Lifestyle Hub

Wienermobile on the roll

Okay, today I have to comment on the “Wienermobile on the roll” story in the Hawaii section of the Honolulu Advertiser, a “feel good” story about a Wienermobile, a car with a bun and hot dog built over it that gives kids and adults some “fun”. What can be wrong with that? Some amusement for the keiki and for their parents in these tough economic times is a good thing right? The Wienermobile arrived in Honolulu yesterday. The following is from the story:

USDA accepting comments on GE crop regulations

In the waning months of the Bush Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a proposal to completely overhaul its regulation of genetically engineered crops, significantly weakening its oversight.

DTE Nutrition Class a big success!

Last Saturday's nutrition class held at out King Street store was a huge success with 30 customers signing up in advance and attending the program. Attendees learned:

The physical, ethical and envioronmental reasons to go Veggie

How to easily balance meals to ensure proper nutrition

Why getting enough protein without eating meat is simple

The real truth behind behind common nutrition myths and misconceptions

How to prepare a delicious vegetarian meal

The Non-GMO Project

Starting this fall, a “Non-GMO Project Verified” logo will begin appearing on products in stores, for the first time giving shoppers an informed choice about whether or not to consume GMOs. The logo is backed by North America’s first consensus-based Standard for GMO avoidance, as well as its only independent, 3rd party Product Verification Program. All of this is the result of years of work by dedicated retailers, producers, farmers, and other stakeholders, collaborating through the Non-GMO Project.

"We all love animals. Why do we call some 'pets' and others 'dinner?'"

Another article in the Honolulu Advertiser today is called "Pets are people too, according to poll." The article presents the results of a telephone poll and reports that 50% of those polled consider their pet as much a part of the family as anyone else in the household, with another 36% saying they are part of the family but not a full member.

Electric cars, are they the best way to reduce greenhouse gases?

Front page news today in the Honolulu Advertiser is that "a private company that state officials hope will put Hawaii on the road to the widespread use of electric vehicles expects to begin installing infrastructure here in about six months."

The company plans to install "between 20,000 - 30,000 recharging stations that can be used by electric vehicles in homes, office buildings, parking lots and public and private facilities."

Fish hatchery to shut down due to budget crunch

According to a report in the Star Bulletin, due to the state's budget crunch funding will no longer be provided for a fish hatchery that breeds fish for freshwater fishing at Nuuanu, and possibly also other hatcheries including one on Kauai. The report states:

Sugar beets likely to be the next untested and unregulated GMO crop

GMO sugar beets are likely to be the next untested and unregulated GMO crop. Unless stopped by a pending federal lawsuit. Farmers are planning to plant the Monsanto GMO sugar beets in Boulder Colorado (Boulder is home to many of the nation's organic and natural foods companies). The following is from a Natural Foods Merchandiser June 10, 2009 article:

Swine flu linked to modern factory farming of pigs

According to a May 8, 2009 article published on Natural Foods Merchandiser's website (Natural Foods Merchandiser is the leading natural products industry publication) there is a link between the modern factory farming methods for pigs and the Swine Flu outbreak. The story states: "Mounting evidence suggests that the recent outbreak of swine flu, or the H1N1 virus, may have begun as a result of massive-scale farming practices.

New documentary - Food Inc.

The following is an edited version of a National Public Radio show of June 12, 2009 about Food Inc., a new movie. The new documentary Food Inc. takes aim at corporate giants behind the U.S. food supply. Director Robert Kenner and food advocate and author Michael Pollan made the film to raise Americans' awareness about where their food really comes from. Pollan says he wanted to address "the pastoral illusion we're spinning in the way we market food... You would think it comes from farms and that ranchers with big hats are producing the meat."