Antibiotics with your Tap Water, Madam?
In a recent study by the University of California, antibiotics given to cows were traced throughout their waste stream. Although not the first study to be done on the extensive use of antibiotics, especially on dairy cows, this study found that most antibiotics broke down before reaching ground water. This is good news for individuals who use well-water and live near dairy operations. The study did not look into the effects on surface water, marine life, or other species and areas of the environment impacted by the antibiotics.
Filtering your water and occasionally having it tested can also help keep your tap water safe and clean. The EPA recently released a study that reviewed the safety of municipal tap water. Depending on where you live, contamination risks may differ. The EPA found that water quality (for the US) was disappointingly low and came up with a list of suggestions. So it may be worthwhile to see just what lurks in your tap water!
You can read the summary of the dairy study here.
Canadian? Watch your BPA Intake
In a recent study by Statistics Canada, 91% of all Canadians had BPA in their bodies. Now this is not a growing issue specific to Canada though, so consider your own Country’s products and your personal rate of BPA exposure and intake.
So just how bad is this and what can we do about it in our own locations across the globe? First, the study provides an important baseline for understanding BPA exposure. But is BPA really bad for you? And since it is so prevalent in consumer products, is this number of concern? Let’s take a quick look.
What and Where is BPA?
BPA, or Bisphenol A, is most commonly used in plastics and to coat things like shopping receipts and food cans. For the scientifically minded out there, it is most commonly used in polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins. It is a synthetically-made chemical that does not naturally occur in nature, but due to its persistent use in consumer products, can be found in water, aquatic animals, and humans mainly. The 2002 BPA market saw 2.8 million tons produced globally, and the numbers have only increased until recently. Some of the most common products can be found in our food plastics including baby bottles.
Should I Be Concerned?
According to the American Chemistry Council and industry trade groups, No.
According to health officials worldwide including the FDA and health scientists, Yes.
Take a minute to reflect on the different sources of information.
So, Why the Controversy?
Mainly, different mindsets. The chemical industry and chemical trade groups are taking the approach that until it has not been proven to cause immediate harm to human health. Resulting with the approach that there is little need to address the situation, so business continues as usual. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) originally deemed low rates of BPA exposure as safe. The chemical industry is first to tell you that BPA is highly regulated and tested and has been studied for over 40 years.
Unfortunately, there is a growing body of evidence that is proving that BPA exposure is not safe. Its effects on the brain, diabetes, prostate gland, and in particular the reproductive system and children is of great concern. In February of this year, the FDA made a public announcement encouraging households to limit their exposure to BPA. Now the FDA has not made a formal announcement that BPA should be publicly banned, but countries like Canada have decided to review whether this should be done until we learn can be certain there is absolutely no health risk.
The real health concerns arise when BPA levels increase, and since manufacturers have no control over what their consumers eat and are exposed to in conjunction with their product, the responsibility lays with each of us to decide which approach we will take.
CBS News Video on the 2010 FDA Announcement to Limit BPA Exposure
CBS News Reviews FDA Warning on BPA
Tips for BPA-Free Living
The Mayo Clinic offers these tips for reducing your potential exposure to BPA:
- Choose glass or BPA-free plastic baby bottles.
- Use glass, porcelain or stainless steel containers for hot foods and liquids.
- Avoid plastic containers with the No. 7 and No. 3 recycling label — they’re made with BPA.
- Don’t microwave polycarbonate plastic food containers. Instead, use glass containers designed for microwaving.
- Reduce your use of canned foods — many cans are lined with a BPA-containing resins
Please note that BPA is not required to be listed on food products or consumer goods, so it may be hard to find and eliminate all together. BPA can be flushed out of the body within 6 hours according to current research, so cleansing your body of BPA quickly is an option.
So it is up to you to decide which approach is best for your lifestyle. Either the wait and see method or the precautionary principle. Best of luck with your decision.
Sources include: Reuters, Chemical Market Associates, Inc (CMAI), Mayo Clinic, American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division Business Group
Dispelling the Myths About Organic Food
As we all hustle and bustle through life, we watch as the world around us slowly deteriorates. Glaciers are melting, species are struggling to survive, and people around the world cannot even afford to feed themselves or their families. Consequently, helplessly witnessing this global devastation has prompted people worldwide to join in the fight to go green. Not only can this movement save our planet, it will inevitably save ourselves. The coupled concerns for the well being of the world and the well being of our health have sparked the demand for and scrutiny over the true effectiveness of organic food. Two of the most common myths swirling around this growing food source are typically whether or not its better or more nutritional than non-organic food, and whether or not switching to wholly organic means of food production can really have an influence on the global environment.
To begin dispelling these myths, we must first delve into the most common knowledge about what organic food actually is. This type of food source is defined by its production process, in that when produced, less synthetic materials (i.e., additives or processed chemical preservatives) are used. Most know that in the growing and harvesting processes of organic produce, chemicals or pesticides are also not used.
A lot of the myths surrounding the pros and cons of organic food revolve around its actual health benefits. Initially, skeptics charged that there was little to no difference in the nutritional value between consumption of organic food and the usual, conventionally processed foods. But with the collection of additional information over the years, reports released currently indicate quite the opposite; in fact, because organic foods are produced using processes that entail the limited use of artificial and chemical components, the amount of nutrients found in organic food is proportionally higher than what is found in the nutritious components of non-organic foods.
The fertilizers used in the conventional production of non-organic produce swell the fruits and veggies with water, diluting the concentration of nutrients found in the produce. Because organic produce is not fertilized with the artificial fertilizers used in the production of non-organic foods, they are filled with a much higher proportion of nutrient value, containing higher levels of trace minerals, Vitamin C, and antioxidants.
Most people naively assume that the chemicals and pesticides used to keep non-organic foods clear of insects are harmless. However, those chemicals build up in our body eventually prove more harmless than harmful. And the chemicals take their toll on the produce as well. Because organic plants depend upon their own immune systems to protect themselves from diseases from insects, they have built up and higher levels of phytonutrients and antioxidants. Nonetheless, since non-organic produce doesn’t have that opportunity because of the heavy handed use of pesticides, their immune systems are weakened and can’t produce as much phytonutrients to protect themselves. Upon consumption, organic produce provides our bodies with more antioxidants than the non-organic produce, which then helps builds up the level of antioxidants in our bodies and helps us ward off free radicals.
Dana Livingston is a writer for a culinary school website where you can browse schools and the latest trends in the culinary arena.
Nationwide Salmonella Outbreak For Eggs
Major egg producer Hillandale Farms is associated with an outbreak of salmonella in millions of eggs covering 14 states. This is the third recall that has occurred in just under two weeks and really shows the sad state of the egg industry in our country. Almost a half billion eggs and thousands of cases of salmonella can be associated with the eggs coming from these recalls.
Farms like Hillandale follow the same practices, having way too many chickens stuff in small cages with little movement and unsanitary conditions. Is anybody really surprise that this happened and with so many eggs? What’s even worse is that the FDA set new rules to prevent many salmonella cases every year due to eggs. We see how effective that particular regulation was.
What to do?
Salmonella can be prevented by making sure to fully cook your eggs. It’s pretty simple, but the bacteria shouldn’t even be in the eggs in the first place.
An even better solution is to fight against these horrible big egg producers and start buying local and free-range. Only good eggs are going to be produced when you see the chickens running around the farm, fed and treated well. On top of that, you will be getting eggs that taste better and are fresher than any of those sold in any traditional grocery store. The key is if you can actually go to the farm and see the conditions, then you know how the chickens are treated. It’s difficult to do that unless you live nearby the actual farm.
The reason I mention local is that even eggs that claim “Organic”, “Free Range” or “Cruelty Free” are still not even close. They allow the hens to be bunched up inside with very little space. They often can be just as inhumane. Read this interesting article from The Vegetarian Site that goes into further detail.
Consider making a change as it could be putting our families at risk just to save a a few bucks on cheaper eggs.
Meal Planning Done For You: E-Mealz
The easiest meal-planning helper has arrived! We have all heard that meal planning can save you money, help make organic food more affordable, and even help you develop healthier eating habits (and kick the food waste habit…which is a growing problem). The reality is that too often we are moving so quickly in our culture of “busy-ness” that meal planning feels like an idea only suitable for a 1950s housewife. Since Home Economics has left the school curriculum, we are not as food savvy as we once were as a culture, and therefore meal planning and learning how to use leftovers feels a bit ominous to most of us.
Meet your meal planning lifeline: E-mealz.
What is E-Mealz?
Have you ever had the feeling that your grocery shopping and meal-planning could use a little hand holding? I mean nothing serious, just a little extra support like a shoulder to lean on? Well add meal planning with E-Mealz to your list if this sounds a little too familiar. Simply enter in your grocery store and any dietary restrictions, diets regimes, or desires. They provide you with a weekly shopping list and menu with recipes. Viola! Meal planning done and on to the good stuff, shopping. The grocery list is organized by sections of the store in a one-page chart. There is even a little section for you to add other groceries you may need and it includes the total cost with the goal being a $75 average. Each item has a corresponding meal number, so if you don’t like spinach (sorry Popeye!) then you can eliminate that meal or side dish easily.
What’s it to me?
No need to wander around the grocery store helplessly trying to find Tartar Sauce! It can also help you with new dietary restrictions, understanding how to eat healthy, and keep you on track for any diets you may be trying out. It can also help you save money by decreasing your impulse buys of “I will use this for something…” and the planning list is available 24/7, unlike Grandma. Of course there are a few cons. First, it costs a whopping $5 per month, which makes it a great holiday or Birthday gift! If you stick to the plan, you may actually find that you are saving money upfront through meal planning and indirectly through eating balanced meals helping you focus at work, and worry less about meal planning. The other con is if you do not shop at Big Box stores for your groceries, there may not be a grocery chart for you and prices may differ at the store.
So, what’s for dinner tonight? A balanced meal on a budget? If you want a meal planning companion, E-mealz is an easy option for the busy Moms and Dads out there, as well as for those new to cooking and meal planning.
Cheers to sustainable living, keeping our food waste down, and getting in touch with the efficient 1950s housewife within all of us!
And for those of us shopping at co-ops and the like, we can still get meal plans, but the budgeting may be different – just a heads up.
Photo Credit: E-Mealz
You Down With OCA?
Ever feel lost with the information-mania about organics, ethical consumption, and social issues? With so many ‘think tanks’, NGOs, NPOs, and businesses cashing in on the environmental revolution of the 21st Century, it can be hard to differentiate solid information from one-sided propaganda. One organization that can help you sift through the info-polluted soil is the Organic Consumers Association (OCA). It is a non-profit organization that campaigns for health, justice, and sustainability.
Number 1 reason to visit? Solid information.
The OCA was formed in 1998 amidst the organic standards debate that seemed to favor industrial organic-types and cut corners in the eyes of veteran organic farmers. From that day forward, the OCA has organized many campaigns, collected and conducted research in the field of sustainability that includes ecological and social issues, and successfully fought legislation and companies aiming to diminish or downgrade organic standards and in many cases the standard of living in the U.S., where it is based, as well as abroad.
So I welcome you to dig-in to their site on food issues especially to learn what the organic take is on growth hormones, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), raw milk, and to demystify the meaning of ‘biodynamic’.
Happy Reading!
Pick Your Own (food) Guide
With the sweet abundance of fruit and veggies this summer, who wouldn’t want to pick some fruit? Now here to assist you in your fruit-picking ventures is an online guide to help you find some fun places to pick and play. Now picking your own food isn’t just for farmers, it can also make for a fun family outing, a great date, and just some nice outdoors time. So get out there, enjoy the summer, and put a little muscle into getting your fresh produce for the week!
The listings are first by State and then by County, so you can plan for trips or find somewhere right in your own City. They provide a brief write-up, contact information, and hours if applicable to help you plan your “U-Pick” adventure. If you know of any great You Pick farms that aren’t listed, you can submit new listings right on their website. And make sure you check out those descriptions, you might find some added bonuses like hay rides, corn mazes, and other fun farm surprises.
Find a Pick Your Own farm near you!
