Time for change . . . at least for our family.

I have been considering what to write about today. Then it became obvious when I was finally able to tune in to Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution that I started taping several weeks ago. I missed the premiere episode, but it was really easy to catch up on what Jamie has been trying to do for our nation by starting with the food that is cooked in our schools and fed to our children. Jamie wants to make a difference in the lives of Americans by teaching them how easy it is to cook simple, delicious and affordable meals. Why? He is very concerned with our children's health especially and with that in mind, he chose one of the most unhealthy cities in the nation. I have to say I am intrigued by his determination and enthusiasm. If anyone can do it, Jamie can. But I also wonder if people will become complacent in their newfound habits once he is gone from their city. I know how easy it is to become complacent. It seems almost too easy to slip back into old habits and old thoughts. But I also know change is never easy, and takes time to become habit. But Jamie will use antics to prove his point of which I was impressed. He showed to some young children how chicken nuggets were made from the chicken carcus (pretty disgusting) and they still chose it over the healthy parts of the chicken. He took a radio station DJ to a mortuary to see an oversized casket that would take two plots to fit it into. Seems the adults are easier to persuade.

I have to say I am impressed by this great sense of community that Jamie is building on his show. That has always been extremely important to me. I am also impressed by his ability to make a difference in the lives of everyone he comes across.

One of my new favorite movies is "The Blind Side" with Sandra Bullock. Why? Because I love seeing one person make quite a difference and impact in the life of another. I know if each person did that in this world, it would be a much different place to live in. Now don't get me wrong. There are people making a difference every day, but I believe we can all do so much more.  Pick a charity to volunteer at, serve food to homeless persons, read to a child or classroom, help clean up a park, or whatever else you can come up with. For more ideas, check out volunteermatch.org or serve.gov.

Back to my main point of time for change, which is I do believe we as a people need to be aware where are food comes from. We are allowing food that we eat to be processed and it is shortening our life span. I have done it myself since I was a little girl. I remember eating McDonalds and Pioneer Chicken on a regular basis and don't remember a home cooked meal. I have continued to eat this way my adult life and now causing my son to eat this way.  Ironically my son has a fatal disease that will shorten his life and I am just making it worse instead of giving him a step up with proper nutrition.

So, here is what I have decided to do:

     1) Avoid processed and fast food as much as possible
     2) Eat more wholesome, natural, raw food at the dinner table with my family
    
I will strive to feed my family simple, delicious and affordable meals by learning as much as I can from Jamie and anyone else who will share their tips and knowledge. I would like to help continue Jamie's Food Revolution and make a difference.

Hope that you will too if you are not already on the right track.

Thanks for reading.

Kari
Philippians 3:12-13