Vote YES on Your Health

Back in May, I wrote a blog post called Genetically Modified Nonsense about efforts to require labeling of genetically engineered (GE) foods – commonly referred to as Genetically Modified Organisms or GMO’s. I decided to revisit the issue as there is an important ballot initiative in California on this very topic which will be decided on November 6^th – along with the minor issue of who will be President of the United States.

Bacon Brussel Sprouts

Doesn’t this time of year make you want to eat some comfort food?  As weather cools down, I like to trade-in my favorite summer salads in exchange for some hearty roasted veggies. Last night it was broccoli, the night before that it was squash and peppers, and tonight it is going to be brussel sprouts!

We might not always think of vegetables as comfort food, but when you prepare them well, they will definitely hit the spot. Many of us should make it a habit to use vegetables to replace some of what I consider to be “fattening” side dishes like potatoes, pasta and rice. 

We Are Hungry

All of this thinking and writing about calories is making me HUNGRY… and apparently, I am not the only one!

Now that kids are back in school, there is a calorie controversy brewing in cafeterias across the U.S. The issue of the day is new school lunch guidelines.  Students are hungrier than ever because schools are now serving up significantly smaller portions of “healthier” food. Kids at Wallace County High School in Kansas are fighting back with a boycott and this music video parody called “We Are Hungry.”

Calorie Counting Conundrum

As many of you might have heard, McDonald’s started posting calorie counts on their menus across America this week. This move is garnering some praise for the fast food giant. Before we jump on the “McDonald’s is doing their part to combat diabetes and obesity” bandwagon, everyone should understand that this move simply preempts federal regulations that will require all restaurant chains with more than 20 locations to post calorie counts in their stores.  In essence, McDonald's proactively did something that will soon be required of them to do any way.  Marginally helpful, yes.  A selfless act of good corporate citizenship? Probably not.

I'm Back!

Perhaps you noticed… perhaps you didn’t… I haven’t written a blog post in quite a while. I admit it’s been a LONG summer hiatus. I’d like to tell you the reason you haven’t heard from me is because I took a nice long sabbatical – you know - travelled to exotic places to renew my spirit and of course, to study the health and eating habits of some of the few indigenous populations left in the world… Unfortunately, that is just not the case.

Too Big of a Gulp?

For weeks, I have planning to write a very thoughtful blog post about New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s controversial proposal to ban the sale of large sodas and other sugary drinks. You have no doubt already heard about the proposal to combat obesity – which is likely to be adopted later this year and is expected to take effect next spring.
The truth is I have quite a few thoughts and opinions about it, but before I get into all of that, I just have to share Jon Stewart’s hilarious take on the proposal courtesy of the Daily Show.

Genetically Modified Nonsense

Much to the annoyance of many of you that know me personally, I spend a lot of time trying to “educate” friends and family about what is really in our food. In fact, I often use this blog as my own little megaphone to pester people into caring about the integrity of our food supply.

Most Americans are well-meaning.  Given a choice, we’d like to eat more natural locally-grown and healthier food – provided it is easy to find and doesn’t bust our family budget.  Ignorance is our real enemy – most of us simply don’t know what is actually in our food.  That’s why you have The Real Skinny – now no one can pretend no one ever told them that there might be something really “bad” for them in the foods they consume every day.