. While I liked working on the farm, I would not want to devote my life to that kind of work day in and day out. It is so time consuming and physically exhausting. With that said, I definitely enjoyed the food I helped, grow, pick and bag myself. It made me feel accomplished.

I have never hunted; however, I think if I did I would feel the same way about the meat from hunting as I did about the produce from farming: connected. The meat that I eat now comes in a package. It doesn’t resemble the animal it came from at all. When I eat meat, I take for granted all the work that went it to getting it onto my table, along with the life that was sacrificed for my meal. I think if I had to hunt my own meat I would probably eat less of it because of a deeper respect for the animal and the work that went into preparing it. I also think it would be hard for me to kill animals on a regular basis because I love them; I have two cats.

Francis, Charles. Organic Farming: The Ecological System. Madison, WI : American Society of Agronomy : Crop Science Society of America : Soil Science Society of America, 2009.

Guthman, Julie. Agrarian Dreams: The Paradox of Organic Farming in California. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2004.