Exactly - in those days (damn... are we that old ) we were not aware of the full scale damage we were doing to mother earth. Science wasn't focused on environmental issues yet, dissemination of information wasn't what it is now and yes.. education... and action. We now start learning/hearing about those issues at a very young age and, hopefully, take heed of the messages we get to protect our planet and our future.
And whilst it's true when I was young we may have flushed so much crap down the sewers, etc., it is also true that there was maybe less 'consumer'/packaging waste, etc.
Each generation has it's pros and cons. Let's hope this coming one (my daughter's age?) are more pros.
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Pros and Cons... every generation has to deal with it.
The reusable grocery bags... sure, they can be a pain in the ass at times. I forget to move mine back from the kitchen to the car all the time. How i solved it... I have a bunch of them in the car, all the time. I got many of them free from trade shows or those give aways by insurance companies trying to get your business. I don't give a shit if i have a 'Kaiser-Permanente' and 'Geico' bag to haul my groceries. I beats the plastic bags that say, 'Abertsons' or 'Safeway' flying along the sands of Bolsa Chica State Beach.
Trade-offs... Convenience or trash? Which do you want? What do you want for your kids?
Aren't plastic bags banned in So. Cali or just San Fran?
Cosmo quoting aerial's post made me think about this 'not having the time to cook/bake'. I just made a lemon drizzle cake from scratch - flour, butter, sugar, eggs, lemon & a bit of milk. Alternative? Looked up Betty Crocker mix for the same:
I know where my ingredients come from. Look at the mix - palm fat: source of deforestation, loss of wildlife habitat and climate change. Where's the real lemon? Colour??? All this other crap too.
Did it take me longer? Well, I admit that the creaming of the butter and sugar might have taken an extra minute, add 30 seconds for zesting the lemons another 30 seconds for juicing it. A whole 2/3 minutes extra from scratch. Not much, really...
It's not just a question of health, but you can source your ingredients. You choose to use, for example, palm oil or not. Sourcing your food is part of the 'green thing' too... Try to get local(ish) goods, goods in season - like in the old days
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Sounds DEEEE-licious.
And I am not disputing that processed foods are better or taste better than home cooking... we ALL agree that home cooking kicks ass on processed foods. My point is, who has the time to do all of that in our modern world? I mean, it's not like you make that cake every night. In order to have home cooking, you need to come home from work... stop by the grocery store, buy the fresh ingredients and make the meal... then clean up afterwards. You repeat this process 7 days a week. That is a time consuming task.
again, trade-offs... processed goods are convenient and you save time, giving you more free time. The downside being the preservatives that are required for an extended shelf life.
We are a modern society that mostly live in residences, not on farms. Women are pretty much forced into workforce in order to help provide income to the household. There are conven iences that give us more free time... but, we are paying a price for that.
Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
Hail, Hail!!!
I don't agree Cosmo. I rarely used processed foods - most my meals will not take more than 1/2hour to get ready (often much less). I don't shop every day and cleaning won't take long. Dinner tonight - stir fry - no time.
I work (1/2hr short per day of full time) and look after a disabled husband (and nag a teen!). This obviously doesn't leave me with much free time but the cooking is not a main 'taker of time'. On a side note, the lemon drizzle was not planned (last minute request from my husband who forgot to tell me he needed 'something' for tomorrow). I made the cake with ingredients that I have readily available. Had I have been one to use a mix, I would have had to get in the car, go to the supermarket to get the mix and come back. A 4-mile round trip for one item.
True it's much easier to get a ready meal and shove it in the microwave for a few minutes and I understand that for a lot of people it's god sent. But as I said in my previous post, it's not just about health but also the impact on the environment of all the rubbish that goes into a lot of these convenience foods, the packaging, etc. Not to mention the cost...
We make ourselves way too busy and, if one really wants to, one can find a bit of time. Busying ourselves a bit like the thread about letting kids get bored. We feel we need to fill our time with 'constructive' things that, in the end don't matter that much. I also understand that in the US, employees are a lot more 'tied' to work for various reasons and may not feel they have the time.
The 'green thing' is a lifestyle. One that we can more or less follow. I do my bit but there is soooooo much more I could do. What's stopping me? Sometimes lack of time, lack of energy, lack of enthusiasm, etc... It's not easy to try and be kind to the planet!
I don't agree Cosmo. I rarely used processed foods - most my meals will not take more than 1/2hour to get ready (often much less). I don't shop every day and cleaning won't take long. Dinner tonight - stir fry - no time.
I work (1/2 short per day of full time) and look after a disabled husband (and nag a teen!). This obviously doesn't leave me with much free time but the cooking is not a main 'taker of time'.
True it's much easier to get a ready meal and shove it in the microwave for a few minutes and I understand that for a lot of people it's god sent. But as I said in my previous post, it's not just about health but also the impact on the environment of all the rubbish that goes into a lot of these convenience foods. Not to mention the cost...
We make ourselves way too busy and, if one really wants to, one can find a bit of time. Busying ourselves a bit like the thread about letting kids get bored. We feel we need to fill our time with 'constructive' things that, in the end don't matter that much. I also understand that in the US, employees are a lot more 'tied' to work for various reasons and may not feel they have the time.
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I see and understand your point.
I'm just saying, for me... cooking is a pain in the ass... and I'm pretty lazy. I'd much rather spend time trying to work out the chords of 'Off He Goes' on my guitar than cook a meal.
And when i do cook... I don't make my own pasta... or bake my own bread or marinara sauce. All of that comes from the supermarket in a jar or a box. Mostly because I don't have all of the ingredients or know how to make the stuff... and i don't have the right tools. I have a full set of Craftsman tools, but i think it would be very difficult to make a lasagne with a hammer and a pair of bolt cutters.
Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
Hail, Hail!!!
I don't bake my bread either - go to the bakery for that. There are a number of foods that may be classed as convenience but are not what I would say fully 'processed', eg your example of pasta. Of course it's a choice. Whether you're single, a couple or have a family impacts on your choice as well.
But then again, every little bit helps. We can never discount not doing something thinking it's no use... Be it re-using bags for your shopping, walking a bit more or taking public transport instead of using the car for everything, etc.
I don't bake my bread either - go to the bakery for that. There are a number of foods that may be classed as convenience but are not what I would say fully 'processed', eg your example of pasta. Of course it's a choice. Whether you're single, a couple or have a family impacts on your choice as well.
But then again, every little bit helps. We can never discount not doing something thinking it's no use... Be it re-using bags for your shopping, walking a bit more or taking public transport instead of using the car for everything, etc.
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I'm all about that. I walk to the closest store (or SubWay) instead of driving. I try to only drive if I absolutely need to... such as to the Home Depot because i need the car to carry the heavy stuff. I never use a drive-thru anything.
And i have no problem with the re-useable bags. I have done enough of those beach clean-ups to know that the bulk of the items I collect are cigarette butts, plastic cup lids, plastic straws and a bunch of plastic bags. If we can reduce our use of these items, there will be less of that crap on our beaches.
Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
Hail, Hail!!!
Oh man...I watched a documentary on it a few years back.
Absolutely disgusting.
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That's why I have a hard time with people complaining about environmental issues.
I'll bet that there were old people back in the days when legislation was written to stop the practice of pouring used motor oil into the water systems. I'll bet people complained about 'losing freedom' and forced compliance to namby pamby Earth lovers. I certainly remember the ban on CFCs used for automotive air conditioning units and the fitting of emissions control devices and all of the protests from people about how the government was controlling everything.
I just don't get all of the fucking crying about curly light bulbs and having to bring your own grocery bags.
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Now, don't get me wrong... this is not pro-government rally... it is anti-pollution rant.
Yeah. I love the environment. Too bad the Indian and Chinese governments don't. For every canvas grocery bag using poser patting themselves on the back somewhere in So Cal there are 10 factories outside the US dumping toxic chit into the water table.
Yeah. I love the environment. Too bad the Indian and Chinese governments don't. For every canvas grocery bag using poser patting themselves on the back somewhere in So Cal there are 10 factories outside the US dumping toxic chit into the water table.
bummer, right?
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Yeah, bummer.
So, are you saying that since India and China are polluting... we should be able to pollute, too?
...
P.S. Those 10 factories... probably U.S. companies setting up shop over there to avoid the penalties of our EPA regulations over here, right?
Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
Hail, Hail!!!
Yeah. I love the environment. Too bad the Indian and Chinese governments don't. For every canvas grocery bag using poser patting themselves on the back somewhere in So Cal there are 10 factories outside the US dumping toxic chit into the water table.
bummer, right?
...
Yeah, bummer.
So, are you saying that since India and China are polluting... we should be able to pollute, too?
...
P.S. Those 10 factories... probably U.S. companies setting up shop over there to avoid the penalties of our EPA regulations over here, right?
nah i am just saying that they are polluting... and its a lot. more than using canvas bags and obsessing over nalgene bottles is going to fix..... and its out of our control. not meant to be defeatist but just to provide some context for the 'enviro-shamers' which was kind of the root of this thread.
as much influence as the large cap u.s. multinationals have on the planet, unfortunately for scapegoating purposes, they dont run everything... there are plenty of non-us companies out there, big and small, peeing where we eat. the citizens of those countries need to take steps to ensure better treatment of the environment within their borders... i realize the u.s. is still not amazing but at least we're not india
nah i am just saying that they are polluting... and its a lot. more than using canvas bags and obsessing over nalgene bottles is going to fix..... and its out of our control. not meant to be defeatist but just to provide some context for the 'enviro-shamers' which was kind of the root of this thread.
as much influence as the large cap u.s. multinationals have on the planet, unfortunately for scapegoating purposes, they dont run everything... there are plenty of non-us companies out there, big and small, peeing where we eat. the citizens of those countries need to take steps to ensure better treatment of the environment within their borders... i realize the u.s. is still not amazing but at least we're not india
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I agree, for the most part. But, there are those who blame EPA regulations for U.S. companies fleeing to countries who still allow the dumping of caustic manufacturing waste into water systems. What do we want, clean water and no jobs or jobs, but with cancer causing water? Trade-offs.
Also, the basis of this thread was to say we don't need to do anything to protect the environment... other than going back in time to the 1800s.
Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
Hail, Hail!!!
Comments
Aren't plastic bags banned in So. Cali or just San Fran?
Sounds DEEEE-licious.
And I am not disputing that processed foods are better or taste better than home cooking... we ALL agree that home cooking kicks ass on processed foods. My point is, who has the time to do all of that in our modern world? I mean, it's not like you make that cake every night. In order to have home cooking, you need to come home from work... stop by the grocery store, buy the fresh ingredients and make the meal... then clean up afterwards. You repeat this process 7 days a week. That is a time consuming task.
again, trade-offs... processed goods are convenient and you save time, giving you more free time. The downside being the preservatives that are required for an extended shelf life.
We are a modern society that mostly live in residences, not on farms. Women are pretty much forced into workforce in order to help provide income to the household. There are conven iences that give us more free time... but, we are paying a price for that.
Hail, Hail!!!
I work (1/2hr short per day of full time) and look after a disabled husband (and nag a teen!). This obviously doesn't leave me with much free time but the cooking is not a main 'taker of time'. On a side note, the lemon drizzle was not planned (last minute request from my husband who forgot to tell me he needed 'something' for tomorrow). I made the cake with ingredients that I have readily available. Had I have been one to use a mix, I would have had to get in the car, go to the supermarket to get the mix and come back. A 4-mile round trip for one item.
True it's much easier to get a ready meal and shove it in the microwave for a few minutes and I understand that for a lot of people it's god sent. But as I said in my previous post, it's not just about health but also the impact on the environment of all the rubbish that goes into a lot of these convenience foods, the packaging, etc. Not to mention the cost...
We make ourselves way too busy and, if one really wants to, one can find a bit of time. Busying ourselves a bit like the thread about letting kids get bored. We feel we need to fill our time with 'constructive' things that, in the end don't matter that much. I also understand that in the US, employees are a lot more 'tied' to work for various reasons and may not feel they have the time.
The 'green thing' is a lifestyle. One that we can more or less follow. I do my bit but there is soooooo much more I could do. What's stopping me? Sometimes lack of time, lack of energy, lack of enthusiasm, etc... It's not easy to try and be kind to the planet!
I see and understand your point.
I'm just saying, for me... cooking is a pain in the ass... and I'm pretty lazy. I'd much rather spend time trying to work out the chords of 'Off He Goes' on my guitar than cook a meal.
And when i do cook... I don't make my own pasta... or bake my own bread or marinara sauce. All of that comes from the supermarket in a jar or a box. Mostly because I don't have all of the ingredients or know how to make the stuff... and i don't have the right tools. I have a full set of Craftsman tools, but i think it would be very difficult to make a lasagne with a hammer and a pair of bolt cutters.
Hail, Hail!!!
I don't bake my bread either - go to the bakery for that. There are a number of foods that may be classed as convenience but are not what I would say fully 'processed', eg your example of pasta. Of course it's a choice. Whether you're single, a couple or have a family impacts on your choice as well.
But then again, every little bit helps. We can never discount not doing something thinking it's no use... Be it re-using bags for your shopping, walking a bit more or taking public transport instead of using the car for everything, etc.
I'm all about that. I walk to the closest store (or SubWay) instead of driving. I try to only drive if I absolutely need to... such as to the Home Depot because i need the car to carry the heavy stuff. I never use a drive-thru anything.
And i have no problem with the re-useable bags. I have done enough of those beach clean-ups to know that the bulk of the items I collect are cigarette butts, plastic cup lids, plastic straws and a bunch of plastic bags. If we can reduce our use of these items, there will be less of that crap on our beaches.
Hail, Hail!!!
Yeah. I love the environment. Too bad the Indian and Chinese governments don't. For every canvas grocery bag using poser patting themselves on the back somewhere in So Cal there are 10 factories outside the US dumping toxic chit into the water table.
bummer, right?
Yeah, bummer.
So, are you saying that since India and China are polluting... we should be able to pollute, too?
...
P.S. Those 10 factories... probably U.S. companies setting up shop over there to avoid the penalties of our EPA regulations over here, right?
Hail, Hail!!!
nah i am just saying that they are polluting... and its a lot. more than using canvas bags and obsessing over nalgene bottles is going to fix..... and its out of our control. not meant to be defeatist but just to provide some context for the 'enviro-shamers' which was kind of the root of this thread.
as much influence as the large cap u.s. multinationals have on the planet, unfortunately for scapegoating purposes, they dont run everything... there are plenty of non-us companies out there, big and small, peeing where we eat. the citizens of those countries need to take steps to ensure better treatment of the environment within their borders... i realize the u.s. is still not amazing but at least we're not india
I agree, for the most part. But, there are those who blame EPA regulations for U.S. companies fleeing to countries who still allow the dumping of caustic manufacturing waste into water systems. What do we want, clean water and no jobs or jobs, but with cancer causing water? Trade-offs.
Also, the basis of this thread was to say we don't need to do anything to protect the environment... other than going back in time to the 1800s.
Hail, Hail!!!