Eating Organic, or Just Eating?
Life is filled with choices, and “going green” is no exception. While it may seem simple enough to, say, choose CFL light bulbs instead of regular bulbs, life always brings up details. Do you wait to change out your bulbs until the old ones burn out naturally? To change them out early would be wasteful, but not changing them out wastes energy. CFLs cost more, but there is an offset of energy savings that carries it’s own cost savings. There are also some environmental issues with disposing of CFL bulbs, and while they won’t burn out for five years or so, eventually those choices must also be made.
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
So, reality complicates even the seemingly simple choices.
<o:p></o:p>
I’m surprised, at times, that some people can have such strong opinions about the decisions other people are faced with, and the choices they make. This seems especially true when it comes to choosing to eat organically grown, natural, pure, unprocessed, or even socially responsible foods. It can seem like such an obvious choice, but for people struggling just to pay the bills and feed their families each month, it’s more complicated than it may seem.
<o:p></o:p>
This was brought home to me this week in an unusual and unexpected way.
<o:p></o:p>
My father is dying. He’s been dying for quite awhile, I’m told, but he has never been one to listen to medical opinions and follow directions. Two years ago he was suddenly diagnosed with congestive heart failure, with a proclamation that he would be dead within three or four weeks. He didn’t seem to understand that he was supposed to be busy dying, and continued living his simple, healthy, organic lifestyle. A year later, with no signs of CHF, he was diagnosed with lung cancer, and had emergency surgery to remove his lung. A week, maybe two, he was brought home to slip gently away…and yet, a year later, he continued on, planting his garden, picking organic fruit from a friend’s farm, living life.
<o:p></o:p>
Last month, he was diagnosed with pneumonia. He’s old, his breathing is limited under the best of circumstances, and the prognosis was grim. He couldn’t eat, didn’t want to eat, refused to eat. In the past, I’ve always been able to prepare fresh organic produce, natural meats, juices, healthy foods that would please his palate and speed his recovery. But, not this time. This time he didn’t want anything. He couldn’t keep anything down. Except…
<o:p></o:p>
Past-a-Roni
<o:p></o:p>
I have never witnessed my father eating any type of pasta that came out of a box, let alone from the store. Surely some fresh, homemade noodles, some chicken, organic carrots…but no. He wanted Pasta-a-Roni. Which was followed by Kraft Mac ‘n’ Cheese, Hamburger Helper, and yet more Past-a-Roni.
<o:p></o:p>
Now, I do buy those products occasionally, when they are free or better after coupon, but I use them as a base for healthier versions. Adding tomatoes, broccoli, beans, nonfat organic milk, increasing the nutrients and quality as I go. I do donate much of it to local families in need. But when someone is sick, my personal choice is to give them the healthiest foods possible. Pasta Roni is not on that list. Yet I packed up two large bags of pasta side dishes, instant mac ‘n cheese, Hamburger Helper singles, any anything else that remotely peaked his interest, and sent it home with him.
<o:p></o:p>
Do I feel like I let the environmental world down, made bad choices, irresponsible purchases? Not at all.
<o:p></o:p>
Sometimes, no matter how much you want to buy organic foods and make environmentally and socially responsible purchases, it’s just not an option. We might have limited financial resources, or limited products to select from. We might have limited time to shop, cook, or even think about our purchases. Not everyone can freeze in season produce to last throughout the year. Not everyone can make “the right choice” every time, simply because there isn’t always a right choice to be made.
<o:p></o:p>
Sometimes you have to choose between eating organic, and simply eating at all.
<o:p></o:p>
And on those days, it’s okay.
<o:p></o:p>
Baby steps? I don’t think so. Any step forward is a step in the right direction, and a choice we make today doesn’t mean we can’t make a different one tomorrow. Or the next day. Or the next.
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
So, reality complicates even the seemingly simple choices.
<o:p></o:p>
I’m surprised, at times, that some people can have such strong opinions about the decisions other people are faced with, and the choices they make. This seems especially true when it comes to choosing to eat organically grown, natural, pure, unprocessed, or even socially responsible foods. It can seem like such an obvious choice, but for people struggling just to pay the bills and feed their families each month, it’s more complicated than it may seem.
<o:p></o:p>
This was brought home to me this week in an unusual and unexpected way.
<o:p></o:p>
My father is dying. He’s been dying for quite awhile, I’m told, but he has never been one to listen to medical opinions and follow directions. Two years ago he was suddenly diagnosed with congestive heart failure, with a proclamation that he would be dead within three or four weeks. He didn’t seem to understand that he was supposed to be busy dying, and continued living his simple, healthy, organic lifestyle. A year later, with no signs of CHF, he was diagnosed with lung cancer, and had emergency surgery to remove his lung. A week, maybe two, he was brought home to slip gently away…and yet, a year later, he continued on, planting his garden, picking organic fruit from a friend’s farm, living life.
<o:p></o:p>
Last month, he was diagnosed with pneumonia. He’s old, his breathing is limited under the best of circumstances, and the prognosis was grim. He couldn’t eat, didn’t want to eat, refused to eat. In the past, I’ve always been able to prepare fresh organic produce, natural meats, juices, healthy foods that would please his palate and speed his recovery. But, not this time. This time he didn’t want anything. He couldn’t keep anything down. Except…
<o:p></o:p>
Past-a-Roni
<o:p></o:p>
I have never witnessed my father eating any type of pasta that came out of a box, let alone from the store. Surely some fresh, homemade noodles, some chicken, organic carrots…but no. He wanted Pasta-a-Roni. Which was followed by Kraft Mac ‘n’ Cheese, Hamburger Helper, and yet more Past-a-Roni.
<o:p></o:p>
Now, I do buy those products occasionally, when they are free or better after coupon, but I use them as a base for healthier versions. Adding tomatoes, broccoli, beans, nonfat organic milk, increasing the nutrients and quality as I go. I do donate much of it to local families in need. But when someone is sick, my personal choice is to give them the healthiest foods possible. Pasta Roni is not on that list. Yet I packed up two large bags of pasta side dishes, instant mac ‘n cheese, Hamburger Helper singles, any anything else that remotely peaked his interest, and sent it home with him.
<o:p></o:p>
Do I feel like I let the environmental world down, made bad choices, irresponsible purchases? Not at all.
<o:p></o:p>
Sometimes, no matter how much you want to buy organic foods and make environmentally and socially responsible purchases, it’s just not an option. We might have limited financial resources, or limited products to select from. We might have limited time to shop, cook, or even think about our purchases. Not everyone can freeze in season produce to last throughout the year. Not everyone can make “the right choice” every time, simply because there isn’t always a right choice to be made.
<o:p></o:p>
Sometimes you have to choose between eating organic, and simply eating at all.
<o:p></o:p>
And on those days, it’s okay.
<o:p></o:p>
Baby steps? I don’t think so. Any step forward is a step in the right direction, and a choice we make today doesn’t mean we can’t make a different one tomorrow. Or the next day. Or the next.
Total Comments 3
Comments
 |  That was incredibly insightful Flash. I'm sending your whole family my good wishes. I'm grateful that even though it may not be the healthiest food, at least your papa is eating, and that's a good thing. If you need anything please don't hesitate to poke at me. I'm a pretty good listener, and if you catch me when I'm not being a flake (or maybe I just put on a flake facade, oooh, deep thoughts to plague you ;)) I may even be insightful and like smart and stuff to help you :) |
Posted 10-22-2007 at 02:43 AM by ladywaterwind  |
| |  for you, your father, and your family! I loved your post, and could feel the love via each and every word. |
| Posted 10-23-2007 at 12:39 AM by phoenix |
| |  Ahh flash your blog entry had me tearing up in the corners of my eyes. What a loving daughter you are! And if the man craves pasta roni who are we to judge. |
| Posted 10-25-2007 at 04:57 PM by queenofthehivemomof5 |
Recent Blog Entries by Flash
- Flash vs. the Kitchenaid BLECH! (10-24-2007)
- Are You Smarter Than A ... Smart Person? (10-23-2007)
- One of those days! Free coupons go MIA (10-22-2007)
- Eating Organic, or Just Eating? (10-21-2007)
- I've got a blog again! (10-16-2007)
