Guest guest Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Hello, I live in Canada and am venturing on a raw food diet. I am also interested in the " eat your food grown locally " movement. So, since in Canada we have more winter than we do growing season, how would I eat raw and locally year round? Has anyone else thought about this? I'm concerned about the fossil fuels that are being used to fly my fruits and veggies from California, Mexico or South Africa to Canada, like they currently are. I'm looking into wild edible food in my area, but I guess what I'm saying is I'd love to eat coconuts, bananas and papaya, but I'm finding it hard to morally - environmentally-speaking. Does anybody have any thoughts about this? On David Wolfe's website he has a little video on which he says not to worry about this. (I hope I'm not misrepresenting what he says.) Maybe what really matters is that you eat with love... but what about the fossil fuels? I guess I'm trying to balance these two concepts, and would appreciate anybody's feedback. Julian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Hi Julian, I agree with you that it would awesome to be able to eat only organic, locally produced food. However for those of us who don't live in the tropics, it is near impossible. Unfortunatley, thats what happens as a result of humans leaving their natural environment. I do plan on moving somewhere tropical as soon as I can, but in the meantime I have to eat imported food. It is simply a fact of life. The best thing that we can do is to buy locally produce produce as much as possible when it is available. Wishing you all the best, Audrey www.rawhealing.com > " Julian " <julian_eve1 >rawfood >rawfood >[Raw Food] local and raw in cold climates? >Wed, 11 Apr 2007 03:38:18 -0000 > >Hello, >I live in Canada and am venturing on a raw food diet. I am also interested >in the " eat your >food grown locally " movement. So, since in Canada we have more winter than >we do growing >season, how would I eat raw and locally year round? Has anyone else thought >about this? I'm >concerned about the fossil fuels that are being used to fly my fruits and >veggies from >California, Mexico or South Africa to Canada, like they currently are. I'm >looking into wild >edible food in my area, but I guess what I'm saying is I'd love to eat >coconuts, bananas and >papaya, but I'm finding it hard to morally - environmentally-speaking. Does >anybody have >any thoughts about this? >On David Wolfe's website he has a little video on which he says not to >worry about this. (I >hope I'm not misrepresenting what he says.) Maybe what really matters is >that you eat with >love... but what about the fossil fuels? I guess I'm trying to balance >these two concepts, and >would appreciate anybody's feedback. > >Julian > _______________ Download Messenger. Join the i’m Initiative. Help make a difference today. http://im.live.com/messenger/im/home/?source=TAGHM_APR07 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 There are members on my forum at http://reallyrawfood.com/forum who live in Canada and the NW US who are in the same boat you are. If you check it out, you'll find lots of info there. Tommie http://reallyrawfood.com rawfood , " Julian " <julian_eve1 wrote: > > Hello, > I live in Canada and am venturing on a raw food diet. I am also interested in the " eat your > food grown locally " movement. So, since in Canada we have more winter than we do growing > season, how would I eat raw and locally year round? Has anyone else thought about this? I'm > concerned about the fossil fuels that are being used to fly my fruits and veggies from > California, Mexico or South Africa to Canada, like they currently are. I'm looking into wild > edible food in my area, but I guess what I'm saying is I'd love to eat coconuts, bananas and > papaya, but I'm finding it hard to morally - environmentally- speaking. Does anybody have > any thoughts about this? > On David Wolfe's website he has a little video on which he says not to worry about this. (I > hope I'm not misrepresenting what he says.) Maybe what really matters is that you eat with > love... but what about the fossil fuels? I guess I'm trying to balance these two concepts, and > would appreciate anybody's feedback. > > Julian > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 What is the difficulty in growing your own varied diet. Aren't there any books over there on how to get the best and most crops out of restricted space etc? Couldn't you set up a co-operative 'of sorts' where one grew a certain selection, another a different one etc and you shared out the variety of crops amongst each other over the seasons as they became ripe? Surely all it takes is like minds and the will to commit a little time. this link is an 'example'...of what is out there to research and try out. http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/further%20information.htm sent to me as part of another group on a different topic. rawfood , " Tommie " <jerushy wrote: > > There are members on my forum at http://reallyrawfood.com/forum who > live in Canada and the NW US who are in the same boat you are. If you > check it out, you'll find lots of info there. > > Tommie > http://reallyrawfood.com > > rawfood , " Julian " <julian_eve1@> wrote: > > > > Hello, > > I live in Canada and am venturing on a raw food diet. I am also > interested in the " eat your > > food grown locally " movement. So, since in Canada we have more > winter than we do growing > > season, how would I eat raw and locally year round? Has anyone else > thought about this? I'm > > concerned about the fossil fuels that are being used to fly my > fruits and veggies from > > California, Mexico or South Africa to Canada, like they currently > are. I'm looking into wild > > edible food in my area, but I guess what I'm saying is I'd love to > eat coconuts, bananas and > > papaya, but I'm finding it hard to morally - environmentally- > speaking. Does anybody have > > any thoughts about this? > > On David Wolfe's website he has a little video on which he says not > to worry about this. (I > > hope I'm not misrepresenting what he says.) Maybe what really > matters is that you eat with > > love... but what about the fossil fuels? I guess I'm trying to > balance these two concepts, and > > would appreciate anybody's feedback. > > > > Julian > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 Audrey: yes, this is commonsensical... I guess it means taking care of oneself as best you can and solving the world's problems more slowly.. thanks for your feedback. Julian rawfood , " Audrey Walker " <chilove88 wrote: > > Hi Julian, > > I agree with you that it would awesome to be able to eat only organic, > locally produced food. However for those of us who don't live in the > tropics, it is near impossible. Unfortunatley, thats what happens as a > result of humans leaving their natural environment. I do plan on moving > somewhere tropical as soon as I can, but in the meantime I have to eat > imported food. It is simply a fact of life. The best thing that we can do is > to buy locally produce produce as much as possible when it is available. > > Wishing you all the best, > > Audrey > www.rawhealing.com > > > > " Julian " <julian_eve1 > >rawfood > >rawfood > >[Raw Food] local and raw in cold climates? > >Wed, 11 Apr 2007 03:38:18 -0000 > > > >Hello, > >I live in Canada and am venturing on a raw food diet. I am also interested > >in the " eat your > >food grown locally " movement. So, since in Canada we have more winter than > >we do growing > >season, how would I eat raw and locally year round? Has anyone else thought > >about this? I'm > >concerned about the fossil fuels that are being used to fly my fruits and > >veggies from > >California, Mexico or South Africa to Canada, like they currently are. I'm > >looking into wild > >edible food in my area, but I guess what I'm saying is I'd love to eat > >coconuts, bananas and > >papaya, but I'm finding it hard to morally - environmentally-speaking. Does > >anybody have > >any thoughts about this? > >On David Wolfe's website he has a little video on which he says not to > >worry about this. (I > >hope I'm not misrepresenting what he says.) Maybe what really matters is > >that you eat with > >love... but what about the fossil fuels? I guess I'm trying to balance > >these two concepts, and > >would appreciate anybody's feedback. > > > >Julian > > > > _______________ > Download Messenger. Join the i'm Initiative. Help make a difference today. > http://im.live.com/messenger/im/home/?source=TAGHM_APR07 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 thanks, I'll check it out. Julian rawfood , " Tommie " <jerushy wrote: > > There are members on my forum at http://reallyrawfood.com/forum who > live in Canada and the NW US who are in the same boat you are. If you > check it out, you'll find lots of info there. > > Tommie > http://reallyrawfood.com > > rawfood , " Julian " <julian_eve1@> wrote: > > > > Hello, > > I live in Canada and am venturing on a raw food diet. I am also > interested in the " eat your > > food grown locally " movement. So, since in Canada we have more > winter than we do growing > > season, how would I eat raw and locally year round? Has anyone else > thought about this? I'm > > concerned about the fossil fuels that are being used to fly my > fruits and veggies from > > California, Mexico or South Africa to Canada, like they currently > are. I'm looking into wild > > edible food in my area, but I guess what I'm saying is I'd love to > eat coconuts, bananas and > > papaya, but I'm finding it hard to morally - environmentally- > speaking. Does anybody have > > any thoughts about this? > > On David Wolfe's website he has a little video on which he says not > to worry about this. (I > > hope I'm not misrepresenting what he says.) Maybe what really > matters is that you eat with > > love... but what about the fossil fuels? I guess I'm trying to > balance these two concepts, and > > would appreciate anybody's feedback. > > > > Julian > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 the thing is, during the winter, you could store root vegetables, squash and potatoes in a cold cellar, but it isn't feasible to maintain a greenhouse. That's what I mean. I work on a Community Shared Agriculture farm in the summer, where a plethora of diverse crops are grown. No probls in summertime, when we can grow. But thank you for your feedback. There are obviously raw foodists in Canada who I haven't met yet who may have ideas/ solutions to this challenge. Julian rawfood , " Velvet " <la_velvet wrote: > > > > What is the difficulty in growing your own varied diet. > > Aren't there any books over there on how to get the best and most > crops out of restricted space etc? > > Couldn't you set up a co-operative 'of sorts' where one grew a certain > selection, another a different one etc and you shared out the variety > of crops amongst each other over the seasons as they became ripe? > > Surely all it takes is like minds and the will to commit a little time. > > this link is an 'example'...of what is out there to research and try out. > > http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/further%20information.htm > > sent to me as part of another group on a different topic. > > rawfood , " Tommie " <jerushy@> wrote: > > > > There are members on my forum at http://reallyrawfood.com/forum who > > live in Canada and the NW US who are in the same boat you are. If you > > check it out, you'll find lots of info there. > > > > Tommie > > http://reallyrawfood.com > > > > rawfood , " Julian " <julian_eve1@> wrote: > > > > > > Hello, > > > I live in Canada and am venturing on a raw food diet. I am also > > interested in the " eat your > > > food grown locally " movement. So, since in Canada we have more > > winter than we do growing > > > season, how would I eat raw and locally year round? Has anyone else > > thought about this? I'm > > > concerned about the fossil fuels that are being used to fly my > > fruits and veggies from > > > California, Mexico or South Africa to Canada, like they currently > > are. I'm looking into wild > > > edible food in my area, but I guess what I'm saying is I'd love to > > eat coconuts, bananas and > > > papaya, but I'm finding it hard to morally - environmentally- > > speaking. Does anybody have > > > any thoughts about this? > > > On David Wolfe's website he has a little video on which he says not > > to worry about this. (I > > > hope I'm not misrepresenting what he says.) Maybe what really > > matters is that you eat with > > > love... but what about the fossil fuels? I guess I'm trying to > > balance these two concepts, and > > > would appreciate anybody's feedback. > > > > > > Julian > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 I live in Indiana and have a really hard time with selection. For me, it might be selfish, but I worry about what I am putting into my body first. And secondly, I think living in cold climates means we have to sacrifice variety. I'll admit, I really envy the guys and gals who talk about their wonderful selections and at low prices. For me, eating raw is extremely expensive and sometimes I just can't afford it. It's a real love hate relationship I have sometimes. Then I go back to what I CAN do. I realize that I may not be able to get all the supplies I want but I have apples, bananas, leafy vegetables and those basics grown from the good earth. I need to stop trying to duplicate cooked meals sometimes and just be happy with the simple things! Hope that helps some! Jen -- Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.2.0/756 - Release 4/10/2007 10:44 PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 11, 2007 Report Share Posted April 11, 2007 just my 2 cents... i understand the dilema of local vs. imported foods- and i understand that many " local " crops for northern countries are primarily grains and beans- such as soybeans, corn, and wheat. these crops need lots of processing to make them " edible " . From what i understand, to grow, harvest, make flour, then make bread- the amount of calories it takes to produce those edible calories often exceeds the calories it takes to ship fresh foods. I try to be aware of the distances my foods have traveled, for this reason and because i have also found a coorlation between quality and the distance the fresh food came- especially in avocados! i'll buy florida or california ones before i buy mexican before i buy argentinian avocados. -sarah rawfood , " Audrey Walker " <chilove88 wrote: > > Hi Julian, > > I agree with you that it would awesome to be able to eat only organic, > locally produced food. However for those of us who don't live in the > tropics, it is near impossible. Unfortunatley, thats what happens as a > result of humans leaving their natural environment. I do plan on moving > somewhere tropical as soon as I can, but in the meantime I have to eat > imported food. It is simply a fact of life. The best thing that we can do is > to buy locally produce produce as much as possible when it is available. > > Wishing you all the best, > > Audrey > www.rawhealing.com > > > > " Julian " <julian_eve1 > >rawfood > >rawfood > >[Raw Food] local and raw in cold climates? > >Wed, 11 Apr 2007 03:38:18 -0000 > > > >Hello, > >I live in Canada and am venturing on a raw food diet. I am also interested > >in the " eat your > >food grown locally " movement. So, since in Canada we have more winter than > >we do growing > >season, how would I eat raw and locally year round? Has anyone else thought > >about this? I'm > >concerned about the fossil fuels that are being used to fly my fruits and > >veggies from > >California, Mexico or South Africa to Canada, like they currently are. I'm > >looking into wild > >edible food in my area, but I guess what I'm saying is I'd love to eat > >coconuts, bananas and > >papaya, but I'm finding it hard to morally - environmentally-speaking. Does > >anybody have > >any thoughts about this? > >On David Wolfe's website he has a little video on which he says not to > >worry about this. (I > >hope I'm not misrepresenting what he says.) Maybe what really matters is > >that you eat with > >love... but what about the fossil fuels? I guess I'm trying to balance > >these two concepts, and > >would appreciate anybody's feedback. > > > >Julian > > > > _______________ > Download Messenger. Join the i'm Initiative. Help make a difference today. > http://im.live.com/messenger/im/home/?source=TAGHM_APR07 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 2007 Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 rawfood , " Julian " <julian_eve1 wrote: >I'm looking into wild > edible food in my area, but I guess what I'm saying is I'd love to eat coconuts, bananas and > papaya, but I'm finding it hard to morally - environmentally- speaking. Does anybody have > any thoughts about this? I have a lot of thoughts about it! First, I think you should remember that avoiding animal products is already reducing the amount of strain you put on the environment in a number of ways! Also, being healthier reduces your medical care, which reduces environmental impact (think about the cost of producing and running medical equipment and pharmaceuticals for example). Secondly, from a realistic perspective, the world cannot sustain a population subsisting on bananas any more than it can sustain a population subsisting on animal products. In my opinion, it is only a matter of time before serious environmental problems prevent us from having a global food system (among other things). Realistically, however, are you going to give up all of your lifestyle choices that involve environmental impact? Are you going to stop driving a car? Stop heating your home? These things have much more impact than eating a diet of bananas. What I worry about most is the conditions of the banana workers (and other workers that produce many of the things I eat). The best I can do is to try to produce as much of my food as I can. If possible, you could grow a big garden (Dig up your lawn! Not mowing is another way to save energy.) to eat from in the summer and include things like carrots, beets, and sweetpotatoes that you can save in a cool part of your basement for winter eating. You can dry tomatoes and local fruits for winter storage. In my area, there are black walnuts that are a nuisance to many homeowners. If that option is not available, you can purchase local fruits and veggies in quantity and do similar. I know none of these solutions is perfect or will work for everyone. Iguess what I try to remember is that 1) I am only one person and 2) feeling guilty won't save the world. , Marjorie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 2007 Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 I agree with you Marjorie and until we can educate the masses (which will be difficult since it is not coming from the media) we can only try to do what we can. Recently in our effort to not be so dependent on the global economy we have been learning about many ways we can grow our food. There are many people living in cold climates growing gardens year around. I am hoping to begin to do this starting this year. The books Four-Season Harvest by Eliot Coleman and Gardening when it Counts by Steve Soloman are two books I have read recently and am trying to implement some of the practices in my own garden. By the way there are banana plants which like cooler weather and some dwarf plants which you can bring indoors when the weather gets too cold. I planted some banana plants just this week and even started a pineapple plant which I am hoping will bear. My husband and I planted many fruit bearing trees and berry vines earlier this spring and we are beginning to plant melons and other fruits in the yard. We have have a few goats to keep down the weeds in the back of the property just because we like to watch them (they are cheap lawn mowers and environmentally friendly). Marjorie <marjorie_lewis wrote: --- In rawfood , " Julian " <julian_eve1 wrote: >I'm looking into wild > edible food in my area, but I guess what I'm saying is I'd love to eat coconuts, bananas and > papaya, but I'm finding it hard to morally - environmentally- speaking. Does anybody have > any thoughts about this? I have a lot of thoughts about it! First, I think you should remember that avoiding animal products is already reducing the amount of strain you put on the environment in a number of ways! Also, being healthier reduces your medical care, which reduces environmental impact (think about the cost of producing and running medical equipment and pharmaceuticals for example). Secondly, from a realistic perspective, the world cannot sustain a population subsisting on bananas any more than it can sustain a population subsisting on animal products. In my opinion, it is only a matter of time before serious environmental problems prevent us from having a global food system (among other things). Realistically, however, are you going to give up all of your lifestyle choices that involve environmental impact? Are you going to stop driving a car? Stop heating your home? These things have much more impact than eating a diet of bananas. What I worry about most is the conditions of the banana workers (and other workers that produce many of the things I eat). The best I can do is to try to produce as much of my food as I can. If possible, you could grow a big garden (Dig up your lawn! Not mowing is another way to save energy.) to eat from in the summer and include things like carrots, beets, and sweetpotatoes that you can save in a cool part of your basement for winter eating. You can dry tomatoes and local fruits for winter storage. In my area, there are black walnuts that are a nuisance to many homeowners. If that option is not available, you can purchase local fruits and veggies in quantity and do similar. I know none of these solutions is perfect or will work for everyone. Iguess what I try to remember is that 1) I am only one person and 2) feeling guilty won't save the world. , Marjorie Bored stiff? Loosen up... Download and play hundreds of games for free on Games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 2007 Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 I 'worry' ...which is to say am 'concerned' ...for I rarely worry...about those in my IMMEDIATE neighbourhood who are without fundamental things as regards MY culture....health, food, clothes, stimulous, education, family, friendship, networking, mentoring and a clean safe nature-based locale...with sufficient opportunites to give back. If everyone who had concerns for the world concentrated on a set milage surrounding their immediate neighbourhoods, over time that well being would ripple out with who knows what benefits. And surely be satisfying on levels as yet unrealised. Not every person, neighbourhood, nor country will follow that and that IS after all is said and done...the luck of the draw, in terms of how that will help any of them. But I do not move abroad to share the fruits of my sympathies. My ancesters ALSO had hard lives and early pitiful deaths but they took the touble which build MY future well being. There is something FUNDAMENTALLY STABLE about growing possibilities and change FROM WITHIN the people themselves, whoever, wherever they are. 'I' am an INTERFERENCE when I force feed or hot house MY ideals onto other cultures and people. Especially when the UNROMANTIC...which is to say UNLOVELY POOR of 'our' own Western nations, are at 'our' own doorsteps. rawfood , " Marjorie " <marjorie_lewis wrote: > > rawfood , " Julian " <julian_eve1@> wrote: > >I'm looking into wild > > edible food in my area, but I guess what I'm saying is I'd love to > eat coconuts, bananas and > > papaya, but I'm finding it hard to morally - environmentally- > speaking. Does anybody have > > any thoughts about this? > > I have a lot of thoughts about it! > > First, I think you should remember that avoiding animal products is > already reducing the amount of strain you put on the environment in > a number of ways! > > Also, being healthier reduces your medical care, which reduces > environmental impact (think about the cost of producing and running > medical equipment and pharmaceuticals for example). > > Secondly, from a realistic perspective, the world cannot sustain a > population subsisting on bananas any more than it can sustain a > population subsisting on animal products. In my opinion, it is only > a matter of time before serious environmental problems prevent us > from having a global food system (among other things). > > Realistically, however, are you going to give up all of your > lifestyle choices that involve environmental impact? Are you going > to stop driving a car? Stop heating your home? These things have > much more impact than eating a diet of bananas. > > What I worry about most is the conditions of the banana workers (and > other workers that produce many of the things I eat). > > The best I can do is to try to produce as much of my food as I can. > If possible, you could grow a big garden (Dig up your lawn! Not > mowing is another way to save energy.) to eat from in the summer and > include things like carrots, beets, and sweetpotatoes that you can > save in a cool part of your basement for winter eating. You can dry > tomatoes and local fruits for winter storage. In my area, there are > black walnuts that are a nuisance to many homeowners. > > If that option is not available, you can purchase local fruits and > veggies in quantity and do similar. > > I know none of these solutions is perfect or will work for > everyone. Iguess what I try to remember is that 1) I am only one > person and 2) feeling guilty won't save the world. > > , Marjorie > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 2007 Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 This went way over my head LOL I'm not sure I understood any of that! _____ rawfood [rawfood ] On Behalf Of Velvet 12 April 2007 13:22 rawfood [Raw Food] Re: local and raw in cold climates? I 'worry' ...which is to say am 'concerned' ...for I rarely worry...about those in my IMMEDIATE neighbourhood who are without fundamental things as regards MY culture....health, food, clothes, stimulous, education, family, friendship, networking, mentoring and a clean safe nature-based locale...with sufficient opportunites to give back. If everyone who had concerns for the world concentrated on a set milage surrounding their immediate neighbourhoods, over time that well being would ripple out with who knows what benefits. And surely be satisfying on levels as yet unrealised. Not every person, neighbourhood, nor country will follow that and that IS after all is said and done...the luck of the draw, in terms of how that will help any of them. But I do not move abroad to share the fruits of my sympathies. My ancesters ALSO had hard lives and early pitiful deaths but they took the touble which build MY future well being. There is something FUNDAMENTALLY STABLE about growing possibilities and change FROM WITHIN the people themselves, whoever, wherever they are. 'I' am an INTERFERENCE when I force feed or hot house MY ideals onto other cultures and people. Especially when the UNROMANTIC...which is to say UNLOVELY POOR of 'our' own Western nations, are at 'our' own doorsteps. rawfood@ <rawfood%40> .com, " Marjorie " <marjorie_lewis wrote: > > rawfood@ <rawfood%40> .com, " Julian " <julian_eve1@> wrote: > >I'm looking into wild > > edible food in my area, but I guess what I'm saying is I'd love to > eat coconuts, bananas and > > papaya, but I'm finding it hard to morally - environmentally- > speaking. Does anybody have > > any thoughts about this? > > I have a lot of thoughts about it! > > First, I think you should remember that avoiding animal products is > already reducing the amount of strain you put on the environment in > a number of ways! > > Also, being healthier reduces your medical care, which reduces > environmental impact (think about the cost of producing and running > medical equipment and pharmaceuticals for example). > > Secondly, from a realistic perspective, the world cannot sustain a > population subsisting on bananas any more than it can sustain a > population subsisting on animal products. In my opinion, it is only > a matter of time before serious environmental problems prevent us > from having a global food system (among other things). > > Realistically, however, are you going to give up all of your > lifestyle choices that involve environmental impact? Are you going > to stop driving a car? Stop heating your home? These things have > much more impact than eating a diet of bananas. > > What I worry about most is the conditions of the banana workers (and > other workers that produce many of the things I eat). > > The best I can do is to try to produce as much of my food as I can. > If possible, you could grow a big garden (Dig up your lawn! Not > mowing is another way to save energy.) to eat from in the summer and > include things like carrots, beets, and sweetpotatoes that you can > save in a cool part of your basement for winter eating. You can dry > tomatoes and local fruits for winter storage. In my area, there are > black walnuts that are a nuisance to many homeowners. > > If that option is not available, you can purchase local fruits and > veggies in quantity and do similar. > > I know none of these solutions is perfect or will work for > everyone. Iguess what I try to remember is that 1) I am only one > person and 2) feeling guilty won't save the world. > > , Marjorie > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 2007 Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 Basically, 'I' DON'T use my time in concerns over banana growers 'romantically' placed at the far side of the world, but with people, however unlovely and unwanted, of my own culture living within my locality, who are suffering their own versions of poverty in the midst of 'our' plenty. -- In rawfood , " Michelle Smith " <michellesmith0 wrote: > > This went way over my head LOL I'm not sure I understood any of that! > > > > _____ > > rawfood [rawfood ] On Behalf Of > Velvet > 12 April 2007 13:22 > rawfood > [Raw Food] Re: local and raw in cold climates? > > > > > > I 'worry' ...which is to say am 'concerned' ...for I rarely > worry...about those in my IMMEDIATE neighbourhood who are without > fundamental things as regards MY culture....health, food, clothes, > stimulous, education, family, friendship, networking, mentoring and a > clean safe nature-based locale...with sufficient opportunites to give > back. > > If everyone who had concerns for the world concentrated on a set > milage surrounding their immediate neighbourhoods, over time that well > being would ripple out with who knows what benefits. And surely be > satisfying on levels as yet unrealised. > > Not every person, neighbourhood, nor country will follow that and that > IS after all is said and done...the luck of the draw, in terms of how > that will help any of them. > > But I do not move abroad to share the fruits of my sympathies. > > My ancesters ALSO had hard lives and early pitiful deaths but they > took the touble which build MY future well being. > > There is something FUNDAMENTALLY STABLE about growing possibilities > and change FROM WITHIN the people themselves, whoever, wherever they are. > > 'I' am an INTERFERENCE when I force feed or hot house MY ideals onto > other cultures and people. > > Especially when the UNROMANTIC...which is to say UNLOVELY POOR of > 'our' own Western nations, are at 'our' own doorsteps. > > rawfood@ <rawfood%40> .com, > " Marjorie " <marjorie_lewis@> wrote: > > > > rawfood@ <rawfood%40> .com, > " Julian " <julian_eve1@> wrote: > > >I'm looking into wild > > > edible food in my area, but I guess what I'm saying is I'd love to > > eat coconuts, bananas and > > > papaya, but I'm finding it hard to morally - environmentally- > > speaking. Does anybody have > > > any thoughts about this? > > > > I have a lot of thoughts about it! > > > > First, I think you should remember that avoiding animal products is > > already reducing the amount of strain you put on the environment in > > a number of ways! > > > > Also, being healthier reduces your medical care, which reduces > > environmental impact (think about the cost of producing and running > > medical equipment and pharmaceuticals for example). > > > > Secondly, from a realistic perspective, the world cannot sustain a > > population subsisting on bananas any more than it can sustain a > > population subsisting on animal products. In my opinion, it is only > > a matter of time before serious environmental problems prevent us > > from having a global food system (among other things). > > > > Realistically, however, are you going to give up all of your > > lifestyle choices that involve environmental impact? Are you going > > to stop driving a car? Stop heating your home? These things have > > much more impact than eating a diet of bananas. > > > > What I worry about most is the conditions of the banana workers (and > > other workers that produce many of the things I eat). > > > > The best I can do is to try to produce as much of my food as I can. > > If possible, you could grow a big garden (Dig up your lawn! Not > > mowing is another way to save energy.) to eat from in the summer and > > include things like carrots, beets, and sweetpotatoes that you can > > save in a cool part of your basement for winter eating. You can dry > > tomatoes and local fruits for winter storage. In my area, there are > > black walnuts that are a nuisance to many homeowners. > > > > If that option is not available, you can purchase local fruits and > > veggies in quantity and do similar. > > > > I know none of these solutions is perfect or will work for > > everyone. Iguess what I try to remember is that 1) I am only one > > person and 2) feeling guilty won't save the world. > > > > , Marjorie > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 wow, this discussion has really helped me flesh out my considerations on this issue. Sarah, you said that " the amount of calories it takes to produce those edible calories (beans, corn, wheat) often exceeds the calories it takes to ship fresh foods. " That makes sense to me. The fact of not eating/drinking milk or meat saves a lot environmentally really makes sense, too. I get really purist in my thinking sometimes... I really wonder where it comes from. It seems almost neurotic? I'm not against technology, at all. I drive a car (minimally, but still) and use a laptop, etc. Jen, you mention that you worry about what you put in your body. I know that when I'm clearest/cleanest, I'm more in tune with my Truest self... What could be better? There's a bounce in my step, and I treat others with less dairy/wheat crankiness. It's true that selection is less, but even when it's there I seem to be craving a simple diet of leaves, celery, bananas and the like. Marjorie, you said, " Realistically, however, are you going to give up all of your lifestyle choices that involve environmental impact? " hehe true, so true. it's like I said, I seem to want to be a tree -- so efficiently one with nature. But I definetely impact the earth. Maybe I need to let up some (ya think?!) and just go with the flow more. Like, not feel so guilty about being a polluting human. This discussion has clarified that for me. I think that's what it comes down to: an emotion I didn't think I consciously really endeavored in - guilt. It really does nobody good. I have been gardening for years now - say no! to lawns, yes! to gardens! And have the opportunity to work on a Community Shared Agriculture project this summer, which I am very excited about!!! Marquesa Aguilar you are an inspiration... Thanks for including those books for growing your garden year-round in cold climates. One day when I have land... And maybe now even in my apartment. Thank you everyone for your insights. They really helped me to see myself more sanely in this global world. Julian -- In rawfood , Marquesa Aguilar <marquesaa wrote: > > I agree with you Marjorie and until we can educate the masses (which will be difficult since it is not coming from the media) we can only try to do what we can. Recently in our effort to not be so dependent on the global economy we have been learning about many ways we can grow our food. There are many people living in cold climates growing gardens year around. I am hoping to begin to do this starting this year. The books Four-Season Harvest by Eliot Coleman and Gardening when it Counts by Steve Soloman are two books I have read recently and am trying to implement some of the practices in my own garden. By the way there are banana plants which like cooler weather and some dwarf plants which you can bring indoors when the weather gets too cold. I planted some banana plants just this week and even started a pineapple plant which I am hoping will bear. My husband and I planted many fruit bearing trees and berry vines earlier this spring and we are beginning to plant > melons and other fruits in the yard. We have have a few goats to keep down the weeds in the back of the property just because we like to watch them (they are cheap lawn mowers and environmentally friendly). > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 Thanks for sharing, Marquesa. How exciting! I really want to grow some tropical fruit in my home as well, especially some things that I can't purchase in the stores here. I think most raw foodists would need an indoor grove to satisfy their banana consumption though. LOL! Marjorie rawfood , Marquesa Aguilar <marquesaa wrote: By the way there are banana plants which like cooler weather and some dwarf plants which you can bring indoors when the weather gets too cold. I planted some banana plants just this week and even started a pineapple plant which I am hoping will bear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 Human is human. Why is the human in another country less worthy of my concern than my immediate neighbor? And our " poor " are relatively privileged compared to the folks picking our bananas. The fact that Dole Foods (and other multinational corporations) are exploiting banana workers (preventing them from organizing unions, awful working conditions including repeated fungicide and pesticide accidents, etc. and so on) has nothing to do with their " culture. " I am not saying we shouldn't be active in our own communities! (I personally am.) But the dollars we spend on cheap bananas have a direct impact on the lives of banana workers, as well as a direct impact on the environment as a whole. If we follow your logic about only acting within our immediate geographic location, then we must also only eat from our geographic region. Marjorie p.s. I realize that just giving up bananas isn't a solution either. rawfood , " Velvet " <la_velvet wrote: > > > > Basically, 'I' DON'T use my time in concerns over banana growers > 'romantically' placed at the far side of the world, but with people, > however unlovely and unwanted, of my own culture living within my > locality, who are suffering their own versions of poverty in the midst > of 'our' plenty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 Because ALL I ever hear about is the starving poor somewhere else, and all I ever see is people AVOIDING the dirt and degredation of their own neighbourhoods is WHY. OUR own neighbours and their needs are conveniently locked behind brick walls, and keep the pavements neat and clean....but 'our' TV's flood out living rooms with scenes, and award winning journalism, aimed at rousing 'our' sympathies. WHERE is the sympathy for the soldier living on the street, who served a country and cannot cope with civilian life, yet gets no tending from his own countrymen? Where is the sympathy for the elderly lady with mental trouble who wants for company to bring her into a support group? IF people who are interested in this sort of thing ACTIVELY make time and effort to walk the talk in their neighbourhoods, then every neignbourhood would look after its own. Exploitation is precisely what MY ancesters would have experienced on their way to building the social framework I enjoy today. Yet THEY GREW these political and social abilities OVER TIME in tending to and minding their own business to effect changes suited to THEM in their experiences. <respectfully> Seems to me, from here in England, that 'exploitation' is a mantra in America....if one hasn't American values and opportunities then one is a cause to sob over and fight for. I suggest that poorer nations be supported on their levels not hastened to 'enjoy' the level of material civilization that WE have built and adapted our politica and social systems to OVER TIME. So-called 'exploitation' does its own bit in showing the chinks in its affairs and leading the 'exploited' to exploit those back and move forward at an absorbable rate and pace for its culture and ITS times. Many people now in bonded labour would anyway have died without means of food and shelter. It isn't PERFECT...but let them get THEIR system tight in their owqn manner before we interfer and cause untold additional suffering for the sake of A WORD. Otherwise 'we' will destablalize their culture to no appreciated ends but our OWN will to meddle and Mommy the 'savage nations'... Horses for courses. I do NOT believe for one instance that the environment is more important then those Human beings alive now....living next door...who form OUR environment. And whom...with greatest respect....are the ONLY one's which 'we' as inviduals can ENSURE will receiver the FULL fruits of our endeavours on their behalf. 'Dollars' or British Pounds dribbled through a market system is devalued and 'owned' by those interests directly between out purchases and the growers. Individuals have little impact where in any case your own Government itself will have import guards to safeguard its trading interests around the world. rawfood , " Marjorie " <marjorie_lewis wrote: > > Human is human. Why is the human in another country less worthy of > my concern than my immediate neighbor? And our " poor " are > relatively privileged compared to the folks picking our bananas. > > The fact that Dole Foods (and other multinational corporations) are > exploiting banana workers (preventing them from organizing unions, > awful working conditions including repeated fungicide and pesticide > accidents, etc. and so on) has nothing to do with their " culture. " > > I am not saying we shouldn't be active in our own communities! (I > personally am.) But the dollars we spend on cheap bananas have a > direct impact on the lives of banana workers, as well as a direct > impact on the environment as a whole. > > If we follow your logic about only acting within our immediate > geographic location, then we must also only eat from our geographic > region. > > Marjorie > > p.s. I realize that just giving up bananas isn't a solution either. > > rawfood , " Velvet " <la_velvet@> wrote: > > > > > > > > Basically, 'I' DON'T use my time in concerns over banana growers > > 'romantically' placed at the far side of the world, but with > people, > > however unlovely and unwanted, of my own culture living within my > > locality, who are suffering their own versions of poverty in the > midst > > of 'our' plenty. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 Thanks for the clarification, I got a little lost with the first one too. The world would be a much better place if everyone did this. I never understood why so many Americans were chomping at the bit to feed Africa and overlook the Applachian (or the MANY others) area(s) of our own country. Believe me...I am NOT saying not to help when you can but there is a reason for the saying " Charity begins at home " . Instead of looking far away to do good, look next door. Instead of sending a check, get physically involved...the benefits are far greater for everyone ionvolved. Stephanie Ahhh...imagining that irresistible " new car " smell? Check outnew cars at Autos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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