What “Pink Slime” Has Taught Us About What Not To Do

13 Comments

  1. This is my first time commenting obn your blog and I just thought, Wow, what a lovely thoughtful piece of writing. I was quite horrified at some of the personal attacks in cyber space on this subject and it occurred to me that people had lost sight of the original goal in that they were so busy defending/insulting/agitating others.
    I just hope that some of these people will get to read this blog entry and take time to reflect upon your experiences in being part of a wider movement to get people to see what is wrong with the modern food system.
    Kudos to you for putting your thoughts and opinions out there in such an eloquent and non judgmental way.

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    • Nikki, thank you. That comment means a lot. I think all of us sometimes lose sight of our better selves in the midst of conflict, myself included. But the true definition of conflict is not strife or anger; it’s that the needs and wants of one party are directly in opposition to the needs and wants of another. That’s it. And if we can try to remember that, and take all of our cultural notions of fear and rage out of it, then I think we can have a more productive dialogue (and a better human condition). I hope you’ll come back and read again sometime. And feel free to share this piece, by the way, with anyone you think needs to see it. I know I will. 😉

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  2. I haven’t commented in a while, but am still a faithful reader of this blog. After what I have seen in the past week or so, I just want to commend you on your handling of the negativity in cyberspace, and also of your continued and unwavering effort to bring your thoughtful insights to these important issues. In the end, we are all “just trying to get everyone fed” in the best way we know how, with as much information about our food supply as possible. Bravo to you, Bettina, and everyone else brave enough to forge the way for the rest of us.

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    • Hi Donna — I’m so glad to see you commenting again! 🙂 Thank you so much for the kind words. It means a lot to me to know that readers feel like I’m providing a safe and civil place to come and explore what are ultimately some really challenging issues.

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  3. Oh I’m on all the time, love your style of writing….just the first time i actually commented on your post! i don’t know, i just felt i had to, it just really struck a chord!

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  4. […] of Red, Round or Green worries about the hostile tone of most LFTB discourse.  (But my warning to commenters yesterday seems to […]

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  5. “Many of us have had to endure conflict with families, friends, and others in our communities just to get the space to actually make the choices we think are necessary about feeding ourselves and our kids.”

    That is EXACTLY it! It angers and pains me that I have to work so hard, every day, to simply feed my children what I consider real, nutritious food…nothing fancy, elite, or expensive, just things that have essential nutrients and don’t contain chemicals, dyes, and other additives. I am constantly undermined by even those who purport to have my child’s best interest at heart. With all the proof that our country’s current diet and lifestyle choices are leading to chronic diseases and shorter life spans, it simply astounds me that trying to feed my kids well is such hard work and so controversial. Thanks, Bri, for expressing this frustration with our food system and culture so eloquently, and doing your part to bring awareness to others in an inclusive, respectful dialogue.

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    • I wholeheartedly agree that it should not be so controversial to make simple decisions about feeding children unprocessed foods, especially in the current climate of disease and constant dialogue surrounding how we can make our kids slimmer, healthier, more successful, whatever. What seems to me to be the easiest place to start — with what goes into their bodies — appears to be the hardest place for so many other people. That’s why this is never as cut-and-dried a subject as it seems, and I have to remind myself of that almost every day. We’re all in different places on the journey.

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      • I forgot to put my name with the above post…sorry. Did not mean to reply as “Anonymous.” I agree, we are in different places on the journey, which is why I try not to judge how other parents feed their kids, but also expect them to respect my decisions. –Korey

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  6. Once again you have written a well thought out and sensible article. I so agree with what you have said. There are two sides of this issue and if we can not treat each other with dignity, well there isn’t much left.
    The fault of this lies with all of us. I will say it again, most family’s will go a drop 60.00 at a restaurant (I know because when we go out we see them…) and then complain about organic grass fed beef like it was a super luxury….going out to eat and spending that kind of money is unheard of in my family so that I can purchase organic, grass fed beef. It is the choices that we make daily that impact our personal bottom line.
    Also I have learned to trust my gut rather than the powers that be when it comes to food. We are currently seeking local beef, raising our own meat chicken and have layers for eggs, we are looking at getting a cow for our dairy….these are choices we are making for our family. There are other ways to feed your family clean….but the super market may not be the best choice.
    Or if that is what you choose for your family you would like to know what you are buying, that is the issue. Please don’t hide the facts, they will tend to bite you back in the end.
    Great piece of writing……

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    • Thanks so much for the sweet comment, Rachael! I like what you said about trusting your gut rather than the prevailing wisdom. And I’m SUPER jealous about your fabulous ability to raise your own chickens, eggs, and possibly a cow! Wow! You’re correct that there are various ways to help a family eat, if not one hundred percent clean, then certainly cleaner than the average American family…the problem is that so many people are conditioned to believe that the supermarket is the place to source their foods that it’s hard to turn the tide of habit, you know? We’ll all keep trying our best to share what we know, and in the end, I hope that we’ll be part of the change that helps everyone in our country live healthier lives.

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      • I never thought of how people do believe that the super market is their only choice. That tells me so much about the average person. Maybe part of our job (sounds snobbish) should be to help people see the other avenues out there to gather our food. I love how the farmers markets are opening up and there is great clean, well priced food out there! Keep writing!

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