Happy Chickens Featured in the Natural Foods Merchandiser!

I received the March edition of the Natural Foods Merchandiser today and was surprised to see a face on the cover that I recognized. Well recognized from the Internet, at least. I have recently discovered Orren Fox's blog titled
"Happy Chickens Lay Healthy Eggs: Weekly, maybe even daily journal of a 13 year old raising chickens and bees".
And now I see he is on the cover of the largest natural / organics industry trade magazine. And I am excited!

For the full article, please go to: Q&A with Orren Fox

I find the interview inspiring because there seems to be a strong movement for local, natural, humanely grown / raised food and there really is no end in sight! I know several people here in Tulsa who are starting or expanding their backyard gardens, and even getting chickens themselves!

The world is changing and as more people become aware of where their food actually comes from, and what happens to it before it gets to their plates, the demand for clean food will grow. I am still amazed that I live in a world where pretty much every mainstream, supermarket food item contains very little (if any) nutrients. As word gets out that an ingredient is bad, it is 'modified' and then listed in the ingredients under another name. The same could be said for pharmaceuticals that are recalled. But that is a whole other topic... or is it?

Clean, natural, organically grown foods are deemed more expensive. But the way I see it, you either pay now and spend the money on decent food, or buy the cheap, empty calories and live a life on medication. Sound harsh? I used to think so, until I see it as a reality. And not just a reality for people down the road. This is happening now. To people my age and younger. Medicating children is a common occurrence and I can't help but wonder if all the ADD, ADHD and misbehaving in the class is caused by too much soda, caffeine, artifical sweeteners and colors and flavors, and maybe all this can be totally avoided.

I have no medical background and so these are all my own personal opinions. But I see what one can of Redbull does to Scott and the thought of wrestling him into a chair attached to a desk and asking him to 'pay attention!' for eight seconds is laughable, much less eight hours. But I digress...

I see more and more younger people, like Orren, getting actively involved in raising awareness about food issues mostly through living their own lives as examples. I salute the work they are all doing and am excited to see the results!

Orren is thirteen years old and lives north of Boston. You can follow his blog (and vote for what you think he should name his honey) at http://happychickenslayhealthyeggs.blogspot.com Also check out his tweets @HappyChickens and @HappyHoneyBees.