One fact in this book stood out above the rest for me and
that was in 1920 a chicken took approximately 16 weeks to reach 2.2 pounds.
Now, they can reach 5 pounds in 7 weeks.
As the author points out, this is because American farming has changed
over the last several decades with small and medium scale farms being replaced
by giant productions focused on increased productivity and efficiency. New
farming practices with new technology have doubled milk production since 1960, tripled
meat and quadrupled eggs at a rapid speed. However, the downside of this
increase is that they do not supply our country with sustainable heathy food
supply.
The author, Congressman Tim Ryan, a democrat of the
northeastern part of Ohio, lets us know who’s who that’s working for us and who
is against us, that we need to know if we are interested in real change in the
way that our country handles our food and labeling of that food. He
appropriately compares the information we are required to be given with regard
to automobiles, credit cards and banking but leaves us in the dark as far as
how our food is processed. He also compares the way that other countries demand
their food is handled and how these same standards are not required and
therefore not followed for Americans.
The amount of processed foods, potato chips, quick oats,
boxed cereals and prepared frozen or boxed meals with added ingredients that
Americans are eating are not necessary healthy for us, they are leading to an
epidemic of food related diseases including obesity, diabetes, heart disease
and cancer.
The book encourages us to make healthier choices in our food,
purchasing local and organic where possible and making some informed choices based
on how animals are raised and suggesting that it might be more humane to give
up meat and poultry altogether. However, if you do choose to remain a
carnivore, at least look at grass fed and free range alternatives.
The Congressman encourages us to vote with our purchasing
choices looking to buy fresh from local farms and leave behind the Frankenfood
in the grocery stores. Big Business concerns lobby congress and our votes don’t
have the impact that our buying choices do. The book provides many resources to
look to for answers and grass roots efforts from organizations that are willing
to help, websites and addresses are listed.
This is an important book on an important topic. He backs up
his claims with facts, figures and names names. If you are hoping to find a way
out of the health care crisis facing us, this book will inspire you to get
started locally.
I did receive a free copy of this book from Hay House
Publishing in order to write this review. I received no monetary compensation
and was not obligated to make it a positive review. I was simply asked to give
my honest opinion which I have done.
