SOLE Searching

SOLE FOOD: Sustainable, Organic, Local, Ethical.

In the last few years I have been hearing how organic food is better for you than non-organic food, or food that has been chemically treated with pesticides or GMO's (genetically modified organisms). I have been buying organic for the last few years (not entirely organic but certain things for sure, i.e. milk, yogurt, etc.), but recently my interest in making sense of the vast amount of often confusing information has heightened. I won't lie, I will tell you that watching the movie Food Inc. (http://www.foodincmovie.com/ If you haven't already, watch this!) played a big role in the initiation of my research. I have to confess, it was my catalyst.

The main issues that I want to address in this blog are:
1) What is truly the healthiest and most nutritious food for myself and my family?
2) What is the most ethical treatment of animals if I am to continue to purchase animal protein? and
3) How can I make the least negative impact on the environment?

You hear so many different things about what's good for you and what's not and oftentimes the information is contradictory. Organic food tends to cost a little more and if you have a family to feed on a budget, it can be very difficult to consistently buy all organic.

Then there's the environment and your carbon footprint. Should you always buy local? What about things like coffee and other items that aren't produced locally? You have to consider deforestation and the impact on the environment, don't you? Isn't that what responsible global citizens do???

What about factory farming and the ethical treatment of animals? How do you know where your food really comes from??? Whether you buy it in a grocery store or a restaurant, how many people ask the sales person or server, "Who is your purveyor and is this beef grain fed?" Is this animal protein filled with GMO's and did this meat come from factory farming?

To be a responsible global citizen is the goal. This can be a very daunting task and there is enough misinformation to make even your fairly intelligent citizen give up before the quest is even begun. That's where this BLOG comes in.

I will attempt to make sense of, and document, my research. I will attempt to find the most reliable and credible sources to list for you, in an effort to give you accurate information and save you time because I have done the research for you. I want to be a responsible and informed food consumer but you just about have to get a degree in agriculture and nutrition to make a truly educated decision. BUYING GROCERIES SHOULD NOT BE THIS DIFFICULT OR CONFUSING!

As I document my research and discoveries, I will welcome, and encourage, feedback and discussion. This is an open forum and not a political or any other type of formal institutional statement. This is an exercise to deduce as much truth about proper nourishment as is possible! I am not a scholar (no comments please!) just a regular gal looking for some concrete information so that I can use my dollars to vote on the best food sustenance available. My intention is also to use the reliable documented information that I find to back up my purchase decisions, as well as to use the information in educated discussions in an effort to inform those around me.

In summation, this is my mission statement: To make purchasing healthy food for yourself and your family a simple and uncomplicated task.

WELCOME TO MY TRIP!

ps. this is my first blog ever. i am sure i will learn over time things that i should have included, or excluded, in this first blog. please forgive typing errors or other non-fact related mis-typings, mis-spellings, grammatical errors, or my general lack of blogging and other knowledge. other than that, all comments are welcome and THANK YOU FOR JOINING!!