Category Archives: food

House repubs omit food stamps from bill

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Report here.

Republican leaders said food stamps, traditionally part of the farm bill, would be handled later and that, for now, they needed a way to start negotiations with the Senate over a compromise bill.

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If you believe that, I’ve got some oceanfront property in Indiana I want to sell you….

No doubt these members of Congress will go to church Sunday and puff their chests out at what good Christians they are…

I’m not going to comment any further because I’m too upset and I’ll say something I’ll regret later.

Food is….Life…and Love…

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I love this!  Instead of encouraging women to break the glass ceiling in the corporate world, here is an article about them breaking into farming–traditionally viewed as a man’s work.  (Although anybody who knows farmers know that the the entire family helps and that women had traditionally helped in the fields, along with taking care of the household.  You know the old tale that great grandma gave birth in the morning and plowed the back forty in the afternoon…)

Farming means independence in so many ways–owning your own land, growing not only your own food, but earning bucks selling to others, playing in the dirt is always fun :), and just being out in the fresh air uplifts the spirit.   During the last Depression, folks were very poor, but they could still feed themselves if they had enough land to grow food.  This time around, things have changed….making people more dependent on food stamps, IMO.

When I worked on the farm that summer a few years ago, it was such a great experience.  I could be planting, when a butterfly floats by…or a grasshopper hops past…we would see clouds rolling in and wait until the last possible moment to make a run for it.  If it wasn’t lightening out, we would just continue to work (as long as it wasn’t a downpour).  Just being out in the fresh air away from office cubicles (and office politics) is so freeing.

And if you needed to, you could bend the farm schedule around the family needs.  And then there is the sense of community that is a part of farming–farmers know one another and will help another out.  I’ve heard stories of a farmer being injured and unable to get the crop harvested, which would mean losing the crop, their income and their farm…and the other farmers would come to his aid and harvest the crop.

And the wonder of watching a seed planted grow and eventually produce food is nothing short of a miracle.  You never know when drought will occur, when torrential downpours will wash things out, or when overbearing heat will scorch the plants….and on…farming is not for the faint of heart.  It’s an art. A craft borne of experience.

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Here is a neat story on a man from Bangladesh whom now calls the U.S. home.  He started his own restaurant and began growing fresh food to supply the restaurant.  He wanted to expand that with emphasis on food justice and found it with the help of Julia Nerbonne of the HECUA (Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs).  This ambitious project seeks to have fresh food brought to restaurants from nearby farms…and I love the idea of rickshaws bringing it to market.  As the story states, though, winter is the hard part–not only the end of growing season, but difficulty in transporting food to the restaurant.  It’s an interesting idea that I hope grows and takes hold.

Here’s to good food! And the farms that do it sustainably!

 

 

Growing concern over super bugs and super weeds

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common dreams has this link up on the octopus of GMO corn and the emerging super bugs that are resistant to the pesticides….

…and of course, their answer is to….throw more pesticides after them.

We all saw this coming, so why are Monsanto and Syngenta still allowed to market this monster?

Congress, can you hear the American public that you love to  *quote*  all the time?  Can you hear us above the *clink* of money in your pocket? (Be sure to click on the media link and its pathetic and sometimes belittling coverage).

Vilsack, can you cut your ties with Monsanto and do what is right for the environment and our health?

Here’s a report about GMO’s in the waterways in my own backyard.  This is a freaking nightmare.

As a side note, here’s an article on aerial spraying and untested chemicals.  Gees-o-pete, does anyone stand up to the chemical industry??

Celiac diagnosis

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I found a used book on natural medicine by an M.D. that actually believes in food as a healing or in my case, a hurting element of health;  exercise, and vitamin supplements helping one to stay healthy.  The book is called Natural Prescriptions by Robert M. Giller, M.D. and Kathy Matthews (this cover isn’t the same as my book, so I’m not sure if it is the same one or another updated version).

I guess now would be a good time for the lawyer-speak:  The suggestions here are not meant to diagnose or cure.  If you are having health issues, you should seek the guidance of a health care practitioner.

Dr. Giller touches on Celiac disease.  He mentions the neurological connections with schizophrenia and depression, but he fails to note migraines, seizures, and possible Alzheimer’s as symptoms of Celiac.  He also states that once one begins the gluten-free diet, one’s symptoms should abate in a couple of weeks.  bwahahahahahahahahahaha. Obviously not an expert of Celiac.  Healing the gut, as noted by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, takes one to two years, depending on severity.  But Dr. Giller does note that one cannot go back to eating gluten after the symptoms subside.

Anyway, Dr. Giller did have some pretty good questions to diagnose Celiac:

1.  Do you have Irish, Scottish, English, or Scandinavian heritage?  (I would add German or Dutch)      Dr. Giller notes that every 1 in 215 Irish suffer from Celiac. Whoa.

2.  Is there a history of intestinal disease in your family? Does anyone in your family experience similar symptoms including chronic gas, bloating, and indigestion?  (This is harder to answer because the farting thing is kinda a dirty little secret…I can’t imagine folks sitting around at family gatherings talking about it.  :p  )

3.  Have you ever had a blistery rash on the inside of your elbows, behind your knees, or at other body folds?

4.  Is your abdomen ever swollen?  (Take heed of this–I just thought that I had gained weight (due to thyroid/mercury) and that was why my abdomen was swollen.  Nope.  It was dramatic how much it shrunk when I began the gluten diet.  If you recall, I lost twenty pounds within six months.  Remarkable. )

5.  Is chronic fatigue a serious problem in your life, affecting your job performance and social obligations?  (I notice just before I get a migraine, my energy levels plummet. BUT this is an incredible improvement from just three years ago, when I got tired just walking twenty feet from my bedroom to the front room.   Most people are mischaracterized as being lazy when they actually have chronic fatigue.)

6.  Do you have frequent diarrhea or constipation?  (This is a tricky question because if you have been undiagnosed all of your life, what is “normal” to you is not a true indication of health.  That is, you may suffer from either or both, thinking this is just how your body is, without knowing that you’re a Celiac.  So you might not think to mention this to the doc because it is “normal” for you.)

7.  Does your family have a history of stunted growth or delayed maturity?  (This is my family.  My son was the shortest kid in his class until his Junior year in high school, when he grew.  I did not fully mature physically until in my late twenties. )

Of course, Dr. Giller does not mention GMO’s and their possible implication with gut inflammation.  This book was published in 1994, so the GMO monster had not yet been released (as far as we know—I keep reading different dates as to when this monster was released.)

 

 

 

Histamine and the Brain

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A member of the mercury support group posted a link to an interesting report on the effects of histamine on the brain and the resulting serious psychological problems.

I am of the belief that many mental problems are not caused solely by brain chemicals gone awry.  I know too much now to ever go back to that thinking–mercury poisoning has taught me that.  Rather, I think many mental problems are manifesting in the brain, but the real issue is something gone wrong in the body.  And the issue of environmental toxins is key, also.

This page explores the effects histamine has on a person’s personality.  It is just stunning how severely someone can be affected.

I learned something today.

Twitty on Deen **edited

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**edited to fix spelling error: border is an imaginary line; boarder is someone who resides in another’s house.)

(This is one of those posts where I know that I am going to probably be misunderstood and catch hell for it, but I’m going to speak out anyway.)

Michael Twitty, an African American culinary writer and historian, has an open letter to Paula Deen.  (hat tip commondreams.org)

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for a letter of reason and understanding and opening the dialogue.

Deen said “the” word.  She apologized for it, but that was not good enough for the media bullies who tore the apology apart, deciding whether she was “sincere” or not.  She said some ignorant and insensitive things, but in my view, not on the level of burning crosses in someone’s yard.    I don’t sense that she is a hateful person.  Indeed, an African American preacher went on TV proclaiming that he knows her and she is not a hate-filled person.

It’s tough to open the dialogue for subjects that make us uncomfortable.  There’s always the possibility of being misunderstood.

Twitty opens the dialogue with this:

Some have said you are not a racist.  Sorry, I don’t believe that…I am more of the Avenue Q type—everybody’s—you guessed it—a little bit racist.  This is nothing to be proud of no more than we are proud of our other sins and foibles.  It’s something we should work against.  It takes a lifetime to unlearn taught prejudice or socially mandated racism or even get over strings of negative experiences we’ve had with groups outside of our own.

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This is spot on.  I think we’re all a bit racist.  I experienced this recently in FW–I can say up to that point, I had never experienced racism by blacks.  I happened upon a group of African American folk in my building.  They didn’t know I was coming down a hallway, and were saying some very hurtful things–that “white folk are the devil.  It says so in the Bible.”  (and they were serious).    I had heard things before, but it was during a time of their distress and let it roll off me.  But hearing it coming from folks that I had been nice to and treated the same as white folks was very hurtful.  It made me angry to be characterized in such a way.  I got a taste of how racism felt. I left me feeling hopeless–what does it take if you’re being kind and you’re still characterized as the devil? Does that mean giving up and not trying to get beyond that? No.

And Twitty is spot on that it takes a lifetime to unlearn.    You may have old “tapes” running through your head which takes an active will to recognize them, and then ignore them and move beyond.

But by that same token, it was the other poor black folks who helped me out the most while in FW…even if I didn’t ask for help.  They were very good at helping each other–if one had a car, they gave rides to wherever someone needed to go; if someone needed a few bucks, they helped them that way (they asked me for help once, but I had nothing to give them);  if someone was out of food, they would ask others for help with a meal, and on.

There was a divide there, though….I noticed it from the beginning and didn’t understand why.  I still don’t understand it–we were all poor and struggling….why not help one another instead of holding onto stupid prejudice?

In the past, it was a black woman who held me and rocked me after I had a nasty fall from bleachers at the age of five or six.  I had given up sucking my thumb at that point in time,but she didn’t try to shame me when I popped the thumb in my mouth.  She said “you go right ahead” as she held me and gently rocked.    (And yes, I sucked my thumb, as most sensitive kids do–get over it.)

Anyway, I disagree with Twitty that it’s okay for black folk to use the “n” word.  It’s confusing.  He likens it to “bitch” and “fag”.  Well, I guess that “bitch” used to bother me, but doesn’t anymore….because I noticed that if someone is calling me a bitch, it means that I’m standing up to them or against something they want. …so, yeah, if someone calls me a bitch I take a certain pride in that I stood up for myself.  I don’t know what that means, though, in regards to the “n” word.

All I know is that Richard Pryor, another great one for helping us to realize our prejudices and make fun of them, said that after a visit to Africa, he never used the “n” word again.  This is coming from a guy who titled one of his shows “Bicentennial N*gger”.

Another excellent point by Twitty:

Problem two…I want you to understand that I am probably more angry about the cloud of smoke this fiasco has created for other issues surrounding race and Southern food.  To be real, you using the word “nigger” a few times in the past does nothing to destroy my world.  It may make me sigh for a few minutes in resentment and resignation, but I’m not shocked or wounded.  No victim here.  Systemic racism in the world of Southern food and public discourse not your past epithets are what really piss me off.  There is so much press and so much activity around Southern food and yet the diversity of people of color engaged in this art form and telling and teaching its history and giving it a future are often passed up or disregarded.

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Absolutely.  There’s a collective non-acknowledgement of the origins of food dishes.  But I don’t think it’s limited to ignoring slaves’ cooking.  At least, I feel pretty ignorant about where *any* food dish originated.  It’s just not talked about that much.

It’s no doubt, though, that the slaves’ contributions to southern cooking have not been talked about….it’s tough to acknowledge it because it would mean that white folks have to acknowledge the rest…white folks do seem to have a problem being humble and acknowledging that they (men, mostly) climbed on the backs of not only blacks, but women, as well….there’s that intertwined racism and sexism, again…

In this paragraph, Twitty touches on that, but stops short of the sexism:

We are surrounded by culinary injustice where some Southerners take credit for things that enslaved Africans and their descendants played key roles in innovating.  Barbecue, in my lifetime, may go the way of the Blues and the banjo….a relic of our culture that whisps away.  That tragedy rooted in the unwillingness to give African American barbecue masters and other cooks an equal chance at the platform is far more galling than you saying “nigger,” in childhood ignorance or emotional rage or social whimsy.

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I can only wonder at how many dishes that chefs proclaimed were their own that a woman had invented…

(When I write that, I think of Catherine Littlefield Greene, wife of Nathanial Greene, whom invented the cotton gin.  Eli Whitney was a boarder in the Greene household. Catherine  told him of her idea….and well, you know the rest….he was credited with the invention.)

Twitty goes on that their history is invisible when folks visit the old plantations and museums.  I have to disagree with him, though, with the blanket statement that folks look at those plantations and don’t think about how they were built by slaves.  I have done just that–looked at those magnificent houses (in movies) and thought about the slaves that built them.  That’s why it’s hard to look at them, or any house of that stature–I wonder at how the person was able to build it—who had to suffer so that someone could live in such opulence?  Who was paid minimum wage so that this person could build twenty room mansions? Who owns sweatshops in some distant country (or even in our own) so they can live in such luxury?    Most folks, I have to agree, wouldn’t think about that—they would admire the luxury and perhaps want it for themselves without giving a thought about those that are invisible.

Lastly, I wonder at the art of growing food itself…how growing it sustainably is never talked about on these food shows??

Finally, Twitty is so gracious with the spiritual aspect of making mistakes:

As a Jew, I extend the invitation to do teshuvah—which means to repent—but better—to return to a better state, a state of shalem–wholeness and shalom–peace.  You used food to rescue your life, your family and your destiny.  I admire that.  I know that I have not always made good choices and to be honest none of us are perfect.  This is an opportunity to grow and renew.

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I believe Jesus, the Jew, would share the same sentiments.  The problem isn’t making mistakes, but not learning from them and not growing from them.

And this made me cry:

If you aren’t busy on September 7, and I surely doubt that you are not busy—I would like to invite you to a gathering at a historic antebellum North Carolina plantation.  We are doing a fundraiser dinner for Historic Stagville, a North Carolina Historic Site.  One of the largest in fact, much larger than the one owned by your great-grandfather’s in Georgia.  30,000 acres once upon a time with 900 enslaved African Americans working the land over time. They grew tobacco, corn, wheat and cotton.  I want you to walk the grounds with me, go into the cabins, and most of all I want you to help me cook.  Everything is being prepared using locally sourced food, half of which we hope will come from North Carolina’s African American farmers who so desperately need our support.  Everything will be cooked according to 19th century methods.  So September 7, 2013, if you’re brave enough, let’s bake bread and break bread together at Historic Stagville. This isn’t publicity this is opportunity.  Leave the cameras at home.  Don’t worry, it’s cool, nobody will harm you if you’re willing to walk to the Mourner’s Bench.  Better yet, I’ll be there right with you.

G-d Bless,

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Food can heal the body… and the soul.

God Bless you, Michael Twitty.  I hope Paula Deen will take you up on your offer.

A positive image of women

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Emme, the woman-as-a-model, had some positive words to say about being….well…a normal size woman….she loathes the term “plus size” and I do, too.

From the article:

“I think the word ‘plus-sized’ is really a derogatory term for anyone that just happens to have a curve,” Emme told Billy Bush and guest co-host Holly Robinson Peete on Friday’s Access Hollywood Live.

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As I’ve said in previous blogs, the pressure put on women to be super skinny is unhealthy.  It’s not realistic.

Truly, looking at the women called “sexeee” by men’s magazines….with no hips and fake boobs…their body shape more closely resembles a man’s….hmmmm….

Or it seems that mature women’s bodies are the objection—i.e., after childbirth.  When I think of some of the biggest stars…I see the women as more popular when they had young girl figures…really creepy when you think about it.

Sophia Loren would be called fat nowadays….

…and it’s not just the U.S. where women are affected.  Be forewarned–this video shows the progression of the disease and it is very difficult to watch:

Peace be with you, Anna in Russia, and all the women of the world.

The Food Stamp Lie **edited

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**edited.  I missed the claim that he purchased all of this on $21.55  + 6.03 …. So, he’s saying that he used this for a week? At five weeks, that would be $137.90…and that’s only if you live within walking distance of a big box store (that pays minimum wage to its employees) …..but it still stands that this is not  healthy nor sustainable, without meat, fruits and veggies, butter (or olive oil) and eggs.

Donny Ferguson, an aide in the office of Rep. Steve Stockman (R-TX), made the bogus claim that he could eat well on the amount of food allowed with Food Stamps, or SNAP, as it is officially called.

I was surprised to see such a well thought out response here.  Not expecting that from Forbes, for sure. 🙂

I read a rather lame article on MSNBC.  (not linking to it, you’ll have to google it.)   The article writer didn’t bother listing the food items that Ferguson bought, but started with the headline “Republican Staffer Beats Food Stamp Challenge”   I don’t know why folks think MSNBC is liberal…it’s not.  Save for a couple of the more enlightened ones.  I’m sure they’ ll be gone, however, if they really stick their necks out….a la Phil Donahue.  (I find it highly ironic that I grew up on Phil Donahue and my kids have control freak and bully Dr. Phil.)

The llist of the items bought by Ferguson:

For $21.55 Ferguson purchased at Dollar Tree:
Two boxes of Honeycomb cereal
Three cans of red beans and rice
Jar of peanut butter
Bottle of grape jelly
Loaf of whole wheat bread
Two cans of refried beans
Box of spaghetti
Large can of pasta sauce
Two liters of root beer
Large box of popsicles
24 servings of Wyler’s fruit drink mix
Eight cups of applesauce
Bag of pinto beans
Bag of rice
Bag of cookies

For $6.03 at the Shoppers Food Warehouse next door Ferguson bought a gallon of milk and a box of maple and brown sugar oatmeal.

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First, there are no can sizes listed. Highly suspect.  How big a box of sugar-coated cereal?  How big a can of chemically suspect red beans and rice?  How big a jar of grape jelly?

Speaking from a Celiac viewpoint, I couldn’t get past Day One of this wheat based diet.  I would be ill after the first meal, and in a hospital by the end of the month….if I made it that long.

Secondly, as the Forbes article mentions, this diet is void of fruits and vegetables.  And meat, too.  Not one egg.  No flour.  No butter. It has everything to encourage heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and dental decay.  There is nothing nutritious or healthy about this diet.

I don’t drink milk, but if I did before the crash and burn, I would have stopped by now because it’s too expensive and nutritionally questionable with pasteurized milk from grain-fed cows kept in captivity shot up with antibiotics.

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This is not a sustainable diet–for the planet nor for its inhabitants.  It’s disingenuous.  And no doubt if someone follows this diet, the repubs would be blaming them for getting sick and costing taxpayers $$$ dollars in healthcare costs.  Pffft.

Goliath is winning…

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….this is not good….we have third generation bee farmers who are giving up because of the genocide of bees. (buzz-a-cide?)

From the Chicago Tribune link:

Die-offs of bee populations have accelerated over the last few years to a rate the U.S. government calls unsustainable. Honeybees pollinate plants that produce roughly 25 percent of the foods Americans consume, including apples, almonds, watermelons and beans, according to government reports.

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I’m afraid that they will wake up too, too late….and it won’t be until the crops have died and the fields are empty.  God help us then.