I have been wanting to write this post for a while, but things have been a little crazy around here. When I do manage to sit down with the computer, I fall asleep. It is just the way it goes. Not to mention, it has been hot outside. I must be getting older because the heat just zaps me lately. I am trying to make a conscious effort to drink more water and stay hydrated, but the cold hard facts are that my iced coffee helps me get more things done. It is quite a dilemma.
I hate to do this to you, but it is time for me to get on my soap box for a minute or twenty. I just try to provide information here. What you do with it is your business, but having been on both sides of the Farmer's Market I may have a little insight. Not to mention that I have a healthy addiction to reading as much as I can about food safety.
I highly recommend you visit a website called Food Safety News.
You can click on the link HERE!
I love this site. On the home page you can subscribe and they will send you emails daily with what is going on regarding our food in this country. You would not believe the number of food recalls that happen daily and you never see it on the evening news. Like the dog food recall that happened recently. Have a dog? I have three and when this was happening, two of them were throwing up a lot. My brand of dog food was on the list, but the bag that I had was manufactured in a separate facility. Whatever was going on, my dogs did not like it. I changed their food and problem solved.
Did you know that people can get salmonella from a pet that has it or from handling contaminated dogfood?
Back to the Farmer's Market thing. I think the market is great. I have fond memories of going with my Mom when I was little. I encourage people to go and meet the people that are growing your food, buy local and in-season. The problem is that the market has changed. They are becoming more and more popular these days, but the number of actual farmers is not increasing. It seems there are more produce companies and less farmers. What is the difference? A produce company is buying produce wholesale and reselling it. A farmer is growing it.
In our area a lot of guys are running down to the farmers market in Dallas and buying from the wholesale produce companies. They haul a week's worth of produce back and then set up a couple of times a week and resell it. I see no problem with this, if you are honest about what you are doing. Most aren't. I can't say I see no problem, the fact is that from a food safety stand point it could be a problem. You may be better off going to your local grocery store. The produce is the same and they are at least keeping it in refrigeration instead of hauling it all over town. The issue starts when they set up at market, don't sell, pack it up, and then set it up for another day. All that moving around opens up risks.
My advice is to educate yourself and ask questions. Get a good understanding of what is grown in your area. If someone is selling lemons and pineapples...probably didn't grow that themselves. If you see blueberries in this area...probably not growing those here. Also, ask questions. A lot of questions.
Where is their farm?
Are they growing everything themselves?
What food safety measures are they taking?
If it is important to you, are they growing things naturally or organically?
A farmer that is on the up and up will be happy to answer your questions. One that gets irritated with you, will do so for good reason. If someone is buying wholesale from other farms and they list farm names, Google them. If a farm is big enough to sell wholesale, they will probably have a website. Also, get to market early occasionally. Watch vendors as they set up.
What are they hauling their produce in?
If they are produce boxes like you see the produce guy at the store unpacking...guess what?
If they are unpacking bins, are they clean?
This can be a big point of contamination. The cantaloupe that killed thirty something people last year, came from a packing house that was using rusted, dirty equipment.
If you see a bag of onions like the ones at Sam's...you get the picture?
If you are buying meats or eggs at market, what are they feeding their animals?
Are they using antibiotics?
Growth hormones?
You may be supporting the local economy by buying these things, but you can get the same thing at the grocery store, and probably pay less for it.
Do they have package dates on their items?
How do you or they know how old it is if they don't?
Our health department inspects a lot of food vendors at our market, but once they make a run through for the day, they are gone. This is when it can get interesting. Sampling produce at a booth is a great option for buyers, but it also requires a permit.
Are they using clean utensils?
Are they washing their hands?
Are they keeping cut produce protected from flies?
Did I mention the washing their hands part?
Do they even have anything to wash their hands with at their booth?
Let's be clear, hand washing involves clean water, soap, and a clean way to dry them.
Most markets have a market organizer, and they may have a booth set up with information. Ask them questions.
What are they doing to insure food safety?
Do they have policies to protect consumers?
Are they inspecting farms?
Are they committed to the farmer or do they allow the produce companies to sell also?
Are they informed of the local health department regulations and do they take action after inspectors leave if they have a vendor violating those regulations?
Or, do they turn the other way?
This is not meant to scare you away from market.
Go!
Be smart!
Keep your eyes open and ask questions.
I am going to leave you with a few links to check out if you like.
Farmers Markets Thrive While Concerns Grow
Food Safety at the Fruit Stand
Farm to Table
Farmers Cultivate Food Safety
Frequent Food Safety Violations at Farmers Markets
Showing posts with label Media. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Media. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Will there ever be an end to the horrors of our food industry?
Let me start this post on a positive note because it won't end that way.
First, we really enjoyed seeing everyone at the Market this past Saturday. It seems like we haven't been there in ages, and it was nice to be back. I have missed the patrons and the other vendors. Not to mention, we had a glorious rain the night before and it had continued into the morning. It delayed our arrival, but the change in the weather was amazing. There is nothing like the smell of a nice rain, cleaning up the outdoors and leaving everything fresh. Add the cooler temperatures, and I can't think of a nicer break from our day-to-day in the extreme heat.
I also have to share with you the sweetest moment that we witnessed between a Mother and her son. We were still experiencing a light mist, and the parking lot was full of puddles. It was still early, and the duo removed their shoes, rolled up their pants legs, and proceeded to stomp through the water. The little guy was only about two years old, and he was a little skeptical to follow his Mom, but she made it look like so much fun that he couldn't resist. I wish I had a picture to share because it was so perfect. If you have little ones, take a play from her playbook because it was something that he really enjoyed. It didn't take him long and he was jumping and giggling as he realized he could make a really big splash in those puddles. It was just too cute for words.
Back to the point of the post. I had a nice couple interested in fresh eggs. They came up to our booth, and were involved in a pretty serious conversation. After asking how they were doing, we learned that he is not a big egg eater, and really not interested in eating chicken at all. His major concern was one that we have never been asked about before. I will admit that it stumped me at first because I didn't really understand where he was coming from.
He wanted to know about the hatchery that our chickens came from. I thought he was interested in having a few chickens of his own, and freely shared what I know about the hatchery that we used, along with another one that I know of, and the local feed stores that sell chicks. He quickly stopped me, and explained that he didn't want to buy chicks at all. I am sure at this point I was looking pretty confused. He then explained his concern was more for how the hatchery handles the rooster chicks as they are hatched?
When we ordered our chicks, we ordered hens only. Chicks are purchased in lots of 25, and you can order hens only or straight run. Straight run means that they ship them in the order that they are hatched, and they aren't sexed prior to shipment. We did not want this because I did not want to deal with roosters. They did throw in a few extra chicks with our order, and two of them were roosters. This was a little irritating to me, because at about four months of age, they started crowing. I then found homes for my guys, and they were nice beautiful birds.
At this time, my thought process went like this...Either you keep them, and you have fertilized eggs, or I felt like most of these guys end up on the plate. In my mind, this is the plight of the rooster. He either gets a flock of hens or the plate. This seemed like a reasonable thought process to me. I prefer to have chicken that has been raised in a natural, healthy manner that includes good animal husbandry. To me, this makes for a healthier chicken. Although, I am not willing to process my own birds, and that left this option out for me. Therefore, I found them their own flocks, and you can read about that experience here:
Tale of two Roosters
This gentleman shared some gruesome information that he had seen regarding male chicks the day they are hatched in the big commercial hatcheries. I was shocked by his statements, but as with most things I have discovered in our nations food industry, I didn't doubt what he was saying. This week, I spent some time doing a little research on the subject. I am not including links here because it is pretty horrific. If you are interested, just ask Google the question, and get ready for the answers.
There are a number of organizations that have information posted regarding this topic. There are also a lot of under-cover videos available on YouTube, if you are brave enough. I will say that most of what I saw seem to be chicks used in commercial egg production. You know, the cute yellow ones that are all fluffy and sweet. These would be your Leghorn variety. They are the hens that lay the white eggs, and they are not meant for meat at all. These chickens are light weight and all about eggs. I never really thought about the Leghorn rooster. These guys are lucky if they get a flock of their own and they would never end up on the plate. Not to be rude, but there is not enough there for a meal.
I hope Lola is not reading this.
The commercial fryer industry is not really included in this because those birds are brought to weight so fast and in such horrific conditions, that sex doesn't matter. Male or female, it is all about the weight and the size of the breasts with these guys. These producers are calculating in days from hatch to processing.
I am not really sure where to go from here with this bit of information. There are those that feel that the answer to these practices, is to boycott the whole industry. No eggs and no chicken. I have met a number of vegans at market, and I commend them for the stand that they take on animal rights. This is an individual decision, and in numbers will create an impact. Likewise, in numbers, those that choose to eat eggs and meat can also create an impact by choosing to spend their money wisely. The food industry, as a whole, could do a much better job of keeping these animals healthier by providing better living conditions and better processing practices.
I also have to look at the other side of the coin. There are millions and millions of people to be fed in this country. If I try really hard, I can see the thought processes that went into changing the way we grow and raise our food. We used to have people starving in large numbers. Our Agriculture Department wanted more food, cheaper. No one hungry is a noble cause, but what has the cost been? Not only the quality of food we consume, but also our health. With a lack of food, this country would experience dire conditions that none of us want to see.
It is obvious that we need to see changes, and I think that there are a number of ways to promote that. The first step is education. We tend to think that our food comes from the nearest grocery store or restaurant, and most of us don't think past that. With that knowledge, then comes the responsibility of the consumer to make individual changes. That is left to each of us to decide.
Guy - who ever you are...thank you for the information. I would love to talk with you more, and hope to see you at Market again.
First, we really enjoyed seeing everyone at the Market this past Saturday. It seems like we haven't been there in ages, and it was nice to be back. I have missed the patrons and the other vendors. Not to mention, we had a glorious rain the night before and it had continued into the morning. It delayed our arrival, but the change in the weather was amazing. There is nothing like the smell of a nice rain, cleaning up the outdoors and leaving everything fresh. Add the cooler temperatures, and I can't think of a nicer break from our day-to-day in the extreme heat.
I also have to share with you the sweetest moment that we witnessed between a Mother and her son. We were still experiencing a light mist, and the parking lot was full of puddles. It was still early, and the duo removed their shoes, rolled up their pants legs, and proceeded to stomp through the water. The little guy was only about two years old, and he was a little skeptical to follow his Mom, but she made it look like so much fun that he couldn't resist. I wish I had a picture to share because it was so perfect. If you have little ones, take a play from her playbook because it was something that he really enjoyed. It didn't take him long and he was jumping and giggling as he realized he could make a really big splash in those puddles. It was just too cute for words.
Back to the point of the post. I had a nice couple interested in fresh eggs. They came up to our booth, and were involved in a pretty serious conversation. After asking how they were doing, we learned that he is not a big egg eater, and really not interested in eating chicken at all. His major concern was one that we have never been asked about before. I will admit that it stumped me at first because I didn't really understand where he was coming from.
He wanted to know about the hatchery that our chickens came from. I thought he was interested in having a few chickens of his own, and freely shared what I know about the hatchery that we used, along with another one that I know of, and the local feed stores that sell chicks. He quickly stopped me, and explained that he didn't want to buy chicks at all. I am sure at this point I was looking pretty confused. He then explained his concern was more for how the hatchery handles the rooster chicks as they are hatched?
When we ordered our chicks, we ordered hens only. Chicks are purchased in lots of 25, and you can order hens only or straight run. Straight run means that they ship them in the order that they are hatched, and they aren't sexed prior to shipment. We did not want this because I did not want to deal with roosters. They did throw in a few extra chicks with our order, and two of them were roosters. This was a little irritating to me, because at about four months of age, they started crowing. I then found homes for my guys, and they were nice beautiful birds.
At this time, my thought process went like this...Either you keep them, and you have fertilized eggs, or I felt like most of these guys end up on the plate. In my mind, this is the plight of the rooster. He either gets a flock of hens or the plate. This seemed like a reasonable thought process to me. I prefer to have chicken that has been raised in a natural, healthy manner that includes good animal husbandry. To me, this makes for a healthier chicken. Although, I am not willing to process my own birds, and that left this option out for me. Therefore, I found them their own flocks, and you can read about that experience here:
Tale of two Roosters
This gentleman shared some gruesome information that he had seen regarding male chicks the day they are hatched in the big commercial hatcheries. I was shocked by his statements, but as with most things I have discovered in our nations food industry, I didn't doubt what he was saying. This week, I spent some time doing a little research on the subject. I am not including links here because it is pretty horrific. If you are interested, just ask Google the question, and get ready for the answers.
There are a number of organizations that have information posted regarding this topic. There are also a lot of under-cover videos available on YouTube, if you are brave enough. I will say that most of what I saw seem to be chicks used in commercial egg production. You know, the cute yellow ones that are all fluffy and sweet. These would be your Leghorn variety. They are the hens that lay the white eggs, and they are not meant for meat at all. These chickens are light weight and all about eggs. I never really thought about the Leghorn rooster. These guys are lucky if they get a flock of their own and they would never end up on the plate. Not to be rude, but there is not enough there for a meal.
I hope Lola is not reading this.
The commercial fryer industry is not really included in this because those birds are brought to weight so fast and in such horrific conditions, that sex doesn't matter. Male or female, it is all about the weight and the size of the breasts with these guys. These producers are calculating in days from hatch to processing.
I am not really sure where to go from here with this bit of information. There are those that feel that the answer to these practices, is to boycott the whole industry. No eggs and no chicken. I have met a number of vegans at market, and I commend them for the stand that they take on animal rights. This is an individual decision, and in numbers will create an impact. Likewise, in numbers, those that choose to eat eggs and meat can also create an impact by choosing to spend their money wisely. The food industry, as a whole, could do a much better job of keeping these animals healthier by providing better living conditions and better processing practices.
I also have to look at the other side of the coin. There are millions and millions of people to be fed in this country. If I try really hard, I can see the thought processes that went into changing the way we grow and raise our food. We used to have people starving in large numbers. Our Agriculture Department wanted more food, cheaper. No one hungry is a noble cause, but what has the cost been? Not only the quality of food we consume, but also our health. With a lack of food, this country would experience dire conditions that none of us want to see.
It is obvious that we need to see changes, and I think that there are a number of ways to promote that. The first step is education. We tend to think that our food comes from the nearest grocery store or restaurant, and most of us don't think past that. With that knowledge, then comes the responsibility of the consumer to make individual changes. That is left to each of us to decide.
Guy - who ever you are...thank you for the information. I would love to talk with you more, and hope to see you at Market again.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Billy the Kid strikes again
I may have mentioned our barn cat from time to time. I may have explained his first days at the farm.
Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty
I may have shown you how he likes to sleep in the girls nesting boxes.
Remodel Update
I may even have wrongly accused him of bad, unfriendly chicken behavior.
Drat!
How could I have been so wrong?
Gross Injustice
What can I say, I love this cat. Since his first days here, he has continued to amaze me with his peculiar ways. He thinks he has sisters with feathers and wings. He thinks it is a good idea to catch wild birds and then eat them in the chicken house. I am sure the girls are like, "Hey! That's our cousin your crunching on!" He has done this twice that I know of because I have found wings. Apparently he doesn't like wings?
Rude!
To add to his list of strange behaviors, he loves to get muddy. It is one of the strangest things about him, but on more than one occasion, I have picked him up only to be covered by muddy paw prints. In the few rainy months that we have in Texas, you will often hear him galloping through the mud. You can always hear him because he is anything but stealthy. This has always surprised me. He loves to run and catch up with you when you go out back to empty the wheel barrow after cleaning stalls. This has always been a little weird in the dark. You can hear something coming, but you have no idea what it is until he catches up with you.
I thought cats were supposed to be quiet?
This year the temperatures really went up fast. It seemed like we had a hotter than usual June. We started noticing that Kid had a severe shedding problem. It seemed like his winter coat would just not go away. Plus, he was starting to get a barn smell. We combed him, but his shedding was worse and worse. If you were to pick him up and hold him for even a second, you were covered in hair. This is not good for the Man in Charge because he is severely allergic to cats. Not that he picks up the cat, but he doesn't like it when I do. The Full-timer has her own little allergy to cats, but she chooses to ignore it.
We knew we had a problem, but we really were limited on what to do. We kicked around the idea of giving him a bath, but only for a very brief moment. I didn't feel like we could get away with it. I love this cat, and he does weird things, but I did not want to get shredded by said cat. I have bathed kittens, but only very small kittens, and only for very good reasons. I mean, really, what is his problem? Aren't cats are supposed to bathe themselves?
Well, aren't they?
As the days passed, things were getting progressively worse. We were out in the heat of the day, doing some ridiculous chore that I have now forgotten. All that I remember for certain is that it was hot, when who should show up, but Kid? He can't help it. He will risk dogs to be up at the house with people. Can I just say that there is nothing like being outside, hot, sweaty, and then picking up a stinky, shedding cat. He smells and the hair that comes off of him, gets stuck on you.
I couldn't take it anymore.
In my momentary loss of sanity, I grabbed him by the back of his neck and put him on the sidewalk. I then held his back end down with my other hand and told my Full-timer to grab the hose. I had no idea how this would go, but we had to do something. I really anticipated having my arms shredded, but in true Kid fashion, he did not behave as expected. He squirmed enough that he was able to get away from me when we had the hose pointed to his back, but he didn't run far. Like, he only went a couple of feet away from me and I quickly picked him back up and put him back on the sidewalk. We started hosing him down, and nothing. No reaction! I had my faithful helper run inside and grab some dog shampoo, because who has cat shampoo, and we lathered the crazy little thing up. He took it. He let us rinse him. Then when we started towel drying him, he started trying to groom himself. I still don't really know what to think about all of this. It was like he had been waiting for us to give him a hand. I guess he doesn't realize that I am not really his Mom. Even if I was his Mom, he is plenty old enough to practice good grooming habits.
We were able to snap a few shots once we towel dried him. He continued to try to groom himself while I was holding him.
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Then he just sat there looking sad...
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So we took him inside, to relax in the A/C.
Somehow I feel like this was all a ploy and I have been used. I can't explain it, but that is how I feel.
Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty
I may have shown you how he likes to sleep in the girls nesting boxes.
Remodel Update
I may even have wrongly accused him of bad, unfriendly chicken behavior.
Drat!
How could I have been so wrong?
Gross Injustice
What can I say, I love this cat. Since his first days here, he has continued to amaze me with his peculiar ways. He thinks he has sisters with feathers and wings. He thinks it is a good idea to catch wild birds and then eat them in the chicken house. I am sure the girls are like, "Hey! That's our cousin your crunching on!" He has done this twice that I know of because I have found wings. Apparently he doesn't like wings?
Rude!
To add to his list of strange behaviors, he loves to get muddy. It is one of the strangest things about him, but on more than one occasion, I have picked him up only to be covered by muddy paw prints. In the few rainy months that we have in Texas, you will often hear him galloping through the mud. You can always hear him because he is anything but stealthy. This has always surprised me. He loves to run and catch up with you when you go out back to empty the wheel barrow after cleaning stalls. This has always been a little weird in the dark. You can hear something coming, but you have no idea what it is until he catches up with you.
I thought cats were supposed to be quiet?
This year the temperatures really went up fast. It seemed like we had a hotter than usual June. We started noticing that Kid had a severe shedding problem. It seemed like his winter coat would just not go away. Plus, he was starting to get a barn smell. We combed him, but his shedding was worse and worse. If you were to pick him up and hold him for even a second, you were covered in hair. This is not good for the Man in Charge because he is severely allergic to cats. Not that he picks up the cat, but he doesn't like it when I do. The Full-timer has her own little allergy to cats, but she chooses to ignore it.
We knew we had a problem, but we really were limited on what to do. We kicked around the idea of giving him a bath, but only for a very brief moment. I didn't feel like we could get away with it. I love this cat, and he does weird things, but I did not want to get shredded by said cat. I have bathed kittens, but only very small kittens, and only for very good reasons. I mean, really, what is his problem? Aren't cats are supposed to bathe themselves?
Well, aren't they?
As the days passed, things were getting progressively worse. We were out in the heat of the day, doing some ridiculous chore that I have now forgotten. All that I remember for certain is that it was hot, when who should show up, but Kid? He can't help it. He will risk dogs to be up at the house with people. Can I just say that there is nothing like being outside, hot, sweaty, and then picking up a stinky, shedding cat. He smells and the hair that comes off of him, gets stuck on you.
I couldn't take it anymore.
In my momentary loss of sanity, I grabbed him by the back of his neck and put him on the sidewalk. I then held his back end down with my other hand and told my Full-timer to grab the hose. I had no idea how this would go, but we had to do something. I really anticipated having my arms shredded, but in true Kid fashion, he did not behave as expected. He squirmed enough that he was able to get away from me when we had the hose pointed to his back, but he didn't run far. Like, he only went a couple of feet away from me and I quickly picked him back up and put him back on the sidewalk. We started hosing him down, and nothing. No reaction! I had my faithful helper run inside and grab some dog shampoo, because who has cat shampoo, and we lathered the crazy little thing up. He took it. He let us rinse him. Then when we started towel drying him, he started trying to groom himself. I still don't really know what to think about all of this. It was like he had been waiting for us to give him a hand. I guess he doesn't realize that I am not really his Mom. Even if I was his Mom, he is plenty old enough to practice good grooming habits.
We were able to snap a few shots once we towel dried him. He continued to try to groom himself while I was holding him.
Then he just sat there looking sad...
So we took him inside, to relax in the A/C.
Somehow I feel like this was all a ploy and I have been used. I can't explain it, but that is how I feel.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Ask a question and see what happens
Can I just say that it is hot outside?
It is hot outside!
I had a light work load today, not because I don't have a huge amount of work to do, but because I am having a love/hate relationship with my alarm clock. It is really just a hate relationship because I hate it when it goes off. Regardless, I didn't get an early start today, and that severely limits what I am able to get done.
Did I mention that it is hot outside?
If I get an early start, I can stick it out and get things done in the heat. I may have to change clothes three times a day, like yesterday, but I can do it. It makes the laundry pile a little daunting, but I have learned to love laundry. You see, laundry is done in the air conditioning.
Love, love, love, laundry day.
Today, I went to the big city with my Full-timer. I had a few places to go, and then I had a little bit of time to kill while waiting for my girl. I took a detour to my local coffee spot, to enjoy an iced coffee and do a little reading. While I was there, I ran into a new friend that I have met through the coffee house and the Community Market. We have only been able to have brief conversations here and there, but today we managed to sit for over ten minutes and get to know each other a little. She is a young mother of two and an aspiring marathoner.
Can I just say that it has been a while since my girls were little, but I sort of remember life being the marathon. I couldn't even find my running shoes, let alone an hour or more for a run. So, to have a goal of running a race and actually training for it...
Run on, girlfriend!
You go sister!
Keep your chin up!
Lace up those shoes!
Wear really good socks!
Use sunblock!
Carry your phone at all times!
Keep band-aids handy!
Eat really good, wholesome food!
And please, please, drink plenty of water!
Sorry. I'm a Mom. What do you expect?
Anyway, in the course of our conversation we talked about food and food additives. Eating local and supporting the local movement. All of those things that we will hear more and more about in the coming days. I really feel like it is what we have to get back to, for many reasons, but we shared opinions and information, and in our conversation, she mentioned her children and the fact that they have asthma and breathing problems.
Stop!
Why do so many children have asthma?
I hear this more and more from almost everyone that I know that has small children in their families. I actually asked her this question, and we discussed the air quality in North Texas, and all of the things that contribute to it. It has been her experience that this is the explanation that doctors give. I found it interesting, and put it on a shelf in my brain to consider later. This is something that I do frequently. Like, why are more and more people having their Gall Bladder removed? I don't ever think that I am going to solve the problems of the world this way, but I can't help it.
You should know that this shelf is dusty and very cluttered.
I was quite surprised when I logged onto Yahoo this evening, and there was an article about the 10 Scariest Food Additives.
Who would have thought?
According to various studies and information, this article states that these 10 items are believed to be linked in one way or another to...
digestive issues
cancer
tumors
weight gain
thyroid disease
kidney disease
heart disease
breathing difficulties
cause of asthma
and one ingredient is most often used as fertilizer - Really?
You can read it for yourself by clicking on the link - Here!
It is hot outside!
I had a light work load today, not because I don't have a huge amount of work to do, but because I am having a love/hate relationship with my alarm clock. It is really just a hate relationship because I hate it when it goes off. Regardless, I didn't get an early start today, and that severely limits what I am able to get done.
Did I mention that it is hot outside?
If I get an early start, I can stick it out and get things done in the heat. I may have to change clothes three times a day, like yesterday, but I can do it. It makes the laundry pile a little daunting, but I have learned to love laundry. You see, laundry is done in the air conditioning.
Love, love, love, laundry day.
Today, I went to the big city with my Full-timer. I had a few places to go, and then I had a little bit of time to kill while waiting for my girl. I took a detour to my local coffee spot, to enjoy an iced coffee and do a little reading. While I was there, I ran into a new friend that I have met through the coffee house and the Community Market. We have only been able to have brief conversations here and there, but today we managed to sit for over ten minutes and get to know each other a little. She is a young mother of two and an aspiring marathoner.
Can I just say that it has been a while since my girls were little, but I sort of remember life being the marathon. I couldn't even find my running shoes, let alone an hour or more for a run. So, to have a goal of running a race and actually training for it...
Run on, girlfriend!
You go sister!
Keep your chin up!
Lace up those shoes!
Wear really good socks!
Use sunblock!
Carry your phone at all times!
Keep band-aids handy!
Eat really good, wholesome food!
And please, please, drink plenty of water!
Sorry. I'm a Mom. What do you expect?
Anyway, in the course of our conversation we talked about food and food additives. Eating local and supporting the local movement. All of those things that we will hear more and more about in the coming days. I really feel like it is what we have to get back to, for many reasons, but we shared opinions and information, and in our conversation, she mentioned her children and the fact that they have asthma and breathing problems.
Stop!
Why do so many children have asthma?
I hear this more and more from almost everyone that I know that has small children in their families. I actually asked her this question, and we discussed the air quality in North Texas, and all of the things that contribute to it. It has been her experience that this is the explanation that doctors give. I found it interesting, and put it on a shelf in my brain to consider later. This is something that I do frequently. Like, why are more and more people having their Gall Bladder removed? I don't ever think that I am going to solve the problems of the world this way, but I can't help it.
You should know that this shelf is dusty and very cluttered.
I was quite surprised when I logged onto Yahoo this evening, and there was an article about the 10 Scariest Food Additives.
Who would have thought?
According to various studies and information, this article states that these 10 items are believed to be linked in one way or another to...
digestive issues
cancer
tumors
weight gain
thyroid disease
kidney disease
heart disease
breathing difficulties
cause of asthma
and one ingredient is most often used as fertilizer - Really?
You can read it for yourself by clicking on the link - Here!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Corn
You may have read a few things on this blog about corn.
You probably think that I don't like corn.
I know that there are several of you out there that think that I don't like corn. I like corn. I love
corn-on-the-cob cooked on the grill and seasoned a dozen different ways. I love corn chips. I love, love, love cornbread. My love for cornbread probably has more to do with the fact that my recipe for cornbread ends up more like cake, but never-the-less, I love cornbread.
What I don't like is Genetically Modified Corn, also known as GMO Corn.
What is that?
Why do I not like that?
It is a huge thing for me to explain, but I will try to sum it up in 50 pages or less.
Disclaimer: I am not an expert on anything. I am just a silly girl with some huge ideas and opinions on things. I can point you in the direction of experts, but I, in no way, claim to be one.
Here we go...
I do not like Genetically Modified crops. The big ones in this country, to my knowledge are corn and soybeans. Potatoes may also be big on the list, but I haven't done any research exploring that crop as of yet. There are no labeling laws that require a product to list if it contains GMO's. What you will see, are products that have started listing that they do not contain GMO crops. Certified Organic crops are not genetically modified. They can't be GMO and still qualify for Organic Certification.
I do not think that the Organically Certified Programs are without flaws.
There are several reasons that companies genetically alter seed.
Insect Tolerance
Herbicide Tolerance
Silage
Yield
Once a seed has been genetically modified, the new version then becomes proprietary to the company that modifies it. This is one of the scarier aspects to me because it opens up the farmers to a ton of trouble if seed gets contaminated by neighboring farms. It is an ugly, legal mess.
I watched a documentary called King Corn that explains all of this in greater detail. I highly recommend that you find a copy and watch it. If you can't get your hands on a copy, you may be able to convince me to loan you mine. Of course, you will have to stand on one foot, hold your left arm above your head and sing the ABC song, but other than that I will lend it to you for free.
There were several things that I found revealing in this documentary.
1. GMO corn is widely grown and subsidized by the government.
2. It is not edible in its original form out of the field. It requires processing before it can be consumed.
Example: It could be used to make High Fructose Corn Syrup.
3. The gentlemen in the documentary had tests done that show as a result of their diet, their carbon make up is corn.
4. We have reached a time when the farmer can't feed his own family from the crops he is growing.
I always picture the family farm as a place where a farmer can feed his family. It is a place that is diverse in crops and animals, and the farmer is eating his own harvest. This is not true any longer. Farms are more and more commercial, and with GMO crops, the yield has to be processed in one way or another before it can be consumed.
5. The list of things that you consume in a day that contain corn is getting longer and longer. I am not talking about corn on the cob, or creamed corn, or frozen corn, or corn chips, or even cornbread. I am talking about every animal that is fed corn. I am talking about the processed foods that are sweetened with High Fructose Corn syrup or even just fructose. I am talking about all of the ingredients that are listed on labels, that we can't pronounce, that contain corn in one form or another.
It is no surprise that our carbon make up is now testing as Corn!
I want to eat corn when I want to eat corn. I don't want corn hidden in everything that I eat. This is why I don't give my hens feed that contains GMO Corn. This is also why I am doing everything that I can to avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup. This is why I am looking more and more towards grass-fed beef.
Did you know that cows really shouldn't eat corn?
Cows that are sent to confinement feed lots before they are sent to market are fed corn and corn by-products. This is done for a limited amount of time to add weight to the animal before it is processed.
Did you know that if they continued to feed cattle in this manner for an extended period of time, they would die? Even with four stomachs, they are not designed for this type of feeding program.
Disclaimer: Again, I am not an expert. I have watched several documentaries, and I have read a lot of information. If you want to hear from the experts yourself, watch King Corn and Food, Inc. They do a much better job of backing it up with the facts and the experts.
So, you see, I have a bit of a thing about corn. I also am a bit of a control freak, and I want corn when I want corn. I don't want corn because every product out there is slipping some in here and there.
I don't like GMO's of any kind for a few simple reasons.
1. I feel like God made things the way He wanted them. I am not convinced that sending someone into a lab, and letting them change things on a genetic level will make something better for me. I personally feel like it will make things better for a corporation somewhere, but not for me. They have a right to that. I have a right not to participate.
2. If a product is engineered to accept a certain pesticide, doesn't it seem that a farmer would use that pesticide more freely? Would there be much thought concerning over-use?
3. I feel like the main reason for genetic modification is yield. It all has to come down to yield or there would be no financial incentive to do it. Is nutritional value or taste even a consideration?
Why do I want something that will accept more pesticide, make more money for a corporation somewhere, and not even taste better or be more nutritionally beneficial?
These are just a few thoughts on the subject of corn. I am sure that I have more to add, but I will stop for now. I will leave you with a list of things to think about. The list below are items that all contain corn in one form or another. I don't know what half of these things are, let alone how to pronounce them, but I know that I have seen them on my food labels. Read the labels on your food and your drinks, even your gum. You will be surprised at how much corn you consume. This list is courtesy of the movie Food, Inc.
maltodextrin
calcium stearate
cellulose
alpha tocopherol
ethyl lactate
saccharin
poly dextrose
sucrose
ethylene gluten
sorbital
xanatha gum
white vinegar
fibersol-z
citrus cloud emulsion
citric acid
tumaric acid
nosital
di-glycerides.
The lists go on and on...
You probably think that I don't like corn.
I know that there are several of you out there that think that I don't like corn. I like corn. I love
corn-on-the-cob cooked on the grill and seasoned a dozen different ways. I love corn chips. I love, love, love cornbread. My love for cornbread probably has more to do with the fact that my recipe for cornbread ends up more like cake, but never-the-less, I love cornbread.
What I don't like is Genetically Modified Corn, also known as GMO Corn.
What is that?
Why do I not like that?
It is a huge thing for me to explain, but I will try to sum it up in 50 pages or less.
Disclaimer: I am not an expert on anything. I am just a silly girl with some huge ideas and opinions on things. I can point you in the direction of experts, but I, in no way, claim to be one.
Here we go...
I do not like Genetically Modified crops. The big ones in this country, to my knowledge are corn and soybeans. Potatoes may also be big on the list, but I haven't done any research exploring that crop as of yet. There are no labeling laws that require a product to list if it contains GMO's. What you will see, are products that have started listing that they do not contain GMO crops. Certified Organic crops are not genetically modified. They can't be GMO and still qualify for Organic Certification.
I do not think that the Organically Certified Programs are without flaws.
There are several reasons that companies genetically alter seed.
Insect Tolerance
Herbicide Tolerance
Silage
Yield
Once a seed has been genetically modified, the new version then becomes proprietary to the company that modifies it. This is one of the scarier aspects to me because it opens up the farmers to a ton of trouble if seed gets contaminated by neighboring farms. It is an ugly, legal mess.
I watched a documentary called King Corn that explains all of this in greater detail. I highly recommend that you find a copy and watch it. If you can't get your hands on a copy, you may be able to convince me to loan you mine. Of course, you will have to stand on one foot, hold your left arm above your head and sing the ABC song, but other than that I will lend it to you for free.
There were several things that I found revealing in this documentary.
1. GMO corn is widely grown and subsidized by the government.
2. It is not edible in its original form out of the field. It requires processing before it can be consumed.
Example: It could be used to make High Fructose Corn Syrup.
3. The gentlemen in the documentary had tests done that show as a result of their diet, their carbon make up is corn.
4. We have reached a time when the farmer can't feed his own family from the crops he is growing.
I always picture the family farm as a place where a farmer can feed his family. It is a place that is diverse in crops and animals, and the farmer is eating his own harvest. This is not true any longer. Farms are more and more commercial, and with GMO crops, the yield has to be processed in one way or another before it can be consumed.
5. The list of things that you consume in a day that contain corn is getting longer and longer. I am not talking about corn on the cob, or creamed corn, or frozen corn, or corn chips, or even cornbread. I am talking about every animal that is fed corn. I am talking about the processed foods that are sweetened with High Fructose Corn syrup or even just fructose. I am talking about all of the ingredients that are listed on labels, that we can't pronounce, that contain corn in one form or another.
It is no surprise that our carbon make up is now testing as Corn!
I want to eat corn when I want to eat corn. I don't want corn hidden in everything that I eat. This is why I don't give my hens feed that contains GMO Corn. This is also why I am doing everything that I can to avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup. This is why I am looking more and more towards grass-fed beef.
Did you know that cows really shouldn't eat corn?
Cows that are sent to confinement feed lots before they are sent to market are fed corn and corn by-products. This is done for a limited amount of time to add weight to the animal before it is processed.
Did you know that if they continued to feed cattle in this manner for an extended period of time, they would die? Even with four stomachs, they are not designed for this type of feeding program.
Disclaimer: Again, I am not an expert. I have watched several documentaries, and I have read a lot of information. If you want to hear from the experts yourself, watch King Corn and Food, Inc. They do a much better job of backing it up with the facts and the experts.
So, you see, I have a bit of a thing about corn. I also am a bit of a control freak, and I want corn when I want corn. I don't want corn because every product out there is slipping some in here and there.
I don't like GMO's of any kind for a few simple reasons.
1. I feel like God made things the way He wanted them. I am not convinced that sending someone into a lab, and letting them change things on a genetic level will make something better for me. I personally feel like it will make things better for a corporation somewhere, but not for me. They have a right to that. I have a right not to participate.
2. If a product is engineered to accept a certain pesticide, doesn't it seem that a farmer would use that pesticide more freely? Would there be much thought concerning over-use?
3. I feel like the main reason for genetic modification is yield. It all has to come down to yield or there would be no financial incentive to do it. Is nutritional value or taste even a consideration?
Why do I want something that will accept more pesticide, make more money for a corporation somewhere, and not even taste better or be more nutritionally beneficial?
These are just a few thoughts on the subject of corn. I am sure that I have more to add, but I will stop for now. I will leave you with a list of things to think about. The list below are items that all contain corn in one form or another. I don't know what half of these things are, let alone how to pronounce them, but I know that I have seen them on my food labels. Read the labels on your food and your drinks, even your gum. You will be surprised at how much corn you consume. This list is courtesy of the movie Food, Inc.
maltodextrin
calcium stearate
cellulose
alpha tocopherol
ethyl lactate
saccharin
poly dextrose
sucrose
ethylene gluten
sorbital
xanatha gum
white vinegar
fibersol-z
citrus cloud emulsion
citric acid
tumaric acid
nosital
di-glycerides.
The lists go on and on...
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Meat Glue???
Okay - You have to know that the more that I learn about food, the hungrier I am getting. There are so many things that I used to eat, that I don't eat any longer. Ironically, there are things that I know are horrible, but I am kind of craving them now.
I mean, really?
What is that about?
I started this day with the intention of not learning anything new regarding food.
Wrong!
I didn't even try this time.
This link was sent to me in an email. If you do a little bit of research, you will learn that in Europe, they don't mess around with the food. We all thought that they were a little freaky because of Mad Cow Disease.
I mean, really?
How do you let that happen?
Well, they have learned from their mistakes, and they have very strict food labeling laws and they adhere to them like Crazy Glue!
Not to be confused with Meat Glue.
They are also strongly against Genetically Modified Foods or GMO's.
Just do a little Google Search and you will see.
Here is the link on Meat Glue
Yes, you read that correctly.
Disclaimer: I am not an expert on anything. I only share information that is shared with me. This is available for the whole world to see. It is the World Wide Web, you know?
Now, I intend to write something interesting and entertaining next.
I really am hungry.
No, that is not what I meant by interesting or entertaining.
I mean, really?
What is that about?
I started this day with the intention of not learning anything new regarding food.
Wrong!
I didn't even try this time.
This link was sent to me in an email. If you do a little bit of research, you will learn that in Europe, they don't mess around with the food. We all thought that they were a little freaky because of Mad Cow Disease.
I mean, really?
How do you let that happen?
Well, they have learned from their mistakes, and they have very strict food labeling laws and they adhere to them like Crazy Glue!
Not to be confused with Meat Glue.
They are also strongly against Genetically Modified Foods or GMO's.
Just do a little Google Search and you will see.
Here is the link on Meat Glue
Yes, you read that correctly.
Disclaimer: I am not an expert on anything. I only share information that is shared with me. This is available for the whole world to see. It is the World Wide Web, you know?
Now, I intend to write something interesting and entertaining next.
I really am hungry.
No, that is not what I meant by interesting or entertaining.
Friday, March 25, 2011
A Leap of Faith
I am all about lists.
I have lists for my lists.
My problem is that things are not getting scratched off of the list, they are getting added to the list.
In all my lists, and all of the things that I have to accomplish, I stopped what I was doing to do something entirely different.
We have a small plot of ground. I use what is available around the house and the barns for my adventures, and the rest of it is used by the horses and the chickens.
There is a huge problem with this plan.
The problem is that only about half of this land is actually usable. What do I mean by this? The vegetation is not really edible by anything that we have, and we even used to have goats and they wouldn't eat it.
Does that tell you anything?
I don't know what it is exactly, but I call it spear grass. It has these horrible little barb like stickers that get caught in everything and are worthless. This is what it looks like, pretty much year round.
There is a tiny bit of green vegetation in there, but I am not sure what that is either. Some weed of some sort.
After many discussions, the Man in Charge and I decided that we had to do something about this, and yesterday was the day. I laid out my plan, and he said, "Go for it!"
We hired a guy that lives in our town, he is about 70-ish, retired, and has a tractor. He brought over his tractor, with a 5 foot tiller attachment and he went to work. It took him 10 hours, and he did it in one day.
Impressive.
At about 3:00 he was considering coming back and finishing today, but I guess he got his second wind because he went ahead and knocked it out. As I paid him, I asked him if he would do a job this big again, and he said, "Sure, but not tomorrow."
We gave him a few hours head start, and then my trusty helper and I went to work.
She was not a fan of this idea.
So, I drug her, kicking and screaming, and we went anyway. We hand seeded the entire area. We wrapped up at about 8:00 last night. The best that I can explain, it is somewhat like walking on the beach, but without all of the enjoyment of being on the beach. Once the ground is worked, it takes a little more energy to move across it.
The Man in Charge was shocked. He had a long day at the office, and when he called at 8:30 to say that he was on his way home, he couldn't believe that we were done.
There will be very few of you that understand why I did such a thing.
Watch the movie Food, Inc.
I want some good grazing ground, and then I want a couple of cows.
I have lists for my lists.
My problem is that things are not getting scratched off of the list, they are getting added to the list.
In all my lists, and all of the things that I have to accomplish, I stopped what I was doing to do something entirely different.
We have a small plot of ground. I use what is available around the house and the barns for my adventures, and the rest of it is used by the horses and the chickens.
There is a huge problem with this plan.
The problem is that only about half of this land is actually usable. What do I mean by this? The vegetation is not really edible by anything that we have, and we even used to have goats and they wouldn't eat it.
Does that tell you anything?
I don't know what it is exactly, but I call it spear grass. It has these horrible little barb like stickers that get caught in everything and are worthless. This is what it looks like, pretty much year round.
There is a tiny bit of green vegetation in there, but I am not sure what that is either. Some weed of some sort.
After many discussions, the Man in Charge and I decided that we had to do something about this, and yesterday was the day. I laid out my plan, and he said, "Go for it!"
We hired a guy that lives in our town, he is about 70-ish, retired, and has a tractor. He brought over his tractor, with a 5 foot tiller attachment and he went to work. It took him 10 hours, and he did it in one day.
Impressive.
At about 3:00 he was considering coming back and finishing today, but I guess he got his second wind because he went ahead and knocked it out. As I paid him, I asked him if he would do a job this big again, and he said, "Sure, but not tomorrow."
We gave him a few hours head start, and then my trusty helper and I went to work.
She was not a fan of this idea.
So, I drug her, kicking and screaming, and we went anyway. We hand seeded the entire area. We wrapped up at about 8:00 last night. The best that I can explain, it is somewhat like walking on the beach, but without all of the enjoyment of being on the beach. Once the ground is worked, it takes a little more energy to move across it.
The Man in Charge was shocked. He had a long day at the office, and when he called at 8:30 to say that he was on his way home, he couldn't believe that we were done.
There will be very few of you that understand why I did such a thing.
Watch the movie Food, Inc.
I want some good grazing ground, and then I want a couple of cows.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
In the News
You may have read a recent post that I wrote called Enquiring Minds.
If not, stop what you are doing and read it now.
It is life changing!
Not really.
In that post I recommended a food documentary called Food, Inc. If you are even remotely interested in what you eat, achieving better health, or losing weight, you must watch it.
I expect an in-depth research paper on my desk by the end of the week!
Not really.
But, if you've seen it, and you have something to say, send it and I will put it up.
There are other movies available and a wealth of information on the Internet, but this is a great overview of what is going on in the food industry. It will at least give you a starting point for research.
I have watched this movie, plus another documentary called King Corn, and what an eye opener. My new fascination is with corn, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, corn in our animal feeds, the varying degrees of corn that are fed in the cattle industry, etc. It is my new hobby and past-time to find ways to free myself, and my family of corn.
Exhausting.
It has sparked a lot of questions concerning High Fructose Corn Syrup.
1. How's it made?
2. Is it natural?
3. What makes it different than sugar?
4. Is it making us fat?
5. What doesn't have it listed as an ingredient? (Take your glasses to the grocery store.)
I found an interesting article that explained some of the answers to the above questions in a way that I could understand it.
Here it is...Princeton University - A Sweet Problem
If not, stop what you are doing and read it now.
It is life changing!
Not really.
In that post I recommended a food documentary called Food, Inc. If you are even remotely interested in what you eat, achieving better health, or losing weight, you must watch it.
I expect an in-depth research paper on my desk by the end of the week!
Not really.
But, if you've seen it, and you have something to say, send it and I will put it up.
There are other movies available and a wealth of information on the Internet, but this is a great overview of what is going on in the food industry. It will at least give you a starting point for research.
I have watched this movie, plus another documentary called King Corn, and what an eye opener. My new fascination is with corn, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, corn in our animal feeds, the varying degrees of corn that are fed in the cattle industry, etc. It is my new hobby and past-time to find ways to free myself, and my family of corn.
Exhausting.
It has sparked a lot of questions concerning High Fructose Corn Syrup.
1. How's it made?
2. Is it natural?
3. What makes it different than sugar?
4. Is it making us fat?
5. What doesn't have it listed as an ingredient? (Take your glasses to the grocery store.)
I found an interesting article that explained some of the answers to the above questions in a way that I could understand it.
Here it is...Princeton University - A Sweet Problem
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Enquiring Minds Want to Know
The weather is great!
People are getting motivated!
We want fresh food, and some of us want to grow our own.
A must-have book for the home gardener is Texas Organic Vegetable Gardening by J. Howard Garrett and C. Malcolm Beck. I have a hand-made book of Malcolm Beck's that I got 18 or so years ago. He is still at it, and he knows what he is talking about.
My new favorite read is The Backyard Homestead by Carleen Madigan. This is a great book! It has a lot of information.
If you don't want to grow your own, then be sure to ask a lot of questions about your food. Look for local and look for something grown naturally. If you need to be motivated, watch Food, Inc. It is available at Block Buster in the special interest section so I am sure it is available from other companies. If you watch the documentary, and you should watch the documentary, then report back here in the comment section on what you thought. I am interested to hear what you have to say.
If you are new to this blog and are interested in the gardening side of things, be sure to go back to the beginning in the archive section. You will be able to get more of a visual of the gardens last year.
Whatever you decide to do...go outside and play in some dirt.
People are getting motivated!
We want fresh food, and some of us want to grow our own.
A must-have book for the home gardener is Texas Organic Vegetable Gardening by J. Howard Garrett and C. Malcolm Beck. I have a hand-made book of Malcolm Beck's that I got 18 or so years ago. He is still at it, and he knows what he is talking about.
My new favorite read is The Backyard Homestead by Carleen Madigan. This is a great book! It has a lot of information.
If you don't want to grow your own, then be sure to ask a lot of questions about your food. Look for local and look for something grown naturally. If you need to be motivated, watch Food, Inc. It is available at Block Buster in the special interest section so I am sure it is available from other companies. If you watch the documentary, and you should watch the documentary, then report back here in the comment section on what you thought. I am interested to hear what you have to say.
If you are new to this blog and are interested in the gardening side of things, be sure to go back to the beginning in the archive section. You will be able to get more of a visual of the gardens last year.
Whatever you decide to do...go outside and play in some dirt.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Dirt on the Top Ten
Dirt?
Top Ten?
Don't get so excited. I am just giving you a link to the 10 dirty fruits and veggies. These lists are more and more prevalent in the media, and I think that they are useful and interesting. I am also impressed that "they" are doing these tests on our food.
So, just in case you missed this blurb on the Internet, here you go:
10 dirty fruits and veggies
If you have a few minutes, read the some of the comments posted on this article. Some of them made me laugh.
"I've washed my vegetables for years, why do I have to spend double for Organic?"
"Just wash them and they will be fine."
"Washing them has been good enough for me. Why isn't it good enough for you?"
That may be true, but they have not been exposed to the levels of chemicals that we have since birth. Levels that are increasing.
It really is crazy if you do a little research.
All vegetables should be washed, regardless of Organic or Conventional.
Wash it even if it says that it has been pre-washed.
Just know that washing isn't the answer for everything.
Top Ten?
Don't get so excited. I am just giving you a link to the 10 dirty fruits and veggies. These lists are more and more prevalent in the media, and I think that they are useful and interesting. I am also impressed that "they" are doing these tests on our food.
So, just in case you missed this blurb on the Internet, here you go:
10 dirty fruits and veggies
If you have a few minutes, read the some of the comments posted on this article. Some of them made me laugh.
"I've washed my vegetables for years, why do I have to spend double for Organic?"
"Just wash them and they will be fine."
"Washing them has been good enough for me. Why isn't it good enough for you?"
That may be true, but they have not been exposed to the levels of chemicals that we have since birth. Levels that are increasing.
It really is crazy if you do a little research.
All vegetables should be washed, regardless of Organic or Conventional.
Wash it even if it says that it has been pre-washed.
Just know that washing isn't the answer for everything.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
In the news...
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today in the news we are discussing meat grown in a lab.
Yes, meat.
They are trying to equate wine from a winery, beer from a brewery, bread from a bakery and meat from a carnery.
Yes, a carnery.
Here is the link. You can read it for yourself.
U. S. Scientists work to grow meat
Today in the news we are discussing meat grown in a lab.
Yes, meat.
They are trying to equate wine from a winery, beer from a brewery, bread from a bakery and meat from a carnery.
Yes, a carnery.
Here is the link. You can read it for yourself.
U. S. Scientists work to grow meat
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
They wouldn't let them do that.
I have had various conversations with different people, some family, some friends, and some who are just interested in a healthy debate about what is in our food. The single comment that always gets to me is, "They wouldn't let them do that."
I am not a "health nut."
I am not a "food freak."
You will catch me at a fast food establishment from time to time, and you will hear of me whipping up highly caloric concoctions in my own kitchen.
I like to eat good food that tastes good.
What do I mean by that? I mean that most of the time I like to eat something that sustains me. Something that I know is good for my body. I don't crave foods, and most of the time I eat out of necessity. I know that I need to. I know that if I don't I will get a headache, and, if left up to me, I will eat what is the easiest thing at the moment, and am not opposed to eating the same thing several days in a row.
I also am not a perfect person. I do not always eat the healthiest things. I like butter. I do try to use good quality ingredients that have the least amount of processing, and I try to make things from scratch when possible. I am a shop-on-the-outside-of-the-store kind of girl. I stopped buying products that contain hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils in 1998. That was way back in the day, before you heard the term "trans-fats."
The decision to cut out the hydrogenation was sparked by a book that I read after my father died of cancer. That was the beginning of, "Why would they let them put that in our food?" for me.
At that same time, I started my first garden. I had never had one before in my life, funny for someone that descends from Farmers. My first attempt was a serious learning experience. I spent a lot of time reading books, and then I spent even more time asking people questions. The turning point toward "Organic" or "Natural" methods was when I discovered a serious ant problem in my little garden. I immediately went to the store and started reading labels on products that would kill ants. The products that stated they were safe for vegetable gardens also came with warnings. There should be no prolonged contact with your skin. Your eyes should be protected when using this product. There were very serious warnings not to ingest the product.
Wait, what did that say?
Yet, these are safe for vegetable gardens. Needless to say, I left without purchasing anything. I went back to reading and asking questions, and found that I could use self-rising cornmeal to manage my ant problem. Apparently, the ants eat the cornmeal, it expands, and well, you get the picture. The last time I checked , cornmeal is a relatively safe product. I say relatively because I am currently on a mission to reduce the hybrid-ized corn consumption on this farm. I will leave that topic for another day.
My point is that it doesn't take much investigation to reveal what is really in our food. I am not an authority, but I have read a number of books on food ingredients and I have read plenty of food labels. You can do the same thing. There are ingredients that can simulate hormones. There are ingredients that can actually cause you to crave more of the products that they are in. It is a sneaky little game that some food manufacturers are playing. All the while, there are a number of people that still think, "They wouldn't let them do that." My question to them is, "Who is they?"
We are they.
You and me.
Each one of us that is preparing a meal either for ourselves or for our families. To make things even a little easier, I will help you get started. Read the article that was posted on Yahoo! today. Here is the link:
From the experts...
I don't think that I can hit a drive-thru window again, and I already knew about the yogurt thing.
I know people on the inside.
Seriously, you have to read it for yourself.
I am not a "health nut."
I am not a "food freak."
You will catch me at a fast food establishment from time to time, and you will hear of me whipping up highly caloric concoctions in my own kitchen.
I like to eat good food that tastes good.
What do I mean by that? I mean that most of the time I like to eat something that sustains me. Something that I know is good for my body. I don't crave foods, and most of the time I eat out of necessity. I know that I need to. I know that if I don't I will get a headache, and, if left up to me, I will eat what is the easiest thing at the moment, and am not opposed to eating the same thing several days in a row.
I also am not a perfect person. I do not always eat the healthiest things. I like butter. I do try to use good quality ingredients that have the least amount of processing, and I try to make things from scratch when possible. I am a shop-on-the-outside-of-the-store kind of girl. I stopped buying products that contain hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils in 1998. That was way back in the day, before you heard the term "trans-fats."
The decision to cut out the hydrogenation was sparked by a book that I read after my father died of cancer. That was the beginning of, "Why would they let them put that in our food?" for me.
At that same time, I started my first garden. I had never had one before in my life, funny for someone that descends from Farmers. My first attempt was a serious learning experience. I spent a lot of time reading books, and then I spent even more time asking people questions. The turning point toward "Organic" or "Natural" methods was when I discovered a serious ant problem in my little garden. I immediately went to the store and started reading labels on products that would kill ants. The products that stated they were safe for vegetable gardens also came with warnings. There should be no prolonged contact with your skin. Your eyes should be protected when using this product. There were very serious warnings not to ingest the product.
Wait, what did that say?
Yet, these are safe for vegetable gardens. Needless to say, I left without purchasing anything. I went back to reading and asking questions, and found that I could use self-rising cornmeal to manage my ant problem. Apparently, the ants eat the cornmeal, it expands, and well, you get the picture. The last time I checked , cornmeal is a relatively safe product. I say relatively because I am currently on a mission to reduce the hybrid-ized corn consumption on this farm. I will leave that topic for another day.
My point is that it doesn't take much investigation to reveal what is really in our food. I am not an authority, but I have read a number of books on food ingredients and I have read plenty of food labels. You can do the same thing. There are ingredients that can simulate hormones. There are ingredients that can actually cause you to crave more of the products that they are in. It is a sneaky little game that some food manufacturers are playing. All the while, there are a number of people that still think, "They wouldn't let them do that." My question to them is, "Who is they?"
We are they.
You and me.
Each one of us that is preparing a meal either for ourselves or for our families. To make things even a little easier, I will help you get started. Read the article that was posted on Yahoo! today. Here is the link:
From the experts...
I don't think that I can hit a drive-thru window again, and I already knew about the yogurt thing.
I know people on the inside.
Seriously, you have to read it for yourself.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Food Blogs
Just to let you know, I placed links to some of the more popular Food Blogs on this page. If you look on the right side and scroll down on the screen a little, you will find them. I have also added a few that I like to read that have not made the "most popular" lists. When I say "popular", I mean that they have won awards or been acknowledged in some way.
If you are like me, sometimes you just need to be inspired a little when it comes to the question of, "What's for dinner?"
If you are like me, sometimes you just need to be inspired a little when it comes to the question of, "What's for dinner?"
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