Eating Intentionally
January 22, 2010 – 10:45 amI was just over at Soul Veggie, where I read this:
One of the greatest opportunitities to live our values — or betray them — lies in the food we put on our plates.
I like reading sentences like this; they both articulate the message I try to live, and remind me of it anew. This is why I’m a vegetarian. I value compassion, frugality, health, environmental sustainability, and peace. Those are the things I want on my plate.
A friend and I recently watched Food Inc. together. She and I are kindof new-ish friends, so it’s new for her to be exposed to my food-culture. I don’t try to shove it down her throat, but she can’t help but notice it. Anyway, we enjoyed the movie (insofar as that movie can be enjoyed) and one of the things she said to me during it was something like: you should become an activist for this stuff, like, give talks and lobby congress and write articles, etc.
And my response was: I am an activist. Every day. My activism is in my fridge and on my plate.
I don’t think it’s in me to be an activist like she meant, although I agree with her that it’s an exciting prospect. It’s obvious to her, having known me for a few months, that I have passion for this whole Eating Intentionally thing. I think it makes sense on so many levels. But I’m not willing to argue about it with anyone. Arguing doesn’t usually change anyone’s mind about anything. The best way I can think of to change the world is by changing myself; making peace by living peace; quietly putting plants in my grocery basket, and on my plate; intentionally putting my food dollars/votes towards products that have the most peace-power. I never heard of anybody getting any peace out of arguing.*
Arguing strikes me as kindof indulgent sometimes. The point of arguing is to prove to the person you’re arguing with that you’re right, right? Isn’t that ultimately self-serving? If you do prove your point somehow, did you actually change your opponent’s mind, or did you only make them your opponent?
Plus, if you’re not arguing, then you’re not obligated to always have all the answers. I don’t have all the answers. That would never work for me.
*I can think of one exception, and that is marriage. In my experience of marriage, sometimes arguing is necessary, productive, and cathartic. That’s a reason it makes sense to marry someone who is your peer, emotionally and spiritually — you can help refine each other’s worldview.