Sorry, sorry, sorry for not posting more regularly....no!  no, apologies....life is life...we get busy so we do what we can.  But, I am sorry.  I've come across sooooooooo much it's almost mind-blowing regarding the laws, Mansanto is entrenched in our current administration, and things are changing faster than you could sear a steak!!

Please, everyone try and get a copy of the New Food Safety Law and study it!  I think we should be able to get a free copy from the US government web site.  If it costs anything to get a copy, it's well worth it.  I'm going to try and get me a copy soon!  We need to know what we are up against to be able to become REAL FOOD advocates.  Also, we need to do as much investigation as we can to be able to educate our family and friends as to how Mansanto is QUICKLY changing what the food industry is really about, how that affects our immediate health and access to food and what we can do about it.

In the meantime, here is a great link that can help you navigate through the FRANKENFOOD INDUSTRY.  Remember, it's not just about "organic" any more.  That term itself can be VERY misleading.  Learn what is happening to our foods.  Even if you have stepped up your diligence to make truly good food choices, others need to be educated.  It's the whole world food chain that is under attack by the greedy.  Europe has kicked Mansanto OUT!!  It's time we did the same!

http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com/

For the VERY brave:

http://www.seedsofdeception.com/Public/Products/DVDsCDs/index.cfm



Bon Apetit!

Whew!!  The holidays "roared in" and "roared out".  It was fun but I'm ready for a holiday from the holidays.  I try so hard to keep up with having something fresh to "chew" on here at Food For Thought.  If you've read any of my previous posts, you probably know that I strongly encourage all food consumers to take a personal initiative to educate yourself and those in your own circles and to take every opportunity to engage the food production industry with your own food activism.  I came across a good site that offers those kinds of opportunities.  I hope you'll give it a look and pick a link that you can give some attention.  It's the voice, vote and dollar of the food consuming public that will change the quality of food that we are offered in the general marketplace.  Remember, many people do not have the education or the means to affect such a change.  If any of us are blessed to be in a position where we can say or do something, I think it becomes our responsibility to do so, otherwise, we will continue to become a failing nation of underachievers and malcontents and poisoned/poor quality food could be a significant contributing factor.  (Poorly nourished children have a full range of mental/physical maladies due to improper nutrition.)  Better food = better health.

The "seeds" we plant today are the "harvest" of tomorrow!

http://my.cspinet.org/site/PageServer

Bon Apetit!

New food term - "nanomaterials", doesn't it sound delicious?  It sounds like something a robot would eat, if you ask me.  But, no, thanks to the "new food" science, which some people like to call "Frankenfoods" (because they are reminded of Frankenstein), we now should be worrying about the little microparticles that can possilble do HUGE damage to your body's physiology.  And, trust me, that is something you don't want to hurt. 

I thought this was an interesting quote from the link I'm sharing in this post:
"In contrast to FDA's approach, all food ingredients that incorporate engineered nanomaterials must be submitted to regulators in Canada and the European Union before they can be marketed."

When I read of situations where the FDA is NOT regulating something that is a true health concern to every man/woman and child, like GMO's or nanomaterials but that they are having people arrested and taking their farms because of raw milk, I really want to cry.  Would someone like to give their thoughts on how they perceive the FDA to be, or not to be, actually protecting our food safety issues????

Bon Apetit!

Here's the link on the nanomaterials:  http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/12/caution-urged-with-nanoparticles-in-food/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=111206

What a honey of a mess!  It's getting so complicated in the food markets to know what you are REALLY eating, or not.  If you like honey, or if you are just interested on how complicated and tricky food distributors/producers can be......check this article out:

http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/11/tests-show-most-store-honey-isnt-honey/

I found another one so I can't resist passing it on so that I can do my part to educate others as to the controversies regarding GMO's.

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/why-arent-g-m-o-foods-labeled/?ref=geneticallymodifiedfood


Bon Apetit!

We just returned for a little trip to the Bahamas to help with the celebration of a dear friend's birthday.  While it was a lot of work, it was also a fun time enjoyed by all.  Returning to the Ozarks, where Chef Roland and I live, we were greeted by the arrival of Fall with it's clear, crisp skies.  Time for a change and to begin wearing the warm clothes!

On our trip, I had the opportunity to speak with other people who had their concerns about their own food production (gardening plans and projects), as well as their concerns regarding GMO's.  As more and more people become aware that there are some VERY REAL concerns regarding the food sources that we have available to us, it becomes paramount that we each take whatever opportunities we have to keep the information flowing.  Talk with your family, friends, neighbors and any stranger that will listen.  Write to your representatives and any organization that you can think of to help enlighten them as to what your food concerns are, especially regarding, but not limited to, GMO's.

I am posting a link that I think gives good information that helps to keep food health concerns regarding GMO's crisp and clear and will help us all start to prepare as we face VERY SERIOUS health questions that demand that we all start taking action.  It's the public that must become educated on the issues regarding GMO's, seed monopolies, and the threats that corporations pose when it comes to the foods we have available, or not, for our consumption.


http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/05/01/this-company-may-be-the-biggest-threat-to-your-future-health.aspx

Bon Apetit!

Ugh!! No more apologies, I'm a bad blog manager!  Such is life........
Today, I am following a quest to learn more about where our food comes from and on "the other end" of the food chain, it starts with seeds.  Unfortunately, seeds are usually only considered by people who work with them, like gardeners.  But, let's say you don't garden and don't plan on gardening.  That's okay, there's tons of people who do and they are the ones, especially the large food producers who get to make the decisions as to what you put into your mouth.  If we believe the old adage "what you don't know can't hurt you", well, you know how that works!  The more light shed on a subject, the more clarity and the more informed we can be as consumers so that, by our food purchases, we actually can have a significant impact as to what foods, and the quaility of the foods, that are put into the food market.

Even if you are still confused as to why you should be concerned about genetically modified foods (GMO's), I hope you will read over this interesting information that I found on Wikipeida.  If anything, it gives you a little more insight as to who Mansanto is as a major player, if not almost a monopoly, in the world of food production.  (By the way, they are also the ones that developed Agent Orange, a heribicide/defoliant used during the Vietnam War era.)

Bon Apetit!

I can only apologize for not attending to my blog lately.  We are dealing with many issues related to my parents' health and keeping up with managing their affairs.  It's a bit distracting from all the other things I would like to be doing.

Chef Roland is keeping quite busy working with a local non-profit in developing their baking/culinary program for rehabilitating persons.  It's an awesome program.  We have managed to work in a few outside projects and I will hopefully have pics up soon.  In addition, we will be involved in some private culinary classes, some culinary presentations and helping with our church to develop their concept for gardening/culinary/food preservation classes.  Though we live in a very rural area, I can't believe how many opportunities keep popping up in the most unexpected places. 

We are also looking at the possibility of collaborating with two local venues to present culinary classes to our immediate community, with the idea that we will possiby start our own small cooking school nearby.  Lots going on.

In the meantime, I am persisting to find what I can regarding the GMO/hybrid/Mansanto connection.  I hope you find the link I've included to be interesting regarding an article that ran in the NYTimes.  As you read the article, especially take note of the reference to how Mansanto is brought into this article.  I really wish their could be some kind of public pressure that could be organized and brought to bear on Mansanto and the FDA.  Any political activists reading this???

I would love to hear back from some of you as to what your thoughts are on this most important subject of GMO labeling. 


http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/why-arent-g-m-o-foods-labeled/?ref=dining

Bon Apetit!







 

Since I've referred to Mansanto in various articles and links I've posted, I thought I would give you a link that, I think, gives a very good overview as to why we should be concerned about this corporation and how it is negatively impacting our world.  Here's the link:

http://www.naturalnews.com/030967_Monsanto_evil.html


http://www.naturalnews.com/030913_Monsanto_suicides.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/030406_GMOs_survey.html


http://www.naturalnews.com/030940_Bill_Gates_Foundation_genetics.html

Hello.  I trust you are all keeping warm and cozy, enjoying this weather.  One of the great ways to beat the winter blahs is to pull out a few recipes that you've thought about trying.  Having the oven on in the winter, filling the house with delicious smells, lifts everyone's spirits.

I wasn't sure if you all heard, but the Updated Food Safety Bill did pass and was singned into law a couple of weeks ago.  Also, it did have an amendedment attached that excludes the food producers making under $500.000/year, I believe.  Please, do some investigating and doublecheck that fact.  My memory is not working so good.  :)

If you are in the food production business, in whatever capacity, and whatever level, you need to keep a careful watch on this bill and others like it that are relative to food production.  The reason I say that is that during my research on this particular food bill, I discovered unknown information regarding seed harvesting and the whole controversy regarding Mansanto and the hybrid/genetically engineered food fight.  That's one that is REALLY scary.  I had come across a little tidbit, (when I find it again, I'll post the link), that during the WikiLeaks, it was revealed that the US administration threatened economic punishments to France if they did not allow hybrid seeds into their country.  They had been resisting because they take great pride in the fact that they have very strict controls in place to insure the high quality of food that they produce.

In the meantime, (while I look for that link), here is another interesting link regarding food safety: 
http://www.walletpop.com/2011/01/19/many-states-get-poor-grades-for-food-poisoning-control-says-rep/?icid=maing%7Cmain5%7Cdl3%7Csec3_lnk1%7C37912


Bon Appetit!