Articles
Food & Nutrition
Organic Milk Does The Body Better
Janelle Sorensen
Thursday, October 02, 2008
According to the USDA, there is supposedly no difference between regular milk and organic milk, aside from how the cows are raised and an obvious difference in price. For some, the environmental benefits of organic farming are enough justification to pay the premium, but many others need to know they’re paying more for a better product. But now the studies showing that organic milk is indeed better are building up.
The Not-so-little Regulatory System that Couldn’t: How Toys End Up Toxic
Dr. David Wallinga
Thursday, August 14, 2008
How many times have we heard, “If it wasn’t safe, the government wouldn’t let them sell it.”? While true to some degree -- such as the FDA’s pre-market testing of pharmaceuticals -- a lot of things slip through the regulatory cracks.
Low Cost Ideas for Eating Organic
SustainLane
Friday, March 07, 2008
The evidence is mounting that organic food is safer and more nutritious than conventional food.
How to Make Your Own Organic Baby Food
SustainLane
Monday, March 03, 2008
Making your own baby food is easy and economical. All you need is a blender or food processor (although in many cases a fork will do the trick). Some empty ice cube trays are handy for freezing small portions for future use.
Going Home with Your New Baby
Dr. Alan Greene
www.drgreene.com
Friday, January 04, 2008
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Shortly after your labor and delivery, the mixed anxiety and joy of this life experience will be in your past, and it will be time to look forward to the future—to the time when your baby will live and grow in the protective environment that you will create in your home.
Baking Without Refined Sugar
SustainLane
Monday, March 03, 2008
A few modifications in your diet can reduce the amount of refined sugar without forcing you to sacrifice sweets.
The Sweet Stuff: The Best and Worst of Sweeteners
SustainLane
Monday, March 03, 2008
Sugar and spice and everything nice--well, almost.
Have A Happy, HEALTHFUL, Fun and Safe Halloween!
Nicole Meadow, Registered Dietitian
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
With Halloween around the corner, here are a few tips for a happy and healthy Halloween for you and your family:
How to find Seafood you can trust
Timothy O'Shea from CleanFish
Monday, October 22, 2007
I am sending this note to every parent who wants a healthier world and desires to have a healthy child as part of that world.
Summer BBQ - Food Safety Tips
Nicole Meadow, Registered Dietician
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Nothing is more fun than a summer BBQ… but did you know that this is a time when rates of food borne illnesses soar? Yes, it is time to talk about food safety so that all of your parties can go off without a hitch!
Is My Child’s Appetite Normal
Nicole Meadow, MPN, RD
Monday, September 10, 2007
Hungry all the Time? Eats like a bird? These phrases are uttered quite frequently by parents when describing their children’s appetites.
Antioxidant Power
Nicole Meadow, MPN, RD
Monday, August 13, 2007
The buzz word of the decade is antioxidant. It discussed practically everywhere, but it seems that people are still pretty confused about the concept. What exactly are antioxidants, what do they do and how can you maximize your intake?
Fruit Yogurt Popsicles
Nicole Meadow, MPN, RD
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
A recipe for a cool summer treat.
Shopper’s Guide to Plastics & Food: Microwave Ovens
Allison Sloan and Pamela Lundquist
The Green Guide #88/89
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
A “microwave-safe” label does not guarantee that containers don’t leach chemicals into foods when heated.
Recommended Books
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
The following books are excellent resources on children's environmental health issues and how to make your home and community safer for children and adults alike.
Shopper’s Guide to Plastics & Food: Cling Wrap
Allison Sloan and Pamela Lundquist
The Green Guide #88/89
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Cling wrap can be a useful tool in the kitchen when cooking or putting away food. But some commerical wraps and other food packaging are made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which can contain potentially harmful plasticizing chemicals.
Shopper’s Guide to Plastics & Food: Alternatives to the Problem Plastics
Allison Sloan and Pamela Lundquist
The Green Guide #88/89
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
These simple steps will help you reduce the use of plastics for food packaging and storage.
Why We Need Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods
Food, Farms and Genetic Engineering
Mothers & Others for a Livable Planet
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Labeling of genetically engineered foods is not required by law, except where genes from common food allergens, such as peanuts and shellfish, are used, or the nutritional value is enhanced.
Why We Should Care About Genetically Engineered Foods
Food, Farms and Genetic Engineering
Mothers & Others for a Livable Planet
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Genetic engineering has entered our lives with quiet but forceful determination on the part of companies and the government. Without adequate testing, labeling, careful legislative oversight or public debate, consumers are expected to accept this technology and its promised benefits without a full discussion of its risks.
Companies and Genetic Engineering
Food, Farms and Genetic Engineering
Mothers & Others for a Livable Planet
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Companies need to hear consumer opinion on genetic engineering.
Food, Farms and Genetic Engineering
Food, Farms and Genetic Engineering
Mothers and Others for a Livable Planet
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Questions about genetically engineered products, how safe they are and learning more about your choices.
Why Go Organic?
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
In 2003, consumers purchased $10.8 billion worth of organic products, from staples like milk, eggs and lettuce to personal care products, nutritional supplements and pet food, according to the Organic Trade Association.
The Myths of Biotechnology on the Farm
Food, Farms and Genetic Engineering
Mothers & Others for a Livable Planet
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Both large and small farmers initially hoped that genetically engineered seeds would increase yields, decrease pesticide use and reduce the necessity of labor-intensive weed control. There’s evidence, however, that chemical use on major genetically engineered crops, such as corn and soy, has not declined. In some cases, it has actually increased.
10 Largest Companies that Make Our Food
The Agribusiness Accountability Initiative
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Data pointing out the companies that are heavily involved in producing our food.
Persistent Organic Pollutants Increase Risk of Several Cancers
Mt Sinai Medical School
Center for Children’s Health and the Envrionment,
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma, & Cancer in Children
The good news about cancer is that, overall, the death rate is declining, thanks to early detection, advances in treatment, and preventive efforts (less smoking, less exposure to second hand smoke, and less exposure to certain industrial chemicals and to asbestos). Some cancer incidence rates have also declined (lung in men, uterine, stom
New USDA Seal Makes Identifying Organic Foods Easier
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Some parents switch to organic foods for their kids' sake, because they want to provide them with healthy meals and snacks. But there are a good number of people who ask: How can I know that a food labeled "organic" truly is organic? And what does "organic" really mean, anyway?
On the Farm
Food, Farms and Genetic Engineering
Mothers & Others for a Livable Planet
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
When genetically engineered (GE) seeds first came onto the market, farmers nationwide bought into the new technology. But many farmers are now expressing concern that the introduction of these crops may have been premature.
In the Supermarket
Food, Farms and Genetic Engineering
Mothers & Others for a Livable Planet
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
How to navigate around genetically engineered products in the supermarket.
In the Kitchen
Foods, Farms and Genetic Engineering
Mothers & Others for a Livable Planet
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
How to limit exposure to genetic engineered material in the kitchen.
Gene Pollution and Farmer Liability
Food, Farms and Genetic Engineering
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Genetically engineered contamination of organic crops, how it occurs and who is liable for it.
Defending Farmers’ Right to Choose
Food, Farms and Genetic Engineering
Mothers & Others for a Livable Planet
Thursday, July 05, 2007
The biotechnology and agricultural industries have rapidly consolidated through mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures. Many farmers and farm groups – from Farm Aid to the American Corn Growers Association – have expressed fear that soon only a handful of multinational corporations will make all the decisions about our food system. This would leave farmers with few choices in seeds, the chemicals used on crops and cultivation methods. Some seed varieties may simply be discontinued. Organic and nonhybrid seeds, such as "heirloom," and traditional fruits or grains may be hard to come by.
Assert Your Rights for Safe, GE-free Food
Food, Farms and Genetic Engineering
Mothers & Others for a Livable Planet
Friday, July 27, 2007
Currently, U.S. government policies amount to a denial of our right to know whether our food contains genetically engineered (GE) ingredients. Although three different agencies are responsible for regulating GE crops, none requires safety testing or labeling of these novel foods. Mothers & Others seeks to change these policies through citizen letters demanding adequate safety testing and labeling of GE foods. Pick up your pen and let the federal government hear your concerns about unlabeled and inadequately tested genetically engineered foods!
Produce PLU Codes Reveal If It’s Organic, Transgenic or Conventional
Healthy Child Healthy World
Friday, July 27, 2007
What the Price Look Up code can tell you quickly without having to rely on the cashier in a produce market.
Keep Safe From Mad Cow: How to Choose Safer Beef
Healthy Child Healthy World
Thursday, July 26, 2007
While the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is emphasizing that one mad cow does not an epidemic make, you may be feeling apprehensive about eating beef or serving it to your family. Humans can contract the human form of mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), by eating beef contaminated with affected brain or central nervous system tissue. Experts agree that the risk of exposure to BSE in the United States is now low.
Hormones in Our Food: How to Eat Less of Them
Kathryn Perrotti Leavitt
Thursday, July 26, 2007
A list of natural alternatives to decrease hormone intake.
Trans Fat… Beware!
Nicole Meadow
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Trans fats have been receiving a lot of bad press lately, and for good reason!
Hormones in Our Food
Kathryn Perrotti Leavitt
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Hormones are regularly used in animal food production. Are the residues harmful to humans and who is most vulnerable to their effects?
Healthy Highways: The Traveler’s Guide to Healthy Eating
Nikki & David Goldbeck
Ceres Press
Friday, July 20, 2007
Any car trip can result in a visit to a fast food restaurant. Fight the urge by keeping a copy of the book, Healthy Highways: The Traveler's Guide to Healthy Eating in your vehicle at all times!
Food Additives: Among Thousands, Which are Safe?
Pamela Lundquist
Friday, July 20, 2007
Thousands of additives are put in the food that we eat. Some have been thoroughly tested, while others haven't.
Fish and Seafood: Charting a Course for the Safest Choices
Pamela Lundquist
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Tuna fish sandwiches are a staple in many kids’ lunches. In fact, tuna is the most popular fish in the U.S. The good news about tuna’s popularity: Fish is a healthy protein source that’s naturally low in fat and one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which help prevent heart attacks and lower bad cholesterol (LDLs) while raising good cholesterol (HDLs).
The bad news: Tuna and many other kinds of fish can be contaminated with toxins due to pollution. These toxins are particularly dangerous for children. They can raise a child's risk for cancer, cause brain damage, and disrupt hormonal activity. Even developing babies in the womb can be exposed to — and harmed by — these chemicals.
Dr. Greene’s Organic Prescription
Dr. Alan Greene
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Go Organic at Your Own Pace
Are you ready to make healthy organic changes in your family's diet, but confused about the best way to stretch your food dollars? Welcome to Dr. Greene's Organic Prescription! Whether you're new to eating organic or you have been making organic choices for years, Dr. Greene will help you make the best choices possible - for your health, your children's health, and the health of the planet. You may be surprised by the items on Dr. Greene's list!
Antibiotics in Our Food
Kathryn Leavitt
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
To prevent infection and make them grow faster, farmers routinely give healthy animals–everything from chickens, pigs and cows to sheep, goats, turkeys, and even farmed fish–"subtherapeutic," or low level, doses of antibiotics. These wonder drugs, used to cure humans of sometimes lethal bacterial illnesses, are also regularly sprayed on fruit trees, potatoes and other crops to control infections. In short, the food that our children eat is produced with loads of antibiotics.
What Shouldn’t Be There: Contaminants in Children’s Food
Becky Gillette
Healthy Child Healthy World
Monday, July 16, 2007
Eat your spinach, moms chant across the nation. As much as kids try to avoid the green stuff, moms know it is a safe bet nutritionally. But, increasingly, researchers are discovering some unappetizing facts about our foods:
A Doctor’s Viewpoint: Chemical Contaminants and Farmed Salmon
Dr. David Carpenter, Healthy Child Science Advisory Committee
Monday, July 16, 2007
Most salmon sold in supermarkets today come from fish farms. Farming of salmon has several advantages, in that they are available year round, and are less expensive than wild salmon. However farmed salmon contain levels of 13 fat-soluble persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that are on average ten times higher than those found in wild salmon.
Why Go Organic? From Shopping for Organic Factsheet
Healthy Child Healthy World
Excerpted with permission from Mothers & Others for a Livable Planet
Friday, July 13, 2007
In 2003, consumers purchased $10.38 billion worth of organic products, from staples like milk, eggs and lettuce to snacks such as cookies, tortilla chips and salsa, according to the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA’s) 2004 Manufacturer Survey.
Where to Find Organic Foods
Healthy Child Healthy World
Excerpted with permission from Mothers & Others for a Livable Planet
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Reduce Toxicity, Fight Fat
Janelle Sorensen
Healthy Child Healthy World
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Americans are getting fatter and fatter. Since the mid-seventies, the number of people who are overweight or obese has more than doubled.
Breakfast Boosts Brainpower
Nicole Meadow, Registered Dietician
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Breakfast is an important part of a healthful diet, yet tends to be the meal that is most often neglected or skipped. Research has shown that children who eat breakfast perform better academically than children who do not eat breakfast. Why, you ask?
How Well Do YOU Know Your Grains?
Nicole Meadow, Registered Dietician
Monday, July 09, 2007
The most recent 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggests “making half of your grains whole”.
5-A-Day Everyday: The Colorful Way
Nicole Meadow, Registered Dietician
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Research has shown that diets rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of certain types of cancers and other chronic diseases. That’s why eating FIVE or more servings of COLORFUL fruits and vegetables everyday should be incorporated into your healthful eating plan.
Storing Baby’s Milk
Healthy Child Healthy World
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Chances are, whether you bottle feed your baby or nurse her, there will be times when you need to store her infant formula or breastmilk. It turns out that glass may be the best material for storage.
Bringing Back the Family Meal
Nicole Meadow, Registered Dietician
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
With today’s busy schedules, it’s easy to understand why the family meal may be one of the first things to fall by the wayside. And yet, family meals are not only a time for strengthening family ties and keeping track of your children’s lives, they can actually lead to better physical and mental health for your children!
Ironing Out Iron Nutrition
Nicole Meadow, Registered Dietician
Monday, June 25, 2007
Iron is an essential mineral required for both children and adults.
Feeding with the Bottle
Healthy Child Healthy World
Monday, June 25, 2007
The healthiest and most environmentally safe baby food is breast milk, and the American Academy of Pediatricians recommends that mothers breastfeed their babies for one year. But many times mothers are not always able to breastfeed.
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