Monday February 21, 2011

Ms Murky Mondays:
Food as Medicine

Many years ago,1972 to be exact, my Uncle died of cancer. I distinctly remember his juicer and carrot juice, in particular. He was using food as medicine! My grandmother got Prevention Magazine and, by and large, we ate real food. 

Fast forward to now. I am passionate about eating only food from where I know the source, or is organic or grown locally;  we avoid processed foods like the plague. Agribusiness pisses me off (yes I said it!). Between the antibiotics, pesticides, water contamination, e coli breakouts etc, I could scream. And here I am, a foodie, per se, and I am frustrated and confused. I go to the grocery store and get depressed by the abundance of crap and want to yell - "People - BUY THE VEGGIES!! Eat Beans! Only buy the organic meats. Eat less!!"

So, my hope with Heirloom Meals is that, while we explore our cultural connections to our food, I also understand the health benefits of certain foods and suggest alterations to tried and true recipes if they are unhealthy. I truly believe that cultural foods from our ancestors were grown locally, biodynamically and sustainably; that religious rituals such as the fastings that occurred after winter were for both health and spiritual beliefs; and if we embraced local, in-season foods, we would celebrate our past food traditions and increase our health.

Check out the list on Eat to Defeat's website of the foods we should be eating. Wouldn't you rather have a handful of grapes than a handful of pills?