Archive for the ‘Food-Nutrition-Health’ Category

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Eggs – A Buyers Guide

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

by Catherine Haug

(updated 6/11/2010 to add information on treatment of eggshells by commercial producers, and the harm that can result. See “Grocers’ Eggs. See also my 10/15/10 post: Report on Organic Eggs).

photo by Edd Blackler

Hens & Compost (Guerrant)

When you don’t have our own chickens, you have to buy your eggs. Many of us buy them at a grocery or supermarket, which is what I did until I found a friend who raises her laying hens on pasture.

Don’t you find it awfully confusing (at the store) when you have to choose between conventional eggs (nothing special on the carton), brown eggs, cage-free, free-range, organic, or nutrient enriched? Which of these is the best, nutritionally speaking? Which of these is the most humane in the treatment of the hens?

Here’s a guide from Better Homes and Gardens magazine, April 2010 issue, with commentary by yours truly.

Also, if you are interested in raising your own hens, see our Gathering Summary: Raising Chickens & Rabbits. (more…)

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GMO Invades the Produce Section

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

by Catherine Haug

I think it’s safe to say that most people in our ESP community do not want to consume genetically modified/engineered foods. We turned away from rGBH milk products; we wrote letters of protest against GMO alfalfa and sugar beets; we seek out Organically raised soy, wheat and corn to avoid GMO versions.

But now we have even more reason to be wary of GMO foods: they have invaded the produce section of our local grocery stores. For example, zucchini and crookneck squash, and papaya from Hawaii may contain GMO protein for virus resistance.

Check out the GMO-Compass website for more information about GMO trials and approvals for cultivation and/or foodstuffs in the US, Canada and the EU. You can use their GMO Database to search by food.

Know Your Farmer

The best way to assure yourself and your family that your meals are GMO-free, is to raise your own, or buy from a grower you trust. Then cook your own foods from scratch using only raw ingredients (no processed ingredients).

Topics in this post:

  • Foods that are GMO or contain GMO ingredients
  • What’s Safe from GMO?
  • Resources (Links for more information)

(more…)

Posted in Agriculture, Food-Nutrition-Health | Comments Closed

Earth Day 2010: Food for Thought

Friday, April 2nd, 2010

by Catherine Haug

NOTE: The opinion expressed in this post is my opinion only, and does not necessarily reflect that of the ESP core team nor of the entire ESP community.

This year, Earth Day – the day we honor that home on which we rely for all our physical needs – celebrates its 40th anniversary on April 22, 2010. And the celebration begins even before that: April 17 – 18 are Global Days of Service, toward making the world more sustainable. And on our National Mall, several programs are planned for that entire week. See Earth Day Network for more.

In this post, I explore the concept of nourishment: how it has gone awry since the advent of the industrial age, and what we, as individuals, can do about it.

The Three Essentials

ESP is concerned with what is essential; the three most critical essentials, all nourishment required for life, are: Food, Air, and Water. Without these three, life is not possible. When the quality of any of these three is diminished, quality of life is weakened. (more…)

Posted in Food-Nutrition-Health, Health | Comments Closed

Gathering Summary: Peaceful Gardens, March 24, 2010

Saturday, March 27th, 2010

Dome in Snow

Summary by Catherine Haug

updated 3/31/10 to add Paul’s photos; 4/18 to add link to coverage by Daily Interlake

Peaceful Gardens, a Cooperative Year-Round Food Production System, presented by Paul Renner.

The following is a short outline of the event. For the complete gathering summary, including photos and links to websites offering online educational videos for many steps in the process, see our pdf file:

Gathering Summary: Peaceful Gardens

See also April 18, 2010 article in Daily InterLake: At Peaceful Gardens, it’s always Growing Season, by Candace Chase

Presentation Outline

Paul began with an introduction that included the following topics: (more…)

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Local Food Production in Montana

Friday, March 26th, 2010

by Catherine Haug, from Cedron Jones of Montanans for Corporate Accountability (MCA)

A four-part series on Local Food Production in Montana, presented at Carroll College in Helena (January – March 2010) completed recently. Below are links to articles concerning topics discussed at these events, provided by event participants. (more…)

Posted in Agriculture, Community Preparedness, Food-Nutrition-Health, Livestock, Local Food System, Shop Local | Comments Closed

Diet, Lifestyle and Health Care Cost

Sunday, March 21st, 2010

by Catherine Haug

It may surprise you to learn that certain diseases or health conditions that are now commonplace, were practically unheard of until the early 1900s. This includes:

  • diabetes
  • clogged arteries (abnormal cholesterol and triglycerides)
  • heart disease
  • high blood pressure
  • obesity
  • periodontal disease

In fact, type-1 diabetes was quite rare, and type-2 diabetes was unheard of. Yes, people did have heart attacks, but it was not the frequent killer, and at such young ages, that it is today.  Even cancer was not as common then as now. (more…)

Posted in Agriculture, Community, Food-Nutrition-Health, Health, Shop Local | Comments Closed

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