DDOORN
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Junking Junk Food

Friday, November 26, 2010

Here is a great article which touches on a topic I feel SO STRONGLY about!

Junking Junk Food:

www.nytimes.com/2010/11/
28/magazine/28FOB-wwln-t.html

On Black Friday, one of the most commercial days of the year, I'm feeling very anti-establishment. I've discovered that folks in Vancouver, BC started dubbing this as Buy Nothing Day! Love it! Great motto: Buy Nothing --- Value Everything!

So: along these lines regarding the choices we make when it comes to food, we are swimming against a tidal wave of advertising dollars which promote unhealthy food choices. And it's working, It's effective. Look at our similar tidal wave of skyrocketing obesity rates!

Here's an earlier rant of mine:

Fighting Corporate Control of Our Bodies!
www.sparkpeople.com/mypa
ge_public_journal_individu
al.asp?blog_id=1353895

On this most commercial of days I would just encourage everyone to think twice not only of course about food choices, but about all expenditure choices. Do we REALLY NEED that (fill in the blank) ...? Are there more meaningful ways we could be spending our time and money...? Do we really want to show corporations that their advertising dollars are going to pay off and influence our choices?

My wallet is staying in my pocket today and I'm spending my time with my family.

How about you?

Have a SPARKIN' Day everyone!

Don
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Member Comments About This Blog Post
  • no profile photo CD6184599
    Love the idea of Junking Junk Food! I don't even let the stuff in my house anymore. Too tempting!
    3678 days ago
  • APPYMORGAN
    I have never gone shopping on Black Friday. I hate crowds and consumerism. I am in debt but it's mostly because too many times I have had to choose buying food for my kids over paying my credit card which I used to buy needed clothes. The more money I have made the more I find myself spending and we go out way too much. going out is my big waste of money and it is not good for me either health or financial wise.
    My goal for next year, starting now is to spend only what is necessary and budget tightly, I want to buy a house or condo, not a bunch of dinners out or some "thing".
    I love the motto "Buy nothing-Value everything" I am putting it up on my wall of sayings I have collected.
    Kristi
    emoticon emoticon emoticon
    3699 days ago
  • ZELLAZM
    Germans are often amazed when I tell them about Black Friday. Not that German people don't go shopping, but the madhouse that takes place on the Friday after Thanksgiving is something strange for them!

    I like that "Buy Nothing - Value Everything!" It's a good slogan for many days for me right now as I work to get out of debt and stick to a budget.

    Thanks for sharing the links!

    Michelle
    3701 days ago
  • LIVINGONMYTERMS
    I always hated Black Friday--as far as I am concerned Christmas doesn't begin until December 16th. I guess I am "old school" when it comes to the holidays. emoticon
    3704 days ago
  • ALYFITN
    Don, this is right on!!! I love your thinking. I bought nothing on Black Friday--spent the day with a 88 year old relative instead.
    3704 days ago
  • DAVEINSEOUL
    Fortunately, I live in a country that doesn't have a 'Black Friday' tradition. Even when I did, I always, always "opted out" of Black Friday.

    Who needs the stress?
    3705 days ago
  • MOMOF3NEWYORK
    I'm with you. We stayed home, I organized paperwork & recycled BAGS of it, then entertained friends in the evening. Who needs "Black Friday", other than the retailers?? no see, no want!! emoticon
    3706 days ago
  • JESPAH
    Exactly!

    Wouldn't shock me one bit if there's a connection between hoarding clothes and consumer goods, and hoarding food and intaking too much of it.
    3707 days ago
  • HEALTHY_CAROLYN
    I didn't buy a thing today or visit a store, but I did get in a wonderful hike with DH. That's the kind of way I want to "spend" my day.
    3707 days ago
  • L*I*T*A*
    great blog with much food for thought!!!
    blessings and hugs.............lita
    3707 days ago
  • YELLOWDAHLIA
    Lol- nothing will get me to leave the house today!
    I will stay in my cozy, warm, dry house and laugh at everyone fighting the rat race today.
    3707 days ago
  • DAYHIKER
    In complete agreement with you! I don't window shop because I would just see something I wanted that I don't need and am fine without. I also agree that you are a good roll model! emoticon

    emoticon Cindy in Indiana
    3708 days ago
  • _VALEO_
    Love your blog! We are having ads over here asking us to think twice when we buy. Bottom line every French family throws about 8 kg of fresh foods a year per person (and many kilos of what is used to be perfectly good breads)... when others suffer from starvation right below our windows. Insane. Like Maha, the problem isn't only "junk food" it affects everything.
    Can you imagine that now they produce fridges or TV with a life span so we can buy a new one after 5 years!!

    We all need to buy less, package-free, and to buy what is nearby, it is a win-win situation for our purse and for the Earth.


    3708 days ago
  • VALERIEMAHA
    Brilliant blog and a man after my own heart! Anti-Establishmentarians ARISE!

    Oh my -- nothing short of, oh, about a $1 million bribe would get me out there in the consumer reality today (I know, I know...hypocrite...we all have our price, Don).

    My problem isn't junk food, though I understand its impact in the larger culture. PORTION CONTROL of all the whole, organic unprocessed foods I eat would be my nemesis. I'm shakin' it all out, moment-by-moment, to get back on-track.

    Thanks for ALL YOU ADD to this extraordinary SparkWorld, Don. Not ONLY are you the supreme model of what SparkPeople stands for as a wellness resource with your 120 lb. loss and completion of the 100+ miles Century Ride, but you are the SparkPeople KING of the UNIVERSE of SparkersPlayItForward.org!!!
    an> emoticon
    Maha





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    3708 days ago

    Comment edited on: 11/26/2010 1:04:36 PM
  • no profile photo WCSTATEN
    I agree! It's up 2 us 2 save us!
    3708 days ago

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