Healthy Eating?

You may be surprised.

Hey folks,

As some of you know, my Wife is a Vegan. I'm doing my best to eat healthier. Not ready for the total Vegetarian thing yet. But eating healthier is always better than not. My most recent change has been from White Bread Totally, to Honey Wheat. I can't do the Grain Breads, but the Honey Wheat I actually like.

As I continue to look into Healthy Eating, I'm discovering that I have MORE questions than I did before. If you are like me, and trying to eat healthier, then you need to be aware of things like this. According to Yahoo Health - Don't Let Food Names Fool You! By Amy Ahlberg, Rodale.com Thu, Jul 21, 2011

If healthy eating, is important to you, watch out for misleading healthy-sounding food names. According to a study published online ahead of print in The Journal of Consumer Research, simply changing the name of a food item can influence its perceived healthfulness to dieters, who seem to rely more heavily on food cues—such as food names—than nondieters. Ambiguous names like "veggie chips," "flavored water," or simply calling a dish a "salad" can convince dieters that the item has nutritional value, whereas other names lead to the belief that the item is unhealthful.

Well YEAH. If someone asked me what was more healthy for me, a Salad or a Big Mac, I would most likely chose the Salad. Right?

The details: These perceptions can have unhealthy effects: According to study author Caglar Irmak, PhD, assistant professor of marketing at the Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina, the study's findings show that dieters may actually end up eating more of these not-so-healthy foods. Says Irmak, "One of our key findings is that dieters rate foods with healthy-sounding names [for example, salad] as healthier than identical food items with less-healthy-sounding names [for example, pasta]." Dieters base their food decisions on the name of the food items, instead of the ingredients, says Irmak. So they may eat more calories than what their dieting goals prescribe. "In one of our studies, when a candy was called 'fruit chews,' dieters ate significantly more candies than when the candy was called 'candy chews'."

5 Ways food labels try to mislead you.

What it means: Irmak's advice is to be vigilant about a food's actual ingredients. "Dieters need to focus on the ingredients of the food items, rather than names only, as many food items are healthy in name only," he says. But the good news is that checking the ingredients can erase the misleading effects of the food's name."In one of our studies, when we asked dieters about the healthfulness of each ingredient in the food item before they evaluated the overall healthfulness of the item, the effect of the food name vanished," says Irmak.

It's possible to avoid being seduced by a healthy-sounding food, if you pay attention. Here are some tips for sorting the "health" from the hype:

6 Things food industry executives don't want you to know.

Salads aren't always healthy.

Often, dieters skip pizza and burgers and opt for main-course salads, imagining them to be the healthiest foods on the menu. And restaurants perpetuate the belief that their salads are nutritious, low-calorie options, even though many salads at chain restaurants can hover around (or top) 1,000 calories, thanks to gigantic portion sizes, fatty and/or fried toppings, and creamy dressings. These super-size salads can also contain almost a day's worth of sodium, so buyer beware. Fast fixes include having a half portion, if it's on the menu, or just packing up half of your order to take home.

All bottled waters aren't the same.

Some flavored waters or vitamin-enhanced waters can contain up to 200 calories per bottle. Sucking down just one of these a day could create a 20-pound weight gain in a year's time. A smarter substitution? Calorie-free flavored waters without added sugar or artificial sweeteners. Look for brands that contain just a hint of natural flavoring, or sip on naturally flavored seltzer water for hydration minus the additives.

Fruit-flavored snacks aren't fruit.

Gummy fruit treats, fruit roll-ups, fruit bars and other items with fruit on the label may contain some juice or fruit flavoring, but often don't actually contain fruit. But they can contain high-fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, and other unhealthy ingredients. A superior swap is pretty obvious—go for fresh fruit. Another portable option? Chewy dried fruit (remember to check the label for added sugar and calories). Both offer up the fiber, antioxidants and other nutrients missing from fruit-flavored snacks.

Veggie chips are still, well, chips.

While baked veggie chips might seem better for you than traditional chips, they can still contain up to 8 grams of fat per one-ounce serving—almost as much as a small bag of potato chips. Having actual cut-up veggies, even with a small amount of dip, is a better way to satisfy your craving for crunch. The fat in the dip even helps with the absorption of key nutrients in the vegetables.

No I was aware of some of these. I am FULLY aware that not all Fruit Snacks are Fruit. Not even Roll-Ups. I found that out the hard way. I thought I was doing right by giving Josh them, but then Laura told me to check out the ingredient. Yup. No Fruit whatsoever. Or very little.

I was surprised about the Water thing. But that makes sense. I really dislike Veggie Chips. Laura loves them. But I can't stand Baked Chips of any kind. Too hard for me. But the bottom line here is Ingredients, Ingredients, Ingredients. Read the Lables. Now I DO still stand by Moderation. I still find it both Logical and Factual that as long as you consume ANYTHING in Moderation, you'll be just fine. Of course, if you are looking to lose weight, there is still only one Diet that is GAURUNTEED to work EVERY TIME with EVERY BODY that tries it. The ELMM Diet. Eat Less, Move More.
Peter

Sources:
Yahoo Health - Don't Let Food Names Fool You!

The Cost Of Eating Healthy

Cost of Junk Food Vs Healthy Eating.

Hey folks,

I have gotten MANY articles sent in by you, talking about everything from the Egg scare, to Caged vs Free Range Chickens, ETC. I have posted several articles about Healthy Eating, Franking Fish, and High Fructose Corn Syrup. So the question is, why do we NOT head in the direction of healthier eating?

The answer is sadly simplistic. COST. Here is what I mean. Go to the Grocery Store, look at the Food Prices. If you get mass produced Chicken, usually frozen, what is the cost. About ten bucks for a bag of Chicken. Look at the Fresh? You get maybe two good sized breasts. Look at the price for "Free Ranged Chickens" You will get even less.

Look at the mass produced products. You know, those high in preservatives and of course HFCS. Then look at the prices of "Organic." Go to the snack isle. How much for a big bag of chips? Some run specials like $1.99 a bag. Now go to the Produce isle. How much is a head of Lettuce? Getting the point?

When we can go to a fast food place, and buy a DOUBLE Burger and Small Fries for $2.11, or go to the store and buy? What? That's a whole meal, add a buck for the drink. So $3.20 you get a whole meal. No cooking. No real clean up. A whole meal. Go to the Store, you can not even get a ready made meal for $3.00. You have to buy all the ingredients, prep, and cook it. Then, add A LOT on if you try to be healthy. For a meal, you are most likely talking $10.00 to $20.00, plus the time to prepare it. If you are even able to prepare it. No one is teaching you how to cook anymore.

People would LOVE to eat healthier. The companies that produce "Organic," "Free Range," and more natural Foods would love to make more money. But the sad fact is, people go the cheaper route.

Then you have the stereotype that healthier food taste, well, bland, or bad. This is not always the case either. As many of you know, my Wife Laura is a Vegan. That means no meat, no dairy. I eat Vegan meals about two to three times a week. There has only been one or two that I really didn't like. You can keep the Tofu. ANY Tofu. But the "Beef crumbles" and the Bacon, oh the Bacon, actually tastes BETTER to me than the real deal. I'm not kidding. "Morning Star Bacon Strips?" Give them to me EVERY DAY! I can't get enough.

So why are the alternatives more expensive than the junk? Supply and demand play a part. Less people are buying them, therefore, they cost more. But at the same time, less people are buying them BECAUSE they cost more.

So what's the answer? Truthfully? I'm not really sure. You could start by watching a movie I just saw recently called "Food inc." It will change your perspective on the food industry. The facts are out there. Commonsense and logic are out there. But there is still the cost factor.

My recommendation to you, try it. Try it a little at a time. One meal a week, try to skip the meat. Try to buy from humane companies. Try to give up some of the Junk. You may find that you like it better.

Yes, it does cost a bit more to eat healthier, but the savings in long term medical bills will even that out. Now do not get me wrong folks, again, I like my meat. I like my occasional fast food. But I do not live for it, or on it. I try to eat healthy as much as possible. I try not to buy items from companies I know do not treat their animals humanely. I try to do the right thing.

I will tell you this. In the long run, not only you sill start feeling better, you may even start seeing a difference in your physical appearance. Worked for me.
Peter

Hatsume Fair , Russia Says Screw You America

Preview for Sunday 032110

Hey folks,

Welcome to the Big Sunday Edition of the OPNTalk Blog. We are live as live can be. Normally, I have everything ready to go by 12am Sunday, with the exception of the Preview. Can't post links to something that doesn't exist yet. However, today, I'm here live.

Just got in about 8:30 pm Saturday night. Spent all day at the Hatsume Fair At the Morikami in Del Ray. A great time had by all. Josh had a blast. Got some great pictures as well I will be posting sometime later over at Facebook. If you took the time to "Friend" me Peter Carlock, over there you would see I have the Chat open for a bit longer. I am actually chatting with some of you as I do the Big Sunday Edition. You can also follow me on Twitter - peteropntalk, Tom Sullivan Radio Listener's Club - Peter Carlock, and of course the Email, as always, opntalk@gmail.com

So the Hatsume Fair was great this year. A lot of people showed up dressed in their favorite Anime Characters. The Shows and displays were great. Josh made some new friends. The Music, Food, and Education was fun for all. If you ever get the chance to check it out, it's well worth the $12.00 administration to get in.

So getting a late start today. Coming right up?

Obama backs plan to legalize illegals

Flaws in Duke University Statement About High Fructose Corn Syrup

ABC News Paid Casey Anthony $200,000

DLA for Sunday 032110

IWA For Sunday 032110

Here is something that I'm sure is no concern for Obama. He is to busy smiling and waving at Muslims all over the world, dissing Israel, and attempting to jam Obamacare down our throats to worry about this. According to FT - Putin vexes US over Iran nuclear power By Daniel Dombey in Washington and Isabel Gorst in Moscow Published: March 18 2010 16:44 Last updated: March 18 2010 20:26

Vladimir Putin, Russia’s prime minister, promised on Thursday that Moscow would help Iran complete a civil nuclear power station by this summer, drawing criticism from Hillary Clinton, US secretary of state.

His remarks highlighted the continuing differences between the two powers over how to contain Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Mrs Clinton was visiting Moscow on a trip partly designed to increase the pressure on Tehran by showing America’s unity with Russia.

But Mr Putin told a meeting held in Volgodonsk, southern Russia, that work to complete the Bushehr plant on Iran’s Gulf coast would soon be complete. “The first block of the Iranian atomic power station must be launched this summer,” he said.

Why?

Asked about Mr Putin’s remarks, Mrs Clinton said it “would be premature to go forward with any project at this time, because we want to send an unequivocal message to the Iranians”.

However, she added: “We have consistently said that Iran is entitled to civil nuclear power. It is a nuclear weapons programme that it is not entitled to.”

Nuclear Weapons are ALL they are concerned about. That IS what they are doing. You MORON.

Russian experts have been helping to build a light water reactor at Bushehr since the 1990s. Officials have previously said it would be finished this year.

Mrs Clinton is trying to build support for United Nations sanctions on Iran and has enjoyed more success in winning over Russia – which has signalled it could support limited measures – than other members of the Security Council such as China, Brazil and Turkey.

Appearing at the same press conference with Mrs Clinton, Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, said sanctions on Iran should be aimed solely at preventing nuclear proliferation rather than having any broader impact on the economy.

He added that construction at Bushehr, a project originally intended to be completed about a decade ago, was in its final stages.

Russia and the US agree that Iran has a right to civil nuclear power and Bushehr is not at the heart of US fears that Tehran is working towards nuclear weapons capability.

Idiots.

Mrs Clinton said that if Iran “reassures the world, or if its behaviour is changed because of international sanctions, then they can pursue peaceful, civil nuclear power.”

{Laughing} Yeah, like North Korea Promised her Husband? Right before he GAVE them the technology? {Sigh} It goes on, but you get the point.

Going to fill my cup. Need it tonight. Be right back.
Peter

Flaws in Duke University Statement About High Fructose Corn Syrup

HFCS in the news again.

Hey folks,

Here is something that I have been following for a few years. High Fructose Corn Syrup. September 21, 2008 was my last update on this. OPNTalk - High-Fructose Corn Syrup Update In that, we learned that Time.com was telling us that it really wasn't as bad for you as first thought. I wrapped it up with this.

So I guess we may have yet another "Coffee issue." In other words, today is good, bad, good, tomorrow it may be bad again. Red Wine? You get the point. I guess just like with most things, just take it in moderation. Especially since it is in just about everything.
Peter

So now we learn, that apparently, Duke University did another study that shows it really IS bad for you. Well, of course, that does not sit well with the Corn Refiners Association. They just released this statement.

Flaws in Duke University Statement About High Fructose Corn Syrup

WASHINGTON, March 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A March 18, 2010 press release entitled "High Fructose Corn Syrup Linked to Liver Scarring" issued by Duke University incorrectly singled out high fructose corn syrup as being responsible for scarring in the liver and other liver diseases, when the underlying study for the release reviewed dietary intake of fructose containing beverages -- not high fructose corn syrup.

In the study "Increased Fructose Consumption is Associated with Fibrosis Severity in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease," researchers asked patients who were already diagnosed with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to recall how many fructose-containing beverages they consumed over the prior year. Although the researchers acknowledged that beverages containing fructose accounted for only 50% of total dietary intake of fructose -- leaving out other important dietary sources of fructose such as fruits and vegetables -- they nevertheless elected to base the findings of the recall study on beverages sources only. Magnifying these problems with their data interpretation still further, the researchers counted intake of fruit juices and other beverages containing fructose from sugar, even though those beverages contain no high fructose corn syrup at all.

It should be noted that fructose has not been proven to be a cause of NAFLD in humans, and NAFLD subjects are compromised individuals with significant health problems which have very little to do with fructose intake. Moreover, associative studies of this kind are widely judged to be of low scientific value when trying to establish cause-and-effect, data from studies like this that are dependent on recollection of the study subjects are notoriously imprecise, and these studies are full of confounding variables and exceedingly difficult to control.

This study unnecessarily confuses consumers about the impact of dietary fructose. Fructose, or "fruit sugar," is safe and is commonly found in fruits, vegetables, fruit juices, table sugar, honey, high fructose corn syrup, and maple syrup.

For more information, please visit www.SweetSurprise.com.

CRA is the national trade association representing the corn refining (wet milling) industry of the United States. CRA and its predecessors have served this important segment of American agribusiness since 1913. Corn refiners manufacture sweeteners, ethanol, starch, bioproducts, corn oil, and feed products from corn components such as starch, oil, protein, and fiber.

Source: Corn Refiners Association

OK So? Like I said, YOU be the judge. I issued you a challenge a while back to go into the Supermarket and just look around. HFCS is EVERYWHERE and in EVERYTHING. That's a lot of money. I encourage you to look into all the information out there, and YOU decide if it is good or not for you. Just like Coffee, Red Wine, ETC. YOU should be the one to make the final decision as to what to put into your body. the better educated you are, the better decisions you will make.
Peter

Danger in the Bottle and Can

Health and Science For Sunday 010310

Hey folks,

No I'm not talking about Alcohol. I'm not talking about Energy Drinks, or even High Fructose Corn Syrup. As a matter of fact, I'm not talking about what is IN the Bottle or the Can at all. I am talking about the Bottle and Can themselves.

You drink Diet Pop? Regular Pop? All those Energy Drinks, Coffee Drinks? What about that Bottle of Water you drink at the Gym? Or for other "Social Reasons." What about the Baby?

Now most of you know, or have at least heard of BPA in Baby Bottles. Well, do you even really understand what that is? We are going to take a look at BPA today in our first Health and Science Segment of 2010.

BPA - Bisphenol A

Discovery and Use

Background

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an important industrial chemical that is used primarily to make polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins, both of which are used in a wide variety of applications. For example, polycarbonate is used in eyeglass lenses, medical equipment, water bottles, digital media (e.g. CDs and DVDs), cell phones, consumer electronics, computers and other business equipment, electrical equipment, household appliances, safety shields, construction glazing, sports safety equipment, and automobiles1. Among the many uses for epoxy resins are industrial floorings, adhesives, industrial protective coatings, powder coatings, automotive primers, can coatings and printed circuit boards.

First Synthesis of Bisphenol A

The first reported synthesis of BPA was from Thomas Zincke of the University of Marburg, Germany. Zincke acknowledged in his paper that the synthesis of BPA, from phenol and acetone, was based on chemical reactions previously reported by others as well as unpublished work (from thesis dissertations) conducted at the University of Marburg. His paper reporting the synthesis of BPA and a number of related compounds was published in 19052. Zincke reported key physical properties of BPA (e.g., molecular composition, melting point, solubility in common solvents) but did not propose any application or use for BPA or the other materials he synthesized.

Commercial Production and Use of Bisphenol A

In 1953, Dr. Hermann Schnell of Bayer in Germany and Dr. Dan Fox of General Electric in the United States independently developed manufacturing processes for a new plastic material, polycarbonate, using BPA as the starting material. Polycarbonate plastic was found to have a unique combination of very useful properties, in particular optical clarity, shatter-resistance and high heat-resistance, which have made polycarbonate an important part of everyday life in a wide variety of applications. Commercial production began in 1957 in the United States and in 1958 in Europe. About this same time, epoxy resins were developed with the versatility to meet a wide range of industrial and consumer needs. Commercial production of BPA began in the 1950’s when large-scale uses for polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins were developed and has grown worldwide along with the continued growth of the uses for these materials.

So, what is the danger? It is a synthesised Human Hormone. It occurs naturally in the body. So it has been tested right? Well, it is one of the most tested compounds in history. However, the FDA do not do their own testing and must rely on the Creators of Chemicals to submit reports. But, I’m sure that the Manufacturers would let us know if it was unsafe. Right? (Yeah right).

But it is not just those Baby Bottles and Water Bottles. Fox News did a story on this. According to Fox News - Study Finds Plastic Chemical BPA in Name-Brand Canned Foods Wednesday, November 04, 2009

In its December issue, Consumer Reports tested soups, juice, tuna and green beans, and found that 19 name-brand foods contain some amount of BPA, which is used in the plastic lining in many canned foods. And organic foods were not exempt — they didn't always have lower levels of BPA than non-organic foods. Some labels also declared their cans BPA-free, but this claim wasn't always true either.

Consumer Reports found that the highest levels of bisphenol-A were found in Del Monte Fresh Cut Green Beans Blue Lake, Progresso Vegetable Soup and Campbell's Condensed Chicken Soup.

The study also found much-maligned BPA in Similac Advance Infant Formula and Nestle Juicy Juice in a can.

"The BPA levels in our samples of Nestle Juicy Juice, at about 9 parts per billion, were not among the highest in the foods we tested. However, considering how many servings of juice young children may consume daily, a child still could exceed a level that Consumers Union thinks would provide an adequate margin of safety," said Dr. Urvashi Rangan, director of Technical Policy, at Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports.

"The lack of any safety margin between the levels that cause harm in animals and those that people could potentially ingest from canned foods has been inadequately addressed by the FDA to date," he added.

Current FDA guidelines put the upper limit of safe exposure to BPA at 50 micrograms of BPA for each kilogram of body weight. But the guidelines were based on studies done in the 1980s. The FDA is expected to issue new guidelines on what levels of BPA are safe for human consumption in the near future.

Again, based on what they are TOLD by those that profit from it's use. I found THIS very interesting. If you really want to know how to avoid BPA? Where can you go? The following is from King County Hazardous Waste Management. Yup. Not the EPA, not the FDA. A local Waste Management Company out of the State of Washington. They even tell you how much, and where to get BPA Free Products. King County Hazardous Waste Management - Bisphenol A (BPA), Plastic Bottles, Canned Goods, and You

Easy ways to avoid bisphenol A in everyday products.

Recent scientific reviews and news reports on the use of polycarbonate plastics containing bisphenol A and potential human health problems are worrying and confusing consumers.

The Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County is committed to protecting the public’s health and the environment by reducing exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. Given the current scientific understanding of biological effects of bisphenol A or BPA, there is good reason for concerned consumers to reduce their exposure to bisphenol A -containing products, especially for infants, children, and women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Infants and young children are at greater risk because of their small size and developing bodies. Studies of laboratory animals or cultured human cells have shown exposure to bisphenol A can cause neural and behavioral changes, precancerous growths in breast and prostate tissues, early onset puberty and other effects at very low doses. In addition, bisphenol A crosses the placenta and has been found in amniotic fluid and umbilical cord tissue, showing that there is no prenatal protection from a mother’s exposure.

Recent reports from the National Institute for Environmental Health conclude that there is concern for neural and behavioral effects in fetuses, infants, and children at current levels of exposure to BPA. Presently, there are no recommended minimum exposure limits for infants or children. More research is also needed to understand all the health effects that may be associated with exposure to Bisphenol A.

There are easy ways to reduce the risk of exposure to BPA for children. Many of the ‘new’ ways are a return to earlier safe food storage practices.

Easy ways to avoid bisphenol A in everyday products

For infants and children

Breastfeeding is the best way to feed newborns and infants. Follow the tips here and on the links to reduce bisphenol A in an infant’s and nursing mom’s diet.

If you use infant formula:

•the first choice is dry powdered formula packaged in non-metal cans
•liquid formulas sold in plastic, mostly polyethylene and polypropylene (#1, 2, or 5) which do not contain any bisphenol A
•concentrated liquid formulas (diluted)
•avoid ready-to-eat liquid formulas in metal cans; they are lined with bisphenol A epoxy resin (sealant)
Use glass baby bottles or plastic bag inserts, which are made of polyethyelene, or switch to polypropylene bottles (labeled #5) that come in solid colors or are milky white, not clear.

Other resources and shopping suggestions *Adapted from National Geographic’s Green Guide Baby bottle choices

Baby Bottles (#5 Plastic)
Gerber Fashion Tints ($4.99 for 3-9 oz. bottles; http://www.thebabyoutlet.com/)
Medela Breastmilk Storage and Feeding Set ($18.99; http://www.target.com/) glass baby bottles
BornFree Vented Glass Bottles ($37.99/2-9 oz. bottles; http://www.newbornfree.com/)
Evenflo Classic Glass Nursers ($8 for 3-4 oz. or 8 oz. bottles; http://www.ingeling.com/)
Sippy Cups Klean Kanteen 12 oz. stainless steel bottle with sippy adaptor ($17.95; http://www.kleankanteen.com/)

For your family
For food storage and drinking use glass or stainless steel water bottles without plastic linings. Avoid plastic containers labeled with a 3, 6, or 7 (inside the recycle symbol). Not all number 7 plastics contain bisphenol A, but they are not separately labeled.

Dispose of cracked or scratched plastic bottles in the garbage.

When buying new bottles take along the shopper’s card: www.thegreenguide.com/doc/BGG2/saferplastics.
For descriptions of plastics and the symbols: www.thegreenguide.com/products/Kitchen/Plastic_Containers.

Foods packaged in juice boxes or cardboard "brick" cartons, by Tetra Pak and SIG Combibloc, are made of safer layers of paper, aluminum and polyethylene (#2) and are also recyclable.

Reduce your use of canned foods by using fresh or frozen foods or foods packaged in other containers like glass or cardboard brick cartons. Save canned foods for convenience or emergencies. Almost all food cans are lined with bisphenol A epoxy resin (sealant) and industry studies confirm that BPA is in canned foods and beverages.

Learn to preserve your own foods using glass containers. The WSU Cooperative Extension offers canning tips and instructions at http://foodsafety.wsu.edu/. Find a Farmer’s market with Puget Sound Fresh Food at: http://www.pugetsoundfresh.org/.

If you use plastics for food storage, follow these safety tips.

If you are using polycarbonate bottles like Nalgene (labeled #7 on the bottom), wash them by hand with mild dishwashing soap and not in the dishwasher. Harsh chemicals and heat degrade the plastic and increase leaching of bisphenol A into foods and liquids.

Avoid using plastic containers to heat food in microwaves because chemicals leach out into the food faster when heated. Ceramic, glass, and other microwaveable dishware are good alternatives.

Others links
Canned food study: www.ewg.org/reports/bisphenola
Consumer tips www.ewg.org/node/20944
Plastic Products at a Glance Chart www.checnet.org/healthehouse/pdf/plasticchart.pdf

I do not know about you, but this has got me thinking about being a bit more careful in my choices I make while shopping and the advice I am about to give my friend who is do to give birth in April. As with anything, the more we know, the better off we are. Do your own research into BPA, and make your own choice. I think I may start leaning on the side of caution and reduce my, and my families exposure.
Peter

Sources:
Bisphenol A - Website
Fox News - Study Finds Plastic Chemical BPA in Name-Brand Canned Foods
King County Hazardous Waste Management - Bisphenol A (BPA), Plastic Bottles, Canned Goods, and You

No Response From Bamm, Coming Right Up

Preview for Sunday 092108

Hey folks,

Happy Sunday to you. I know it's time for the Big Sunday Edition of the OPNTalk Blog, but I'm going to forewarn you, I'm in a foul mood today. I really am.

As a side note. I knew it. Bamm was nothing more than a Hit and Run Poster. For those of you that may not know what I'm talking about, Bamm posted a comment last Sunday on Sarah Palin on ABC I responded to him.

Hey Bamm,

Welcome to the OPNTalk Blog.

It's Monday morning and I have a full week coming up so I'm going to try to be nice here. {Smile} Were you really born ignorant or are you just a Sheep?

"Normally I would not care who the president was."

That is one of the problems right there. A lot of people do not care. They do not care to find out the TRUTH about people running for office. When the time comes, they either vote what they are told to, or they don't vote at all. If you do not care who the President is, then you give up your right to complain about it.

"But I must be honest; this lady is a very poor VP pick by Mcsame. He May win the election by choosing this crazy church lady, but the nation at a whole will loose. I do not think she knows anything about national or international politics. She is hostile, rude, belligerent, ignorant and disingenuous"

{Laughing} Proof? What statements? Care to back any of that up? You are probably a hit and run poster, but this is how an intellectual debate works. I say something like Obama is an idiot without a teleprompter and a pre written speech. I then give examples, like saying "My Muslim faith," "I have visited 57 states." "Uh,uh,uh, and, uh,uh, uh" Iran is a little country. They are no threat." Wait "Iran is a GRAVE threat." ETC. Then you say, I do not agree with that, here is why. So care to give some examples as to WHY you feel that She is "hostile, rude, belligerent, ignorant and disingenuous"

"experience,"

Mayor, Governor, brought about REAL Reform, REAL Change, 80 percent approval ratings. Obama?

"education"

What is her education? Do you know?

"For now she is just the VP pick, but a person has to be crazy to believe this lady is qualified to be president in the event Mcsame became unable to perform his job."

Mcsame? Cute. Where did you get that bumper sticker? But that does pretty much tell us where you stand to begin with. As to qualifications, I repeat, which I know you will not answer, WHAT ARE OBAMA'S Qualifications? Right now he is just the Democrat Nominee for President, but a person has to be crazy to believe this guy is qualified to be President. I have told you Palin's qualifications. How about you share Obama's?

"I know many low information republicans think that she or any other republican is a great pick to run the country,"

Too bad NO information Sheeple, who blindly follow whatever they are told by those that are panicking right now, think Obama is a great pick.

Sorry, but this next part of your statement is just plain idiotic. Typical, but idiotic. Maybe you should really learn some history here.

"because most of them think that minorities (Blacks and Browns) will be the least important types of Americans whom issues are relevant. Some ignorant republicans are desperate and scared and believe all the good jobs should and will go to whites if a republican is the president."

The only times that TRUE reform, true change, and true equality has been accomplished in this country, it was by REPUBLICANS. Democrats talk a great game, they promise the kitchen sink, they get voted in, NOTHING changes. NOTHING helps those in need. All the Left do is create bigger government, spend more money after taking more from you, then tell minorities, THEY {Government} are the answers for all their needs. But when a Minority makes it, it is ALWAYS the LEFT that ask stupid questions, like "Is he Black enough." "Magic Negro." It is ALWAYS the Left that plays the Race card. Like you are attempting to do here. You really want people to believe that if they do not vote for Obama, they are Racists. Ask Joe Biden about Racism.

"This is an insane and out dated concept"

Yes this stereotype is.

"They fail to understand (or refuse to understand) that the GOP does not care about the Poor or Middle class people- white, black, yellow, red or brown."

Care to prove that?

I feel deeply saddened that this country still has people like you in it. Not that you are not a good person. You could be one of the best people with the best intentions I have ever met. But from your statement here, all I see is a sheep. Unable to think for yourself. Just blindly and ignorantly following the script of those on the Far Left.

Please feel free to show me the error in my assessment. Care to have an intellectual debate? Or would you rather just leave it at this?
Peter

But this is not why I'm in a foul mood. I had a feeling he was nothing more than a Hit and Run Poster. No. I'm in a foul mood because I'm tired of being called a racist.

I have been fighting for true equality in this country for the past ten plus years. I am all over the Internet, written countless articles on the subject, met with "Community Organizers." Hosted and attended "World Summit Dinners." I have spent time with and got to know people from all over the world. I have some very good friends from every walk of life you can think of. Some here in America, some still in their own countries. I have been preaching that if we are to have true equality in this country, we need to treat everyone equally. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

What this means is following Martin Luther King. Judging people by the content of their character, NOT the color of their skin. To greet and get to know all the same way. Accept them for WHO they are. Not what they are. A good person is that, a good person. A Bad person is just that. A bad person. Base these judgements on WHAT they do, not how they look. DO not show ANY special treatment to ANYONE. This type of behaviour only breeds more division and more hatred.

But it seems that every time I turn around, people look at me and see a White guy. Therefore, since I'm a White guy, I must not like people that do not look like me. I must have feelings of hate toward them, because they are not of my kind. Sorry, but if you are looking at me, seeing the color of my skin, and judging me based solely on that, YOU are the Racist. YOU are the one that is guilty of that of which you espouse to be your goal of defeating. YOU are the one with the problem.

So of course, now that Obama is in a free fall, they are starting to play the Race Card like they have never done before. They are trying to shame you, scare you, or even threaten you, that if you do not vote for him, it's because YOU are a racist.

Coming right up today:
You Racist, Laying The Foundation for Obama's Defeat
Russian Prophet Telling You What I Am
High-Fructose Corn Syrup Update

Of course, as usual, we wrap things up with the IWA.
IWA For Sunday 092108

Like I said, I'm in a foul mood. I really have no desire to continue to play nice with these idiots. I am not now, nor will I ever be a Racist. I also know that most of you out there are not either. So it's time to start calling these people out. The truth is, every time someone pulls the Race Card, they are usually those that claim they are fighting for equality. It is usually those that are crying the loudest, that are the ones that are truly guilty.

OK, on with the show. So to speak. I'll try to improve my mood as we go on.
Peter

High-Fructose Corn Syrup Update

H.S. for Sunday 092108

Hey folks,

Here is an update of sorts. In past Health and Science Segments, I talked about High-Fructose Corn Syrup. Back on Sunday, July 08, 2007, I posted High-Fructose Corn Syrup Is Everywhere.

I said this.

Myself and my Wife have been checking out this company. Jones Soda. I have to admit that I really only tried one flavor, and it was pretty good. I have my favorite brand of course, when I’m not drinking coffee. But she really likes the product. One really cool thing is you can have your own picture put on their bottles. I am not endorsing nor advertising them. If you want to check them out, go for it. I am simply telling you how I came to the topic this week.

On their website, they talk about high-fructose corn syrup, and the fact that it is not good for you. They link to the Seattle Times - Is high-fructose corn syrup making us fat? It's a sticky subject By Karen Gaudette Seattle Times staff reporter

The syrup began appearing in a multitude of foods in the early 1980s at a savings to manufacturers because it took less to sweeten a product. Between then and now, Americans went from consuming less than a pound of high-fructose corn syrup per person per year in 1970 to 42 pounds in 2005, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service.

The nation's obesity rate has soared along nearly the same trajectory. And those who warn against consuming too much of the syrup began connecting these occurrences over the past five years, as public health officials declared obesity an epidemic and began searching for answers. Researchers have said that fructose may contribute to obesity by failing to trigger the body's internal switch that it's full.

I then issued you a challenge

This is true. Look for yourself the next trip to the store. The products that do NOT contain HFCS are A LOT cheaper. In some cases by half.

Then on Sunday, September 23, 2007, I posted You are Corn and Soy. Here I talked about this CNN article If we are what we eat, Americans are corn and soy, where I told you that Todd Dawson, a plant biologist at the University of California-Berkeley said this.

"I think where the danger comes in with corn is that much of the corn grown now in North America is going into making high fructose corn syrup," Dawson says. "So it's not that corn per se is bad, but it's the sweetener made from corn that gets into many of the foods that Americans are probably consuming too much of, and we now see that showing up as obesity and heart disease and potential for type 2 diabetes."

So it was looking pretty bad for HFCS. But then, just yesterday I saw this from Time.com - Is High-Fructose Corn Syrup Really Good for You? By Lisa McLaughlin

So is it good for you, or is it really BAD?

The answer is somewhere in between, but high-fructose corn syrup is finding defenders from unusual corners. The American Medical Association recently announced at its annual policy-making meeting in Chicago that high-fructose corn syrup does not contribute more to obesity than sugar or other caloric sweeteners. Even Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, has to agree. He criticized early versions of the CRA's ad campaign for its claims that high-fructose corn syrup is a "natural" product. "High-fructose corn syrup starts out as cornstarch, which is chemically or enzymatically degraded to glucose and some short polymers of glucose. Another enzyme is then used to convert varying fractions of glucose into fructose," says Jacobson. "High-fructose corn syrup just doesn't exist in nature." But he admits that the sweetener gets a bum rap. "The special harmfulness of high-fructose corn syrup has become one of those urban myths that sounds right, but is basically wrong. Nutritionally, high-fructose corn syrup and sucrose may be identical."

Even the scientists who first floated the idea of a link between high-fructose corn syrup and rising American obesity rates aren't so sure. Barry Popkin, a nutrition professor at the University of North Carolina, and Dr. George Bray of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge published a widely read and quoted paper in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2004 noting that the rise in high-fructose corn syrup consumption paralleled the rise in obesity rates in the U.S. and hypothesized that the way fructose is metabolized could be uniquely fattening. But the authors say they were just putting forth a theory. It was meant to inspire further study, not be a definitive declaration.

Nutritionist, author and food-policy doyenne Marion Nestle has blogged and written extensively about the issue and says in response to the commercials, "Lots of people think high-fructose corn syrup is the new trans fat. It isn't. ... Biochemically, it is about the same as table sugar (both have about the same amount of fructose and calories) but it is in everything and Americans eat a lot of it — nearly 60 lbs. per capita in 2006, just a bit less than pounds of table sugar. High-fructose corn syrup is not a poison, but eating less of any kind of sugar is a good idea these days and anything that promotes eating more is not."

And therein lies the problem. The commercials claim that just like sugar, high-fructose corn syrup isn't unhealthy when consumed in moderation. But it's hard to know exactly how much of it we're actually consuming because it shows up in so many unexpected foods. "It was in my children's vitamins!" said Elise Mackin. Because high-fructose corn syrup extends the shelf life of foods, and farm subsidies make it cheaper than sugar, it's added to a staggering range of items, including fruity yogurts, cereals, crackers, ketchup and bread — and in most foods marketed to children. So, unless you're making a concerted effort to avoid it, it's pretty difficult to consume high-fructose corn syrup in moderation. "We did a consumers survey," says Doug Radi of Boulder, Colo., based Rudi's Organic Breads, "and less than 25% of them realized that high-fructose corn syrup is commonly used in bread."

Rudi's launched its own advertising campaign over the summer, encouraging Colorado consumers to read ingredients and nutrition labels before purchasing staple foods like bread. The company's aim is to get people to choose Rudi's, since its breads are free of high-fructose corn syrup. "Bread is one of those food items that has a halo of health — water, flour, yeast and salt. All natural," says Radi, "but today there are often 15 unpronounceable, unnecessary ingredients."

But where does that leave the average consumer? "I hate those commercials," says Doug Mackin, "but they do make you think. I'm still not convinced. And I prefer to eat all-natural products, but I'm a little less likely to freak out if my kid drinks fruit punch at a party."

So I guess we may have yet another "Coffee issue." In other words, today is good, bad, good, tomorrow it may be bad again. Red Wine? You get the point. I guess just like with most things, just take it in moderation. Especially since it is in just about everything.
Peter

Sources:
OPNTalk- High Fructose Corn Syrup
Time.com - Is High-Fructose Corn Syrup Really Good for You?

H.S. for Sunday 092307

You are Corn and Soy

Hey folks

This week in the Health and Science segment, according to a new study, you are what you eat. According to CNN -If we are what we eat, Americans are corn and soy By Dr. Sanjay Gupta CNN Chief Medical Correspondent

ATLANTA (CNN) -- To a degree some may find hard to swallow, science is proving the old adage "you are what you eat."

Proteins and fats in your food are incorporated into your body and brain with potentially profound effects on your health and even your behavior.

Todd Dawson, a plant biologist at the University of California-Berkeley, can test a strand of hair to determine how much corn is in your diet or mine by looking for a form of carbon found in corn.

"We are what we eat with respect to carbon, for sure. So if we eat a particular kind of food, and it has a particular kind of carbon in it, that's recorded in us, in our tissues, in our hair, in our fingernails, in the muscles," Dawson says.

Dawson tested a strand of my hair: 69 percent of the carbon came from corn.

This may seem high, but it is typical for Americans.

"We're like corn chips walking because we really have a very, very large fraction of corn in our diets, and we actually can't help it because it's an additive in so many of the foods we find on the market shelves," Dawson says.

{Laughing}

Foods like ketchup, salad dressing, soda, cookies and chips all contain corn, usually high fructose corn syrup.

Remember when I talked about High Fructose Corn Syrup? H.S. High-Fructose Corn Syrup Is Everywhere. I challenged you to go to the store and check it out. I said.

“Actually folks, you would be surprised at what products it is in. Like juices, candies, baked goods, including breads, cookies, syrups, yogurts, soups, ketchup, breakfast cereals, and pasta sauces. After I read this yesterday, my Wife and I went to the local grocer. We DID find it in nearly everything. Here is an interesting statistic.”

Back to CNN.

"I think where the danger comes in with corn is that much of the corn grown now in North America is going into making high fructose corn syrup," Dawson says. "So it's not that corn per se is bad, but it's the sweetener made from corn that gets into many of the foods that Americans are probably consuming too much of, and we now see that showing up as obesity and heart disease and potential for type 2 diabetes."

Europeans eat a diet with far fewer processed foods and corn-based sweeteners. Dawson tested his own hair after three months in Italy: 5 percent corn.

Americans also eat an extraordinary amount of soybean oil, another key ingredient in most processed foods. Checking labels during a recent trip to the grocery store I found soybean oil in everything from tortilla chips to fruit syrup.

Dr. Joseph Hibbeln at the National Institutes of Health estimates that soybeans, usually in the form of oil, account for an astonishing 10 percent of our total calories in the United States.

In recent years, a form of soybean oil has been the primary source of trans fats, which raises levels of LDL, or bad cholesterol, in our bodies and is thought to contribute to heart disease.

Our bodies need a balance of omega-6 fatty acids like soybean oil and omega-3 fatty acids like fish oil, Hibbeln says. Over the last century, our diets have shifted almost completely to omega-6 fatty acids.

"It's quite likely that most of the diseases of modern civilization, major depression, heart disease and obesity are linked to the radical and dramatic shift in the composition of the fats in the food supply," Hibbeln says.

Our brains are composed of fatty acids, and an absence of omega-3 fatty acids can actually change our behavior, according to Hibbeln.

Hibbeln's research suggests diets containing omega-3 fatty acids found in fish reduce depression, aggression and anger, while improving mental well-being.

Quite literally, food for thought.

That it is. See you soon.
Peter

Sources:
OPNTalk-H.S. High-Fructose Corn Syrup Is Everywhere
CNN -If we are what we eat, Americans are corn and soy

H.S. High-Fructose Corn Syrup Is Everywhere

Hey folks,

Myself and my Wife have been checking out this company. Jones Soda. I have to admit that I really only tried one flavor, and it was pretty good. I have my favorite brand of course, when I’m not drinking coffee. But she really likes the product. One really cool thing is you can have your own picture put on their bottles. I am not endorsing nor advertising them. If you want to check them out, go for it. I am simply telling you how I came to the topic this week.

On their website, they talk about high-fructose corn syrup, and the fact that it is not good for you. They link to the Seattle Times - Is high-fructose corn syrup making us fat? It's a sticky subject By Karen Gaudette Seattle Times staff reporter

High-fructose corn syrup is on the ingredient list of products from corn flakes and ketchup to cough syrup and bread. It's popular because it makes foods sweet, keeps them moist and helps them last.

Actually folks, you would be surprised at what products it is in. Like juices, candies, baked goods, including breads, cookies, syrups, yogurts, soups, ketchup, breakfast cereals, and pasta sauces. After I read this yesterday, my Wife and I went to the local grocer. We DID find it in nearly everything. Here is an interesting statistic.

In 1966 per capita consumption of high fructose corn syrup was zero – in 2001 that rose to 62.6 pounds per person per year.

You, as I found out, will be hard pressed to find products that do NOT contain HFCS. Back to the article.

Manufacturers, particularly beverage makers, like the syrup for its versatility as a sweetener and preservative and its affordability compared with sugar from cane or beets. And despite the critical eye it's received in recent years, many public health officials — Washington state's included — say there have yet to be any studies that clearly indicate this syrup is worse for your health than other types of sugars.

"I think it's still a question mark, and I think it probably has more to do with consumer demand, that some people are interested in having a product that's less refined," said Kelly Morrow, an assistant professor of nutrition and a registered dietician at Kenmore's Bastyr University. "The thing is, it's sugar, and there's never been a time in history that we've eaten as much sugar as we do now."

Some nutrition advocates have railed against high-fructose corn syrup, linking its ubiquity to the nation's obesity epidemic and the rise of type 2 diabetes among adults and children. Find a processed food that doesn't contain it, they challenge, noting that its lower price in turn lowers the cost of many foods we should be eating in moderation.

This is true. Look for yourself the next trip to the store. The products that do NOT contain HFCS are A LOT cheaper. In some cases by half.

Judy Simon, a clinic dietician with the University of Washington Medical Center, said she encourages her patients to avoid the syrup and has noticed that those with digestion problems tend to do better with less in their diet.

Seattle's Jones Soda Co. and PCC Natural Markets are shunning the syrup. This month, Jones began selling sodas sweetened with cane sugar. PCC has nearly eliminated packaged foods containing the syrup from its shelves, instead offering products sweetened with alternatives including agave.

It goes on to say this.

The syrup began appearing in a multitude of foods in the early 1980s at a savings to manufacturers because it took less to sweeten a product. Between then and now, Americans went from consuming less than a pound of high-fructose corn syrup per person per year in 1970 to 42 pounds in 2005, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service.

The nation's obesity rate has soared along nearly the same trajectory. And those who warn against consuming too much of the syrup began connecting these occurrences over the past five years, as public health officials declared obesity an epidemic and began searching for answers. Researchers have said that fructose may contribute to obesity by failing to trigger the body's internal switch that it's full.

Of course HFCS has it’s defenders.

The Corn Refiners Association, an industry trade group, counters that the syrup's name is a misnomer given its similar composition to table sugar, and that though the United States is the main consumer of high-fructose corn syrup, obesity rates are rising around the world in places where beet and cane sugar remains the added sweetener of choice. Ultimately, weight gain comes down to taking in more calories than we use, the group says.

And take in more we have. Our consumption of caloric sweeteners of all kinds grew from about 85 pounds per person per year in 1970 to 102 pounds per person in 2005.

That is scary. Of course, as with any diet, burning more than you take in IS the truth to losing or moderating weight. But if this is as bad as they say, then why not watch our use of it. At least STUDY it more.

You know, I’m a lucky, and proud Papa. By the way, next week is my Son Joshua’s 2nd birthday. {Smile} But I am lucky. All he really every wants to eat is fruit and cheese. He LOVES fruit and cheese. Grapes and Extra Sharp Cheddar seem to be his favorites. He will eat candy if we give it to him. Some anyway, but he cannot get enough fruit.

I have always been one to watch what I eat, well, from about my 20's. I quit smoking and went from my normal life weight of about 160 to 230 in about four months. I switched to diet soda, starting cutting out all the junk food, and starting eating a lot, and I mean A LOT of chicken. I also starting going to the gym at that time. I’m now between 215 and 220, but I have NEVER been in better shape in my life. {Muscle weighs more than fat}

But I never heard, no make that, I never cared, what HFCS was. I never knew that is contributed to massive weight gain.

Our kids nowadays have many things against them. From the computer, video games, to the good old fashion TV, we are watching our youth explode. Let’s not give them more things to deal with. Let’s investigate HFCS a little more and make sure that we are watching, and know, what THEY are eating.

Here is another suggestion for you. I know I will be doing this with Joshua. Teach them how to use the power of their imagination. I know I will be using one of my Grandmother’s favorite phrases. “Go outside and play.”
Peter