In the article, as evidence of the co-ops 'elitist' clientele (read: eating healthy means your an elitist and I'll get to this in a minute) the writer cites a 4 year old having a melt down because his parents won't buy him papaya spears. Here's the thing: go into any grocery store and you'll find at least one 4 year old having a melt down because his or her parent won't get them something but usually it's Oreos, a candy bar or a bag of chips. How wonderful that these parents have made papaya spears more attractive and that dried papaya is the object of the child's desire rather than something with empty calories.
Which brings me back to the equation that eating healthy makes one an elitist. These 'elitists' are less likely to be taxing the health care system in 10 years because they aren't eating fast food or drinking jumbo sized sodas. They understand the overall importance of eating food that is antibiotic free, non-GMO and unprocessed packaged foods; and they are willing to find a way to pay for food that will support their health.
I can tell you from experience, it is expensive to eat healthy in the United States if you don't have your own home garden. Living in Park Slope, garden space is less than limited. So these 'elitists' are taking care of themselves by investing in healthy foods and passing down an understanding about food and nutrition to their children, certainly they deserve America's disdain, right? Just like those who choose natural medicine over the western approaches, they must be crazy or again 'elitists' because they
understand that a well supported body is a healthy body.
Kale, by the way, is a powerful food. It is rich in Vitamin K, A and C; it is a powerful antioxidant, supports our cardiovascular system, reduces bad cholesterol and is an effective anti-inflammatory.
Doesn't anyone question that healthy food and natural healing are mocked and discounted in this country rather than touted and promoted?
There are numerous studies, books and articles (well sourced, I might add) that correlate diet to health and diet to healing but because we are so heavily invested in consumerism, this country is locked into a vicious cycle. People eating poorly which leads to health issues which leads to visits to the doctor, prescriptions for medicines, visits to hospitals and the cycle continues.
Some Western Doctors are getting better. They advise their patients on changes to diet and exercise, but our overall culture is programmed to eat poorly and live unhealthy lifestyles. We are bombarded with advertisements to eat things that are unhealthy. Fast-food is cheap, easy and readily available. Candy and chips are stocked as impulse buys at the front of every store we shop at.
Food - we are asleep.
It is just another place for us to wake-up and take responsibility for our lives. Yet when we try we are met with an article like this about the 'Elitist' Park Slope Co-Op that dares to ask its members to participate and then honor that commitment and dares to offer healthy food in a community where healthy food is a limited commodity for those who seek it.
In the words of Michael Pollen author of In Defense of Food: An Eaters Manifesto, 'Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.'
And I would add, 'wake-up!'
Wonderfully insightful article on how healthy eating is so critical for good health. Thank you !
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