July 3rd, 2009 - Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese
Zany “right-wing conservative” Stephen Colbert supports big-business pharmaceutical companies, but he freaked when New York Times columnist, Nicholas Kristof, told him “lady pee” laced with unfiltered estrogen from birth control pills is turning up in our drinking water.
Stephen Colbert is very entertaining, but this is a serious issue. Drinking water is taking the brunt of American’s obsession with pills and chemicals. In March, depression medications were found in fish across the U.S., and in June artificial sweeteners, like saccharin, also washed up in water.
Via Colbert Nation.
Tags: artificial sweeteners, drugs, fish, pharmaceuticals, water
Posted in Health, The Environment | 1 Comment »
July 3rd, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
Yesterday, I provided tips on selecting a juicy organic watermelon. Today, we feature a Fourth of July recipe for a festive Americana Basket.
All of the ingredients should be available at your local natural and organic food store.
Americana Basket
1 oblong-shaped watermelon
Honeydew
Blueberries
- Using an oblong watermelon, slice 1/4″ off the bottom, lengthwise, to provide stable base.
- Use a pencil to draw lines for handle placement and basket opening.
- Cut the handle first, wide enough to hold stars; then make zigzag cuts with a paring knife, all the way through the rind. Be careful not to cut through the handle base on either side.
- Carefully remove sections, pulling out large chunks of flesh. Cut them into 3” x 3” squares.
- From squares, trim off 3/4” thick slices to cut out stars. Use 1½” to 3” star-shaped cookie cutters to create them.
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Next, cut out 5 large star-shaped pieces from the leftover rind. Use a paring knife, if necessary, for the handle. Trim off red flesh, and attach to basket handle with white side out, using half toothpicks.
- Use an ice cream scoop to remove flesh from inside of basket, and cut scoops into quarters for the fruit salad. Place in bottom of the basket.
- Use a white-fleshed melon like ripe honeydew to cut out white “stripes” for salad.
- Garnish top of fruit salad with watermelon stars, melon stripes and blueberries.
Recipe and photos courtesy of the National Watermelon Promotion Board
Tags: fruits, Organic Food, recipes, watermelon
Posted in Organic Food Recipes | No Comments »
July 2nd, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
Watermelons are a classic summer favorite. Sweet and refreshing, they perk up picnics and bring the cool to any cookout.
While some people like to thump a watermelon and listen for a certain sound, here’s the best way to choose the perfect fruit:
- Look for a round, oval or oblong-shaped watermelon that feels heavy for its size; this indicates it’s juicy and fresh.
- Inspect the watermelon’s exterior. Look for a firm, symmetrical watermelon that’s free of bruises, cuts or dents.
- Turn it over. The underside of a watermelon should have a creamy yellow spot from where it sat on the ground and ripened in the sun.
Don’t forget to wash all fruits and vegetables, including watermelon, in fresh running water. Dry with a clean paper towel before slicing and serving.
FYI: On average, a 5-pound watermelon will yield 11 cups of edible fruit.
Tune in tomorrow for our Fourth of July recipe: a party-ready Americana Basket.
Photo courtesy of the National Watermelon Promotion Board
Tags: fruits, Organic Food, watermelon
Posted in Organic Food | 2 Comments »
July 2nd, 2009 - Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese
 I love soybeans! I eat a couple bags a week. You’ve probably eaten them too. Most sushi restaurants offer salted edamame beans as an appetizer.
Now, normally you’ll find them frozen in the natural foods section of any supermarket. So you’d assume you’re buying a natural, earthy-friendly food, right?
Not always. A new report claims many natural soybeans and soy foods are actually processed with a toxic chemical, but still labeled as natural.
Beyond the Bean: The Heroes and Charlatans of the Natural and Organic Soy Foods Industry, released by the The Cornucopia Institute, found a chemical solvent called hexane is almost always used in conventional soy protein ingredients and oils. Hexane separates soy oil from soy protein and fiber.
Hexane is a neurotoxin and poses serious risk to workers, the environment and anyone consuming foods contaminated with it. Luckily, hexane is not allowed during the processing of organic foods.
Via SustainableBusiness.com.
Posted in Organic, Organic Food | 3 Comments »
July 1st, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
Sixty-three percent of consumers who responded to an IBM survey say they’ve consciously changed the way they shop at grocery stores over the last 2 years.
In recessionary times, they want better value for their hard-earned cash. Moreover, they’re willing to buy fresher foods (45%) and/or higher-quality foods (43%)—a great opportunity for natural and organic food producers to capture a new consumer base.
“Especially in today’s economy, if consumers are going to pay a little extra for a branded or organic product, they want to be assured that they’re paying for something different and better quality,” says Guy Blissett, consumer products leader for the IBM Institute for Business Value.
“Across the board, consumers are demanding transparency and more information about the food they purchase to ensure their safety and that of their families,” he adds. “As the government, industry associations, retailers and manufacturers work through the operational issues associated with ensuring food safety, we can each become more aware and take greater responsibility for the food we purchase.”
Photo courtesy of Whole Foods Market
Tags: food safety, Organic Food, shopping
Posted in Organic Food | 3 Comments »
July 1st, 2009 - Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese
 Sometimes I think the tree sloth is our closest relative. It’s dopey looking, moves slowly, smells really bad and only comes down from its perch to poop—certainly sums me up!
But in all seriousness, scientists have long-believed that the chimpanzee is our closest animal cousin, but now a new study challenges that assumption.
Some experts believe orangutans are our closest brothers and sisters, putting them one evolutionary notch above of chimpanzees.
Published in the Journal of Biogeography, scientists say that when you consider the physical traits of orangutans, they are a better match with humans, even though chimps and humans have 96% of the same genetics.
According to researchers humans share 28 unique physical characteristics with orangutans, but only 2 with chimps. A couple notable features include our mammary glands, humans and orangutans have the widest-separated mammary glands. Also, humans and orangutans both have hair lines well above our eyes, most other primates do not.
Now, I love orangutans. They are one of my favorite animals, but these claims seem anecdotal at best and many researchers feel the same way, saying the weight of all the genetic evidence must be considered. I agree.
Via National Geographic News.
Tags: animals, environment
Posted in The Environment | No Comments »
June 30th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
Right before Memorial Day, as Americans prepared for holiday barbecues, I informed you of a recall involving 96,000 pounds of ground beef potentially contaminated with E. coli.
Now, with Fourth of July barbecues only days away, we face another beef recall. JBS Swift Beef Co., based in Greeley, CO, has recalled approximately 380,000 pounds of assorted beef products that may be contaminated with E coli. Not surprisingly, its a huge factory farm.
Once again, this is a Class I recall, defined as “a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.”
The CDC is investigating 24 illnesses in multiple states; 18 appear to be associated with the recalled beef.
The beef products were produced on April 21 and were distributed both nationally and internationally. Click here for a PDF file that lists recalled products.
As noted yesterday, multiple recalls have eroded consumer confidence in the food industry.
From Our Organic Blog: DIY Ground Beef
Tags: beef, factory farming, factory farms, food safety, meat, recalls
Posted in Health | No Comments »
June 30th, 2009 - Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese
 Bisphenol-A, or BPA, is a compound found in the liner of aluminum cans and used to make hard plastic. Over the years, BPA has been under ever-increasing scrutiny.
Last year, BPA was found into interfere with brain cells and cause learning impairments. That’s why states like Connecticut, New Jersey and Delaware wanted it banned.
Many claim the FDA is too relaxed on BPA. So Wednesday, a group of companies, foundations and advocacy groups petitioned the FDA to better ensure the soundness of research on the safety of BPA.
The coalition claims the Food & Drug Administration is too dependent on industry-data and that the BPA industry wishes to prevent regulation and protect industries that use Bisphenol-A.
Without government-backed regulation companies that produce and use BPA will have no reason to investigate the potential health consequences of the chemical. If the FDA were to put pressure on the BPA industry, it would force manufacturers to develop a safe alternative.
Listen, the government has to protect us from potentially harmful products, because companies don’t care. For example, in 2001—NOT 1801—a company was fined $500,000 for selling flammable children’s pajamas.
Hard to believe stuff like this is still going on today!
Via Red Green and Blue.
Tags: Bisphenol-A, FDA
Posted in The Environment | No Comments »
June 29th, 2009 - Leslie Billera
 I’m about to become a first-time mom at age 40. Literally, at any moment.
I don’t know how I will feel when I first see my baby (my guess is a post mortem cocktail of thrill and terror), but one thing I definitely do know: my time – and sleep – will be limited. That’s what everyone has been telling me for the last 10 months (yes, it’s actually 10 months, not 9…but that’s another blog subject!).
Soon, my husband and I will have less time to make buying decisions – but more pressure than ever to make the greenest and healthiest choices for baby. The hours I formerly spent clicking around eco product sites, languorously reading ‘about us’ and ‘press’ sections to try to discern a given product’s ‘true green value’ will be but a hazy memory.
To prepare, I’ve saved these green washing sites – green washing is misleading marketing about the environmental benefits of a product – that I now share with other busy moms, dads, or just busy people in general…
Green America’s Responsible Shopper
I’m a Green America Business Network member, so this one is close to my heart (as a copywriter, I’m Green America-Approved and have the seal to prove it!). This site ranks companies in 27 industry categories from best to worst based on research focusing on such key issues as human rights, social justice, environmental sustainability and more. Check out the user-friendly “Act” section in which you can join campaigns to battle corporate abuse, or sign up for instant emails to get actions delivered to your inbox.
Skin Deep Database from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
This searchable database matches the ingredients in more than 25,000 shampoos, makeup, deodorants, sunscreens and other personal care products with 50 toxicity and regulatory databases. It provides the most safety information anywhere about the products you put on your body – and on the body of baby too!
The Greenwashing Index
Enviromedia Social Marketing’s website asks consumers to send examples of both good and bad green marketing campaigns, which visitors then rank using a five point index that includes 1 for Authentic, 3 for Suspect and 5 for Bogus. Also includes “ripped from the headlines” exposes on worst offenders, i.e. the recent charge from the FTC that Kmart Corp., Tender Corp., and Dyna-E International are making false and unsubstantiated claims that their paper products were “biodegradable.”
Terrachoice
Check out the free report entitled the Six Sins of Green Washing and get tips on the top suspect terminology – i.e. the use of ‘chlorofluorocarbon-free’ even though these chemicals have been banned, by law, for years.
Laura Klein’s Green Club
Shameless plug here (I am the chief copywriter for Laura Klein’s green lifestyle membership site), but there’s no doubt that in addition to lots of good, green info and action-oriented tips, membership in Laura Klein’s Green Club gives you one-on-one consultation from Laura herself on any question relating to going green. It’s like having a personal eco consultant at your finger tips, so it makes for a truly great value.
Babies away!
Tags: babies, children, grocery shopping, healthy eating, healthy living, motherhood, newborns, Organic Food, parenthood
Posted in Green Living, Health, Organic, Organic Food, Organic Food Recipes, Organic Living, Parenting | 1 Comment »
June 29th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
A spate of food recalls has left a large percentage of Americans wary about the nation’s food supply.
According to a recent IBM survey of 1,000 consumers in the 10 largest U.S. cities, more shoppers are worried about the safety of the food they buy at grocery stores—and their trust of food retailers, manufacturers and grocers has diminished.
Survey results reveal:
- 83% of respondents could name a food product that was recalled in the last 2 years because of contamination or other safety concerns.
- 46% named peanut butter as the most recognizable recall. Spinach came in a distant second, with 15% awareness nearly 2 years after an E. coli outbreak.
- 49% of respondents said they’re less likely to purchase a food product after a contamination-related recall; 63% confirmed they would not buy the food until the source of contamination had been identified and addressed.
- 8% said they would never purchase a recalled food again, even after the source of contamination was found and addressed.
These data should serve as a wakeup call for food growers and producers. A betrayal of the public trust has consequences that impact the bottom line. As IBM notes:
These findings underscore how the rise in recalls and contamination has significantly eroded consumer confidence in food and product safety, as well as with the companies that manufacture and distribute these products.
Tune in tomorrow for more eye-opening survey stats.
For Your Organic Bookshelf: Food Alert! The Ultimate Sourcebook for Food Safety
Photo courtesy of IBM
Tags: food safety, Health, Organic Food, recalls
Posted in Health, Organic Food | 1 Comment »
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