I have been making many things from scratch for the past year or so and have found that I buy a lot of sugar. Of course, I wait for the $1.69 sale on the 4 pound bag and stock up. Or at least that's what I had been doing-until this month.
I've been doing some reading on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), as called genetically engineered organisms (GEOs). My conclusion is that while I'm sure this scientific process was begun with the best intentions, I think it has now become a way for corporate agricultual giants to get bigger and continue to squash the small-time farmer. In addition to the ethical concerns I have, there are also great health concerns. In my opinion, these genetic modifications to our food do not have the long-term testing that is needed to conclude their safety. In light of that, I'm trying to rid our diet (as much as possible) of GMOs.
Those little buggers sneak in everywhere. Essentially if you buy anything non-organic that has corn or soy in it, it is a GMO. I recently learned that sugar beets and rapeseed (canola) are also genetically modified. There goes my $1.69 bags of sugar and my regular, easy to find, canola oil. So, first plan of attack is the sugar. I have already plotted and planned my big bulk sugar purchase from Azure Standard, but until I can afford that, I purchased some Florida Crystals Natual Cane Sugar. The ingredient is evaporated cane juice. This is not the highest on the scale of health, but it isn't genetically modified. The rapadura that I plan to purchase has been processed in a way that leaves all the minerals in tact. That doesn't make it the ultimate health food, but does give it some nutritional value.
Next on my list to change are my canola oil and rice. I have removed almost all of the corn and soy from the house-just a few things that we are finishing up and they won't be replaced.
This week, look for recipes featuring my new found sugar-used sparingly because it is expensive!
Here are a few links that explain GMOs.
Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful?
Genetically Modified Organisms-Answers.com
Right there with ya! I recently learned about gmo's and they are very very scary :(
ReplyDeleteI buy the same sugar as you are now, and I also just bought organic raw honey and maple syrup. I'm trying to use these two things as much as possible, instead of sugar.
I just checked your Amazon link and that's for non-organic sugar, so I don't know if it's gmo free? That brand does have an organic version-that's what I've been buying at Meijer. Just wanted to give you a heads up!
ReplyDeleteThere is great organic European canola oil on amazon that I get. And Kroger, if you have one, has organic white sugar that is a bit cheaper than Florida Crystals
ReplyDeleteSara-from what I can tell sugar cane at this time hasn't been modified successfully. Or, if it has, it has not been introduced to the commercial markets. So, for right now I'm ok with non-organic. In the future though, I want to go with Rapadura, which is organic. I am waiting until I have a complete list of what I want from Azure Standard so I can make one big order and have it last a while-especially since I'll have to make a 3 hour drive to pick up the order.
ReplyDeleteZaira-Thanks for the heads up on canola. That will probably be on my list as soon as I get a few more Swagbucks to buy Amazon gift cards.
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