http://www.lathefamily.org/ An unconventional family in today's world en Copyright 2009 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:40:54 -0800 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss The Omnivore's Dilemma " for Christmas. Well, we drove to Utah the day after Christmas and stayed for a week (thoughts on that later, had a great time). I read the whole thing. I was intrigued by it so much, I read his later book, In Defense of Food. The basic premise of the books is that our industrial food system is bad for our health as individuals, as a society and the planet. The first book outlines how and why, the second book outlines how we can make changes in our life. Now, there are places where it gets a bit tedious. You want him to get to the point, and though the story of the hunting isn't bad, it's overly long. The first book could have outlined the 'four meals' a bit clearer (he talks about four meals he has... one based on industrial food, one on industrial organic, one on "beyond" organic and one he hunts and gathers himself), it's a bit confusing. I found myself wondering why the subtitle was a "natural history of four meals" early in the reading. The second book overstates the case in several places (especially in dental health, I think he's wrong but I don't have solid evidence... neither did he though :). Yet, in spite of these flaws, and found the books intriguing, fascinating and most of all, life changing. Before I read the books I agreed with most of what he says in them. In fact, over the last 5 years or so, we've made slow, steady progress in eating more like he recommends (whole food, not processed, organic is good, sustainable 'beyond' organic is best, lots of plants, meat and dairy in small amounts). First there was the step in learning how to save on our grocery bills and save time in preparation. Planning meals, storing food, making your own, etc. I've made huge progress there. I've cut our bills by at least half, sometimes even to a third of what it was 5 years ago. Without that step, the step to move to organic/sustainable/whole would either be really expensive or not doable. I _had_ to change how bought, planned and prepared meals and cut down our bills by at least half so that we could afford good whole food. And we have slowly made those steps. A few years ago we started getting our produce, vegetables and fruits from a CSA. I have found, that the price is comparable to non-organic, non-local food from the grocery store (with the caveat that you cook what is given to you, you can't pick and choose like at a grocery store). We switched to whole grains long ago and I make our own bread (for the most part), broth and a few other things. I also now can most of the preserves and jams we use, tomatoes and a few other things. But the books have solidified my reasoning and purpose, I'm prepared and now I think we can make the final leap and push to eating well. First step... the pantry. I had been thinking this would be a good first step, and then a friend challenged us all (on a parenting board we are on) to organize our pantries, that's all I needed... ]]> http://www.lathefamily.org/2009/01/reading_books_is_dangerous_for.shtml http://www.lathefamily.org/2009/01/reading_books_is_dangerous_for.shtml The Kitchen food health kitchen Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:40:54 -0800 Rick Warren. Here's a man who believes that homosexual relationships are crimes equal to incest and child rape. Well, given the first paragraph (opposing points of view on the same cabinet), I see what he's doing in the second paragraph. But really, it's very very difficult sitting figuratively at the same table with a man who thinks your family is akin to child rape and incest. He says he not a homophobe, but if that view isn't hateful, what the hell is? We 'sit at the table' with family and friends who think are family is inferior and, indeed, sinful (though perhaps, I'm not sure, they don't think it's as bad as incest and child rape), so I guess I grit my teeth and bear it. But there are two things for certain. I will be turning off the prayer when watching the inauguration, and I, and my friends, will NOT be silent. ]]> http://www.lathefamily.org/2008/12/obamas_choices_rick_warren.shtml http://www.lathefamily.org/2008/12/obamas_choices_rick_warren.shtml LGBT (Lesbian, Gay...) barack obama inauguration presidential election rick warren Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:28:28 -0800 I called in gay today. Ok, so I work at home, but my IM away message says I've called in gay and I'm not answering email, etc. Oh, and I'm supporting a new constitutional amendment to restore marriage to Biblical principles.]]> http://www.lathefamily.org/2008/12/called_in_gay_today.shtml http://www.lathefamily.org/2008/12/called_in_gay_today.shtml LGBT (Lesbian, Gay...) call in gay gay rights marriage marriage equality Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:57:09 -0800 Some photos here.]]> http://www.lathefamily.org/2008/12/thanksgiving_weekend.shtml http://www.lathefamily.org/2008/12/thanksgiving_weekend.shtml Memories San Francisco emma san francisco thanksgiving Mon, 01 Dec 2008 10:48:51 -0800 I posted about this 6 months ago. After we (by "we" I mean Guy) spent a year of haggling, spending and working with the city, we got permits and the contractors started tearing up sidewalk! Well, now that the rainy season (our growing season here in SF) is here, we've started planting (by 'we' I mean me). It's not completely planted, but it's on it's way. Before After tearing up and putting pavers (reused brick from a fireplace we had taken out for safety reasons) Today after some planting (still more to be done and also a bit of growing in of course) You can see more photos here. The plants are either SF Bay area natives or drought resistant plants from similar climates. Here is a link to someone who did this with their driveway in Toronto. While planting last weekend, I had three people stop to tell us how wonderful it was looking and how so thankful they were that we were doing this. Now.. if we can only get the rest of the neighborhood to go along :D. Advantages: MUCH less run off to the ocean, but better ground moisture to the plants, better looking, etc.]]> http://www.lathefamily.org/2008/11/unpaving_paradise.shtml http://www.lathefamily.org/2008/11/unpaving_paradise.shtml San Francisco environment gardening san francisco sidewalks Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:12:46 -0800