Tag Archives: Raw News

Monsanto Causes the “Invasion of the Superweeds”

genetically modified crops
 

nytimes.com

 It’s high time more people took a stand against genetically modified crops. Thankfully, these “super weeds” are taking a stand for the growing majority of us, that want to live toxin-free. Apparently, when Roundup pesticides and genetically modified Roundup ready crops were introduced, scientists predicted that the pesticides would spawn the growth of different kinds of weeds that could eventually grow resistant to the pesticides. In a recent New York Times article, a range of experts offered their opinion on the subject. One of the interesting points that was made is that the planting of Monsanto crops is working against natural order because of  “mono-cropping” or the cultivation of only one-crop over large areas. With our changing and more and more unpredictable climate, biodiversity, meaning  planting a range of various crops is going to be necessary in order for agriculture to continue to thrive.  Our job as humans is not to alter natural order, but to cooperate with it. These weeds are a MAJOR sign that its time to go back to one. The real issue is, will Monsanto be willing to forgo GREED in order to save our land and the lives of millions of Americans? Please read the full article on the NY Times via the link below. – XoXo Raw Girl 

http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/invasion-of-the-superweeds/#preview 

 

More on Monsanto? Visit these old posts:

http://rawgirltoxicworld.com/2010/03/02/act-now-the-ge-gangsters-are-trying-to-take-out-alfalfa/

http://rawgirltoxicworld.com/2010/02/10/why-eat-organic-dangers-of-gmo-foods-proven/

Also if you haven’t yet, watch the movie “Food, Inc.” which gives a nice overview of  Monsanto and GMO foods:

http://rawgirltoxicworld.com/2010/02/07/food-inc-movie-review-im-hungry-for-change/

KFC Serves Up Disease for the Bargain Price of $6.99

Boondocks

Apparently, KFC has decided to take the art of killing people with toxic meals to a whole new level.  Introducing the Double Down Combo, which is literally a “sandwich” that consists of bacon and two types of cheese, sandwiched in between two chicken filets. And, no, I’m not kidding. I nearly gagged when I saw this image. My first thought after seeing this was related to an episode called “The ITIS” from controversial but always hilarious show The Boondocks. In the episode, the grandfather character created a burger which he named “The Luther,” which consisted of bacon, meat, and cheese sandwiched in between two krispy kreme donuts. (Ew!) The grandfather sells this burger and other lard-filled dishes at his restaurant which has beds for all the customers so they can easily pass out after eating. After serving up these meals, the crime level goes wild in the neighborhood, people are hankering for the Luther burger like it’s a crack habit, and the restaurant eventually gets shut down by a woman who sues them for the emotional and physical damage caused by her Luther burger addiction. It’s so absurdly truthful, I couldn’t laugh long enough to keep from crying.

Everyday people are choosing DIS-EASE on a platter. They are encouraged to do so, expected to do so, and even feel entitled to do so.  In some cases they will even scoff at you and your salad even thought they themselves are suffering from ailments, low energy, and general dis-ease. KFC’s Double Down Combo is yet another way Americans have the option to supersize their heart disease, hypertension, stroke, obesity, high blood pressure, etcetera. For the sake of this toxic world, I hope somebody starts to make these fast food chains, processed food conglomerates, and the meat companies who expose animals to torturous conditions and consumers to tainted product more accountable. They should be held partly responsible for the deaths, ailments, the stress, and the pain of consumers who buy into the five seconds of pleasure combined with years of hospital bills provided by the various versions of disease-on-a-bun.  But then again at the end of the day, we all have to make a conscious effort to remind ourselves that whatever we put in our body can have serious consequences to our livelihood. For the sake of our health, our families, and our world, it’s up to each of us to take precautions before the veggie hits the fan and choose LIFE over ITIS on a platter. -XoXo Raw Girl


The FDA Salt Conundrum?

FDA

So apparently the Food and Drug Administration might make a decision that would actually save lives for once. Who knows what has brought on this brief moment of clarity, but I’m sure you’ve heard that the FDA has just realized it could revitalize the health of Americans by forcing manufacturers to cut down on the salt in processed foods. Cool. That just took thousands of people dying, and getting sick from terminal diseases, and of course the skyrocketing obesity issue. Well I say better late than never, even though I think it some cases, latecomers should wear a dunce cap in class.

If the members of the FDA were in my health 101 class, after putting them in corners with their clearly marked dunce caps,  I would kindly break it down to them that white sugar, white salt, and white flour, are the deadly trinity of substances found in most processed foods in excess that are causing widespread illness and disease. The funny thing is, the reason why a lot of these processed “foods” are loaded with salt and sugar, is that if they were stripped away to their bare ingredients you would taste the fact that what you are eating is not food, it is a processed, sometimes stale mix of chemicals, high fructose corn  syrup, and sometimes even industrial materials!

Apparently this may be a ten year faze out program. I have no idea how you can rationalize taking so long to make a major improvement in the lives of Americans whose health is already in serious jeopardy. In my opinion they need to make that new standard happen, pronto, before we start seeing children with hypertension and heart disease. But until then, I’m avoiding the toxic mayhem altogether and getting my daily  dose of natural salt from my celery juice. – XoXo Raw Girl

Check out the article in the Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/19/AR2010041905049.html

Act Now! The GE Gangsters Are Trying to Take Out Alfalfa

alfalfa

Unfortunately my friends, the Monsanto mafia is at it again. Apparently, genetically engineering corn is not enough. Considering all of the money they have made, all of the disease creating processed foods sold from the genetically engineered (GE) corn, all the farmers put out of business or bankrupt, and all of the fields of natural corn contaminated by the GE corn, you would think they perhaps could stop there? Unfortunately not. Now these folks want to colonize and orchestrate another gangster takeover of a very nutrient dense food: alfalfa.

That’s right, Monsanto is looking to introduce Roundup Ready Alfalfa into the market. Keep in mind that their roundup ready crops (these are crops that are compatible with the pesticides they created) when grown, contaminate crops that are not GE. What this means is one field can be planted, the crop will spread and contaminate other natural sources. This phenomenon is definitely plant colonization at it’s best and will threaten not only our lives from the processed foods they will sell, but it will do more damage to the livelihood of our American farmers, who are already knee-deep in debt and being bullied by the food corporations insistent upon having complete control of the market.

More is at stake than just alfalfa people. If Americans do not wake up, I have no doubt that we may soon see a complete takeover and have no true sources of natural food available. They MUST BE STOPPED NOW before the organic veggie hits the fan.

Please visit the link below to read more  and send comments! We have to take action, and only have until this Wednesday, March 3rd. If we don’t stand up for our rights to un-colonized, un-engineered foods, who will?

http://ga3.org/campaign/alfalfaEIS/explanation

Ready to dish out an organic can of whoop-ass.

-XoXo Raw Girl

Say What: McCain is Messing With My Supplements?

health advocacy

I smell a cat fight. For real people, somebody might have to hold me back while I take off my earrings and stilettos, because I’m about to lay down a can of whoop ass.

Apparently the beloved Senator McCain has filed a new bill called the Dietary Supplement Safety Act.  This law would in essence give the FDA the power to ban certain supplements, and reclassify others making some only available as drugs, no longer over the counter. As nutrient-starved as we are in this culture, now they want to regulate our supplementation?

Some recent incidents with “supplement abuse”  (more like steroids) by professional athletes was one of his primary arguments for this bill. Do the actions of a handful of professional athletes really have to impact the availability of supplements for the general population? Something smells very fishy, besides all the salmonella recalled produce. Please visit the link below to read more, and also click TAKE ACTION which will allow you to join the campaign to STOP THIS BILL!              – XoXo Raw Girl

Click Below to Read More on the Alliance for Natural Health website:

http://www.anh-usa.org/new_site/?p=2307

Why Eat Organic? Dangers of GMO Foods Proven

GMO

While browsing and doing research on an entirely different topic,  I stumbled upon an article on Raw Food Life, which discussed a new study on Monsanto’s genetically modified, what they rightfully called “frankenfoods.” If you don’t know anything about Monsanto, please watch Food Inc. or do some research. These gangsters patent our seeds and have been responsible for delivering and selling us GMO food and putting a great deal of farmers in America out of business.  The gist of the findings is that all GMO foods have pesticide residue that is very harmful to the body and do real damage to major organs including: the kidneys, liver, the dietary detoxifying organs, the  heart, adrenal glands, spleen and more. Does that GMO apple look as good to you now? I hope not. If you haven’t jumped on the organic bandwagon, you are putting your long-term health in jeopardy.  Read below to get the full low down. – XoXo Raw Girl

http://www.rawfoodlife.com/monsantofrankenfoodsexposed.html

Hines Nut Co. Announces Pine Nut Recall

food poisoning

After just watching Food, Inc. and ranting in my last post about the pitfalls of our industrialized factory-based food production, here goes another mention to add fuel to the fire.  Apparently, our nuts aren’t even safe. A friend forwarded the press release below. If you know anyone who regularly shops at Harris Teeter, and happens to love pine nuts, they may be at risk for salmonella poisoning. Spread the word! – XoXo Raw Girl


Hines Nut Company Announces Recall of Pine Nuts Because of Possible Health Risk 

Contact:
Chris Hines or Deborah Hines
214-939-0253

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Dallas, TX, January 15, 2010 – Hines Nut Company has initiated a recall of 270 packages of Pine Nuts, packaged under the brand name Harris Teeter Farmers Market. The Pine Nuts were purchased from Red River Foods in Camarillo, CA, and have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The recalled product was sold in 8 oz foam trays wrapped in cellophane and carry the UPC code 0 72036 88121 0. The Pine Nuts were distributed solely to Harris Teeter Markets in North Carolina. Consumers who purchased this product between December 30, 2009, and January 14, 2010 should contact Hines Nut Company for information on how to return the product for a refund.

There have been no complaints or any reported illnesses related to the products to date.

The problem was discovered through routine sampling by the supplier, Red River Foods.

Consumers with questions may contact Hines Nut Company at 214-939-0253 (M-F, 6:30 AM to 3:30 PM CDT).

Health Care Reform or Healthier Food? New Movie: Food, Inc.

contamination

Just yesterday, I had a discussion with a colleague who has an interest in working in government policy. He adamantly declared that instead of only focusing on health care reform, why are we also talking about what Americans are eating and ways to prevent the epidemic of disease in this country?? I second that motion; but the issue is clear. A lot of people are making a lot of money at both ends of the spectrum. They make money when we shove our mouths with their industrial, bacteria laden foods, and also later when we are in the hospitals for cancer, strokes, diabetes, etc.  Crazily enough, when we get to the hospital, they continue to shove the same nutrient deficient  food down our throats that got us there in the first place.

The only way there will be a real change, is if we as consumers stop feeding the machine and demand the right to take control of our own health. Food, Inc. a film produced and directed by Robert Kenner, seems to be a film that will argue just that, and give people a deeper understanding of what exactly it is that they are eating on a daily basis. If you are a netflix junkie, like I am, you can watch the film instantly or on DVD via Netflix!  Check out the trailer below:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2sgaO44_1c]

For more information about the film, visit the official movie site:

http://www.foodincmovie.com/

The Vegan Debate: Some Raw Advocates Admit They Are Not Completely Vegan

animal products

I found this very interesting article posted today via The Fresh Network,  based in the UK, who publish a magazine entitled Get Fresh! highlighting raw foods and holistic nutrition.  Apparently some raw food advocates have admitted to consuming animal products or have started to openly promote them! This is very interesting to me, because often when I  attend raw food conferences and workshops, I  notice some speakers who look, well, frankly ill, if you ask me. Then there are those who actually look exceptionally healthy. My whole thing is, if you aren’t walking the walk, please don’t talk the talk. I tend to ignore the recommendations of someone who doesn’t look like their own advice is working for them.

Everyone’s body is different yes, but the results people have received from incorporating raw foods into their diets is REAL. From healing terminal diseases to shedding pounds, common sense tells us that it has to be a good thing to completely eliminate or avoid as much man-made food in our diets as possible. Now, the issue of 100% raw or not I think is a separate matter which every person has to decide for themselves. I tried 100% and now I’m pretty much 90% because I still eat cooked quinoa, make my own hummus with cooked chickpeas (vegan of course), and very occasionally in winter have lentil soup. 

For me raw was a natural extension of my long-term veganism. I can’t comprehend ever going from raw to animal products? That just sounds crazy to me. In the end, each person must do what works for them, and hopefully people can learn to find a personal balance of discipline for the sake of optimal health, without clinging to their diet like it’s a religion.

What I love about the debate presented in this article is that most of the experts interviewed stress that supplementation on the vegan diet is key for long-term success. Not just B12, but also Vitamin D, and other trace minerals. I learned quickly after diving into the raw diet, that mineral deficiencies are very real, and now have transitioned into being more optimally raw by making sure I am taking all the necessary supplements my body needs to function properly. 

To read the full article:

http://fresh-network.typepad.com/fresh_network_blog/2010/01/the-rise-of-raw-but-not-vegan.html#more

Spirulina: A Way to Fight HIV

AIDS

Recently, I began consuming spirulina in the powder form regularly, mostly because of its incredible nutritional content which makes it superior to heavy vitamin supplementation. For those who have never heard of it, spirulina is a microscopic blue-green algae, that got its name because it has a spiral coil shape.  I was in the middle of writing an article on the benefits of spirulina, when I came upon several reports and articles discussing a Harvard scientific study proving that spirulina extract prevented replication of the AIDS virus, even in low concentrations! Why this information is not more readily discussed or available, I do not know. This brief article was published in 1996 on Business Wire, and at the time further study was supposed to be conducted with the extract on AIDS patients…

To read more:

http://www.aegis.com/NEWS/BW/1996/BW960418.html

More on spirulina coming soon…