Tag: organic

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Why would anyone want this in their food?

Just a short post to point out the continued concerns with glyphosate- the primary chemical in the product Roundup.

Previous postsroundup-display have pointed out some of the concerns about pesticide and herbicide residue in food and feedstock items.

Unfortunately, this has not changed – and recent articles and studies underscore  this concern.  A recent article on the website of the Independent – a British newspaper – contained the headline:  “Scientists urge caution over experts’ claims pesticide is ‘probably’ carcinogenic”.

It goes on to reference a report from The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) – a the specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization.   What stands out to me is the statement: ” The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is that the herbicide glyphosate is classified as probably carcinogenic to humans”.

Take the time to read the linked articles and studies for yourself.
In my mind, the information that there is a probable link to cancer from this substance and as rroundup-ingredientseferenced in the Lancet Journal of Oncology – “Glyphosate and glyphosate formulations induced DNA and chromosomal damage in mammals, and in human and animal cells in vitro”.    Yikes!

I’d rather not ingest anything that damages might damage my dna or chromosomes, or is “probably carcinogenic”.  If you’re concerned about herbicide residue in food, or this type of potential damage to your body, I’d urge you to do the same.    Next up – how to avoid exposing yourself to glyphosate (think organic).

 

Questions?  Comments?  Use the form below – I’d love to hear from you!

 

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How much GMO have you eaten today?

If you’re not already familiar with the term GMO, or GM food, you’ll want to read the previous post that gives a quick overview of what GMO means and helps explain what GMO food is.  After learning what GMO is, some people are surprised, some don’t care, and some decide that they aren’t going to eat GMO foods.

You might be surprised to learn some of the GMO products already in the US food supply that are routinely consumed by unsuspecting consumers.

Think about the fact that in the US food supply there are GMO products such as:

Corn – LOTS of corn – this ripples down into our food supply in terms of many products too – chips, cornstarch, feed for animals, HFCS, corn oil, and many others

Sweetcorn – yes – unfortunately, that kind too.

Soy – this applies to every product from hydrolyzed vegetable protein to tofu to soymilk, some types of baby formula, etc.

Canola oil – did you know that Canola is a GMO ?

Sugar – more than half of the sugar sold in the US comes from sugar beets, and 95% of that is from GMO beets.   Soon we will also have sugar from Roundup Ready beets – another GMO sugar beet variant.  Unless your bag of sugar says 100% organic or 100% cane sugar, it almost certainly contains sugar from GMO sources.

The list also includes certain varieties of potatoes, tomatoes, rice, much of the Hawaiian grown papaya, and peas.

Other than dairy products that come from cows receiving some form of bovine growth hormone (don’t forget ice cream – most of the ice cream is made from dairy products from cows that receive bovine growth hormone), there are not currently gmo animal products approved for sale in the US.   This refers to animals who’s genetic material or dna have been directly modified – you still may be purchasing animal products from animals who were fed and/or raised on GMO crops such as corn.

The previous post looked at  what GMO products are, and how they are made.
In this post we’ve looked at some of the GMO food products that are sold in the US – and that you are probably already consuming.
Be sure to read the next post where some of the specific concerns about the long term effects of consuming GMO products are reviewed – and how you can minimize your exposure to products containing ingredients from GMO sources.

 

Have questions or comments?  I’d love to hear from you – use the form below to contact me.

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How to make your coffee even healthier

Yes – even healthier!   Our previous post talked about some of the health benefits of coffee.  This post contains tips for making that next cup of coffee even healthier and things you can do to maximize the healthy benefits that coffee can bring to a healthy lifestyle.

Let’s start with the coffee itself – with the methods used for it’s growth and production.  If at all possible, try to go with organic coffee.  While coffee growers may not be the worst offenders in terms of herbicides and pesticides, you still want to avoid these toxins whenever possible.

Always try to get whole bean and grind your own coffee.  Coffee is a complex beverage; the flavor comes from hundreds of volatile compounds and oils found in roasted coffee beans.  Because of the volatile nature of these compounds, they can begin to dissipate quickly once the beans are ground and exposed to air.  It is these compounds that also contribute to the antioxidant qualities of coffee.  Best to grind right before brewing.

Consume shortly after brewing, or carafe quickly once done.  I prefer a method where the coffee is brewed directly in to a thermal carafe.  Many oils and volatile compounds are released from the grounds as the coffee is brewed.  These begin to evaporate or dissipate immediately after brewing.  To minimize this, avoid leaving an open pot or carafe sitting on a burner or warmer for extended periods after brewing.  Coffee that continues to heat or cook after brewing will undergo changes in both the taste and the antioxidant properties.

Use real cream or half and half or milk (organic of course) if you cream your coffee.
Avoid the non-dairy coffee creamers; read the labels and you’ll see a list of things you probably wouldn’t want to ingest on their own – why put them in your coffee.  Choose between milk or cream depending upon your diet and your goals for fat intake.

Finally, if you do need to sweeten your coffee, try stevia or a natural sweetener, or a small amount of sugar (preferably organic).  Avoid the artificial sweeteners, especially aspartame to avoid the toxin issues associated with artificial sweeteners.

Questions or comments – let me know; I’d love to hear from you.

 

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How about grilling a healthy … burger?

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

When someone mentions healthy foods or foods that are good for you  – a burger is probably the first thing that comes to mind. However, there is a way to make a healthier burger and to add healthy garnishes and condiments to make it even more nutritious.
Here at some changes you could make to boost it’s nutrition and avoid some of its unhealthier aspects .

Let’s start with the burger itself – if you make it out of organically raised grass fed or pasture raised beef – that makes it better. You will avoid the hormones and antibiotics by going organic and get the benefit of healthier beef from a cow raised on the food they were designed to eat – grass.

If you make it from bison instead of beef – even better. Bison are free-range animals, and are raised without hormones and antibiotics. In addition, bison is a healthier red meat that doesn’t have the same amount of fat as beef.  Bison (buffalo) is even recommended for heart health by the American Heart Association because it is very low in total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium.

A whole grain bun is better than a white bun – whole grain breads are always healthier than those made with white flour – even better if it’s organic. You could always skip the bun altogether and enjoy the burger with some healthy toppings.

Organic condiments like ketchup can help avoid more toxins – and of course, look for ketchup made with sugar, not high-fructose corn syrup.

For an added boost, consider adding some sprouts and avocado (organic of course).
You get some satisfying healthy fats from the avocado (which will help leave your hunger satisfied), and an added vitamin and enzyme boost from the sprouts.

Remember – you don’t have to do these all at once if it seems overwhelming. Take these steps one by one and transform your diet into a healthier one one little step at a time. After you make one change, move on to the next.

 

Questions or comments?  I’d love to hear from you – leave a reply in the box below.

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Need another reason to consider organic foods?

The pesticides.

If for no other reason – this one should make the most sense.

Pesticides are chemicals such as fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides. These chemicals are typically used quite liberally in conventional agriculture.   As noted in a previous post – the USDA organic label has stringent requirements, which include that synthetic fertilizers, prohibited pesticides, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering may not be used.

Organic does not mean pesticide free (unless labeled as such), but generally speaking most artificial pesticides are prohibited (the USDA has very stringent guidelines on prohibited pesticides when it comes to organic foods).   You will probably find that many organic farmers seek to minimize the use of all pesticides, even natural ones.

The concern I’m focusing on is pesticide residue that remains on and in food.
The President’s Cancer Panel in their statement on Environmental Factors on Cancer state:  “Many pesticides are known endocrine disruptors, and several in common use are known to cause mammary tumors in animals. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has concluded that some substances used in pesticides are known, probable, or possible human carcinogens.”

Probable, or possible human carcinogens.  For me, that phrase alone is enough to point me in the direction of foods that possibly or probably won’t contribute the possibility of developing cancer.

Cancer is a terrible and complicated disease or group of diseases with many possible causes, but I’m not interested in doing or ingesting anything is possibly or probably will contribute to the possibility of me developing it.

So – what do you do then?

1.  See the previous post about how to find organic food at reasonable prices.  One of the suggestions is to purchase locally and utilize local farmers markets.  This give you an opportunity about how the food was raised and prepared for market.

2.  Focus on the “dirty dozen”.  These are the dozen foods that are most likely to contain pesticide residue and therefore are the ones you should make sure on your list of organic foods:

Apples, Celery, Strawberries, Peaches, Spinach, Nectarines, Grapes, Sweet Bell Peppers, Potatoes, Blueberries, Lettuce, and Kale (and collard greens).

The Environmental Working Group has an excellent website detailing these foods and also those that are not as much of a concern.  I recommend that you use their list as a guide when shopping.

Finally, it’s important to remember that natural and organic are not interchangeable. Other truthful claims, such as free-range, hormone-free, and natural, can still appear on food labels even if the foods don’t meet the USDA organic labeling requirement. Don’t confuse these terms with organic as you may be not be buying what you think you are.

 

Questions about anything in this post?  Leave me a comment – I’d love to hear from you!

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how to find organic food at reasonable price$

how to find organic food at reasonable price$

This is the third in a series of posts highlighting organic food.
This post will highlight a few ideas on obtaining organic food at reasonable prices.

 

Many people desire to eat organic foods once they learn about the practices used to produce organic food.  Not only is organic food typically raised in a more sustainable way, but the process is typically more environmentally friendly and requires less petroleum products and generates fewer greenhouse gases as well.

Some also decide to eat organic once they consider the harmful substances that are avoided when the organic approach is taken.    Remember – you are what you eat – and the same goes for the things you eat – it all becomes a part of you.   A future post will deal with why you should be concerned about glyphosate (Roundup) being used in the process of growing the food that you eat.

So having been convinced of the benefits of organic food – often the final objection to “going organic” is the concern about the higher cost of organic foods.

Here are three ways to reduce the price you pay for organic foods:

 

  1. Local farmers markets
    Local farmers markets are a great source for both locally grown produce and organically raised products.   The great thing about these is the opportunity you have to find out information first hand about the things you will be eating.   An added bonus is supporting local growers and your local economy.
  2. The “big six”
    Organic is catching on with retailers in a big way.   Part of the reason that organic products can cost more is that demand currently far outweighs the supply.   Retailers have not failed to notice this, and you can currently find a selection of organic products at many larger retailers.   The six retailers who sold the most organic products in a recent survey are:     Walmart, Costco, Kroger, Super Target, Safeway, Whole Foods
  3. Your local grocer
    Local grocers have also caught on to the interest in organics and are eager to cash in on it too.   This is too your benefit, as they won’t put products on their shelves if they can’t move them.   Just like other products, these items go on sale as well.  This puts organic within the reach of most people at the same price as conventionally grown products – you just have to have some flexibility about what is on sale and what is available.  Publix, Harris Teeter, Food Lion, and even the smaller grocers all are now carrying more and more organic products, and sometimes even the locally grown ones too.

Questions or comments about anything in this post – let me know, I’d love to hear from you.

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Why consider organic? (environmental)

 

This is second in a series of posts on why you might want to consider organic foods the next time you are at the grocer or choosing between a conventional or organic food.

Two environmental reasons are actually stated within the USDA requirements for receiving the certified organic label:  Organic is a labeling term that indicates that the food or other agricultural product has been produced through approved methods that integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. Synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering may not be used.
Based on this, consider the following:

  1. The methods used integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster recycling of resource, promote ecological balance and conserve biodiversity.  These are methods that work, and are in harmony with the recent push toward sustainable agriculture.
  2. Synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering may not be used.
    None of these is great for the environment – and they’re not good for you either.   According to a recent article in the Huffington Post: “… 41% of conventional systems’ petroleum goes to nitrogen-based fertilizers, which cannot be used on organic farms. This means that organic agriculture uses 45% less unsustainable energy than conventional agriculture. For similar reasons, organic farms produce 40% less greenhouse gas emissions than conventional farms.”
  3. A third reason is that even the  “game changers” such as the combination of glyphosate (the active ingredient in the herbicide Roundup) and crops genetically modified to withstand glyphosate are losing their effectiveness  – resulting in greater costs, more chemical usage, and methods that are increasing soil erosion.  As one farmer stated in a recent article in USA Today, “I used so many chemicals last year, it made me silly,” McKee said. “We’re going backwards 15 years.”

Next up on this series –what about $$ – how to find organic at reasonable prices.

The goal of mrhlth.com is to help you do this:  to provide a place where you can discover changes that you can integrate into your life to take small steps toward a healthier lifestyle.

Questions about anything in this post?   Leave me a comment and let me know – I’d love to hear from you.

 

 

 

 

 

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Why organic?

 

Why consider organic?

This is one in a series of posts on why you might want to consider organic foods the next time you are at the grocer or choosing between a conventional or organic food to consume.

Many people consider organic foods to be a “scam” – a more expensive version of the same food.

These posts concerning organic foods are intended to help bring a little insight regarding organic foods; what’s the difference, why consider, is it worth a cost difference, what does it matter, etc.

What is organic?
While the term “organic” is not defined by law or regulations FDA enforces, however – the USDA does have a certification and seal that is intended to assure consumers that the organic foods they purchase are produced, processed, and certified to be consistent with national organic standards.

According to the USDA: Organic is a labeling term that indicates that the food or other agricultural product has been produced through approved methods that integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. Synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering may not be used.

There is a difference in how the product is raised, produced, and made ready for you to eat.
You are what you eat, and the same goes for the things you eat – they all become a part of you.

Next up on this series – why should you be concerned about organic vs. conventional.

The goal of mrhlth.com is to help you do this:  to provide a place where you can discover changes that you can integrate into your life to take small steps toward a healthier lifestyle.

Questions about anything in this post?   Leave me a comment and let me know – I’d love to hear from you.