I just finished watching the documentary, Food, Inc., this weekend. Actually, Emma and I both watched it. :)
I know, I'm a little late to the party on this one. That was so 2010.
Here's the thing though. I do things in my own timing. I can't be rushed into them. Once I am ready though, I tend to embrace things fully. For example, the word "budget" used to scare the you-know-what out of me. But once I was ready for it, I ran full speed ahead.
A lot of my reluctance to watch Food, Inc. was that I was afraid I would become so grossed out by what I currently eat, that I wouldn't know what to buy. I am all for eliminating things that are bad for me as long as I have something decent (and affordable) to replace it with.
So here are my brief thoughts on the movie.
1. It was very well made, held not only my attention, but that of my 7-year old daughter as well.
2. While the film was obviously biased, I didn't feel like it was shoving any message down my throat. I felt like I was coming to my own conclusions right along with the film.
3. I learned a lot. And I'm inspired to make some changes.
The two main points I have swirling around my head are this. I want to know where my beef (and chicken, for that matter) comes from, and if it's corn-fed or grass-fed. I also want to know more about the milk I drink.
A lot of you are much more savvy on this subject than I am. So here's what I want to know about milk.
Is organic milk really that much better than regular milk? So far what I can find is that the big "offender" in regular milk, is the growth-hormone rBGH (which causes the cows to produce more milk). I haven't found a list of any other "bad stuff" that's in regular milk. So if that's the biggest issue, do I really have to buy organic, or can I just buy regular milk that's rBGH-free? A lot of grocery stores are now carrying regular milk without the rBGH, and it's still affordable.
Now I understand that there are other factors to consider with "organic". Like the fact that the animals are treated and fed better. That organic is better for the surrounding environment.
I also understand that it's illegal to give any lactating cow - even one on a regular farm - antibiotics while it's in the herd. That it must be sequestered from the rest of the herd.
So I'm wondering, if all I'm considering for the moment is the quality of my family's milk, do I really need to buy organic, or is buying regular milk that's rBGH-free just as good?
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4 comments:
I watched the movie awhile back around the time I was watching Michael Moore’s films as well as another similar documentary called “Flow: for the love of water” which details the world-wide “water crisis”. I enjoyed the movie and suspect that I probably eat the same if nor more beef and chicken than before. I absolutely will NOT start buying organic foods out of fear of what I am eating or to follow trends that seem to dictate organic is better.
We also watched it. It just reconfirmed more than ever to eat organic. We use only organic milk the taste is more like I remember milk should taste like when growing up on the farm. If you really want to learn something watch "Tapped" ---Char
Something to ponder...or consider. Just google 'cows milk unhealthy'. My family doesn't drink cows milk. It's interesting if nothing else. :)
Shana,
My in laws are a farming family and I spent 5 years working the family business. Don't start buying organic because people tell you it is healthier. We farm both organic and non organic and there no difference in health benefits. Buy hormone free milk...don't buy organic. To be honest, organic farming is actually worse for the environment. If you want any tips, email me.
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