Believe it or not, but I try to have a resolution every year. I have never been arrogant enough to think I was living life to perfection, so with the turn of every calendar year, I try to incorporate a new and theoretically positive change.

Late in December, Maria and I watched the documentary Food Inc. It showed how much of our food is processed. I've known for a while about the tragedy of the cows and how they eat corn instead of grass and stand in their own poop. I didn't know that was the main reason for e. coli and a lot of our food diseases. I also didn't chickens were grown in the dark, literally. They never see the light of day and fed until they can hardly walk. It was more than slightly disturbing.

When I watch or read things like this, I always end up saying "What can I do about it?" I eat meat. I've eaten it since I was a wee little thing, and I still enjoy the taste and my ability to survive by keeping it in my diet. At the end of the film, they showed a laundry list of what I can do about it. The two that stuck with me were these: buy your fruits and vegetables in season at farmers markets & purchase milk, eggs and meat at stores who sell only free range animals.

This may sound hippy-dippy-doo to you (and it kind of does to me), but the kicker for me was the concept of fresh. Would you rather eat tomatoes ripened by chemicals and a hamburger made from 1000 cows, or spend more a few bucks more on non-mass produced food?

It is a dilemma. I was taught as a kid to buy things at the best value. As an adult, I learned how to find cheapest deal. Rarely did I consider that the best deal might not be the healthiest deal. I buy my hamburger meat for three bucks a pound, my eggs for two bucks, and my milk for two-fifty a gallon. Fruits and veggies don't cost that much, so just pick them up at any supermarket. This is the American Way, right?

But what if it's healthier, taste better, and makes you feel better to buy fresh meats and veggies grown in and around your own neighborhood? Is that worth paying more? Quality over quantity?

Hence, my New Year's Resolution circa 2011: I will buy the bulk of my fruits and vegetable from farmer's markets and my meat from the meat market.

Not every scrap, of course, but I'm willing to put the effort in to travel to the necessary places for the fresh stuff on a regular basis.

The farmer's market is easy. I can get to the nearest one in five minutes. I actually used to do this anyway, but having a family made me consolidate my food shopping. All I have to do is go back to doing fruits and veggie runs like in the old days. It all costs about the same.

The meat market is further away but only a fifteen minute drive. America is still great in that it offers every choice imaginable when it comes to food and drink. When I went in, I thought it looked like a regular little grocery until I hit the meat department. Beef, turkey, pork, chicken, buffalo, lamb and more. Different cuts and preparations, everything fresh. Most of it looked tasty, and of course, it was all more expensive. I made my initial choices. Some ground beef and lamb, some turkey, and my pricey purchase: a buffalo London broil ($15). Even if I'm wrong, I still get to eat.

Tonight, we had ground lamb with rice and veggies. We agreed that everything tasted great and was worth the extra expense. Will it be in the long run? Can I afford to eat this farm fresh way? Will I feel better and be healthier?

We shall see. That's why these resolutions take a year. What are you doing this year?

Chris Jungle wants to feel better, one year at a time.