Receta Monday Ramblings
Monday Ramblings
May 12, 2013 By: Kathy6 Comments
I first started this blog out of passion for cooking and my love of food. I knew I wanted to share healthy recipes but little did I know how much I would begin to learn about what is considered healthy. Looking back on my journey I realize how little I knew about food itself, where it comes from or what genetically modified meant. Believe me I am not the person to push my beliefs on anyone but I feel strongly about educating myself and sharing my knowledge with those who are interested. Genetically modified organisms (GMO`s) have had changes made to their DNA by genetically engineering techniques. They pose an extremely significant hazard to our health and the environment. One of the most popular genetic modifications makes plants immune to herbicides. However, these herbicides are toxic for human consumption and can cause severe damage within our body. Many processed foods contain 90-100% GM ingredients. Most non-organic breads, baked goods, sweets, candy and gum contain GM ingredients. Most non-organically raised meat, dairy and eggs products contain GM ingredients. These animals are typically fed a diet that is more than 90 percent GMO.
Unlike many other countries, GMO are not labeled in the US and it leaves us, consumers, blind to what is in our food.
So what can we do?
Learn to read nutrition labels as well as numbers on the labels. 4 digit number means the food is conventionally produced, 5-digit number beginning with an 8 means it’s genetically modified (but do not trust that genetically engineered foods will have a PLU because PLU labeling is optional). If it’s a 5 digit number beginning with a 9 means it’s organic. Become familiar with most common application of GM i.e. corn, soybean, canola, cottonseed oil most commonly used in vegetable oils and margarine
Buy organic, grass fed, range free meats
Avoid non organic baked goods Avoid non organic dairy as cows are injected with GE hormone rBGH/rBST and possibly fed GM grains and hay
Buy 100% organic
Educate yourself I realize that eliminating GMO is hard. I still struggle with finding certain ingredients without making a million trips to different stores. What works for me is doing prep work before going to the grocery store, planning out my meals, purchasing ingredients at a local farmers market and doing a little label reading at reputable grocery store. I understand that I won’t be able to completely eliminate all genetically engineered food. But I will certainly try hard to make sure that the food I cook for my family is healthy, nutritious and fresh. Yes it is a little extra work, but if that means longer, healthier lives for us all then I’m all for it. At the end if we are healthy and happy we are less likely to end up spending our money on medication and treatments.