sandwichI read an article today about how sandwich meat causes cancer. Hellooo? Yes, I realize it’s processed, but what am I supposed to pack my little boy for lunch? And sure, I buy the kind that says ‘all natural’ but who are we kidding? All natural what? He hates peanut butter and jelly, although he devours peanut butter with chocolate and apples (go figure). And he won’t do the veggie sticks and cracker thing. He’s a little bit on the tooth-challenged side right now—he’s missing his front two. I usually would just read the article and go “whatever. I ate ham sandwiches and I’m still here.” But the truth is, it said it pushes him into the bracket of 18% higher at risk because I’m shoveling it into his lunch bag everyday. And don’t get me started on the roast I’m making for dinner tonight that is sure to take 3 days off everyone’s life at my dinner table.

I’m not naïve to think these things don’t pose a risk. I mean look at bacon…who makes something so tasty and then holds a sign up over it telling you it causes colon cancer? I’ve tried to curb my love for Bessy—I’ve visited her at petting zoos, watched her pink little body snort and dig, thinking to myself, “that’s what bacon is, girl.” To just come home and the next morning fry up a pound of it and block out the events from the previous day. “Oh, that’s not her in the skillet. This was a bad pig who never knew what the feel of dirt between her toes was like.” Anything to ignore what I’m truly eating. But the buck stops when I get the statistics.

Organics is the way to go. That’s what the word  on the street has been for the past five or so years. First of all, have you priced the stuff? Will all the poor people die much earlier than the ones who can afford the bumper crop of bananas from the organic side of the plantation? I hope not. If it’s better for you, why not offer it better prices? I’m all for the better stuff, but I can’t mortgage the house to keep it in my pantry.

I apologize for the rant, but seriously…what do you pack your kid for lunch? I’d love to know some ideas. Does a fruit snack and a couple crackers really fill them up?

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