Last week I saw the movie Food, Inc. and it changed my whole perspective on the food industry and large corporations. I was struck by how companies can completely disregard the safety and health of people and animals in the pursuit of profit. I have never even entertained the idea of being a vegetarian until I saw this movie. One thing that I gathered is that a company that is willing to mistreat animals probably has no problem with mistreating its workers, its customers and the Earth.

 

This movie exposed to me so many good reasons why I should try to buy organic and eco-friendly products. One part that really stuck out to me was the disgusting treatment of chickens by companies such as Tyson. Their chickens are crowded together in dark tunnels where they are pumped with antibiotics and steroids that make them so fat that they can barely walk. The chickens look unhealthy and are covered in feces. I surely do not want to eat that, and on top of that, the workers that harvest these chickens are illegal immigrants who are given little consideration.

 

I was also bothered by the corn growers. Large fields of corn that are made into unhealthy high-fructose corn syrup and unnatural animal feed is grown with pesticides and fertilizers. The companies may claim that these chemicals do not harm humans, but they surely harm the Earth and animals.

 

If you want more details, I definitely suggest seeing the movie. It is not really shown in mainstream theaters, at least not in Ohio. I had to go to a trendy movie theater that sold beer and four dollar water in a rich, liberal neighborhood. Why doesn't this type of movie attract the viewership to make movie theaters money? Or why don't movie theaters consider the integirty of the movies they show before their potential profit? I think it is because too many people overlook morality and the improvement of the world when there is potential to make money. And by too many I mean anyone. Morality first, money last!

 

On a personal level, I have thrown away my makeup that is full of chemicals and tested on animals and bought some organic makeup. This makeup cost twice as much as the makeup I had bought on sale, but it actually didn't cost more than the other stuff when it was not on sale. Also, my skin has started to clear up.

 

I also bought some organic milk and all natural sweetner for my coffee and my stomachaches have stopped. Is it just mental? I was also inspired to research the integrity of the companies I buy from and now I will no longer drink Coke products.

 

The only problem is that now I have to spend more money for all natural and organic foods, make an effort to find these alternatives (they are not in all stores, CVS said they stopped selling organic milk because it was not popular enough), and my friends kind of think I am being an overzealous, self-righteous hippie. But that's okay, I want to live a life I can feel good about!

  

 

 

If you see this poster outside a theater, stop and go see the movie!

 

Photo: dreamsjung/Flickr