Early this morning, I was wandering through the farmers’ market, circling around not knowing what to buy. Looking at the vegetables, I suddenly recalled a friend’s warning: “This one’s grown with pesticides, that one with hormones.” Then there’s that watered-down pork displayed everywhere. So many vegetables—who knows which ones are actually trustworthy? As I walked, I wondered if the garlic scapes my dad planted were ready—he had said he’d send me some.
I also remembered what my dad said during my last visit home: “I really want to raise pigs myself. Last year, before the New Year, I went to the countryside to try and buy pork from pigs raised at home. I just wanted a small portion, but all the good stuff had already been reserved by relatives. I couldn’t get any no matter how many families I visited.” I tried to comfort him: “That’s normal—home-raised pigs are reliable, clean meat. If you want to eat safe food, you have to put in a year of hard work.” Same goes for free-range chicken—it’s not just about having the money. You can’t buy the real thing that easily.
Part of the reason is that raising chickens and pigs is expensive. And nowadays, people would rather hustle at a factory job or sit at a mahjong table than put the effort into raising livestock. It’s not like the old days when having a job, any job, was a reason to celebrate. These days, even blue-collar workers can earn more than white-collar ones.
Many people think that having money makes you the boss, that wealth is power. But over the years, we’ve seen food safety scandals again and again. One wrong purchase, and we end up spending money on poison. If money can’t buy authenticity, what good is it?
Every year, I spend a cumulative month or more in the countryside. That way, I get to eat vegetables we grow ourselves, real pork, chicken, and even wild fish. Such a treat. I often hear my dad explain what vegetables should be planted during each season, and I’ve unknowingly picked up a bit of farming knowledge. Sometimes the stove at home is already going, and my mom asks me to run out and pick some greens—just in time to throw into the pot. Life in the countryside has its ups and downs. Sure, muddy shoes on rainy days are annoying, but when it comes to eating—you can fully enjoy the reward.
This year, my dad is growing watermelons, muskmelons, cucumbers… I can’t wait to go back and try them!
I also benefit from a good friend—every time she returns from her rural hometown, she brings back lots of organic goodies to share with me. Sometimes even my rice at home is unrefined brown rice. I truly feel blessed to have such good people around me.
So here’s my conclusion: in China, the people who can eat truly safe food—they’re the real winners.
And it’s not just food. What about medicine? How much of it can we truly trust? Even the capsules themselves have had scandals! So if you ask me, not needing medication—that’s the real strength.
Thankfully, I have moxibustion. And not just any moxa sticks—only the well-aged, pure ones. That’s when it’s truly powerful. When I think about it this way, I realize how lucky I am. From sourcing the raw materials to producing the final product, we handle everything ourselves. That means I can trust what I use 100%. At the very least, one thing I rely on daily is fully under my control.
So, when people doubt my products, I simply say: “Just try a small amount. I won’t push you to buy a lot. Let the results speak for themselves.” There’s no need for me to brag. If it works for you, great. If not, then don’t use it. I’m even happy to give some away. That’s how confident I am in what I offer. If someone still won’t try it, doesn’t believe it, and remains suspicious—well, maybe we’re just not meant to connect. And that’s fine too. The market is full of cheap, pretty-looking goods. But are they trustworthy?
In the end, my hope is this: may all of us become truly strong—not because we have money, but because we live without fear or doubt. Because we can spend money without hesitation or regret