Social Workout

the ick.

When I look at a lovely bowls of perfect, deeply colored berries, or the luscious expanse of a bunch of kale all I see is delicious. And healthy. Yumm!!! You guys already I know that I make a general effort to stay entirely away from processed foods, and for the most part I prefer to pick local and organic varieties of foods. If I can get my meat pasture-raised and –finished, and my milk unhomogenized of even raw…man, I’m one happy camper. I’d say I do pretty well in terms of how I nourish my body.

But, I’m not entirely militant about it. With the meat and dairy I’m pretty strict, because the thought of the living conditions of conventionally raised animals make me really upset and grossed out. Fruit and veggies that have to be peeled I really don’t give too much thought about in that regard. But, If I really want some blueberries and the only type they have are conventional ones, I’ll probably get them anyways.

And, then, I moved to Germany and my bubble was burst. Oh yes, they have designations for organic or “bio” foods. But, beyond that, the labels of “conventional” produce are required to list the chemicals, pesticides, and waxes that have been used in the production of the foods. YIKES!!!!!!!!!!! No longer can I grab a pint of fragrant strawberries, seduced by the delicious colors and aromas…because the innocently placed label right next to them will let me know that I’m getting my strawberries with a heaping side of at least 3 toxic substances. Awesome, huh? Well, at least I know now.