Down-shifters

This morning on "Compass" they were interviewing four Aussie households that had "Down-shifted". It's when people give up their high-powered, high-paying, high-stress jobs and change their lifestyles. They leave behind big houses, expensive cars, and powerful jobs to lead simpler lives, most earning only 20% of what they used to. The main reasons given were fulfillment, health, and to lead less materialistic lives. The people interviewed were saying that what their parents thought would make their kids happy (house, car, job) isn't actually making them happy at all. I guess there's always been a small percentage of people that did this, but now we are shifting away from "Consumer capitalism" faster and faster. Interesting. It would be nice to think that society valued things like having time to spend on yourself, on your health, with those important to you, and doing things that make you feel as though you contribute positively to society, above traditional status symbols like big houses, cars, and high-stress jobs. I hope I never end up in the position where I suddenly realise that I don't really have what I want at all. And that if I do, I'm smart enough to do something about it!

Where are all of the blue fruits and veges? I was told that the more colourful your meal, the greater the mix of nutrients. But when it comes to blue, only blueberries come to mind. And they're not even that blue really. What happened? It's a PRIMARY colour! So many blue flowers, so few blue fruits and veg...