The Hidden Dangers of GMOs

A couple of days ago I watched a fascinating documentary about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) that I wanted to share with you. The film, called Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of our Lives, was created by Jeffrey M. Smith, founder of The Institute for Responsible Technology (IRT), bestselling author, and an expert in GMO foods. The goal of IRT is to educate policy makers and the public about genetically modified foods and crops by collaborating with experts in this field and presenting research on the health effects of GMOs.

The film, which I highly recommend, is available for free online until Nov. 8th and you can watch it here: http://geneticroulettemovie.com/grm/. (After Nov. 8th, you'll have to pay a small fee to watch it.)

I was blown away by this film. Though I generally consider myself pretty well-informed when it comes to food justice and health issues, there was a lot in this movie that I did not know about and I wanted to share some of these interesting facts with you.

As you may already know, GMOs are created when a species is injected with DNA from another species, basically producing a man-made crop that would never occur naturally in the wild. Luckily, most of our food is not genetically modified, but the few key crops that are altered are also some of the most common ingredients in the foods we eat today. Here is a list of the main commercial GMO crops (taken from the Non-GMO Project):

Alfalfa (first planting 2011)
Canola (approx. 90% of U.S. crop)
Corn (approx. 88% of U.S. crop in 2011)
Cotton (approx. 90% of U.S. crop in 2011)
Papaya (most of Hawaiian crop; approximately 988 acres)
Soy (approx. 94% of U.S. crop in 2011)
Sugar Beets (approx. 95% of U.S. crop in 2010)
Zucchini and Yellow Summer Squash (approx. 25,000 acres)

At first glance, this list seems pretty short and harmless. However, the problem is that corn and soy are in everything. Just check the label on most packaged or processed products you buy at the store and you are sure to see an ingredient with the word "corn" or "soy" in it. And unless that product is certified organic or "Non-GMO Verified," you better believe that it was made with GMO corn or soy. Sugar beets are also very common in any food that has "sugar" listed as an ingredient on the back.

So what's the problem with GMOs?

In this film, I learned that researchers are finding a relationship between consumption of foods containing GMOs and food allergies, gastrointestinal problems, birth defects, and other health problems. In fact, the link is so clear that many doctors are starting to prescribe non-GMO diets to their sick patients and seeing dramatic results.

Furthermore, we are creating genetically-modified crops that are pesticide resistant or "Roundup Ready" as they are called (Roundup is the name of Monsanto's brand of pesticide). This means we can spray as many chemicals on them as we want and the plants will not die (do you really want to be eating a plant that has been bathed in toxic pesticides? Maybe the plant can survive that, but will you?). They've done studies on plants sprayed with Roundup and have found that these crops are also nutrient-deficient compared to their organic counterparts, so it's not like there's some hidden advantage to growing these kinds of crops. Not only that, but we are also now creating crops that produce their own pesticides! The stomachs of insects that eat these crops literally explode. Have we considered what these crops might be doing to our stomachs when we eat them? We may not be insects, but we are living organisms, and it scares me to think about what might be happening in our GI tract when we eat this stuff.

Two of the biggest GMO crops in our country are corn and soy (80% of these crops are genetically modified). We feed these crops not only to ourselves (in the form of corn oil, high fructose corn syrup, soy lecithin, etc.) but also to our livestock. Research and testimonials from farmers are showing that livestock fed GMO diets are sicker and dying because of it. This can't be good.

The worst part about all of this? We can't rely on the FDA to keep us safe or to publish truthful unbiased research regarding the effects of GMO crops on our health because a lot of these guys either work for Monsanto or have connections to Monsanto, the big biotech company that is engineering all of these genetically modified crops.

So what do we do?

1. Watch the film and educate yourself. I learned a lot from this film and I think you will too.

2. Spread the word. Plenty of cities around the U.S. have action groups to help educate the public about the dangers of GMOs and urge policymakers to label GMO products. The Institute for Responsible Technology also has a web page to help connect you with local activists in your area (click here).

3. Make a commitment to reduce or eliminate your consumption of GMOs. You can download the Non-GMO Shopping Guide to help you buy products from companies that are "Non-GMO Verified."

4. Don't lose hope! We have already succeeded at keeping genetically altered tomatoes out of the market, as well as other crops, and with enough support, we can pressure our government to start labeling GMOs (as many other governments around the world have already done) and to start publishing accurate research about these harmful crops.

Life Updates and New Career Goals!

Wow. I don’t know about you guys, but the past few months have been insanely busy around here! J worked full-time at eBay all summer, then we had our wedding in August (which was absolutely amazing, but also a lot of work!), and soon after that J returned to school/teaching, which has been very time-consuming for him. On top of all of the stay-at-home mommy duties, I’ve started nannying twice a week, which involves picking a three-year-old up at preschool and bringing her back to our place to entertain both her and Emi. It’s certainly helped me gain perspective on what it might be like to someday have to care for two of my own kids (“busy” doesn’t quite sum it up!). In the midst of all that, I’ve also been making some pretty significant career decisions of my own; I’ve decided to return to school to pursue a degree in lactation education. So, I’m signed up for an online class through UC San Diego that is the first step in the process of becoming a lactation educator. I’ve been learning a lot and have really enjoyed the course so far.

My decision to pursue this career came about from my own experiences and challenges with breastfeeding and my desire to help other new moms. When Emi was born, I had absolutely no idea how difficult it would be to breastfeed, let alone how much support (both emotional and physical) I would need from lactation specialists in order to succeed at breastfeeding. In fact, I was so convinced that it would be easy peasy (you just attach the kid to the boob and the rest is history, right?) that I didn’t even bother to take a breastfeeding class or read a book about breastfeeding.

Towards the end of my pregnancy, when my mother (who breastfed both her children) nonchalantly suggested that I get in touch with the local La Leche League to meet some other women who might be able to help me in the near future, I shrugged it off and dismissed her advice. Little did I know just how thankful I would be to eventually get through to one of those LLL leaders about two weeks after Emi was born, desperate for help, because my nipples were incredibly sore and I still hadn’t figured out how to latch her on so that it didn’t hurt like hell. That woman was a savior, as were the lactation consultants I met with during Emi’s doctor visits. I still remember one particular visit (probably 2 or 3 weeks postpartum) during which I literally broke down in tears in front of both the lactation consultant and pediatrician because of how exhausted, overwhelmed, and frustrated I was with my inability to enjoy breastfeeding. I felt like a failure because feeding my baby was not the amazing enjoyable "bonding experience" that I was led to believe it would be (though it eventually became that way after breastfeeding was successfully established). They kept telling me it “wasn’t supposed to hurt” and every time I heard that statement, I died a little inside and wanted to punch whoever said it. I now know that they meant well and weren’t saying it to anger me, but as a way of encouraging me to continue to seek help until it no longer hurt (because if it hurts, your latch or positioning probably need some tweaking…or, in my case, a lot of tweaking, and oftentimes the only way to fix that is to have a trained professional watch you nurse your baby).

I also arrived at this whole field from a health perspective since I have always been passionate about healthy living, wellness, and food. We all know that breastmilk is incredibly healthy for babies and contains things that formula cannot replicate (such as important antibodies that boost a baby’s immune system), but did you know that it’s also incredibly helpful for the mother and for the lifelong health of that baby? Mothers who breastfeed have reduced rates of breast and ovarian cancer, less osteoporosis later in life, and are less likely to hemorrhage after the birth. The longer a baby is breastfed, the less likelihood that baby will develop allergies, asthma, diabetes, and obesity later in life. That baby is also less likely to have gastrointestinal problems.

I know some mothers cannot breastfeed due to medical reasons, but I’m convinced that most mothers, if provided with the right support and resources both prenatally and postnatally, can learn to breastfeed successfully, as I did. It’s my mission to help as many new moms as I can with that, especially young low-income moms, since they are the ones least likely to attempt and succeed at breastfeeding. I am so thrilled to be entering this field and cannot wait to share my experiences and knowledge with you all along the way!

Plunge boldly into the thick of life, and seize it where you will, it is always interesting.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/seize.html#er52JFio1oC8qwdG.9

 "Plunge boldly into the thick of life, and seize it where you will, it is always interesting" - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Plunge boldly into the thick of life, and seize it where you will, it is always interesting.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/seize.html#er52JFio1oC8qwdG.99

If You Want to Change the World, Love a Woman

If you want to change the world… love a woman-really love her.
Find the one who calls to your soul, who doesn’t make sense.
Throw away your check list and put your ear to her heart and listen.
Hear the names, the prayers, the songs of every living thing-
every winged one, every furry and scaled one,
every underground and underwater one, every green and flowering one,
every not yet born and dying one…
Hear their melancholy praises back to the One who gave them life.
If you haven’t heard your own name yet, you haven’t listened long enough.
If your eyes aren’t filled with tears, if you aren’t bowing at her feet,
you haven’t ever grieved having almost lost her.

If you want to change the world… love a woman-one woman
beyond yourself, beyond desire and reason,
beyond your male preferences for youth, beauty and variety
and all your superficial concepts of freedom.
We have given ourselves so many choices
we have forgotten that true liberation
comes from standing in the middle of the soul’s fire
and burning through our resistance to Love.
There is only one Goddess.
Look into Her eyes and see-really see
if she is the one to bring the axe to your head.
If not, walk away. Right now.
Don’t waste time “trying.”
Know that your decision has nothing to do with her
because ultimately it’s not with who,
but when we choose to surrender.

If you want to change the world… love a woman.
Love her for life-beyond your fear of death,
beyond your fear of being manipulated
by the Mother inside your head.
Don’t tell her you’re willing to die for her.
Say you’re willing to LIVE with her,
plant trees with her and watch them grow.
Be her hero by telling her how beautiful she is in her vulnerable majesty,
by helping her to remember every day that she IS Goddess
through your adoration and devotion.

If you want to change the world… love a woman
in all her faces, through all her seasons
and she will heal you of your schizophrenia-
your double-mindedness and half-heartedness
which keeps your Spirit and body separate-
which keeps you alone and always looking outside your Self
for something to make your life worth living.
There will always be another woman.
Soon the new shiny one will become the old dull one
and you’ll grow restless again, trading in women like cars,
trading in the Goddess for the latest object of your desire.
Man doesn’t need any more choices.
What man needs is Woman, the Way of the Feminine,
of Patience and Compassion, non-seeking, non-doing,
of breathing in one place and sinking deep intertwining roots
strong enough to hold the Earth together
while she shakes off the cement and steel from her skin.

If you want to change the world… love a woman, just one woman .
Love and protect her as if she is the last holy vessel.
Love her through her fear of abandonment
which she has been holding for all of humanity.
No, the wound is not hers to heal alone.
No, she is not weak in her codependence.

If you want to change the world… love a woman
all the way through
until she believes you,
until her instincts, her visions, her voice, her art, her passion,
her wildness have returned to her-
until she is a force of love more powerful
than all the political media demons who seek to devalue and destroy her.

If you want to change the world,
lay down your causes, your guns and protest signs.
Lay down your inner war, your righteous anger
and love a woman…
beyond all of your striving for greatness,
beyond your tenacious quest for enlightenment.
The holy grail stands before you
if you would only take her in your arms
and let go of searching for something beyond this intimacy.

What if peace is a dream which can only be re-membered
through the heart of Woman?
What if a man’s love for Woman, the Way of the Feminine
is the key to opening Her heart?

If you want to change the world…love a woman
to the depths of your shadow,
to the highest reaches of your Being,
back to the Garden where you first met her,
to the gateway of the rainbow realm
where you walk through together as Light as One,
to the point of no return,
to the ends and the beginning of a new Earth.

~Lisa Citore

What a beautiful poem. It's a good reminder that femininity has an important place in today's society and that we should all strive to achieve a healthy balance of feminine and masculine qualities in our lives. Some might disagree with me on this, but I believe that the new wave of American feminism seeks to eradicate (or at least downplay) more "feminine" qualities (that includes being sensitive, intuitive, cooperative, soft, graceful, and motherly) in favor of more "masculine" ones (being assertive, strong, rational, logical, dominant, and a provider). Why not strive to achieve both feminine and masculine qualities in our lives? 

Perhaps it's the separation that makes some people uncomfortable, because they don't like classifying certain traits as inherently "feminine" or "masculine" (or don't think that they should be classified that way anyway), and I get that. However, I would also posit that this discomfort is a byproduct of American feminism, which encourages us to value one set of qualities over another, thus making "feminine" qualities seem less appealing or a sign of weakness. This poem reminds us that our feminine side has a lot to offer. The line "love a woman" can be interpreted literally, or we can think of it metaphorically, as a call to embrace the feminine power within all of us and to trust our emotions and intuitions as much as we trust the more logical and rational parts of ourselves.

If you'd like to learn more about the author of this poem, Lisa Citore, you can visit her website here. She's also written the counterpart to this poem, "If You Want to Change the World, Love a Man" which is available here.

Summer Stir-Fry With Red Curry Sauce

Ah, summer.  The season of bell peppers, vine-ripened tomatoes, summer squash, eggplants, basil…the list goes on. For me, nothing beats summer produce. The summer harvest is so versatile and makes meals that are amazingly refreshing. It’s as if mother nature said “Hey, we know you don’t want to be standing in front of a hot oven right now, so here, have some foods that are better eaten raw or cold anyway!” Besides all of the wonderful salads you can throw together with this produce, there are also some tasty stir-fries you can make when you are in the mood for something quick and easy (since it never gets very hot here in the summertime, we really don’t mind using our stove most days, but this might not be the best recipe for those battling 90+ degrees…)

As I was pondering what to make for dinner tonight, I remembered that I had a bottle of Thai Red Curry sauce from Trader Joe’s sitting in my pantry and a fridge full of summer veggies from our CSA box last week, so here’s what we put together (this recipe is super flexible depending on what you have on hand, so don’t hesitate to play around with the amounts and ingredients):

Summer Stir-Fry with Thai Red Curry Sauce

Ingredients

·      3-5 summer squashes (depending on size), chopped

·      1 small or medium-sized eggplant, chopped

·      ½ yellow onion, chopped

·      3 garlic cloves, minced

·      1 or 2 bell peppers

·      a few tablespoons of vegetable oil (I used avocado oil)

·      Pre-made bottle of Thai Red Curry sauce (you can find it at Trader Joe’s, or you can use the Thai Kitchen paste that they sell at most grocery stores, or you make your own curry sauce: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Thai-Red-Curry-Paste-109465)

·      2-4 tablespoons of fresh cilantro or basil

Sauté the above veggies in the oil over medium heat until tender (10-15 minutes), covering the plan occasionally to steam them. When they’re done, add the curry sauce and serve over rice. Top with chopped cilantro or basil. Tofu or chicken would work well with this recipe as well. Enjoy!

·       

The Fight Against Aluminum: Finding a Natural Deodorant That Actually Works

Deodorant. It’s one of those things that many of us cannot live without (and for good reason). We use it on a daily basis, and yet, conventional deodorants are also arguably one of the most unhealthy substances we voluntarily apply on our bodies every morning.

Aluminum and parabens (chemicals used as preservatives) are two of the most common ingredients in most antiperspirant/deodorant products. Unfortunately, these chemicals (as well as many others used in these products) are toxic and harmful to our bodies, especially in large doses. The small dose we’re exposed to on a daily basis by applying deodorant is probably not what we need to worry about; the concern is with the cumulative effect of long-term consistent exposure.

[Sidenote: Please choose to use a deodorant over an antiperspirant! Sweating is a normal healthy process that detoxifies your body. Plugging your sweat glands (especially with a substance that contains aluminum and other harmful chemicals) is probably not the best idea.]

The research on the link between the chemicals found in deodorants/antiperspirants and the risk of breast cancer is mixed, but studies have hypothesized that parabens and aluminum can accumulate in breast tissue and have estrogenic effects, which may stimulate the growth of cancerous cells in the breast. [1] 

Many argue that the risks posed by aluminum present in deodorant are minuscule, especially when you consider all of the other sources of aluminum present in our environment that we are exposed to on a daily basis. Perhaps that is true, but why take chances and further expose yourself to this toxin when alternatives to aluminum-based deodorants exist and are readily available? You may be thinking that these natural alternatives are nowhere near as effective as chemical-based deodorants; it's true that the quest for a good natural deodorant can be a difficult and involved process. However, I urge you to invest the time and look for a natural deodorant that works for you. All bodies are different so what works for one person does not necessarily work for another. 

A few years ago, I began making my own deodorant using alcohol, water, and essential oils. Here’s how I did it: combine two parts alcohol (grain ethyl alcohol is best, but I used vodka since that’s what I had on hand) to one part water into a small refillable spray bottle. Add a few drops of essential oil if you'd like (I used lavender).

You can also use baking soda and coconut oil: http://wellnessmama.com/1523/how-to-make-natural-deodorant-beating-the-b-o-with-natural-deo/ . 

My homemade deodorant worked well, but truthfully, it wasn’t very practical. I had to let the liquid dry before putting on a shirt, which took some time and was hard to do when I was in a hurry to get out the door.

So, after a few months of using the homemade stuff, I began the quest for an effective and easy-to-use natural deodorant that was free of aluminum and parabens. It took a while for me to find something that worked with my body, but I am happy to report that I found one and I’m never going back. It’s called Primal Pit Paste (http://www.primalpitpaste.com/). Besides having a hilarious name,  it also has stellar reviews, suggesting that it probably works well for a lot of people. The ingredients? Organic coconut oil, non-aluminum baking soda, raw shea butter, arrowroot powder, and lavender essential oil (there's also a fragrance-free version, if you prefer). That’s it. No aluminum. No Parabens. No chemical-based fragrances.

 I ordered Primal Pit Paste online (opting for the strong version of the paste with the lavender scent), and after using it for over a week, let me tell you, this stuff works! It may cost $9 a pop, but I think it is well worth the expense. I’m also estimating that the jar will last me for at least 8 months, if not longer.

Remember, what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in your body, especially if we’re talking about a substance that you use every day. So pay attention to the products you use regularly, and don’t assume that the chemicals in them are safe simply because the cosmetic industry says they are.

Happy deodorizing! :)

  [1] Darbre PD, Aljarrah A, Miller WR, Coldham NG, Sauer MJ, Pope GS (January–February 2004). "Concentrations of parabens in human breast tumours". J Appl Toxicol 24 (1): 5–13

---

Steps for Limiting Exposure to Harmful Chemicals in our Environment

For several years now, I've been working hard to reduce my exposure to the dangerous chemicals found in food, cosmetics, cleaning products, plastics, and, well, nearly everything. When I found out I was pregnant I became especially concerned with ways to reduce my (and my baby's) contact with these harmful substances. Of course, you can never be completely free of exposure to chemicals and pollutants, especially if you live in a city, but there are ways to reduce your exposure and protect your health.

Here are some important facts about exposure to toxins and chemicals in our environment (taken from the book HappyBaby: The Organic Guide to Baby's First 24 Months by Robert Sears & Amy Marlow):

• Asthma and lung disease: "Toxic chemicals released into the air as pollution--indoors and outside--irritate the lungs and can contribute to asthma. For children with asthma, air pollution can make their condition worse and increase their risk of other lung problems like bronchitis. Children who live on farms where pesticides and herbicides are sprayed have an elevated risk of asthma. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in certain cleaning supplies, craft supplies, air fresheners, and other household chemicals vaporize into the air and are potent lung irritants."
• Autism: "...We suspect that it's not genes alone that cause the condition. A growing field of study is focusing on possible environmental triggers that may increase a child's risk of developing autism. Studies have found that when pregnant women live or work very close to areas have been sprayed with certain pesticides, especially during the first trimester, their children have an increased incidence of autism. Researchers don't know if environmental triggers may only contribute to the condition if a child is exposed at a particularly susceptible stage of development or if perhaps it only affects children who already have the genetic tendency toward the disease."
• Reproductive development: "Many of the toxic chemicals found in consumer products are known to be endocrine disrupters, meaning they interfere with a baby's hormones--hormones like estrogen and testosterone, which influence a baby's reproductive development. Endocrine disrupters may affect a baby when she's still in the womb because they cross into a baby through mama's placenta. They also accumulate in breast milk. Plastics tend to be the most common sources of exposure to these chemicals."
• Intellectual development and behavior: "The National Academy of Sciences estimates that 1 in 4 developmental behavioral problems in children may be linked to either genetic or environmental factors like exposures to lead, mercury, and pesticides. The chemical flame retardants called PBDEs cause permanent brain changes that lead to behavior problems like hyperactivity. Lead exposure is one of the more common toxic exposures of childhood. This metal, found in contaminated soil and dust, causes behavior problems, leaning disabilities, and memory deficits."

We also know of many substances that can cause cancer, including parabens (found in beauty supplies), formaldehyde (found in furniture, chemical sealants, and some beauty products), Bisphenol A (BPA) found in certain plastics, and others.

In an effort to reduce my exposure (and my baby's exposure) to these toxic chemicals, I have:

1. switched to a mostly organic diet (around 60-70% of the food I buy is organic)
2. reduced the amount of makeup I use on a daily basis and now try to buy cosmetic brands that are safer (for me and for the environment)
3. started to pay closer attention to the ingredient list on products I buy (if it's an ingredient I can't pronounce, it's probably not good for me!)
4. switched to safer cleaning products for my home (we use Seventh Generation for most things)
5. opted for cloth diapers as opposed to disposables (besides creating tons of waste, many disposables are also bleached with chlorine, which pollutes our air and waterways, and contain VOCS--volatile organic compounds--and perfumes, which may irritate a baby's lungs)
6. continued using a water filter mounted to our sink (to filter out some of the nasty chemicals found in our waterways) rather than purchasing plastic water bottles, which may contain BPA
   
   

What are some other ways we can avoid harmful chemicals and toxins in our environment? What steps do you take to do so? 

 

"Let every individual and institution now think and act as a responsible trustee of Earth, seeking choices in ecology, economics and ethics that will provide a sustainable future, eliminate pollution, poverty and violence, awaken the wonder of life and foster peaceful progress in the human adventure."— John McConnell, founder of International Earth Day

Life With a Three Week Old!

Emilia Solymar Bañuelos came into the world on the morning of March 2nd, 2013. Here is a photo of the sunrise taken from my hospital room on the morning she was born. It was a beautiful clear morning.

After over 48 hours of labor, I have to say that I was ready for her to be born! I was exhausted but her arrival gave me a surge of energy and I feel like that energy has continued to sustain me over the past few weeks.

Life with a newborn is incredibly tiring, but it's amazing what your body can adjust to. I haven't slept more than 3 hours at a time for weeks and yet, this morning, I feel surprisingly awake, refreshed, and happy. It took a while but it seems that Emilia has finally gotten her nights and days straightened out, so she is sleeping for longer stretches a night and letting her mom get some much-needed rest! Dad is helping out however he can (especially in the evenings when she goes through her nightly "fussy period"). However, when you are trying to breastfeed exclusively, those first few weeks really do end up being harder for mom because she's the only one who can feed the baby. Breastfeeding was a big challenge for me, but we are slowly getting better at it and hopefully soon we'll start using a bottle more so that dad can feed her regularly as well.

There really is nothing that can prepare you for life with a newborn, but I feel as if I am finally starting to regain some semblance of normalcy. Friends have been coming over with meals to meet her and to socialize with us a bit, and we have been going out for walks every day to get sunshine and fresh air, which is truly necessary if you want to keep your sanity in these early weeks!

Every day is a new challenge and I am constantly wondering if I'm doing the right thing. This has easily been the hardest task I've ever been faced with in my life, but it has also been the most amazing, life-changing, extraordinary experience I have gone through and I am excited to see where it leads.

Here she is with grandpa at the airport. She gave him a big smile!

Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful.  ~Buddha