With January 1st inevitably comes a whole new set of goals we want to reach by year’s end. I’m sure most of you have set goals regarding Crossfit: Dropping your Fran time or doing it required, a heavier deadlift, snatch, and clean, and so on. Even more important than that, is to set goals for yourselves regarding your diet and your family’s diet as well.
Over the Xmas break; I picked up Omnivore’s Dilemma. It is a book I had been meaning to read for a while now, but have been too preoccupied to get after it. I was immediately engrossed by the content. It is morbidly reminiscent of Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle. My timing in reading this was perfect in that it coincides with the start of the New Year, and it provides motivation for a few changes.
First and foremost will be to replace all that feedlot beef with wild game and grass fed beef. While I have attempted to eat those in the past, I never gave much thought to chowing down on a sirloin from Von’s or Costco. After reading about the conditions on these factory farms and the mass, corn-fed operation going on in modern day beef and dairy production, I will make every attempt to avoid it from now on. It is like eating a medium-rare slab of corn.
The benefits of eating grass-fed beef and dairy.
Another reliable source for meat.
The second is to be more particular about my produce. Everyday in San Diego there is a Farmer’s Market. In fact, there is one every Tuesday from 2:30 – 6 PM at the Coronado Ferry Landing. There is one Saturday morning in PB and another Sunday in La Jolla. The fruit, vegetables, and eggs there are much fresher and far better tasting than anything at the supermarket. And, you can actually talk to the person who grew the food. There are plenty of real organic vendors there from farms around the county.
The bottom-line for the family and I is still to eat real food for 2009. However, my definition of real food has changed a bit since reading Omnivore’s Dilemma. I recommend everyone reading it. It is a key piece of literature to help us all fine-tune our paleo / primal diets for the upcoming year.
