Free NON-GMO Shopping Guide!

Bring on the ‘Mama Bears’ and lets keep our kids healthy!
Just finished watching the Genetic Roulette Film all about issues, (such as potential side effects like chronic diseases, allergies, asthma, autism) from eating Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Foods.
Get the Free Non-GMO shopping app or pocket guide :
http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com/
In our house, we use the Precautionary Principle and eat non-GMO style as best we can (given lack of food labelling) with organic whole foods; even avoiding any soy, canola, most sugar, all aspertame, corn except for the odd organic corn tortilla. Just as we know kids are more vulnerable to environmental pollutants, the film noted kids are more vulnerable to any issues related to eating GMO foods too.  With kids’ higher metabolic rate and higher cell turnover because they are growing, they are much more susceptible to everything around them and the energy feeding them.  Why not fuel our little whirlwinds with the best food nature has to offer?

Pediatricians warn: Too many pesticides!

Oh I am so glad to read this Environmental Working Group article titled:  Nation’s Pediatricians Warn against Pesticides in Food.  Thank you American Academy of Pediatrics for acknowledging there is a link between toxins and health and finally recommending ways in which the whole community needs to protect our little ones from toxins!

Here are the sentences from the EWG article that stood out for me:

“The American Academy of Pediatrics has taken the unprecedented step of issuing a policy statement…to take concerted action to protect children from pesticides.”     “…growing body of scientific evidence that links these toxic chemicals not only to outright poisoning but also to subtle and sometimes life-altering health problems to which children are especially vulnerable.”
“Epidemiologic evidence demonstrates associations between early life exposure to pesticides and pediatric cancers, decreased cognitive function, and behavioral problems.”
“Pediatricians need better training on pesticides’ effects, treatment of acute poisoning, ways of addressing more prevalent lower dose chronic exposures in children and pesticide labeling. ”

Check out The American Academy of Pediatricians complete Policy Statement:  “Pesticide Exposure in Children”

Some Lawn Chemicals may be banned in MB

Yes finally Manitoba may join most of the rest of Canada and breathe a bit easier during future “yellow flower” seasons.

Check out last week’s CBC news clip:   “Plans are underway to prohibit the use of noxious chemicals for killing lawn weeds”, Mychalo Prystupa reports.   Apparently, consultations are to begin this Spring with legislation possible in 2013.

(Big thank you to one of our customers for all her hard work following up with this issue!  It only takes one person to make a huge difference for everyone’s better health sake!)

Manitoba pressured on ‘cosmetic’ pesticides

If you missed the recent CBC T.V. clip about the status of Manitoba’s Cosmetic Pesticide use, check it out at this link:  http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2011/05/26/mb-lawn-chemical-ban.html

Here are a 2 points I found interesting:   (Yes, let’s talk precautionary principle!!!)

1)  “Winnipeg oncologist Dr.Matthew Seftel says the science is compelling.  Though he admits no studies have proven pesticides cause cancer, he says there’s enough evidence to suggest there’s a risk, and he hopes Manitoba will adopt a ban as a precaution.  “And that’s what the precautionary principle is,” Seftel said.  “To say, even though we don’t have 100 per cent proof, the weight of the evidence is moving in that direction.”

2)  “The Provincial Government’s Conservation Minister’s advisory council, the Manitoba Rountable on Sustainability, also recommended a ban in a recent report.   The report also says medical studies, compiled by the Ontario College of Family Physicians in 2004, have linked pesticides with a dizzying list of diseases: breast cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, lung cancer, congenital malformations, childhood leukemia, kidney cancer, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s.”

“Growing Up Organic” program for Schools

After watching the movie, Fresh, here is one solution to getting more organic, sustainable foods into your kids, even at school for snack time!

Growing Up Organic

Why should we eat organic food?
Organic food is produced without the
chemical fertilizers and pesticides, plant
and animal growth regulators, hormones
and antibiotics that are commonly used in
industrial or conventional growing. Several
studies (www.cog.ca/guo.htm) have shown
that exposure to these agricultural chemicals
can affect the development of the cognitive
and motor systems of children as well as their
reproductive systems. Support local organic
production and keep our children and future
healthy!

“Dirty Dozen” produce…yikes on the pesticides!

I was shocked to read the following:  “Each year, nearly 2,000 Manitobans are diagnosed
with a cancer related to an unhealthy diet, and nearly 30% of all cancers diagnosed are
weight-related.”  (Source:  www.cancercare.mb.ca)

Check out this “dirty dozen” list of produce and try to go organic and local when possible
for at least these ones!

RANK	FRUIT OR VEGGIE
1 (worst)	Peaches
2	Apples
3	Sweet Bell Peppers
4	Celery
5	Nectarines
6	Strawberries
7	Cherries
8	Lettuce
9	Grapes – Imported
10	Pears
11	Spinach
12	Potatoes

Source:  Environmental Working Group http://www.foodnews.org/

News Coverage

CNN: ‘Dirty Dozen’ produce carries more pesticide residue, group says

CNN, Sanjay Gupta and Danielle Dellorto
Published June 1, 2010

(CNN) — If you’re eating non-organic celery today, you may be ingesting 67 pesticides
with it, according to a new report from the Environmental Working Group.

The group, a nonprofit focused on public health, scoured nearly 100,000 produce pesticide reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to determine what fruits and vegetables we eat have the highest, and lowest, amounts of chemical residue.

Most alarming are the fruits and vegetables dubbed the “Dirty Dozen,”
which contain 47 to 67 pesticides per serving. These foods are believed to be most susceptible
because they have soft skin that tends to absorb more pesticides.

“It’s critical people know what they are consuming,” the Environmental Working Group’s Amy Rosenthal said. “The list is based on pesticide tests conducted after the produce was washed with USDA high-power pressure water system. The numbers reflect the closest thing to what consumers are buying at the store.”

Story highlights:                                                                                                                                     Studies have found associations between pesticides and health problems.
What is a pesticide?                                                                                                                                                                                                       Can small amounts hurt you?                                                                                                                                                                                    Can pesticides be washed away?

Read the full story and watch Dr. Gupta’s reporting on the new Shopper’s Guide here:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/06/01/dirty.dozen.produce.pesticide/index.html