Saturday, October 1, 2011

T, 5:40pm

22 comments:

Romell said...

“Food is a fundamental necessity”, and we are all slaves to appetite. Our appetites in turn are slaves to ‘Big Companies’ who employ vast resources to further complicate the dynamic. It seems the logical desire we have for food becomes illogical when many of us are compelled to eat the very things we know would kill us. This raises the question about whether we are free or not. Most of us believe in free will but perhaps the programs set to prematurely kill us are still running; the mouth-watering commercial of burger or succulent bacon, the countless fast-food chains on every corner, the stigma of the vegetarian.
There is no free will. We are all slaves. A slave might justify gorging on death, and killing the planet in the process.

Anonymous said...

I think it is absolutely absurd that we are choosing to consume foods with more unhealthy additives. It is distressing to me because consuming less expensive food is becoming supplementary to being healthy. The growth of fast food chains and their increase in a wider range of menu options has its positives and negatives. The positive is that these fast food chains are trying to create “healthier” menu options dealing solely with vegetables and fruits. However, what is being added to make these foods more palatable to the consumer is the addition of extra sugar or other chemically enhanced preservatives. Although this is not so positive, at least they are trying to incorporate the fruits and vegetables. The negatives include all meat products and preparation; from the live meat farms to the killing and then the concoction of preservatives and cooking processes. The hormones, antibiotics, and the treating of the animals is terrible. What is even worse is that consumers are not as aware as they should be to these processes. With the food industry becoming more exposed to the public eye, it should be bringing about a change in the preparation of meat; it should be making regulations more strict with the treatment of animals and forbid animal cruelty. The upcoming debates and exposure of the corporate world of the food industry should be changing the minds of many of how, what, and why they eat certain foods. The goal now should be indulging in organic foods and proper treating of animals, and slowly start to wean off the chemical enhancers, and hormonal preservatives. Luciana Manrique

Oceanna Dawn said...

~"over 69,000 acres of rainforest are burned every day in the world. That is over 150 acres lost every minute of every day. Experts estimate that at the current rate of destruction, the last remaining rainforests could be consumed in less than 40 years. Experts also estimate that we are losing 130 species of plants, animals and insects every single day as they become extinct from the loss of rainforest land and habitats"~(a quote I pulled off internet but I believe it is true)

The rainforest devastation is yet another effect that humans have created by the cause of eating fast food. Much of the forest is cleared to raise cows on the land. The species that become extinct every day may have possessed the natural cures to to illnesses.
Unfortunately the answer of producing organic meats fed by organic grains (though I am a firm advocator of organics and the lessing of the use of pesticides) actually uses more land. To raise animals in a healthy manner without antibiotics they need to be spread out. This is less detrimental to the land and the water table but more land consuming. Always the same problem, too many people to have proper practices. In this case I believe people need to eat more grains and produce more grain. Grains like quinoa that are a complete protein, gluten free, loaded with minerals and can grow in sandy earth with not much fertilizer .
The understanding that grains should and at this point need to be a larger part of the human diet needs to start in the media. I cant wait to see a commercial about quinoa and fries. Unfortunately these changes probably wont happen until they have to happen which isn't very far off. People didn't start carpooling more until the price of c02 emitting fossil fuels went up. People wont stop supporting the meat industry until the price of meat goes up. What people don't realize is that we are paying the price in so many other ways, collectively.
On a positive note people are becoming more aware every day. People are making choices to support Organic and humane practices. The entire food "industry" has only come about in the last 300 years, we can make positive changes and we will. Forced or by good intention I believe there are going to be positive changes in the food "industry" in the next 100 years. Not to say it wont get worse before it gets better but coming from Northern California I have seen positive changes in the farming communities.
I also believe that individually we have more power then we realize to make those changes. If one person decides to buy organic produce every week you will help to support a small organic farm. The power of intention and leading by example is the best thing to do to share the knowledge with people around you.

E-Rey said...

I will not lie but I did not click on any of the blue link sites because I just can't take in ant more of this (Hidden) knowledge. I don't need a big brain in order to understand that a burger worth 30 cents is probably not what I want as my daily meal. Don't get me wrong, in these though times it is very easy to think that saving a buck on fast food makes sence and it (oddly) never really tastes bad or causes EXTREME sickness. The question must be asked - Could these fast food chains really have the cure to world hunger through means of mass genetic production? Proof is in the pudding Try This LINK = http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/food-how-altered.html = careful, that pudding might not be ...

Now, isn't just great that these newer cheaper foods which we are ALL eating, don't seem to have any side-effects that we know of as of today. However, why is it that there are so many sick people in society including wieght, personality and genetic problems? PROFIT! A company now spends 1/3 the cost to grow rather than raise live-stock under the assumption that it's being done to save you the comsumer money while also eliminating all the "bad" stuff like trans-fats or bacteria. The truth is there are not enough ANIMALs in the world to feed the 7 Billion currently spawning and spreading all over. Don't panic, we'll make it, but at the cost of social degragation all in the pursuit of profit by HUGE COMPANIES that need to keep growing. These same companies have stock in the medical field which takes care of you, perfect - My food will make you sick and my medicine will amke you better, all you have to do is pay me for the ride - This is why there are currently over 1 Billion people suffering from Famine world-wide due to poverty.

Which is written into the way the world works right, or better yet, it's the way GOD likes it. "Poverty is the worst form of violence" - Mahatma Gandhi. It all connects to one simple fact, the cheaper the food, the cheaper the quality, the worse the result. One 30 cent meal = a lot of poor people. Don't get me wrong I still enjoy every form of food fast or slow because in the end, it all tastes the same with a little salt and it helps keep me alive (healthy or not). The best thing to do is have a little of each in an EQUAL way without going over-board no matter how cheap it seems. Hey at least I have those 30 cents to spend in the first place which 1 Billion people today would kill for and probably already have.

Hugo Paiz said...

Here is yet another topic of animal cruelty. These innocent animals are being used in such a horrifying ways in order to supply the demand by consumers but, personally I think is done to enlarge the pockets of those highly pay manufactures. It seems astonishing that these companies will at whatever cost mistreat and hurt animals and everything along the way all for the lush of getting rich. First, the cruelty that pigs and all animals have to go through, not to mention the unhealthy environment in which they are forced to live. As if hurting animals was not enough, how about the health issues that will cause to those employed by these factories. How about the harm to the environment with all the pollution, is this not a concern to anyone? But what seem even worst is that us humans continue purchasing the meat not caring about all the damages that this issue is causing. How about our own health issues, like the obesity which clearly should be a major concern. While it is unclear as to how to put an end to this epidemic of cruelty, towards animals and the human life since it is obvious that this has being going on for centuries. In my opinion, and as a society in crisis, we should do our part to protect us, the environment and the animals. Maybe by writing to government leaders and exposing of this issue, or perhaps getting the media involved and talking openly about this catastrophic issue. Obviously, this is not an easy task, but perhaps if the Government gets involved and set more stricter rules and regulations and instruct us consumers about how cheap food is in reality not so cheap if at the end of the day a piece of bacon can causes more harm than good.

Maydolis said...

Animal cruelty has been happening for many years,it is said that 90% of our society eat meat rather than vegetables.And that most likely 80% of those 90% don't know where there meat came from. Why is it that we rather waste $5.00 on a McDonald's meal than a pack of vegetables from Publix. Well simple enough, parents now a day are failing at educating their children on the food they eat.Living in a crazy society we never have time for anything, and parents prefer to spend Five minutes in a McDonald drive true, than get out of their cars and shop for a pack of veggies.And so this is what they teach their kids, and that's what their kid is going to teach his, and so on. I think education is an important factor in eating healthy. I remember back when i was in high school they would show horrible videos, explaining where meat came from. Now a days the information is limited in schools, and the message is not getting across the same way. On the other hand we have all this animal being killed on a daily basis, and my question is this. Until what point is this healthy? All those animal being fed on fertilizers and stuck in such little compartments, I don't thinks that's healthy at all, all the diseases we see on daily basis, well were do you think they come from?...... All this affects not only the way pigs are being raised but also our environment.I think we don't necessarily have to become vegetarian, but we definitely need to learn to eat DIFFERENTLY...

Anonymous said...

In my opinion fast food is the cause to obesity beside lack of exercise. Reasons being that for most busy business workers are always limited on time for lunch or breakfast, so the quickest solution is “Fast Food”. And for these business workers, it becomes more of a routine rather than an addiction. I believe the reason why we prefer fast food to vegetables at Publix, is because the service is quicker at McDonald’s, the food is already made, people believe they get more from the dollar menu, and you don’t have to wait to get home/work/or school to eat your meal. A way to solve this problem is when people come to realize prepare meals before work/or school in the long run will benefit your wallet, instead of wasting between $5-8 at any fast food restaurant. Addiction is not the problem, time is. When businesses want their workers to take a limited time for lunch or dinner then fast food is the answer because of convenience of a fast food restaurant.

-Alexandra Acevedo

Kebren said...
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Thomas Hardy said...

The fast food industry is a booming business. It all comes down to who wants there meal right now,and who wants to wait. In this day and age people are very impatient. So if they can get a meal in 5 minutes,oppose to cooking and waitng 15 to 20 minutes that is what they are going to do. You have some people that cares about their health and others dont. So many things are bad for you it is told, eating fast food is definitely one of them. For some people this much more conveint than to cook with there busy schedule.

Luis Amoretti said...

When the pig is slaughtered, at about 5 months of age, he'll become sausage or bacon that will sell cheap, feeding an American addiction to meat that has contributed to an obesity epidemic currently afflicting more than two-thirds of the population. That's the state of your bacon — circa 2009.
Our population drives the heart of the 'big companies'. Brainwashing society to eat fast food and consume more and more of their supply. Why is it that our lunch staple consists of a dollar menu at "Mcdonalds" or "Wendys". The reason- now in days Americans are to lazy to get up and make a nutritious, home made meal- they want it now and cheap. Slaves, that is the category that these victims are under. They will not stop until this planet is dead or close to the point. WE should hault the "giants of fast food companies" from taking over our appetities and eliminate these chemical enhanced production mills. Our solution, educate the youth and establish a revolution that will cease this addiction and undergo a new lifestyle. Organic food and proper treating of animals and slowly erase these 'Big companies' manners will free us.

Victor Pedrosa said...

30 years ago, going to McDonalds was a special treat, now it takes part in many people’s daily diet.
Kids grow up and eat their hamburgers without even stopping to think about it. It is just the way life runs now. There is no time to get to know what is right in front of your eyes. Think about how many people use cell phones every day, and have no idea about how it works.
Obviously we can't all go out and kill what we will eat on a daily basis, but one should definitely be aware of the process and techniques used to deliver the final product that sits on a Publix shelf.
After I killed what I ate for the first time, it completely changed my perspective on the subject. It is not easy, and it is not for everyone.
Today people are occupying Wall Street with a protest because they are aware of their situation and they don't like it. If every meat lover felt the blood on their hands every time they ate a burger with bacon, the world would have a lot more vegetarians. That is a fact. It seems like ignorance is in the center of every issue.

Kammie Whitaker said...

The addiction to food in America is as profitable for some as it is destructive for others. Of course the big companies like General Mills and others want to make the most profit they can-they don’t care about the consequences or the long run, all they care about is the next fiscal year. It is our responsibility as individuals to make better food choices for ourselves, starting with the parents and on to the children, but why do that if it’s so much easier to take your child to McDonalds instead of actually taking the time to cook dinner? This type of laziness does not only apply to food- we’d rather sit our children down in front of the TV instead of spending time with them. So yes it is the big companies’ fault for this food addiction we have here in America but is just as much our own individual fault. Nobody can say they don’t know McDonalds food is bad for them, but they just don’t care enough since is cheap and easily accessible. The change has to start with yourself, only then can you help change others and eventually the world.

Anonymous said...

Articles like this really upset me! It comes down to laziness and greed. Everyone in this country is always in such a hurry! Working two jobs,both parents working there's no time to cook a nice family dinner anymore. We want everything right now, no time to wait. I stopped eating McDonalds and Burger King and any fast food a while back and the rest of the world needs to wake up, quit being so lazy, and cook a health meal, and stop eating fast food it's absolutely terrible for you! The only way to stop this is for everyone to stop eating at these places! I just don't see it happening people are just to damn lazy! Michael Guelbenzu

olmis leyva said...

The practice of raising mass produced animals in corporate animal farms to be slaughtered for human consumption is unnecessary and ultimately morally unacceptable. Corporate animal farms hurt the environment, the consumer and the animals under there control. Therefore corporate animal farms are harmful and should be phased out of there current existence. Consuming factory farmed meat by humans is primarily for pleasure, (it tastes good) and is unnecessary since a plant based diet has been proven to be healthier and can taste great as well. Corporate animal farms consume large amounts of water and other natural resources and produce vast amounts of waste which pollutes the environment. To cause pain and death to an animal and harm the environment for the trivial purpose of pleasuring an individual’s immediate sensual gratification without considering how the product is produced is irresponsible. I think that we should start making small changes in ours communities. Why not to spent more time and energy in education? What is the reason of not having a mandatory Nutrition course in Elementary school in our city? I think that we should be more active as students, parents or parents to be in order to make some changes. The solution to this problem is not simple, but if we are not welling to makes small changes at home and in our community public schools, we will be dead not of hunger of course, but of high cholesterol and heart problem in 50 years from now.

Alan M said...

In previous comments I have read how people talk obesity, big companies and even freedom in this post. Certainly there a many important issues that need to be discussed but in my case I will try to focus on solutions for the problem exposed in the post.

First, most people ignore all the information listed on this article and the articles linked to it, I don't expect everyone to change their habits if they read this article but I think everyone has the right to know all this. Politicians in this country spend millions in their campaigns and companies do the same but on new products releases (like iPhone and so on...) If people who have the power to start this kind of massive campaigns people would be able to take a decision with all the information to make their best judgement. Of course this will hardly happen unless the one supporting this campaign gets money in exchange so its not likely to happen.

But we must not give up, we still have mediums like this blog for example, and the power of mouth to mouth communication to let others know about this information. Once people know this I think we will be more concerned about eating junk food either it is because we want to protect animal rights or because we want to protect ourselves and our families.

But then I think about people who already have this information and still... they ignore it... I can say I'm willing to limit my meat consumption but cant do anything else but to expect that with awareness campaigns more people will do it too.

Taryn Timmons said...

As I mentioned in my previous post, I believe strongly that if you are going to consume animal material to at least purchase it from an organic farm. “I choose to buy mostly organic products knowing that the animals at a more organically raised farm are not only the more healthier option, but the animals themselves are treated with more care and dignity.” Not only is this way of eating the more humane option, but it also helps improve our diets by not consuming the vile hormones that are in the other meat products. Fast food restaurants not only use these products but also insert their own chemicals into the food they give us. I believe it is important to raise your children to understand the harm that fast food causes your body and to always choose the healthier option. If our society does not learn to embrace healthy diets and exercise, our country will continue to be overweight and/or obese. I’m proud to at least know, that with all of the research and advertising against places like McDonalds, Burger King, and Wendy’s, Subway, has become the biggest fast food franchise. Even though it is still fast food restaurant, it advertises a healthier diet that a lot of people are beginning to respond to.

PeterIsern said...

The way to combat this problem of obesity, pollution, and just all around health for our selves and the planet is through education. Most people don't under stand the damage the food they eat does to their body and their brains. It has been this way because of the food culture, especially in the United States. We as human beings have the capacity and capability to feed the world with non meat products. The fact that we spend most of this food to feed cattle, that takes in more of this grain, so that we can satisfy our carnivorous tooth rather than each other is a side of human selfishness that is beyond me. When people understand the harm they are doing is the day we stop, and the generation capable of changing this is mine. Our generation has to change this world and its bad habits, through education, marketing, and self motivation. As soon as everyone of us understand the cons overweigh the pros is the day this stops. A future I personally see happening sooner than we all think.

PeterIsern said...
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PeterIsern said...
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PeterIsern said...
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RonaldLicona said...

As a society we tend to be habitual creatures. The constant increasing demands on our schedules make Time our most valuable commodity. We tend to put a higher value on how we spend our time than we do our health. This is why fast food businesses are flourishing, we will always tend to go after what can take care of our needs the fastest and most effective way possible, and if you can save a buck while you do it, even better.
I was working at a movie theater around the time the movie "Super Size Me" came out. Many of the staff members who saw the movie swore to stop eating fast food. The following week, they were all back in line at Wendy's simply because the lines at Whole Foods were too long and they would lose most of their break time waiting.
The reality of the situation is that although fast food is unhealthy, what makes it truly bad is that we tend to eat it more often than we should. An occasional slice of pizza or a burger really wont hurt you in the long run, eating it every day will.
Fast food should be treated as a break from what we eat every day, not what we eat during our breaks every day.
Until our society as a whole decides to make a change fast food businesses will continue to be around, they will continue to buy meat from factory farms, the farms will continue to try and maximize their profits disregarding what they do to the animals.

Ronald Licona

Michely Hernandez said...

Overall, in this article the main argument is business. Yes there is an disadvantage with the lack of quality and speed in the processing. Usually, when missing or skipping a step to any type of instructions conclude with an unfinished product and that's exactly what is being disturbed to the public. The lack of quality is really affecting humanity but that also comes with acceptance from the people. There definitely needs to be some type of hostile regulations against the bring up of these animals we call "meat". These animals are flesh and blood that can potentially affect hundreds, thousands, or millions. Being that these animals are being raised with antibiotics should not be a surprise. The average 5 year old has 27 shots since birth and still need 6 more. In my opinion, the government has control of many corporations but by being bought out, the government gives in for a cut. Its a chain of power, money and manipulation. It's all behind psychology. The mind is easily taught out....it's a learning process. You aren't born walking, it's by experience. Good luck with fighting against the world. Its wrong but its money. There will always be selfish people that do anything from kidnapping to animal cruelty, or murder.