Labels, labels, labels

All natural means nothing

Disclaimer:  I believe it’s all connected.

I ran into a former colleague recently in the line of parents shipping holiday packages to our children who couldn’t fly home with gifts.  As we waited I learned she is a breast cancer survivor and has come to share my passion for reading and interpreting product labels.

On the drive back to the farm our conversation continued in my head and I speculated how long the list of family, friends and colleagues - either honored or memorialized - would be on my 2012 Susan Komen Race for the Cure application. And, I remembered how many had incorporated research into food and diet as part of their treatment.

The encounter with my colleague inspired me to follow-up on something I’ve intended to do for a while, but I’ll explain that in a bit.

Labels (talking only about food today) tell us much more than nutrition facts.  If you look into definitions formulated and standardized by federal agencies you can learn the difference, for example, between 100% organic, organic, and made with organic ingredients.  You’ll also learn that “natural” has very little meaning from a food safety perspective. For those who link quality of their food to the quality of their health, this information is critical.  Note: If organic vs. conventionally grown foods is a question you’d like to answer, you may find this Mayo Clinic  article helpful.

Two nonprofit organizations are providing valuable tools for interpreting labels and learning what you’re eating: The Pesticide Action Network (PAN) and Environmental Working Group (EWG).

·      PAN’s online tool “What’s on My Food” provides an easy-to-follow database that shows pesticide concentrations in each food listed based on testing completed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

·      EWG analyzes USDA data each year to rank foods with the highest and lowest concentration of pesticides, aka The Dirty Dozen and The Clean Fifteen.  These lists are helpful for budget-conscious shoppers who can choose organic foods when it matters and purchase conventionally grown foods from the safer list.  Take this link to download the pdf for The Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen.

Eating organic when I can is important to me for several reasons and my health is one of them.  Each time I wheel through Kroger’s organic produce section, I sigh when I realize there is no organic kale (see The Dirty Dozen). I’ve asked at the local store level to add this product without success but conventionally grown kale is always available.  This will be the year I persist in reaching decision-makers at my grocery store to implement a simple marketing strategy: make certain the Organic Produce Section includes alternatives to The Dirty Dozen.  If you’re a Kroger shopper, here’s a link  or call 1-800-576-4377 to add your voice.  Just paste in the Dirty Dozen and ask for organic alternatives.  Share this with your friends.  Please share your efforts and experiences for other grocery stores and food outlets.

Love you Aunt Jane, Granny Vip, the Lauras, Kathy, She Who is Appreciated, my Colleague . . .

Living the blur, on to 2012

I looked up again, the leaves were gone and Red Tail hawk were hunting from power lines in the bright, winter light as they watched for prey and as I zipped east and west on I-40. After September and the Hummingbird Festival, life has been an action-packed blur. More on that later . . .

One of the rules of blogging is don’t start if you aren’t going to be consistent. I haven’t been, which I regret but know that it will probably happen again. I ask for your patience.

First, the catch-up: Thanks to our speakers and each of you who contributed your voice and experiences at the Sustainability Tent round table discussions during the Strawberry Plains Audubon Center Hummingbird Festival.  If you weren’t able to join us, click here for a few helpful resources.  Glad to meet several new leaders in sustainable practices including a representative of a Houston boutique specializing in selling recycled and 100% recyclable products who wanted to know more about Bon Ami, and an instructor who focuses on sustainability at a Dallas school.

One of our visitors was Marion Sansing, Executive Director for Gaining Ground Sustainability Institute of Mississippi. For residents of Mississippi, there are chapters for The Pinebelt, North Central and the Golden Triangle Area.

On to 2012: As you build your calendar for 2012, consider participating in Gaining Ground’s third conference on “Living Sustainably Within Your Community” February 25 at the Eagle Ridge Conference Center in Raymond, MS. 

And while we’re talking planning, don’t forget the Great Backyard Bird Count on President’s Day Weekend, February 17-20.  For the past four years, our small community of Hudsonville  has met at one farm and then moved on to at least one more farm, sometimes two to check species and enjoy a great day of walking. We’ve already spotted the Northern Harrier and we’re hoping the Bald Eagle will show up during the count this year.

One last 2012 calendar entry for you, the Native Plant Sale at Strawberry Plains Audubon Center May 18 and 19.  This is your chance to visit the beautiful grounds of the center, but also the opportunity to learn more about the critical connection between native plants and bird and insect species.  If you’re interested in a little reading beforehand, read Dr. Doug Tallamy’s book “Bringing Nature Home.” Also read “Mindful Gardening,” my article in Arkansas Wild last March including a helpful calendar.

 I resolve to share more great opportunities in the mid-South during the next 12 months, and, yes, post more regularly. Forward your events and I’ll include in a future post.

More on that later . . . The blur consisted of helping out with a few nonprofit events including The Wrecking Ball, but has mostly been spent in renovating a late ‘60s duplex and attempting to complete the project with a focus on retaining and repurposing.  It hasn’t been easy, but I’ll share more about the professionals who have helped me reach as many of the goals as possible.  Happy New Year!