Foodies and fears

[undergroundpanther]

There's lead in crayons, PCB's in everything, out gassing carpets, allergens, don't eat non-organic fruits, don't eat ..., don't use ..., don't, don't, don't, don't ...

Eventually, people will have to realize that everything's contaminated.

Everything.

There's no avoiding having to exist in a polluted, overtaxed, sick, dying world and feeling the effects of countless people's wastes and unrestrained "progress," consuming, and stress.

You can't stop it, any more than you can stop a tidal wave by holding your hands up and bracing yourself.

http://www.unknownnews.org/051209a-Panther.html

[colorado thinker]

1. Excellent point

So the moral of the story is to relax, enjoy what you can as much as you can and stop worrying. Even if everything was squeaky clean, you'd still die one day anyway. Enjoy!

[undergroundpanther]

5. Yep

when I see posts harping about diets,about all the evil things in food all the NEUROTIC Don't eat this or that,or this..and realize how expensive "pure" food is (relatively speaking that is)compared to the processed slop, most poor folks can afford,it begins to dawn on you to say Fuck it I'm gonna die I might as well enjoy now because tomorrow isn't here and it may never come. My life sucks for the most part..So I might as well find happiness anywhere I can because living on organics isn't in my budget. I am poor,poor people are lessers in this culture, so I am doomed.Upper and middle class people can do better but even than there is no guarantees they will escape unscathed.This world is totally contaminated and it is interconnected what one does to dump a toxin into the environment it effects us all eventually.. Organic health nuts cannot tell me why WILD animals who don't eat hot dogs,aspartame,HFCS are mutating,getting cancer and changing sex on thier'all natural' diets. It's not in conrolling the food intake or types, becauseit's not in our control you breathe you breathe poison you eat you ingest chemicals..you drink,dittoPossible help is in the hands of the owners of companies companies who are souless greedy rich thugs who do not care. And even if we FORCED them at gunpoint to clean everything up,and keep the food clean, the damage may already be done.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

2. If The Risks Were Even A Hundreth As Bad As They Say Sometimes,

80% of us would still be dying miserably.

About the only real alarmist health thing I've ever respected as worthy is smoking and its risks. Course, that doesn't stop me from being addicted as a mother fucker...

[Jed Dilligan]

3. Yeah but there is a threshhold

why poison ourselves more than we're already being poisoned? I choose organic foods because of the immediate improvement in quality of life, not because I'm in denial about the toxicity of the environment.

[undergroundpanther]

7. it's bracing your arms against a tidal wave

Eventually the organic foods will be contaminated.Some already are.
http://www.bioedonline.org/news/news.cfm?art=766
http://ipm.osu.edu/trans/024_061.htm
http://www.inmotionmagazine.com/fs2.html



Contamination that results from circumstances beyond the control of the operator will not necessarily alter the organic status of the operation. The level of such unavoidable contamination will range from non-detectable to very low, depending on a number of factors, most of them outside the control of the producers. Any defined threshold will be chosen arbitrarily and does not reflect adherence to organic principles. Therefore IFOAM does not support the introduction of de minimis thresholds for genetic contamination. Because of this, mandatory testing for genetic contamination should not be introduced for the verification of organic production. However, testing is a tool available to certification bodies to utilise in certain specified situations, such as when negligence or fraud is suspected or to assess if established safeguards are sufficient.

Organic certification shall not imply it is a "GE-free" certification. Rather it shall be presented as guaranteeing "production without GE/GMOs". As there is no guarantee that organic products are 100% free from any GMO pollution, organic products shall not be marketed as "GE-free", unless there are specific safeguards and certification procedures for that specific product. Organic producers and associations shall actively inform the consumers of this fact to ensure fair marketing claims and to avoid future debates about consumer deception.

http://www.ifoam.org/press/positions/ge-position.html

Hidden sources of contamination can also exist. For example, citric acid, a common preservative in “organic” foods, is sometimes derived from Aspergillus niger fungus combined with a corn substrate. Manufacturers need to ensure that neither the fungus nor the corn substrate has GM roots. Whether or not the selected certification body digs that deep is another matter, but agents from Organic Materials Review Institute, Eugene, OR, and Oregon Tilth, Salem, OR, have recently raised this issue, along with other “hidden” GM concerns related to enzymes, vitamins, flavors, grains and other ingredients on the National List. Through careful inspection of documentation and identity-preservation testing, manufacturers can usually eliminate any GMO risks. It’s always advised that manufacturers work closely with their ingredient suppliers when sourcing organic ingredients.

http://www.foodproductdesign.com/articles/464/464_651Tech.html

As it becomes more profitable and demand increases will they check?

[longship]

4. I'd rather eat food than any other thing.

And I define food rather broadly to include any number of living creatures and plants. I don't obsess as to it's origin. If it eats well, it is good.

[undergroundpanther]

8. That is all we can do,Now.

Because the Earth is dying. Many of us are miserable,we might as well love the ones we are with for soon we won't be.

[Odin2005]

6. MSM keeps us in purpetual fear because it's good for ratings.

That's all a lot of this crap is about, RATINGS. Rember the "Year of the Shark" a few years back that had LESS shark attacks the year before? That's when I realizind that MSM manipulates what we think reality is for corporate profit.

[undergroundpanther]

10. and pushing health

for our own good is just a way for the state to dominate us..Control how we live.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/undergroundpanther/18

[jeffrey_X]

21. "pushing health is just a way for the state to dominate us" ???

Are you fucking kidding me?

So being healthy is controlling how we live?

How about sending us to a fucking war we didn't need to fight?
How about wire tapping us illegally?

Do you really want to get into all of the ways the state/government are trying to control how we live?????

Trying to make us healthy sure isn't one of them. As I mentioned in an earlier thead....our government doesn't want us to be healthy. You know what would happen if we all started eating better (reducing sales of corporations like McDonalds) and reducing our dependency on medicine and the health care system???? Our fucking economy would crash. It's not that hard to figure out.

[undergroundpanther]

22. You have I take it never been poor?

The state is quite intrusive already. Are you female?,Well the state is asking doctors to treat all women as"pre pregnant" and if you knew history you'd have noticed the Nazis were all into making people healthy and telling them how to live their lives,all for the health of the state and the Nazis also declared your food choices are not yours it's the Nazi Parties choice.

[jeffrey_X]

23. Huh?

My class has nothing to do with this.

Not sure where you are going with the whole Nazi thing. I can assure you our government isn't trying to make us healthy. If that were the case, healthy food would be more accessible and much more inexpensive.

[jeffrey_X]

9. bullshit

That's a weak argument.

It's called making conscious choices. Obviously, you can't keep 100% of the chemicals out of your body, but you can do something if you really want to make a difference.

We have all hardwood floors, no carpet.
We use vinegar for 100% of our household cleaning.
We've elminated 95% of all red meat and processed dairy from our diets over the past 4 years.
We've saved and sacrificed to buy more expensive organic produce.
We don't drink pop or eat candy.

Neither of us has been sick ONCE in the past 3 years.

Keep on making excuses while others are out there making a difference.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

11. STOP

making sense. It's annoying.

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[undergroundpanther]

12. Ok Whatever

You are lucky than, your body can handle the bad air better ,process the pollution better than others can ,Consider yourself fortunate... but DO NOT try to project your personal luck in the genetic lottery on others as if it your ability to process toxins is all YOUR doing. Because I know people who thought they were healthy they ate well exercised and got sick too.My mom smokes ,eats cookies and ice cream,she's 80 trim and she is healthier than people younger than me.Go figure.She's LUCKY. Some people are not so lucky, they cannot withstand toxins that others can. Reality is, Each of us is DIFFERENT in what our bodies need and can endure .This is because we do NOT all share the EXACT same genetics, weaknesses and predispositions as you have. Get of your high horse dude.

Research it,it may have to do with WHERE you live and WHERE your parents lived too..http://www.ewg.org/reports/generations/part2.php

[jeffrey_X]

16. So just give up and grab a big mac and a coke?

Hey...it isn't easy to change. Our society makes it very, very difficult to make dramatic changes in your eating and lifestyle changes.

I'm far from lucky. There is plenty of high blood pressure, diabetes and other ailments in my family. Unlike my father and other family members, I'm chosing to do something about while I still can. My dad would rather just blindly consume and then take his little pills to control everything. Sorry, that's not for me.

You are correct. Each of us is different and because I don't know what's in store for me, I'm doing something about it now. And you know what, I like the way I feel.

Our government doesn't want us to be healthy.....you know why? It would completely destroy our economy.

[undergroundpanther]

25. I am saying..

Don't drive yourself nuts in persuit of purity. Do you see eveything as one or the other? Eat healthy but don't have a conniption if something you eat isn't pure or whatever. The Earth is contaminated,Don't be stupid but also don't be so paranoid about food and health,you go ahead for yourself,but others may choose differently than you or have thier choices limited by circumstances you don't deal with..We all die anyway.

[Scout]

13. i haven't been sick either...

I have carpet, I live in a trailer, I sometimes eat junk food and fast food, I use chemicals when I clean house, I eat red meat, I eat dairy, I drink pop and eat candy sometimes.

i've been told I'd live 10 more years if i became a vegetarian ... but you know what? i don't WANT to live 10 more years if all i can eat is a vegetarian diet.

get up on your high horse much do you?

[undergroundpanther]

15. Food Nazis are

some controlling bigoted IGNORANT people aren't they? They think diet and exercise fixes all problems and because it helps them now they PROJECT IT EVERYWHERE and omit anything that does not support their cherished fitness RELIGION..Yeah drives me nuts too.

[jeffrey_X]

19. Bigoted???

Nice.

FWIW...I haven't worked out in almost 4 years. And I'm definitely not a health nut.

I can't believe more people can draw a comparison between issues like this and politics which I'm sure we agree on. Do you accept all the propoganda spewed by our media about the current administration? Of course not, so why would you blindly consume products by corporations when you know they are profiting from polluting our bodies with artificial shit which absolutely is attributed to continued higher rates of cancer and other diseaes?? And do really want to get into the pharmacuitcal industry licking their chops at everyone popping pills for high cholesterol, high blood pressure and certain types of diabetes ALL OF WHICH CAN BE CONTROLLED BY DIET AND SIMPLE LIFESTYLE CHANGES.

[jeffrey_X]

18. Okay...so you may live to 80 or 90

but you and everyone else who doesn't give a shit will be sucking our health care system dry just like all of other baby boomers who are currently dependant on medications they don't necessarily need.

[undergroundpanther]

26. So you think the"unhealthy"

Are sucking you dry? Well Fuck you very much ..Nice Talking point there,where did yas hear it? Frist the Cat killer? Some greedy ass CEO? Do you workk for an HMO in management? Your selfishness is mindblowing and your ignorance is pathetic and lack of humility concerning lives and circumstances you know nothing about is vile.

[bicentennial_baby]

27. WTF?

You don't even make sense...You should get that checked out... :crazy:

[Scout]

29. perhaps you haven't learned how to follow a thread?

read the post I replied to, duh.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

30. I'm the total opposite, plus I'm a smoker.

Oh, and I haven't been sick in years, either. :shrug:

[Treclo]

17. How do conscious choices=high horse?

I know there are too many people who don't have the luxury of worrying about much of anything except survival. I am lucky enough to have access to a computer and a library, the abilty to read, and the time to educate myself. So if I educate myself and strive toward the least toxic, (and still enjoyable) way to live, why would that make me a snob, as a few of you seem to suggest?

I realize any of us could get hit by a truck tomorrow, but I'm for stacking the odds in my favor. I still love junk food, but I cut back on it. I visit the farmers market and buy as much organic as my budget allows. And I finally quit smoking, which took 5 years and was a real bitch to give up- but hey, I have enough other vices, I figured it was time.

I'm all for each of us making our own choices and living our life however we see fit. And as I said, I'm lucky enough to have the energy to pursue what I see as stacking the odds in my favor.

[GoneOffShore]

20. Here's why I eat organic food -

It damn well tastes better.

We didn't start eating organic for health reasons, we started eating for POLITICAL reasons.

Support small, local, family farms. People who make their living by farming. Not propping up big 'Agri Business'.

Let me ask the people who say they can't afford to or won't bother to eat organic: Have you explored all the co-op options in your area? Have you looked into growing your own? Have you thought about at least trying to not eat the absolute genetically engineered crap that the Agri Corps are trying to pass off as food?

It's possible, it's easier than you think, it's better for you - nutrients in non organic produce are 30% less than organic - and most important of all, as I said at the beginning of this - It damn well tastes better.

I'm not a V*g*t*r**n or a V*g*n. I'm a proud ominivore. And if the FSM had not meant us to eat meat, she wouldn't have made it so freaking tasty.

[undergroundpanther]

24. In my area

Co=ops are difficult if not impossible for me to get to.without a car.
It's not easy for someone who does not drive to find alternatives when going anywhere other than the nearest stores can be a hours walk easy.
I don't make enough to pay cabs and by time the end of the month I am totally broke.. I budget a hundred and some change for groceries a month.
When I can get to farmers markets and such I prefer it but it's not easy. My county thinks poor people don't exist and so it has a very shitty limited bus route.If gas gets more expensive maybe the comfortable residents will feel a pinch and things will get better.

[PBass]

28. Eat unprocessed and avoid pre-prepared food as much as possible...

The fewer manufacturing steps involved in getting the food to your kitchen, the better. This is a very simple rule of thumb, obviously there can be exceptions such as high-priced pre-prepared foods, etc.

Not only is this generally healthier (less sodium, less preservatives, less food coloring, etc) it is also generally CHEAPER.

[KT2000]

31. Can't stop it BUT.......

there are ways to minimize the damage, especially for children.

Right now we have a situation where the average person is not making choices based on what is known about the damage these things can do to the developing fetus - especially the formation of the brain. So we have escalating rates of children with neurological disorders and increasing cancer rates for children. Impaired children have a MUCH harder time realizing their dreams because their potential has been robbed. They will not likely be the leaders of their generation.

There are also people making careful choices utilizing what is known. The odds are greater that their children will be better able to realize their potential. They will likely be the leaders of their generation.

Having had to become immersed in the chemical contamination issue, one thing I learned is that the armies of people fighting regulation and liability cases - lawyers and doctors - do take into account what is known about chemical contamination and make their choices accordingly. The doctors who testify against injured people in court likely take preventive action in their own lives and counsel their patients that there is nothing to worry about.

You are right - the tidal wave is coming but as humans it is still our responsibility to make decisions about how we will live and raise the next generation.

[Karenina]

32. The tidal wave has hit the shore.

You do your best to make conscious responsible decisions for yourself and your family, but GUESS WHAT? The corporations have made it IMPOSSIBLE for you to avoid their shit. Don't want GMs in your food? They've already got a pass on not labeling it. Don't want poison in your water? No public access to the crap the corps are dumping into it. Wanna protect the air you breathe? The corps get their filthy plants "grandfathered." And on and on and on. Capitalism's "civilization" is destroying the earth's ability to support life as we know it.

[KT2000]

34. I agree

I think the last phase of capitalism is cannablism. That is what we are living now.

[warrens]

33. That's why our life expectancy keeps going up

I admit that there's a lot of crap out there. If you have any sense, you can find a clean place to live with fresh water and decent local food.