(Caution:  Possible Soapbox Ahead)

 I recently finished reading Sandor Katz' "The Revolution Will Not be Microwaved" (see left sidebar) and found myself enamored by the ideas of the Slow Food Movement.  I've battled the idea of the fast-paced "American Dream" for a while and it seems that, from the interviews and stories that he shares, I'm not the only one.

Sandor explores everything from raw milk and cheeses to open-range beef and chicken.  He digs into the history of the genetic modification movement and ultra-"sanitized" regulations that force farmers out of local business for friends and family.  Each chapter ends with an incredible appendix rich in resources including books and stuff from the web.

The last chapter delves into the Freegan movement, something that has intrigued me for years.  The idea that we as Americans generate so much waste while large portions of the wast remain usable/edible or recyclable/compostable simply dumbfounds me.  Generations past and cultures current did/do so well at using the most of allotted resources that, if they were to see the stuff we throw out, they would shake their heads in shame.  I realize there is the possibility of oversimplification in these areas, but we really need to think about how much usable material goes to waste.

Take for instance the fact that every day tons of edible food is thrown into dumpsters that, washed and cooked, would make fine meals for those who's concern is not for looks but for nutrition.  The more I think about it, the more I see the reasoning behind the gleaning laws of the Ancient East.  They took into account that, while you as a land owner might have plenty, there are also plenty of people who are able to live on your so-called leftovers.  Look into the numbers on how much E-waste we generate every day and you'll (hopefully) think twice about just throwing your "old" monitor into the dump.  Look at how much grain it takes to feed the mass-"need" for beef in our country and you might begin to realize that source reallocation of grain to the poor might not be that bad of an idea... especially since we really don't "need" all that steak anyway.

All of this talk of Freegan living and the possibility of stuff just sitting around ready for me to take struck a chord in me.  And, since there are really a few things that I want to do before I die, last night I got to mark one of them off my list.  Stay tuned...