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Thursday, March 7, 2013

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!

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