Protest SOPA And PIPA

My blog, Feed Me Like You Mean It, is going black tomorrow to protest the US House and Senate bills known as SOPA and PIPA.

For information about how you can do the same for your site, visit here.

For information about calling your senators, go here.

The Only Food I Consume Today Will Be Raw Milk

Today, the only food that I consume will be raw milk.

Why?

A man named Michael Schmidt is on day 25 of a hunger strike in Ontario, Canada. His demands are simple: a meeting with Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty to discuss the legal status of raw milk.

An Ontario court recently found that Schmidt's raw milk was legal--only to have the Ontario government appeal the decision, and win the appeal.

Really, Ontario, you are going to spend a lot of taxpayers' money outlawing a food that people have been consuming for millenia, and that they will keep consuming regardless? Is this the best role of government? Do you not have real problems to address?

For more information and perspective, click here.

I am fortunate to be in a place right now (California) where I can buy raw milk at a store. I am grateful for that. Most people are not so fortunate.

Rossotti Goat Ranch in Petaluma California

I just had a great visit to Rossotti Ranch in Petaluma, California. It was a clear hot day in Northern California, perfect for a farm visit.

On the farm they have a store where they sell grass-fed goat meat, pasture-raised veal, grass-fed beef, fruit preserves, porcini mushrooms, herbs, and other goodies. You can get everything goat, from goat sausages (I got merguez) to goat chops to whole goats, cut and wrapped. Some beautiful goat skin rugs, too.

They also sell at the San Rafael farmers' market on Sundays.

Meat Of Known Origin, for sure.

They are very fortunate to have a USDA slaughterhouse within a short drive of their ranch. Many farmers have to drive hours each way if they want their animals slaughtered in a way that makes the meat legal for retail sale.

Here's a video of me talking to the goats, taken by my friend Justin:

Important Documentary Farmageddon Opening In Boston Tomorrow Night

Kristin Canty, a Concord, MA native and friend of mine, has made an important documentary film called Farmageddon. It is about small farmers and individuals who raise animals and make food according to their beliefs about what is healthy and right, and it is also about state and federal authorities who try to stop them.

It is amazing and horrifying to watch guns-drawn SWAT-style raids, property seizures and destructions, and expensive long-term surveillance on people who have committed no crimes--at most, they are doing things that are not covered by existing regulations.

Trailer, national screening schedule, etc. here.

Boston opening night is tomorrow, with events to follow:

Friday

Saturday event

Sunday

Monday event

Please spread the word.

Nature Magazine: Antibiotics’ Impact On Gut Flora May Be Permanent

Mainstream science publications are talking about the importance of gut flora. This has only really been happening for the last year or so. It is heartening.

Nature published this article about antibiotic overuse. Unfortunately, Nature wants $32 to let you read the article. Fortunately, Wired magazine published this excellent post summarizing the Nature article.