Mars Inc. Ditch the Red 40 Petition Alert

Change.org petition.
www.change.org/MMsDyes

My children have an intolerance to chemical additives including artificial colors, red 40, yellow 5/6, blue 1, artificial flavor, vanillin, BHT, BPA and TBHQ.  I do not buy products containing these additives.

Several years ago it all started with an itchy tongue.  We were also having problems with focus in school, impulsivity, behavior, self esteem in my then 5 year old.  My other kids had problems falling asleep, staying asleep, night terrors, gait problems, migraines.  I started researching and thankfully learned about an elimination diet called the Feingold diet.  We have not looked back. Today my kids are honor roll students and involved in many extra curricular activities.  They demonstrate self control, and have confidence in their abilities.

There is a petition on change.org that is asking Mars Inc., makers of M&M's, to replace artificial dyes with natural coloring.  They already do this in Europe. Why is the US so far behind?  More signatures are needed.  Please sign and share with your groups and blogs.  Together, we can make a difference.
www.change.org/MMsDyes

GMO - We Have The Right To Know

Do you believe we are what we eat?  Do you think we should have the right to know what we are eating?
Most Americans don't know what they are eating.  Many aren't even reading the labels.  I began reading labels several years ago when I noticed reactions in my kids after they ate something with a certain chemical additives like red 40, yellow 5, vanillin, BHT, etc.  Changing our eating style has helped me and my family so much.  If I don't know what's in it, I won't buy it, period.

I have started taking it a step further when I began learning about GMO's.  GMO stands for genetically modified organisms

It's a challenging process but Whole Foods is committed to labeling all their products by the year 2018 and is the first national grocery store chain to set a deadline to do so.  There may be many reasons people want to know what's in their food.  Don't you think we have the right to know?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=TghIpBG5o3s

Currently there are The Nine GE Crops on the Market in the U.S.:    Corn    Soybeans    Canola    Cotton    Sugar Beets    Alfalfa    Hawaiian Papaya    Zucchini    Yellow Crookneck Squash 

Look for these on products to avoid GMO.

Go organic! The USDA National Organic Standards prohibit the use of GMOs.	Look for the Non-GMO Project Verified seal Third-party verification that a product is made without the intentional use of GMO ingredients.

64 countries label their genetically modified food

Shouldn't the USA be on this list?  
Take action now by signing the Just Label It campaign here

Know what you are eating and feeding your children

Shouldn't We Expect Better?

This 6 minute video has been popping up on my facebook page.  I finally watched it.  In full disclosure I am not a vegetarian and I consider myself somewhat informed on how we get food to our family table.  BUT, this did make me pause.  

Awareness means everything and can give you the motivation to change or better your actions.

Please be warned, it is graphic and shocking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fPZti7EwPbw

Documentary View - Tapped

I watched Tapped this weekend.  Take a look at the trailer and tell me what you think.  It is really eye opening.  I have a variety of water bottles that I use most of the time but I still buy bottled water.  Not sure why and will definately be limiting that more and more.
edit to read:  no longer buying water bottles!  Using stainless steel water bottles. Love them!

GMO Position | Ben & Jerry's

GMO Position | Ben & Jerry's

Thank you Ben & Jerry.  I hope more companies jump on this band wagon and start labeling their products!  Check out the Just Label It partners, here.

Documentary View - Food Fight

My weekly documentary recommendation is Food Fight.  This came out in 2008.  Our diet lifestyle has changed dramatically over the last 50 year.  This movie will make you think about making organic choices.

Fooducate : Do you know your ingredient list?

As I continue to learn and grow I come upon things that make me pause.  We avoid harmful additives as much as we can, my kids have a direct reaction to foods and products that contain artificial colors like red 40, yellow 5, yellow 6, blue 1.  We avoid artificial flavors, especially vanillin,  high fructose corn syrup, MSG, and preservatives like sodium benzoate, TBHQ, BHT, and BPA.  We also cut foods that contain high levels of salycilates.  Salycilates are chemicals that are found naturally in some plants.  Strawberries, grapes, and cherries are just a few fruits that are high in salycilates.  Tomato, peppers, and water chestnuts are some of the vegetables that are high in salycilates.  I've recently cut foods that are GMO.

Many children with ADHD/ADD react poorly to food that contain any of the above.  

To learn what's in your food while you are at the grocery store check out fooducate.  Fooducate is available in the ap store.  They also have a blog here.. http://blog.fooducate.com/  

And, remember to always check labels.  Just because it says "100% juice" does not mean it actually is "100 juice".

Food Documentaries

I plan on watching at least 1 documentary a week and sharing my thoughts here.  What are your top 3 food documentaries?  These are some of my favorites:

King Corn-  The premise is 2 friends follow the path of a kernel of corn through planting, harvesting and distribution.  For families dealing with chemical/phenol/petro issues, this is a real eye opener.  Take a look at the trailer and tell me what you think.



Food Inc-  This film looks at the issues of corporate farming in America and the problem it's become.  This movie speaks to many unknown facts including Monsanto's soybean monopoly and the lacking USDA power in the US.



Supersize Me- Follow along as Morgan Spurlock consumes nothing but McDonalds 3 times a day for a month.  Ewww.