Conflicted views over the abundance of food [20]Comments on: http://www.ilaxstudio.com/blog/2009/12/22/conflicted-views-over-the-abundance-of-food/ Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. Wed, 15 Feb 2012 01:44:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: martymankins http://www.ilaxstudio.com/blog/2009/12/22/conflicted-views-over-the-abundance-of-food/#comment-15786 martymankins Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:04:32 +0000 http://www.ilaxstudio.com/blog/?p=6048#comment-15786 I always overeat at the holidays. Most of it is that I drink a lot (both alcohol and non alcohol), which tends to fill me up faster. I've tried to eat smaller portions at each sitting, which works most of the time, but then I find a food that I really like and tend to eat more than I should of that item. Potatoes... homemade mashed are my weakness. .-= Author's last blog post... <a href="http://www.banalleakage.com/2009/12/28/top-albums-of-2009/" rel="nofollow">Top Albums of 2009</a> =-. I always overeat at the holidays. Most of it is that I drink a lot (both alcohol and non alcohol), which tends to fill me up faster. I’ve tried to eat smaller portions at each sitting, which works most of the time, but then I find a food that I really like and tend to eat more than I should of that item. Potatoes… homemade mashed are my weakness.
.-= Author’s last blog post… Top Albums of 2009 =-.

]]> By: jillian http://www.ilaxstudio.com/blog/2009/12/22/conflicted-views-over-the-abundance-of-food/#comment-15729 jillian Sun, 27 Dec 2009 15:58:48 +0000 http://www.ilaxstudio.com/blog/?p=6048#comment-15729 I saved reading this until I could really give thought to my response. I often feel this way, and not just at the holidays. I feel this way when I see overindulgence at weddings, birthdays...anywhere. I have a very difficult time with homelessness and hunger. In my own little way, I try to be a champion for the cause. There is not much I can do, but every little bit makes a difference. As one commenter said, it is illegal for RESTURANTS to give out leftover food...but not people. People can donate food anytime. In the past I have worked in kitchens and with a program called "Food Not Bombs" which both cater to the homeless. Like Robin, I work and attend school in an area where I see this daily. I have seen the people who buy their food with crumpled up dollars from the dollar store. Should we feel bad because we live a certain way? I don't think so. Like you, I am grateful. Very very grateful. And I do try to give back. It is a balance, at least for me. The best thing I have done...and I would recommend to anyone looking to help the homeless, is join "Back on my Feet." In 2010, I am going to run for them. It is an amazing charity that promotes healthy living while trying to help those in need get.back on their feet :) This answer was unorganized but I hope I was able to convey my thoughts. .-= Author's last blog post... <a href="http://onelittletrigirl.wordpress.com/2009/12/27/bye-bye-christmas/" rel="nofollow">Bye, Bye Christmas</a> =-. I saved reading this until I could really give thought to my response.

I often feel this way, and not just at the holidays. I feel this way when I see overindulgence at weddings, birthdays…anywhere. I have a very difficult time with homelessness and hunger. In my own little way, I try to be a champion for the cause. There is not much I can do, but every little bit makes a difference.

As one commenter said, it is illegal for RESTURANTS to give out leftover food…but not people. People can donate food anytime. In the past I have worked in kitchens and with a program called “Food Not Bombs” which both cater to the homeless.

Like Robin, I work and attend school in an area where I see this daily. I have seen the people who buy their food with crumpled up dollars from the dollar store. Should we feel bad because we live a certain way? I don’t think so. Like you, I am grateful. Very very grateful. And I do try to give back. It is a balance, at least for me.

The best thing I have done…and I would recommend to anyone looking to help the homeless, is join “Back on my Feet.” In 2010, I am going to run for them. It is an amazing charity that promotes healthy living while trying to help those in need get.back on their feet :)

This answer was unorganized but I hope I was able to convey my thoughts.
.-= Author’s last blog post… Bye, Bye Christmas =-.

]]> By: Jen512 http://www.ilaxstudio.com/blog/2009/12/22/conflicted-views-over-the-abundance-of-food/#comment-15628 Jen512 Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:06:38 +0000 http://www.ilaxstudio.com/blog/?p=6048#comment-15628 My uncle met my aunt in Poland in the early 80s. Back then it was still Soviet Poland and when he brought her over to the states, the first time they went to a grocery store she was so overwhelmed she cried and they had to leave. Coming from knowing nothing but bread lines, the abundance of food was a shock for her. It's a touching story, but does an experience like that really translate into a humble lifestyle in the end? Not really, they live in million dollar house in LA, and I doubt they think of food shortages anymore. Very thought provoking topic you've written about! People need to stop and think about how politics and environmental issues affect the food they eat, not only the quantity of it, but the quality and the cost as well. And for those of us who can afford to eat what we want, when we want it, a moment to feel gratitude as well. .-= Author's last blog post... <a href="http://jen512.wordpress.com/2009/12/11/i-dont-think-this-is-part-of-a-balanced-breakfast/" rel="nofollow">I don’t think this is part of a balanced breakfast…</a> =-. My uncle met my aunt in Poland in the early 80s. Back then it was still Soviet Poland and when he brought her over to the states, the first time they went to a grocery store she was so overwhelmed she cried and they had to leave. Coming from knowing nothing but bread lines, the abundance of food was a shock for her.

It’s a touching story, but does an experience like that really translate into a humble lifestyle in the end? Not really, they live in million dollar house in LA, and I doubt they think of food shortages anymore.

Very thought provoking topic you’ve written about! People need to stop and think about how politics and environmental issues affect the food they eat, not only the quantity of it, but the quality and the cost as well. And for those of us who can afford to eat what we want, when we want it, a moment to feel gratitude as well.
.-= Author’s last blog post… I don’t think this is part of a balanced breakfast… =-.

]]> By: Erin http://www.ilaxstudio.com/blog/2009/12/22/conflicted-views-over-the-abundance-of-food/#comment-15600 Erin Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:59:32 +0000 http://www.ilaxstudio.com/blog/?p=6048#comment-15600 You're not the only person who feels that way. I was grossed out and appalled at the amount of food we were served at a work lunch function at a restaurant downtown. They'd ordered for three times as many people that showed up but the restaurant made the same amount of food. I don't think I could ever eat at that restaurant again because I was horrified at the amounts on the plates. The only positive? They did let us box up the untouched stuff to take the soup kitchen at the university's church. I guess I'm sort of a hypocrite, too, because I try not to think about it when I'm on the cruise ship. I KNOW they throw out a ton of food, but I sort of put my blinders on for a week. .-= Author's last blog post... <a href="http://eri-thon.blogspot.com/2009/12/winter-misery-one-miler.html" rel="nofollow">Winter Misery One Miler</a> =-. You’re not the only person who feels that way. I was grossed out and appalled at the amount of food we were served at a work lunch function at a restaurant downtown. They’d ordered for three times as many people that showed up but the restaurant made the same amount of food. I don’t think I could ever eat at that restaurant again because I was horrified at the amounts on the plates. The only positive? They did let us box up the untouched stuff to take the soup kitchen at the university’s church.

I guess I’m sort of a hypocrite, too, because I try not to think about it when I’m on the cruise ship. I KNOW they throw out a ton of food, but I sort of put my blinders on for a week.
.-= Author’s last blog post… Winter Misery One Miler =-.

]]> By: Mica http://www.ilaxstudio.com/blog/2009/12/22/conflicted-views-over-the-abundance-of-food/#comment-15562 Mica Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:12:41 +0000 http://www.ilaxstudio.com/blog/?p=6048#comment-15562 Wow, I would probably talk about the amount of food forever too. I do always feel bad at family gatherings because it seems like if there is "just enough" food, that would be considered "too little." And inevitably, the host pawns off leftovers on people by saying, "No, please! We can't eat all of this." That always makes me feel like we wasted a lot, but thankfully, my family is big on leftovers! .-= Author's last blog post... <a href="http://micapie.blogspot.com/2009/12/my-knee-and-pride-hurt.html" rel="nofollow">My knee and pride hurt.</a> =-. Wow, I would probably talk about the amount of food forever too. I do always feel bad at family gatherings because it seems like if there is “just enough” food, that would be considered “too little.” And inevitably, the host pawns off leftovers on people by saying, “No, please! We can’t eat all of this.” That always makes me feel like we wasted a lot, but thankfully, my family is big on leftovers!
.-= Author’s last blog post… My knee and pride hurt. =-.

]]> By: Erin http://www.ilaxstudio.com/blog/2009/12/22/conflicted-views-over-the-abundance-of-food/#comment-15553 Erin Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:45:40 +0000 http://www.ilaxstudio.com/blog/?p=6048#comment-15553 There's definitely something to be said in realizing that there's an enormous overabundance of food in much of the US. When I lived in Korea, our grocery store had one of everything, like it or not. One type of carrots, one type of tomatoes, one kind of pasta, etc... The bread shelf was pitiful compared to a US supermarket. To answer your question on my blog, I spent the year after uni graduation teaching English in South Korea and was able to save quite a bit of money that way. I'm spending the next few months traveling and then I need to find a proper job. *sigh* .-= Author's last blog post... <a href="http://postcards-from-the-world.blogspot.com/2009/12/oh-places-youll-go.html" rel="nofollow">Oh, the places you'll go!</a> =-. There’s definitely something to be said in realizing that there’s an enormous overabundance of food in much of the US. When I lived in Korea, our grocery store had one of everything, like it or not. One type of carrots, one type of tomatoes, one kind of pasta, etc… The bread shelf was pitiful compared to a US supermarket.

To answer your question on my blog, I spent the year after uni graduation teaching English in South Korea and was able to save quite a bit of money that way. I’m spending the next few months traveling and then I need to find a proper job. *sigh*
.-= Author’s last blog post… Oh, the places you’ll go! =-.

]]> By: Lindsay Perrone http://www.ilaxstudio.com/blog/2009/12/22/conflicted-views-over-the-abundance-of-food/#comment-15548 Lindsay Perrone Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:03:02 +0000 http://www.ilaxstudio.com/blog/?p=6048#comment-15548 I hate wasting food but I've certainly never been around THAT much food. Food stations in every room? Nuts. What makes me feel bad is post-party clean up when you are literally throwing platefuls away. Hopefully people took their dishes home and ate em up. I've never been overwhelmed like that before though. More of an individual overwhelmed when there's so much and I'm scared of eating it all. As far as your grocery shop goes, no worries-you are hosting guests-having a ton of food is all part of it. Merry Christmas friend. .-= Author's last blog post... <a href="http://goodiesgalore.wordpress.com/2009/12/22/not-the-most-balanced-day/" rel="nofollow">Not the most balanced day</a> =-. I hate wasting food but I’ve certainly never been around THAT much food. Food stations in every room? Nuts. What makes me feel bad is post-party clean up when you are literally throwing platefuls away. Hopefully people took their dishes home and ate em up.
I’ve never been overwhelmed like that before though. More of an individual overwhelmed when there’s so much and I’m scared of eating it all. As far as your grocery shop goes, no worries-you are hosting guests-having a ton of food is all part of it. Merry Christmas friend.
.-= Author’s last blog post… Not the most balanced day =-.

]]> By: Leah http://www.ilaxstudio.com/blog/2009/12/22/conflicted-views-over-the-abundance-of-food/#comment-15546 Leah Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:04:54 +0000 http://www.ilaxstudio.com/blog/?p=6048#comment-15546 I can totally understand that feeling. I feel awful everytime I throw something away. My mom sends me home with food all the time and I just CANT eat it all so it gets thrown away. Its such a waste. .-= Author's last blog post... <a href="http://whydeprive.wordpress.com/2009/12/22/comfort-food-and-lovely-compliments-from-my-boyfriend/" rel="nofollow">Comfort Food and Lovely “Compliments” From My Boyfriend</a> =-. I can totally understand that feeling. I feel awful everytime I throw something away. My mom sends me home with food all the time and I just CANT eat it all so it gets thrown away. Its such a waste.
.-= Author’s last blog post… Comfort Food and Lovely “Compliments” From My Boyfriend =-.

]]> By: Peanut Butter Bliss http://www.ilaxstudio.com/blog/2009/12/22/conflicted-views-over-the-abundance-of-food/#comment-15544 Peanut Butter Bliss Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:51:52 +0000 http://www.ilaxstudio.com/blog/?p=6048#comment-15544 I would feel SO overwhelemed too if there was that much food!! It makes me feel bad about all the others who can't afford food during this time of the year :[ glad to hear the party was fun though .-= Author's last blog post... <a href="http://peanutbutterbliss.wordpress.com/2009/12/22/catchin-up/" rel="nofollow">Catchin UP</a> =-. I would feel SO overwhelemed too if there was that much food!! It makes me feel bad about all the others who can’t afford food during this time of the year :[

glad to hear the party was fun though
.-= Author’s last blog post… Catchin UP =-.

]]> By: Kate http://www.ilaxstudio.com/blog/2009/12/22/conflicted-views-over-the-abundance-of-food/#comment-15542 Kate Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:33:28 +0000 http://www.ilaxstudio.com/blog/?p=6048#comment-15542 I constantly think about how much food we have in the States, how much we waste and how there should be no such thing as world hunger. When I look at the number of loaves of bread at Jewel and think about how many of those will just be tossed because they're past the expiration date, it makes me angry. I understand that certain laws are in place to keep people safe and healthy, but really? A loaf of bread that's one day past its expiration date can't be donated to a local food shelter or given to a homeless person on the street? That makes no sense. I eat English muffins past their expiration date on a regular basis. There's nothing wrong with sour cream that's a few days past its date. I sometimes cook with eggs or milk that's a little expired. Hell, my grandmother never even refrigerated mayonnaise and no one ever got sick. I am so tired of the waste! (Can you tell? ;)) I constantly think about how much food we have in the States, how much we waste and how there should be no such thing as world hunger. When I look at the number of loaves of bread at Jewel and think about how many of those will just be tossed because they’re past the expiration date, it makes me angry. I understand that certain laws are in place to keep people safe and healthy, but really? A loaf of bread that’s one day past its expiration date can’t be donated to a local food shelter or given to a homeless person on the street? That makes no sense. I eat English muffins past their expiration date on a regular basis. There’s nothing wrong with sour cream that’s a few days past its date. I sometimes cook with eggs or milk that’s a little expired. Hell, my grandmother never even refrigerated mayonnaise and no one ever got sick. I am so tired of the waste! (Can you tell? ;) )

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