"Food" For Thought

I watched and interesting and disturbing video the other night.  Have you seen food inc.? 

In it there is discussion that is very applicable to this day.  How our food has become "big business" and less farm fresh.  I know I live in Canada and this documentary was made in the US, but the issues, while a bit different, still apply here.

After watching this movie, I have pondered a few things. 

While reading the Ensign in March I came across this article by Allie Schulte.  I want to quote a bit here.

As President of the Church, Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) encouraged members “to grow all the food that you feasibly can on your own property. Berry bushes, grapevines, fruit trees—plant them if your climate is right for their growth. Grow vegetables and eat them from your own yard. Even those residing in apartments or condominiums can generally grow a little food in pots and planters. Study the best methods of providing your own foods. Make your garden … neat and attractive as well as productive.”

I have always FIRMLY believed in growing a garden.  When I was growing up, my Mom let us help and later grow our own things in the garden.  Later, when I went away to college I took Landscape Horticultural Management.  When we were first married we lived in a small apartment with just a balcony and small strip of dirt that we still grew tomatoes and peppers and whatever we could.  We have had big gardens and little ones, and now I am back to only being able to use containers (renting sucks sometimes) but always have a garden. 

Many Church members throughout the world live in apartments or small homes with no yard space for a garden plot. Others live in dry regions where the soil is barren. Some feel that they do not have the time or financial means to grow their own food. Yet with study, faith, diligence, patience, and a little creativity, anyone can succeed in gardening.

...the possibilities for planting a successful garden are endless—even with minimal space, money, or experience. As members strive to be obedient to this principle, they will realize that by planting small seeds in the pursuit of self-reliance, they will reap great blessings for their efforts.

Elder Perry encouraged, “Our labors will continue to bring forth a more abundant harvest each year as we follow the Lord’s law of the harvest. He has bound himself to provide us with abundance so long as we will live his law in righteousness and labor for that blessing.

“Have your own experience in planting a garden. Then make application in your own life of this great principle of the law of the harvest.”

What an amazing blessing.

I know that growing our own food is not always cheaper, but I also know it is SO much better.  Better tasting, better for you, better to can or preserve.  My dh will not even eat tomato sauce from the grocery anymore because he loves the stuff we make so much better!  Picky, I think not.  He has just learned the quality and freshness is so much better tasting and better for him.  (although he is picky...:D)

As I watched the movie I was disturbed, but I was also prodded. 

I know that I have always been gardening, but this show really reinforced the principle to me.  The Lord truly inspires our prophets.  He sees our day and leads our leaders and us.  He inspires and reveals so many important things that we may sometimes see as just little things.  How little is a garden?  If we grow even just a little bit of food, there are so many benefits.  HE sees those things.

What a blessing to have a loving Father in Heaven who guides and directs us in our paths.  (even the gardening path)

How about you?  Have you ever grown a garden?  Do you have a strong testimony of growing one?  Share below in the comments, I would love to hear from you.

Cheers