Update!

I have REALLY discovered that I am not great at keeping up with my blogs this year!  I'm trying to chalk it up to being far to busy, but that's probably not totally true. :o)

For the most part so far, it has not been nearly as difficult as I would have thought to stay away from GMO's -- assuming you have the money to buy non-gmo brands, which are generally at least a little more expensive than "regular" brands.  They make everything from Non-GMO verified Pop-tart type things to flour, soda, scones, and everything in between.  The key has been knowing where to shop (and where not to shop) and knowing which items could possibly be GMO's.  (For instance, 50% of the sugar is GMO from sugar beets, so if there is sugar in the recipe, there's a pretty good chance it could contain GMO's-- Corn or Soy are almost ALL GMOs, so I just stay the heck away from them when shopping unless they're NON-GMO verified).
Also, there is a great app for the Iphone from the Non-GMO project; I am not sure if it is available for Androids/ other smart phones.  Their website is available here.  They have shopping guides; you can browse by categories, brands, and retailers, and their app has been a really great resource!

My biggest issue so far has been at business meetings.  I am the Executive Director of a non-profit, and am frequently asked to lunch meetings for the Executive Committee of my Board, and for some of the committees I am involved with for community development with others outside of my organization.  Most of these meetings take place at small, local diners that I am quite certain are not paying any attention to ingredient lists!  Most don't really have salads to speak of either- and having an iceburg chunk with a couple of cherry tomatoes doesn't really float my boat.  I have considered eating before or after, but there's a rudeness factor, so forth and so on.  I generally wind up with a poached egg (no doubt from a chicken fed GMO corn), rye toast (probably contains soybean oil), and tomato slices. 

The other challenge has been in overall planning. I have to make sure that I cook the evening before for lunch today (to bring to work) so that I am not running out to grab something because I am hungry and poorly planned. If I plan well, it is easy.  If I slack, so does my resolve!

In a spirit of honesty, I will also tell you that there is always bakery available at my work, and sometimes I cannot help walking through the break room and grabbing some homemade cookies, homemade bread, or other wonders of the world that most certainly contain some GMO sugar and oil.   I work at a senior service agency, and let me tell you, those grannies can bake! 

I was reading a short article the other day about GMO ingredients in supplements--something I never considered before-- and will have to do some more reading.  I am also watching with interest what happens with the whole GMO salmon debate; no doubt that will be in our food stream soon as well!

Shopping & Challenges

I finished the year out Monday by cleaning out the fridge and going shopping!  Our neighborhood grocery store is Giant Eagle, and while they are less than one mile from home, they have a very limited selection of non-gmo foods.  Fortunately, there is an Earth Fare on my side of town; unfortunately it is a 25 minute drive away.  We are also located a reasonable distance from the West Side Market, which has my favorite little veggie stand-- the Basketeria.  If you are a Clevelander and haven't been to the market in a while, I would highly recommend a visit.  They have LOTS of organic produce at very resonable prices.  In addition, for all of you local foodies, they carry a nice selection of Ohio grown produce.

I was surprised at just how much non-gmo and/or organic food I was able to find at Earth Fare in January! (Of course, it's all imported so that ups the miles and carbon footprint of every dish; again I am not-so-secretly wishing for a big greenhouse!)  We discovered the deliciousness of The Immaculate Baking Company's Blueberry Scones for a New Year's Day treat, and even found comfort foods such as pasta and breads (which we haven't tried yet, but I'll keep you posted).  Eden Organics has BPA free cans, so it was great to pick up some canned beans in addition to the dried bulk beans, lentils, rice, and sunflower seeds I bought.  All-in-all, the shopping trip went better than expected!

Unfortunately, my hubby was admitted to the hospital, and after running around all morning, we had to go there... which meant we skipped lunch.  I picked up a Raw Revolution Chocolate Coconut Bliss bar while we were out, which helped a little, but was definately not enough to go all day!  Ordinarily at a moment like this, I would have stopped somewhere for a bite-- but the lack of nearby cooked-for-you food options is a challenge! My daughter (who is over 18) and I decided to wait until we got home, and then feasted on vegan-organic potato-leek soup.  It's wonderfully filling, warm, and comforting.  I found the recipe online sometime ago, but don't remember where-- it's super simple and goes like this:

1 Tablespoon olive oil
4 organic leeks, sliced thin (white and light green bits)
4 cloves organic garlic, minced
4 cups broth (I use 4 cups of hot water and two teaspoons of Better Than Bullion organic vegan vegetable bullion)
4 organic potatoes (I have tried it with russet, gold, and red potatoes-- all taste good, but I add a 5th potato if necessary depending on the size)
1 can organic great northern beans, drained and rinsed.
Sea salt and pepper to taste

Heat the olive oil; sautee the garlic and leeks for about 5 minutes or until the leeks start to get soft.  I usually sprinkle in some salt and pepper about now.  Add the broth and potatoes; bring to a boil and then lower the temp and let simmer for 15 minutes.  Add the beans; cook another 5 minutes.  Using an immersion blender or regular blender (in small batches), blend the soup until it's creamy smooth.  Enjoy!