Easier said than done I know! Especially when we get home late at night and only have time to put something quick on and as nutritious as we possibly can.<br /> <br /> In light of recent emails going around regarding 1: MSG in almost everything (even coffee-sad), 2: read the labels on your products and 3: what some grocery stores will do in order to sell their meats; I think it's time to try and get back to basics!<br /> <br /> I was just saying to my very good friend and sista, that back in the 50s and 60s hardly anyone was overweight or obese. Some women were pleasantly plump but that's most likely a result from being pregnant a good part of their married lives. There wasn't so much ADD, ADHD and Autism as there is now, not that I knew or heard of anyway. I truly believe all this is contributed to all the additives that are put into our processed foods these days.<br /> <br /> Even the word processed, brings all kinds of scary things to mind. Salts and unimaginable ingredients to preserve foods for an insurmountable amount of time. Ingredients we shouldnt be putting in our bodies and especially not in our childrens bodies. Back in the day, people grew their own home grown vegetables and raised their own beef. They ate fresh and wholesome foods resulting in less ailments it seemed like. Now, theres IBS, IBD and Celiac disease to name a few. They were probably around back then but not in the high numbers they are in now.<br /> <br /> A few years ago I read the book called Skinny Bitch and in it they described the brutal slaughter and inhumane conditions in which our meat is processed. It didn't turn me into a vegan or anything but I am very particular on which meats I purchase now. When I learned that baby/young cows for veal and baby/young sheep-lamb don't get a chance to graze (not 100% on the lamb), I immediately stopped purchasing them. It's my personal protest; I once read this statement and I wholeheartedly agree stand up for what is right even if you stand alone.<br /> <br /> I don't have time or space to grow my own vegetables (I once grew plum tomatoes and that was a chore), or raise my own beef. But I/we can be more careful on what we purchase. I will take that extra few minutes to notice the dates, color, texture of the food. I will read the labels more closely and I will try to get back to choosing the most natural and unprocessed foods as I can.<br /> <br /> Every time you consume factory-farmed chicken, beef, veal, pork, eggs, or dairy, you are eating antibiotics, pesticides, steroids, and hormones. Rory Freedman, Skinny Bitch.<br /> <br /> Take care (&amp; try to get back to basics) and all the best~Celeste<br /> <br /> www.talesfromaway.com   Submitted By: Alicia "Celeste" Loughrey