TRADER JOE'S says: NO GMO's!!!

In my quest for education on genetically modified organisms in our food supply, I've become obsessive about reading every single ingredient... pondering on each one... It takes twice the time to shop, these days!! One of my favorite places for healthy food staples, is TRADER JOE'S. However, recently I realized one favorite product, their 3-pack mini 72% dark chocolate bars, contained soy lecithin, and since it was NOT organic, I simply had to panic!!!!

I wondered, "Am I doomed to purchasing only organic dark chocolate, and paying twice the price for it"??? Bit, by bit I'm checking around. First things first: TRADER JOE'S!!!

Because I spend so many of my purchasing dollars there, I had some homework to do. I needed to find out how conscious this company actually was. So, I went in and started talking to a few employees. They assured me all products were NON-GMO even though there was no mention of it, anywhere... on any label in the store.

So, I visited the TRADER JOE'S website, and here is what I found:

TRADER JOE'S Products are Sourced from Non-GMO Ingredients. Our customers can be assured all products in TRADER JOE'S private label are sourced from non-genetically modified ingredients. Our efforts began in 2001, when we determined, given a choice, our customers would prefer to eat foods and beverages made without the use of genetically engineered ingredients. Our process has been to identify any product containing ingredients that could potentially be derived from genetically engineered crops and work with suppliers to replace offending ingredients with acceptable alternatives.

This makes me very happy. I am a very, very happy camper, today. Just remember: they are only guaranteeing their own private-label products. If you purchase something from TRADER JOE'S without their label, you will need to do your homework. Most of the products at TRADER JOE'S are their own private label. That's what they tend to do with manufacturers or vendors... eventually most of their vendors become TRADER JOE'S Private Label... although not every single product... but, more and more, all the time.

Now.... let's see what Fresh 'N Easy has to say.... which is another place I like to shop for affordable products, like goats milk, 71% giant dark chocolate bars, soba buckwheat noodles, organic coconut palm sugar, and a few other things... so, I'll get back to you and report on what I find.

Just remember, wherever it is you shop, be sure to let the owner/manager/employees know you are looking for NON GMO PRODUCTS. And, be an ACTIVIST!!! Call your favorite manufacturers... take that extra step.... let THEM know you are on a mission to get GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS OUT OF YOUR FOOD.... and therefore, they need to source their ingredients from suppliers who are FREE of GMOs or lose your patronage.

I Spy Genetically Modified...

First things first ~ we identify ingredients derived from genetically modified organisms. The most abundant genetically modified crops are corn, soy, canola and cottonseed oils. So, if you see these ingredients on your labels, you can bet your life they are genetically modified. However, often these ingredients ARE in the list, but you don't recognize them. That's why it is important to call your favorite manufacturers. Let them know, if they plan on keeping you as a fan, they MUST SWITCH ALL THEIR INGREDIENTS TO NON GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS... and say so on the label!!! This is the change we need right now.

The label must say, "NO GMOs" or specifically state that ZERO genetically modified organisms were used in the preparation of this product. Since the FDA allows genetically modified organisms into our food supply without being labeled for Americans to choose, we must be vigilant about educating ourselves.

So, here is a quick review...

• CORN = 60% of all corn crops are estimated to be genetically modified: corn flour, corn meal, modified food starch, vegetable oil blends, vegetable oil blends for margarine, corn oil, corn starch, corn gluten, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup [HFCS], fructose, dextrose, glucose, baking powder, white vinegar, caramel, malt, confectioner's sugar, vanilla extract [which contains corn syrup] and table salt [which may contain some dextrose]

• SOY = 89% of all soy crops are estimated to be genetically modified: soy flour, soy lecithin, soy protein, soy isolate, soy isoflavones, "vegetable oil", "vegetable protein" or TVP [texturized vegetable protein], tofu, tamari, tempeh, protein supplements, vitamin E supplements, defoaming agents and "natural flavors"

• CANOLA = 75% of all canola crops are estimated to be genetically modified: canola oil, also known as "rapeseed oil"

• COTTON = 83% of all cotton crops are estimated to be genetically modified: cottonseed oil

• HAWAIIAN PAPAYA = more than 50% of all papaya crops are estimated to be genetically modified

• BEET SUGAR = not sure... this is new.

• ALFALFA = just passed...

• ZUCHINI, YELLOW SQUASH = not sure...

• TOBACCO ~ Only QUEST brand

      OTHER SOURCES OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS:

• Dairy products made from cows injected with rbGH
• Food Additives
• Enzymes
• Flavorings
• Processing Agents like Rennet [used to make hard cheese] 
• Aspartame ~ "NutraSweet"
• Meat, eggs, and dairy products from animals that have eaten genetically modified feed
• Honey and Bee Pollen that may have genetically modified sources of pollen.... or contaminated or pollination caused by genetically modified seeds or pollen

So... do you think this is ENOUGH to digest, for now???!!!

Just an Update on Healthy People Radio

I'm currently doing Healthy People Radio only one day a week ~ Friday evenings 7pm EST / 6pm Central / 5pm Mountain / 4pm Pacific ~ I needed to do some Soul Searching... some writing... focus my attention in some new directions... clean up some old messes. Anyways.... for now.... I'll see you once a week :))) ~ we'll kick off the weekend together. How does that sound?

Tune in ~ http://ztalkradio.com/listen-live-chat or you can check out the archives ~ http://ztalkradio.com/show-archives

GMOs ~ Got 2 GO !!

I thought a great way to get rolling with my new blogging habit is to share my latest press release. So, here it is...


Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Genetically Modified Organisms Under A Microscope on Healthy People Radio


For More, Information Contact:

Helene Berk, M.Ed., R.D.
healthypeople.com
~ 323-501-5589
mailto:info@healthypeople.com


Conscious Cuisine Begins With Ingredients Free of Genetically Modified Organisms

November, 2011 - [Southern California] Dietitian and Producer/Host of Healthy People Radio, Helene Berk, M.Ed., R.D., recently spent the day getting trained as a NON-GMO Activist by Jeffrey M. Smith in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Smith is the founder of The Institute for Responsible Technology ~ You may have recently seen him on Dr. Oz. Smith has presented in 32 different countries around the globe, and is author of "Seeds of Deception" and "Genetic Roulette". Berk's mission is to bring the GMO issue to the table on her weekly radio show.

Berk admits to wearing blinders around this issue since her college days. She feels as if she was brainwashed into believing these companies knew what they were doing and their products were safe by her professors back in the mid-'80s, when they were first presented to health professionals. The health professional recently decided to join the NON-GMO movement because, "Personally, I hate being lied to", says Berk. "I hate that Monsanto falsified scientific studies and smeared the reputation of any scientist who tried to warn the American public of the dangers of genetically modified organisms." Franken-foods created by Monsanto were NEVER ACTUALLY PROVEN SAFE by the Food and Drug Administration.

The veteran health pro promises to learn more about how GMOs are destroying our world and share this information."Genetically Modified Organisms" or "GMOs" were introduced into our food supply by Monsanto, Inc. This technology splices genes. DNA or genetic material from one species (e.g., bacteria, viruses, insects) is randomly injected into an entirely different species of plant or animal ...creating new kingdoms that did not exist before Monsanto started "playing GOD"... with our food supply. In the mid-1990's, WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, AND WITH ZERO SAFETY STUDIES CONDUCTED BY THE FDA, Monsanto began adding GMOs to our food supply: corn, canola, soy, cottonseed ...and now sugar beets and alfalfa.

The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) urges ALL PHYSICIANS TO ADVISE PATIENTS TO AVOID GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS. This group of physicians also alerted the public to other Monsanto products which proved deadly and were removed from the USA marketplace, including AGENT ORANGE & DDT. ‎"There is more than a causal association between GM foods and adverse health effects. GM foods pose a serious health risk in the areas of toxicology, allergy and immune function, reproductive health and metabolic, physiologic and genetic health" ~ The American Academy of Environmental Medicine ~ http://aaemonline.org/gmopost.html

Genetically Modified Organisms have been linked to the following:

~ infertiltiy
~ immune problems
~ diabetes / faulty insulin regulation
~ accelerated aging processes
~ changes in major organs
~ changes in the gastrointestinal system(GI)
~ allergies

LET'S OCCUPY OUR FOOD SUPPLY!!!!

Berk states, "I feel it is my responsibility as a registered dietitian to raise awareness of consumers to this 'white elephant' everyone seems to want to ignore". Let's take the reins back from Monsanto.... let's KNOW WHAT INGREDIENTS WE PUT INTO OUR MOUTHS!!!! It does not cost food manufacturers even one penny more, to request NON-GMO INGREDIENTS from their suppliers. BUT, it is up to us... THE CONSUMERS, TO CREATE THIS TIPPING POINT. WE MUST DEMAND TO KNOW THE TRUTH!!!!!

For the past two years, Berk has focused on "Conscious Cuisine", "Therapeutic Cuisine" and "Killers in the Kitchen" on her weekly radio show. She has focused mostly on other important attributes of "Conscious Cuisine", which includes the following criteria:

~ synthetic ingredients: including artificial colors [derived from the petrochemical industry]
~ synthetic preservatives

~ sythetic sweeteners
~ corn syrup/high-fructose corn syrup [YES, IT REALLY IS THAT BAD FOR YOU]
~ bleached over-processed sugars, including "brown sugar"
~ bleached, enriched refined flours,
~ trans fats [i.e., look for "hydrogenated" & "partially hydrogenated" oils]
~ hormones
~ antibiotics
~ MSG

"We teachwhat w e need to learn most. What I need most, right now, is to learn as much as I can about genetic engineering and how we consumers can create a TIPPING POINT OF DEMAND so genetically modified organisms are recalled from our food supply", says Berk. Healthy People Radio will keep it's focus on unveiling the kernels of truth behind this insidious industry. Tune into Healthy People Radio Friday evenings, 7:00 pm EST, 6:00pm Central, 5:00pm Mountain, 4:00pm Pacific. Check out the Healthy People Radio archives at http://ztalkradio.com/show-archives and Helene's blogs on http://healthypeople.com/


- 30 -

Copyright© 2011, Helene Berk, M.Ed., R.D.

Back in the Saddle

I'm happy to report I'm back in the saddle, again! I've been so glued to my work!! I've missed a bunch of walks due to these 100+ degree days, here in the desert. When you factor in the garbage [i.e., snack foods] my house mate was obsessively bringing home, I was simply out of my element. I started munching on his bleached boraxed refined crap day after day! It is amazing the effect this junk has on Mind-Body AND Spirit!!!

I continually beg him to keep the junk food in his bedroom and office. The more I do, the more he lets his cookies, chocolate M&Ms, and chocolate muffins sit there to taunt me. Normally, if I have plenty of healthy groceries, I've learned to be "fine" with his crappy food laying around, to tempt me. I discovered long ago, if you stock your kitchen with healthier selections, you will eat healthy. It is not rocket science, people. lol.

But, lately, I've been working a lot. I'm constantly in "catch up", mode ...focusing intently on areas of my life I've neglected... and find myself working around the clock... inspired at all hours of the day and night to accomplish whatever I can. Only thing is, I forget to buy food!!!

Well, yesterday I stocked up on dark chocolate, romaine lettuce, lemons, soy milk and whole grains, starting walking again (AFTER sunset, for now), and I am BACK in the saddle, again!!! It really is amazing how refined foods can mess you up on so many levels ...and how quick and easy it is to get in and out your groove!!!! So BE CAREFUL!!!!

What is the moral of this story? It's nice to catch up with our work... but... we've got to keep it all in balance. Take time to smell those flowers, take a walk, appreciate a sunset, AND buy SUPER CONSCIOUS groceries ...not to mention, *therapeutic... but... *that's a different "brand new" blog http://therapeuticgrocerylist.blogspot.com ~ ;)

Remember to check the "Metabolic Makeover Checklist" on my website ~ and see how your lifestyle compares to my checklist. How well are you doing at keeping it all in balance? What can you do to create more harmony in your life? Staying conscious of this checklist helps remind me to keep it all in gear. Give it a try. I bet you will enjoy the journey. So, go ahead... get back in that saddle, and let's ride this thing called LIFE!!!

BTW ~ The Metabolic Makeover Checklist is on: http://healthypeople.com

PLUS... remember to tune into Healthy People Radio on Mondays and Fridays on ZTalk Radio ~ http://ztalkradio.com/show-archives (for past shows... open the Healthy People Radio folder) & BlogTalk Radio on Wednesdays ~ http://blogtalkradio.com/healthypeopleradio

Consciously Unconscious

I never cease to amaze myself.... how I can know so much about the therapeutic effect of foods... and how crucial conscious ingredients are, yet when my housemate brings home junk... and it sits there day after day, my will breaks down. I just gotta say... it is so much easier to eat healthy when you purchase conscious cuisine. If you keep healthier choices within reach, you will make healthier choices. But, every time I walk into the kitchen, decadent delights are there to tempt me.

When this nutrient-free frivolous crap calls my name, there's no turning back. I'm so deeply involved in my work, I'm forgetting to grocery shop... or just too damn lazy. Then he brings home this crap... every single day... some of my favorite crap!!! ...chocolate covered donuts... chocolate layered wafers... you know... those layers of chocolate and thin wafer....ummmmmm..... and chocolate muffins.... OMG!!!!!

All I can say is, I'd better marry a health conscious guy, because I don't know how long I can go on living like this. I PREFER CONSCIOUS CUISINE!!!!! I wish he'd bring THAT home!!!! Or, maybe I just need to be more conscientious, and grocery shop more than I do.... and bring home more dark chocolate and goodies that contain conscious ingredients!!!!

Not that I feel guilty, because I don't. I normally eat pretty healthy, except for this past week ....or two. Nevertheless, I have been mixing it up with plenty of greens and fiber rich deserts I whip up made with oat fibers, oat flours, stone ground corn meal, etc.!!! ...and plenty of black strap molasses, agave and stevia, to sweeten!!!! I've been craving carbs.... needing more serotonin.... been working too hard.... but I can't stop!!!!! Time to regain balance and go for a walk!!!! That'll boost my serotonin, and relieve these cravings...... but, it'll have to wait until ....well... tomorrow!!!