Even Though Marie-Claire Hires Terrible Journalists...

At the point, who hasn't heard of the infamous Marie Claire article?

Well, obviously, those who don't care about the blogging world.  But otherwise, I'd guess, not many.  It's a piece that catches your attention, no matter which side of the aisle you stand on, but since there are so many well-written refutations and analyses out there, I'm going to keep mine to myself.  After all, the worst thing we can do for a journalist who isn't interested in fact but only in her own agenda is to give her national attention, which can easily be confused with respect.  (Oh, Fox News.  Don't pretend that this doesn't apply to you, too.)  But what kind of good can we glean from this article?

First, that Americans aren't as oblivious to their own health as we are generally portrayed:  not all of us are addicted to corn syrup and the deep-fryer.  Clearly, a significant number of people are passionate about health, both nutrition and exercise, and isn't that what we're supposed to be doing?  To wake up and smell the green juice?  To pay attention to our bodies, to give them what they need and to exercise them so that we are capable of reaching our fullest potential, instead of dying forty years too early from diabetes because we suddenly weigh 600 pounds?  I think that's a darn good positive side.

Second, that the health movement is influential, instead of fighting a crippled, dying battle.  It's nice to realize that Michelle Obama, as influenced by the lobbyist-created government food pyramid as her ideas are, is not singlehandedly trying to hammer down a pair of doors as massive and heavy as Mount Everest.  Not that we didn't know this already, but this article is publicly admitting, in a very popular magazine, that the health community has a great deal of pull.  That's pretty awesome to realize.

Third, that our dedication to publicizing the value of nutritional and physical health can net us money through books and/or hopeful sponsors.  Personally, unless you're just reccing something for the money without caring whether or not it's actually a good product, I think that seems like an awesome way to get publicity for hitherto unrecognized but really great foods, new restaurants, eco-friendly towels or toilet paper or clothing or anything.

Fourth, that we really need journalist reform in this country.  What kind of journalist runs a story without referencing the other side's opinion?  That's pretty disgusting and unethical.  I intend to send a politely worded letter to Marie Claire about that kind of fearmongering, biased writing.  It's pretty shameful.

So what I intend to do about this ridiculous attack on the health-centered blogging world is this:  I'm going to dust off every single cookbook and recipe collection I own.  I'm going to be doing my part to showcase (with pictures) the freaking awesome healthy, usually vegan, usually lowfat, often raw foods that I enjoy, and I intend to celebrate every quality of all this crazy hippie earthmother sunfood treehugger lifestyle that I embrace.  This dedication we have to healthy living that goes beyond our own personal wellbeing and extends to the lives and quality-of-life of others and our planet is a dedication that deserves to be celebrated.

So, guys, let's celebrate own own self-worth.  Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.


Tonight it's going to be a tomato-based clam chowder (hey, I've got clams left from the tomato soup!), slightly sweetened with thinly diced carrots and sweet onions, seasoned with a bay leaf and some fresh basil, and kicked up a notch with some dry white wine.  I can't wait!