gmo: what you need to know

As election day draws nearer there is an enormous amount of attention being paid to what the voters will do at the polls.  California is in the forefront of the move to label GMOs in food.  Other states have considered it but as of yet none have actually passed such a bill.  The general thinking is that if one state passes this legislation manufacturers will be forced to change all of their labeling nationwide in order to not have to create two forms of packaging.

The battle has been heated and intense with both sides contributing money to try to reach out to California voters and garner their support.  The chain of food ownership has become startlingly clear as the Cornucopia Institute put together this infographic showing who contributed what to the campaign.  Consumers were truly able to see that although companies like Cascadian Farms Organic, Larabar, and Kashi have a reputation as being consumer friendly and producing clean products, they are in fact owned by major corporation such as Kellogg and General Mills.  These giant food producers have a vested interest in maintaining our state of ignorance and have contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to try to convince consumers to vote against GMO labeling.

This is not just an issue that we face here in the US.  All over the world governments and consumers are rethinking the use of GMO.  Just last month Russia suspended the use of GMO corn after a controversial French study showed ill effects in lab animals.  This study has since been brought into question however many of the issues it raised are valid and warrant further study.

This is not, however, the first time that there have been issues with GMO corn.  Back in 2005 there was a German study which showed severe health effects and damage to the liver and kidneys causing the German government to call a halt to the use of the corn.  A 2009 study done in Austria showed that there was a link between GMO crops and a decline in human fertility.

In August of this year two Australia farmers began to travel around New Zealand educating farmers against GMO crops.  As is the case here in the US, those that do not want GMO crops have no recourse if their fields are "accidentally" contaminated.  However there is no way for them to protect against wind, flood, and animals carrying seed.  All of these are potential methods of contaminating crops.  Monsanto has a known reputation for suing farmers for theft if their fields become contaminated, even if this contamination is against the wishes of the farmer.  The only way to protect against GM is to keep it out of the country.

In this video (1.5 hours but worth watching) Jeffrey Smith, the Executive Director of the Institute for Responsible Technology talks about GMO crops and their effects.





You can also watch the movie The World According to Monsanto to learn more.



If you want to read further about GMOs consider the following books:

• Seeds of Deception: Exposing Industry and Government Lies About the Safety of the Genetically Engineered Foods You Are Eating
• Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods
• The World According To Monsanto
• Seeds of Destruction:  The Hidden Agenda of Genetic Manipulation

At this point it may be difficult to stop the spread of GMO crops.  I believe it should be stopped and I believe it should be eradicated to the best of our ability.  But even more importantly I believe that we should have the right to know what's really in our food.  I will be watching the election to see what happens in California.  I will be hoping that Californians lead the way in supporting our right to know what's in our food.

photo: faul

on my mind monday 10.29.12

It's never the same two weeks in a row.  A collection of what I find interesting in the world of food, nutrition, and holistic health.  Here's what's on my mind.

Tofu allowed in school lunches - This is concerning for a couple of reasons.  The first being that soy products are one of the most heavily GMO contaminated crops in this country.  I'm guessing that schools won't be providing organic soy for school lunch.  Another concern is that too much soy is not healthy for you, especially if it's not fermented.  And yet we're going to feed it to our kids.

Medium or Large? - As I've shared before, we're REALLY BAD at "consumer math."  We think we know what we're doing but we trust the label a little too often.  When given the same size cookie but told it's medium, rather than large, we eat more.  The endless bowl of soup experiment showed that we really do eat with our eyes.  We need to be more mindful of what we eat, not only for food content, but also for amount.

Heading into the winter months more people have been asking me about drying, or dehydrating, foods. Living in Texas I can't dehydrate by drying in the sun; it's too humid here.  I air dry herbs inside my home and for other foods we use an electric dehydrator.  Here's a video with a succinct explanation about the process.



Two good resource books on dehydrating foods (and using them in recipes) are The Dehydrator Bible and Mary Bell's Complete Dehydrator Book.  Those who follow a raw food diet tend to use the dehydrator as a cooking method so looking at those books and recipes may be helpful as well.

One form of dehydration is to bake in the oven.  This recipe for these amazing looking beet chips is a great way to eat this this tasty, good for you root crop.  High in folate, manganese, fiber, potassium, vitamin C beets are easy to add to the diet.  So tasty any way you serve them (but especially in chip form) you'll be wanting to grow your own.

vitamins and minerals for a healthy immune system

In today's busy world, staying healthy is very important. Day-to-day stress can leave people feeling run down and low on energy, especially if their dietary needs are not met. Many people with fast-paced lives opt for fast food instead of a home cooked meal. The downside of fast food is that it's often high in fat and calories and low in the recommended amount of daily vitamins and minerals a person needs in order to stay healthy. With winter just around the corner, cold and flu season is on its way. Individuals with lowered immune systems can be especially susceptible to these pesky viruses. Support your immunity by building up your vitamin arsenal. In taking supplements as directed, you can defend yourself this winter by giving your immune system the boost it needs.

Vitamin C is one of the most beneficial vitamins of the entire vitamin spectrum. It is found in a variety of fruits (strawberries, oranges, and kiwis) and vegetables (bell peppers, brussel sprouts, & broccoli), and can be taken daily in capsule or chewable tablet form.  Vitamin C gives a boost to the immune system, which is why it is known as a common remedy for winter colds. It also assists in cell renewal and works as an antioxidant, helping the body rid itself of toxins that can also contribute to low energy and chronic health problems.

Zinc is a mineral that is well known for its immune boosting properties, but zinc also offers a long list of incredible health benefits. Research has proven that zinc is a very important element to the health of human beings, and even a minimal deficiency can contribute to various health issues. Zinc is a potent antioxidant, and antioxidants have been shown to lower cancer risks as well as renew cells and tissues. Zinc also assists in hormone and endocrine function. Low zinc levels can contribute to premature aging as well as well as lower natural energy levels. Probably the most common foods that include zinc are: low fat roast beef, pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate, and peanuts. People can also easily get the daily requirement of zinc by taking a multivitamin that contains this mineral.

Vitamin D is essential for health, and getting fifteen minutes of sun exposure each day allows the body to absorb this amazing vitamin and utilize its health benefits. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, which contributes to strong and healthy bones and a healthy immune system. It also works to regulate blood pressure, reduce respiratory infections, fight depression and improve cardiovascular strength. To make sure you are getting enough Vitamin D eat fish like mackerel, sockeye salmon, herring, catfish, or tuna fish. If you do not like fish you can also consume eggs or shiitake or button mushrooms.

These vitamins and minerals can all be consumed individually or in multivitamin form. Multivitamins contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, and are a convenient way to get everything you need in one dosage. By incorporating these vitamins into your daily routine and taking them as directed, you will be able to protect yourself during cold and flu season, and you will also be contributing to your overall body health and future wellness.

Contact Mira to learn how you can $AVE on professional grade, high quality supplements.

Elissa Pitney studies health and wellness and is working towards becoming a personal trainer. When not working out and watching what she eats, she enjoys mountain biking and spending time outdoors.

photo:  William Brawley