Are you one of "those people"?

Someone close to me recently asked if I was one of “those people”  who worry about what they eat all the time, and make a big deal out of it.
The question surprised me for 2 reasons:
1.  this person has known me for most of her life..seriously, have you paid any attention to me or what I say at all? 🙂
2.  I guess I am, but what does that really mean?  Does it mean I am a “granola muncher”?  Does it mean I am a bit off my nut?  Does it mean I am…?

I have been pondering this for awhile now, and here is what I’ve come up with:

Yes, I am one of “those people”, but I don’t worry about what I eat because I think I am going to get fat.  I don’t worry about what I eat or serve others because I am concerned about fat content or calories or carbs.

I am, however, committed to feeling great every day.  I am committed to nourishing my body with the nutrients it requires so that it may function properly and to the best of its ability.  I am committed to teaching my daughter the same.

I am committed to creating and maintaining better local and sustainable food systems–because the way we currently grow and consume food (produce and meat) is not only harming us, but harming our ecosystems, our environments and all living creatures within it.

I am committed to teaching and sharing all the knowledge and the skill that I have accumulated–because it isn’t enough to just know the Canadian Food Pyramid, because it isn’t enough to just do what you have always done, because so much has changed in the food industry in the last 5, 10, 15, 20 years–we have a lot to be angry about, and they have a lot of explaining to do.

I am committed to breaking through the apathy, the doubt and the lack of knowledge that is keeping us stuck on this processed food merry-go-round, because if there is an “evil” involved here–it isn’t fat content or calories…it’s additives, preservatives, artificial flavour and colour, and unnecessary chemical “freshness maintainers”…

I am committed to helping other families eat better food–teaching them how to do it for themselves and/or offering whole, healthy food options to purchase at a fair price.

We all have to eat to survive–and I choose to thrive…not just get by.  How about you?  Want to come over to the light-side, and become one of  “those people” too?  Come on, I know you want to…

Roasted Curried Cauliflower  

1 medium head cauliflower
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon curry powder

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Wash and core the cauliflower and cut the florets into bite-size pieces. Place in a large bowl. Toss the cauliflower with the olive oil, salt and curry powder.
Turn out the cauliflower onto a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 16-18 minutes, stirring every 6-7 minutes, until the cauliflower is browned in spots and is crisp-tender. Serve immediately.