I was excited to learn that the Obamas recently planted an organic herb and veggie garden at the White House and based on this CNN clip it would seem that Michelle Obama understands the importance of access to healthy foods grown locally. While this act may seem like an unimportant issue with the dramatic news headlines of the day, access to organic, locally grown organically farmed production could do much to heal the disease, and famine conditions we see globally. So I think it is an excellent idea that hopefully will continue to draw attention to sustainable agriculture and we should congratulate them for their efforts.

And while it would seem from this clip that the Obamas would be concerned about protecting and nurturing organic farming in the U.S., we need to remain vigilant in light of the legislation being fast tracked in the House and Senate that could CRIMINALIZE not only organic farming, but also home gardening. Can you imagine a day when your home grown summer tomatoes might be subject to search and seizure if not grown according to standards set by a federal body? Standards that have yet to be clearly defined with consequences that could include confiscation of assets and property. Some of my best memories of summertime meals revolve around trips to road side stands to stock up on quality, locally grown produce and raiding my grandmother’s backyard for the juiciest tomatoes and fresh mint.

Many feel Monsanto is behind the lobbying effort to push these bills through Congress and with it being fast tracked Congress may vote not understanding what is in the bill. President Obama’s appointment of Tom Visilak to head the USDA is also concerning in light of his previous relationship with Monsanto. For more information on this appointment please refer to OCA’s website by clicking here.

And if you are new to the virtues of organic foods, or wonder why organic farming must be protected or are not familiar with effects of genetically engineered foods in our bodies and our environment, please check out the following video “The World According to Monsato.”

Part 1 in the series.

Control oil and you control nations; control food and you control the people. – Henry Kissinger

There are several Food Safety Bills being reviewed in Congress that not only severely penalize organic farmers, but that could potentially change current organic standards.  Organic producers could be forced to use chemicals or other products in their production to satisfy the new legislation which places consumer access to organic foods at risk.

In a recent AP article, “Obama said he takes food safety seriously, not just as a president but also as the parent of two young daughters. ‘No parent should have to worry that their child is going to get sick from their lunch.’” Many fear that to address the risk these outbreaks pose, the USDA may move for more widespread food irradiation which can alter food nutrients. While here Obama was referring to safety from these types of outbreaks, let’s hope he fully grasps the more wide spread current hazards to our health through current factory farming to include Genetically Modified organisms, Irradiation, Pesticides, Antibiotics and Hormones. 

For more information on this pending legislation:

http://www.NaturalNews.com/025824.html

 http://capwiz.com/grassrootsnetroots/issues/bills/?bill=12878051&alertid=12878056

It is hard to keep up with all the ways in which unwelcome substances make their way into our body even when we are super vigilant.

Several years ago, I gave up eating any meat that was not grass fed and organic once I learned more about the farming methods employed by many of the top producers in our country. These methods lead to the mistreatment of animals and result in meats that not only lack the nutritional content of their grass fed counterparts but may even contain inorganic products not fit for animal or human consumption, which we in turn ingest. It is clear to me that aside from less nutritious food, we are taking serious risks that could threaten public health leading to exposure to BSE or Mad Cow disease or chronic illnesses that may result in an over exposure to antibiotics and hormones in beef. This is quite enough reason for me to avoid most meat.

But while I gave up eating inorganic beef for that reason, I had no idea that I was still slathering on lotions, soaps and foundation that could be carry BSE as I later discovered so many of our cosmetics and skin care products use cow parts in their ingredients.

If you understand the importance of organic foods, please give as much careful consideration to your cosmetics and daily skin care routine as it may have an equally pronounced effect on your health. Learn how to make your own skin care products or purchase those that are plant based & certified organic.

Also if you are interested in locating a safe supplier of meats or poultry for your family, investigate this website further for locations near you.

http://www.eatwild.com/articles/cheapmeat.html

To be fair, here is what the USDA is doing according to the AMA to prevent BSE in foods and cosmetics. Unfortunately many of these “downer cows” may not display BSE symptoms before they are allowed into the food supply, so I do not feel comfortable that it can be completely contained. The best idea, suggested by the creator or www.eatwild.com is to simply change how we farm. So I will support those suppliers whose farming methods give me confidence in their products and treat their animals humanely.

http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/print/13748Avo