The SuperMom101 Blog

Do you need to worry about lead in your lipstick?

2012-02-15T07:30:00.004-05:00

What's also alarming is that Burt's Bees is owned by Cholorox. In my humble opinion lead limits in our liptick is just another way to get rid of the unwanted chemicals that are a by product of some manufacturing process.

All done with those products listed by the FDA. After I had cancer at age 38, I'm a nut about what I put on my fork and in my mouth...now it's the same for on my lips!

Take Dansai water as another example, my 24 year old niece won't drink it because it has "added minerals". We think it's by products from manufacturing Coca Cola.

What are the "added minerals?*
A chemical cocktail leftover from manufacturing Coke?

It's so strange, America (and her children) have never been sicker, fatter or more complacent and we can't seem to figure out why.

Link to entire Blog at Daily Dose: Do you need to worry about lead in your lipstick? Daily Dose - Boston Globe

*Coca-Cola ... adds trace amounts of minerals, including magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt), potassium chloride and table salt (sodium chloride).

10 Rules to Eat Safely for Life (and What to Remove From Your Kitchen)

2012-02-05T13:33:00.004-05:00

Thank you for another terrific article Dr. Hyman. I had no idea that the American/Western diet was feeding and fueling our diseases until I was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer at the age of 38 - changed what's on my plate and have been healthy ever since - and that was over 10 years ago.

It's so strange - America (and her children) have never been fatter or sicker and we can't seem to figure out why. Meanwhile, we have individuals in white lab coats farming our food.

I'd also add to your list food labeled "NON GMO verified" since genetically modified foods don't need to be labeled. And of course... no growth hormones, steroids, antibiotics, or dairy in my diet ever...(tumor was hormone receptive.)

I basically follow a diet you listed above with the best, organic, fresh produce and "real" food we can find in the Northeast. And yes, it might cost a bit more - what's the price of one's health? So, for me and my family - it's the quality of our food - not the quantity.

Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food. - Hippocrates -
(father of western medicine, 431 B.C.)

Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Her 4-year-old won't eat - Child Caring - Boston.com

2012-01-31T13:10:00.000-05:00

Her 4-year-old won't eat - Child Caring - Boston.com

Terrific suggestions...wonder if it works for a 53 year-old too?

Fungicide in orange juice: Do you know where your juice comes from?

2012-01-17T18:37:00.002-05:00

Fungicide in orange juice: Do you know where your juice comes from?

Cancer prevention diet tips: aim for 16 colorful foods - from the Daily Dose

2011-12-16T08:02:00.003-05:00

Terrific article in yesterday's

Daily Dose, Boston Globe by Deborah Kotz

Cancer prevention diet tips: aim for 16 colorful foods -

Can't wait to try the recipe below...

Roasted Winter Vegetable Salad Recipe

Daily Dose gives you the latest consumer health news and advice from Boston-area experts. Deborah Kotz is a former reporter for US News and World Report. Write her at dailydose@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter at @debkotz2.

Anyone else remember when...

2011-12-10T19:35:00.004-05:00

Breakfast cereals were called:

- Sugar Frosted Flakes
- Sugar Smacks and

- Sugar Corn Pops

Bet the focus group didn't like: High Fructose Flakes

Call me crazy, but I thought Dr. Kellogg founded the company because he was concerned about the chemically laden, nutritionally void food being served to the masses? Nearly, a hundred years ago…

And, since I always need to have the last word - Flavored cow's milk, "sports drinks", soda, and breakfast cereals are simply:

-Candy in a carton

-Candy in a bottle

-Candy in a can

-Candy in a box

Fake Santas and Fake Food - which one is a fungus grown in a vat?

2011-12-06T07:52:00.024-05:00

This is a bit of a long story so please bare with me.

We moved from the Midwest when I was three. It was our second Christmas Eve in New England and we were allowed to open one gift which was always church clothes from our distant grandmother. This year happened to be a particularly itchy sweater. Since the family was getting ready for the Christmas Eve Service* there was nothing to do but stare out the window watching the snowflakes fall and itching in my sweater. Yes, these were the days when the black and white television would hiss "snow" after midnight, there were only four (VHF) stations, and one had to get up off the couch to "turn the channel."

There was no On Demand video, play station, mobile-device noise to interfere with watching the snowflakes fall while the free Christmas Album from Firestone Tires crackled away with Perry Como's "There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays." And, (GASP) I wasn't even bored listening to adult Christmas music. The only other sound in the living room was...a bell ringing. Quietly at first and very faint. I had to strain to hear it, "Ho...ho...ho...Merry Christmas." I put my nose up to the front window and sure enough through the night I could make out the shape of Santa Claus as he appeared through the snowflakes ringing a bell. As any four year-old would do, I yelled, "it's Santa... he's coming...it's Santa... he's here." And then I panicked. I wasn't in bed. In fact, we hadn't even gone to church. Would he come back later? Maybe he hadn't seen me.

Now any mom in her right mind that's trying to get children ready, set up the late night buffet and secretly decorate the tree after everyone is in bed would respond, "That's nice dear. Are you ready for church?" (My parents are from German decent so Santa brought presents and the Christmas tree too!)

When I realized she wasn't taking me seriously, I ran from the window to the kitchen in a panic. "Really, he's here. I'm not lying." She smiled and nodded. I ran to my two older sisters and told them that Santa was walking down the middle of our dead end street in a snow storm. They looked at each other and laughed.

I remember vividly the feeling of frustration that I wasn't being taken seriously, and I too began to question my four year-old mind. So, I returned to the living room and peered out the window. Now he was almost directly in front of our house and waved to me. Yes! He saw me and waved while he shouted over the wind, "Merry Christmas...Ho...ho...ho...." I waved back and I could see he had a red sack on his back. "It must be our toys," I whispered. He was walking so slowly. Maybe he was looking for our house. It was as if I was dreaming and he wanted others to see that my dream was real. Where's the sleigh? Reindeer? And Rudolph? Why was he walking? I had so many questions and so little time. I knew if I didn't get someone to believe me at that very moment he might not ever come back.

I found my dad and begged, "I'm not lying. Please, he's here and he's ringing a bell." I pleaded, "Santa just waved to me and now he'll be gone."

.....need to head off to the office....will continue at a later date. In the meantime, here's more information on the fake-meat-like-food-fungus-substance grown in a vat called Quorn:

Quorn Complaints - fungus grown in vats

Quorn - can create adverse reactions so severe it requires an emergency room visit or worse a hopsital stay? Never heard of it either...Quorn - a meat like substitute that's a fungus substance that's grown and harvested in vats. Hmmmmm sounds yummy.

If you suspect that you or a loved one has had an adverse reaction to Quorn, the Center for Science in the Public Interest wants to know: Quorn Adverse Reaction Form

p.s. If you're wondering why a four year-old is awake at midnight, our service started at 7:30PM.

Food industry on the defensive

2011-12-02T06:59:00.005-05:00

Excerpts from Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution: Yes Virginia, Pizza is a Vegetable

Last week Congress let us down. Big time. Lobbied heavily by the food industry – specifically frozen foods and potatoes – our elected officials secretly overruled science-based standards and a democratic process to keep salty, highly processed, fast-food-style lunch items on the tray every single day. Read complete article here: Big Wins for School Food in 2011, Despite Congress

What's on your tray? - Food Revolution

Big Wins for School Foods, Despite Congress
We have been sharing our disappointment that Congress bowed to industry pressure and weakened great new standards for school lunch by permitting French fries and pizza every day. Yet despite these last-minute setbacks, super important gains were made in 2011 on federal rules for school food. These improvements bode well for the Food Revolution. Read on to learn more.

When the final USDA meal standards are released this winter they will include historic improvements to the food on the tray. Other portions of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act will add money, jumpstart new programs, and usher in better community involvement in school food.

- Excerpts from Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

Counting the bounty of my many blessings...

2011-11-22T22:25:00.004-05:00

Truly thankful for what's on my plate!

Healthy children in mind, body and spirit. (For today anyway...)
Friends and family that continue to heal in mind, body or spirit.
Laughter
Friendship
Nearly 25 years of marriage - Only old people are married this long?
New England farmers
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness

Best health to you and your loved ones,

SuperMom101

Fighting to Sell Junk Food to Kids: Really, Grocery Manufacturers? That's Your Highest Priority?

2011-11-21T06:00:00.001-05:00

Dear Mr. Jacobson,

Appreciate the work your organization is doing! America (and her children) have never been fatter or sicker and it's so strange we can't seem to figure out why. The good news - the tide is changing.

When high school football linemen ask their moms to bring oranges for the sideline, your high schooler is frustrated she can't get water in the cafeteria school lunch line (but she can get chocolate cow's milk) and your youngest begs you to make school lunch...

Many of the moms (and dads) that I know call chocolate cow's milks, "sports" drinks, soda, and breakfast cereals:

-Candy in a carton
-Candy in a bottle
-Candy in a can
-Candy in a box

It's actually good news that the food and beverage industry is putting all their resources towards this. It means they're on the defensive!

Is this can of chemicals really heart healthy?

Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Food Politics- Congress Blocks Healthier School Lunch Choices

2011-11-20T10:35:00.004-05:00

New York Times: Congress blocks healthier school lunch choices

Unfortunately four types of cow's milk (including chocolate) still have to be offered on your local school lunch menu or your district will not be reimbursed.... and you still can't offer water! Now, I wonder what lobbying group wants that to stay status quo?

According to another New York Times article by reporter Ron Nixon, "Food companies have spent more than $5.6 million so far lobbying against the proposed rules."

How much fresh, organic, local produce does $5.6 million buy?

The solution is really rather simple. Require our congress (and all their aides who eat the freebie meals provided by special interest groups) to eat from the local Washington, DC school lunch programs every day for their full term in office, including breakfast.

Common sense is not so common. - Voltaire

"Franken food" at its finest and completely nutrionally void

Inner Peace

2011-11-19T10:12:00.005-05:00

If you can start the day without caffeine,

If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,

If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,

If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,

If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,

If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,

If you can conquer tension without medical help,

If you can relax without liquor,

If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,

…Then You Are Probably ………

The Family Dog!
-Anonymous

Jack - our family dog

Where does the time go?

2011-11-17T19:43:00.012-05:00

Our oldest is turning 18! It's hard to believe that not so long ago we were juggling diaper bags and baby wipes, stressing about nap schedules, and blowing out two birthday candles.

"They grow up fast. Cherish these moments," said a stranger in a restaurant as two exhausted parents who hoped to have their first night out in many...many months struggled with a sleeping baby, hungry toddler and a 30 minute table wait.

I wanted to reply, "Are you nuts. I can't wait for the time I don't have to buckle them in to car seats, cut their food or fall asleep rereading the same bedtime story four times."

Cousins enjoying a cousin's wedding

The same stranger smiled and continued, "they do grow up fast..."

Zero to five years will feel like 18
and
5 to 18 years will fly by like five

So very true!

I know you don't read the blog, but if you do:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HANDSOME*!

*After a trip to the barbershop, you'd always slide off the chair, look to the ground, frown, and whisper, "don't call me handsum."

From the Skeptic's Health Journal - Don’t get Vaccinated if You are Pregnant.

2011-10-29T09:58:00.001-04:00

Don’t get Vaccinated if You are Pregnant. « Skeptic's Health Journal Club

Instead of the Freshman 15...try The Dorm Room Diet

2011-10-26T06:53:00.000-04:00

Daphne Oz, The Dorm Room Diet

The Dorm Room Diet

ABOUT DAPHNE OZ

Daphne Oz is a 2008 graduate of Princeton University, and the author of the national bestseller The Dorm Room Diet, first published in 2006. Daphne and her book have been featured in The New York Times,People, and Teen Vogue, and onGood Morning America and NPR.

Snake oil in your snacks

2011-10-25T07:00:00.010-04:00

Terrific post on The Ethical Nag by Carolyn Thomas

Here's an excerpt:

You know something is terribly wrong when the makers of Froot Loops (a breakfast cereal that’s almost 50% sugar by weight) are bragging about health benefits of the product’s added fibre. Why not just throw a couple of Tim Horton’s gooey maple dips at the kids every morning?

Is there snake oil in your
child's breakfast?

And it gets worse. Foods masquerading as drugs are the hot spot in the packaged-food business. The world’s biggest food companies are stuffing ostensibly beneficial bacteria, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and other additives into packaged foods.According to a recent piece in Forbes magazine, these companies are even funding clinical research in order to justify health claims – often deliberately vague – that blur the line between nutrition and medicine.

Continue Reading Post at The Ethical Nag

On the menu, but not on your plate - The Boston Globe

2011-10-23T08:43:00.000-04:00

On the menu, but not on your plate - The Boston Globe

Want to Stay Lean & Mean as You Age: Reach for the Protein

2011-10-21T10:40:00.002-04:00

This SuperMom-in-training isn't "buying" it.

You be the judge. Is the article an infomercial from the dairy industry?

Want to Stay Lean & Mean as You Age: Reach for the Protein

p.s. I found the comments far more telling and interesting than the pseudo industry science the writer is discussing.

We're not buying it? Marketing junk food to our children

2011-10-10T07:48:00.000-04:00

Am I so old that I can remember the days when advertising cigarettes and liquor - on television - to adults - was banned?

Today, America (and her children) have never been fatter or sicker and it's so strange... we can't seem to figure out why. Are we so addicted to highly processed, factory farmed, fake food products that we're letting the food and beverage industry control our lives?

Check out the video "We're not buying It" - Stop Junk Food Marketing to Kids.

$5 Challenge, McMuffins, and the Cost of Food : Slow Food USA

2011-10-08T09:38:00.000-04:00

$5 Challenge, McMuffins, and the Cost of Food : Slow Food USA

Steve Jobs - Inspiring

2011-10-07T09:29:00.003-04:00

Inspirational

From our friends at Fooducate Blog (read entire post here: Fooducate)

From a commencement speech Jobs gave at Stanford a few years ago:

No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life…

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.

Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.

And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.

I followed his advice. I decided to leave a cushy executive position to start Fooducate and change the way the world eats. It’s still too early to tell if we will succeed, but Steve Jobs inspired me to follow my passion and do the best to make it happen. And for that I am eternally grateful.

May he rest in peace.

-Hemi

(From our friends at Fooducate Blog - read entire post here: Fooducate)

What's on America's Plate? Food Day - October 24th

2011-10-07T07:32:00.000-04:00

It's time to Eat Real, America! The most important ingredient is you!

Join the millions of us who want

real food...

for real families....

from real farms....

real fast!

http://www.foodday.org/

Interesting debate - Would you go to an MD who took $$ from Tobacco companies?

2011-10-06T07:31:00.001-04:00

A Dietitian Reflects on the Recent Nutrition Conference

Interesting debate in the comment section of this post on Fooducate:

Would you go to an MD who took $$ from Tobacco companies?

Big food is no different than tobacco.

Three Reasons to Rethink that Diet Coke You’re About to Drink - From Fooducate

2011-10-03T06:00:00.000-04:00

Excerpt from Fooducate -

Hmmmm....does diet coke really prevent heart disease?

Care for some water? No way, get me a Diet Coke, or a Coke Zero.

Water is for washing hands, not drinking. And regular soft drinks and juice are full of sugars and calories.

So you decided a long time ago to go with artificial sweeteners. After a while, you didn’t even notice the slightly different taste compared to sugar sweetened beverages. And, diet drinks are zero calories. Win-win. Both taste buds AND body are happy. A no-brainer, right?

Not so fast.

Entire post at Fooducate - Three reasons to Rethink that Diet Coke You're About to Drink

Best diet to lower your cholesterol

2011-10-01T08:53:00.000-04:00

Best diet to lower your cholesterol

The Food Revolution: Want the real scoop on what's on your child's school lunch plate?

2011-09-24T08:42:00.002-04:00

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

Excerpt from Food Revolution Home Page:

When kids drink chocolate and strawberry milk every day at school, they're getting nearly two gallons of extra sugar each year. Too much sugar is threatening the health of our kids and we've got to do something about it. Support this campaign asking schools to choose plain milk, and make the sweetened varieties an occasional treat

Get the real scoop on our food supply in America - More on Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution and what's on your child's plate...

p.s. Still don't understand why our high school athletes don't have access to free water in school lunch lines...oh, wait, yes I do. It's because the Federal government see no nutritional value in water and won't reimburse your child's school lunch program if it is offered. But they can choose between four types of cow's milk...including chocolate. Last time I checked they don't run off the football field, basketball court, our pitcher's mound looking for a milk bottle.

What' s on the United Nation's plate this week in NYC?

2011-09-20T09:20:00.003-04:00

Doubt the United Nation's will solve the world's problems in two days, but thankfully they have diet and disease on their plate!

Saw President Obama's motorcade as it whizzed through the city and "frozen zones" were created. Complete with sharp shooters on rooftops, pedestrians behind barricades, and street traffic closed. New Yorker's were grumbling why can't they hold the UN General Assembly on a remote island? And, why does the president have to stay overnight?

Anyway, on my way back from a meeting in NYC and wanted to share an excerpt of this terrific post on Fooducate about the United Nation's discussing diet and diseases.

Excerpt from Fooducate - Eat a bit better:

United Nations. In New York today and tomorrow, The United Nations is hosting global leaders for a High-Level Meeting on Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs). Unlike contagious disease and plagues, these diseases are totally preventable at the personal level. The 4 NCDs are:

cardiovascular diseases
diabetes
cancers
chronic respiratory diseases

The first 3 diseases are food related, and the last is smoking related. With global diabetes rates soaring (up from 30M in 1985 to 366M in 2011), governments must step up to the challenge by making sure consumers have access to cheap healthy food. Incentives and subsidies to farmers and manufacturers must be aligned to make this happen( hint: US Farm Bill).

Will be interesting to see what the UN comes up with. Usually we don’t expect much to come from this (unfortunately) toothless organization. As Prof Marion Nestle reminds us:

In 2004, the U.N. caved in to pressures from food companies and weakened its guidelines and recommendations. The health situation is worse now and affects people in developing as well as industrialized countries. Let’s hope the General Assembly puts health above politics this time.

Fooducate - Eat a bit better

Baking banana bread on a crisp New England morning*

2011-09-17T08:58:00.005-04:00

Not a big fan of bananas, but our daughter is. What to do with the rotten bananas? (The three pretty nasty looking bananas ended up behind some things on the counter where she couldn't see them so they ripened before she had a chance to eat them.) Have to say the bread smells sweet baking in the oven on a crisp New England morning.

Hot out of the oven...

True story: A close family friend from Korea has been practicing acupuncture for over 40 years and is extremely knowledgeable about the mind, body, and spirit connection through diet and told me that if a pregnant mother does not eat a food that she does not like than her child will not like that food either. So, I tried an experiment. I detest bananas and when I was pregnant with our daughter I gagged down one bite of a banana. Yep! For sure, she is our only child that loves bananas.

Best health always...I now enjoy warm banana bread on a crisp New England morning...and it's even better toasted the next morning.

Substituted Earth Balance* for the butter of course.

Harvard releases its own version of healthy plate - The Boston Globe

2011-09-16T07:11:00.002-04:00

Harvard releases its own version of healthy plate

Harvard School of Public Health

By Deborah Kotz, Globe Staff

When the federal government unveiled its food plate icon in June to replace its ridiculously confusing food pyramid, nutrition researcher Walter Willett, chair of the nutrition department at the Harvard School of Public Health, told me that the new plate was a “step in the right direction” with “reasonable proportions,” but that it doesn’t provide enough information to really guide Americans. He also wasn’t thrilled with the glass of milk on the side of the plate that implied a serving of dairy with every meal.

Yesterday Willett and his Harvard colleagues unveiled their own version of the healthy plate (above) that replaces milk with water and includes a small bottle of oil on the side to signify heart-healthier fats.

It’s also text heavy with explicit instructions to limit dairy, eat whole grains like whole-wheat pasta, limit trans fats -- yes, you should know what those are -- and to not include potatoes or French fries as vegetables.

The government’s version is far simpler with no words beyond “fruits, grains, vegetables, protein, and dairy” -- aiming to get us to focus on the visual portions rather than the nitty, gritty details; for those, you’d need to head to its website.

A larger issue, said Willett in a press conference yesterday, was the politics involved in the government’s decision to include milk and not to distinguish between the types of protein on the plate. The US Department of Agriculture, which developed the food plate, also represents the interests of dairy, potato, and cattle farmers, and Willett contended that the resulting icon lacks detailed information so as not to offend anyone in these stakeholder groups.

http://www.boston.com/Boston/dailydose/2011/09/harvard-releases-its-own-version-healthy-plate/at9RNx8GMhsJ6LU7k0Ig8I/index.html?s_campaign=8315

2011-09-11T08:46:00.001-04:00

Fallen Comrade

Healthy School Lunches / Golden Carrot Award

2011-09-11T07:46:00.002-04:00

Healthy School Lunches / Golden Carrot Award

Golden Carrot Awards

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) established the Golden Carrot Awards in 2004 to recognize food service professionals doing an exceptional job of improving the healthfulness of school lunches. PCRM looks for programs that encourage kids to eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and that offer plenty of vegetarian, low-fat, whole grain, and nondairy options. Children who are raised on a healthy vegetarian diet have a lower risk of obesity, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some cancers compared with those who grow up on an average American diet.

PCRM is currently seeking nominations for its Golden Carrot Awards for outstanding school food service professionals. The grand prize winner will receive $1,000 and a $3,000 check made out to her or his school or school district. Up to four additional awards will be given, with $500 going to the food service professional and $500 to benefit the school food service program.

To nominate an outstanding school food service professional, download the form

Got the facts on milk?

2011-09-05T22:29:00.003-04:00

Seems there's a documentary that is "a little different than what the dairy industry tells you." Hopefully coming to a theater near SuperMom101 soon.

Got the facts on milk?

Got the facts on milk? Dairydocumentary.com

p.s. There won't be any butter on my popcorn.

FDA Creating New Nutrition Facts Label

2011-09-05T10:02:00.000-04:00

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

If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don't. - Michael Pollan

To lengthen thy life, lessen thy meals. - Ben Franklin

An (organic) apple a day helps keep the doctor away. - Ben Franklin

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

It's so strange...America (and her children) have never been fatter or sicker and we can't seem to figure out why.

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

2011-09-05T08:22:00.007-04:00

'Risk' exposure

The word pops up often in ads and stories about health, but misunderstanding what it really means can cause problems

By Neena Satija

Globe Correspondent / September 5, 2011

Why misunderstanding the term 'risk' can be a problem - The Boston Globe

Excerpt from article:

STUDY ON PERCEPTION OF RISKS BY DOCTORS AND PATIENTS

A new drug for a viral disease has just come onto the market. It has severe side effects, but in clinical trials, it decreased the risk of dying from the disease by 33 percent, or one-third. Sounds impressive, right?

Now let’s look at the data a different way. Out of all patients who were given the new drug, 96 percent survived and 4 percent died. For those on the old drug, 94 percent survived and 6 percent died. So, the mortality rate decreased by one-third - from 6 percent to 4 percent.

Is the new drug better than the old one? And by how much? In a recent study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, doctors and patients were presented with these two scenarios. Both populations were more likely to rate the new drug as very effective when they were only presented with the data showing a decrease in mortality by one-third - the relative risk reduction.

If they also saw that death rates fell from 6 percent to 4 percent - the absolute risk reduction - patients and doctors were far less likely to consider the drug as effective as before.

The Boston Globe - Why misunderstanding the term "risk" can be a problem

Heart disease can be reversed by diet? Former President Bill Clinton on CNN

2011-08-30T07:03:00.000-04:00

Thanks to vegsource for posting the entire CNN interview. Would love to hear what you think!

www.vegsource.com

Corporate Welfare and Factory Farm Subsidies - EWG Farm Subsidy Database

2011-08-16T07:09:00.002-04:00

$261.9 billion in subsidies 1995-2010.
$167.3 billion in commodity subsidies.
$39.2 billion in crop insurance subsidies.
$35.0 billion in conservation subsidies
$20.5 billion in disaster subsidies.

- According to EWG Farm Subsidy Database

For more corporate subsidy details visit their web page at:EWG Farm Subsidy Database

Public Debt

2011-08-14T10:16:00.006-04:00

Found this quote on the side of a tea box many...many...years ago:

“I place economy among the first and most important virtues, and public debt as the greatest of dangers to be feared. To preserve our independence, we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. If we run into such debts, we must be taxed in our meat and drink, in our necessities and in our comforts, in our labor and in our amusements. If we can prevent the government from wasting the labor of the people, under the pretense of caring for them, they will be happy.” - Thomas Jefferson

The Politics of Breast Cancer

2011-08-13T08:40:00.001-04:00

Politics of Breast Cancer

Every Mother's Nightmare: Bacteria in Recalled Ground Turkey Is Resistent to Antibiotics

2011-08-08T14:10:00.006-04:00

Dear Ms. David,

Great article although (unfortunately) I'm not certain more government funding will stop contaminated food from entering our food supply.

I wager that many more thousands of children and adults were sickened by the ground turkey "meat" since March than reported and those individuals were sent home from hospitals with "the flu or a 24 hour bug."

Until Americans stop buying highly processed, factory-farmed, franken-food from these so called "farms" and food processors they will continue to manufacture and serve us contaminated antibiotic resistant products. The USDA already tells us it's our fault because we under cooked the meat.

We need to feed our families "real" food and focus on the quality not the quantity. Heck, maybe we might even shed a few pounds.

Here's an idea that might solve the problem: What are they going to do with 35 million pounds of recalled ground turkey meat? How about Thursdays are Turkey Taco Day at the USDA and Congressional Cafeterias. Wonder if they'd have a problem eating the ground turkey meat even if we assure them that's it cooked to their standards.

Best health always.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

"All natural" and food labels - what does it really mean?

2011-08-07T13:32:00.011-04:00

When food shopping this morning I came across a store roasted chicken that was labeled "all natural". Not sure what that really means. Here's a link to some other interesting USDA Meat and Poultry Labeling Terms:

"MEAT" DERIVED BY ADVANCED MEAT/BONE SEPARATION AND MEAT RECOVERY SYSTEMS:

Mechanically separated...
USDA Meat & Poultry Labeling Terms

The definition of "meat" was amended in December 1994 to include as "meat" product derived from advanced meat/bone separation machinery which is comparable in appearance, texture and composition to meat trimmings and similar meat products derived by hand. Product produced by advanced meat recovery (AMR) machinery can be labeled using terms associated with hand-deboned product, e.g., "beef" or "pork" trimmings and ground "beef" or "pork." The AMR machinery cannot grind, crush or pulverize bones to remove edible meat tissue and bones must emerge essentially intact. The meat produced in this manner can contain no more than 150 milligrams of calcium per 100 grams product. Product that exceeds the calcium content limit must be labeled "mechanically separated beef or pork."

MECHANICALLY SEPARATED MEAT is a paste-like and batter-like meat product produced by forcing bones with attached edible meat under high pressure through a sieve or similar device to separate the bone from the edible meat tissue. In 1982, a final rule published by FSIS on mechanically separated meat said it was safe and established a standard of identity for the food product. Some restrictions were made on how much can be used and the type of products in which it can be used. These restrictions were based on concerns for limited intake of certain components in MSM, like calcium. Due to FSIS regulations enacted in 2004 to protect consumers against Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, mechanically separated beef is considered inedible and is prohibited for use as human food. However, mechanically separated pork is permitted and must be labeled as "mechanically separated pork" in the ingredients statement.

The USDA on Mad Cow disease (same as BSE - stands for bovine spongiform encephalopathy) and why one can no longer feed dead cow ("mammalian protein") to cow's in animal feed:
Regarding feeding practices, it is known that cattle can become infected with BSE by eating feed contaminated with the infectious BSE agent. This is why in 1997 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prohibited the use of most mammalian protein in the manufacture of animal feed intended for cattle and other ruminants. For additional information on the feed ban, visit FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine Web site .

MECHANICALLY SEPARATED POULTRY is a paste-like and batter-like poultry product produced by forcing bones with attached edible tissue through a sieve or similar device under high pressure to separate bone from the edible tissue. Mechanically separated poultry has been used in poultry products since 1969. In 1995, a final rule on mechanically separated poultry said it would be used without restrictions. However, it must be labeled as "mechanically separated chicken or mechanically separated turkey" (depending on the kind of poultry used) in the ingredients statement. The final rule became effective November 4, 1996.

Byproducts, Variety Meats
"Frankfurter, Hot Dog, Wiener, or Bologna With Byproducts" or "With Variety Meats" are made according to the specifications for cooked and/or smoked sausages (see above), except they consist of not less than 15% of one or more kinds of raw skeletal muscle meat with raw meat byproducts. The byproducts (heart, kidney, or liver, for example) must be named with the derived species and be individually named in the ingredients statement.

Link to USDA Meat & Poultry Labeling Terms

Ground Turkey Salmonella Recall: Why Did It Take So Long?

2011-08-05T09:25:00.002-04:00

Thanks for asking the question no one seems to want to answer...why did it take so long to recall the ground turkey meat?

A few years back a friend experienced such severe food poisoning that it landed him in the hospital overnight. Although he suspected it was the processed meat he'd eaten that night, he was released from the hospital and told, "it's probably the flu or a 24 hour bug."

Two weeks later...the USDA recalled the processed meat he'd eaten while on vacation in Colorado. How is it we could piece it together without an advanced degree in food science engineering or on site inspections?

Wonder how many thousands more were told "it's just the flu" and sent home from the emergency rooms and hospitals in 23 states since March? I'm certain if we ask... they remember exactly how they felt after they ate that ground turkey taco or turkey burger from the grill.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Scary stuff: Arkansas Firm recalls 36 million pounds (36,000,000 lbs) of ground turkey

2011-08-03T21:32:00.010-04:00

WASHINGTON, August 3, 2011 - Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation, a Springdale, Ark. establishment, is recalling approximately 36 million pounds of ground turkey products that may be contaminated with a multi-drug resistant strain ofSalmonella Heidelberg, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

...A total of 79 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Heidelberg have been reported from 26 states between March 1 and August 3, 2011. The outbreak strain of Salmonella Heidelberg is resistant to several commonly prescribed antibiotics. Among the ill persons with available information, 22 (38%) have been hospitalized and 1 death has been reported. As a result of the epidemiologic and traceback investigations, as well as in-plant findings, FSIS determined that there is a link between the Cargill ground turkey products and this illness outbreak. Link to Cargill - company that processed the ground turkey meat

Link to USDA recall of 36 million pounds of ground turkey

Same sink...different location

2011-07-29T06:56:00.002-04:00

"Same sink different location" is my favorite expression from my mother-in-law about "vacationing" with the family.

- Can't believe it's been... so many years. Your wit, wisdom and guidance rings more true as each day passes. (My mother-in-law passed away more than 14 years ago.)

My other favorite...five boys were easier than one girl. The girls would brood and you never knew if it was something you did... or said or just "because..." With the boys...(five of them) you'd hear the furniture move, the loud voices and before you knew it "they were walking out the door together."

This is hysterical...the dairy industry can "cure"...PMS!

2011-07-18T07:05:00.006-04:00

Hahahahahaha. This is hysterical and satire at it's best! Wait, they're serious? I thought it was a skit from Saturday Night Live.

Ad touts milk as cure for PMS, but is it valid? from Daily Dose

What did I do with all my time before we had kids?*

2011-07-14T06:00:00.016-04:00

*My high school English teacher loved to remind us that baby goats are" kids" and children are young people.

Super Gardening tips from friends and family

2011-07-12T07:22:00.002-04:00

Herbs: The transplanted 20 year-old oregano plant has taken off: snipped off a few stems, rinsed and dried, placed in a paper bag in the kitchen cabinet and will have dried oregano in one to two weeks. Thanks sis for this tip!

Tomato plants: Short on bees? Gently tickle the inside of the yellow flowers with a q-tip that has the tip pulled out.

Dead head flowers: to keep your plants healthy and strong, deadhead (pinch off) the dead flowers. Or, in the case of hydrangeas...snip off the finished blooms.

Will post some pixs soon...

Banned chemicals found in tons of imported fish

2011-07-07T09:38:00.001-04:00

By Laurie Udesky | www.fairwarning.org and Anne Paine | The Tennessean

Fish from overseas that are contaminated with chemicals not allowed in the U.S. food supply are showing up for sale in this country, including in Tennessee.

Three American fish importers pleaded guilty earlier this year in Mobile, Ala., to federal felony charges of mislabeling fish and seafood.

Their illegal haul included more than 120,000 pounds of imported fish, brought in to Mobile and Seattle, that tested positive for the suspected human carcinogen malachite green, an antifungal agent, and for an antibiotic that U.S. authorities also prohibit for use on fish that people consume.

Over the past 12 months, officials in Tennessee, one of the few states doing testing, found evidence of a prohibited substance.

Alabama, Georgia, Arkansas and Florida also turned up the same in recent years while screening imported fish.

How much tainted fish might end up on plates in restaurants or homes is unknown, but one Alabama official says it's coming into the country despite a U.S. Food and Drug Administration effort to block such shipments.

"I can tell you right off the bat that 40 percent of the imported fish we test is positive for banned drugs that are not safe for human health," said Brett Hall, deputy commissioner for the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office issued a report in April saying improved FDA oversight is needed of imported seafood, with recommendations to better leverage limited funding.

Antibiotics found

Over the past year, Georgia and Arkansas found evidence of fluoroquinolones, a banned family of antibiotics, in imported fish. Arkansas detected crystal violet, a carcinogen.

In February, fluoroquinolones residue was discovered in imported fish in Tennessee. Out of 17 imported basa -- a mild-tasting Asian catfish -- and other catfish samples analyzed, one was positive for the illegal antibiotics over the past year, according to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

That was using the FDA's tolerance standard of 5 parts per million.

No imported shrimp samples have shown a problem.

"We began testing imported fish about five years ago due to growing consumer concerns," said Casey Mahoney, a department spokeswoman.

After the one positive sample among 78 lots since testing began in July 2006, the distributor was notified and a recall was initiated. Delivery drivers were told to collect any basa fish remaining and deliver them back to the distributor's warehouse, where the product was destroyed. The product was originally distributed to food service establishments.

Tennessee does quarterly sampling and testing at wholesale and retail establishments. Alabama started such testing earlier and has now dropped it because of funding shortages.

From 2002 to 2009, Alabama records show, 44 percent of basa fish it sampled from Asia were positive for fluoroquinolones, prompting the state to issue nine "suspensions from sale or movement orders" to take the fish off the market.

The United States today imports almost 85 percent of its seafood, and about half of it is from aquaculture, which frequently uses antibiotics to control disease.

Most of the seafood comes from China, Thailand, Canada, Indonesia, Vietnam and Ecuador.

EU tightens rules

When the European Union tightened its standards on what was acceptable, the U.S. market began to be flooded with seafood that didn't make the grade there, said John Williams, executive director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance in Florida.

"When you have this amount of product coming in that could contain illegal chemicals, it has an effect on our prices and consumer safety, too," he said. "We became a dumping ground for all seafood rejected by the EU, Canada and Japan."

Improvements have been made with the phasing in of a food safety modernization act that took effect in January, but more are needed, he said.

Read entire article here: Banned chemicals found in tons of imported fish

USDA’s new food safety campaign

2011-06-29T16:11:00.009-04:00

USDA’s new food safety campaign: it’s all about YOU

Is the food already "contaminated" before we buy it
and that's why WE need to "be food safe"?

Another excellent piece by Marion Nestle on her blog: Food Politics.

SuperMom101 Response to her post:

Thank you for always keeping us so well informed!

Last summer there was a recall of over 500,000,000 (that’s half a billion) eggs from two factory farms in Iowa because salmonella bacteria in the eggs may have sickened as many as 1,300 people.

And…29 People in 14 states diagnosed with salmonellosis – ConAgra Recalls Frozen Chicken Products

And…Campbell Soup recalled approximately 15,000,000 pounds of “SpaghettiOs with Meatballs” and…

The USDA needs to fix our food supply…not dinner! The "food" is contaminated before it leaves the supermarkets.

Best health always!

...additional comment posted on Food Politics:

This is how bizarre the 500,000,000 (that's half a billion) factory farmed egg recall is:

According to Food Production Daily, The FDA is responsible for egg safety when eggs are still in the shell, but the USDA takes over once they are broken. In addition, the FDA is in charge of chicken feed safety, while the USDA is responsible for the chickens. [Meanwhile] …the division of responsibilities between agencies was highlighted again last summer during the recall of more than half a billion eggs from two Iowa egg producers, thought to have sickened at least 1,900 people.

Meanwhile…as long as we cook the eggs from the sick chickens we’re okay?

I no longer buy factory farmed eggs. My families health is worth a few more bucks.

How does your garden grow?

2011-06-27T10:35:00.007-04:00

It's official! Our garden has been underway for over a month and everything seems to have taken root and is doing well. (My dad reminded me that he was told many, many years ago never to plant in the Northeast - Boston area - before May 15th...EVER!)

Notice the container is newspaper

I'm so fortunate that a friend provides the heirloom tomato plants - 10 in total this year. She starts her heirloom plants from seed (pictured above) and since she's a true blood yankee she recyles her newspapers to create the planter that will dissolve in the soil. "Be sure to pull back some of the newspaper to give the roots room to make friends with the soil," she always reminds me. Her plants are already "hardened off" when I pick them up mid May and so strong that I haven't even had to tie them to the stake yet.

Here's another tip a friend gave me: notice how the one stem above is horizontal and then the plant bends up. This is good. All the little hairs that appear on the stem are actually roots and since tomato plants are vines planting the bending stem under the soil will make the plant sturdier and stronger.

Later last summer

Basil plants are placed in between the tomato plants since I was told by another avid gardener that those plants that go well together as food like to be planted next to each other in the garden. Have to say that tip has worked for me so far. Plus, there's something so gratifying about going to the garden and picking your dinner.* Unfortunately, I can not get basil to grow from seed and had to purchase the plants (again) this year. Here's a link to the Backyard Bruchetta recipe featured on the SuperMom101 Show: http://www.supermom101.com/BackyardBruchetta.htm

Another avid Italian gardener-friend expressed concern over the lack of bees (some experts are attributing it to the pesticide/herbicide Round Up and genetically modified - GMO - crops, but that's a subject for another day) and suggested this idea if you don't see many bees in your garden.

Take a q-tip and pull out the cotton to create a long needle shaped tool and gently tickle the inside of the flowers on each tomato plant to help pollinate as the bees would do.

Albert Einstein once said: “If the bee disappears from the surface of the earth, man would have no more than four years to live. No more bees, no more pollination … no more men!”

Would love to hear your gardening trials, tribulations and tips.

Best health always!

*Last year the pole beans didn't fare so well and our oldest quipped, "good thing you don't have to feed the family on those six beans."

I'm often asked...

2011-06-25T09:33:00.005-04:00

What do you eat if you don't eat cheese? How do you get your calcium if you don't eat dairy? Isn't organic a joke and a waste of money? And, of course: "What's for dinner?"

I'll start with the last since since that's what rings most true to our world. My guess is most of us SuperMoms-in-training can attest: it isn't easy to food shop, put the groceries away, cook and serve a healthy, delicious meal after a long day at the office when your family is scattered on three different ball fields until 7:00PM. So, what's a beginner SuperMom to do?

Our favorite "fast food" is burritos. I'll fill mine with rice, beans, guacamole, salsa and grilled veggies. They roll them up and you're good to go for under $6.00. And, it fills a very hungry 17 year old. (Getting the Mexican soda made with real cane sugar is a treat. So we usually wait 'til we get home to have a beverage.) Here's a link to our favorite, local Taqueria: Tango Mango

Tango Mango - Newton Centre

p.s. Will answer the other questions under separate post. Since it's Saturday morning and raining, I need to clean the house. Or, at least make an effort for an hour or so. If I tell myself that I'm exercising when I vacuum, mop, and dust does that count as exercise?

p.s.s. Check out this Cancer Fact Sheet from Globocan: The Mexican population has one of the lowest breast cancer incidence rates in the world: Fact Sheet - Breast Cancer

Best health always!

There's WHAT in my box of crackers?

2011-06-21T07:34:00.013-04:00

Label Watch - What are you eating?

Cool website to check out the good, the bad and the ugly on what you're really eating and drinking.

Food Lies: 10 "Healthy" Foods With Hidden Sugar

2011-06-14T07:47:00.002-04:00

Our elementary school gym teacher takes the labels off of candy, soda, sports drinks and milk and fills a plastic sandwich bag with the grams of sugar each product contains. He places the baggie full of sugar next to the label on a bulletin board in the front lobby so everyone can see how much sugar is in what they eat and drink.

Anyone else see the bus full of sugar on the Jamie Oliver show?
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Food Lies: 10 "Healthy" Foods with Hidden Sugars (From the Folks at Kitchen Daily)

2011-06-14T07:39:00.001-04:00

Food Lies: 10 "Healthy" Foods with Hidden Sugars

(From the Folks at Kitchen Daily)

Alamy

Maybe you've heard that sports drinks contain sugar. But think of it like this: one drink has 310 calories. A 150 pound person would have to run for 3 miles to burn that off. Kind of reduces the benefit of working out, huh?
12 ounces = 42 grams

Read more: Kitchen Daily: Food lies 10 healthy foods with hidden sugar

Jupiter

You probably know whole milk contains saturated fat, but all milk contains sugar. Pair it with sugary cereal or oatmeal and you could be in for one heck of a morning sugar crash. (And don't even ask us about sugary milk drinks.)

1 cup of skim milk = 12 grams of sugar

Read more: Kitchen Daily: Food Lies 10 Healthy Foods with hidden sugar

America is Hungry for Change - Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution - Watch Full Episodes Online

2011-06-11T16:03:00.009-04:00

Yipee! Lots going on in the world of Boston sports and since the Jamie Oliver show has been on again/off again the kids had already set the DVR to catch the Sox and Bruins while we were off playing a double header. We won both games ;)

View the entire Episodes Here - Thank you ABC!

Anyhoo...thank you ABC for letting us view the entire episode of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution.

This was the best one yet! I don't know who is saying no one is watching. Everyone I know with kids is watching and more than once AND with their children! I watched it with our 16 year-old. Very powerful stuff.

p.s. Take the survey so ABC (and their sponsors) know we're watching!

American Idol and Product Placement

2011-05-23T16:06:00.004-04:00

Dear Laurie,

Was wondering the exact same thing about the product placement for soda. (Don't watch much TV and - can't believe I'm going to admit it - my husband and I have watched more than a few episodes of American Idol with our kids this season.)

I've been sure to comment on the not-so-subtle product placement and added that it looks weird to see adults sucking from a straw like a toddler? I told them that I doubt the judges are really drinking soda and it's probably water. (That's why you can't see the liquid that's inside the plastic cups. With their wealth and physique, don't think they're gulping down candy in a can.)

While we're on the topic of "advertising", what's up with diet coke cans and the "little red dress in support of heart healthy programs"? This chemical in a can is heart healthy? How much $$$ is coke kicking back to that professional association?

Thank goodness years ago someone showed me a rusty nail that came out shiny clean from sitting overnight in a can of soda. Maybe I should do that experiment with the neighborhood kids?

Thanks for your article.

p.s. Have friends that travel to Spain and Mexico and enjoy the real coke made with cane sugar and served in glass bottles.

Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

2011-05-20T10:51:00.003-04:00

Great article! Can attest to the baking soda...it's terrific for pet accidents too.

Now, we just need to stop our children from ingesting those pesky chemicals including food dyes, colorings, additives, preservatives, naturally and artificially occurring growth hormones...antibiotics...and that's just breakfast.

p.s. Will be checking out your web page since it seems we have much in common.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

ShopSmart Unwraps the Secrets Within Our Food

2011-05-18T07:00:00.000-04:00

USDA Food Pyramid

Released by Shop Mart magazine

- CONSUMING CLONES

The FDA does not require labeling on most products that contain genetically engineered plant material or on meat and milk from cloned animals. Genetically modified versions of corn, soybeans, canola, and cotton are widely sold in the U.S.

What you can do

If you'd prefer to avoid milk and meat from cloned cows and genetically modified plant ingredients, buy organic. Unfortunately, there's no way to avoid consuming some genetically modified ingredients.

-- CARNIVORE CHICKEN

Livestock feed can include things like cow meat and bones, which might be fed to chickens, pigs, and even farmed fish. And cows might be fed processed feathers and waste from the floors of chicken coops.

What you can do

Look for beef or chicken certified organic by the USDA. Claims of "no additives," "no antibiotics," "no hormones," and "no steroids" are less reliable since they can't be verified.

-- LABELS LIE

Some labels can outsmart even careful shoppers. "Natural" products might contain high-fructose corn syrup; a food "made with" an ingredient often includes just a smidgen; and a "whole-grain" cereal could lack substantial fiber.

What you can do

If you want the whole story, you still have to flip to the back label and scan the nutrition facts. Check not just the calories but also serving sizes. And scan the percent of daily values.

-- FRESH MEAT?

Many supermarkets sell ground beef and steaks packaged with gas that keeps them looking fresh and red for a month or more, even if the meat has spoiled. In that process, used in factory-wrapped (or case-ready) meat, most of the oxygen in the package is replaced with other gases, including tiny amounts of carbon monoxide, that react with pigment and keep the meat red.

What you can do

Ask whether your grocer sells meat packed with carbon monoxide. For fruits, buy locally or at least what's in season. (Frozen fruits and veggies are a good option any time of year because they're usually flash frozen immediately after harvest.)

ShopSmart Unwraps the Secrets Within Our Food | Chron.com | News, search and shopping from the Houston Chronicle

Fast Food: What's really in that...from someone who worked there

2011-05-17T07:33:00.008-04:00

Chicken Nugget before

"Grade D but Edible beef, bones in the nuggets, the shakes and sundaes are more filler than milk, the salads are low quality produce, often frozen, (which really hurts the quality of lettuce) and the dressings are some of the highest fat dressings in the business. In fact, a salad with a full packet of dressing has more fat and calories than a quarter pounder with cheese. Their chicken for the grilled patties is stored with a coating of fat over them to protect the surface appearance. They cook the food in the morning and hold it in steamer cabinets (which keeps it cooking) until it's time to serve. Their "healthier" choices are healthier than some of their regular menu items, but they are less healthy than real food. You should not eat there, ever. I won't."

-As posted on the Huffington Post by

Dragontech

Forks over Knives: How a Plant-Based Diet Can Save America

2011-05-13T14:31:00.003-04:00

I stopped eating and drinking from the fake, highly processed franken food pyramid 11 years ago when I was diagnosed and treated for cancer at the age of 38.

Saw this movie at the Museum of Science in Boston this past Spring and IT IS AWESOME!

Can't wait for all the industry stalkers to start posting...I'm ready!

An (organic) apple a day keeps the doctor away. - Ben Franklin

Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Don't Drink the Cool-Aid: A little more on artificial food dyes - posted on The Skeptic's Health Journal

2011-05-11T09:38:00.002-04:00

Don't Drink the Cool-Aid: A little more on artificial food dyes

Excerpt from post in The Skeptic's Health Journal:.

..it took all of about 30 seconds to bring up Dr. Burks financial industry ties as listed on his Duke University academic bio..

Shortly after the advisory panel decision, Melanie Warner at BNet picked up on an odd coincidence in Kraft's advertising,

Kraft, the nation’s largest food manufacturer, has apparently concluded that the threat of any further government action regarding food dyes is pretty much nonexistent. In its seemingly outdated ads, which read “Bring back the fun,” the company celebrates the wonderful tongue staining abilities of Red #40, Blue #1 and Yellow #5. Eight excited kids stick out their brightly colored, post-Kool-Aid tongues.

Sticking out tongues at food activists
It would be hard for Kraft to design an ad that more effectively flaunts its use of lucrative chemicals that some want banned. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that those kids are sticking their tongues out at food activists like the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Read the entire post here: Don't Drink the Cool-Aid: A little more on artificial food dyes - The Skeptic's Health Journal

Our Deadly, Daily Chemical Cocktail

2011-05-05T13:49:00.003-04:00

Dear David,

“I like to keep it simple. If I don't have high fructose corn syrup (soon to be called corn sugar if HFCS industry gets their way) in my kitchen cabinet and it requires a chemistry degree and clean room to manufacture...I don't want it in my family's food. Same goes for yellow 5, polysorbate 80, BHT, monoglycerides, and cellulose gum.

It's so strange, America (and her children) have never been fatter or sicker and we can't seem to figure out why.

When I had cancer over 11 years ago at age 38 - I changed what's on my plate and have been healthy ever since.

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

Americans confused about what to eat, but why?

2011-04-30T10:05:00.028-04:00

Americans confused about what to eat, but why?

Excerpt:
By Deborah Kotz, Globe Staff
I wasn't surprised by a survey released this week by the American Heart Association showing Americans are woefully ill-informed about two things that affect their heart-disease risk: salt and alcohol. While more than three-quarters of the 1,000 folks the AHA surveyed knew that wine was good for their heart, less than a third knew the recommended daily limit -- four ounces of wine for women and eight ounces for men.

My reply to the post:
Why are "we" confused on what to eat?

Ummm...why does the American Heart Association allow a "little red dress" on every diet coke can "in support of women's heart health programs." Hmmmm....and "they" wonder why WE are confused?

America (and her children) has never been fatter or sicker and strangely we can't seem to figure out why.

Link to complete article: Americans confused about what to eat, but why? Daily Dose - Boston.com

Why does the American Heart Association allow the "little red dress" on diet coke cans?

Terrific resource to see if the cottonseed oil* in your box of crackers is GMO (Genetically Modified Organism)

2011-04-28T09:54:00.004-04:00

http://www.nongmoproject.org/

Look for this label at your supermarkets

*Come to think of it. Why is cotton in my box of crackers?

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution - LA schools to stop serving sugar-filled flavored milks in school!

2011-04-28T07:33:00.006-04:00

Direct from Jamie Oliver...
Dear Food Revolutionary,

Huge news! Last night on the Jimmy Kimmel show, Superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District John Deasy announced to Jamie that he's going to recommend that LA schools stop serving sugar-filled flavored milks in school!

Amazing! And it couldn't have happened without your hard work and support.

This just shows that when thousands of us come together to demand for better for our kids, people WILL listen. When the TV cameras go away the Food Revolution will still be there as a powerful grassroots movement working for better school food across the country, but it takes lots of people joining in together to make it happen.

This is a huge moment to show all your friends what this movement is about. Will you take a quick moment to share Jamie's petition with 2 friends and invite them to join us?

http://www.jamieoliver.com/us/foundation/jamies-food-revolution/sign-petition
Food Revolutionaries sent thousands of letters to the new Superintendent and board of the Los Angeles Unified School District asking him to step up and make some real changes to the school food, and he got our our message.

Grassroots pressure from members of the Food Revolution in Los Angeles helped push the superintendent to decide to bring back plain milk, and this success can happen in every city for every school in America -- by building local networks of everyday people who want better for our kids in school, and who will take actions large and small to show it.

Flavored milk is just one change we can make to give better nutrition to our kids; there are still donuts for breakfast and chicken nuggets for lunch that aren't doing well for our kids' health. To make these changes all across America, we need to continue to build this powerful grassroots movement so that we will have a voice for better food in every city, in every school. You can help by simply inviting your friends to join and sign Jamie's petition.

http://www.jamieoliver.com/us/foundation/jamies-food-revolution/sign-petition

All of us coming together can prove to the superintendents everywhere that we're willing to stand up for better for our kids.

Thanks for all you do,

The Food Revolution team

PS: Know someone who wants to give kids better meals in schools? Tell them to join Jamie’s petition here.

For school children, where's the water?

2011-04-27T07:50:00.004-04:00

This is such a terrific article on how our children do not have access to water in their schools.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/04/18/water.school.children/index.html

Here's an idea...Ecowell Vending Machine Dispenses...Water!

p.s. Who has time to line up for the warm, germ infested drinking fountains when you have five minutes between class?

Do You Know How Many Genetically Modified Foods You're Eating? 8 to Pay Attention To

2011-04-26T15:59:00.004-04:00

Hahahahaha... so true! I used to think that I actually needed a science degree to know that an "organic" apple was better for our kids than a GMO pop tart.

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

Do you really believe that today's undergraduate science students know more than the founder of western medicine? And, he wasn't even talking about our factory-farmed, franken food pyramid.

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

p.s. Thanks everyone for your kind words. Best health to you all!
About Photo Galleries
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Are Weight Loss and Common Sense at War?

2011-04-26T10:30:00.003-04:00

Common sense is not so common. - Voltaire

Diet coke cans display "little red dresses" asking us to support women's heart disease
Chocolate milk is offered on high school lunch menus but not water. (Bottled water is extra.)
It's cheaper to feed our families fake, franken food products than organic apples

Strangely, America has never been fatter or sicker and we can't seem to figure out why.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Calcium supplements: risks versus rewards - The Boston Globe

2011-04-25T10:55:00.016-04:00

Calcium supplements: risks versus rewards - The Boston Globe

Okay! Took less than 2 minutes to see that this article is an infomercial for the dairy industry:

Dr. Tony McKenna of the Fonterra Research Centre, formerly the Dairy Research Institute added, "that dairy researchers had been working for some time with Auckland University's bone research group led by Associate Professor Jill Cornish and Professor Ian Reid." (Professor Ian Reid is the lead researcher of "the study.")

Now notice what the Harvard Researcher, Dr. Hu, suggests. I think it’s generally a good idea to get as much calcium as you can from food rather than supplements,’’ says Dr. Frank Hu, a calcium researcher and professor of nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health. Interestingly the next paragraph is all about dairy. But, read that same paragraph closely, Dr. Hu never mentions what "food" groups or specifically dairy for that matter. In fact, there is no "expert" quoted in that particular paragraph. It just says:
Women age 51 and over and men age 71 and over need 1,200 milligrams a day of calcium. Younger adults need 1,000 mg a day. Eight ounces of yogurt, an 8-ounce glass of milk, and a 1.5-ounce serving of cheddar cheese provide 1,000 mg of calcium. Adding a cup of fortified orange juice can get you up to 1,200 mg .

Even more interestingly, here's what one of Dr. Hu's colleagues has to say about cow's milk and dairy: Modern Milk May not be Natures Perfect Food

So, whom to believe? Best way to build strong bones...exercise! Best way to get vitamin D...15 minutes of sunshine. These suggestions are provided by my oncologist not "industry sponsored research and press releases." I had cancer at age 38 and had no idea that what I was eating could possibly be making me sick. Thankfully changed my diet over 11 years ago and have been healthy ever since. (It was a hormone receptive tumor.)

p.s. The way the article is written, I wonder if Dr. Hu knows his name is "linked to" eating dairy products as a source of calcium?

Chocolate Milk In Schools: Should It Be Banned?

2011-04-21T09:06:00.002-04:00

When our teenage daughter goes through the lunch line she CAN NOT get water with her lunch! She is told to take either one of four types of cow's milk or juice. "You have to pay extra for the bottled water. It doesn't count," she's told. Where's the water cooler and a cup? (Not a fountain...the water cooler like most office buildings offer to employees.)

Chocolate cow's milk is the tip of the feed our kid's crap agri-big business, franken food pyramid...

Our friend's 9 year-old was diagnosed as pre-diabetic and she had no idea that what he was eating was making him so sick. She had to change what's on their plates. (Thankfully, two years later he's fine.) Strangely, every night after his diagnosis, when he'd play baseball or hockey the concession stands would only sell "sugary" sports drinks, candy, pizza and soda. The only thing he could get was water and he can't even get that at school!

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

Chocolate Milk In Schools: Should It Be Banned?

2011-04-20T09:52:00.003-04:00

Soda = candy in a can

Chocolate cow's milk = candy in a carton

Check out this link and tell me if it's a thinly veiled commercial to sell more product or an industry that is truly concerned about my children's nutritional welfare?

http://www.nutritionexplorations.org/educators/school-nutrition-lunch.asp

BTW...how come our elementary school can offer 4 types of cow's milk on the lunch menu but not water? It's 'cuz the USDA see no "nutritional value in water." The USDA was created to subsidize farmers not build food pyramids.

Concerned about the kid's getting enough calcium...give 'em an antacid that has added calcium. They'll need it after eating the fake, franken food products served in most schools.

p.s. I bought the industries infomercials hook-line and sinker and got cancer at 38! Enough is enough!

Best health always to everyone!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Green Eggs and Ham - "The Dark Side of Food Coloring Dyes"

2011-04-20T06:00:00.006-04:00

We won't be decorating Easter Eggs this week...too depressed about all the factory farming that's going on and don't want to support them. And, since I'm the only one that enjoys an occasional organic, free range, hard boiled egg at our house, I can't waste a dozen eggs.

Link to article on food dyes in our diet

Here's an excerpt from a terrific post at the Skeptic's Health Journal Club that's appropriately titled "Green Eggs and Ham":

There are seven artificial food dyes allowed on the market currently, however this was not always the case. Actually, if you can believe it, a total of 12 previous artificial food dyes were at one point in the past approved by the FDA to market, before that agency reversed its previous decisions, (twelve times in a row) and banned those artificial food dyes from the market place when evidence of harm became undeniable. Wow, what a track record. Really makes you feel confident about the safety of the currently marketed dyes.

Here's the link to the complete article: Green Eggs and Ham

Frugal Family: School Vacation Ideas that even "most" teenagers will enjoy - Boston Area

2011-04-18T13:47:00.001-04:00

p.s. Working this week, but here's some ideas from past experience (skip those that cost $$$):

Museum Passes: Call your local library and see if they have any last minute cancellations or no shows for the museum passes. Many museums cater to the school vacation week with special children's and teenager programs

Might be less expensive to purchase a family membership to area museums that you'll be visiting more than once over the course of a year

Take Public Transportation in to the city (see details below on a day that even "most" teenagers will enjoy)*

Walk the Freedom Trail - Freedom Trail* - don't forget a stop in to the Green Dragon so the kid's can split a plate of French fries (yes, SuperMom-in-training's kids eat French fries) and you and your adult travel companion can order a pint of Guinness and maybe even catch a bit of a Sox's game.

Take a walk or bike ride around the Charles River bike path - Charles River Pike Path
Discounted admissions to area museums (take a look at the fine print - most offer a free night or nominal fee, including): Children's Museum - Target $1 Friday Nights Sponsored by are offered every Friday from 5–9pm - Friday nights in the middle of the summer...they have air conditioning.
If there's a little more in the budget and you can share a ride to Gloucester: Hammond Castle - (only open for school vacation week on Friday, Saturday and Sunday)

*The following itinerary for a day in Boston (in various forms over the years) has been tested with toddlers in strollers, older/younger cousins, 16 year-old boys, 14 year-old girls, two nine-year old boys, and another adult to keep me company.

Public Transportation (http://www.mbta.com/)

-Take public transportation....it gets everyone in the mood for "people watching."

- Since Boston is a great walking city get ready to hit the streets and wear down your shoes. No parking as close to the mall as possible here. Make certain everyone dresses appropriately as the weather can be a bit unpredictable and change throughout the day. Also, don't encourage the children to walk around the fountain ledges. Several years ago one of our children fell in to the Copley Square Fountain (true story and not the cleanest water in the world) and our party of 15 had to wait while I found a discount clothing store to buy dry clothes. Remember the main rule when traveling with small children, pre- teens, teenagers, adults and seniors: what goes wrong is what we will remember most fondly.

Newbury Comics

-Start at the corner of Newbury and Massachusetts Ave. and head down Newbury Street...you will be walking against the traffic. (That means the cars will be moving toward you as you walk down the one way street). Check out The Original “Newbury Comics” at 332 Newbury Street on the right. What teenager or adult doesn't enjoy the political satire and practical jokes? Caveat: keep a keen eye on the two nine year olds as you may want to steer them away from certain items. I don't try and create a mystique around "adult flavored jokes" but I also don't want a friend's son saying, "Mom, you should have seen the store Mrs. SuperMom-in-training took us to. We saw a T-shirt that said….”

Sonsie Bistro

-Glance across the street at all the beautiful people at Sonsie enjoying the outside café and wish you had not invited the neighbor's kids. Maybe next time you and your friend can enjoy lunch and an afternoon cocktail. (Or, the kids can get lost for a few hours.)

Prudential Center Mall and Skywalk

-Continue down Newbury Street...cross over at Fairfield to Boylston Street and head in to the Prudential Center Mall.

-Visit the Skywalk Observatory on top of the Prudential Center (The Pru – http://www.prudentialcenter.com/ ) You may need to ask for assistance as to where the entrance to the elevators are is as it's not easy to find. Check out the 360 degree view of the city from 60 stories up. This isn't cheap! The view is spectacular and the model depicting Boston prior to the massive Back Bay landfill provides an interesting perspective on the City. It's too bad you have all these kids with you. The Top of the Hub restaurant/lounge on the 52nd floor offers not only the fantastic view but terrific service, great drinks, and amazing appetizers. Yes, the Martini is $13 but you are paying for the view. I've been known to skip the observatory and figure we can split a few appetizers and drink water and it will cost the same as 4 teenagers, 2 adults and one child to visit the Observatory.

-Check out the Apple Store on Boylston Street. Free if you don't buy anything.

Boston Public Library

-Continue down Boylston Street and head in to the main entrance of the Boston Public Library that faces Copley Square. Free. If your teenager starts to roll her eyes, tell her the reading room is where JFK studied. It’s the first free municipal library in the United States (http://www.bpl.org/). So, don’t miss the famous reading room, The Sargent Gallery or The Abbey Room on the 3rd floor.

Bostik Kiosk

- Directly across the street is the Bostik Kiosk that sells discounted tickets for shows that evening. We've ended up going directly to the playhouse to purchase tickets for an evening show of Blue Man Group, there are plenty of last minute tickets for sale at a great price.

Public Garden

-Continue down Boylston Street and you will arrive at the corner of Arlington and Boylston Streets. Enjoy the Spring flowers and look for the Make Way for Ducklings bronze sculptures. (Hint: they're by the Charles Street entrance.) Let me know if your teenagers would let you take a picture.

Boston Common

-Continue through the Boston Common (site of public hangings until 1817) and continue up the hill toward the State House walking parallel to Beacon Street. (These are the types of factoids that keep the teenagers interested.)

- You can pick up the Freedom Trail in front of the State house and follow it to Faneuil Hall. This is about a 15 minute walk. Just make sure you ask someone if you are heading in the right direction. The Freedom Trail is a walking tour past historic sites and buildings. Follow the brick or red line markings on the sidewalk.

Green Dragon (side alley near Faneuil Hall)

-Although Faneuil Hall is interesting and the market has a great food court it would not be a day out in Boston without stopping for a pint at the Green Dragon (11 Marshall Street, Boston). Even our daughter’s teacher pointed out after her 5th grade field trip that she wanted to know why the class was walking the freedom trail but not stopping in the Green Dragon. “It’s my mom’s favorite place and she lets us order French Fries and a soda.” (As you know, a true treat at our house since I call it "candy in a can.")

-If it’s a Saturday afternoon than the Hay Market should be in full force and that's always a fun experience… fish heads and rotting fruit. The market closes up by mid afternoon but there are usually remnants lying around. Pass through the market on your way to the North End.

North End and Pizzeria Regina

-By now everyone should be fairly hungry from working up an appetite from walking. The North End is still home to some great Italian dining but with kids in tow, I suggest Pizzeria Regina at 11 1/2 Thacher Street (617) 227-0765. You may have to wait in line for a few minutes but hopefully the experience will be well worth it. Remember the old timers order their pies well done! Maybe the waitress will even give the kids a few coins for the juke box.

-On your way back to the train…if you’re not broke yet, stop and let the kid’s order a Gelatto while you and your friend sip a martini or espresso with Sambucca. You both deserve it!

Tomorrow…maybe a trip over The Charles River to Cambridge.

This Is the Game Changer!

2011-04-18T10:04:00.002-04:00

America is hungry for change! SuperMoms-in-training unite!

America (and her children) have never been fatter or sicker and we can't seem to figure out why.

We have plenty of advanced degrees telling us everything is fine with our food supply, mixed with a food pyramid that's based on out-of-date science and influenced by agri-big business.

"They" won't stop manufacturing this factory-farmed franken food until WE stop buying it.

p.s. Laurie, awesome post! Did you see Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution the other night? Our 17 year old was grossed out at the ammonia used to make most hamburger "meat" fit for human consumption.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Acne: Are Milk and Sugar the Causes?

2011-04-17T07:24:00.003-04:00

Dr. Mark Hyman discusses Acne: Are Milk and Sugar the Causes? on The Huffington Post.

Acne: Are Milk and Sugar the Causes?

Let's play a game - "Who is behind the web page?"

2011-04-14T06:35:00.012-04:00

Is this a thinly veiled commercial selling a product or are "they" truly interested in my child's health and well being?

http://www.nutritionexplorations.org/educators/school-nutrition-lunch.asp

Antibiotics and Food Production: Are we Feeding a Health Crisis and Squandering the Cure?

2011-04-13T06:30:00.011-04:00

Great post! America (and her children) have never been fatter or sicker and strangely we can't seem to figure out why.

From the antibiotics to growth hormones and genetically modified franken food (GMO), we have plenty of advanced "scientific" degrees along with the USDA and FDA telling us everything is fine with our food supply.

Let's put our money where our mouth is (so to speak) and stop buying and feeding our children this factory farmed franken food!

p.s. Anyone else remember the 500,000,000,000 eggs that were recalled last summer from two Iowa "farms?" They can still resell them as long as they're cooked. Any ideas on what menu you think they showed up on?

Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Mass. farming group hits Monsanto with lawsuit

2011-04-08T18:32:00.007-04:00

Mass. farming group hits Monsanto with lawsuit - Mass High Tech Business News

Don't mess with our Massachusetts Farmers. Remember the last time? Smell another revolution brewing in Boston...and they need our support! Do I hear a call to arms?

Driven through the corn fields of the Midwest and six hours later you're still in them. Not here in the Northeast. You'd have traveled through three states and plenty of non GMO, non factory, non franken food, family farms.

Mass. Farming Group Hits Monsanto with Lawsuit

Jamie Oliver's 'Food Revolution' Undaunted By Obstacles In LA

2011-04-08T06:59:00.002-04:00

Dear Joaquin,

This is exactly the problem! Individuals with advanced degrees are telling us that there is nothing wrong with our highly processed, genetically modified, franken food supply while America and her children have never been fatter or sicker.

Next thing you'll be telling us that the Food Pyramid is actually a "healthy" way to eat. The Harvard School of Public Health calls the franken food pyramid: "... based on out-of-date science and influenced by people with business interests in their messages."

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

Jamie Oliver's 'Food Revolution' Undaunted By Obstacles In LA

2011-04-07T14:52:00.002-04:00

Strangely, in America, we can't seem to figure out why we've never been fatter or sicker. Jamie, can't wait to see the show! I'm psyched the administrators wouldn't let you film. It will add to your free publicity and bring about REAL change by exposing the hypocracy.

To several posters, have you ever wondered why your child's school lunch menu can offer four choices of cow's milk (including chocolate) but not water. It's 'cuz the federal government (USDA that reimburses school lunch programs) sees "no nutritional value in water" and won't let it be offered as a beverage choice. (Wonder what industry got that on the menu?)

How can we (parents) establish healthy eating habits when we're up against these subsidized factory farms producing fake frankenfood. (Our 11 year old begged me to make him lunch every day until our school starting serving "real" food.) For some children, lunch is the "healthiest" meal they'll get all day.

Take a look at what's considered junk food at your school.

Here's a hint: Hi-C Blast (sugar water) vs.Seltzer Water (carbonated water)

(check out the link: http://www.cspinet.org/nutritionpolicy/junkfoodquiz.html)

Jamie Oliver and Food Revolution...you have my vote!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

FDA recalls (not to be confused with USDA)

2011-04-07T07:11:00.021-04:00

Wanna see if those "factory fresh" eggs or bottle of pills in the medicine cabinet were recently recalled?*

I'm always curious why friends have ended up in the hospital with "the flu" and released 24 hours later. When we matched the Colorado recalls with the time of the symptoms, it was a no brainier...food poisoning.

FDA launches consumer-friendly Web search for consumers during recalls

Excerpt from the FDA Warning Letter:

WARNING LETTER

Ref. KAN 2011-01

Mr. Austin J. Decoster, Owner

Quality Egg LLC

2674 Highway 69

Galt, IA 50101

Dear Mr. Decoster:

The outside access doors to the manure pits had been pushed out by the weight of manure, leaving open access to wildlife and other animals at the following locations: Layer 1, House 1 and Layer 3, Houses 2, 17, 18

Dark liquid which appeared to be manure was observed seeping through the concrete foundation to the outside of the laying houses at Layer 1, Houses 1 through 5, 8, 11, 12, and 14; and Layer 3, Houses 1,8, 13, 17. Standing water approximately 3 inches deep was observed in the southeast comer of the manure pit located inside Layer 1, House 13.

Uncaged chickens were observed in the egg laying operation in contact with the egg laying birds at Layer 3, Houses 9 and 16. The uncaged birds were using the manure to access the egg laying areas.

► The entrance door to Layer 3, House 11 was blocked with excessive amounts of manure in the manure pits.

► There were between 2 to 5 live mice observed inside the following egg laying houses: Layer 1, Houses 1,5, and 10; Layer 2, House 11; Layer 3, Houses 2, 5, 7, 9,11, and 14; and Layer 4, House 3.
► Live and dead flies too numerous to count were observed inside the following egg laying houses: Layer 1, Houses 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, and 12; Layer 2, Houses 7 and 11; Layer 3, Houses 3, 4,5,6, 7, 8, 15, 16, 17, and 18. The flies were observed on and around egg belts, feed, shell eggs and walkways in different sections of each egg laying house. In addition, live and dead maggots too numerous to count were observed on the manure pit floor at Layer 2, House 7.

*Careful, the website is addicting.

Hormones In Food: Should You Worry?

2011-04-01T08:06:00.005-04:00

Thanks for your post!

So true about these factory farms and our health. I had no idea what a hormone receptive tumor was until I experienced breast cancer at the age of 38. Check out this article from a Harvard Public Health researcher on "modern" milk.

And...she's not even talkin' about the cow's with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH), a synthetic cow hormone. (For over eleven years now...no more dairy for me!)

Got a hormone receptive tumor?

Common sense is not so common. - Voltaire

About Nutrition
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Arsenic in Chicken Feed: A Possible Cancer Cluster Source?

2011-03-31T07:34:00.005-04:00

Americans have never been fatter or sicker and we can't seem to figure out why. Maybe it's both the defunct plant AND the chicken factory farms.

Until we stop buying factory farmed animals that are raised on growth hormones, antibitoics, GMO corn, arsenic, and steroids, these factories will keep pumping out this Frankenfood.

Remember last year's recall of over 500,000,000 eggs from two "farms?"

According to Food Production Daily, The FDA is responsible for egg safety when eggs are still in the shell, but the USDA takes over once they are broken. In addition, the FDA is in charge of chicken feed safety, while the USDA is responsible for the chickens. [Meanwhile] ...the division of responsibilities between agencies was highlighted again last summer during the recall of more than half a billion eggs from two Iowa egg producers, thought to have sickened at least 1,900 people.

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

p.s. Couldn't stop reading the excerpts from your book: Animal Factory. It's going to change how we look at what's on our forks.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Are you being “over-diagnosed”?

2011-03-26T08:54:00.000-04:00

Direct from Carolyn Thomas on The Ethical Nag: Find out what happens when drug companies learn that widening boundaries and lowering treatment thresholds can dramatically expand the number of potential customers classed as "patients" who now "need" to buy drugs for their new "disease". For example, only 5% of people with mild/average osteoporosis are saved from a future fracture by taking bone density drugs, which means that the other 95% taking them are exposed to the potential harms of the drugs with NO proven benefit. (Read the full post at The Ethical Nag - Marketing Ethics for the Easily Swayed.)

SuperMom101's Posted Comment:

Awesome post! Until we the consumers (oops - I mean potential patient population) say enough is enough and stop taking the pills, change our lifestyles, and look at what's on the end of our forks, we are only going to get sicker and sicker. Growing up, the only "medicine" in the cabinet was aspirin, witch hazel, hydrogen peroxide, some bandaids, iodine and tincture soap. What was in yours?

Which came first? The chicken, the egg, the FDA, the USDA or 1,900 sick Americans?

2011-03-24T07:26:00.004-04:00

According to Food Production Daily, The FDA is responsible for egg safety when eggs are still in the shell, but the USDA takes over once they are broken. In addition, the FDA is in charge of chicken feed safety, while the USDA is responsible for the chickens. [Meanwhile] ...the division of responsibilities between agencies was highlighted again last summer during the recall of more than half a billion eggs from two Iowa egg producers, thought to have sickened at least 1,900 people.

So, which came first? The USDA, The FDA, the chicken, the egg or over 1,900 sick Americans? (And those are the ones that went to the hospital.)

Hint: I don't believe that more government intervention is the answer. Could it be...consumer awareness of factory farming and our purchasing power?

What's in the Non-Chicken Half of the McNugget?

2011-03-14T19:45:00.009-04:00

Before
Mechanically separated chicken from Fooducate

Dear Carol from the Corn Refiners Association (and other industry bloggers),

I always keep a jar of corn sugar (formerly known as high fructose corn syrup) in the kitchen cabinet right next to the dimethylpolysiloxane.

Thought some of you readers might enjoy the video of the woman who has been touring around the U.S. with a four-year old Happy Meal: Link to YouTube - Four-year old Happy Meal

After

p.s. Do you think the plastic toy made in China with decompose before the cheeseburger?
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

"I'll lose 50% of my bees this winter"‏ - and no one can explain it...or can we?

2011-03-12T09:18:00.002-05:00

According to one bee keeper, "I'll lose 50% of my bees this winter." Check out Slow Food USA and see what's going on with our food supply and the "mysterious" disappearance of bees.

As one blogger posted:

“If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would only have four years left to live.” - Albert Einstein

Bees feed us: now they need our help : Slow Food USA

Photo from Slow Food USA

Discussion Guide to facilitate thoughtful discussions for high school age and older

2011-03-08T18:31:00.003-05:00

Official Food, Inc. Movie Site - Hungry For Change? - Spread the Word

Are dairy products safe?

2011-03-04T15:53:00.001-05:00

Here's the entire argument on why I no longer consume dairy...EVER!

Today's Food System: All Drugged Up

2011-03-02T16:50:00.002-05:00

Absolutely true! I had no idea what a hormone receptive tumor was until I was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer (over ten years ago) at the age of 38. Thankfully I changed my diet and lifestyle and have been healthy ever since.

Can't wait for the release of Forks Over Knives in May 2011. Let's just say, "If you can take a pill to change your molecular structure, how about the food you eat?"

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

p.s. Anyone else see the lame post on Huff by Armstrong about the cancer push in California. Ummm...let's take a look at what's on our plates.
About Health
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Top Ten Things to Say to Someone Who Questions Your Healthy Diet - From the Blog: Renegade Health

2011-03-01T19:29:00.001-05:00

Renegade Health Gives the Top Ten Things to Say to Someone Who Questions Your Healthy Diet (You may need to scroll down past the top advertisement to get to the post.)

I actually had someone tell me #4:

4. “Oprah’s doing it.”
Most people understand that if it’s good enough for Oprah, then it’s good enough for you.

p.s. Yipee! Seems Oprah and her staff went vegan for a week.

Forks over Knives - The Engine 2 Diet - and so much more...

2011-02-13T23:04:00.001-05:00

It was a packed house today at the Boston Museum of Science to see the sneak preview of Forks over Knives. So very thankful I got in!  Can we reverse the Diseases of Affluence?

And, of course, it took two hours to find the cable to the camera and I still can't upload the picture for the world to see the autographed page from The Engine 2 Diet by Rip Esselstyn. He was one of the panelists discussing the film.  The text reads:

02/13/2011
Supermom101
plant-strong!
Find your inner Superwoman!
Rip (with a wink inside the "R")

YIPEEEEE!!!!!

Forks and Knives is coming out in May. Hope it's a HUGE COMMERCIAL success and leads to many, many thoughtful discussions and dialogues. Found myself too scared to ask:  why do the countries with the highest dairy consumption also have the highest breast/prostate cancer rates? Since I spent most of tonight looking for the camera cable and now (OF COURSE) I can't find the WHO statistical page with age standardized breast/prostate cancer rates by dairy consumption and country origin I have completely given up.

Was thrilled to see the movie used the same quote from Hippocrates that's on the SuperMom101 Show:

Let food be your medicine [and medicine be your food.]

Best health always to you all!

p.s. For dinner I had no meat and it was delicious. Leftover sauted brussel sprouts with garlic, leftover steamed spinich, freshly cooked brown rice with peas and 3 chocolate covered strawberries for dessert. (The strawberries are leftover from our Valentine's Day Dinner with the kids from last night.)

Let's Talk About Food - Hosted by the Boson Museum of Science - Discovering the connection between what we eat and how we live -

2011-01-30T18:48:00.002-05:00

Forks over Knives - Hosted by the Boston Museum of Science

Yipee! I have a confirmed registration for the movie and panel.

With featured Austin firefighter Rip Esselstyn, author of The Engine 2 Diet; David M. Eisenberg, MD , director of the Harvard Medical School Osher Research Center and Program Director of Integrative Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital; Tara Mardigan, MS, MPH, RD , nutritionist for the Boston Red Sox, Levinson-Harris Medical Group, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; moderated by Louisa Kasdon, journalist and food editor at large, Boston Phoenix. This presentation is part of the ongoing series Let's Talk About Food.

SuperMom101 web page is live!

2011-01-05T20:38:00.008-05:00

Would love to hear what you think!

http://www.supermom101.com/

SuperMom101 Prepares Cheeseless Date Pizza with sauteed onion and garlic
for Newton Tab Crew

www.supermom101.com

Tips for a healthier, happier you...

Recipes, Chemical free ideas and so much more...

Our children deserve REAL FOOD and the time is NOW

2010-11-20T09:18:00.006-05:00

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

2010-11-17T17:18:00.003-05:00

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

2010-11-16T09:35:00.002-05:00

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?"

2010-10-31T16:14:00.000-04:00

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

2010-10-29T23:28:00.000-04:00

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

2010-10-25T10:44:00.003-04:00

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?"

2010-10-25T10:17:00.002-04:00

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