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!

I was soooooooooo excited to see the post I've linked to for you to review.  Please, if you have ANY concerns at all about GMO's or Mansanto or preserving your right to naturally reproducing seed that is nonhybrid, please copy and paste this link everywhere you possibly can and make a committment to follow this case closely, notifying every representative you can of this action!
http://rareseeds.com/GMO_lawsuit

Bon Apetit!!!

The "seed" of something is usually considered its 'genesis', its nucleus, where something germinates from to become something else.  It's miraculous how the basis for our whole food chain, which we are MOST DEPENDENT upon comes from little, sometimes miniscule, seeds.

Likewise, an idea, a dream, and a controversy of with Fascist/Disctatorship-like characteristics can spring from 'a seed'!  In previous posts I have referred to Genetically Modified Organisms (primarily food) and the HUGE concerns that we, as a consuming/dependent public should have regarding them.  Not only are there some main concerns such as biological compatability and unknown health consequences, the most concerning is the idea that we no longer will have the freedom to produce our own food.

Some people have referred to me, Elaine Parny, as an alarmist and that I unnecessarily focus on the negative.  I can tell you this, if the public does not go out of its way to question, investigate and advocate, it will be subjected to tyranny in every area of their lives.  And, with the control over food production, any ruling agency will, in fact, have the government sanctioned capacity to exploit your dependence on food and to regulate what you can and cannot have for food consumption, unconcerned as to your optimum health but rather prioritizing the producers profits.  Case in point, please read the following:

http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?template=TemplateU&navID=&page=Newsroom&result&dDocName=STELPRDC5092024&dID=152103&wf=false&description=USDA+Grants+Protection+to+40+New+Plant+Varieties+&topNav=Newsroom&leftNav=&rightNav1=&rightNav2=

Yahoo!!  Spring has sprung and, regardless of ticks and poisen ivey, I'm there!!  Unfortunately, we had to sell our tractor last year that would have been able to turn over the spot where I would like to put our garden.  And, it's been a bit wet.  So we are late getting our ground prepared for it's new inhabitants.  Chef Roland is a very good mechanic so, he has the privilege of working over an old rototiller we have to see if he can get it running.  He's a diligent guy and I'm sure he will not give up until he has conquered that machine.  Hopefully, we will be turning the soil over next weekend!  (Rather, I should say, I will be wrestling with that thing in hopes of getting some seed into the ground.) 


I have managed to get some flower seeds and roots into the soil, hoping to attract the many birds and butterflies that we have visit our place.  I like keeping the critters happy and the pop of color is always nice during the growing season.

I really believe that spring is the season of hope and I do want to encourage and lift up by the articles that I post on our website.  The age we live in seems a far cry from what we wish it would be.  I know alot of us are wondering what direction history is taking us.  I do believe that I would be negligent if I did not stop and take this opportunity to encourage you in becoming more responsible and involved in your personal food production.  I'm sure there are alot of uncertainties for many of us and there are many of us who are blessed to go about our daily life without much difficulties.  However, given the seemingly increasing instability of world economics and how they affect us ultimately through the global food market, I believe we must, at least, give some thought to the possibility that the food products we consume, could become more scarce or increasingly unaffordable, even to those with a more stable income.

With that said, I would like to post a link to a report that, I believe, gives a clear overview of world politics and how they do play a role in what you pay for food products and how those food products are becoming less available in the global food market.  Please take a moment, even if you aren't too concerned with these issues, and read over the report before you dismiss it as not possible.  If, after you read the article, you believe that there is a significant level of truth to the article, I would again like to encourage you to go out and invest whatever monies you can, even if it is just a few dollars and purchase seed to grow food for yourself.  Many of us do not have a garden space available so, I would direct you to do an internet search on the subject of "container" gardening or "urban" gardening.  You would be suprised what you can grow in a windowsill or on a balcony/patio.  Also, don't be overly concerned about bug control or fertilizers.  If you grow native plants they are very hardy.  They and "heirloom" seeds reproduce themselves and you need to know that "hybrid" seeds DO NOT reproduce themselves.  This is important to know because if food should be difficult to obtain, purchased seed will also be difficult to acquire.

You can do an internet search to find common items in your own home that are just as good (and better) than chemicals that are commonly advertised as necessities for gardening.  I, myself, look for household tricks (such as diluted soapy water) and use implements like an old knife to garden with.  I am, by no means, a gardener.  In fact, this is really the first time in my life I've really made an effort to get some gardening done.  Mine is small at this time but it is something and I am learning as I go.  A good bug catcher I discovered that my family in France uses is empty soda bottles that have the "funnel" top cut off and inverted back into the bottle.  They rig them up so that they can hang them in their fruit trees with a little sugar water in the bottom.  The flies/bugs are attracted, go inside the container and can't seem to manage their way back out.  I tried that last year, for the first time, and it helped to keep my persimmon fruit from having eggs laid in them. 

Another direction I have been pursuing is to search out native plants that are, in fact, edible and nutritious.  It's something I do for fun and as a hobby, at this time, and, who knows, maybe that information might come in handy should I get lost in the woods.  :)  I read that the new baby pine needle tips are extremely high in vitamin C and you can make tea out of them.  Fun stuff to know.  Did you know that the purple fruit and "leaves" of a prickly pear cactus are edible??  The fruit makes excellent jelly.


Another interesting way that you can become more involved in your own personal food production is to research and learn to "can" your own food at home.  There are several techniques to process and preserve food and if you should come across a good deal in the store or famers' market, or your neighbor gifts you with some of the bounty of their own food production, you will able to "keep it back" for months to come.  Food preservation is a good way to stretch your dollars in the food market.

Fine dinning, going out to our favorite restaurants to enjoy well made food with family and friends, and trying our own hand at culinary creations is always a true joy and blessing and I pray you have many.  Always take a moment to consider helping out your local food banks and discover what types of food/garden programs are in your area.  Get involved and "play" with your food!!

Here is the link:  http://www.offthegridnews.com/otgNCurrent/Food_Shock.pdf

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!