Non-consumers, not "Mindful Consumers".

There is an essay at AlterNet food by one Katherine Paul about how, in the face of the incoming administration, we need to be more "mindful consumers.

Baloney!!

We need to become non-consumers. We need to make, mend, repair, use up, do without. First. Then we need to patronize local repairpersons and crafts persons, paying or bartering what those person's efforts are worth. When there is an item we must have, we need to check out 2nd hand sources first. WallyWorld or the equivalent as a last resort, and then only for the specific item needed. If we have extra stuff, we need to share with others, preferably on a one to one basis, or through whatever charitable org., Church, Jaycees, Goodwill, one happens to respect.

The world is awash in stuff which only needs to be more fairly redistributed.

As far as food itself is concerned, if I am throwing food away, that means I bought too much. Next time I buy less, and then I might be able to afford a better quality. For people with kids, consider:

Quesadillas, which is a toasted cheese sandwich made with a tortilla instead of bread. I never yet met a kid who wouldn't eat quesadillas.

Pasta alfredo, which, in simplest form, is noodles ( you can call it 'noodles' if 'pasta alfredo' sounds too fancy) oil, or butter, or bacon fat and grated cheese. If there is an Italian grocer near you, you can get parmesan by weight, and it will be cheaper and fresher than what Safeway has.

Kids who hate vegetables will usually eat fruit, and they are capable of understanding that those are bought only when in season. The hated veges can be blended into soups and sauces, or shredded for inclusion in meatloafs.

Americans used to be producers, not consumers, and we need to be producers again. There is a reason BushBaby told Americans to keep shopping, because that kept the profits flowing to his buddies.

If one is able to walk, not ride, that means you are not paying private taxes to the oil companies, to the auto dealers, nor to the insurance companies. I understand that is not possible for everyone, but now, when the auto industry is loosing money, is the time for all us of us petition our local govts. for more and better public transportation.

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Imo many will be forced or already are into this position or lifestyle and with our new POTUS things will probably get worse before they get better. Although I have not been forced into ( at least not yet) into doing many of the things you mentioned it is a choice for me and I have been doing many of them for a while now. The waste in this country really bothers me because so much of it is due to unnecessary consumerism. I don't think there is a better way to send a message to the Corps and TPTB than with your pocketbook. It also will give you a good feeling knowing you are helping mom and pop business, Those with less than you and cutting your contribution to the waste.

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I think this is an area where us boomers can be showing some leadership by example. BY EXAMPLE. not by haranguing people. Most of us are retired, we don't have to impress a boss or maintain a social position, and there is a lot of fun to be had in doing for oneself.

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Mary Bennett

detroitmechworks's picture

Good local food, local crafts, and local computers. (Yep, Built my own from recycled parts! I think this counts as second-hand local sustainability. )

And Quesadillas are indeed popular with kids and grown-ups alike. Especially if you use different blends of cheeses. (Currently I use a 5 cheese blend which greatly enhances the flavor, especially when lightly browned with olive oil. Muenster, Provolone, Colby, Monterey Jack, and Cotija) Add in a little homemade guac (If you can find avocado locally, which is hard...)

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I do not pretend I know what I do not know.

PriceRip's picture

          All that and a progressive police force · · · well · · · at least so far, so good · · ·

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detroitmechworks's picture

I don't want to be anywhere near California if I can help it.

(You do have a very nice Library in Medford, though. And Bruce Campbell. And Shakespeare.)

I personally love my little ethnic area that hasn't been gentrified. YET.

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I do not pretend I know what I do not know.

PriceRip's picture

          Northern California isn't so bad, except the "State of Jefferson" stuff is a bit strong with some here. However, I have met some very nice (as in sane and smart) people from Yreka and nearby areas.

          To be honest, I envy you a bit. I still think of Portland as my hometown even though my parents moved us to the "Eastern Desert" when I was 3 months old. As for gentrified, much too much, too fast, as in many populated areas. I am certain the homes I remember have all been "updated" (as in razed and replaced) by now.

          Back on topic: Reality Check please. What is the situation in the Willamette Valley, are smaller farms holding their own against the push toward corporatizing. The Rogue River Valley has a lot of smaller farms and organic, and localvor attitudes are strong in this community. Four years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting/greeting a recently immigrating creative couple. They had some awesome plans in the works. If I am able to reestablish a connection with them, I will write about their projects.
          Even though I know a few good local farmers here, Nebraska long ago sprinted off the corporatizing precipice on its way to hell.

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the Rogue River Valley is a lovely area and a kind of center for organic and sustainable farming. Do you happen to know, was anyone ever arrested for going by dark of night and uprooting a field of GMO sugar beets on land being leased by Syngenta? Not an American company, BTW, and it refused to say where else it was leasing fields. The Portland FBI office was supposed to be involved--on behalf of a foreign agribuz company!

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Mary Bennett

PriceRip's picture

          For the most part major players are "invisible". For example the ConAgra facility has a very large Dekalb logo displayed and the ConAgra connection is on a smaller roadside sign.

          Nebraskans seem to be unaware or simply do not care.

          Do you happen to know, was anyone ever arrested for going by dark of night and uprooting a field of GMO sugar beets on land being leased by Syngenta?

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such as onions, green peppers, cabbage, spinach can add to them as well...but if kids won't eat it...kinda defeats that intent.

The best way to get kids to eat vegetables is to include them from the start, and eat them yourself. Also, making an effort to make them more palatable than wallpaper paste is easy enough with a little butter, red vinegar, and seasonings. Try a simple cheese sauce over the brocolli, or cauliflower ( medium white sauce of 2 Tbsp butter, two Tbsp flour, spices like dill, basil (that are easy to grow at home) blend over low heat, then add a cup of milk, stir until thickened and bubbly, then melt in cheese and blend...don't overcook. Takes a few minutes, but adds to a meal. Good with meats, chicken, fish and bread too!! The following isn't meant for you Detroit, but parents everywhere.
I was blessed as a single dad with a kid who ate everything put in front of him... asparagus, broccolli, sweet potatoes, squash, greens...even liver and onions:-> The other way to get them to eat vegetables is to give them no choice...they will eat eventually. Being a short order cook for a bratty kid is a full time job, and strictly the parents fault in most cases. When they don't eat what you cook for the rest of the family, don't give them the fall back hot dog, or pizza roll crap...give them a cup of yogurt, or oatmeal. Children are not born dieticians, and shouldn't be given that role until they are adults buying their own food...and healthcare.

Yes. I was a Crabby Daddy!! My kid, at 18 is truly grateful for feeding him well. It doesn't cost much more, and you will save in health and dental care.... All My Opinion!!

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PriceRip's picture

          When we go to restaurants my granddaughter loves to snitch my share of the broccoli, particularly if it is raw or lightly steamed. I think she gets a kick out of my mock outrage, as well.

          She is almost six years old and we often go to the restaurant she prefers, but then my daughter has taught her well.

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Mark from Queens's picture

To me this is such a worthwhile discussion to be having at C99 and all over this country, as you said Nastarana, not just now but always. I'd like to see this expanded out into an ongoing resiliency group open thread (lots of folks are wondering what happened to that valuable series).

Too many in this country walk around like zombies on the Obedient Consumer Treadmill, mindlessly shopping, eating and thinking just as their corporate masters have indoctrinated them to, through a barrage of advertising preying upon their insecurities. To me understanding and fighting back against the power of advertising and its subliminal effects on how we perceive and interact with the world and each other is paramount to achieving a progressive, egalitarian and humane world.

No one comes into this world predisposed with a taste for Big Macs, or the need to have an iPhone or the belief that getting whatever one wants at any moment is your American birthright.

Our boy just turned one. People have been amazed at the wide array of food he already eats. I vowed before he was born to bring him along with respect to food in the way we believe in and eat ourselves. No sugar, no over-salting, very little to no fried food. No fast or frozen food meals. There isn't anything he doesn't like or refused to try, including olives, tofu, Indian curry, Thai soup, guacamole, hummus, tabouleh, all kinds of vegetables, including peas, carrots, yams, broccoli, all kinds of squash, cucumbers, etc. I abide the philosophy of introducing his palate to as wide a variety of foods as NYC offers and what we enjoy to eat ourselves, which goes far and wide in style.

We go to some length to live a principled anti-consumerist lifestyle. We have re-purposed furniture, mostly second hand clothes and books, buy food staples in bulk not in cans or boxes, do not have cable tv and do our best to encourage others of the benefit, steadfastly refuse to do any commercial holiday shopping of any kind, have a small community garden plot, ride bicycles to go shopping when we can, bring our own shopping bags, always patronize the local small business over the franchise whenever possible, we're considering making our own mouthwash and tea, do not accept bottled water when there's tap, etc.

There's really so much to be said about this topic in all directions. Would be great to see the Resiliency Group get active again.

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"If I should ever die, God forbid, let this be my epitaph:

THE ONLY PROOF HE NEEDED
FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
WAS MUSIC"

- Kurt Vonnegut

and apologies for not seeing it sooner.

I came to this forum about the time when the sustainability group was being disappeared.

What would have to happen to bring it back.
Can some or any or all of the sustainability posts still be accessed?

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Mary Bennett

melvin's picture

including this year's Christmas presents - is always thriftbooks. Check it out and their packaging is minimal and 100% recyclable,

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Thanks for the link. I refuse to pay ebay or amazon prices.

Public libraries nowadays have small bookstores run by the Friends organizations, where prices tend to be quite low. Those are often good orgs, run by nice people if anyone is looking for volunteer opportunities.

BTW, on the subject of libraries, let me urge everyone, if your library owns a worthy book in any subject, check it out, and keep it for about a week, even if you haven't time to read it that particular week. That saves the book from the discard orcs for another two to five years. Then you check it out when you do have time for reading, and, gee, two checkouts!

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Mary Bennett

it seems to me, is kind of like leaving an abusive partner behind. You have to be able to prove to yourself that you really, really don't need what the partner has. Of course, much more is and will be needed, not excluding new parties and taking to the streets, but I think it needs to start with extracting our lives from their cold, dead tentacles.

I think of it as a kind of civil disobedience, except directed towards the economic rulers rather than the political ones.

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Mary Bennett

sojourns's picture

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"I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones."
John Cage

Deja's picture

The Sustainability Group used to sit over there on the upper right, and was chock full of amazing tips and tricks.

It disappeared when the new look came about, and the catalogue went up. I appreciate both, but wish they could share space.

Tip for some re: broccoli stalks - they aren't just for soup stock or compost. Peel the tough outer layer with a potato peeler, and steam or stir fry like/with the rest of the broccoli.

Also, you can make "fried rice" with grated cauliflower. Some folks won't even know the difference!

Spaghetti squash is a substitute for noodles - not just spaghetti.

A rag works as well as a napkin or paper towel. (Old socks work well too lol, especially for cleaning stuff, not just mouths.)

Those obnoxious plastic shopping bags still given out at vast numbers of stores across the country can actually be crocheted into strong, washable, reusable shopping/anything bags. Heck, they make strong sandles too! (A wonderful woman showed me how at the Maker's Fair in Austin, back in '10.)

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That doesn't always work out, as a contractor struggling to match a 2 sink vanity top, a Craigs List bargain!, with 3 cabinets from the Habitat for Humanity Restore recently pointed out to me. "Sometimes its just cheaper to buy new," he muttered. My ingrained frugality is a legacy from my depression era parents Im sure, as much as from my convictions on reusing, repairing and reworking "things." But there is no doubt that if only a tiny percentage of consumers started buying used instead of new things, we'd all be better off. Im lucky in that my mother taught me to sew, and I can sew anything, and my dad taught me basic woodworking and household repair. I was brought up knowing I could do anything, and make something wonderful out of nothing. That's what most people today lack.

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and the contractor got a commission for doing some good work. Win win all around.

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Mary Bennett

mhagle's picture

Creatively repurposing stuff is fun too. Smile

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Marilyn

"Make dirt, not war." eyo