Ethical eating at Disneyland?

[skiingfast]

I want to bring up a thought about ethical eating? Should you buy a product that is grown thousdands of miles a away in a country were farms have no environmental restrictions? Or should you buy a product that can be grown within a days drive and restricted on chemicals used to grow it?

This is why there is HFCS in the US and not cane sugar. We have more corn in the US than Sugar Cane which is almost all imported from a third world country.

Also of note is the reason why people drink a lot of soda here. You know Coke and Pepsi were invented in the US. So is McDonald's and KFC. It's as much a part of our culture as Levi's or free elections. If you visit my country try to be sensitive about it, I promise not to make derogatory comments about yours when I visit.

 

[Brancaneve]

Wow! What a touchy subject.....
I have read Michael Pollen's book and he clearly states that there really is no "easy" solution to all of this. He even prepares a meal that he grew, caught, harvested, etc. Nothing was bought, but came from his hands and from the earth. Result: Hours upon hours of hard work!

Organic producers/farms sometimes paint a rosy picture that's not always accurate, and their labels tell a story more like a fairy tale than what Pollen observed on his visits. On the other hand, the antibiotics and hormones pumped into cattle are just disgusting. The widening of our waists due to HFCS seems like an evil conspiracy.

So, what do we do? Pollen suggests that we will get better quality, healthier food IF we demand it. So buy up the organic, healthier foods at DL and they will provide us with more. The problem is most of us salivate as soon as we walk through the gates and head right over to Pooh's Candy Shop(that's me) to pick up a Tigger Tail!

We are all stuck....so enjoy it in moderation, do the best you can, and make small changes that will hopefully bring about big change.

 

[Smokering]

skiingfast: I'm not intending to cause a debate here. There are so many "flavours" of ethical eating, and the issues can be so complex! Local vs organic, free-range, pastured meat vs vegetarianism/veganism, fair trade vs carbon-neutral, and about a million permutations thereof: not to mention the irritating tradeoff between affordability, health, ethics and convenience that plagues me at every turn! I have vaguely Traditional Foods/WAPF leanings, but am still very much on a learning curve and totally inconsistent about a bunch of things. (I mean, even flying thousands of miles for a holiday at Disneyland is hardly eco-friendly... but that doesn't mean I can't attempt to minimise the damage, as it were, with what I eat while I'm over!) I'm greedy for all advice, whether people have precisely the same ethical perspective on food as me or not.

VallCopen: Heh, I appreciate it! We're probably going in March or April though...

I do want to try real BBQ! Anyone know whereabouts in San Diego or LA I can get the best kind?

Saskiwi: If I can hijack my own thread and be nosy for a bit, what kind of budget do you think we're looking at for the trip? DD will be three, plus me and DH, 10-day trip, 4 days at Disneyland, Universal, San Diego Zoo, Medieval Times... I have no idea how to even arrive at a ballpark figure! You guys mentioned spending more than you expected on food etc, but the NZ dollar's stronger now against the American... then again, by next year, who knows? Arrgh.

 

[skiingfast]

Smokerking:

My father used to work in San Diego and swears by a particulr BBQ resturaunt. I think it is in Miramar (The home of Top Gun, the movie at least). If I can get the name I'll post it tommorow.

If you want to find Vegetarian food or Organic, I assure you, don't need expertise to seek it out. Every chain grocery store will have an organic produce section, organic dairy products and even in my rural cowboy town we have an isle in the grocery store dedicated to Organic products. The prices for these products are about 30% more than the standard stuff.

I don't know if you have sugar beets in NZ, but in grocery stores you can buy sodas made with them. Just a few types though.

As far as eating at resturaunts you won't find anything at fast foods places. Or at gas stations. In LA and SD with some luck I'm sure some people know where there are vegan or organic cafes, otherwise you need to go to pricey places to find such entrees included on the menus.

But mostly remember your on holiday and should try to relax, and that should go for your diet as well.

 

[Mom2Joce]

I had to check out this post...I thought maybe I was eating incorrectly in the parks...hehehehe!!

I don't know much about all this but did recently find out about this local farmers market: http://www.euclidfarmersmarket.com/index.php

It's not far from the parks and you can at least check the website or email them to ask all your important questions.

Best of luck and have a great trip!!

 

[limace]

Man, some of the responses to this thread are a little over the top. The OP asked for ideas on where to eat and what was available. She didn't ask for our opinon about her choices-I guess I think if you don't agree with what she's trying to do, this might not be the thread for you (in the same way it would be out of line for a vegetarian to start an anti-meat war on a thread where someone is asking for recommendations for the best steakhouse).

Anyway, OP, I think you'll have an easy time getting what you want out of the parks, a hard time in the parks. I'm on the West Coast, too, and there is a lot of interest in organic and/or local food here, so yeah, it's everywhere. It'd be easy to pack stuff to bring into the parks for lunches, etc (cheese and fruit and bread, for instance).

And I've lived in Australia, though only travelled in NZ. I think those countries might give the US a run for our money on the junk food front . We have a lot of candy and processed stuff-Australia has fully mastered the art of deep frying everything. Don't want to offend those of you in NZ by implying you are the same as Australians, but am guessing that there's a lot to choose from there, too.

And Twinkies are only every good if they are frozen.

 

[Saskiwi]

skiingfast: I'm not intending to cause a debate here. There are so many "flavours" of ethical eating, and the issues can be so complex! Local vs organic, free-range, pastured meat vs vegetarianism/veganism, fair trade vs carbon-neutral, and about a million permutations thereof: not to mention the irritating tradeoff between affordability, health, ethics and convenience that plagues me at every turn! I have vaguely Traditional Foods/WAPF leanings, but am still very much on a learning curve and totally inconsistent about a bunch of things. (I mean, even flying thousands of miles for a holiday at Disneyland is hardly eco-friendly... but that doesn't mean I can't attempt to minimise the damage, as it were, with what I eat while I'm over!) I'm greedy for all advice, whether people have precisely the same ethical perspective on food as me or not.

VallCopen: Heh, I appreciate it! We're probably going in March or April though...

I do want to try real BBQ! Anyone know whereabouts in San Diego or LA I can get the best kind?

Saskiwi: If I can hijack my own thread and be nosy for a bit, what kind of budget do you think we're looking at for the trip? DD will be three, plus me and DH, 10-day trip, 4 days at Disneyland, Universal, San Diego Zoo, Medieval Times... I have no idea how to even arrive at a ballpark figure! You guys mentioned spending more than you expected on food etc, but the NZ dollar's stronger now against the American... then again, by next year, who knows? Arrgh.

I'm a fan of, but by no means an expert on, "real" U.S. BBQ - (i.e slooooooowwww cooked over wood, vs Kiwi/Aussie slap it on the gas fired barbie for a few minutes!) so a trip to the States always demands a trip to a BBQ place!
After a bit of research, we found a good spot not too far from DL called Blake's Place (2901 Miraloma Ave, Anaheim) - in a very un-touristy area - all the customers seemed like locals, as it's not the sort of place you would just stumble across. I reviewed them on Tripadvisor:
We ate here while staying in Anaheim and doing Disneyland. It's a bit out of the way, in a semi-industrial sort of area, but worth the hunt to find it.
This is sort of a cafe-style eating area attached to their busy take-out counter - not what I'd call a restaurant as such. You order at the counter.
Great BBQ ribs and lovely service from lady who took our order to the owner/manager(?) who came out to chat to the customers. While he was talking to us, my 9 y-o son accidentally dropped his last baby back rib on the floor. "I'll get you another", he said and returned with the hugest beef rib I've ever seen - my son's face was a picture! We've always told him "Never eat anything bigger than your head", but this was the first time he'd had to think about it! Very tasty BBQ - highly recommended
Smokering, I will have to check with Chief Budgeteer (DH) about how much our trip cost in the end as I have forgotten- will send you a PM. We were there when the kiwi $ was not much more than 50c US - very painful!!
Our trip was similar to yours lengthwise: 9 days in Anaheim, 2 in Palm Springs and 2 in Santa Monica. We hired a car for the entire time - not necessarily essential, but it allowed us to get to out of the way places for BBQ!

 

[PrincessSitka]

Something got my attention. What is the problem with corn syrup? Why shouldnt you eat this?

 

[nunzia]

Man, some of the responses to this thread are a little over the top. The OP asked for ideas on where to eat and what was available. She didn't ask for our opinon about her choices-I guess I think if you don't agree with what she's trying to do, this might not be the thread for you (in the same way it would be out of line for a vegetarian to start an anti-meat war on a thread where someone is asking for recommendations for the best steakhouse).

Anyway, OP, I think you'll have an easy time getting what you want out of the parks, a hard time in the parks. I'm on the West Coast, too, and there is a lot of interest in organic and/or local food here, so yeah, it's everywhere. It'd be easy to pack stuff to bring into the parks for lunches, etc (cheese and fruit and bread, for instance).

And I've lived in Australia, though only travelled in NZ. I think those countries might give the US a run for our money on the junk food front . We have a lot of candy and processed stuff-Australia has fully mastered the art of deep frying everything. Don't want to offend those of you in NZ by implying you are the same as Australians, but am guessing that there's a lot to choose from there, too.

And Twinkies are only every good if they are frozen.

..or deep fried...Kidding!

 

[Smokering]

Oh, NZ is definitely not the bastion of healthy eating. Probably due to a smaller population, it's harder to find organic stuff (which is why I didn't expect regular US supermarkets to have organic sections! Handy!). All our beef and lamb is grass-fed as a matter of course though, which is nice.

PrincessSitka: HFCS is very processed and a bit scary - it isn't the same as cane sugar. I can't post links yet, but google "health risks of HFCS" or "HFCS vs sugar" and you'll find lots of lovely depressing info! Some people object to it in political grounds too, because of the corn monocropping/government subsidies/lack of biodiversity thing (on which I'm not hugely informed, as it's less of an issue in NZ). I won't freak out about eating it in a Dole Whip, but I'll try to buy bread without it and avoid sodas and so on.

Saskiwi - thanks for the BBQ rec! Specifics are awesome, given that I don't know the area at all. I'll put that place down on my master planning document! Sadly, we won't be able to hire a car (if all goes to plan I'll have my restricted by then, but not my full - and driving on the "wrong" side of the road? Ulp!) Can anyone tell me how expensive taxis are in LA? Could e avoid taxis altogether - is the bus system good enough? Or trams or trains? Clearly I need to do more research - it's just as well our trip's a year away!

Oh, and limace: fish and chip shops in NZ sell deep fried Mars bars. I've never had one, but apparently they're great. My husband used to down them two at a time in his teenage years!

 

[skiingfast]

Smokering:

Here is the info on the BBQ place down by San Diego.

Abbey's Real Texas BBQ

6904 Miramar Rd Ste 211, San Diego, CA 92121
ph#(858) 566-2333

This is what the locals think

http://kgtv.cityvoter.com/abbey-s-real-texas-bbq/biz/49992

It will also direct you to their newer second location.

 

[rmom]

Oh, and limace: fish and chip shops in NZ sell deep fried Mars bars. I've never had one, but apparently they're great. My husband used to down them two at a time in his teenage years!

I thought callifornia had the trophy for frying desserts!If you go to one of our fairs, you should be able to find not only fried twinkies but also fried oreo cookies.

You should have no problem finding fresh, organic and heathly food in near Disney, just not at DL or directly around it. I would think the upscaled restaurants at th Dl hotels would serve grain feed beef and free range chicken/eggs. It has become a bigger issue around the SF bay area along with locally grown food.

have a great trip!

 

[Monkey Monkey]

Smokering:

Here is the info on the BBQ place down by San Diego.

Abbey's Real Texas BBQ

6904 Miramar Rd Ste 211, San Diego, CA 92121
ph#(858) 566-2333

This is what the locals think

http://kgtv.cityvoter.com/abbey-s-real-texas-bbq/biz/49992

It will also direct you to their newer second location.

My husband has eaten there and loves it.

 

[Saskiwi]

Saskiwi - thanks for the BBQ rec! Specifics are awesome, given that I don't know the area at all. I'll put that place down on my master planning document! Sadly, we won't be able to hire a car (if all goes to plan I'll have my restricted by then, but not my full - and driving on the "wrong" side of the road? Ulp!) Can anyone tell me how expensive taxis are in LA? Could e avoid taxis altogether - is the bus system good enough? Or trams or trains? Clearly I need to do more research - it's just as well our trip's a year away!
!

We have always had a car in LA so not the best person to advise on public transport and taxis, sorry! But if you do a search on these boards you'll find lots of threads about getting around Anaheim via bus. Also, search Trip Advisor for tips on getting to other LA sights via public transport.

Have you decided where you are staying in Anaheim yet? If you go with Howard Johnson's (Hojos) they have a good forum on their website with lots of transport info too.

 

[carolinamama]

I thought callifornia had the trophy for frying desserts!If you go to one of our fairs, you should be able to find not only fried twinkies but also fried oreo cookies.

There was actually a both at the state fair here last year selling FRIED BUTTER!!! I just can't go there... I'm pretty forgiving when it comes to fair foods, but fried fat???

 

[LavenderPeach]

There was actually a both at the state fair here last year selling FRIED BUTTER!!! I just can't go there... I'm pretty forgiving when it comes to fair foods, but fried fat???

Wow, that sounds.......um........ interesting. Not sure i would want to try that one.

 

[rmom]

There was actually a both at the state fair here last year selling FRIED BUTTER!!! I just can't go there... I'm pretty forgiving when it comes to fair foods, but fried fat???

Now that is amazing - how did they keep the butter from melting?! I'd love to see how they managed that! There was a lady on the Doctor Oz show last night that said one of her food groups used to be butter. I am not a health nut but fried butter

 

[blackjackdelta]

So, here's the thing. I just watched Food, Inc, read The Omnivore's Dilemma and In Defemse of Food, and otherwise educated myself on the evils of the American food system.

So I was wondering - is there anywhere in the parks that serves whole foods, ethical foods, that type of stuff? Is there anywhere that would do grass-fed steak, free-range eggs etc? Or would we have to eat outside the park (and if so, where??)?

For snacks, I was thinking of hitting up a Whole Foods or Trader Joe's as soon as we got to the US, and buying a bunch of vaguely healthy snacks. But we'll need meals too, and I'd really like to eat some meals in the park for the atmosphere.

I'm not an absolute stickler for organics, locally grown things etc, but I'd like to avoid the biggies - HFCS, CAFO meat and cage eggs? Think I'll starve?

I am curious where the term "Ethical Eating" comes from.

Jack

 

[Smokering]

Maybe they froze the butter? Or did a deep-fried ice cream type thing, wrapping the butter in bread to cushion it from the heat?

Jack: No idea. It's not an official term as far as I know - some people talk about being locavores, conscientious omnivores, slow foodists, whatever. I wasn't sure whether to put "healthy eating" or "eco-friendly eating" or "non-CAFO eating" in the title, so this seemed like a good generic term. Again, it's not meant to offend anyone and I'm not interested in starting a debate on the merits of various diet philosophies in this thread.

 

[skiingfast]

Now that is amazing - how did they keep the butter from melting?! I'd love to see how they managed that! There was a lady on the Doctor Oz show last night that said one of her food groups used to be butter. I am not a health nut but fried butter

I saw a tv show where they fried icecream. I think they wrapped it in bread first.

The idea of frying things like this is from England. At some point they took fish and chips too far.

I'm still looking forward to trying a deep fried snickers.