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

A Whole Foods Dye Free Easter

We were given a gift card for Whole Foods and wanted to use it for the family in a special way so we decided to wait til now and buy a few goodies for the kids Easter baskets.   Whole Foods is one store that has a nice selection of dye free candy and treats.  We found a big bag of lollipops and gummy bear treats that the kids can share with their friends.   We also picked up a dye free Easter egg dye kit!   Looking forward to comparing this kit to my homemade dyes.

We are a Feingold  family and avoid artificial food dye, artificial flavors, preservatives like BHT, MSG, Vanillin (this is a big one for us to avoid) and high fructose corn syrup.  It's not as hard as it might seem but I still do struggle with artificial flavors and preservatives.  If preservatives are used in the packaging, the companies are not required to disclose that. And I am learning about the dangers of GMO's.  This year we will add an itunes gift card, sleep pants and some art and Spring toys to the baskets.  But NO fake grass!

What are you doing for your kids Easter baskets?  Are you making them?  Do you use Easter grass or something else?

Get Red 40 Out Of Food

Do food dyes make kids hyperactive? FDA to decide.
The FDA is examining the link between dyes found in everyday foods and hyperactivity in children.
I support the Starbucks commercial before the msnbc piece.  Starbucks, like Whole Foods and Trader Joes does not use artificial color in their products.

What do you think of the final comment in the article?  Do you think putting a warning label on products that contain dye in them will create unneccessary consequences?  That statement just makes me laugh. 

Today is Day 2 and the last day of the FDA hearings on artificial color in food.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42338423/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/from/toolbar