some things are just made for blogging...

this afternoon i was part of a research group panel doing a study on healthy eating... it's pretty fun because they pay you... or as they like to call it give you and incentive for participating and in return you get to have interesting discussions about things you wouldn't normally be talking about... i've done a few of these and they are always fun!

this one today was no exception except that all i kept thinking was what great blogging it would be and how there was no way i would be able to capture the moment in words... but i can't help but try....

there are 5 of us... we don't know each other so we first introduce ourselves... i go first... tell my 2 minute elevator speech about who i am and what i'm all about...

next person is a woman 2 teenagers, just got her MBA is trying to find a job,.. and as a hobby studies the socio economic effects of where and from whom we buy our food... ok... next

45 plus year old man once married now living with "partner" who is single dad with 2 teenagers and they have just lost their home... he is a documentary film maker currently making a film about homelessness in seattle - think Morgan Spurlock - super size me, who just in case you are wondering happens to be one of this guys friends - he's recently off the vegetarian food wagon after 20 years... constantly wringing his hands... freaking me out...

next is a woman maybe 50 - 2 teen age daughters when asked what she does for fun she say she doesn't because her kids are academics and they are always home studying... but she loves to cook no matter how tired she is and it is always fabulous...

then there is mister unassuming... IT guy dressed in typical NW gear - hiking boots, fleece, canvas pants with a million pockets... goofy hat to either protect curly hair from crazy frizz or because he is bald... we'll never know... he turns out to be the freak in sheeps clothing going on and on about all the horrible things being done to our food supply, how he walks to get his groceries and goes every day since he can only carry it in his back pack... guess what he drives off in after it is all over... a brite yellow SUV :)

seems unique a group enough... then they start asking questions and i'm so not in line with this group... i stop talking... they are going on an on about organic, natural, supplements, how farming today does not provide us with the nutrients we need and to get the B 12 you need to take a bottle worth of pills or go to an herbalist... my brain is spinning and i'm ready to run from the room screaming... i thought they had put like minded people together....

i can't take it any more i must speak... and out comes diarrhea of the mouth about how the rest of the world doesn't live in this NW organic bubble with too much free time on their hands to learn all about what parts of our state still have nutrient rich land... let's face it we are a nation of m&m's, fast food and convenience... i'm organic as much as i can but i felt like i was transported to a commune of the 70's...

this is when i get that the moderator is on to me... i am the key to success in this group and i'm the only one who can stay on task... she does NOT care about supplements and if i grow my own food she wants to know what is realistic about healthy eating with today's busy families and people... but by this point our time is up... and all i can do is walk out with my $75 and am thankful for the fun... and the stories... and anxious to see what comes next time...