Be the Change

This appeared in the August 19, 2021 edition of The Fish Wrap.

Change is needed in systems of healthcare, food supply, environment, politics and economy. We wish we had bodies that feel good, a government that represents our values, secure livelihoods, and a livable world for future generations. Name the number one thing you wish would change about your world. Then ask yourself what you are willing to change about your lifestyle to help bring that change. 

If you have ever talked to a doctor about heart disease, cancer or diabetes, one of the things he suggested was changing your diet. These three top causes of death all originate with processed food. Many people make a change to their diets only after having a heart attack, starting brutal chemotherapy, or relying on daily, expensive insulin just to stay alive. The best time to change the way you eat is before you have succumbed to one of these diseases.

Modern, chemical farming depletes our soils. If we don’t change the way we farm, some experts estimate that there are fewer than 70 harvests left before the soil is so depleted that it can no longer support human life. Every year, it costs more for chemical farmers to produce a marketable crop. Do we wait until the soil is screaming for help and every family farm has been bought by a corporation? Or do we start making incremental changes that have small benefits today and incalculable benefits for the human race long term?

The best time to plant a tree is 100 years ago. The second best time to plant a tree is today. Small changes can have big dividends. Replace 1 processed food with a whole food each week. Or dedicate a section of your garden to regenerative practices and see what happens. Be the change you want to see in the world!