I enjoyed Louisa’s blog on ‘Real Food vs. Fake Food.’ I agree with her that fresh tomatoes picked right from one’s garden are so much better than canned ones. For the most part, canned tomatoes are artificially ripened before going through the canning process. It’s disappointing to know that even some fresh tomatoes sold at stores are artificially ripened; makes me wonder if stores ever sell anything ‘natural’ anymore. It seems to me that, unless one grows their own fruits and vegetables, it’s almost impossible to eat ‘naturally’ grown produce nowadays (unless you’re better off, in terms of wealth, and can afford organic foods on a daily basis).
What I dislike most about canned tomatoes is like what Louisa said; they’re just “tomatoey blobs” of what some consider “vegetables.” Look-wise, they are also extremely unappealing, as Louisa stated. In terms of taste, canned tomatoes are soggy and watery. They’re not like fresh tomatoes picked from one’s garden, with a firm outer layer and a juicy inner layer with sweet and sour juices. My mom grows her own vegetables and herbs every summer. I love the taste of all her vegetables, especially when the vegetables are just at their peak. Every year, as the tomatoes reach their time to be picked, my family often make a spicy tomato dip with fresh chili peppers and green onions to be dipped with grilled pork or chicken. It’s our family’s favorite spicy paste and we make it multiple times during the summer before my mom’s garden comes to an end as the winter season approaches.
Monday, May 3, 2010
SAY YES TO SAVING LIVES, SAY YES TO WISCONSIN'S INCREASE IN BEER TAX!
According to the Mellman Group, Inc. , in addition to Wisconsin being the 3rd state in the country to have the lowest beer tax, the beer tax hasn’t been raised in 40 years. Supporters believe that the benefits of a beer tax increase outweigh the costs because increasing the beer tax saves lives. Cheap beer only contributes to increased underage, heavy drinking, and binge drinking. The revenue generated from the beer tax increase, estimated to be more than $40 million, could help solve Wisconsin’s problems by funding for programs to treat and prevent alcohol abuse and by tightening the law enforcement of drunk driving.
Studies show that increasing alcohol tax saves lives. Alcohol-related deaths, for example, dropped 29 percent in Alaska after a tax hike in 1983; that’s 23 fewer deaths per year. In 2002, Alaska underwent another alcohol tax increase and saw an 11 percent reduction in alcohol-related deaths, saving more than 20 lives per year.[1] This is why I have always supported the proposal. As mentioned, the Wisconsin state tax on beer hasn’t been raised in four decades and the state is long overdue for an increase. As stated by the Wisconsin State Journal, by increasing the beer tax, Wisconsin would raise enough revenue to pay for substance abuse programs and help individuals get the treatment they need to recover. Since alcohol and drug abuse affects everyone, “A few pennies per beer is well worth safer roads and saved lives.”[2]
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