Camera is still out of commission at the moment, but once it's back, there will be a seed starting update, because it is ON in those trays. Our grow light set up seems to be paying off.
Seed Starting 101 free e-book (Chiot's Run)
This is the primary seed guide we've been using this year and so far, so good! (Also a really good blog to follow if you are in to gardening.)
In the meantime, here's what I'm reading this week.
9 Facts About Factory Farming That Will Break Your Heart (Huffington Post)
This article contains the graphic photos and facts that most people ignore when they purchase and/or consume animal products from factory farms, and in that regard it's worth a look. But it's also part of a series of articles sponsored by Chipotle. And even though Chipotle has made strides in its treatment of animals that it uses for its restaurant and the removal of unnecessary antibiotics, their meat still primarily comes from factory farms. So this one is complicated.
Who Protects the People Who Live Near Industrial Meat Operations? (CLF blog)
Would you like to walk out your front door to find a layer of manure on your car? Yeah, me either.
Voracious Worm Evolves to Eat Biotech Corn Meant to Kill It (Wired Science)
It's amazing to me how biotech companies are so scientifically advanced yet forget that nature evolves. Three quarters of our corn crops are genetically modified to be resistant to rootworm damage. Now the rootworm eats the corn for dinner.
8 Steps to Sustainable Meat and Milk (Popular Science)
Some interesting ideas on how we can make sustainability work on a large scale. Did you know 95% of milk in the EU is from grass-fed cows?
Showing posts with label reading this week. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reading this week. Show all posts
Monday, March 24, 2014
Monday, February 17, 2014
reading this week
Some exciting local stuff this week, as well as national news. There's never a shortage of headlines in the movement for sustainable, just food.
What's New in 2014? Sustainable Seafood (Marty's Market blog)
Marty's Market, a local store in Pittsburgh's Strip District, has made a pledge to only sell seafood approved by Monterrey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch in an effort to focus on sustainable seafood. This is awesome for a lot of reasons. In addition to the post linked above, check out their post on the importance of sustainable seafood here. I'm going to Marty's on Feb. 26 to view a screening of The End of the Line, a documentary about the problem of over-fishing.
A Valuable Reputation (New Yorker)
A story about a scientist who studied the effects of atrazine for Syngenta, one of the largest agribusinesses in the world. You can guess how this turned out.
For lower-income students, snow days can be hungry days (NPR)
Way too many children in this country depend on being at school to eat breakfast and lunch - meals they wouldn't otherwise get at home.
Kroger accused of being not-so-honest in 'Simple Truth' chicken labels (Reuters)
Grocery giant Kroger is under fire (and being sued) for labels that claim their chicken is humanely raised, when the birds are actually raised in standard confinement agriculture operations. Truth in labeling continues to be a big problem in this country.
Also, save the date for the 8th Annual Farm to Table Conference in Pittsburgh - March 21 and 22 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, downtown. This year's theme is "Food Sources." We attended this last year and met a lot of great local vendors and farmers, as well as some great speakers.
Don't forget - I'm raising money for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank by running the Pittsburgh half marathon on May 4. Read more about it here and support ending hunger in our community.
What's New in 2014? Sustainable Seafood (Marty's Market blog)
Marty's Market, a local store in Pittsburgh's Strip District, has made a pledge to only sell seafood approved by Monterrey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch in an effort to focus on sustainable seafood. This is awesome for a lot of reasons. In addition to the post linked above, check out their post on the importance of sustainable seafood here. I'm going to Marty's on Feb. 26 to view a screening of The End of the Line, a documentary about the problem of over-fishing.
A Valuable Reputation (New Yorker)
A story about a scientist who studied the effects of atrazine for Syngenta, one of the largest agribusinesses in the world. You can guess how this turned out.
For lower-income students, snow days can be hungry days (NPR)
Way too many children in this country depend on being at school to eat breakfast and lunch - meals they wouldn't otherwise get at home.
Kroger accused of being not-so-honest in 'Simple Truth' chicken labels (Reuters)
Grocery giant Kroger is under fire (and being sued) for labels that claim their chicken is humanely raised, when the birds are actually raised in standard confinement agriculture operations. Truth in labeling continues to be a big problem in this country.
Also, save the date for the 8th Annual Farm to Table Conference in Pittsburgh - March 21 and 22 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, downtown. This year's theme is "Food Sources." We attended this last year and met a lot of great local vendors and farmers, as well as some great speakers.
Don't forget - I'm raising money for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank by running the Pittsburgh half marathon on May 4. Read more about it here and support ending hunger in our community.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
reading this week
While I'm finishing up my latest book for review and staying warm through Polar Vortex Round 2, here are some other good reads from around the web.
Our Toxicity Experiment in West Virginia (Wired)
Fascinating look at the chemical spill that recently contaminated the water supply of more than 300,000 people by a very engaging science writer, Deborah Blum. Drives home the idea that our system of "use it until it hurts someone" is a dangerous gamble.
Ex-Trader Joes President to Sell Food Past its Sell-by Date (Consumerist)
Doug Rauch, a former Trader Joes president, is opening a store called the Daily Table, where food past its sell-by date and produce seconds (bruised or blemished fruit and vegetables rejected by regular stores) at a major discount. I think this idea rocks - since we know that sell-by dates have nothing at all to do with whether or not a food is safe to eat.
Social Media as a Megaphone to Pressure the Food Industry (New York Times)
Increasingly, the FDA and USDA don't respond to the public's concerns over health and safety in the food supply, so many have turned to social media and the phenomenon of petitions to have their voices heard. And some companies are listening. (Though the phenomenon of petitions probably begs its own blog post.)
Should Farmers Give John Deere and Monsanto their Data? (NPR)
John Deere and Monsanto are (separately) offering programs to farmers where they can submit their data on their farms through the use of GPS-type devices - what they plant, what they are doing, how much is harvested of what crop in what location, etc. In return, the companies would promise to give them feedback about efficiency and the best uses of seed and soil. But at what cost to their privacy?
Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @nextgenhouse for links to other interesting articles as I find them. (Also, it helps me validate the fact that I'm a news junkie to the core.)
Our Toxicity Experiment in West Virginia (Wired)
Fascinating look at the chemical spill that recently contaminated the water supply of more than 300,000 people by a very engaging science writer, Deborah Blum. Drives home the idea that our system of "use it until it hurts someone" is a dangerous gamble.
Ex-Trader Joes President to Sell Food Past its Sell-by Date (Consumerist)
Doug Rauch, a former Trader Joes president, is opening a store called the Daily Table, where food past its sell-by date and produce seconds (bruised or blemished fruit and vegetables rejected by regular stores) at a major discount. I think this idea rocks - since we know that sell-by dates have nothing at all to do with whether or not a food is safe to eat.
Social Media as a Megaphone to Pressure the Food Industry (New York Times)
Increasingly, the FDA and USDA don't respond to the public's concerns over health and safety in the food supply, so many have turned to social media and the phenomenon of petitions to have their voices heard. And some companies are listening. (Though the phenomenon of petitions probably begs its own blog post.)
Should Farmers Give John Deere and Monsanto their Data? (NPR)
John Deere and Monsanto are (separately) offering programs to farmers where they can submit their data on their farms through the use of GPS-type devices - what they plant, what they are doing, how much is harvested of what crop in what location, etc. In return, the companies would promise to give them feedback about efficiency and the best uses of seed and soil. But at what cost to their privacy?
Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @nextgenhouse for links to other interesting articles as I find them. (Also, it helps me validate the fact that I'm a news junkie to the core.)
Thursday, December 26, 2013
reading this week
Some great reads from around the interwebs. Also, I often tweet links to stories that are especially important to me, since it's faster than waiting to compile them for a post. So follow me on Twitter if you're interested in food journalism or are a news junkie like me.
FDA: Anti-bacterial soaps may not curb bacteria (AP)
I'm not at all surprised by this. The growing threat of antibiotic resistant bacteria is only one of the threats posed by overuse of triclosan and antibacterial products. In 2013, we switched to Honest products at home, and their handsoap doesn't contain triclosan. Sometimes soap and hot water is the best way to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria (without the hormone disrupting side effects. It will be interesting to see how this shakes out with the FDA.
Forget Golf Courses: Subdivisions Draw Residents with Farms (NPR)
Totally fascinating new concept called development supported agriculture - residents sharing farms and agricultural production. Would make for an interesting HOA, that's for sure.
Soybeans: Factory Farming and the Destruction of Lands and Lives in Argentina (Eat Drink Better)
For all those who think soy is the great savior of food - a lesson about what Big Soy does to the environment and agricultural workers.
Food Policy Stories that Mattered in 2013 (Civil Eats)
A great round-up post of the large issues in food policy that captured the nation's attention in 2013. Includes the battle over GMOs (which is far from over), labor, bees, nutrition and even antibiotic-resistance.
FDA: Anti-bacterial soaps may not curb bacteria (AP)
I'm not at all surprised by this. The growing threat of antibiotic resistant bacteria is only one of the threats posed by overuse of triclosan and antibacterial products. In 2013, we switched to Honest products at home, and their handsoap doesn't contain triclosan. Sometimes soap and hot water is the best way to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria (without the hormone disrupting side effects. It will be interesting to see how this shakes out with the FDA.
Forget Golf Courses: Subdivisions Draw Residents with Farms (NPR)
Totally fascinating new concept called development supported agriculture - residents sharing farms and agricultural production. Would make for an interesting HOA, that's for sure.
Soybeans: Factory Farming and the Destruction of Lands and Lives in Argentina (Eat Drink Better)
For all those who think soy is the great savior of food - a lesson about what Big Soy does to the environment and agricultural workers.
Food Policy Stories that Mattered in 2013 (Civil Eats)
A great round-up post of the large issues in food policy that captured the nation's attention in 2013. Includes the battle over GMOs (which is far from over), labor, bees, nutrition and even antibiotic-resistance.
Monday, November 11, 2013
reading this week
Startups Try to Reroute Food Waste to the Hungry (NPR)
Really interesting article about ways to save food that would otherwise be wasted. This is no small feat - but these groups are doing amazing work. One group has saved over 300,000 pounds of food so far!
Whole Foods' New Produce Ratings: Transparency Bears Fruit (Civil Eats)
Whole Foods is introducing new ratings for their produce and flowers, similar to those used for their meat products. The model is a "good," "better," "best system. I really appreciate that these labels won't just take into account the environmental conditions under which the products are grown, but also the treatment of those people who grow them and harvest them. I'm a huge fan of transparency, and Whole Foods is a leader in this regard.
Scientists Say 'No Consensus on GMO Food Safety' (Food Democracy Now)
A group of scientists and physicians released a statement asserting that no scientific consensus has been reached on the safety of GMOs. This is important because many groups are using "science" to back up their positions about the safety and/or danger of GMOs. I actually think that one of the best arguments for GMO labeling is exactly this - we don't KNOW what GMOs do. So until we do, shouldn't products be labeled?
FDA Ruling Would All but Eliminate Trans Fats (NY Times)
The FDA has proposed eliminating artificial trans fats, a major known contributor to heart disease. They'd eliminate them by removing the "generally recognized as safe" label and requiring companies to prove they are safe, which is unlikely considering the medical evidence. It's being lauded as a big step in public health, and it is, but knowing the FDA, it seems like anything can happen.
Really interesting article about ways to save food that would otherwise be wasted. This is no small feat - but these groups are doing amazing work. One group has saved over 300,000 pounds of food so far!
Whole Foods' New Produce Ratings: Transparency Bears Fruit (Civil Eats)
Whole Foods is introducing new ratings for their produce and flowers, similar to those used for their meat products. The model is a "good," "better," "best system. I really appreciate that these labels won't just take into account the environmental conditions under which the products are grown, but also the treatment of those people who grow them and harvest them. I'm a huge fan of transparency, and Whole Foods is a leader in this regard.
Scientists Say 'No Consensus on GMO Food Safety' (Food Democracy Now)
A group of scientists and physicians released a statement asserting that no scientific consensus has been reached on the safety of GMOs. This is important because many groups are using "science" to back up their positions about the safety and/or danger of GMOs. I actually think that one of the best arguments for GMO labeling is exactly this - we don't KNOW what GMOs do. So until we do, shouldn't products be labeled?
FDA Ruling Would All but Eliminate Trans Fats (NY Times)
The FDA has proposed eliminating artificial trans fats, a major known contributor to heart disease. They'd eliminate them by removing the "generally recognized as safe" label and requiring companies to prove they are safe, which is unlikely considering the medical evidence. It's being lauded as a big step in public health, and it is, but knowing the FDA, it seems like anything can happen.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
reading this week
I'm still processing all that I learned and saw at the Mother Earth News Fair, but look for recaps on that soon. In the meantime, here's what I've been reading this week.
USDA guts national organic law (Consumers Union)
The USDA recently changed the process of exempting prohibited substances in foods labeled as organic, without having any public comment period. Previously, prohibited substances were given five year periods in which they could be exempted, while alternatives could be found. After that period, they'd expire unless a two-thirds majority of the National Organic Standards Board allowed it, AFTER a public comment period.
Now, all of that has been erased and these substances can be allowed indefinitely, and with no public comment period, outside of the public view. Not only does it weaken the already relatively weak organic standards, but it pulls more of our food processes behind closed door and decreases transparency.
CDC's thoroughly convincing report on the threat of antibiotic resistance (Food Politics)
A great infographic on how antibiotic resistance is created, plus links to other stories explaining the issue.
CDC's thoroughly convincing report on the threat of antibiotic resistance (Food Politics)
A great infographic on how antibiotic resistance is created, plus links to other stories explaining the issue.
A Washington state farmer's alfalfa crop has been found to contain a GMO trait, which has stopped him from being able to export it (as European nations have much more strict laws regulating GMOs than the U.S.). How this plays out will be interesting, though I'd venture to guess the government will not go out of its way to protect the farmer.
Factory Food From Above: Satellite Images of Industrial Farms (Wired)
Enhanced images from satellites of the feedlots that house industrial meat production
Food banks are a 'slow death of the soul' (The Guardian)
A really interesting take on food pantries from someone who runs one. What he does? It's my dream job. I was asked once in a job interview what my dream would be, and I said if I had capital, I'd open a food pantry that was a community garden and had cooking and gardening classes. To help people get on their feet and empower them to make good choices.
10 Reasons for Gardeners to Love Chickens (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Self-explanatory. :)
Factory Food From Above: Satellite Images of Industrial Farms (Wired)
Enhanced images from satellites of the feedlots that house industrial meat production
Food banks are a 'slow death of the soul' (The Guardian)
A really interesting take on food pantries from someone who runs one. What he does? It's my dream job. I was asked once in a job interview what my dream would be, and I said if I had capital, I'd open a food pantry that was a community garden and had cooking and gardening classes. To help people get on their feet and empower them to make good choices.
10 Reasons for Gardeners to Love Chickens (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Self-explanatory. :)
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Next Gen House at Edible Allegheny's Online Dish
Edible Allegheny is a local magazine that, as their tagline says, "celebrates local food, farms and cuisine - season by season." I actually started reading the magazine several years ago, when a free copy was included in a delivery of produce I got through a program at my old job. That was around the time I was becoming a food person anyway, and the recipes and stories were inspiring and educational. I can honestly say that Edible Allegheny is responsible for Mark and I finding a ton of great restaurants and food events in the area. They are a great resource for all things local food - truly covering everything from the farm to the table.
I'm really excited to be one of the featured blogs in the Online Dish column this issue, along with two other great local sites: food blog Life and Kitchen and agricultural blog Write to Farm.
The fine avian ladies of Next Gen House even made the column header, hanging out in our compost area, as you can see from this screen shot. (And check out that pumpkin pie on the cover of the magazine to the left. If that doesn't scream fall, I don't know what does.)
Head over to this month's column to read about this blog and its roots, as well as the other great local links - the website is a wealth of information and the Online Dish archives can lead you to some great local blogs as well!
I wasn't paid or perked to promote Edible Allegheny - they are just a great magazine.
I'm really excited to be one of the featured blogs in the Online Dish column this issue, along with two other great local sites: food blog Life and Kitchen and agricultural blog Write to Farm.
The fine avian ladies of Next Gen House even made the column header, hanging out in our compost area, as you can see from this screen shot. (And check out that pumpkin pie on the cover of the magazine to the left. If that doesn't scream fall, I don't know what does.)
Head over to this month's column to read about this blog and its roots, as well as the other great local links - the website is a wealth of information and the Online Dish archives can lead you to some great local blogs as well!
I wasn't paid or perked to promote Edible Allegheny - they are just a great magazine.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
reading this week
Here are some of the things I've been reading and pondering lately. Check these out!
Nudged to the Produce Aisle By a Look in the Mirror (NY Times)
A Michael Moss piece about what behavioral scientists are doing to nudge you into the produce aisle. Would you be more likely to buy healthier foods if you saw your reflection in your shopping cart?
Waste: The Dark Side of the New Coffee Craze (East Bay Express via Mark)
Article about the single-serving coffee phenomenon and how much waste it generates (it's staggering). We use a refillable container and grind our own beans, so we rarely use the plastic pods. Especially interesting to note how insanely expensive the coffee is when you buy it in the plastic pods. (Our favorite fair trade blend is about $12/pound. Your average K-Cup cost per pound? $50. Now who's elitist?)
Pesticides Taking Toll on Farmworkers (Civil Eats)
If you agree that pesticides are not something you want to ingest, you probably agree that you shouldn't be sprayed with them either. Farmworkers deserve protection from these hazardous chemicals too.
FDA sets gluten-free labeling standards (CNN Eatocracy)
The FDA set labeling guidelines that food manufacturers will need to follow starting August 5, 2014 for products claiming to be 'gluten-free.' If only they would set some standards for "farm fresh" or "natural."
Colbert: Monsanto's 'zombie wheat' is 'return of the walking bread' (Raw Story)
This is from June, but still funny.
Food Waste - A Story of Excess
Interesting video about the sheer amount of waste our country produces.
Nudged to the Produce Aisle By a Look in the Mirror (NY Times)
A Michael Moss piece about what behavioral scientists are doing to nudge you into the produce aisle. Would you be more likely to buy healthier foods if you saw your reflection in your shopping cart?
Waste: The Dark Side of the New Coffee Craze (East Bay Express via Mark)
Article about the single-serving coffee phenomenon and how much waste it generates (it's staggering). We use a refillable container and grind our own beans, so we rarely use the plastic pods. Especially interesting to note how insanely expensive the coffee is when you buy it in the plastic pods. (Our favorite fair trade blend is about $12/pound. Your average K-Cup cost per pound? $50. Now who's elitist?)
Pesticides Taking Toll on Farmworkers (Civil Eats)
If you agree that pesticides are not something you want to ingest, you probably agree that you shouldn't be sprayed with them either. Farmworkers deserve protection from these hazardous chemicals too.
FDA sets gluten-free labeling standards (CNN Eatocracy)
The FDA set labeling guidelines that food manufacturers will need to follow starting August 5, 2014 for products claiming to be 'gluten-free.' If only they would set some standards for "farm fresh" or "natural."
Colbert: Monsanto's 'zombie wheat' is 'return of the walking bread' (Raw Story)
This is from June, but still funny.
Food Waste - A Story of Excess
Interesting video about the sheer amount of waste our country produces.
Monday, July 22, 2013
reading this week
No, Fast Food Won't Cure Obesity (Salon)
A piece ran in the Atlantic recently written by a man who claimed that the real key to public health is to get Big Food to start making their products healthier. The essay was so ridiculous, I won't even link to it. But this is a well reasoned rebuttal. (Warning - super creepy photo of Ronald McDonald on the page.)
Breeding Bacteria on Factory Farms (NY Times)
A Mark Bittman piece on antibiotic resistant pathogens from factory farms. This is one of the myriad reasons we don't eat meat from confined animal feeding operations. There is no reason any of us should be exposed to livestock-associated MRSA.
How to Better Protect Farmers from Pesticides: Spanish (NPR)
We know how to use household chemicals safely by reading the label on the bottles. But how do you know how to protect yourself on the job when the labels aren't in a language you understand? Many of our nation's produce workers speak Spanish as their first language and aren't able to understand warning labels on the pesticides they use in their work.
Why CSPI is Wrong Not to Support Genetically Engineered Food Labeling (Center for Food Safety)
The Center for Science in the Public Interest is a well-known consumer advocacy organization, but it won't support GMO labeling. This article explains why that's a mistake.
A piece ran in the Atlantic recently written by a man who claimed that the real key to public health is to get Big Food to start making their products healthier. The essay was so ridiculous, I won't even link to it. But this is a well reasoned rebuttal. (Warning - super creepy photo of Ronald McDonald on the page.)
Breeding Bacteria on Factory Farms (NY Times)
A Mark Bittman piece on antibiotic resistant pathogens from factory farms. This is one of the myriad reasons we don't eat meat from confined animal feeding operations. There is no reason any of us should be exposed to livestock-associated MRSA.
How to Better Protect Farmers from Pesticides: Spanish (NPR)
We know how to use household chemicals safely by reading the label on the bottles. But how do you know how to protect yourself on the job when the labels aren't in a language you understand? Many of our nation's produce workers speak Spanish as their first language and aren't able to understand warning labels on the pesticides they use in their work.
Why CSPI is Wrong Not to Support Genetically Engineered Food Labeling (Center for Food Safety)
The Center for Science in the Public Interest is a well-known consumer advocacy organization, but it won't support GMO labeling. This article explains why that's a mistake.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
reading (and making) this week
It's been a busy week at Next Gen House. This weekend we made a big batch of homemade bolognese sauce using the recipe from America's Test Kitchen's Slow Cooker Revolution book. (If you like the convenience of a slow cooker but don't like to simply dump cans of processed soup and packets of chemical flavor mixes over frozen chicken breast, this cookbook is for you.) We were able to use ground beef and ground pork from our meat CSA with Clarion River Organics.
We also canned two batches of strawberry balsamic jam. This is the first year we've done a jam with balsamic and now I'm kicking myself for not having used this variant before. You can't taste the balsamic in the finished product, but it makes the strawberry flavor deepen and burst. It's similar to the effect that vanilla extract has in baked goods. If you're making strawberry jam this year, definitely go for a balsamic variant. And also, cool your jars on a Christmas towel. Because it brings some festive cheer to a hot kitchen, apparently.
I also took some friends to our farmers market for the first time. It can be intimidating to go to a market like that if you've never gone before, but once you start to get to know the vendors and get a feel for what is available when, you gain confidence in your purchases. I even have a favorite farmer, and I try to buy at least one thing from his stand every week. (The last two weeks - snap peas!)
Going back to listening to a food studies book on my commutes, and this morning I started Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us by Michael Moss. It's riveting already and I'm only 45 minutes in.
Here are some other things from around the interwebs I'm reading this week.
13 Books on the Food System That Could Save the Environment (Food Tank)
I've read some of these and others are on my reading list. Really looking forward to reading Foodopoly as well as Behind the Kitchen Door, having worked at restaurants myself.
The Controversial Science of Sports Drinks (The Atlantic)
An article from last year, but one that backs up my reluctance to consume sports drinks of any kind.
Food Companies Work to Make It Look Natural (AP)
When you buy products, look beyond the marketing hype. For example, the photo of the packaged turkey breast in the article: do you actually think someone stood with a white coat and a carving knife at a carving board to shave that off specifically for your sandwich? NO.
Natural Remedies for a Travel First Aid Kit (Mother Earth Living)
Great ideas for the summer from a great website and magazine I subscribe to.
We also canned two batches of strawberry balsamic jam. This is the first year we've done a jam with balsamic and now I'm kicking myself for not having used this variant before. You can't taste the balsamic in the finished product, but it makes the strawberry flavor deepen and burst. It's similar to the effect that vanilla extract has in baked goods. If you're making strawberry jam this year, definitely go for a balsamic variant. And also, cool your jars on a Christmas towel. Because it brings some festive cheer to a hot kitchen, apparently.I also took some friends to our farmers market for the first time. It can be intimidating to go to a market like that if you've never gone before, but once you start to get to know the vendors and get a feel for what is available when, you gain confidence in your purchases. I even have a favorite farmer, and I try to buy at least one thing from his stand every week. (The last two weeks - snap peas!)
Going back to listening to a food studies book on my commutes, and this morning I started Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us by Michael Moss. It's riveting already and I'm only 45 minutes in.
Here are some other things from around the interwebs I'm reading this week.
13 Books on the Food System That Could Save the Environment (Food Tank)
I've read some of these and others are on my reading list. Really looking forward to reading Foodopoly as well as Behind the Kitchen Door, having worked at restaurants myself.
The Controversial Science of Sports Drinks (The Atlantic)
An article from last year, but one that backs up my reluctance to consume sports drinks of any kind.
Food Companies Work to Make It Look Natural (AP)
When you buy products, look beyond the marketing hype. For example, the photo of the packaged turkey breast in the article: do you actually think someone stood with a white coat and a carving knife at a carving board to shave that off specifically for your sandwich? NO.
Natural Remedies for a Travel First Aid Kit (Mother Earth Living)
Great ideas for the summer from a great website and magazine I subscribe to.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
reading this week
CNN tells the story of Monsanto (Inspired Bites on Prevention.com)
2 million people across the world took part in the March Against Monsanto recently, and one of the only media outlets that covered it was CNN. Robyn O'Brien highlights their coverage in this blog entry and also links to this video, which does a great job of simplifying the issues that have been raised about Monsanto and GMOs. Definitely worth the 7 minutes to watch. (Even just to watch Michael Moss and his fierce eyebrows talk at the end.)
Speaking of Monsanto...
GMO Wheat Found in Oregon Field (NPR)
GMO wheat is not authorized for commercial planting, but an Oregon farmer found it on his land. Wheat is a huge export crop for U.S. farmers, which is why GMO wheat is not authorized to be planted. Other countries, particularly in Europe and Asia, won't buy GMO products. More tests are being done to determine how the wheat got there and the extent of its presence, but it goes to show how easily these GMOs can sneak into our food supply.
Candy Won't Make You Fat, Says Study Funded by Big Candy (PopSci)
This article showed up a lot on the Internet a week or two ago and was laughable. The National Confectioners Association funded a study that concluded that candy was not associated with any health risks. Wow! What strikes me, though, is that people are quick to laugh when a candy company funds research that promotes candy as part of a healthy diet, but we listen to soft drink manufacturers and other Big Food/Big Ag companies tell us the same things, with research funded by their own interest groups. When you see a new research study released that touts the health benefits of a food, look closely to see who sponsored the research An independent or government group? Or industry?
Too Many Repeat Violators in Hog Slaughter, Inspector General Report Says (Food Safety News)
This statistic is shocking, but not surprising: "The USDA's Food Safety Inspection Service issued 44,128 noncompliance records (NRs), but only 28 of the nation’s 616 swine plants ever faced suspension." Even those don't stay suspended for long, and many are repeat offenders. Read the list of offenses and I doubt you'll be drooling for conventionally raised pork anytime soon. This is why we NEED to fight Ag-Gag laws - our government "inspections" are meaningless.
4 Questions You Should Never Ask at a Farmers Market (Smith Meadows)
I am proud that I've never asked these questions at a farmers market, though this article sheds some light on what it's really like for farmers to participate in these markets.
Scotts Miracle-Gro - the bird killing company? (Guardian via @unhealthytruth)
Scotts Miracle-Gro knowingly sold bird seed with unregulated and illegal pesticides for two years. These pesticides are poisonous to birds, but were added to control insects eating the seed in warehouses. Reason #562894 that I won't buy anything from Scotts - not even their organic products.
2 million people across the world took part in the March Against Monsanto recently, and one of the only media outlets that covered it was CNN. Robyn O'Brien highlights their coverage in this blog entry and also links to this video, which does a great job of simplifying the issues that have been raised about Monsanto and GMOs. Definitely worth the 7 minutes to watch. (Even just to watch Michael Moss and his fierce eyebrows talk at the end.)
Speaking of Monsanto...
GMO Wheat Found in Oregon Field (NPR)
GMO wheat is not authorized for commercial planting, but an Oregon farmer found it on his land. Wheat is a huge export crop for U.S. farmers, which is why GMO wheat is not authorized to be planted. Other countries, particularly in Europe and Asia, won't buy GMO products. More tests are being done to determine how the wheat got there and the extent of its presence, but it goes to show how easily these GMOs can sneak into our food supply.
Candy Won't Make You Fat, Says Study Funded by Big Candy (PopSci)
This article showed up a lot on the Internet a week or two ago and was laughable. The National Confectioners Association funded a study that concluded that candy was not associated with any health risks. Wow! What strikes me, though, is that people are quick to laugh when a candy company funds research that promotes candy as part of a healthy diet, but we listen to soft drink manufacturers and other Big Food/Big Ag companies tell us the same things, with research funded by their own interest groups. When you see a new research study released that touts the health benefits of a food, look closely to see who sponsored the research An independent or government group? Or industry?
Too Many Repeat Violators in Hog Slaughter, Inspector General Report Says (Food Safety News)
This statistic is shocking, but not surprising: "The USDA's Food Safety Inspection Service issued 44,128 noncompliance records (NRs), but only 28 of the nation’s 616 swine plants ever faced suspension." Even those don't stay suspended for long, and many are repeat offenders. Read the list of offenses and I doubt you'll be drooling for conventionally raised pork anytime soon. This is why we NEED to fight Ag-Gag laws - our government "inspections" are meaningless.
4 Questions You Should Never Ask at a Farmers Market (Smith Meadows)
I am proud that I've never asked these questions at a farmers market, though this article sheds some light on what it's really like for farmers to participate in these markets.
Scotts Miracle-Gro - the bird killing company? (Guardian via @unhealthytruth)
Scotts Miracle-Gro knowingly sold bird seed with unregulated and illegal pesticides for two years. These pesticides are poisonous to birds, but were added to control insects eating the seed in warehouses. Reason #562894 that I won't buy anything from Scotts - not even their organic products.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
reading this week
Best PR that Money Can Buy: A Guide to Food Industry Front Groups (Center for Food Safety)
A new report from Michele Simon, JD, MPH exposing front groups that appear to be acting in the public interest but are funded by the food industry to advance its agenda. The author is a great person to follow on Twitter as well (@MicheleRSimon).
7 Dodgy Food Practices Banned in Europe But Fine Here (Mother Jones)
From Tom Philpott, another food journalist to follow, comes a list of substances or practices banned in Europe for public health and safety reasons that are legal in the U.S., like arsenic in animal feed and endocrine disruptors sprayed on corn. This is a bad thing.
Replanting the Rust Belt (NY Times)
Great feature article on the food movement in the Rust Belt, including Pittsburgh and Cleveland
Turkey Raised Without Antibiotics Less Likely to Carry Superbugs (Civil Eats)
The headline elicits a resounding "DUH" from me, but it's worth reading, especially for anyone who has doubts about eating antibiotic-free meat.
Top Tips for Safer Products (Environmental Working Group)
Skin Deep, which I wrote about this week, has compiled a quick guide to making better choices about products to use in your home. Wrote this down to keep in my purse so I always have it to reference when shopping.
Some of My Best Friends are Germs (NY Times)
Michael Pollan's Sunday Magazine article on microbes. I'm a big fan of raw and live foods, so I'm happy to see bacteria discussed in this way.
A new report from Michele Simon, JD, MPH exposing front groups that appear to be acting in the public interest but are funded by the food industry to advance its agenda. The author is a great person to follow on Twitter as well (@MicheleRSimon).
7 Dodgy Food Practices Banned in Europe But Fine Here (Mother Jones)
From Tom Philpott, another food journalist to follow, comes a list of substances or practices banned in Europe for public health and safety reasons that are legal in the U.S., like arsenic in animal feed and endocrine disruptors sprayed on corn. This is a bad thing.
Replanting the Rust Belt (NY Times)
Great feature article on the food movement in the Rust Belt, including Pittsburgh and Cleveland
Turkey Raised Without Antibiotics Less Likely to Carry Superbugs (Civil Eats)
The headline elicits a resounding "DUH" from me, but it's worth reading, especially for anyone who has doubts about eating antibiotic-free meat.
Top Tips for Safer Products (Environmental Working Group)
Skin Deep, which I wrote about this week, has compiled a quick guide to making better choices about products to use in your home. Wrote this down to keep in my purse so I always have it to reference when shopping.
Some of My Best Friends are Germs (NY Times)
Michael Pollan's Sunday Magazine article on microbes. I'm a big fan of raw and live foods, so I'm happy to see bacteria discussed in this way.
Monday, May 6, 2013
reading this week
Antibiotics in Your Food: What's Causing the Rise in Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in Our Food Supply and Why You Should Buy Antibiotic-Free Food (Eating Well)
From one of my favorite journalists, Barry Estabrook, comes a great article about antibiotic-resistant bacteria in our food. (You can get MRSA from the food you eat. Nice, right?) If you read one of the articles I'm posting about today, read this one.
The Problem with Wal-mart's Hunger Games (Take Part via @andybellatti)
Great article about the way industry tries to spin its charitable work. You can't create the problem with your low wages and poor healthcare and then turn around and try to act like you want to fight the problem with grants. It ends up turning the very real issue of hunger in America into a marketing gimic. What's really sad is to see food bloggers give in to promoting their contests, etc.
Victory for Bees (Independent)
The European Union has voted to enact a two-year ban on nicotinoids - the pesticides many believe are responsible for mass bee deaths. (It's time to follow them, America!)
Heavy use of herbicide Round Up linked to health dangers (Reuters)
Glyphosate, the key ingredient in Round Up, a Monsanto weed killer which is sprayed over millions of acres of crops, was linked to a range of health problems and diseases, including Parkinson's, infertility and cancers.
From one of my favorite journalists, Barry Estabrook, comes a great article about antibiotic-resistant bacteria in our food. (You can get MRSA from the food you eat. Nice, right?) If you read one of the articles I'm posting about today, read this one.
The Problem with Wal-mart's Hunger Games (Take Part via @andybellatti)
Great article about the way industry tries to spin its charitable work. You can't create the problem with your low wages and poor healthcare and then turn around and try to act like you want to fight the problem with grants. It ends up turning the very real issue of hunger in America into a marketing gimic. What's really sad is to see food bloggers give in to promoting their contests, etc.
Victory for Bees (Independent)
The European Union has voted to enact a two-year ban on nicotinoids - the pesticides many believe are responsible for mass bee deaths. (It's time to follow them, America!)
Heavy use of herbicide Round Up linked to health dangers (Reuters)
Glyphosate, the key ingredient in Round Up, a Monsanto weed killer which is sprayed over millions of acres of crops, was linked to a range of health problems and diseases, including Parkinson's, infertility and cancers.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Reading (and viewing) this week
Genetically Engineered Food Right-To-Know Act (Huffington Post)
I’ve written on GMO labeling before, and this is an issue that is constantly evolving and changing.
On Wednesday, we took another step forward as Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) (otherwise known as my new heroes) with 9 Senate co-sponsors and 22 House co-sponsors, introduced the Genetically Engineered Food Right-To-Know Act that would require food manufacturers to label any product containing GMOs. If not properly labeled, the product could be classified by the FDA as “misbranded.”
It’s about time. I am working on drafting a letter to send to my legislators here in Pennsylvania, and when it’s ready, I will share so you can pass the word!
Speaking of legislative advocacy, Ellen DeGeneres had a representative from the Humane Society on her show to talk about Ag-Gag laws. Ellen’s got a wide audience and huge following, not only for her general awesomeness but her advocacy work on the part of animals. I’m really happy to see someone like Ellen educating and encouraging people to take action.
Mark Bittman's "Flexitarian" (NY Times)
Definitely looking forward to Mark Bittman’s new Flexitarian column. He says the goal is “to marry the burning question “What should I be eating?” with another: “How do I cook it?”
The latest in locavore flim-flam! (Colbert Report)
Michael Pollan talking to Stephen Colbert about his new book, Cooked
Yet more proof that eating antibiotics in meat is detrimental to our health: government researchers have found bacterial varieties in meat that are resistant to antibiotics.
Environmental Working Group has some great information on superbugs in meat.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Reading this week
Cook Your Own Food. Eat What You Want. Think For Yourself. (Michael Ruhlman)
If you read no other article I recommend this week, read this one. It's a great manifesto and one I agree with wholeheartedly.
Ball Heritage Collection jars
As we're gearing up for canning season, I can't help but drool over these beautiful blue vintage jars. (Never mind the fact that I have mason jars coming out my ears.)
7 Things You Need to Know About GMOs (Rodale)
A write-up of take-away messages from a film called GMO OMG that debuts at the Yale Environmental Film Festival. (Includes a trailer for the film. I am a documentary nerd and cannot wait for this film to be released to a wider audience.)
Calamity for Our Most Beneficent Insect (NY Times)
An editorial from the NY Times in support of bees
A Constitutional Argument Against the So-Called "Monsanto Protection Act" (Reason.com)
Fantastically reasoned argument (by a lawyer, no less) about the legality and constitutionality of the "Monsanto Protection Act"
Hunger, Obesity and Nutrition; Observations from the Field in Pittsburgh (Center for American Progress)
Interesting article about food deserts right here in Pittsburgh and the challenges faced by these communities; also includes information on great projects that are locally trying to solve this issue, including Just Harvest getting city farmers markets to take EBT cards, edible gardens, and buying clubs.
If you read no other article I recommend this week, read this one. It's a great manifesto and one I agree with wholeheartedly.
Ball Heritage Collection jars
As we're gearing up for canning season, I can't help but drool over these beautiful blue vintage jars. (Never mind the fact that I have mason jars coming out my ears.)
7 Things You Need to Know About GMOs (Rodale)
A write-up of take-away messages from a film called GMO OMG that debuts at the Yale Environmental Film Festival. (Includes a trailer for the film. I am a documentary nerd and cannot wait for this film to be released to a wider audience.)
Calamity for Our Most Beneficent Insect (NY Times)
An editorial from the NY Times in support of bees
A Constitutional Argument Against the So-Called "Monsanto Protection Act" (Reason.com)
Fantastically reasoned argument (by a lawyer, no less) about the legality and constitutionality of the "Monsanto Protection Act"
Hunger, Obesity and Nutrition; Observations from the Field in Pittsburgh (Center for American Progress)
Interesting article about food deserts right here in Pittsburgh and the challenges faced by these communities; also includes information on great projects that are locally trying to solve this issue, including Just Harvest getting city farmers markets to take EBT cards, edible gardens, and buying clubs.
Friday, April 12, 2013
Reading this week
The New Pork Gospel (One Earth)
A new article by Barry Estabrook, author of Tomatoland and some of the best food journalism out there today, profiling Russ Kremer, a leading advocate for better hog farming. His story is intriguing and inspirational.
Taping of Farm Cruelty is Becoming the Crime (NY Times)
Article about Ag-gag laws across the country. The woman tries to make a comparison between agricultural practices and open heart surgery to support these laws and it is quite honestly the most ridiculous abuse of metaphor I've ever seen.
Dateline: Hormone Disruptors (NBC News)
Reporter Andrea Canning has herself and her children tested for hormone disruptors (like BPA) and has some interesting (and not at all surprising) results (The above link is to part 1.)
Farmstand App
A new app that allows you to find local farmers' markets and see what's fresh. Only for iPhone so far, but hopefully some day for Android!
Why You Shouldn't Wrinkle Your Nose at Fermentation (NPR)
Fermented foods have tons of benefits. Healthy for you and delicious to boot. There's nothing like freshly fermented sauerkraut, and kombucha is quickly becoming one of my favorite beverages.
What's New in Food Marketing? Protein! (Food Politics)
Marion Nestle rounds up recent discussion on pumping food products with extra protein as a marketing ploy.
Hello, My Name is Porterhouse Chop (NPR)
Pork industry is renaming cuts of pork in order to help consumers understand cuts of meat. I swear, the food industry thinks we're all six years old.
A new article by Barry Estabrook, author of Tomatoland and some of the best food journalism out there today, profiling Russ Kremer, a leading advocate for better hog farming. His story is intriguing and inspirational.
Taping of Farm Cruelty is Becoming the Crime (NY Times)
Article about Ag-gag laws across the country. The woman tries to make a comparison between agricultural practices and open heart surgery to support these laws and it is quite honestly the most ridiculous abuse of metaphor I've ever seen.
Dateline: Hormone Disruptors (NBC News)
Reporter Andrea Canning has herself and her children tested for hormone disruptors (like BPA) and has some interesting (and not at all surprising) results (The above link is to part 1.)
Farmstand App
A new app that allows you to find local farmers' markets and see what's fresh. Only for iPhone so far, but hopefully some day for Android!
Why You Shouldn't Wrinkle Your Nose at Fermentation (NPR)
Fermented foods have tons of benefits. Healthy for you and delicious to boot. There's nothing like freshly fermented sauerkraut, and kombucha is quickly becoming one of my favorite beverages.
What's New in Food Marketing? Protein! (Food Politics)
Marion Nestle rounds up recent discussion on pumping food products with extra protein as a marketing ploy.
Hello, My Name is Porterhouse Chop (NPR)
Pork industry is renaming cuts of pork in order to help consumers understand cuts of meat. I swear, the food industry thinks we're all six years old.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Reading this week
The Dark Side of Soy (UTNE Reader)
Mary Vance Terrain explores the risks of soy consumption, which has been sold to consumers as a healthy alternative food.
Mother Earth News apps
I subscribe to Mother Earth News and Mother Earth Living magazines, and they offer great free apps for starting gardening for food, as well as canning.
What are the solutions? A Place at the Table, reviewed (Civil Eats)
Review of a new documentary from the people that brought us Food, Inc. I definitely need to see this.
Obama signs the Monsanto Protection Act (Food Democracy Now)
Forget for a moment the fact that SAUDI ARABIA has more stringent laws about food labeling than we do in the United States, it's so disappointing to see President Obama giving in to the corporate interests of Monsanto, DuPont and the like. (Particularly when he made campaign promises about GMO labeling.)
Aspartame in Milk (Food Law Firm)
This is crazy scary. A carcinogen in milk? With no label? Pass me a glass of raw milk, please.
Links from the Farm to Table Conference
Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund
"FTCLDF protects the rights of the nation's family farms, artisan food producers, consumers and affiliate communities to engage in direct commerce free of harassment by federal, state and local government interference; it protects the rights of farmers and artisanal producers to make their products available and the rights of consumers to access the foods of their choice from the source of their choice." In other words, these guys help defend the little guys. Plus they have great bumper stickers and t-shirts.
Edible Allegheny
Local food magazine - amazing resources, especially when you are looking to source local foods or support restaurants that do so
Marty's Market
Located in the Strip District (and with PARKING), Marty's is a "community-minded market featuring clean, regional and unique food items." (I used a quote from their promotional materials because I've been there and I agree.) And, they serve brunch. Enough said.
Berglorbeer Farma
Sells shitake logs (logs that come "preloaded" with spores to grow mushrooms at home) among lots of other cool stuff
PG Plate
A new food themed website from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Bumbleberry Farms
Local honey from Somerset, Pa. We tried the salted honey caramel and it was insanely good. Mark has put some in his coffee as a sweetener, but you can also eat it straight out of the jar like a boss.
Zukay Live Foods
Live, fermented foods, including kvass and even salad dressings.
Mary Vance Terrain explores the risks of soy consumption, which has been sold to consumers as a healthy alternative food.
Mother Earth News apps
I subscribe to Mother Earth News and Mother Earth Living magazines, and they offer great free apps for starting gardening for food, as well as canning.
What are the solutions? A Place at the Table, reviewed (Civil Eats)
Review of a new documentary from the people that brought us Food, Inc. I definitely need to see this.
Obama signs the Monsanto Protection Act (Food Democracy Now)
Forget for a moment the fact that SAUDI ARABIA has more stringent laws about food labeling than we do in the United States, it's so disappointing to see President Obama giving in to the corporate interests of Monsanto, DuPont and the like. (Particularly when he made campaign promises about GMO labeling.)
Aspartame in Milk (Food Law Firm)
This is crazy scary. A carcinogen in milk? With no label? Pass me a glass of raw milk, please.
Links from the Farm to Table Conference
Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund
"FTCLDF protects the rights of the nation's family farms, artisan food producers, consumers and affiliate communities to engage in direct commerce free of harassment by federal, state and local government interference; it protects the rights of farmers and artisanal producers to make their products available and the rights of consumers to access the foods of their choice from the source of their choice." In other words, these guys help defend the little guys. Plus they have great bumper stickers and t-shirts.
Edible Allegheny
Local food magazine - amazing resources, especially when you are looking to source local foods or support restaurants that do so
Marty's Market
Located in the Strip District (and with PARKING), Marty's is a "community-minded market featuring clean, regional and unique food items." (I used a quote from their promotional materials because I've been there and I agree.) And, they serve brunch. Enough said.
Berglorbeer Farma
Sells shitake logs (logs that come "preloaded" with spores to grow mushrooms at home) among lots of other cool stuff
PG Plate
A new food themed website from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Bumbleberry Farms
Local honey from Somerset, Pa. We tried the salted honey caramel and it was insanely good. Mark has put some in his coffee as a sweetener, but you can also eat it straight out of the jar like a boss.
Zukay Live Foods
Live, fermented foods, including kvass and even salad dressings.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Reading this week
I thought I'd try to share links weekly to the things I'm reading online on many different topics. Whatever is of interest that particular week, I'll share.
Want to be happier? Eat seasonally (Attune Foods via Eating Rules)
Great arguments for eating seasonally and the benefits you reap from doing so.
Whole milk or skim? Study links fattier milk to skinnier kids (NPR)
A new study shows a link between reduced fat milks and higher body weights. (I am happy to see clinical studies backing up the idea that whole fat milk isn't something we should avoid.)
Banning the Big Gulp Ban (NY Times)
Columnist and food policy advocate Mark Bittman discusses Mayor Bloomberg's soda ban being struck down by a judge.
The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food (NY Times Magazine)
A peek into the new book Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us by Michael Moss. I cannot wait to read this - it seems extraordinarily well researched and compelling.
Want to be happier? Eat seasonally (Attune Foods via Eating Rules)
Great arguments for eating seasonally and the benefits you reap from doing so.
Whole milk or skim? Study links fattier milk to skinnier kids (NPR)
A new study shows a link between reduced fat milks and higher body weights. (I am happy to see clinical studies backing up the idea that whole fat milk isn't something we should avoid.)
Banning the Big Gulp Ban (NY Times)
Columnist and food policy advocate Mark Bittman discusses Mayor Bloomberg's soda ban being struck down by a judge.
The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food (NY Times Magazine)
A peek into the new book Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us by Michael Moss. I cannot wait to read this - it seems extraordinarily well researched and compelling.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)