Weekend Roundup, Memphis Edition
I’m in Memphis this week as part of some business travel and I’m amazed at the different food options available here. At the airport we have a stack of chain places with lots of fried food. Outside the airport we have local farms with fresh produce and organic meat. How did we get to a point where healthy food is considered low class roadside food and industrialized crap is considered the norm?
Anyway, before I go off on another rant, here are some articles I thought you might find useful:
Actually, if you do want to know how industrialized crap became the norm, read this piece from Modern Forager about some recent HFCS advertisement. Our cuisine and food choice are essentially being dictated to us by the food industry, either through the government or through advertising. Don’t fall for it.
@Modern Forager
Here’s another article on the same topic from Almost Fit.
@Almost Fit
On an unrelated note, here’s an interested article from the LA Times about the connection between walking and a healthier brain. As though we needed more reasons to walk. It’s already the best and easiest exercise for your body. Now we find out that it’s also good for your brain.
@The LA Times
Speaking of good exercise, here’s a somewhat depressing note from Backpacker which talks about how few people are actually going outdoors and getting some physical activity. Believe me folks, there’s a wonderful world out there full of incredible things to do.
@Backpacker
And on a similar note, here’s another article from the LA Times, this time talking about kids and going outside to play. I remember spending hours outdoors as a kid, and this was in Israel, a country which was actively at war when I was growing up. Then we came to the US and we were told that a serial killer lurked behind every door which meant my brother and I couldn’t go outdoors or walk to school on our own anymore. I wonder if that was the start of my unhealthy habits.
@LA Times
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I spent a lot of time in Memphis very recently during a three-week holiday in Olive Branch, MS. If you get the opportunity, make sure you check out Memphis Zoo - there are loads of great attractions there but the Komodo Dragons are fantastic.
And yes - lots of great places to eat!
I guess the local social culture also affect what kind of food sold there.
Thanks for the links Gal - I have to say, that modern forager post really got me off my butt this week to write my own set of posts on HFCS. As I am known to say in true “dork” fashion, “I am standing here beside myself…”
Unreal. Enjoy Memphis - I’ve never been, but it’s on my list of places to visit while the dollar is taking such a beating internationally -
Best,
Metroknow
@Sheamus
Thanks for the suggestion. Will try it if I have the time.
@Ami
Yep, local culture sure does affect the kind of food available. The trick is finding the “real” local food and not the processed, fake version of it.
@Metroknow
Thanks for the note. I added a link to your post.
For an alternative version of those HFCS commercials, have a look at this version I created which is a bit closer to the truth!
HFCS Alternative Advertisement