by Catherine Haug, September 6, 2012
OK, I’ll admit it, many processed foods taste better than homemade, and they are certainly quicker and less work to prepare. What makes them taste so scrumptious? Does this have a down side? (more…)
Archive for the ‘Post Topics’ Category
Another Reason to Avoid Processed Foods
Sunday, September 9th, 2012Organics: Are they really no better than non-organics?
Sunday, September 9th, 2012by Catherine Haug, September 7, 2012
Last week, the media (2,3,4) were all abuzz about a new study from a Stanford University Medical School team. They surveyed the global literature for “evidence of differences between the nutritional quality and safety of organic and conventional foods,” (1) and came to two major conclusions (1):
- “The published literature lacks strong evidence that organic foods are significantly more nutritious than conventional foods.”
- “Consumption of organic foods may reduce exposure to pesticide residues and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.”
What does this mean for us, the consumers? What does this mean for those of us who want to eat the most healthful diet? What does this mean for the health of our environment? (more…)
Drought & Warming Climate in Montana
Sunday, September 2nd, 2012
Soapberry Shrub
by Catherine Haug, Sept 2, 2012
Photo by Catherine Haug
First I want to be clear on this point: this post is not about whether our warming trend is human caused. This post is about what we all are observing this year throughout Montana, and what we can – and should- do to avert trouble from the drought.
The last two winters, Montana was blessed with heavy snowfall in the mountains, and we all rejoiced that drought was over. Little did we guess that this summer would be one of the driest on record and that drought east of the divide would be so intense and devastating to our forests and our agricultural economy.
It’s not been as bad here in Western Montana, but yesterday, I found strong evidence of the effect of increasing drought in my own yard. (more…)
Growing Change: a documentary film about food sustainability
Sunday, September 2nd, 2012by Catherine Haug, Sept 1, 2012
The 60-minute film: Growing Change, a Journey Inside Venezuela’s Food Revolution, from Simon Cunich, has recently been released. Viewing:
- You can view it for free, online, through Sept 3, 2012 on Mercola’s website: Documentary Investigates Our Current Food System and the Solutions to World Hunger.
- After that date, you can pay to view it online; see beamafilm.com/film-1612606837001.php.
- View the trailer: Trailer: Growing Change
For more about this film, see SimonCunich.com: About the Film, which begins with:
Growing Change follows the filmmaker’s journey to understand why current food systems leave hundreds of millions of people in hunger. It’s a journey to understand how the world will feed itself in the future in the face of major environmental challenges.
Pollinators: Critically Important Partners
Sunday, August 12th, 2012by Catherine Haug, August 12, 2012
The summer issue of Organic Matters, the magazine of Montana Organic Association (MOA) had a great article on Pollinators: Your Stealthy Partners, by Anna Jones-Crabtree of Vilicus Farms (in Havre (2)), with Jennifer Hopwood of the Xerces Society (3).
At a recent short course on pollinators in Great Falls, the only farmers in attendance were Organic! Now that tells you something … For key points from the short course, with my notes added, read on.
Preparing for widespread drought
Saturday, August 11th, 2012
Dryland Farming-Palouse
by Catherine Haug, August 11, 2012
(Photo, right, from Wikipedia)
We’ve all heard about the disastrous drought in the high plains and midwest portions of our country – from Nebraska to Texas; Colorado to Kentucky. Just the other day, the Daily Interlake carried an article about the drying and heating up of rivers in Nebraska and Iowa, a problem that is cooking fish to death as the streams exceed 90° F.
While we haven’t yet felt the drought here in NW Montana (and the rest of the Pacific NW), that doesn’t mean that we won’t feel it in future years. Yes, it’s hard to look at the high water in our reservoirs and lakes, and think that a drought could happen. But our part of the state did experience drought during the dust bowl years.
As the drought conditions spread to more states, including ours, how will we cope? How will we feed and water our livestock? How will we nurture our gardens? Will our water supplies hold up? Where will our food come from? (more…)