I care.

I was recently asked what I really care about....like really, really cared about. I had to stop and think. I consider myself open to almost all ideas. I love to learn, ask questions, agree, disagree. I often think that I could be wrong, or I could be right, I don't know. I'm not sure this is a bad thing. I think it's good to be open, willing to learn.

I also think if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything.

So, to answer the question, I decided to really think about the things I really do care about. I'm going to start with animals. I wasn't always such a big animal lover. Well, maybe I was, and just didn't know. I have a fear of raw meat. It is something I have never gotten over. I can't look at it, I definitely can't touch it, and it just grosses me out. Why anyone would want to eat something that looks like that is beyond me.

Moving on. I eat meat. I don't really enjoy it, but I've never committed to being 100% vegetarian. When I say I eat meat...I mean, when I want Skyline Chili once every other month, or someone makes me dinner that includes meat. I don't cook meat, I don't buy meat, I do eat it on occasion. Honestly, I could be done eating meat tomorrow. I think the only reason I eat meat, is I'm lazy and a little selfish (chicken fingers taste good!).

Moving on again. This post isn't about meat eating. It's about caring. I know one thing I am really passionate about is our food. I eat 3-6 times a day. I literally put things in my body. Like inside of it. I care what they are.

I remember when I first learned about pesticides. I was in third grade. I learned about the dangers of the run-off and how it was ruining the ecosystem and killing the fish, etc. etc. It sounded awful. I guess I didn't make the connection at the time, but I'm eating what's killing the ecosystem. I am eating chemicals. Gross.

Loving animals. Hating chemicals. That's only the beginning. We have a HUGE problem on our hands, and I'm anxious to start to fix it.

We all know smoking is bad, right? People still do it anyway. Cigarettes are addictive, and I get it's not that easy to stop smoking them. People inhale chemicals all day long while smoking cigarettes. Think of all the change that has happened in the "world of smoking". You can now not even smoke in public in Ohio. Well, you can, but not inside, not within a certain number of feet of a building/public place, not in stadiums, not in bars, etc. etc. Progress. People who don't choose to pollute themselves, no longer have to be subject to it (smoking wise).

Food is the same way. Only it's going to be a whole lot easier. Pesticides are not addictive people. Every time you shop, you make a choice. Think about what you are buying and vote for organic.

Well, organic costs more. Good argument. But I guarantee you will spend all that extra money (if not more) on health costs to make up for the crap you are eating. You will buy into crazy diet schemes to lose weight. You will have to buy high cholesterol, high blood pressure medicine. You will get diabetes. You will spend more on healthcare.

All I am saying is to think about it, learn about, care about it. I know not everyone cares. I can't make anyone care. People still smoke and make bad choices for their body. But, we all don't have to suffer because of other peoples bad decisions. We can make small changes one step at time. I can't sit here and convince you, but I do care, and challenge you to watch Food, Inc. It sums up what I am saying and then some. I learned a lot. Take a look at the trailer. You can rent it on Amazon for $2.99 or get it at any retail renting store.

Back to my original question. I care what I eat. I choose organic as often as possible. I still don't eat 100% organic by any means, but I truly believe every little bit helps, and I'm going to make an impact on someone, somewhere, someday.