And in doing so, I made a political statement.
The simple meal I made tonight reflected my philosophy toward my fellow human beings and my hopes for the future.
Wow, I'm sure you're saying to yourself. That must have been some chicken.
Join me for the main entree.
I have been very influenced by the many things I have read on dKos. I've learned more about economics through bonddad and Jerome a Paris diaries, and I have rethought my approach to food thanks in large part to OrangeClouds115. I have not only become engaged with what's happening here on dKos, I have embraced it.
Now for that chicken.
My dinner tonight consisted of roast chicken, polenta, peas and mixed green salad. Sounds simple enough. But consider this: the chicken came from a local organic chicken farm and was seasoned with herbs grown in my organic garden and onions from a local organic greenhouse; the polenta was made with organic cornmeal and organic chicken stock; the peas were your standard frozen, but were purchased from the food store here that pays their workers a decent wage (vs. the local WalMart which was cheaper); and the salad came from the same local organic grower who provided me with the onions. In the two short years I have been here, I have changed my whole perspective on my place in this world and how I contribute to it.
Two years ago, I wouldn't have given a shit about think globally, act locally. Two years ago, I would have been looking for the cheapest price; now I think about how my purchases actually affect small farmers. Two years ago, I would have considered "organic" hippie crap, but now I understand what it means not only my own health, but also to the health and well being of other humans and the earth. Two years ago, I didn't realize that I had, and continue to have, the power to make a difference, one action at a time, no matter how small that may seem.
Brillat-Savarin said "Tell me what you eat, and I'll tell you what you are." My dinner tonight told me that I have come a long way in my two years here. It told me that I have learned to think about the consequences of even the smallest actions. It told me that I've actually started paying attention to the bigger picture as it affects my local community. It told me that I can make a difference. And it told me that if someone like me can effectuate change with such a simple action as buying a chicken, then maybe, things aren't so bad.
So, yea, it was some chicken. And a damn fine meal to boot.