Proposition 37

I know there is quite a stir, among other things, with Proposition 37. The California ballot initiative requiring the labeling of genetically modified food in the great ol' state of California. This is my own personal lengthy review, you have been warned ;)

There are great arguments on both sides of the fence and if you desire to actually read the text of the proposition, here it is:
http://www.kcet.org/news/ballotbrief/elections2012/propositions/prop-37-read-the-text.html

I know I am no medical expert, or scientist by any means, however, through about a year of researching, studying, and asking questions, the issue of the food we consume has been on my mind and through our change to eating real, whole food, I can see both sides of the equation. 

Though I am not that old, I have been a life long Republican to the core. So, supporting a measure like this might seems like I've gone off on the hippie bandwagon. However, when it comes to food and health, my research has led me to places that I didn't want to go. It really is an unfortunate thing that you can't "unlearn" something. The reality behind all that is "genetic engineering" is quite frightening. 

Genetic engineering is the manipulation of DNA from plants inserting them with another molecule or substance. For instance, most Genetically modified seeds are inserted with a virus. A virus that makes the crop withstand pesticide application. So, normally if you sprayed Round Up Weed Killer on a little corn stalk, it would wither and die. However, a Genetically modified corn stalk has been hardwired to resist the Round Up Weed Killer and can be sprayed with heavy amounts of pesticide and still remain alive.



Sure, this seems to be the solution to world hunger! We can genetically modify seeds so we can have less weeds and bugs and less crop failure. However, this model is proving year after year to be unsustainable. Land is producing less. Farm workers are getting sicker from the increasing need for more pesticide. Dirty farm water flooded with pesticide is seeping into unsuspecting farms (hence the big spinach outbreak a few years ago, the water was tainted, not the plant itself). What was once thought of the "savior of the hungry" is turning into the problem of the century. More pesticides, year after year, more resistance to the pesticides, more pesticides (which were created after we had access to Hilter's labs in Germany after WW2 and discovered "Agent Orange" the nerve gas used in wars. Pesticides are simply a slight modification of "Agent Orange").

Gene mutation is the stuff of science fiction and while many people will balk and cry foul at the thought of cloning human life, it is already being done in the laboratory with genetically modified food. 

All these scientific reasons are well and good, and I am no crusader for the environment. God gave us the earth to populate, enjoy and from it, reap a harvest. However, not all "science" is wise. Not only do the scientific arguments make sense, the health side of things is increasingly concerning. NO long term human studies have been done on the safety of these crops. NONE. NONE. NONE. And, the way that these crops and other products of Big-Agricultural Food Processing (think aspartame, rBGH, etc) have had a pretty shady and shameful way thought the FDA and USDA. Secrets, lies, and very sneaky things done to get these crops approved for use. 

Back to Prop 37. Yes? No? Well, I read the entire proposition and have read PROs and CONs. And you know what, it is up to you to do your own research on the topic. 

The Proposition is not perfect. No law is. Only the Bible, God's law is perfectly right. So, in this case, I believe the good outweighs the bad. 

Yes, some things are exempt (mostly because there are previous laws and regulations on the labeling of those foods that they could not get around) and the opponents say it will create frivolous lawsuits and cost the government $1 million in new patrolling agencies.

This is a very silly argument. The food label in general is a beast. Do you see how many "objections" and "statements" need to be on a standard label? 
It must list the serving size, vitamin content, fat, saturated fat, protein, sodium, carbohydrates, fiber, sugar, full ingredient list, it must say if it was produced in a facility producing wheat, soy, or fish. It must say where it was made, what country. It must have detailed Daily Value table. It must say who made it and the address of the corporation that produced it.

All that proposition 37 would add to this list, would be two words following an ingredient in the list that is ALREADY there. "genetically engineered". It would also prohibit using the word "natural" on product packaging if that product used genetically modified ingredients because it is very clear that the Generically modified corn is not natural corn.

Don't you want to know what is in your food? I think the majority of people don't want to know... and those who are making genetically modified food DON'T want you to know. 

They claim it will raise prices. However, they are already proving the point of their opposition, people won't want genetically modified food. The NO on 37 website claims "it will force manufactures to use higher priced ingredients." GOOD!!!!!!! Manufacturers shouldn't be using crud chemicals in food! This is a wake up call to scientific "food manipulators." Stop messing with our food. It is a deeper issue than money. It is our health. 

Sure, it will be an inconvenience to people to relabel stuff. I worked in graphic design and I know how much of a pain it can be to redesign a company's logo and branding. But this isn't requiring that! ADD TWO WORDS TO THE INGREDIENTS LIST... and stop lying and claiming something is "natural" when it is not... Genetically modified food... don't you want to know?

Again... I don't want to part of the world's largest science experiment. And from what potentially diet epidemics are yielding (increases in obesity, allergies, auto immune disease, cancer, diabetes, autism, etc...) I choose to say no thanks. Many other countries of the world have banned GMOs and hopefully America will follow suit. Many major companies, Kraft, Mars, Wal Mart, already label their food like this in the UK... so, just tell us too..

so for me, I'm inking the yes box for proposition 37. that's all :)

I found this article on Yahoo! Health and thought it was full of lots of good info and gross things about the food industry...

15 Shocking Food Industry Secrets

Food manufacturers think you're stupid. In fact, they’re banking on it. Why else would Hershey’s put a ribbon on the Good & Plenty box that says “A fat-free candy.” Sure, it's true—no fat in the box—but it's also very misleading. The candy is essentially 100 percent sugar and processed carbs. And Hershey knows the average American equates fat-free with being good for you.
Another example: Between 2005 and 2008, as the organic movement gathered steam, the prevalence of “simple” or “simply” on food labels increased by 65 percent. Food marketers pinpointed how our expectations were changing, and began using that knowledge to keep us buying unhealthy processed foods.
While researching our latest book, Eat This, Not That! 2011, we spotted more minefields than ever—in restaurants, at supermarkets, in your own pantry. That’s why we cornered food-industry insiders and asked them to come clean. What they told us may shock you. Go ahead, dig in.1. The average American has easy access to 2,700 calories each day,according to the USDA, versus just 2,200 in 1970. That food is on their plates and in their refrigerators, or neatly lining the vending machines at work. In other words, potential calories are everywhere. And studies show a direct correlation between food exposure and consumption. If 500 calories a day doesn't sound like much, consider: that’s 52 pounds a year.
Remember: Daily e-mails (or tweets) that contain weight-loss advice remind you of your goals and help you drop pounds, researchers from Canada found. We're partial to our own Eat This, Not That! newsletter, and to the instant weight-loss secrets you'll get when you follow me on Twitter right here.
2. The average American drinks 450 liquid calories a day. That’s twice as much as we consumed 30 years ago, according to researchers at the University of North Carolina. What’s to blame? Take your pick: sodas, energy drinks, lattes, bottled teas, milk shakes. (Here are the most sinister culprits—the 20 worst drinks in America.)
3. Fresh fruits and vegetables cost 10 times more than junk food, according to researchers at the University of Washington. A thousand calories of nutritious food cost $18.16, while a thousand calories of junk food cost a mere $1.76. How do they keep junk-food costs so low? Pretty simple, actually: flavor enhancers and other chemical additives. Speaking of . . .
4. There are more than 3,000 items on the FDA’s list of approved food additives—everything from acesulfame potassium (an artificial sweetner that animal studies have linked to breast cancer) to Yellow #5 (a food coloring linked to learning and concentration disorders in children).
Bonus Tip: Click here for a list of food additives to avoid.
5. Your food can legally contain maggots and rat poop. Sure, the FDA limits the amount of such appetite killers in your food, but that limit isn't zero. Trace amounts won’t make you sick, but the thought of them will.
6. Smaller portions are equally as satisfying as larger portions. Participants in a Penn State study ate macaroni and cheese over four different days, and when presented with bigger portions, they consumed an extra 160 calories. Despite the extra food, they rated their fullness the same.
7. Between 1977 and 1996, the average cheeseburger grew in size by 25 percent. In that same time, a bag of pretzels grew by 93 calories, according to analysis by researchers in North Carolina. But you don't have to give up the burgers to stay thin, but it helps to avoid the 15 Worst Burgers in America.8. What do hamburgers and fertilizer have in common? Turns out, hamburgers—especially the stuff served at schools and fast food restaurants—are routinely treated with ammonia to kill off E. coli bacteria. That’s the same substance used in fertilizers and household cleaners.
9. There's a good chance chicken will make you sick. In a 2006 Consumer Reports review, more than 80 percent of whole broiler chickens bought nationwide contained campylobacter or salmonella—the leading causes of foodborne illness in America.
10. Junk food is like a drug. A study in the journal of Nature Neuroscience found that eating junk food doesn’t just satisfy cravings—it creates them. That’s right; junk food is addictive. That's why manufacturers load their foods with sugar, salt, and artificial flavorings, and why you should never forget the golden rule: If your food can go bad, it's good for you. If it can't go bad, it's bad for you.
11. Only 19 percent of what you pay for a food product actually goes toward the food itself. The rest pays for packaging, labor, and marketing, according to USDA data. Yet another reason to buy fresh, local ingredients.12. Food companies pay “slotting fees” to supermarkets to ensure the best possible placement—an average of $70 per item, according to a 2004 government report. These fees are passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices. Pay less by shopping the tops and bottoms of the shelves; that’s where you’ll find brands that aren’t paying slotting fees.
13. The leanest cuts of meat may have the highest sodium levels. Leaner cuts by definition are less juicy. To counteract this, some manufacturers "enhance" turkey, chicken, and beef products by pumping them full of a liquid solution that contains water and salt.
14. Long checkout lines may make you fat. If you’re waiting to pay, you're up to 25 percent more likely to buy the candy and sodas around you, according to a recent study at the University of Arizona.
15. Calorie counts may be wrong. To ensure you're getting at least as much as you pay for, the FDA is more likely to penalize a food manufacturer for overstating the net weight of a product than understating it. As a result, manufacturers often package more food than the stated net weight or make servings heavier than the stated serving size weight.

just food for thought :)

just label it

Ah, the political ads seem to be everywhere, and rightfully so. In America, we are very blessed to have a role in the shaping of our governing authorities like no other country in history. I love politics. Love it. The debating, the issues, so intriguing and invigorating to me, but on the other hand, the bias of the media and everything that goes against God's Word in political platforms really riles me up. And, after the 2000 election, I had to stop watching MSNBC, FoxNews, and the like. I did keep my AM 870 radio habit alive... but that is only in the car :)

Anywho, next month, those of us who live in the great state of California (said in an Arnold accent) have the privilege to vote on prop 37. Basically, it is a proposition on the ballot requiring companies to label whether their products are made from seeds that have been genetically modified. I've blogged about the dangers of genetically modified seeds before and if you want to research you can look : HERE ... Just google "dangers of genetically modified seeds" and you'll get a bunch of info. Allergies, Auto-immune disorders, even autism has been linked to these seeds... And, we know as a country, we aren't getting healthier or weighing less.

Sure, the people against this bill (the companies who make BUKKO BUCKS from this industry, don't want you to know that you are consuming a seed that has been force-stuffed with a virus that infects the seed to become toxic to bugs) they want you to think that there is nothing wrong with these foods. However, it is just ironic when the company who makes the stuff doesn't want you to know what it actually is...

This bill is not perfect and like the ads on TV and the radio claim, not everything would be required to be labeled... but, who cares!!!!! Labeling SOMETHING is better than labeling NOTHING!

By the way, most of Europe is STRONGLY against all genetically modified crops (bioengineering agriculture) and the countries that allow imported goods that are generically modified are required to be labeled. Here is a label from Europe for salad dressing:

So, give us the right to know... That's all we ask :) If you still want to purchase the item, go for it, but you can't say you didn't know! The companies like Monsanto, DuPont, etc... are shaking in their boots with this proposition and rightly so. 

But what crops are being genetically modified? The top crops in the US is corn, soy, canola, cotton, and sugar beet.

One book I read said that 90% of all of these crops grown in the US are genetically modified. So, you can almost guarantee... that if you consume a non-organic product (or one that doesn't say non-gmo) that has corn, soy, canola, cottonseed oil, or sugar derived from sugar beets, you are consuming an genetically modified food. However, these crops can be formulated into a psychotic amount of different additives, flavors, and preservatives.

Here is a list of all ingredients that can be made from genetically modified ingredients, and since 

Aspartame (also called AminoSweet®,    NutraSweet®, Equal Spoonful®, Canderel®,  BeneVia®, E951) baking powder canola oil (rapeseed oil) caramel color cellulose citric acid cobalamin (Vitamin B12) colorose condensed milk confectioners sugar corn flour corn masa corn meal corn oil corn sugar corn syrup cornstarch cottonseed oil cyclodextrin cystein dextrin dextrose diacetyl diglyceride erythritol Equal food starch fructose (any form) glucose glutamate glutamic acid glycerides glycerin glycerol glycerol monooleate glycine hemicellulose high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) hydrogenated starch hydrolyzed vegetable protein inositol inverse syrup inversol invert sugar isoflavones lactic acid lecithin leucine

lysine malitol malt malt syrup malt extract maltodextrin maltose mannitol methylcellulose milk powder milo starch modified food starch modified starch mono and diglycerides monosodium glutamate (MSG) Nutrasweet oleic acid Phenylalanine phytic acid protein isolate shoyu sorbitol soy flour soy isolates soy lecithin soy milk soy oil soy protein soy protein isolate soy sauce starch stearic acid sugar (unless specified as cane sugar) tamari tempeh teriyaki marinades textured vegetable protein threonine tocopherols (vitamin E) tofu trehalose triglyceride vegetable fat vegetable oil vitamin B12 vitamin E whey whey powder xanthan gum (source)

Yikes! So, for now, since nothing is labeled, buying organic is the only way to know that you are not taking a bite into a GMO. 

Of course, this Proposition is a pain to companies, and the ads claim "more government regulation and intervention" and normally, I support this position, but not on this issue. Not when it comes to my health and the health of my family. No thanks! I opt out of the massive science experiment that Monsanto, and others, are conducting on the world. Just label it.

coconut oil

As I began reading into healthier ways to eat... something kept coming up... coconut oil... coconut oil... and then some more coconut oil... Interesting. Before researching what we consumed, I honestly had never heard of this oil. I knew of vegetable oil (and never thought to ask... what veggie is this oil from!?), canola, and olive. That's about it. So when coconut oil had been touted... I wonder why my head had been stuck in the sand! Well... it is a more expensive oil... and... the FDA says it isn't good for you. Ergo, no promotion on any federal diet websites or ads.

So if the FDA hasn't put their dietetic stamp of approval on it... why am I posting about why you should use it? Well... the FDA has approved it as a food... but they don't approve it as a recommended oil for health claims. Why not?

The lipid hypothesis. (Lipid meaning fat) What is that you say? Basically... some docs made health claims that the fat in your diet was directly related to the fat on your body, and the junk in your arteries. Hence, the lowfat craze that followed in the 20th century. However, this hypothesis is just that... a hypothesis. And what is a hypothesis, its a guess... granted, and educated guess, just a guess nonetheless... Look mom, I remembered something from 10th grade Chemistry! Yay!!

So, people got word from these studies that all fat in the diet needed to be eliminated because it directly caused heart disease. Of course, if doctors told people that, I can see why people jumped on the bandwagon... well... since those initial studies (started in 1850!) most if not all, have been disproven... BUT, no dietary updates have been made to the Federal Diet Recommendations! Why? Well... try to follow me here...

If fat is bad.... we must avoid it... we must not consume food that contains fat... but we still want to drink milk, eat cheese, and use butter to flavor food... so what is the solution?... imitation fat (trans fat)... substances or chemicals that taste just like real fat, but are "calorie-free" and appear "healthier"... ahhhh! a solution! or is it really?...

What has proven time and time again to be the case, the imitation fats that have saturated our diets (soybean oil, hydrogenated oils, including fake sweeteners like aspartame, nutrisweet, etc) these are the true culprits for heart disease (and a host of other diet related medical conditions).

What is the bummer about these imitation fats... yes, they may taste just like butter... but when the get past your tonuge and begin to travel the inside of your body, your body doesn't know what to do with them!!! Are they really fat... no... Are they a protein... well no... What is it!??! And what do I do with it?! And what happens often in the body, the body can't absorb it and they adhere to walls of arteries, stay in the bloodstream, or

Some physicians believe that trans fats also:

• Accelerate aging
• Compromise the immune system
• Damage the lungs
• Damage reproductive organs and their processes (including infertility and prenatal complications)
• Contribute to mental decline and chromosomal damage
• Increase problems with mental functioning such as autism, ADD, ADHD, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, and depression
• Increase the risk for arthritis and autoimmune disease

All very bad things... but if we are to avoid fat like the government says, then what do we eat if the imitation stuff is worse for us?!

I'm so glad you asked! Well, back to that lipid hypothesis again... which has been proven to be just that, a hypothesis. What studies continue to reveal is that food is a complex blend of molecules and that foods are meant to be consumed whole entities. Not removing the fat from butter to lessen the calorie load... Butter eaten as butter... in manageable quantities.

Scientists are continuing to try to figure out God's universe day by day... and more and more. Amazing. The protein in an egg white isn't properly utilized or absorbed unless it has the fat of the egg yolk to help assimilate it into your body. Pastuerized milk that has been heated so high that it kills off the good enzymes that help your body absorb all of the lactose in the milk. That is why we as a nation are eating lots of "fat free" stuff and yet obestity is on the rise like never before. Granted, people eating McDonald's and Baskin Robbins everyday doesn't help either... but all of this combined eating of nutritionally void food takes a toll on your body...

Ah. So what in the world is okay to eat and what will give you the most bang for your nutritional buck... Real food. Whole Food. But even that is being blurred a little these days. Companies are marketing their food as "all natural" "real whole grain" and many more confusing unregulated phrases.

But, if you look into the history of the world, what has been the food that has sustained people...

"Coconut oil has been used for centuries as a vital source of food for health and general well being in traditional communities of tropical regions.Recent research verifies traditional beliefs that the coconut palm is “The Tree of Life” and that, just like any other pure, whole food, coconuts and virgin coconut oil have a significant role to play in a well balanced, nutritious diet. Abandoning unhealthy lifestyles and reverting to natural foods can help to reverse many of the diseases that have manifested in our bodies through the highly refined diet of our modern society.

Virgin coconut oil is one of the safest oils to cook with. It does not contain trans fatty acids and does not break down, even at high temperatures, unlike many other oils. 
Coconut oil is known as the "energy fat" and is favoured by dieters, athletes, and body builders. It is slightly lower in calories than most other fats and oils and is processed in the liver and converted directly into energy. 

Virgin coconut oil is also used for making soaps and lotions."1
Studies and historical research has shown that unrefined organic coconut oil is the best oil for you... You can cook with it, take it by the spoonful, use it as body lotion, or among many other things, make deodorant!

Fat is good for you. In order to properly assimilate food into your body, you need fat, the carrier. Without fat, you are forcing other body organs and parts to overwork themselves by trying to handle all the protein and vitamins without their #1 officer: fat.

Women especially need fat in their diets. If you want more info on that look HERE and HERE.
Researchers are realizing that the amount of fat in your diet does not correlate to the amount of fat you will gain by eating it. Granted if you eat cheap, nasty, processed fat (fake fats and oils that are in almost every fast food, restaurant, and processed food)... you will get fatter...
But, if you stick to whole, unrefined, minimally processed organic fats, the benefits to your body are undeniable.

Now, the thought of using coconut oil can be daunting. I HATE HATE HATE the smell and taste of coconut. Personally... if I see or smell heavy coconut, I'm out! I think it was all the exposure to cocnut chapstick as a child... I don't know... But... I have found that depending on the brand and type of coconut oil, the smell and flavor varies...
For the LEAST amount of coconut smell... buy the Organic Cold Pressed Unrefined Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. I know... a mouthful, but they sell it at Whole Foods, Amazon.com, and now at Costco by the barrel! Wa hooo!

You can use it in place of any oil... I sauté with it, bake with it, fry in it, pop popcorn with it... anywhere oil is called for, substitute it in... except in salad dressings that call for olive oil... the taste will be very different in that case ;)

Hope this helps a little bit into knowing the good in whole fats. There is so much info out there and it makes sense in my head, I just hope it makes sense written in my silly little blog :)

xo
J