A Little Experiment

How fun is this? Er, I mean the idea of this. Go to the grocery, buy a potato, watch as your grandmother shows you how to make it grow.

Or not.

"The EPA published findings in the report "Unfinished Business: A Comparative Assessment of Environmental Problems" that ranked pesticide residues in food as the number three cancer risk today." --The World Bank's Strategy for Reducing Poverty and Hunger: A Report to the Development Community

"Several government reports conclude that 60-90% of all types of cancer in the U.S. are related to environmental factors ranging from food preservatives and additives to toxic chemical substances." Douglas M. Costle, Former Director of the EPA

Pesticides and preservatives are so toxic. Organic isn't just a catchphrase or a catchy way to make extra money (although plenty of corporations are taking advantage of us and twisting organic to mean all kinds of things).

Did you know:

"The Delaney Amendment is found in Section 409 of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. It states:

No additive shall be deemed safe if it is found to induce cancer when ingested by man or animal.

Under this amendment, if an additive is deemed unsafe, it cannot be legally used. {HOWEVER,} Pesticides and agrochemicals that ARE KNOWN CARCINOGENS that were approved prior to (this) amendment continue to be used without discretion." --The World Bank's Strategy for Reducing Poverty and Hunger: A Report to the Development Community

And it's not just that these chemicals are known carcinogens (as if that wasn't bad enough), but it's also that organic food has actually been found to be more nutritious, more rich in vitamins and minerals. Considering that minerals and vitamins are derived from soil, it's really no surprise that not adding chemicals to the soil is better than adding them. But still, for some who need the science to prove it, it's here. And here. And here.

We simply can't trust our food suppliers like we used to. Unless you know them personally (ahem, farmer's markets make this possible...) or grow the food yourself, we just can't know what exactly was done to our food. If the EPA is willing to admit that 60-90% of all types of cancer comes from food preservatives and toxins, it's worth our attention.

*Emphasis in quotes are mine and they are taken from Living Cuisine: The Art and Spirit of Raw Food by Renee Loux Underkoffler

It's so hard as a family to eat what's not only healthy, but truly safe. (And no, Laffy Taffy is not organic and yes, it is full of poison! I'm so sorry, Baby!)

So...here's my little experiment and I'd like your feedback. I'm thinking of posting our family grocery budget for the month of August and letting you all see what exactly we buy, cook and eat. And how we can make eating organic not only possible, but also enjoyable.

Now, this all depends on us moving home before August (please pray!). What do you think? Would you find it helpful? We're just a family of three, but it might be helpful for all of us to share how we manage to eat healthy, safely and well.

Leave me a comment if you'd be interested.

But don't think today is just about bumming you out! Oh, no. There are still plenty of things for which to be grateful! Such as...

52. Being able to cook for my family in my childhood home. It's fun to cook for 7!
53. Watching my girl enjoy the special "play area" my parents had custom-designed in their pool for their grandkids. (It's like an oversized step that takes up a decent amount of space so that Dia can crawl and walk and wade around on her own...with my constant supervision!)
54. Watching Rory enjoy her enjoying the pool.
55. Being pregnant.
56. Being pregnant with a toddler. I feel like such a mom!
57. Finally building friendships at my new Stroller Strides class--it was actually pretty emotional for me having to leave my other class up north. But today we met friends at the library.
58. Free (and air-conditioned) story time at the library!
59. Watching my tiny but tough little 21-month old hold her own with the big kids in the mall play area. She is not rough, but she does not get pushed around, either!
60. Really enjoying reading with Dia. She is so into it it's contagious!
61. Naptime. Yes, I actually sleep every afternoon with Dia. So. Tired. Must. Rest.
62. Dia and her towers. "Mama, puh-lay! Towers!"
63. Late-night episodes of Castle with my love. We're all about Beckett and Castle.
64. Lizards that run right past the big french doors inciting gleeful shouts.
65. Hair detangler. And the picture of the "big girl" on the front which is all we need in order to be able to use it.
66. Church as a family and being able to hold my little girl while dancing and worshiping with a new one inside. What a privilege.
67. Devotions, e-devotions, devotion apps and all the ways He can encourage me even as I cook and clean and live.

So very blessed...