Sound Consumer

Dedicated since 1961 to informing and inspiring the PCC community through the co-op’s vision of advancing the health and well-being of people, their neighborhoods and our planet.

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Sound Consumer, February 2002

The Fries that Bind

As a fifth grader, Melanie Waters (not her real name) joined Weight Watchers of her own accord. By junior high, she was sneaking her mother’s Dexatrim. In fact, until recently, the 31-year-old computer programmer continued to struggle to control her food intake. Her weight yo-yoed and she oscillated between strict diets and overindulgent binges. Melanie didn’t develop her propensity for dieting in a vacuum.

As a fifth grader, Melanie Waters (not her real name) joined Weight Watchers of her own accord. By junior high, she was sneaking her mother’s Dexatrim. In fact, until recently, the 31-year-old computer programmer continued to struggle to control her food intake. Her weight yo-yoed and she oscillated between strict diets and overindulgent binges. Melanie didn’t develop her propensity for dieting in a vacuum.

You don’t live on junk food, why should your pet?

My dog’s belly keeps time more accurately than the atomic clock at the U.S. Naval Observatory. And when Tallulah is ready to eat — at exactly 6:01 a.m. and 6:01 p.m. — she follows a strict ritual of purposeful padding into the pantry, where she whips her tail against the black plastic bin in which her food is stored. She’s singing for her supper, sure enough, but it’s a far cry from the hunt-and-forage of her ancestors. Unfortunately, it took me a while to realize exactly how far.

My dog’s belly keeps time more accurately than the atomic clock at the U.S. Naval Observatory. And when Tallulah is ready to eat — at exactly 6:01 a.m. and 6:01 p.m. — she follows a strict ritual of purposeful padding into the pantry, where she whips her tail against the black plastic bin in which her food is stored. She’s singing for her supper, sure enough, but it’s a far cry from the hunt-and-forage of her ancestors. Unfortunately, it took me a while to realize exactly how far.

Having heart and keeping faith

Now’s the time to pick the next farm we will save. This month the Farmland Fund will continue talking with private parties, land trusts and government agencies to identify land, partners and strategies. All around us farms and farmers are threatened by development. Time is short. Our priorities are: prime quality soil, a functional landscape, wildlife habitat and rural community.

Now’s the time to pick the next farm we will save. This month the Farmland Fund will continue talking with private parties, land trusts and government agencies to identify land, partners and strategies. All around us farms and farmers are threatened by development. Time is short. Our priorities are: prime quality soil, a functional landscape, wildlife habitat and rural community.