Our children deserve REAL FOOD and the time is NOW

Would you eat this for lunch?

  Sign the petition here!

 According to the USDA this one is also "nutritionally" balanced

 Please help (one last time) to pass the school foods bill

Sign the petition here

_____________________________________________________
Letter from: 

Margo G. Wootan
Director, Nutrition Policy
Center for Science in the Public Interest (http://www.cspinet.org/)

I know that we’ve asked repeatedly for your help with the school foods bill over the last few years.  Hopefully, with your help, this will be our last request and the bill will pass soon.

The landmark child nutrition legislation before Congress will help improve the nutritional quality of school lunches, get junk food out of school vending machines, and support strong nutrition and physical activity policies and practices in schools and child care settings.

Congress is finishing up work for this session and remarkably, child nutrition is at the top of the agenda.  However, there are still a number of barriers to passing the bill.

Please write your Congressional Representative today and ask them to pass the bill.  You also can help by passing this alert onto colleagues, friends and family – we need all the help we can get in this final push to pass the bill.

Thank you for your continued support of this effort to promote healthy eating for children.

All the best,

Margo G. Wootan
Director, Nutrition Policy
Center for Science in the Public Interest

USDA and Domino's Pizza: USDA Issues Dietary Advice on Cheese to Boost Pizza Sales

Dear Phil from Dominos (and other industry bloggers),

Thanks for commenting on my blog...very much appreciated.

However, I'm still confused. When I went to the Dairy Management Inc website (http://www.dairyinfo.com/) there's nothing there but links to dairy promotions.

There's no email address, no board member names or annual reports. There's not even an email to contact anyone. There's just an address and phone number for Rosemont, IL, a bunch of links promoting dairy and the giant logo with all the dairy lobbying groups with a tag line that says, "DMI helps build demand for dairy on behalf of dairy producers....The dairy checkoff program......does not use any government or taxpayer dollars to promote dairy products in the United States."

Wasn't the USDA created to subsidize farmers (especially dairy)? Certainly appears to be an interesting "partnership" to me.

Sadly, American children have never been fatter or sicker and we can't seem to figure out why.

Common sense is not so common. - Voltaire

p.s. The Dairy Export Incentive Program (DEIP) helps exporters of U.S. dairy products meet prevailing world prices for targeted dairy products and destinations. Under the program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture pays cash to exporters as bonuses, allowing them to sell certain U.S. dairy products at prices lower than the exporter's costs of acquiring them. The major objective of the program is to develop export markets for dairy products where U.S. products are not competitive because of the presence of subsidized products from other countries.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

USDA and Domino's Pizza: USDA Issues Dietary Advice on Cheese to Boost Pizza Sales

Common sense is not so common. - Voltaire

What?!?!?!?!?! Of course Dominos would have a reading list to support your "association" (I mean partnership) with the USDA and dairy farmers. So here's some "misreported facts" from the other side of the story. It's funny. I have no financial interest in getting people to "choose" a certain food. Do you?

BTW - The USDA was created to subsize farmers (ie. dairy industry, etc.) not to provide "nutritional" advice. It's strange, we Americans can't seem to figure out why we've never been fatter or sicker. Got any ideas on how that could be?

http://www­.hsph.harv­ard.edu/nu­tritionsou­rce/what-s­hould-you-­eat/pyrami­d/

www.theeth­icalnag.co­m

http://www­.turntheti­defoundati­on.org/

http://www­.foodpolit­ics.com/

Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Take the test America: "What's Considered a Junk Food* in Your Child's School?"

Take the quiz at: Junk Food Quiz

Hosted by the Center for Science in the Public Interest

*According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which regulates school foods.

Temporary office view....New York City

Obesity in America: Are Factory Farms, Big Pharma and Big Food to Blame?

If we are what we eat...are you cheap, fast and easy?

Over 9 years ago at the age of 38 I was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer and thankfully changed my diet after discovering the link. Yep! National Cancer Institute research shows that as much as 50% of cancer risk may be related to diet.

Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food. - Hippocrates

p.s. With all the "pink washing" let's put the $$$$ where our mouth is: 50% of cancer research dollars to cancer prevention and nutrition research.

Best health always,

SuperMom101
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

National Breast Cancer Foundation - SuperMom101 is asking, "Can we also fund Breast Cancer Prevention and Nutrition Research?"

As with most things in life, we start out with the best of intentions and our heart in the right place. 

Pink Washing



National Breast Cancer Foundation Sponsors

USDA Food Pyramid - "based on out-of-date science and influenced by people with business interests in their messages"

The text of this post is taken directly from the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Use a food pyramid that’s actually based on the latest and best science.

What-should-you-eat pyramid

According to the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, "we can’t look at a pyramid these days without thinking of food and healthy eating. There was the U.S. government’s Food Guide Pyramid, followed by its replacement, My Pyramid, which was basically the same thing, just pitched on its side. The problem was that these efforts, while generally well intentioned, have been quite flawed at actually showing people what makes up a healthy diet. Why? Their recommendations have often been based on out-of-date science and influenced by people with business interests in their messages."

Newton mother shares tips to kicking cancer on NewTV - Newton, Massachusetts - Newton TAB

Newton mother shares tips to kicking cancer on NewTV - Newton, Massachusetts - Newton TAB

Cure? Why isn't 50% of all research dollars going to breast cancer prevention and nutrition research!

WOW!  I had no idea so many corporate sponsors of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure were food and beverage manufacturers. I so wish they would steer 50% of the research $$$$ to support breast cancer prevention and nutrition research but how can they when the very industries they would be "investigating" give them so much money.  UGH!

http://ww5.komen.org/CorporatePartners.aspx

Americans have never been fatter or sicker and we can't seem to figure out why.

Common sense is not so common.  - Voltaire

p.s. Thanks for all the support (on and off line). I think breastcancer.org would be the perfect place to start our 50% research towards nutrition and breast cancer prevention.

YES?

Former President Bill Clinton no longer eats dairy! Check out the interview

• Veggie Libel Laws: Is Bill Clinton saying he doesn't eat meat or dairy?

WOW! Guess former president Bill Clinton is not concerned about the "veggie libel law's" that sued Oprah over "mad cow" beef.  This is serious stuff my friends.  Whether or not you agree with his politics he's basically saying, "the food I've been eating made me sick." 

From Wikipedia, "Food libel laws typically allow a food manufacturer or processor to sue a person or group who makes disparaging comments about their food products. In some states these laws also establish different standards of proof than are used in traditional American libel lawsuits, including the practice of placing the burden of proof on the party being sued.^[1]"

[1]Collins, Ronald (1998-03-23). "Veggie-Libel Law Still Poses a Threat". http://www.cspinet.org/foodspeak/oped/candm.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-28.

Excellent Post on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and Breast Cancer from The Ethical Nag

The haunting of medical journals: how ghostwriting sold hormone replacement therapy

Posted on September 13, 2010 by Carolyn Thomas

I’ve been writing about (and against) medical ghostwriting since I first learned about this Big Pharma marketing practice. In fact, my gobsmacked reaction to this very subject is largely why the Ethical Nag site was launched in the first place last year. I had just learned about lawsuits filed in the U.S. by thousands of women diagnosed with breast cancer – a diagnosis suspiciously linked to their hormone replacement therapy (HRT). And this week, the journal Public Library of Science Medicine (who with the New York Times originally broke the story) published an unprecedented analysis of the issue that caused the link.

The poster child of medical ghostwriting is Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Inc. (now owned by Pfizer, the world’s biggest drug company) who were then the makers of the best-selling HRT drugs on earth, Premarin and Prempro. Wyeth’s ghostwritten medical journal articles attempted to:

• mitigate the perceived risks of breast cancer associated with HRT
• defend the unsupported cardiovascular “benefits” of HRT
• promote off-label, unproven uses of HRT such as the prevention of dementia, Parkinson’s disease, vision problems, and wrinkles.

But first, what exactly is medical ghostwriting? And why is it so bad?  

Is something seriously wrong with our food system?

Dear SuperMom101,

"We apologize to everyone who may have been sickened by eating our eggs" - Jack DeCoster, founder of Wright County egg empire, testifying yesterday to Congress. This time, we need more than an apology.

Kids served Cheetos with cheese for lunch, half a billion dangerous eggs recalled, obesity and diabetes at record levels - there is something seriously wrong with our food system.

But whenever factory farms ignore food safety, McDonalds crafts their next campaign to lure kids inside, or politicians write laws to keep school lunches frozen, they don't take into account one thing - a massive grassroots movement mobilized for the fight to make food good, clean and fair.

More Frankenfood coming to a shelf near you - Genetically Modified Salmon

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/200042.php

 "Genetically Modified Salmon As Safe To Eat As Normal Atlantic Salmon"

According to the article in Medical News Today,"it has been modified by adding a growth hormone regulating gene from another fish."  Since my breast cancer tumor was hormone receptive (and most are) I'll steer clear of this Frankenfood.

Coming soon to a table near you...and SuperMom was wondering what would happen to all the recalled eggs and sick hens

Troubled farms still selling their eggs

Anti-Cancer Breakfast (RECIPES)

Oh, I see what you mean...the thousands of clinical studies conducted by the food and beverage industry are not skewed and selective. And when someone (outside of industry that you don't agree with) compiles peer reviewed studies than these are "skewed and selective." So...whom to believe?

I find the following helpful when digesting very technical, scientific, clinical material (insert the words web page/blog for study):

1. Who funded the study?

2. And... what do they have to gain or loose by the study outcome?

Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food. -Hippocrates
About Health
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Tonight is the night! Ray LaMontagne & David Gray - Two favorite singer-song writers in the same venue...plus...

David Gray at The Bridge Recording Studio

Hosted by "The River" - 92.5

Cambridge, MA

(Updated to include footage from The Bridge): It's true!  Not only am I fortunate to hold two tickets to see David Gray & Ray LaMontagne (America's two best singer-song writers) tonight at the Bank of Boston Pavilion, I'm going to see David Gray at a private viewing at The Bridge Recording Studio hosted by the best radio station ever - The RIVER... 92.5FM! That's Independent Radio my friends.  (I called you the best radio station ever even before this event!)

I'll let you know how it all goes...need to blow dry my hair...

What does this have to do with diet and disease in America?  Absolutely nothing!

Lessons From the Egg Recall: Cheap Food Makes You Sick

I wager most Americans can't figure out why they have never been fatter or sicker. (YEP! National Cancer Institute research shows that as much as 50% of cancer risk may be related to diet.)

And, since when do I need a science degree or a PhD in molecular biology to know that a non GMO apple a day is better for me than a pop tart? It's really smart people that are telling us everything is fine with engineering our food supply and industrial farming ..and.... (See point #1 in sentence #1.)

Common sense is not so common - Voltaire
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

SuperMom101's husband finally realizes he's eating "organic non hydrogentated spread" instead of butter and (gasp) he likes it!

I'm often asked, "what do you eat if you don't eat dairy?  What do you use to cook for your family?"  So, the next few posts will share a few of the items I switched to at our home.  Let me know what you think!

"How long have I been eating it?

This is sort of an old story at our house .  When I completely stopped eating dairy (I still use organic eggs for cooking) over 9  years ago, I took a look in the fridge and threw out anything and everything that contained whey, cow's milk, casein, etc. (Yes, that included cheese, ice cream and yogurt.)  Now, what to do?  I mustered up the courage, walked in to Whole Foods and began reading every label up and down (and continue to do so).  I thought I'd give Earth Balance (at that time it was called Soy Garden) a try and brought it home. 

No one seemed to notice (or care) that I had substituted this product for ALL our cooking and baking needs.  I was using it to make brownies, shrimp scampi and spread on toast.  Almost a year latter my husband (who is notorious for digging his bread in the tub and not using a knife) glanced at the label and slowly turned the tub around.

"Is this one of those organic, soy things you've been eating?"
"Yep," I nonchalantly quipped over my shoulder. And, here it comes.
"How long have I been eating it?" he asked.
"Over a year."
"Humf.  I like it."

p.s. I'm often asked if my husband reads this blog.  I doubt it, but I'll find out...

p.s.s. About reading labels and figuring out what you are really putting in to your body. Google "ingredients for G2 Gatorade" and let me know what you find out.

What happens to 1,000,000 lbs of recalled beef?

California Firm Recalls Frozen Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination

WASHINGTON, DC - August 6, 2010 - Valley Meat Company, a Modesto, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately one million pounds of frozen ground beef patties and bulk ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

...agency was notified by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) of a small E. coli O157:H7 cluster of illnesses with a rare strain as determined by PFGE subtyping.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.

Get fresh, get local - Farmers' Markets and CSAs

Newton Farmer's Markets

Other Resources:

http://www.buylocalfood.org/

www.mass.gov/agr/massgrown/farmers_markets.htm

http://www.massfarmersmarkets.org/

National directory and online community for CSAs. farmers' markets and local foods

http://www.localharvest.org/

29 People in 14 states have been diagnosed with salmonellosis - ConAgra Recalls Frozen Chicken Products

UPDATE:  June 21, 2010 - The Center for Disease Control confirmed that the Minnesota Department of Health reported that its initial testing found this particular strain of Salmonella in a Marie Callender's Cheesy Chicken & Rice entrée.

WASHINGTON, June 17, 2010 - ConAgra is recalling Marie Callender's brand Cheesy Chicken and Rice frozen meals, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The company is recalling all Marie Callender's brand Cheesy Chicken and Rice frozen meals in commerce, regardless of production date. These products are being recalled after the company was informed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of an investigation involving 29 people in 14 states who have been diagnosed with salmonellosis linked to Salmonella serotype Chester. Eight of the case-patients specifically reported eating this product in April and May, 2010, prior to illness onset; the last reported illness was reported on May 22.

29 People in 14 states have been diagnosed with salmonellosis - ConAgra recalls frozen chicken products

The Nutrition Source - Time to Focus on Healthier Drinks - How Sweet it is...

According to the Harvard School of Public Health, "It's time to address America's hidden drinking problem—the rivers of sugary soft drinks, juices, and other beverages we guzzle daily. There's convincing evidence that sugary drinks are one of the major determinants of obesity and diabetes, and emerging evidence that high consumption of sugary drinks increases the risk for heart disease, the number one killer of men and women in the U.S. " 

Six ideas for low sugar drinks from the Nutrition Source

The American 'Ethnic' Food Section

Stay Away From Chemotherapy and Radiation

Interesting argument...

Stay Away From Chemotherapy and Radiation

SuperMom Action Figure (family sold separately)

Purchase your SuperMom Action Figure Today

She comes complete with accessories

Family sold separately (baby included)

http://www.happyworker.com/supermom/photoshttp://www.happyworker.com/supermom/photos

SuperMom101 Goes Hollywood*

Taping of The Supermom101 Show has started!

With the generous support of Whole Foods in Newtonville, we'll prepare and share delicious and nutritious recipes as "super" guests tell us "what's on their plate."

We'll post recipes shortly...promise!

- Quick & Easy Guacamole with Chips

- Super Shrimp Scampi

- Super Bruchetta with roasted garlic & grilled bread

- Super carrot cake

Super guests include: 

SuperMeghan - a 23 year old woman who lost over 70lbs by joining Weight Watchers where she learned portion control, how to read labels, select more nutritious foods and added exercise to her daily routine.  As a 4th grader told her, "you've lost a whole me!"   Her story is inspirational.

SuperMom Gina whose youngest son was told by their pediatrician that his blood sugar level is the highest he had ever seen and this athletic hockey player was obese and heading towards diabetes.  In conjunction with a program at Children's Hospital in Boston, this SuperMom changed what's on her family's plates!  She's now added to the Little League Snack Shack plate: trail mix, freshly popped popcorn, organic cheese and peanut butter crackers, frozen 100% fruit bars and chili.

Super Business Owner Sue Schochet with Healthy Habits Kitchen in Wellesley - Where Home Made is Made Easy!

Friday: on location at Healthy Habits Kitchen in Wellesley (http://www.healthyhabitskitchen.com/) with Super owner Sue Schochet. According to market research from Mintel, the main reasons people do not eat healthy is due to availability, time and cost constraints with most consumers not willing to trade convenience for health.

Sue added that the average American spends approximately $800 per month on food and countless hours on meal planning and grocery shopping.  But, what if families could eat healthy, fresh food at home for cheaper than they would pay for less nutritious options? Sue's kitchen has everything you need to prepare a restaurant quality meal that has been reviewed by a nutritionist with less than 400 calories, 30% fat and 800 mg of sodium.  She calls it, "Home Made, Made Easy."

In addition (and Supermom101 was thrilled to hear this of course) Healthy Habits Kitchen uses only antibiotic and growth-hormone free chicken, and all ingredients are in their whole and natural state, and produce is sourced locally whenever and wherever possible.

Healthy Habits Kitchen owner Sue Schochet

Thank you again to Whole Foods in Newtonville who has generously provided the ingredients for The Supermom101 Show and to NewTV (http://www.newtv.org/) for providing the equipment, guidance and expert support.  And special thanks to "the crew" and "Super" guests. Stay tuned...

*Plan to air on NewTV Fall 2010.

What happens to 15,000,000 pounds of recalled "SpaghettiOs with Meatballs"?

WASHINGTON, June 17, 2010 - Campbell Soup is recalling approximately 15,000,000 pounds of "SpaghettiOs with Meatballs" canned products due to possible under-processing, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Campbell Soup Company recalls 15,000,000 pounds of "SpaghettiOs with Meatballs" - Link to USDA Recall

According to the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) website:

The problem was discovered through a routine warehouse inspection by the company and its subsequent investigation. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses from consumption of these products.

Ummm...okay...so what happens to the 15,000,000 pounds of canned SpaghettiO's with Meatballs. 

Blogs...blogs....and more blogs...

WOW! So many blogs and so little time...

Eat Well Guide : Find Good Food

As seen on MSN - Weight Loss: Which Diet Foods Exaggerate Claims? TODAY Show Investigation reveals...

Which Diet Foods Exaggerate Claims? TODAY Investigation reveals...

Millions Against Monsanto

According to today's Huffington Post, since gaining their independence from France more than 200 years ago in a bloody slave uprising, Haitian farmers have wisely protected their seeds and nurtured native crop varieties. They know that true food security is maintained by farmers who save, trade and breed indigenous seeds using traditional organic methods.

The goal of my blog has always been to create positive alternatives to the choices that we and our families are barraged with on a daily basis.  I like to think of it as creating positive change, serving as a resource and making a positive difference in our lives instead of taking something away. 

That said, and although the headline is negative, I have attached the link to my blog because I believe it conveys the passion of the peasant farmer's who know what is best for their Haitian farms, families and country. Please share with your friends and families.

Millions Against Monsanto

Senators are stalling on the child nutrition act! Our children can't afford another two years of unhealthy eating that fuels obesity and diabetes

I just asked Congress to update the National School Lunch Program to help schools serve fresh, local food. It only took a minute. Please join me by sending an email to Congress here:

http://bit.ly/healthyschoolfood

It will only take a few minutes.  You can also learn more about the issue at Time for Lunch - Child Nutrition Act.

Thanks,
SuperMom101

Today's fortune cookie...

In the midst of a busy life,

take some time to be a kid again.

Toxic Seafood Warning

When we focus on quantity instead of quality this is what we get!

Toxic Seafood Warning

We need your help! PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION

Sign the petition here

Children's Tylenol and Other Drugs Recalled

Children’s Tylenol and Other Drugs Recalled

By NATASHA SINGER
Published: May 1, 2010

Consumers should stop using certain lots of infants’ and children’s Tylenol, Motrin, Zyrtec and Benadryl because they may contain too much of the active ingredient.

 

Recall - New York Times

The Cancer Project - Please support this Boston Marathon Runner/Former Cancer Patient

This Boston Marathon Runner needs your support - The Cancer Project

The Cancer Project is doing very important work: helping stop cancer in its tracks through nutrition advice, research, and cooking classes. Please support their critical work. -Runner Kyle Macy Hall (former cancer patient and marathon runner)

I raised almost $2,000 in my first race, the New York City Marathon. I have been working very hard to not only improve my time, but have set a goal to raise $100 per mile. Help me reach my goal again!

The Cancer Project - the link between nutrition and cancer

And I was wondering why they were so quiet on a recent snow day in New England

It doesn't matter how old they are.  From toddler to teenager, when you can hear a pin drop they are either shaving with their father's razor, putting the clicker in the toaster oven or making a video for YouTube.  I thought they were quiet because they were reading.

A snow day in New England

WARNING: This is addictive - warning letters from the FDA: Scary stuff if you have an allergy to Penicillin!

Check out these official warning letters from the FDA.

Providence Dairy, LLC 3/17/10

I couldn't stop reading them.  And, these are the one's that got caught!

EXCERPT:

....Our investigation also found that you hold animals under conditions that are so inadequate that medicated animals bearing potentially harmful drug residues are likely to enter the food supply. For example, you failed to maintain complete treatment records. Food from animals held under such conditions is adulterated within the meaning of section 402(a)(4) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. 342(a)(4).

FDA Warning Letters - you will get addicted

We also found that you adulterated the new animal drugs penicillin, flunixin, neomycin and sulfadimethoxine. Specifically, our investigation revealed that you did not use these drugs as directed by their approved labeling. Use of these drugs in this manner is an extralabel use in violation of 21 C.F.R. § 530.3(a)....

Join the discussion: Food Inc. Film Screening

Offical web page - Food Inc Movie

Join Jody Adams, award-winning chef/owner of Rialto restaurant, and Donald Wiest, President of the Boston Public Market, with  moderator Annie B. Copps, senior food editor for Yankee Magazine, to screen the documentary film Food, Inc. and explore how the food industry shapes our economy, our health, and our lives.

Thursday, April 29, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Main Function Room
Suffolk University Law School
Boston

Just wondering?

What happens to all the recalled meat? 

WASHINGTON, March 9, 2010 - Windsor Foods, a firm with operations in Lampasas, Texas, and Oakland, Miss., is recalling approximately 1.7 million pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) beef taquito and chicken quesadilla products that may be contaminated with Salmonella. The packages of beef taquito and chicken quesadilla products contain as an ingredient the specific Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP), which was previously recalled, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Look carefully my friends....that's 1.7 million pounds in one day for one recall!

Does your 6 year old know what these are?

Are these potatoes or tomatoes*?

WOW! This is scary stuff. None of the first grader's asked on the hit TV show Food Revolution (Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution) knew that these were tomatoes but they all knew ketchup.**  Is ketchup food?

What types of children are we raising that eat only finger foods and high fructose corn syrup?

Here's something to chew on: a Spanish exchange student's impression of America - "they eat with their fingers and drink with straws."  And she was talking about the high school students.  Think about it!   Cheesburgers and french fries while sipping their frozen coffee concoctions.  Is a french fry a vegetable?

*Tomatoes from our garden. No fertilizer, bug spray or other nonsense.  Can't wait for this year's garden.

**Ingredients of (the King of Ketchup - oh yeah! You know the one I mean): TOMATO CONCENTRATE FROM RED RIPE TOMATOES, DISTILLED VINEGAR, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, CORN SYRUP, SALT, SPICE, ONION POWDER, NATURAL FLAVORINGS

p.s. Even a one year old can use a fork and they love it!

My hero! Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

Jamie Oliver's food revolution.

http://abc.go.com/shows/jamie-olivers-food-revolution

Protein blocker eases smoking-related lung inflammation in mice*

Although the five mice that were recently removed from our kitchen cabinets didn't show any signs of cigarette contra band one can never be entirely certain. Yes, they were gnawing on some pretty weird stuff: bright orange rubber spatula, unused sponges (guess they are worried about cross contamination in the kitchen) and the usual peanut butter (that was their demise). But not once did I find a cigarette butt hastily extinguished, a hand made ash tray by the wee mice or a cigarette lighter.

*When will these mice learn that smoking is bad for them!
When conducting the research, do they ask the mice to smoke 30 feet from the entrance to the labs so there is no second hand smoke?

MasterChef - Reality TV Show Audition

Posted while listening to my favorite radio station using head phones so I can block out "my reality world."

So my BFF (in texting that translates to Best Friend Forever) forwarded an application to an audition for a new reality TV show with Chef Gordon Ramsay to be held in my home town called MasterChef. The casting headline reads: MASTER CHEF GORDON RAMSAY AND THE PRODUCERS OF THE BIGGEST LOSER ARE NOW CASTING AMATEUR CHEFS FOR A NEW INSPIRATIONAL COOKING SHOW!

We spent countless cell phone minutes debating and discussing the merits of what "I would plate" and more importantly "what I would wear" since my goal is to host a cooking cable television show. She politely reminded me that hopefully I would meet interesting people throughout the process and although the application asked if I could turn my life over to a Hollywood production crew for five weeks I probably wouldn't have to make that commitment today so I should fill out the application, wait in the cold and "plate my dish" for the production staff like the other 500 contestants. In completing the application, I once again needed her advice. "Several questions have came up that I'm not so sure I want to share with the rest of the world."

Would you eat from your child's school lunch menu every day? Check out this Supermom's crusade

Fed Up With Lunch: The School Lunch Project

Overweight Children Needed for Research Study

OVERWEIGHT CHILDREN NEEDED FOR RESEARCH STUDY.~~ Are you looking for a way to help your child struggling with weight to eat healthy foods?~ Consider participating in the PowerUp research study!~ This study, run by a parent at Children's Hospital Boston, will evaluate the efficacy of two heart healthy diets in the treatment of adolescents with some heart disease risk factors associated with being overweight, such as high blood pressure, pre-diabetes, and cholesterol problems.

Are more votes cast for American Idols than in presidential elections?

What's the price of your children's health... would you eat this for lunch?

Click photo to email your legislators today!

Congress is updating the Child Nutrition Act. Email your legislators to tell them you support helping schools serve real food.

America's children have never been fatter or sicker! Help children receive the food that will keep them healthy and active for the rest of their lives! Last time I checked, chocolate cow's milk has as much sugar as most candy bars. You've heard me say it before...the federal government sees "no nutritional value in water" and won't reimburse school lunch programs if they offer water as a beverage choice but they will for serving french fries.

Supermom takes the show on the road***

**

Arrived in NYC last evening at 6:00 PM. Can't beat the 4 hour train ride from Boston for $46 bucks. Plus, sharing a room with my BFF that's here at a conference. She secured the room using Priceline. To add a bed for me was $40 bucks total for two nights! Had an awesome meal at Rosa Mexicano (http://www.rosamexicano.com/)* - Pato en Salsa de Zarzamoras/Duck with Blackberry Sauce - Roasted duck breast served over mashed chile de arbol sweet potatoes, grilled asparagus and blackberry - chipotle sauce.

Big plans to work...work...work...this AM on the blog and other special projects (good thing it's raining out) and then head out to Chinatown for a massage/pressure point torture. (Don't think a four year old back/sciatica nerve problem will be solved in a day.)

*Mexicans have one of the lowest cancer rates in the world.

**Thanks Darren for the NYC photo that has been my desktop screen saver for over three years.

***Thanks to my husband for managing the household while I'm away.

Check out the airbrushed vs. the actual celebrity photos

http://www.newsweek.com/id/231629?GT1=43002

Bill requiring Healthier Foods in School - Can't wait to hear the food & dairy spin on this one!

HOUSE PLANS DEBATE ON BILL REQUIRING HEALTHIER FOODS IN SCHOOLS By Kyle Cheney STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE http://www.statehousenews.com/ STATE HOUSE,

BOSTON, JAN. 25, 2010.....Massachusetts schools would phase out fries in favor of fruit under a proposal the House is scheduled to consider this week. Under a proposal sponsored by 57 members of the House and Senate, state authorities would restrict schools' ability to sell high-calorie, high-fat and high-sodium snacks, a move aimed at curbing childhood obesity. Iterations of the bill have stalled for several sessions, encountering resistance from the grocery lobby and those who have argued nutritional values should be instilled at home and not by government. Under the bill, schools would be encouraged to sell non-fried fruit and vegetables, whole grain products, nonfat or low-fat dairy products, non-carbonated water and juice with no additives. The bill would require plain water to be available to students all day at no cost to the students.

Food Inc Movie - On Netflix & On Demand

Check out the trailer to Food Inc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eKYyD14d_0

Enough about me...let's hear what you think.

How did your city or town vote?

http://www.wbur.org/2010/01/20/senate-election-results

We are the most charitable country in the world...please support the people of Haiti

http://www.standwithhaiti.org/haiti

We have so much to be thankful for when others have so little.

Food Rules by Michael Pollan

Picked up Michael Pollan's new book - Food Rules. It's a simple reminder to keep on "doing what I'm doing." Suggest anyone who is interested in the Western diet and our diseases take a peek.