Reading this article by Michael Pollan tonight reminded me of college. I took a class called “Controlling Processes” with Professor Laura Nader (sister of Ralph, and much more interesting). Every week, as we discussed all the different ways one can be controlled in society — standardized tests, public-space architecture, consent manufacturing (a la Noam Chomsky), and on and on… the students would often express hopelessness. Which was an endless source of disappointment for Nader. Why weren’t we inspired to action?
The first three pages of the article had me pretty depressed. Global warming, carbon footprints. And you all already know that there is no way I will voluntarily install CFLs or become a vegan.
But in the end, Pollan suggests that the revolutionary action we can take is to grow our own food. From seed.
He makes very good points about how a backyard garden connects us to the earth, to our neighbors, to our own capacity to provide food for ourselves, and is a source of exercise. He says during WWII that backyard gardens yeilded 40% of the country’s produce.
Now I can’t say I’ve grown vegetables from seed yet. But I have wanted to. So I am resolving to. Maybe not right away, but sometime soon. Jonah will enjoy backyard farming, no? And we already have the fruit trees, whose output we share with our neighbors. And we compost our kitchen scraps.
The article reminded me of the mounting concern I’m having about plastics and waste. I’ve thrown away waaaaay too many plastic bags in my time. I resolve tonight to cut it all down. We WILL take cloth bags to the Farmers’ Market. I will wash and reuse the plastic bags we have. When I studied abroad in Russia in 1991, my friends all had clotheslines and pins in the kitchen for washing and hanging their grocery bags. Not to mention that soda vendors required you to bring your own bottles, and vending machines and soda vending trucks — like tankers, full of yeasty beer-like soda — actually had glasses and little bidets so you could wash the glass, drink the soda, and return it.
A few weeks back, I saw part of a documentary on how much oil it takes to make the disposable diapers we occasionally use. As well as plastic bags, etc. I looked into biodegradable diapers, but they use that Super Absorbent Gel, which I am still currently not interested in having near my boy’s sensitive skin.
Another suggestion that Pollan makes is to observe Shabbat. One day a week: No commerce, no electricity, no driving.
This weekend, we were in L.A. for Passover, visiting family. I left my laptop at home. Scott’s laptop, for some reason, would not connect to the wireless Internet at my parents’ condo. It really felt like a vacation. We were present with each other in a different way. So much so that Pollan’s suggestion of sabbath, rather than sounding far fetched, sounds really attractive. No electricity is a far piece from no e-mail, but one day of walking, a few candles, unplugging… Let’s say I have hope. It is the way of my people, after all, or at least some of them.
Beautiful. Good work. I’ve been in a funk about plastic, too, today. Also read (skimmed) the Pollan article; the stuff he writes about has been on my mind for some time now. I was feeling grumpy and hopeless about growing our food under our circumstances. I have faith though that it will work out.
And I am carrying bags to the store most visits; and yesterday my cousin made me yogurt from scratch (which I know how to do) so no new plastic tub. One step at a time.
An electricity/internet shabbat sounds lovely. Not sure I could do it, and I know my hubby just -wouldn’t. You guys do it and invite us over for tea so he can see what it’s like…
Brava!
Great idea for home grown food. Now all that is needed is a show for The Food Channel, back yard makeover to farm!
We have been growing our own food for a while-not all of it of course, but some. My husband is very passionate about getting people into doing their own edible landscaping. He started a landscaping business here two years ago with that premise and has our garden featured in a new book you might be interested in called “Edible Estates: Attack on Your Front Lawn”. For the last two summers we have had plenty of potatoes, onions, and carrots to last us several months, among other things, and there just is nothing like eating organically home grown food. It is so easy to grow herbs, so I suggest anyone who doesn’t already have one get started with an herb garden.
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What do you think about gDiapers? I clicked on the super absorbent gel link and found that gDiapers are not recommended by cloth fans. My first baby is due in August (I got on that roller coaster!) and I thought I would use gDiapers. Guess I need to do more research. Hearing about your experiences is so helpful for a newbie like myself. Thanks!
btw – I have been using my own bags for shopping for many years even for farmers markets, and drink out of metal bottles. Many a time (in the past) have I cleaned out my car and thrown away 10 or more water bottles. Oh the guilt!
Growing up my parents had most of the “yard” in various garden patches and fruit trees. The front strip of lawn between the sidewalk and the street that most people had was the tomato growing area. I love gardens and have had my own over the years. Looking forward to settling in to a home and planting more than just a container garden.
You guys are awesome! I hope I can report tomatoes and carrots growing at our house one day! Love the TV show idea Dad.
Hey Tesha — we use Tushies diapers. They’re the only disposable brand I know of that are gel-free.