Consumption Day 1

In order to start this off the right way, I feel I need to seperate consumption from materialism as they are significantly different. Granted there is overlap or interconnections in our culture today, they are very different by definition.

Consumption

1. a progressive wasting away of the body especially from pulmonary tuberculosisb : tuberculosis

2. the act or process of consuming <consumption of food> <consumption of resources>b : use by or exposure to a particular group or audience <the document was not intended for public consumption>

3. the utilization of economic goods in the satisfaction of wants or in the process of production resulting chiefly in their destruction, deterioration, or transformation

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consumption

Materialism

1. a theory that physical matter is the only or fundamental reality and that all being and processes and phenomena can be explained as manifestations or results of matterb : a doctrine that the only or the highest values or objectives lie in material well-being and in the furtherance of material progressc : a doctrine that economic or social change is materially caused — compare historical materialism

2. a preoccupation with or stress upon material rather than intellectual or spiritual things

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/materialism

Today, like everyday the first thing I do when I get up is consume. For the last number of months I have changed my routine and have eliminated anything processed or meat based from my breakfast and lunch. The change was entirely based on my personal health. After turning 40 I acknowledged the fact that I should probably return to the healthier diet that I had in my 20's.

Just incase you were wondering, frozen green peas, frozen mixed berries, agave syrup, chia seeds, kiwi, banana, and some water. Soon it will all be bended into my meal, if you can call it that.

Forgot the Almond milk.

The finished product in my Father's Day gift from my 3 year old son. The mug probably falls into the category of materialism/consumerism I know.

As I ran around the house getting the kids ready while drinking my breakfast I started to think about the contents of my smoothie in regards to consumption and materialism. Physically I feel better than after having a big traditional breakfast, but what is the cost to the environment?

The Almond milk is clearly processed, so I have missed my target of eliminating all processed products but the rest isn't. Or is it? Also, how much emphasis do I need to place on packaging? And food miles?

The peas and berries need to be harvested, cleaned, frozen, packaged, etc. which would be considered "processing" by some or all?

I couldn't even begin to tell you how the Agave syrup gets into the bottle, but I will assume there is some significant processing taking place.

Maybe I need to reconsider my approach to "limited processing" and not total elimination.