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/

Something I feel like I've known most of my adult life is that eating fresh food from your own garden is simply the best.  Unfortunately, that's not how I have lived my life.  Convenience, poor habits and temptation have been key factors in my developing unhealthy eating habits.  I also believe what others, and myself, have believed to be "good food" has been a misnomer.  When I was very young, I thought eating a whole bowl of artificial whipped cream was "eating good", at least until my mother gave me the opportunity to sit down and have the whole bowl to myself.  Suffice to say, my concept of "all the whipped cream I could eat" was no longer on my list of "good foods to eat".  Personal food culture, which can involve alot of different factors, including our emmotions, usually dictates what our eating habits and good food concepts are going to be.  I posted a good 'common sense' article link today that I think gives a down-to-earth assesment of common sense eating.

http://www.positivelypositive.com/2011/10/19/the-basics-of-eating-well/

Bon Apetit!

Alot of people are totally unaware of the controversy regarding raw milk vs. pasturized milk.  Raw milk is illegal, just like cocaine, marijuana, and so on.  So, why?  Is it true that pasturized milk is the better, best and the only acceptable way to drink milk.  Many people think not and it's very important for you to do your own research and find out why this controversy exists.  Some people believe that pasturization destroys the nutritional integrity of milk and we, in fact, need the nutrients that are being destroyed for optimal health.  I've included a very interesting article about some mothers who took action regarding the issue of raw milk being illegal.

http://www.naturalnews.com/034027_raw_milk_protest.html

Bon Apetit!

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!!!

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!

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=

I soooooooooo apologize for neglecting our blog for so long.  Life just keeps getting in the way of things I want and need to get done.  That's my excuse....it's the best I have.


I just came across this clip and, SERIOUSLY, it tells the story of WHY France is so well known for their fine cuisine and their outstanding reputation in Food Culture. 


We actually visited one of these schools that has a similar program in a small community and it was incredible how the program is managed and the food presented.  It takes school lunches and school cafeteria workers to a whole new level!!

Enjoy!  Bon Apetit!



http://www.wimp.com/schoollunches/

Have you ever heard a person go on about how "good" a chocolate cream pie with tons of 'whipped cream' tasted?  Or, how delicious was the fried chicken that grandma made?  We really have to realize that we do, in fact, eat many different types of food and many of them we consider good and delicious when, in fact, they are poisening our physical body and causing all sorts of health problems, both major and minor.  In addition, whether or not we realize there is a health problem, we often don't realize that we could, in fact, be having better body/mind performance if only we ate food and exercised with that being our end goal.  I'm as guilty as the next person.  However, as I learn more and more about the body/mind/food connection, I can't help but maintain that there are many good & delicious 'tastes' that will appeal to our personal preferences but it's as we become more knowledgable as to the nutritional content of what it is that we are eating and how it affects our body/mind performance, we will become increasingly more mindful of what it is that we are eating and what is involved in the production of those food items.  With that knowledge, we then become better able to participate in the production of that food and/or help to monitor and control what is put on the market for human/animal consuption, rather than naively believing that the corporate food industry has our best health in mind.


Given my 'soapbox' launching of my post today, I'll just say I found a little link that gives some simple information regarding 10 different nutrients and tells what they are, why they are beneficial and where we can look to add them to our eating pleasure.

Bon Apetit!


http://fitbie.msn.com/eat-right/tips/10-super-nutrients-flat-belly?GT1=50008