THIS BOOK
For this book, four writers each chose one horseman whose job was to start the Apocalypse; one woman who would become an unwitting champion and one angel who had to bring a reluctant champion up to speed. The resulting anthology is a compilation of four novellas about how four women defend the World against the Apocalyptic Horsemen – War, Famine, Pestilence and Death.
WHERE THERE’S FEAST THERE’S FAMINE
My story in Women of the Apocalypse, ‘Hungersnot’ (German for famine), juxtaposes North American fast food with starvation. My horseman, Famine, the third horseman of the Apocalypse, rides a black horse. His victory is usually recognized in the gaunt faces and skeletal forms of starving people in many countries. In North America, I believe Famine rides under the false banner of plenty. His victims are over-weight and unhealthy from diets of empty calories.
WHAT’S WRONG WITH FAST FOOD BURGERS?
Aside from ethical and environmental concerns, feedlots (the source of most fast-food burgers) have come under criticism for human health reasons. The tissues of feedlot-raised cattle have far more saturated fat than that of grass-fed cattle; some sources say up to 500% more. Feedlot-raised beef contains significantly less omega-3 fatty acids than that of grass-fed beef.
WHAT I READ BEFORE I WROTE HUNGERSNOT
Stuffed and Starved by Raj Patel
Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan
In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan
Real Food by Nina Planck