Planting Thoughts – To Eat or Not to Eat

On any given day, we are bombarded with conflicting and confusing information about food.
Advertisements attempt to make us feel that we will be healthier, happier, stronger, more attractive or more fun if we partake in this food or that drink.  Many of these claims are balderdash with no scientific evidence to support them. Products we use every day can contain skillfully hidden potentially harmful ingredients. This may sound ominous, but take heart; you can take control of what you put in your body in very delicious and satisfying ways.
Education is the key to making good food choices. I am always excited to learn something new about eating healthy. Sometimes the education can be a little frightening as is the case with genetically modified organisms (or GMOs). GMO labeling has been a hotly debated issue. If the giant chemical companies and huge food manufacturers truly believed that their products were safe, why would they oppose labeling genetically engineered food? They wouldn’t!
Recent studies have shown that GMO foods can significantly increase the risk of serious kidney, liver and reproductive problems. Most of the studies that have been conducted on GMOs to date are relatively short term (2 years). No significant long term studies have been published to date. Some might argue that GMOs are not harmful, but is it worth taking a gamble on your health? For anyone who has experienced serious health problems, the answer is a resounding “NO!”
Thankfully there are many people and organizations who are working hard to provide education and resources on how to live a healthy plant-based life style (and avoid those pesky GMOs). The Institute for Responsible Technology has a fantastic free Non-GMO Shopping Guide Brochure available for download on their website.
If you are looking for a more hands-on approach to taking control of your diet and health, The Plant Based Nation Spring 2013 Conference will be held in Scottsdale on May 11. Plant Based Nation is a grassroots organization that is dedicated to helping people learn how to live a healthier life through a plant-based diet. What I love about this organization is that they share my philosophy of sharing the awesomeness of a plant based diet with anyone who is interested, regardless of what their current diet may be.
The conference will feature presentations by doctors, inspirational speakers and chefs! There will be breakfast and lunch served and food demos throughout the day. It’s sure to be an incredibly educational, delicious and fun day. The cost is only $50.00 per person.
Plant Based Nation Spring 2013 Conference
Date: May 11, 2013
Time: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: Franciscan Renewal Center, 5802 E Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale AZ