Recently, I visited a couple of really exclusive butcher shops and so called “gourmet” markets. These shops are located in the wealthiest parts of the city in which I live. They were small, beautiful and very well staffed. It was like I had died and gone to grocery heaven. Everywhere I looked there were perfect displays of delicious looking fresh foods. The smells of these places is what I remember most. The scent of the fresh breads, lasagna, and roast chickens was magnetic.
So this was how the super rich ate! Here I found pheasant, duck, exotic pates, organic baked goods, cheeses, imported extra, extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars that looked like really expensive wines. I found stone ground organic corn chips, salsa and guacamole and I found meats and foul that were guaranteed organic and “naturally raised”. All of this stuff had one thing in common – it was ridiculously expensive. I mean, it was off the charts. Unless you were very wealthy you would never shop at any of these places without being completely financially irresponsible.
These shops were jammed with customers. The majority of the clientele seemed to be wealthier housewives from the surrounding upper crust neighborhoods. I took a number and waited at the meat counter on one visit. The lady asked me if I was next and I answered “No” but I did have a quick question. I asked, “Did she have any animal meat that was fed its natural diet”. I elaborated; “was the meat for sale from grass fed cows or sheep that were raised naturally and grazed in pastures? Did she have chickens that were not fed chicken feed but rather just ate what chickens ate in their natural state walking around in the grass?” Her answer was a polite but decisive “No”. She knew exactly what I was getting at and they did not sell it. She mentioned that they had tried selling it once before but that the demand was not there so they stopped and stayed with their certified organic and regular meats. She suggested that I try a health food store.
A couple of ladies in the line overheard my questions and her answers. They interrupted our conversation to ask me some sudden and concerned questions. “Wait a minute, isn’t that what “organic” “free run” or “naturally raised” means?” I smiled and politely answered, “No, those are simply legally allowed names and marketing gimmicks used to sell animal products that have been fed organic feed”. I added that “these monikers can unfortunately be very misleading.” Their reactions were a combination of shock, confusion and dismay.
The fact is this overpriced food is either same as, or very close to the meat you buy in the regular grocery chain stores. So what were they paying extra for? Really, they were paying for false comfort. They were paying for the mistaken perceptions of higher quality and exclusivity. They were being fooled. I find this type of trickery to be very common these days. The stores sure were beautiful, though and they were making a ton of money.
If you’re looking for a natural weight loss diet and exercise program–one that doesn’t rely on false comfort or high price food marketed as organic, check out the eco-diet at http://www.eco-diet.com