World Food Day - think before you eat!

What better time to dust off the blog than to post regarding World Food Day.  When I read that phrase, I immediately think of food production and food insecurity in third world countries, but upon further contemplation, food insecurity in industrialized countries is an ever-increasing problem, too.  I know how incredibly fortunate I am not only live in a society where food of different types is readily available and easily affordable. I am also educated enough to know where my food comes from and how it is grown.

On a different angle, I can't help but think of the brief time I spent in Russia during my junior year of high school.  The difference in food culture from that of my own was significant in a number of ways.  Yes, food was prepared differently yet it was also presented differently.  During school, we sat down and were served our meals, usually in at least three courses. The idea of self-service was practically non-existent. I felt completely humbled by the hospitality, and wished we had been much more accommodating when my student, Julia, stayed with us.

Another facet of the hospitality shown by my host family was the fact that they purchased food items they would not normally buy to suit my palette. It is extremely difficult to fully ascertain the financial lengths they went to, but I have never forgotten it. This year, with the World Food Day discussion revolving around food prices and reducing the impact of their volatility, it's worthwhile to really step back and consider our consumption and its effects on others. We must also assess the factors that contribute to the expenses of food production and transportation of food goods to an increasingly urban planet.

Ultimately, food is provided by the earth, assisted by farmers' stewardship across the globe. Each of us need food for sustenance and growth; some of us consume more than we should, and yet, there are still too many people on this planet unable to meet their nutritional needs to survive and thrive. I don't know if we can solve the challenges of malnutrition and starvation, but we must continue to try.

For more information on World Food Day, be sure to check out the website of Food and Agriculture Organizations of the United Nations.

Feast or famine

The saying "feast or famine" popped in my head when I thought of my social media activity today.  Suddenly, after not having tweeted in several days, I've tweeted/retweeted others a combined five times today.  I almost feel the need to apologize for the flurry of activity. Yet most people probably realize by now, this type of activity is sporadic for me.

And then there is my blog.  I seem to go through periods of "famine" in the sense that I don't blog AT ALL, and then I blog fairly regularly.  But I really think I can change that. Really. I'm totally serious this time.

On a more somber note, though, the title of my post also applies to the Lose-A-Palooza event going on today by WeightWatchers, as part of their  "Lose For Good" campaign.  I've just passed my three month anniversary with WeightWatchers Online, and have dropped 15.4 pounds and 2.5 inches off my waist. I do think it's a great program.  On top of the regular program and its benefits, though, WeightWatchers has teamed up with the organizations Share Our Strength and Action Against Hunger in an effort to end childhood hunger in the U.S.  It's difficult to fathom that there are people - especially children - in a country as wealthy as ours going hungry each day. Yet, it is something that I think we can address and resolve, particularly since our agricultural producers are so efficient in creating healthy food for everyone in this country.  I'm not sure what the solution to the problem of hunger is, but I am sure we can find one if we make it a priority.

Luke Bryan was right - rain is a good thing!!

We have had a bit of a dry spell here in central Maine, so today's rain is very welcome. Personally, I do not grow crops to speak of, but my mother and I have a small garden that's quite thirsty.  Frankly, I think everyone should have a garden or access to some sort of garden in which they have to provide labor to help its production.  I grew up on a farm, but still, I never worried about crop production. With gardening, not only am I concerned about the needs of individual plants and weeding, but the weather becomes a constant reminder of the potential security of finances and food over the coming winter months. Although it's somewhat comforting to know that should the potatoes really, truly be lost (as it appears they are), we can still find spuds in the store. Yet, for farmers to lose a crop - there isn't a back-up option. So when I hear the soft rain falling outside, not only am I thankful for our plants being nurtured by Mother Nature, but I am also thankful for the farmers receiving what they need as well. As my grandfather once said, "You never realize that the rain coming down out of the sky means literally thousands of dollars."  In many ways, rain is a good thing.