on my mind monday 6.18.12

news | photo: mconnors

It's never the same two weeks in a row.  This is what I find interesting in food, nutrition and holistic living.  Read what's on my mind.

In El Salvador, Tooth Decay Epidemic Blamed on Junk Food - This link is to a video that shows a dismaying epidemic of ill health strongly linked to the cheap easy access of sugar and cheap junk food.  In watching the video I was horrified to learn that some families, if they have no milk, will put soda or coffee into a baby bottle to feed their baby.  Nutrition education is so important.  We have gotten too far away from understanding our food and it's relationship to our health.

Disney Sets Limits on Food Advertising -  While this is a small step in the right direction it unfortunately also comes as a huge nutri-washing opportunity.  Disney will use this as a major publicity push and possibly as a bargaining chip for deals with vendors and marketing affiliations.  But it's limited in it's scope, will not be fully implemented until 2015, and still does not really address the issue of educating the consumer.  As always caveat emptor (buyer beware).

Food Producers Want Your Nose - Scent is an amazing and powerful tool.  Many people find memories triggered by smells; we often respond to certain smells on an unconscious level, especially those related to food.  This new technology is horrifying; manufacturers are seeking to take advantage of our unconscious response to smells in order to sell more product.  However it fails to take into account the rising numbers of people are affected by Multiple Chemical Sensitivities.  I for one try to avoid the mall as I can't walk past a large number of stores which blast perfume into the space in front of their location, leaving me with a blinding headache if I stay too long.  And people who wear too much perfume or cologne in public places are also problematic for me.  I'm fairly certain that these fake smells are going to linger in the grocery store after people have handled products coated with this technology over and over again.  And touched the cart, leaving residue all over the handles.  The producer claims to only be using "FDA approved flavors" however I'm not convinced that this is anything that should be approved in the first place.

Rachel Carson, Green Revolutionary - Hard to believe it's been 50 years since Silent Spring was published.  A wake-up call regarding the use of pesticides and other environmental chemicals that has been largely ignored.  Although some strides have been made toward banning the use of certain organophosphates and organochlorines it's not enough.  Sadly these chemicals tend to accumulate in body fat and the effects can be cumulative along the food chain.  I also believe these effects to be cumulative through generations.  I plan to take my copy off the shelf and re-read it, I'm encouraging others to read it as well.  The book may be 50 years old but it's cautionary message still holds true.


Father's Day was yesterday and hopefully all those great Dads out there received props for how wonderful and important they are in their families.  Do more for Dad - watch this video to learn some great Heart Health Tips for Men.  There's also a great heart healthy recipe that Dad is sure to love.

 Contact me to learn how you can $ave on professional grade supplements.