Let's Talk Story - Down to Earth Blog

Whether you've been following the debate on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in our food supply, or you're new to the topic, this Tuesday's Dr. Oz Show is one you won't want to miss. Showing in Hawaii on KITV 4 at 10 a.m. on December 7th, the first fifteen minutes will showcase GMO safety vanguard Jeffrey Smith of the Institute for Responsible Technology discussing the health dangers of genetically modified foods, Dr. Michael Hansen, a scientist from Consumers Union who has been an avid critic of GMOs for two decades, and Dr.

Congress is expected to vote today on an important piece of legislation regarding child nutrition. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi recently urged Congress to renew funding for the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, historically known as the Child Nutrition Act. Signed into law in 1966, this landmark bill created a federally subsidized lunch program for low income students.

Just in, the Food Safety Modernization Act, SB 510, was passed by the Senate this morning along with the critical Manager's Amendment which protects small farms.

The bill marks the most sweeping overhaul of food safety regulations in nearly a century. It will require improved planning and record-keeping by food producers and processors and will allow the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to make mandatory recalls of contaminated food. The bill exempts small farms from the regulation.

An upsurge in U.S. consumer concern made 2010 an unprecedented year in raising awareness about the dangers of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The Non-GMO Project Verified label is rolling out in stores, including Down to Earth, and non-GMO soldiers Jeffrey Smith of the Institute for Responsible Technology and Health Ranger Mike Adams are doing a lot to get the word out on this important issue.

A new book criticizing vegetarianism and veganism is making a splash in the UK. Reviewers have called it "groundbreaking" and "life changing." After reading the book, George Monbriot, a well known environmentalist and advocate of veganism, has reversed his position and is now advocating eating animal flesh, as long as the animal has been sustainably raised. The book causing all the fuss was written by Simon Fairlie, a farmer with experience in permaculture, which is a type of agriculture that seeks to mimic natural ecosystems. The book is called Meat: A Benign Extravagance.

As most Americans prepare to stuff their bellies beyond good measure this Thursday, I see the usual calls in the news to volunteer at a food bank to fight hunger or to help feed the homeless. I myself spent one Thanksgiving serving out food to homeless folks at a soup kitchen in San Diego, feeling good that I was doing my part before going home to overindulge (albeit of the vegetarian variety).

People tell me I'm an idealist, as if pitying me for living in a disappointing world of unreality. I have to admit that as I've aged, the inner idealism has grown some crusty, hardened edges from the inevitable battles we all face in life. Yet I maintain that a hopeful, positive outlook is the only way to stay sane in a world gone mad. So when I hear stories like that of Koa Halpern, [1] I take courage, and feel a sense of renewal.

You may have noticed an article floating around the web recently with the provocative headline <a data-cke-saved-href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101111/ap_on_he_me/eu_med_good_diet" href="/%3Ca%20href%3D"http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101111/ap_on_he_me/eu_med_good_diet">http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101111/ap_on_he_me/eu_med_good_diet" target"="">“Eat a Carrot, Hurt the Economy? Sometimes.” Reporter Maria Cheng went on to describe a recent study apparently demonstrating that a global initiative to promote a healthy diet could result in dramatic losses for the economies of meat-exporting countries like Brazil.

When I first read a description of the symptoms of Morgellons Disease, it sounded too bizarre to be true. People describe itching, burning and the sensation of bugs crawling underneath their skin. Lesions develop that never heal, and parasites crawl out from open sores. Fibers of unknown origin and various colors appear beneath the skin and sometimes protrude, causing sharp pains. Could this be real? People suffering from Morgellons report that they are frequently diagnosed as delusional and prescribed antidepressant or antipsychotic medication.

True or False? • Dietary cholesterol can only be had from animal products. • Cholesterol is naturally found in the human body. • Some vegetarian foods, while not containing cholesterol, can raise cholesterol levels in your body. • Eating a whole foods diet and exercising can be as effective as taking pharmaceutical drugs for lowering cholesterol. • Cholesterol lowering drugs are one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in America. • About 40 million American adults have high cholesterol. (1)