AnnaK's Profile

Here in Alabama we have a great producer of organic grits/polenta/cornmeal called McEwen & Sons. Here's their distinction for what they sell (may not be the "official" definition, but this is how they distinguish and I dig it!):

Grits, polenta, and cornmeal all come from dried kernels of corn that have been ground into one of three textures—coarse, medium, or fine. When the corn is ground, the coarser particles become grits, while finer granules are used for polenta. The most finely ground corn becomes cornmeal, and even cornmeal has varying textures, from coarsely ground to finely ground (also called corn flour).

www.mcewenandsons.com

Although your economic point is true that we're getting less for our dollar, it is important to remember that in the end you're spending less. Buying big gulp drinks or "buy one get the second half off" deals tricks us into consuming more calories we don't need and spending more money just because we think it's a better deal. Just say no!

I have about 800 sq feet in the southern US, currently occupied by two adults and one cat. It's a loft and the perfect size for us, but storage is a huge issue!

Lindsaur has it exactly right, writing from one's own frame of reference does no good for anyone. It only leads to closed-mindedness and disdain and distrust of others who are different from you. Whether poor or rich, if you're exposed to diverse ethnic neighborhoods, come from families who instilled values for nutrition and community, or are well educated by whatever means then you are blessed.
I am in Birmingham, Alabama, born in Mississippi - obesity states #2 and #1 respectively. Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama and there is a serious lack of access to fresh fruits and vegetables both in the markets and restaurant choices that are available for low income neighborhoods. There is pretty much no public transit, and many neighborhoods only have a corner market that stocks a few highly processed foods. The grocery down the street from me has an acceptable produce choice, but a few miles away in a more destitute area of town the same chain carries very little fresh healty options. Parents are uneducated, undermotivated, and overworked. There's a hierarchy of needs, and getting the freshest most healty foods are very low in that hierarcy. As long as their families get food on the table, they are doing well.
You can say "make food from scrach", "shop around", "they don't have my values", "they are just lazy", but you have no idea what most of America, where people are truly struggling and the cultural environment is almost hopeless, is like.
What eating well boils down to is access and education, and you're personal beliefs and experiences are really not part of the equation. They are largely irrelevant.

I second Stereolab! Also, I listened to Mogwai with some friends last night and it was absolutely perfect.