When I was a kid, I was never given a cut of beef that was better than a round steak. Why? My mom didn’t think I would appreciate anything better. Of course, money was tight; and let’s face it, feeding another mouth is tough for a single mom. As the adage goes, “Quality isn’t cheap, and cheap isn’t quality.” But is that true of food? I was born in the “let’s feed the world” generation. Sure, that sounds good in theory. But I believe the idea was approached and executed poorly, leaving people not-fed and food-confused.
Let me explain: gone are the days where just filling your gut off the dollar menu is the norm. Our current age of awakening is a result of the technology boom, and the internet is heaven-sent for the consumer. The way I see it, humans haven’t been able to figure out what to eat, when to eat, and how much to eat. I don’t blame us. I blame the complexity of the human body and a massive amount of misdirection and misinformation from Western medicine driven by bureaucrats, lobbyists, and pharmaceutical companies.
Remember the food pyramid that was introduced by the government in the 80’s? Well take a look, or if you are my age, take a stroll down memory lane.
Could you imagine following that diet every day? Remember, this pyramid was introduced to us during the Ronald Reagan “feed everyone” administration, and on the heels of the introduction of the food stamp program. This government-sanctioned diet was literally crammed down our throats. I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt that I would weigh twice what I do now if I ate 6-11 servings of bread, cereal, rice and pasta daily. I suppose if you are the government, trying to feed everyone while keeping massive corporations happy, your only option is to stuff everyone with bread. I don’t know about you, but I like my bread green, if you know what I mean, money? Although I do confess I am a sucker for a piece of sourdough. I digress…
Here is a recap, and then I want to share something exciting!
The notion that good, sustainable, minimally processed, non-GMO food is expensive is complete nonsense. The way I see it, the dollar menu will end up being more of a strain on our wallets as we line our disease-ridden bodies up for doctor visits and prescription refills rather than figuring out a practical, informed solution to make our food allowance work. Did you know that 40% of food in America goes to waste and ends up somewhere in a landfill? 40 friggin’ percent! So, what is our real problem? It’s our mindset when it comes to how we look at food and beverages. F&B isn’t something you consume to just make your stomach feel full. Food is life!
In our technology era, there is absolutely no excuse for lack of food education. You don’t have to let anyone think for you anymore. The internet gives you access to exchange ideas and information without the influence of special interest groups that don’t have your personal health in mind.
On a personal note, for years I have struggled with weight and various health issues, as many of you do. Food and drink plays a huge roll in all our lives and contributes to, or diminishes, our quality of life. Too much of this; not enough of that. Eggs are good for you; no wait, eggs are bad for you. Drink lots of milk; never drink milk. Red meat is good for you; oops, red meat is bad for you. Alcohol is moderation is fine; what I mean to say is, no it is not fine. Those are just a few examples of what we all go through on the daily.
Now here is the great news I want to share with you: if you have come this far by visiting our website and reading this article, that means we have a lot in common! That means you care about food and beverage, and want to be informed on what you put in your body. I am by no means a poster child of perfect health; I just want to know what I’m eating and how it will affect me and my community. My goal, with your help, is to become a better modern eater and to become modern eaters together.
What is “The Modern Eater”? The Modern Eater is someone who hungers and thirsts for not only great food and beverage, but also to understand how their consumption habits contribute to their personal mental and physical health. The Modern Eater feels honored to support local food and educate their community. And what better place to start than right here in Colorado?!
As founder and owner of The Modern Eater Network, I humbly ask you to join me and The Modern Eater team as we exchange information and ideas to raise the tide for all. I hope you enjoy The Modern Eater blog (www.themoderneater.com) and continue to listen to The Modern Eater Show on Saturday evenings from 6-8 pm MST on 630 KHOW and iHeart Radio station. You will find we are super fun and mellow, and focused on the hyper-local. We love to talk about food and beverages, and we can’t get enough of highlighting the interesting people in our communities. If you love to keep up on Colorado restaurants, events, breweries, distilleries, farms and the people that make it all happen, then stick around! I think we can have a good time together.
Forks and Bottoms up!
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