During a recent trip to a grocery coop, I overheard an interesting conversation. A woman was giving some member of her family, who was obviously visiting the area, a tour of the coop and barraging her with the benefits of eating a local, organic diet. The relative nodded politely as we all do in these situations, but upon making eye contact with me rolled her eyes at the “education” she was receiving.
What happened next, as they say, “takes the cake.” The woman stated that by eating local and organic she would, “easily live 5-10 years longer” than she normally would have. Now, I consider myself a pretty up-to-date person, but I had never heard this statistic. And upon further research (i.e. Google) found no evidence that this statement was true. So, I thought, “Why does this woman believe that by eating certain things she will dodge death?” As if a car crash wouldn’t happen on the way home, because she had organic beet salad for lunch. Then I realized what’s been bugging me about pretentious food snobs…well, a number of things actually. #1 Regardless of if you eat all organic, local, sustainable foods, you are still going to die. #2 Not everyone needs restraint/deprivation in their diet, some of us need to let go a little bit. #3 The last thing we as women need is more guilt or shame, we feel poorly about our bodies, our choices in relationship and how we raise our children…I say ENOUGH! No more playing victim to the current food movement or any other fad that promises to make us better (or live longer), if not (unable to die). Me must admit our humility, our humanity and flow through life with grace, humor and integrity instead of guilt, shame and fear.
A few years ago, while in grad school, I decided to “treat” myself to a trip to the naturopath. The woman came highly recommended and her website promised a (to treat the whole person with dignity and respect, not like seeing your medical dr.). But after 1.5 hours, I felt more shame than I had ever felt at after any doctor’s visit. After hearing my current diet - restricted meat, tons of sugar – the lovely DO told me she couldn’t help me because I wouldn’t do anything she told me to do (i.e. cut out sugar) and I left with some non-petroleum, local salve (not without an lecture on petroleum use, never mind that I took the city bus to get to the appointment and she drove her prius), a sheet of paper that said things like, “smile everyday” and “be sure to spend 15 minutes outdoors each day,” and $380 less than when I went in. Well, as soon as I left the place I burst into tears and walked all the way home, my anger growing with each step. How dare that woman judge me and my lifestyle, I came to her for help! As I walked through the poorer parts of town, my anger grew into rage. These people can’t go the coop for everything and they are still alive! I walked by people standing in line for McDonalds and ice cream and thought there can’t be one way to eat, just like there isn’t one way to live…we can’t all be bankers or lawyers or doctors and we can’t all take fish supplements or put wheat germ on our toast. And we shouldn’t feel bad about that…We need to love and trust our bodies, they will tell us what they need. And I don’t know about you, but my body rarely thinks, “mmmmm, tofu.” What is does feel is the need for protein and iron, especially during certain times of the month when those vitamins need to be replenished. Or craves chocolate when hormones are doing their thing leaving me feeling sluggish and a little sad.
So ladies, go ahead and have that red devil cupcake bite with your skinny, decaf, non-fat latte…your body just might thank you for it…
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