[markdchef]

In NJ we have numerous Hfs as well as gourmet supermarkets like KINGS, Fresh Fields, Wild Oats, The Health Shoppe, Whole Earth, and Wegmans.

There is a good hfs in Florham Park NJ called Natural Earth on Columbia Turnpike. The owner, Morris, is extremely helpful. He knows the ins and outs of the vitamin biz, as well as the natural food biz. Every time I go in there it is an education.

The best natural sugar is Rapadura by Rapunzel -- true organic whole sugar -- cane is squeezed and dried that's it. For those who choose to or have to stay away from sugar all together there is an herb called stevia available in liquid or powder. Stevia is all natural and not a sugar, but it is 300-400 x sweeter than cane.

In a pinch I use brown rice syrup or maple syrup, organic of course.

[judy]

I went very quicky into a vegetarian diet. I married one and respected his beliefs and while pregnant with my sons cut out all things meat and dairy. I had very healthy children and by choice they too are all vegetarian. Yes if you do it watch your vitamin and mineral intake but the way we are now pumping hormones etc into animals it feels like a good choice. It has never effected my cooking i am not that strict as far as tasting etc but my menu always has interesting vegetarian meals which are very popular. i think eating habits are slowly changing.great book i have just found in a second hand store is Faye Levy's Fresh from france vegetable creations.

[Shimmer]

My husband is an almost-vegetarian, but eats fish. We eat a lot of those soy-based foods that are meant to taste like other things, but I prefer skipping those and eating foods that I can identify and taste like they should. Another thing to consider is that a majority of soy contains GMOs. So don't think that stopping meat consumption takes out all of the hormones! Just be aware of what you are eating.

At the Indiana State Fair, there was an entire building devoted to the 'wonders' of genetically modified/engineered foods, and this movement has been sanctioned and supported by the majority of the farming community here. What is one of the major crops here? Soy.

Just thought everyone should know. I don't enjoy debating about GMOs, but animal products are not the only things that contain potential danger.



~~Shimmer~~

[SeattleDeb]

Shimmer, what are GMOs....and are they in tofu, soy milk, etc?

[Pooh]

Genetically Modified Organisms

You want to steer clear of that the most you can. I think it's close to being beyong repair with corn, also with canola.

I started cooking with grapeseed oil.

[Shimmer]

GMOs are genetically modified organisms... originally started out as a good idea- make plants that create their own fertilizer so bugs can't kill crops... make plants that always grow big and strong... well somewhere in there they stopped letting the public know what that meant. It has come to a point where when we consume something such as corn or soy, we might be putting more than just that into our body.
In the United States, the government does not require companies to label their products if they contain GMOs. In fact, unless they are labeled that they do NOT contain them, you are taking a risk.

I was in England when grocery stores started pulling things off the shelf they were uncertain about. I dont' know what happened since then.

I don't mean to scare you. I still eat everything, and at the time I eat it, I do not dwell on all of the risks. I just want everyone to be informed, and also to understand what the general public is concerned with as well (since most of us will end up trying to please them). I will try to find more websites that talk about it, because I dont' want to give you paranoia-based or otherwise inaccurate information.

But for now, I'm going to bed!

~~Shimmer~~

P.S. GM soy can make it into any soy product. Yep.

[markdchef]

True organics are never gmo. Look for the non-gmo symbol on packages. Archer Daniels Midland is the worst offender as far as genetically modified. Between them and Monsanto they literally have caused alot of the problems we have with our food supply.

Whether you choose to eat meat or not always look for chemical and preservative free foods. And, be vocal about keeping gmo and altered foods out of our grocery stores.

[Pooh]

Dupont too are amongs the offenders, I believe!

Shimmer,
Talking about websites, have you been on www.waitrose.com? They are from England and are quite verbose on the subject, for good reason.

[shroomgirl]

That is the whole basis of chef's Collaborative....
Waitrose is wonderful I get the mag monthly, it's the only one I wait for
Large companies are lobbying for rules that essentially eliminate small farmers. Seed companies have been bought for years by the big guys so that there are few seed resources left....this is scary shtuff. The more I find out the angrier I get. check out who sponsors your ag conferences, check out how much is donated by these companies, If you read the papers a year ago you'd know that the big chem co are financing a major ad campaign to convince you the food system is ok and gmos are ok....why would you need to know that your food is altered?????
I get extremely hot on this but it makes me furious that the bottom line to some of the practices put into place are not for our well being but for the almighty$.
Small farmers don't have $ or time to lobby they are farming....so we are talking for them at chef's collaborative....this is our food supply and it matters to me that heirloom produce be available and that my food is labeled, and that our tax dollars are spent representing
ALL the public. Whew! Thanks I needed that.

[SeattleDeb]

Shroom, I agree.....especially would like to see the things I buy labelled with what exactly they contain.

[Nick.Shu]

it saddens me greatly to read about such situation like the poor farmer in canada who has to cope with the possibility of losing the family farm due to monsanto canola possibly being blown from transport trucks - monsanto are actually suing him for trademark transgressions - the same company that has violated australian GMO control legislation by allowing GMO canola to resprout in tasmania contrary to documented agreements.

What can you do in regards to economic giants?

[shroomgirl]

Keep on them gov't to label GMOS....positively work to keep small farmers in business, be a squeeky wheel at conventions and keep telling farmers there is a market for their wares....tell them where that is, be specific.

I have 16 new chefs this first 8 weeks of market that will meet my market farmers...that's where the dialog begins....
$$$ motivates alot of people, and with the degradation of the food system alot of the public will spend more on "clean food"...chefs are very aware of this.
I don't always know what the motivators are, but hopefully whatever they are will keep our local small farmers in biz and increase their numbers and provide wonderous qualities of food....
***I guess just be vocal about your concerns...especially to the legislators, for they make the policies....they also really like good food so invite them to your place for a farmer dinner.

[Kimmie]

I could not have said it better, Shroomgirl!

[shroomgirl]

For any of you interested in reading about our farmer-chef dinners in St. Louis check out saucecafe.com under chef's collaborative threads archive.....we are starting a new series May 21 and will have 6 (May-Oct)
If you want information on how it's set-up hollar and I'll post that also.
thanks for the e-mails....
They have sold out weeks in advance with very little PR...

[Pastachef]

KoKopuffs, it's so strange that I just found this post about vitamin B-12. I was just going to ask you about it. I've been taking it for about two weeks and have so much energy! I KNOW I don't eat properly, or even enough to keep anyone going because I'm just too busy. Is this vitamin really this good, or is it psychological?