Do You Know What You Eat Eats?

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solaryellow

Master of the Pit
Original poster
SMF Premier Member
Jul 26, 2009
2,893
63
Orlando, FL
How much do you truly know about where your food comes from? Do you know what pesticides and fertilizers were used on your vegetables? What antibiotics, steroids, and feed the animals were given?

I am not an Occupy Wallstreet kinda person but if you think the food you get from your local grocer is wholesome you are sadly mistaken. I would challenge all of the YAWYE folks to dig a little deeper. Is the problem really animal fat or is it what the animal was fed to produce that fat? Is the problem real sugar or is it all of the corn products that your body can't process? And how is it that these magical pills and medicines are the only option instead of getting back to what is natural?

If you have Netflix I highly recommend starting your journey into root cause analysis by watching King Corn and then move on from there to other documentaries like Food Inc. Granted, they are a bit slanted but hopefully you can distinguish the opinions from the facts.
 
It's unfortunate that our health issues, that may or may not be, caused by Pesticides, Herbicides, Antibiotics  and Growth Hormones, are directly tied to that which has made America the leading producer of Food and Meat to the World, including it's contribution to much of our Wealth...Without these, Food Cost in America and abroad would be Much Higher and people of many Nations would Starve...JJ

Edited because I was Vague...Americans want Cheap Food and Plenty of It...It has taken over 75 years to get to this point. Change is needed and we all must try to educate ourselves and improve our health...JJ
 
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I have a lot of respect for you JJ but I don't see how one can make the argument that the affordability of food trumps one's own health, especially given the state of healthcare in the US. (In the interest of fair disclosure I do work in the healthcare industry.) Given the purpose of this forum I am even more concerned. Ever wonder if the pharmaceutical companies are in bed with the food producing companies? I know I do. Sure, food is cheap and plentiful in the US but there is a hidden cost that is well beyond what organic costs. I know for me personally I have stopped buying feedlot meat and GMO vegetables. While it might seem hypocritical to serve it to others, I refuse to eat it any longer. It does cost more but I have no doubt about what I am eating nor do I have any concerns about its nutritional value.
 
Solar, My commentary was intended more as a statement of the Sad State of Affairs that has Lead to so may American Health Issues and The Double Edge Sword that has gotten us There!  There are SO MANY Studies, paid for by Those that benefit Most, that contradict almost every Food Related Issue that has ever been made. It is nearly impossible to make an informed decision, but we must strive to...So I agree with you!!!  

As far as GMO Veg/Fruit goes...with the exception of the well publicized genetic combination of Animal Genes and Plant Genes for what ever improvement is supposed to be made...Genetic Modification has been going on for Thousands of Years! Mayan Corn is very different from the tasty Silver Queen Sweet Corn, we all enjoy at our summer picnics! Where Cross Pollination, Plant Grafting and Selection of the Biggest, Sweetest produce for next years Planting was all done by Hand...Many companies now have the Benefit of Technology to create desired modifications in a Petri Dish! It is not all BAD...

Besides, my friend (Total Sincerity) an alternate view stimulates interaction here and our overall goal of thought and awareness needed for improvement...I intended no disrespect to You, One of our Most Valued Members!...JJ
 
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I may have been a tad defensive in my reply.
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However, I am very passionate about this subject. The more I read, watch and learn the more convinced I am that we are poisoning ourselves for the benefit of others while society casts a blind eye towards our food supply. That was never the path I intended to go down but the more of my own food processing I do the more I learn about what we are putting into our bodies and it disgusts me.

And yes, you are right. As long as man had been around, man has monkeyed with our food supply trying to enhance production and make more out of less. Unfortunately we have hit a crossroads where the number of diseases and medical problems continue to rise in step with the our food production and efficiency. I guess ultimately it comes down down to how each of us values our health vs how much we pay for the food we enjoy. I know I have made up my mind based on what I know at this time and I would encourage everyone to question what they are feeding themselves.

You are also right JJ that it takes differences in opinion to stimulate thoughtful discussion about opposing viewpoints.
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In reading both of your posts one thing stands out to me. There is agreement that we have been altering (engineering) food for a very long time. 

The thing that we have not addressed is the availability to avoid these foods at the lower to middle income levels. How does one  find "heathier" food? 

In my case, I am making a major change. Now that I am retired, I will start a new garden of organic vegetables. Since I am also involved in the 4H program, I am going to partner with the butcher who processes the meat the kids in the program raise to get some of the beef and pork from the program.

But lets be honest. This approach is not one that most folks can make or afford. How does someone in the city do this? Obviously, farmers markets are the answer if you can get to them for the vegetables. How to answer the meat question?  To be honest, I don't know.  

This is of particular interest to me so I can show my 3 kids how to make this conversion to better quality food for their kids, my grandkids.  I can and have taught all of the kids to cook. How do you tell a kid who is disabled from a prison riot that she needs to be more vigilant with her 5 kids while she is on disability. What we need to discuss here is a path that others can take and accomplish the same program that you have undertaken Joel. How do we make this program affordable to folks in the lower income brackets
 
Don't have enough time right now to really jump in the fray right now, this is right up my alley (I'm not board certified in Environmental Medicine for noth'in).  There is a difference between cross pollinating to develop different corn and gene splicing to make it.

I have bought the beef and pork from the fair, where there are some rules about what they get, but it is expensive.  It is amazing, but someone (sorry I can't quote it right now) figured out that a grass fed beef and a corn fed beef have different fatty acid profiles and of course the corn fed were worse.  We also know that wild caught salmon and farm raised salmon have different fatty acid profiles.

This should be a fun group!

Oh and by the way, a little off subject, if folks aren't filtering their water, start!  I'll get on that rant one of these days.
 
I am doing the same thing Gary. I planted my first garden this year with heirloom seeds and we ate well from it. I have plans to expand it next year. As for meat, I am purchasing meat for my own personal consumption from Whole Foods and local farmers. It has been interesting to talk with the meat manager at Whole Feeds as he can tell me exactly what farm the meat came from and will even arrange for farm tours. For those living in cities where they don't have an opportunity to grow their own food, there are CSAs available to fill that need.

As for affordability, there is no doubt that it is going to cost more.
 
Don't have enough time right now to really jump in the fray right now, this is right up my alley (I'm not board certified in Environmental Medicine for noth'in).  There is a difference between cross pollinating to develop different corn and gene splicing to make it.

I have bought the beef and pork from the fair, where there are some rules about what they get, but it is expensive.  It is amazing, but someone (sorry I can't quote it right now) figured out that a grass fed beef and a corn fed beef have different fatty acid profiles and of course the corn fed were worse.  We also know that wild caught salmon and farm raised salmon have different fatty acid profiles.

This should be a fun group!

Oh and by the way, a little off subject, if folks aren't filtering their water, start!  I'll get on that rant one of these days.


Can't wait to hear more about your feelings on corn.
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I just started watching King Corn, I got about 40 minutes in and watching it on my computer is not the way to do it, I am going to see if the video stores around here rent it or maybe get it off amazon or something, I see they have it and Food Inc. I will be watching both of these.

thanks
 
No offense taken!...JJ
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I recommend (The future of food) on netflix.What we can do about it is vote with our dollars.Because monsanto and dupont gives to both parties so they don't care who wins a election they bought both parties.It was never voted on it was a judge that ruled that you can paten life and thats just wrong.For those with out netflix here is some reading.http://www.naturalnews.com/033784_GMO_animal_feed.html

                                                              http://www.infowars.com/obamas-agriculture-secretary-supports-gmo-crops-big-agra/

                                                              http://www.naturalnews.com/033724_Chuck_Norris_GMOs.html

                                                              http://www.naturalnews.com/032628_Whole_Foods_GMOs.html

                                                             http://www.mediafreedominternational.org/2011/04/09/us-agencies-trying-to-outlaw-gmo-food-labeling/

                                                             http://www.liveinthenow.com/article/a-scary-side-effect-of-eating-gmo-foods

                                                            http://www.seedsofdeception.com/Public/AboutGeneticallyModifiedFoods/index.cfm

                                                            http://www.thefutureoffood.com/get%20involved.html
 
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It is somewhat surprising to me that there are so many of you willing to change your eating habits & become more healthy. I applaud you all!
 
I recommend (The future of food) on netflix.What we can do about it is vote with our dollars.Because monsanto and dupont gives to both parties so they don't care who wins a election the bought both parties.It was never voted on it was a judge that ruled that you can paten life and thats just wrong.For those with out netflix here is some reading.http://www.naturalnews.com/033784_GMO_animal_feed.html

                                                              http://www.infowars.com/obamas-agriculture-secretary-supports-gmo-crops-big-agra/

                                                              http://www.naturalnews.com/033724_Chuck_Norris_GMOs.html

                                                              http://www.naturalnews.com/032628_Whole_Foods_GMOs.html

                                                             http://www.mediafreedominternational.org/2011/04/09/us-agencies-trying-to-outlaw-gmo-food-labeling/

                                                             http://www.liveinthenow.com/article/a-scary-side-effect-of-eating-gmo-foods

                                                            http://www.seedsofdeception.com/Public/AboutGeneticallyModifiedFoods/index.cfm

                                                            http://www.thefutureoffood.com/get%20involved.html


I am not sure if I have seen The Future Of Food. Gonna go search for it and add it to my instant queue. Thanks Michael!
 
Finding and using a local meat processor is my part of watching my intake,not everyone can grow or raise thier own foods and have to depend on the Mega-Marts. We have a lot of Farm Markets here in season, and buy from them until winter,then it's back to the canned stuff for vegetables. The meat we can get all year long, so....for a lower income resident, I try.

Thanks again JJ and Solaryellow for the note.

Have fun and...
 
michael...it's not just cows, even home gardens are starting to come under legal scrutiny...but don't get me on my conspiracy theory soapbox...


Gotta love the gov't looking out for us simpletons while assuring the profits of large corporate farms.
 
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