Wow! Time sure has flown since the last time I posted on this blog! Over the past few weeks during my absence, I have been re-thinking what I want this blog to reflect as well as doing some soul searching on my beliefs and actions, and whether or not they are in alignment. After some self reflection, my original intention felt a bit pompous - a socially conscious cookbook!
For quite a while now, I have wanted to put together a cookbook that proved eating healthy can mean eating with lots of taste, enjoyment and satisfaction. My dream cookbook would also include information on healthy ingredients, tips on where to get them, and education on why certain food items are or are not healthy. So it only seemed natural to share recipes I (and others) have adapted from family favorites that perhaps tasted fantastic and satisfied food cravings, yet didn't use the healthiest of ingredients nor provided our bodies with the nutrition they require.
At the same time I have a great interest in sustainable living - which covers an extremely wide range of areas! One area is the food we eat, - where it comes from; who grows it; how is it grown, harvested, packaged and transported; who benefits from its production and who is exploited by it.
Because of these two specific interests, the name Reci-Peace for my blog sounded perfect! When my son suggested the name I immediately loved it and excitedly started posting recipes. Then I began to feel I wasn't being true to my intention.
What I have not done yet is to incorporate onto my blog anything about sustainable living. And I also realized that although I like to think that I believe and support using only those foods that are derived from sustainable living practices, I do not practice this as fully as I could. I talk a good game but my actions do not match my words. So I am in conflict with myself and need to bring my actions in line with what I believe. So these past few weeks have been a time of avoidance (at first) and then reflection.
The conclusion I came to is that while the cookbook part is fun and intriguing, the sustainable living part is the more important piece, for a future without wholesome nutrient rich foods that are produced in conditions that support the earth and all of the people who have a part in their production means no future.
So here are the actions I have set for myself:
- Live more truly to my word. That means buy ONLY food that is organic, fair or equal trade, and as local as possible.
- Post information that supports sustainable living, which includes links to sites that promote socially conscious practices and products
- Continue to educate myself on places and products that promote sustainable living, and to share that information with others on my blog
AND
- To be consistent in posting - I plan to post at least 3 times a week.
I am re-energized, yet at the same time feel a bit of trepidation - now that this is written I gotta do it! Oh My! Smile!
One more thing - since I do not have all the answers, please feel free to share your recipes, information and links in comments. Thanks!