Just Say NO to GMOs!

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As many of you know, GMOs have been in the news a ton lately with some disappointing legislation allowing genetically modified alfalfa and sugar beets. This has been a huge upset to those who are concerned about the future of our crops, especially organic produce. I have started countless blog posts about GMOs but it is such a huge topic to tackle that I always save it for another date. It's just too important to keep avoiding though so here are some easy things I will address.

1. One more reason to love shopping at PCC is that they have joined the Non-GMO Project and are labeling foods on every aisle that are free of GMOs. Love it!

2. Here is a quick fact sheet about GMOs.

3. Here is great list of 6 things you can do to avoid GMOs.

4. Download one of these non-GMO shopping guides.

5. I first learned to fear GMOs after reading the article "Doctors Warn Avoid Genetically Modified Food" from The Well Being Journal back in 2009. Since then GMOs have been on my radar and I've been learning much more. One point from the article that especially caught my eye...

The only published human feeding study revealed what may be the most dangerous problem from GM foods. The gene inserted into GM soy transfers into the DNA of bacteria living inside our intestines and continues to function. This means that long after we stop eating GMOs, we may still have potentially harmful GM proteins produced continuously inside of us. Put more plainly, eating a corn chip produced from Bt corn might transform our intestinal bacteria into living pesticide factories, possibly for the rest of our lives.

6. Once on my radar I started researching GMOs and found The Institute for Responsible Technology whose website is "the most comprehensive source of GMO health risk information on the web". I spent way too much time checking out this site but learned a lot.

7. The article "Monsanto's GMO Corn Linked To Organ Failure, Study Reveals" from the Huffington Post was also quite interesting.

Reading up on GMOs can be really overwhelming. It would be really difficult (almost impossible really unless you're willing to change your habits, not eat out and avoid gatherings with friends and family) to avoid GMOs entirely. I try to live by a motto, and help inspire others to do the same, that you just have to do as much as you can in your own home and then not worry about the rest. It's really all you can do without making yourself loony. On the other end though, don't turn a blind eye to what's happening in our food system. The food out there is not what our parents were raised on and not even what we were raised on. It's packed with pesticides, antibiotics, chemicals, artificial coloring, GMOs and more. This is something to pay attention to for your health and your kids! You can also get involved to help make a difference! ..

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