That full-to-bursting feeling? That’s how I feel right now. And you know what? I’m so thankful for having given birth to this little volume that I’m giving away a free enrollment in my Beautiful Babies Online Nutrition Course to everyone who pre-orders my book — a $199 value!
Folks This Ain’t Normal By Joel Salatin
I love this book. Can I say it again? I LOVE THIS BOOK. I have always loved almost anything that Joel Salatin writes or says. Having read a number of his books, you’d think I’d be over him already. I mean, how many times can somebody keep saying basically the same thing over and over again before you get tired of hearing it? Well, it hasn’t happened yet for me with Joel.
Who Will Defend Our Farmers?
These days, our farmers face a growing threat. It’s not drought or colony collapse disorder, either. It’s our government. The very government created to protect their liberty is instead launching lengthy undercover investigations into their practices, raiding family homes at gunpoint in the early morning hours, and passing financially impossible legislation that doesn’t scale down to small, artisanal producers.
Who will defend our farmers? Who will fight their legal battles in court? Make persuasive arguments for their constitutional rights? Give counsel when overly zealous government enforcers want to take liberties with warrants and court orders? The Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund, that’s who.
War Story From The Local Food Front
Because I am a raw milk drinker, I hear about this sort of scenario all the time. But this time, the scene that unfolded on September 2nd in Charlottesville, VA had nothing to do with raw milk. This story is about eggs. Farm fresh eggs. You didn’t know those were criminal did you?
Turns out, they aren’t.
You CAN Farm!
It’s the name of a book by Joel Salatin. And it’s the message of Michael Gallagher, a new farmer and founder of Square Roots Farm.
Michael’s story is fascinating. It’s the story of a brilliant kid destined for Wall Street. Okay, so maybe others thought he was destined for Wall Street. He had something else in mind entirely — farming.
Save Small-Scale Slaughterhouses
I’ve alluded to it before. I’m not sure that I’ve actually highlighted the problem in its own post. Of course, now it’s threatening to deteriorate into a full-scale crisis. What am I talking about? U.S. government regulations designed for large-scale meat slaughtering. Rather than scaling down the regs to accommodate small-scale or artisan processors, the regs just put a whole lot of small-scale slaughterhouses out of business. Now the USDA has proposed changes in the works that will make it even harder to be a small-scale processor.
In other words, if these proposed regulations pass, your beloved grass-fed beef farmer will most likely have to send his cattle to an inhumane, nasty, industrial slaughterhouse before passing the meat on to you.
There Is No Love In That Food
“Even though the food is bad, I really like McDonald’s,” my son explained.
“Why is that, son?” my husband asked. He expected to hear something about indoor play places or ice cream. Instead, my soon-to-be five year old continued, “Well, I think it’s special.”
“But they’re not special,” I interrupted. “Every McDonald’s is exactly the same. They all look the same, make the same foods. There is nothing special or unique about them.”
You Gotta Love Joel Salatin
Joel Salatin has a way with words. In a recent interview posted at TreeHugger.com, Salatin shares his critique of the modern food system, his opinion of organic certification (it may surprise you!), his opinion on Big Organic being in giant food stores like Wal-Mart and Whole Foods, why he thinks eating locally and in season is important, why he participated in Food, Inc., and more.
To be honest, it’s the most in-depth Salatin interview I’ve ever read. And I believe you guys will eat it up. Eat. It. Up.
Food Inc Came To Austin And I Saw It
If you live in or around the Austin area, now’s your chance to see Food, Inc. It’s playing at the Alamo Ritz and Arbor Great Hills theaters. Friday afternoon my mom drove into town, and I announced, “We’re going on a hot date.”
Of course, I took her to see Food, Inc. I’m not sure how “hot” the date was — other than the 105 degree heat that persisted right up until showtime. After the movie, we dropped by Kerbey Lane for coffee and a delicious key lime cheesecake. (Rare indulgences like this are worth it when you’re out on a once-a-decade, exclusively mother-daughter date.) Our patio seating was pleasant compared to earlier in the day, but still a humid 90 plus degrees.
Being a blogger who is also a passionate advocate for Real Food, I’ve heard and read a lot about the film. Needless to say, I was mildly excited.
Mr. Salatin Goes To Washington, Urban Farming, And More
Yes, it’s that time of the week again. I’ve managed to collect five rather fascinating reads. (At least they piqued my interest!) Maybe you’ll like them too…