We talk a great deal about GMOs, what they mean for public health, how to avoid them, etc., but we never seem to discuss how GMO crops are made. For those who are concerned with eating natural, this process may be a bit of a shock, as although the ingredients are derived from nature, there’s nothing nature-based about the process. Understanding how genetically modified crops are made is likely to affect how individuals judge the whole GMO debate.
Many will argue that GMOs are contrary to nature, and it’s a pretty difficult claim to dispute. Splicing genes and injecting certain genes into a completely different species seems like quite a strange thing to do. We like to think that nature has been working out the kinks, and we shouldn’t be interfering in the process. What seems to be up for debate, however, is whether or not GMOs are infringing on farmer’ constitutional rights.
The war against GMO crops has been raging for some time now, but it hasn’t put Monsanto out of business yet. There are still plenty of farmers who choose GMO when they set out to buy seed, but why is that? As the non-GMO movement is steadily growing, it’s important to take a deeper look at the other side of this fight and understand their point of view as well. Let’s take a look.
Not too many people raise rabbits for meat, and it’s sort of a shame. There are many upsides to raising rabbits, and one of our favorites is certainly the nutritional benefits. Better than beef and better than chicken in many ways, rabbit is both nutritious and delicious. Lots of people overlook the upsides of eating rabbit because there is stigma around the animal; many people keep them as pets. This, however, doesn’t change the fact that they are easy to raise and harvest ethically.
Advocates for non-GMO are traditionally pro new labeling laws. (We are big fans of the Non-GMO Project because they make it easier for discerning consumers to identify which products and brands are going non-GMO.) Dr. Joe Mercola, an advocate for alternative medicine and widely celebrated internet entrepreneur, believes that labeling is essential. Joel Salatin, sustainable farmer extraordinaire, doesn’t see it that way. Read more
People are looking for healthier ways to eat, but unfortunately the good stuff isn’t always easy to spot. Not all produce is grown the way you wish it was, and once you’ve hit the grocery store, you might not know exactly how to easily determine what was grown safely and what was grown in less than desirable conditions, but we can help with that.
There is a little trick that most people don’t know about which will help you figure out which items to grab in the produce section at your local supermarket and which ones to avoid. And, of course, when all else fails, you know you can get the good stuff at a farmer’s market.
Joel Salatin is one of our favorite guys. His family farm, Polyface Farm, uses lots of techniques to promote sustainable farming. Furthermore, the guy knows his stuff when it comes to GMOs. Here are two of our favorite quotes from the man himself.
The fight against GMOs is moving along nicely as more and more people are becoming better informed regarding the dangers of genetically modified organisms. We believe that in order to have healthy people, we need to have healthy animals, which is why they shouldn’t be eating GMOs either. Chickens are probably the most common animal for backyard farmers to raise, but do you know what goes into their diet?
Consumers, more today than ever before, are concerned about what they are putting into their bodies. This is much, much more than just skipping that Quarter Pounder—eating “healthy” today is really about having a thorough understanding not just of the kinds of foods you eat, but what actually goes into the food you eat. A piece of chicken would seem to be a nice lean, protein-rich meal for some, but others are concerned with what the chicken could be passing along.
Chickens in particular typically receive a diet that’s full of high-risk GMO byproducts like corn and soy. Consumers who don’t take the time to get educated about their food are likely to find their meals bursting with genetically modified organisms—and that’s not healthy.
Chickens are one of the most populated species of bird on earth, and that’s probably because humans find them so useful. They can easily be kept out on a farm or even in a person’s backyard. With the right non-GMO chicken feed, these old hens provide lots of scrumptious eggs and lean meat to keep people healthy and strong. But what’s the journey look like from egg to chicken parm?