USDA Out-of-Control

USDA Out-of-Control!   USDA Madness #1: Government Poised to Approve Agent Orange Corn Monsanto's RoundUp Ready genetically engineered crops (soy, corn, cotton, sugarbeets and canola) are a failure, responsible for new breeds of super-weeds, millions of gallons of toxic pesticides sprayed on farm crops, and the propagation of a deadly new micro-monster that attacks plants, animals, and humans alike. Monsanto's Roundup, even in the wake of this trail of destruction, is still the most widely used herbicide on the planet. Now, rather than moving away from chemical and energy-intensive GMO crops and deadly pesticides, the USDA is preparing to escalate, letting chemical/biotech companies force a new wave of genetically engineered herbicide-tolerant crops, mutants that can survive being sprayed with the infamous herbicide 2,4-D, an Agent Orange ingredient with documented, uncontested major health problems that include cancer, reproductive problems, neurotoxicity, and immunosuppression.. We have until February 27, 2012 to try to convince the USDA not to approve Dow Chemical's new 2,4-D-tolerant corn. Take Action!   USDA Madness #2: USDA Approves Monsanto's Bogus "Drought-Tolerant" GMO Corn Genetic diversity and organic soil management - not genetic engineering - is the key to growing crops in the current era of global warming. Only traditional cross-breeding methods, coupled with ecological or organic farm practices that promote soil health, have proven capable of producing normal crop yields under drought or near-drought conditions. The USDA's review of Monsanto's own data shows that years of investment into so-called "drought-resistant" biotech crops have been nothing more than a risky and very expensive failure. Monsanto and the USDA have both admitted that MON 87460, the so-called "drought-tolerant" GMO corn, will fare only modestly better than current conventional varieties under low-and moderate-level drought conditions. Of course, corn grown organically not only retains significant more moisture in the soil than GMO or chemically-raised crops, but eliminates completely the use of toxic pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Data from U.S. researchers indicates that conventional breeding is producing drought tolerance two to three times faster than genetic engineering. The danger is, now that MON 87460 has been fully deregulated, it will inevitably contaminate truly drought-tolerant varieties of organic and conventional corn, destroying the rich genetic diversity that the world's farmers have cultivated in the planet's infinitely varied micro-climates. The USDA decision is final. All we can do now is complain to Congress and President Obama - who promised during the 2008 campaign that he would respect consumers' right to know and label GMOs! Of course, just like the other new GMOs approved by Obama's USDA (alfalfa, sugar beets, etc.), MON 87460 was approved without a labeling requirement. Take Action!   USDA Madness #3: Genetically Engineered Nutraceuticals in Organic Baby Food Beginning when Bush was president, and continuing now in the Obama Administration, the USDA National Organic Program has allowed biotech giant DSM, owner of Martek Biosciences, to market genetically engineered nutraceuticals DHA and ARA to organic food companies, including infant formula and baby cereal manufacturers. So far, organic food companies using GMO DHA and ARA have received complaints from 6,710 OCA members. Thanks to everyone who took action! If you did, you probably received a letter back from Happy Baby, which makes Happy Bellies cereal with DHA, disputing our GMO claim. We've updated our action alert with their letter and our reply. Learn More and Take Action! Support the OCA and the OCF Thank you for supporting our work in 2011! You've made it possible to continue the transition to an organic future by safeguarding organic standards and fighting back against the biotech bullies and their indentured politicians, supporting progressive legislation, educating the public, and organizing nationwide protests. In 2012, we plan to fight even harder. With the 2012 California ballot initiative, and GMO labeling legislation gaining momentum in Vermont, Washington, Connecticut and other states, we have a real chance to hit Monsanto with the skull and crossbones they fear so much - mandatory labels on genetically engineered food. We also plan to step up our efforts to strengthen organic standards and significantly expand the market for organic food and products, especially those produced locally and regionally. Please be as generous as you can this post-holiday season. Donate to the Organic Consumers Association (tax-deductible) Donate to the Organic Consumers Fund (non-tax-deductible, but necessary for our efforts in California) Featured Essay of the Week Populism Isn't Dead, It's Marching: What 19th Century Farmers Can Teach Occupiers About How to Keep Going Little Bytes: Top Stories of the Week Will Organic Farmers See Their Day in Court? Occupy Iowa Caucus: A Democrat "Uncommitted" in 2012 or Why I Won't Caucus for Obama a Second Time Questions About Organic Produce and Sustainability Why Isn't There a More Massive, Activist Climate Movement? Activist Post: An Open Letter to Farmers and Consumers Sponsored Message Join the OCA-Endorsed National Buying Club for Organic and Non-GMO Foods: The Green Polka Dot Box OCA is happy to announce the formation of a new national distribution service for home delivery of organic and non-GMO foods, at 30-50% below the cost of retail, with free shipping on orders of $150 or more. The new national distribution club is called the Green Polka Dot Box (GPDB). Click here Connect With OCA! Facebook Pages: organicconsumers millionsagainst comingclean Twitter Feeds: @organicconsumer @againstmonsanto @OCA_comingclean More: rss feed youtube channel Please forward this publication to family and friends, place it on web sites, print it, duplicate it and post it freely. Knowledge is power! Organic Bytes is a publication of Organic Consumers Association 6771 South Silver Hill Drive - Finland, MN 55603 - Phone: 218-226-4164 - Fax: 218-353-7652 You are subscribed as: linda sierra lcyerra1@gmail.com new york, NY Subscribe & Read past issues and print- friendly PDF versions of Organic Bytes Unsubscribe | Donate

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Take good care,

Linda

Fooducate Blog - Much Ado about Juice

Scary!

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Much Ado about Juice Posted: 28 Dec 2011 05:27 AM PST   This is a guest blog post by Dr. Eric Marcotte, MD The apple juice scrum Dr. Oz started a few months ago came roaring back to life last month.  The original kerfuffle got the FDA to write emails, issue statements and even be interviewed by the Dr. Oz show according to his website. Like most 'crises' this one faded quickly when some celebrity got arrested or engaged or whatever.  The debate got louder again last week when Consumer Reports published lead and arsenic levels in 10 national juice brands.  Dr. Oz may be a bit sensational but not many would accuse stodgy CR of exaggerating. Buried in a then-unnoticed article from Consumer Reports, I found this little tidbit: China now has become the world's major exporter of apple juice concentrate, with America as its largest customer. Imports from China now account for two-thirds of the U.S. apple juice supply. It turns out that China uses pesticides the US has long outlawed to grow their apples.  Seems like we just won't learn: China has proven over and over that it isn't a safe source for drugs (heparin), dog food (melamine), milk (also melamine) or even toys (lead). Why would China be a good place to buy apple juice?? A different and probably louder demographic group is now lit up about apple juice, demanding government action to "protect our youth."  Twitter (at least my little corner of it) has been buzzing about all this, stories flying around and looking more grim with each go-around. I have an idea to bring a little sanity and safety to our grocery shopping.  Ready? STOP DRINKING JUICE!!! To quote this smart doctor I know (well, actually it's just me…) Yes, juice has vitamins – but so does the fruit! Yes, juice even has minerals and those antioxidants – but so does the fruit! Know what else juice has? Juice has more calories per ounce than Coke. Juice has more sugar than soda. Juice is easier to package and store and ship and sell than fruit. Juice is much sweeter than fruit so it's easier to get kids to like it. How do any of these things make juice good for you? They don't – it's not! Juice is good for the food and drink companies…. Let me repeat: Juice is not good for you!  Food Truths, Food Lies, pp. 33-4 Let's skip the apple (and orange, grape, etc.) juice and eat the fruit instead.  Apple concentrate can make it across the ocean just fine, so our Big Food companies trying to make a buck will keep buying it wherever it's cheap. Apples?  Buy a bag and it likely came from no further away than Washington or Michigan.  In my town, I can buy apples most of the year that grew in my zip code. Guess what?  That (American) apple is good for my digestion, waist line, world, and wallet.  Trading up from apple juice to an actual apple would be good for yours, too! Eat Healthfully, Live Fully Healthy!   Eric Marcotte, MD is a small-town Family Physician who is passionate about helping his patients make healthy choices. "Your life and health are the only really valuable possessions you have.  Almost everything else can be repaired or replaced," he says.  His book Food Truths, Food Lies is available on Amazon. Get Fooducated: iPhone App Android App  RSS Subscription or  Email Subscription Follow us on twitter: twitter.com/fooducate on facebook: facebook.com/fooducate

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Take good care,

Linda

New gmo soy

Who can we trust!!!!!

http://t.co/UzGAwdfS


Sent from my iphone w/ love!

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Take good care,

Linda

Fwd: @OrganicAuthorit, 12/29/11 3:29 AM

People look at me like I'm crazy when I tell them I don't use fluoridated toothpaste. From my research Fluoride is greatly toxic and really unnecessary. It's a topic that's of huge debate among naturalist and Dentist. I also use aluminum free baking soda often, either with or without my fluorid free toothpaste.

 

I got this email from Orgainc Authority with some great toothpaste alternatives if anyone is interested.

Yes, You Can Have A Healthy Mouth Without Toothpaste (Really!) dlvr.it/12cfKW

Sent from my iphone w/ love! 

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Take good care,

Linda

Join the OCA-Endorsed National Buying Club for Organic and Non-GMO Foods: The Green Polka Dot Box

http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_23769.cfm

 

Hi friends,

I'm gonna check this out, if you do too let me know what you think.

@jazzyhealth, 1/2/12 4:19 PM

Linda (@jazzyhealth) 1/2/12 4:19 PM Sprouted green lentils, buttery cauliflower, olive oiled & s&p'd chick peas, just random stuff to have for the week ahead.  Then garlicy spinach w/salmon & brown rice & home brewed ice tea for tonights dinner!

Sent from my iphone w/ love!