Organics

The labeling on certified organic foods tells you that the food was grown and produced in accordance with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) standards. These standards prohibit the use of synthetic pesticides, genetically modified organisms or ingredients (GMO's), irradiation, and the use of "sewage sledge" as fertilizer. Organic livestock eat organic feed and are not given antibiotics or hormones, and have access to pasture. Organic producers are required to keep a detailed paper trail to ensure that organic standards are maintained throughout the entire process from growth through transportation to the consumer.

Organic products are grown in healthier soils, which contain higher levels of nutrients. Fruits and vegetables that are grown organically have not been sprayed with dangerous long-lasting synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Organic farmers are working in harmony with nature, and are actively nurturing land for our benefit, as well as that of our children's children.

Consuming organic food:

• Shows respect for our land (organic farming does not deplete valuable nutrients from the soil)
• Shows respect for our water supply (organic farming practices reduce the toxic run-off into our water supply)
• Means the food has more nutritional value, according to research done by nutritionist Virginia Worthington, and reported in the article Organic Farming, Food Quality and Human Health.
• Means consuming far fewer pesticide residues than "conventional" foods grown using toxic pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers which can contribute to health problems. These were the findings of a 2002 study led by the Consumer Union of Consumer Reports.
• Tastes better! Organics foods are often locally produced, thus they travel less distance to reach the consumer and are generally fresher.

At Mindful Meals, Inc. we choose organic ingredients whenever possible, as a commitment to the highest standards and the best tastes for your family's meals!

"All-natural" meats and dairy products

Although the terms "natural" and "all-natural" are not regulated, and do not guarantee that a product is healthy, we use these terms to refer to meats and dairy products that come from animals that have been raised humanely through sustainable farming practices, not at "factory" farms or corn fed animal feeding operations (CAFO's). These animals have come from small family farms where they can behave naturally in free-roaming barnyards and pastures. For more information on these factory farms and their relationship to human health, visit this organic consumer's report. In addition, our all-natural meats and most dairy products:

• Come from animals that have been raised without the use of rBGH/RBST; synthetic growth hormones which are used to hasten the normal growth of an animal and to "fatten them up". Although unproven, some people fear that these synthetic growth hormones may play a role in premature puberty which is becoming an increasingly disturbing trend in American children. However, even more alarming are concerns over the human health risks posed when rBGH stimulates the production of insulin-like growth factor IGF-l, in the blood of cows. The council on Scientific Affairs of the American Medical Association has formally expressed concern about the health implications of IGF-l. Click here for more information on growth hormones and milk.
• Come from animals that have not been given non-therapeutic antibiotics. A large percentage of all antibiotics in the U.S. are fed to pigs, poultry and cattle merely to compensate for the unsanitary and overcrowded conditions on industrial-like Mega-farms and to treat udder infections (mastitis), which is prevalent in cows fed growth hormones (rBGH/RBST) to increase milk production. The medically unnecessary use of antibiotics has led to antibiotic-resistant bacteria which can spread to other animals and to humans.
• Come from animals that have not been fed animal by-products. Using feed that contains parts from other animals (sometimes diseased animals) can increase the risk of contamination of the meats that we consume.

At Mindful Meals, Inc. we believe that the use of all-natural meats and dairy products leads to better tasting, healthier foods. Our commitment to the highest standards of ingredients tells us to choose all natural ingredients whenever possible. Our clients can be assured that the meal they are preparing for their family not only tastes good, but is good!

Genetically Modified Organism/Genetically Engineered Foods

GMO stands for genetically modified organism. Also referred to as genetically engineered foods (GE), these products are made when scientists insert the gene from one species into the gene of another species, with the intent to produce a new, product which will theoretically be "superior". This experimental "tampering" with nature and with the nations food supply is currently unlabeled, untested (long-term on both humans and the environment) and unannounced (Did you know that you are eating these foods?). For example, scientists are currently experimenting with the genetic crossing of a flounder fish with a tomato to see if they can "create" a tomato that, like a flounder, will thrive in cold weather conditions. Let's just pretend you like tomatoes, but happen to be allergic to fish ?????

Although the benefits of bioengineered foods are debatable and unproven, proponents argue they may make food fresh for longer, taste better and have a "healthier" profile. In addition, they believe that genetic engineering can cut down on pesticide use and help to solve the worlds hunger problems.

On the contrary, experts warn that the negative effects of Genetically Engineered crops are too important to ignore. They believe that the "creation" of engineering herbicide and pesticide resistant crops may allow strains of "super-weeds" into the environment, thus creating a need for newer, even stronger "super-herbicides and pesticides". Crop uniformity (which the biotech firms are promoting) will reduce genetic diversity making them more vulnerable to disease and pests. This would further the need for pesticides. Some scientists are fearful that bioengineering may cause human resistance to some antibiotics. In addition, the long term ecological effects (which have not been studied) could be devastating. For more information on the damaging effects of genetic engineering, check out The Case for a GM-Free Sustainable World.

Read your food labels. Currently, foods containing the following conventional (not organic) foods are likely to be Genetically Engineered: TOMATOES, POTATOES, CORN, SOY, CANOLA OIL, COTTON SEED OIL, AND YELLOW CROOK-NECK SQUASH.

While the debate rages on, one thing is clear. This is an extremely controversial issue that directly affects the food that we put in our body. As it pays to be informed, click here for more general information about Genetic Engineering vs. Organics.

The long term environmental and health risks of GE foods have not been studied. Organic foods are required by law to be free of GMO's.

Trans-Fat

Basically, trans fat is made when manufacturers add hydrogen to vegetable oil-- a process called hydrogenation. Hydrogenation increases the shelf life and flavor stability of foods containing these fats.

Trans fat can be found in vegetable shortenings, some margarines, crackers, cookies, snack foods, and other foods made with or fried in partially hydrogenated oils. Unlike other fats, the majority of trans fat is formed when food manufacturers turn liquid oils into solid fats like shortening and hard margarine.

Scientific evidence shows that consumption of saturated fat, trans fat, and dietary cholesterol raises low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol, levels, which increases the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). The Food and Drug Administration has required that saturated fat and dietary cholesterol be listed on food labels since 1993. Starting Jan.1, 2006 a listing of trans fat will be required as well. For more information, go to Trans Fatty Acids 101.

Food Additives

In 1958 The Delaney Clause was added to the Food Additives Amendment to state that any additives shown to cause cancer in humans or animals are not permitted to be added to our food. Political pressure has since caused the FDA to relax these standards and allow "small amounts" of cancer causing substances to be used in food. This is known as food safety risk assessment and it is a measure of the amount of a cancer-causing substance that may be in included in a food. In addition, these and other additives may cause allergic reactions in people (MSG-monosodium glutamate, for example) or may be harmful to certain groups of people such as pregnant women, infants, people with high blood pressure and people with kidney problems. To learn more about food additives, visit the Healthy Eating Advisor's article, What Everybody Ought to Know About Food Additives.

At Mindful Meals, Inc., we tend to go by this simple rule of thumb:

If the list of ingredients is lengthy and you need a chemistry degree to pronounce the words, you might want to leave it on the shelf!

*The above discussion is intended only as a helpful introduction to the benefits of eating a natural diet and contains the opinions of Mindful Meals, Inc. We want our clients to be aware that like many consumer issues, this is an area which is controversial. Others may not agree with the opinions of Mindful Meals, Inc. For more information, we encourage you to research the issues and form your own educated opinions.

At Mindful Meals, Inc. we encourage you to think about the goodness of what you are putting into your bodies and your family's meals. Our commitment to quality leads us to choose the best ingredients available that are the most natural and healthful. We believe that good nutrition does not require a chemistry degree, but that common sense and a commitment to quality will result in better tasting meals that are better for you. Give us a try ... We believe you will taste the difference!

© Mindful Meals, Inc.