The latest on High Fructose Corn Syrup

As if you needed another reason not to eat High Fructose Corn Syrup, recently release report from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP), a think-tank in Minneapolis, that "Mercury was found in nearly 50 percent of tested samples of commercial high fructose corn syrup (HFCS)..." Read all about it on their website http://www.iatp.org/iatp/press.cfm?refID=105025

Change the World by Changing the way you Eat!

Mark Bittman is out promoting his new book "Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating." He stopped by NPR about a week ago to talk about food, the environment, and cutting back on animal products to make a positive impact on your health and the environment. It's an interesting talk, and also there are three breakfast recipes at the bottom of the page. Check it out!

Make your own recycled Mini Greenhouse

This is such a good idea you can make your own Mini Greenhouse for sprouting your garden seeds indoors. If you're a fan of the co-op's roasted chicken this is a perfect little project to reuse the container once you've eaten the chicken! Check it out at www.instructables.com

Eat Local!

Hey Check this out! As you know the co-op does it best to provide as much local produce as possible. In case you were wondering what is grow around us in this season check out the Natural Resources Defense Council's site then come on in for a locally grown fruit or veggie! The rest of their site is pretty informative as well.

Peanut Butter Product Recalls

If you are interested in up-to-date information on what peanut butter products are being recalled please see this page: www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm.

Organic Beds

If you're in the market for organic bedding this is an interesting New York Times article to check out. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/15/garden/15mattress.html?ref=garden

Eat Local

All the more reason to support small local farmers and producers. Rueters reported today that the USDA cannot guarantee that animals coming from overseas are not genetically engineered (i.e. GMOs) AND "Its policy for GMO crops, though adequate now, could become outdated as other nations boost production of their own GMO crops, the report added."

Read the rest here: http://uk.reuters.com/article/scienceNewsMolt/idUKTRE50D5ZD20090114

Safe the Seafood

FYI: 2009 Pocket Guides Available Now!

Check it out: http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/cr_seafoodwatch/download.aspx

Happy Monday!

This is an interesting article on Food Safety in the New York Times.
link: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/business/11feed.html

Also if you're looking for a hearty but healthy vegetarian meal I can recommend the below recipe for lentil soup. It was so delicious I pretty much followed the recipe except I cooked it for a bit longer and then skipped the blending stage (who wants to clean another dish, not me) also the optional vinegar really perks up the dish. Add a salad and some bread yum, Yum! Also would make an awesome, if a bit runny, side dish.
link: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/French-Lentil-Soup-236772

Happy Friday!

This weekend if you're feeling the chill of the Southern California winter, you can indulge in some delicious homemade soups. I found this list of recipes on the Times site. Check out 10 super seasonal soup recipes here (link takes you to Times site), hope you enjoy. If you make any of them feel free to come back and post a comment on how it worked for you!!

Have a happy weekend!

Join Heal the Bay at Will Rogers State Beach for their monthly cleanup

Saturday, January 17th from 10am-noon our monthly Nothin' But Sand beach cleanup will be held at Will Rogers State Beach. We will set up off of Temescal at lifeguard tower 8. Parking is available for $1 in the lot at 15800 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades, 90272, where Temescal meets the sea.

More details here...

Please remember:

Questions? Bringing a large group (20+) to this event? Please contact Eveline Bravo at ebravo@healthebay.org or 310-451-1500 x148.

Happy New Year!

Hope you all had wonderful New Years Celebrations.

This year resolve to be green!
If you're making new years resolutions this year, U.S. News and World Report has some green, cost-effective suggestions for 2009!

Jim Riddle for Agricultural Marketing Services!
We have the great opportunity to promote Jim Riddle to be the head of the Agricultural Marketing Services. With the appointment of Tom Vilsack, more than ever, we need someone who can act as an advocate for the organic food movement.

Jim Riddle is a longtime champion of organic/sustainable farmers and strong standards, so consumers know what "organic" means from the produce aisle to the dairy cooler to the body care aisle. Please take a look at his resume, and sign their petition.

Please go to:

www.fairfoodfight.com/fight/petition-draft-jim-riddle-usda