| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| kindacrunchymom |
Posted - May 23 2008 : 8:10:58 PM
I worked in the organic/natural foods industry for almost 15 years. I used to sit on our local OCIA organic certification board as well. We buy organic for many reasons, and I know from my years in retail that there are many myths out there about what organic means, what livestock is treated with and how it affects their end "product", etc.
I just wanted to share a couple of references about antibiotic and hormone use in livestock because I know there is a lot of confusion.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/meat/safe/overview.html
http://envirocancer.cornell.edu/Factsheet/Diet/fs37.hormones.cfm
An easy example is rGBH, the bovine growth hormone. It is given to cows in order to increase their milk production--interestingly, the synthetic hormone debuted at a time when we actually had a milk surplus. Anyhoo, the hormone (natural version) is produced by cows already, but the supplementation of the cows with the synthetic version increases their milk production, thereby increasing profits.
--BUT--
Milk from untreated cows is indistinguishable from those who receive the synthetic hormone, because although the hormone can be detected, it is present in milk from both treated and untreated cows. There is no way to tell if the hormone in the milk is or is not synthetic.
--BUT--
The cows who are treated have a much higher incidence of mastitis (udder enlargement) due to the artificially high milk production. This results in a greater need for antibiotic use in those cows--a whole other controversy.
I guess what I am trying to say is that the issues are very complicated. It is very tempting to say that synthetic hormones=evil and bad or that organic=waste of $$ because the products are the same. The fact is, the use of such hormones brings up a variety of moral, environmental and health issues, many of which are little understood by farmers or even researchers since the usage is relatively recent.
For me, I am an organic girl for the most part. I think that the environmental impact combined with the over use of pharmaceuticals (in animals and people), combined with the health issues in this country leave me with no other option morally and intellectually.
I'd love to hear other viewpoints here, especially since this is such a smart group  I know a lot of you have raised animals, done research, etc, and I think your expertise would be wonderful. To tell the truth, I also make a lot of assumptions about the food supply, some of which might not be true (I'm way, way anti-GMO, but mostly because my gut tells me that it is a horrible idea, not because I am as educated as I should be.) Can we educate each other here, share information and experience?
Farmmom to my 3 year old farm tot, and wife to a country boy!
To learn more about me, here is my blog:
http://mcadmom.wordpress.com/
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| 12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Jeanna |
Posted - May 28 2008 : 05:58:35 AM
We have drank non pasteurized milk many times in our lives and not one time has any of us gotten sick. But I do believe growth hormones that they give to animals along with GMO's is the main cause for kids going through puberty early and many of the cancers of today. Now I can't quote alot of different sources, but I have read/watched/listened to many many sources on the subject and that is where I stand. I like many others wish I could go 100% organic but for financial reasons can't at this moment. However I am working up to it and I know that one day soon I will be. Anyway just MHO. Oh, we have raised our own beef and swine for years along with eggs.
Jeanna
Farmgirl Sister #41
If both of our troubles were hung on a line--You would take yours and I would take mine. |
| graciegreeneyes |
Posted - May 27 2008 : 6:42:58 PM
Heather the same thing happened to me when I was about 14 - I think it was Mom switching jobs or something. I wish I had switched to eating healthy but instead I went on a crash diet, lost 20 pounds in 4 weeks and have struggled to eat normally ever since then. Our culture is so schizophrenic in the way it pushes food on the one hand and ultra-thinness on the other. Bleah!! |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - May 25 2008 : 12:09:14 PM
I grew up the same way Amy Grace and I never ate "junk" food on a regular basis until I was around 14, when my Mom stopped cooking so much and discovered convenience food. I gained 30lbs in one summer( grew some too but....) and I was a VERY active teen ager. I went on a vegeterian, whole foods diet and the weight fell off. I was taking things like honey and hot water, all my Vitamins, things from the natural food store and I lost the weight and I no longer craved food. HMMMM????
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
| graciegreeneyes |
Posted - May 25 2008 : 11:40:56 AM
I think you all are right - the first time I noticed it was when I was 10, in 1980. I grew up with parents who did not buy snack food. We took a trip to the ocean and my mom, for goodness knows what reason, bought a big bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos to bring with us. I had never had Doritos before, or really anything for snacks except apples, homemade pumpkin bread etc and while my folks were taking a walk on the beach I ate half the bag of Doritos - I literally could not stop eating them. This happened four years before I started having teen-age girl issues with food that have stayed with me. Anyway it was really weird and I remember at the time thinking it was weird |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - May 24 2008 : 8:11:20 PM
I think someday the food manufacturer's are going to admit to this addiction- kinda like the whole cigarette addiction of a few years back.
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
| kindacrunchymom |
Posted - May 24 2008 : 8:07:34 PM
You know, I think there is something to the addictive side of processed food. It seems like the more I eat of it the more I crave it.
And, when we stop eating it totally I go through withdrawal in a way--it is weird and a little unsettling.
Farmmom to my 3 year old farm tot, and wife to a country boy!
To learn more about me, here is my blog:
http://mcadmom.wordpress.com/
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| catscharm74 |
Posted - May 24 2008 : 8:05:27 PM
I am going as organic as I can get. I plan on making my own bread and changing my ideas of food completely. I do believe I have a chemical addiction to food because of what is in it. When I was in my healthier stages, eating fresh fruits and vegetables and fresh made bread from the bakery, (organic )goat's cheese from the farmer's market, etc...I didn't feel like I was in a fog all the time and I had none of the ailments I have today. Makes a farmgal wonder.....
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
| kindacrunchymom |
Posted - May 24 2008 : 8:01:33 PM
Thanks for the raw milk info! We garden and buy local, free range eggs and meat from our neighbors but have never gone as far as raw milk (though, breast milk is raw huh? Guess DD's had it then )
I can tell a HUGE difference in the eggs, they taste so much better and are more substantial, you know? There is no comparison as far as produce is concerned.
Farmmom to my 3 year old farm tot, and wife to a country boy!
To learn more about me, here is my blog:
http://mcadmom.wordpress.com/
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| QueenofQuiteAlot |
Posted - May 24 2008 : 7:45:27 PM
raw milk, handled properly is better. Pasturized is dead. Godd and bad bacteria are killed. My family drinks raw milk, and we have never gotten sick. As a matter of fact, my two oldest children are allergic to cow milk, so we raise dairy goats and drink that milk raw. When we started that, it took about 4 or so months for them to get off all asthma and allergy medications, and stopped seing their specialist every three months. Raw goat milk improved their health.
My goats are fed non-sprayed hay, grass, browse and the only thing non-organic is the livestocl blend grain they get on the milk stanchion. They are healthy and beautiful, give creamy delicious milk, and we love it raw. I also use it to make cheese, sourcream, buttermilk, etc. All kinds of cultured yummies. Good bacteria is beneficial.
Our chickens free range, and the eggs are so much better. The meat is good too. I raise a few turkeys who free range for the meat every year, and bless my heart I try to garden, but don't have the knack for growing more than tomatoes and zucchini, so I buy from the farmer's around here.
THe food tastes better home grown and organic. It's sometimes not all shiny-picture-perfect, but you can get used to that *U*
Dalyn
Muckboots 'N Aprons Chapter
~Hick Chicks Soap Barn ~
www.hickchickssoapbarn.com
Homespun Raw Goat Milk Soaps 'n More
http://muckbootsnaprons.blogspot.com/
http://proverbs31nubians.blogspot.com/ |
| kindacrunchymom |
Posted - May 24 2008 : 7:35:09 PM
quote:
Originally posted by willowtreecreek
I get milk from a friend who raises her own cows. Her cows are mainly grass fed and do not get any growth hormone. She has treated her cows if they ever show any sign of illness so technically her cows can't be considered "organic" personally I okay with this. She is not feeding her cows massive Amoy ts to hormones abd antibiotics. I feel pretty confident that when I get milk or beef from her I am getting a high quality product. Unfortunatly in small town Arkansas there arent a whole lot of organic meats available in the stores. I also think that becUse the regulations on organic stuff arent all quite figured out yet, we may not always be getting what we think we are getting when we buy things labled organic. Truely I think our best bet is to become more self reliant. If we raise our own animals ans grow our own produce we will only be using what we feel comfortable using on our own food.
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
Felt and Fabric Crafts
www.willowartist.etsy.com
www.willowtreecreek.com
Do you ever worry about unpasturized milk? We have a neighbor who has a cow share program and we are so interested--but hesitant about giving it to DD. Do you have thoughts on this? (It is organic and such.)
Farmmom to my 3 year old farm tot, and wife to a country boy!
To learn more about me, here is my blog:
http://mcadmom.wordpress.com/
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| graciegreeneyes |
Posted - May 23 2008 : 8:35:34 PM
I've been in the organic/natural foods industry for a long time too, and I try to buy organic - not always economically feasible with teenage boys drinking milk like it is going out of style but...
I really agree with you - I think that communities like this one are an important step in education and learning to look at all sides of an issue. I think this is a valuable forum for us to be able to learn from each other and to see new viewpoints.
The food issue is really emotionally charged on a lot of levels - my discomfort with our food supply starts with the scale of it. One of the reasons I like to buy local is that I know the people I am working with and I know their commitment to quality. My reasons are not everyones reasons however, and I like to hear what all of you have to say |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - May 23 2008 : 8:22:56 PM
I get milk from a friend who raises her own cows. Her cows are mainly grass fed and do not get any growth hormone. She has treated her cows if they ever show any sign of illness so technically her cows can't be considered "organic" personally I okay with this. She is not feeding her cows massive Amoy ts to hormones abd antibiotics. I feel pretty confident that when I get milk or beef from her I am getting a high quality product. Unfortunatly in small town Arkansas there arent a whole lot of organic meats available in the stores. I also think that becUse the regulations on organic stuff arent all quite figured out yet, we may not always be getting what we think we are getting when we buy things labled organic. Truely I think our best bet is to become more self reliant. If we raise our own animals ans grow our own produce we will only be using what we feel comfortable using on our own food.
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
Felt and Fabric Crafts
www.willowartist.etsy.com
www.willowtreecreek.com
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