Confession: I've never had almond butter........

Shocked? I know, it's completely crazy!

Well while we're at it, I've never had VOO (vegan overnight oats for the 2 people out there who have never heard of them). Did you gasp? I don't blame ya.

Ok maybe I do....a little. The thing is I just can't get on board with the preparation involved. I can barely throw together dinner when my stomach is growling some nights never mind have to think about breakfast too. Now that doesn't mean I am not down for a healthy and satisfying breakfast, because this girl, she likes her some food in the morning. All it really means is I need something a little more on-the-go.

Enter my breakfast of champions almost every weekday.

Looks yummy don't ya think? Well it is. And its simple too. Sugar-free instant oatmeal (ya I went there, don't judge), chia seeds, blueberries and raspberries (or sliced banana depending on the day). Sometimes when I am feeling a little more adventurous I even throw in some almonds. Crazzzy!

So there you have it, a healthy living blogger who's never had two of the most popular foods out there. I'm such a weirdo.

Food Inc.

So as I promised day ago I am going to write a little about Food Inc. tonight, although in truth it could easily be a 12 part series if I really got into it. There is just so much to say about that film that its hard to know where to start (or stop) which is why its taken me days to get this out. But here I go, on my soap box, for all the world my 12 regular readers to hear:

Food Inc. disturbed me. I hid my face on more then one occasion. I considered turning it off at least 3 times. I recoiled in horror, cringed and even cried and yet I would recommend this documentary to every person, everywhere. There is so much revealed in Food Inc that is so unbelievable that it may leave you wishing that you never knew and yet the biggest problem of all is that not enough people do.

Too few people know the horrors of factory farming and the mistreatment of both workers and animals. (Click here for information)

It's not well known that the average food product travels 1,500 miles to get to the grocery store and that that contributes 30,800 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. (Read about that here)

People are not given enough exposure to the damaging effects of pesticides and food born illnesses. (Here and here)

It isn't common knowledge that 1 billion people worldwide do not have secure access to food (For more information click here)

And this is definitely not a time to be a naive or want to beg that ignorance is bliss. Knowledge is power and we need more of it.

I am shocked and appalled not only because this is going on in my backyard (and yours) but that I really didn't know it until now. Like an ostrich with my head in the sand I was blind to the fact that these types of issues are plaguing this continent. Yes I knew that organic was probably the better choice, as is vegetarian and locally grown food. And sure I even realized that access to affordable and healthy food was something that governments all around the world need to make a priority but I can honestly say I just didn't get it.

And no, Food Inc. didn't turn me into a full blown vegetarian/vegan, nor have I stormed the steps of Parliament with a petition in hand. What I have done is reconcile that I can make a difference and, if for no other reason then my own peace of mind, I have to.

Changes that I plan to make include:

• Purchasing free range chicken and eggs
• Buying more locally grown produce
• Avoiding products with high fructose corn syrup
• Buying organic when possible
• Continuing to avoid dairy products
• Examining food labels
• Continuing to eat vegetarian meals regularly

It's not a lot but for now its a start. And I think if every made little changes it really would start to add up. The industries that perpetuate this atrocities need to see that people are not going to stand for it. Threatening their bottom line is really the only way to compel them to action. Its time to take back our right to healthy, chemical free, hormone free and affordable food!

As I said, I could go on about each of these issues ad nauseum. Instead I will finish here but hope that you take a moment to read through some of this information. And if you only have time for one link may I recommend this one--> Eat Well Guide. This resource allows you to input your location (zip code or postal code) and it will provide you with links to local and organic food in your area.

So tell me, have you seen Food Inc.? Do you want to join me on my soap box and let me know what you thought?