Mindful Consumption: Do I Take the Red Pill?

I watched an interview with Michael Pollan, author of "Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation," on the discussion topic of Mindful Eating. He said something that I've been pondering for days:

"We effect nature more through our eating choices than anything else we do."

Huge statement to consider. What are all the conditions that brought my dinner to table? Soil, seeds, a farmer's land, sunshine, water, grain, sacrifice of life, worker's hands, vehicles, gas, packaging, markets, cooking energy, precious time, plate, utensils....on and on and on, each a choice that represents my values and what's dear to me. Mind-blowing contemplation actually. Then, there's the process of being in communion with all the conditions that brought the offerings of the earth to my plate, simply by mindfully ingesting it into my body.

Interestingly, two days before I watched Michael's interview, I had two food experiences that drove home the above truth--we effect nature more through our eating choices than anything else we do. The first was an experience at Taco John's, a place suggested by a friend who was visiting from out of town. She was so excited because there's only one of them in her home state of Nevada and we just happened to be right down the road from the restaurant. How could I say no--I soon discovered why there's one Taco John's in the entire state!

I ordered what she ordered, figuring she knew her stuff--a crispy chicken potato burrito. Holy Lord, I stifled a gasp when the tray came out. Not only did it come with a bucket of about 20 fried tater tots (I ordered small, no super size!), but these tater tots were also stuffed inside the burrito alongside breaded chicken (thus the crispy, oh I get it....). Everything tasted as one salty fat-filmed blob. In all seriousness, Taco John's was a life changing experience. There was nothing natural on my plate other than a few strands of shredded lettuce, and as I ingested, I was struck by the complete remaking of nature.

Now....fast forward to the next day, where I visited a very different restaurant (recommended by a friend who insists on healthy eating)--Great Full Gardens. Beautiful, whole, organic, fresh food was served. I ordered a Kale salad with cabbage, mushrooms and onions sauteed in coconut oil. My body soaked it up. The following evening, I watched the full Michael Pollan's interview. I am forever amazed at sweet life and how it seems to provide me with very ripe opportunities to practice living mindfully and making choices that benefit well-being, not just for myself but for all beings--which of course includes Momma Nature. Ok, you'all, I just reserved The Omnivore's Dilemma by Pollan from the library, when it arrives, I'm swallowing the red pill....