Many moons ago, I promised in a newsletter that I was going to read and review the Omnivore's Dilemma. I got a ton of positive responses to this announcement, then promptly got very busy and was waylaid in my reading.
We keep our promises here at Remabulous, and so here I am a few weeks late with thoughts on the book.
It is a heavy hitter. I had to go to the grocery store today to pick up a few things and found myself reading the entire milk container to make sure I was picking the organic milk from the closest dairy and found myself wanting to visit the dairy to make sure I approved of its practices. When they say the cows get to exercise, what does that mean exactly?
Food is something we take for granted on an increasingly dangerous level in this country. And sadly, instead of learning from countries with healthier attitudes than our own, we seem to pass our own practices on to them.
What does this have to do with business? A whole lot, I think, as much of what has gotten us in this mess is everything to do with business. "It's just business" is the reason behind lots of suffering. I do eat meat, and this book did not send me back to my vegetarian past, but it did ensure that the meat I do eat will come from the farmer's market and a source I can talk to about its practices rather than an anonymous grocery store.
We as entrepreneurs have such a gift we can give the world- our businesses can set the standard for new practices and ways of being in the world that can be shared with many others. Your cause may be different than mine, but these are my thoughts on why it's important to have a cause and what you can do in your business to support it:
image: KdB1.
None of us quit whatever day job we had to live an unbalanced crazymaking life. When we started our own companies, most of us had dreams of naps and leisurely days in pajamas working from home, taking walks and other such idyllic notions.
Many of us have the pajama element down, but we are often unshowered in said pajamas, and surrounded by plates of mysterious leftover meals.
The point to this is- we all started businesses because we wanted to live great lives, and to improve the lives of our clients and customers. I was talking to the magical Lisa Elia yesterday, and she mentioned that she loves the idea that success in her business means that she can share that success with her community and pass the abundance on. I love this idea, and agree with it whole heartedly.
The benefit of what we can offer as entrepreneurs goes much further than just offering a great service or product, although that's a great place to start.
We can also support causes with the money we earn, by making donations, or, in the case of this book, where we choose to purchase our food.
"We are what we eat". An expression many of us have heard over and over since we were little. Interestingly, according to this book, it is one that has proven to be true, sadly in increasingly unhealthy ways. Our veggies have fewer vitamins and nutrients in them than they used to, due to irresponsible treatment of the soil. Ugh. Let alone how we treat the animals who contribute to our diets, whether we are vegetarian or meateater- you can see why the vegans want to opt out completely.
I, however, like the option that was chosen in the book: rewarding the places that get it right. I would be delighted to support Polyface Farm, if I lived in the East Coast. I am hoping to go there myself when I am back for a visit next year. However, I think it is my responsibility now to find who the Polyface is in Southern California and support them. I'd like my business success to be part of the solution.
Are there causes that matter to you? Then support those causes with your earnings and, if possible, do so as a consumer rather than simply donating. Making your business a part of the cycle that changes patterns you want to change is a whole new way to make your contribution as a community member, whatever community that may be.
One of the passions I have developed recently is making bread. It was on my list last year as part of my 31 for 31 to get a bread maker and start using it. I love that working at home means I can throw ingredients in and have fresh bread waiting later in the day. This is a joy where my lifestyle benefits from my business. And now, having read this book, I know I will make more informed choices about those ingredients that go into my bread maker and every other aspect of my kitchen.
Taking action on creating that beautiful life we dreamed of for ourselves when we started our companies is a gift both to ourselves and those around us. Our families, friends, and we ourselves benefit. As I write this, there is cinnamon raisin swirl bread baking away and I believe I am doing better work for having included that in my day.
I encourage you to pick up a book this week that inspires you, a cause that means something to you, or that speaks to the lifestyle that you hope to create for yourself through your business.
Please do share the causes that matter to you below. Let's all support each other in contributing more to this world.
And... any recipes are welcome, too!
** A note on the mushroom image: a friend who read and loved the book told me that the chapter on mushrooms was one of the most fascinating things he could remember reading. I must agree completely on this. I think that much of our discoveries as business owners happen in a foraging process: we set out on the ground and need to find the next steps to move forward, but we won't always know what they look like until someone else shows us from experience. I think I am going to become a foraging business owner in practice. But if anyone knows of a mushroom foraging group in the LA area... I am so up for joining in the experience!
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