allergies. Each year, approximately 15 million pounds of synthetic food dyes are added to foods that are heavily marketed to children. It’s frightening to think of our
children as guinea pigs for profit, isn’t it? Here’s how to keep family members safe:
Buy Organic: Researchers at
Washington State University found that switching children from a conventional to an organic diet resulted in a dramatic drop in pesticide exposure. By defini- tion, organic foods cannot contain GMOs, synthetic pesticides, artificial hormones or antibiotics. Sandra Stein- graber, Ph.D., a prominent ecologist and author of Living Downstream, says, “Or- ganic food is really a bargain, when you consider the full cost to our children’s health and their environment.” Read Labels: Most nonorganic corn, soy, canola and sugar (processed from sugar beets, not cane) are geneti- cally engineered, although an identi-
fying label is not required. Common GMO ingredients include soy lecithin, corn starch and high fructose corn syrup. “Good” food advocates suggest that we call or write our favorite food manufacturers and tell them we won’t buy their products if they use GMO ingredients or artificial colors. Avoid Plastics: Always heat food in glass, lead-free ceramic, stainless steel or other non-reactive metal cook- ware (excludes most nonstick brands). Avoid House and Garden
Chemicals: Banish bug sprays and lawn and garden chemicals in favor of more natural products. Check with Be- yond Pesticides for suggested alterna- tives, at
BeyondPesticides.org. Pass this Article on to Friends: Protect the neighborhood and beyond. Petition Legislators: Ask repre- sentatives to support H.R. 5820, the Toxic Chemicals Safety Act, at
ewg.org/ actioncenter.
Melinda Hemmelgarn is a registered dietitian and award-winning writer and radio host based in Columbia, MO. Tune into “Food Sleuth” radio at
kopn.org. Reach her at
FoodSleuth@gmail.com.
For more information visit: The Organic Center (
Organic-Center.org); Pesticide Action Network of North America (
panna.org); IATP Smart Guides (
HealthObservatory.org).
BANISHING THE CANDY MONSTER
n When goblins come a-knocking, offer stickers, pencils, crayons or children’s party favors.
n Host a haunted dinner party with a creepy twist: Serve guacamole (aka “frogs’ guts”), spaghetti with tomato sauce (“bloody brains”) and organic cranberry juice mixed with warm spiced cider (“Dracula’s blood”). Eat by candlelight or around a fire pit and howl at the moon.
n Make up spooky stories.
n Emphasize the dress-up factor. Visit a secondhand store and create unique costumes, complete with homemade masks, face paint and hairdos.
n Celebrate the season with true treats, like time with family and nature. Take a treasure hunt hike to search for leaves, feathers, rocks and seedpods. Decorate small pumpkins or gourds from the farm- ers’ market, dunk for organic apples, carve jack-o-lanterns and toast pumpkin seeds. Yum.
natural awakenings October 2010 47
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