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For more information on organic farming, visit your local farmers’ market and talk to the farmers. You can also check out the Web sites for the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, the Organic Consumers Association, and the Organic Trade Association listed in appendix B.
GMO Alert
A GMO (genetically engineered and modified organism) is a plant, animal, or microorganism that has had its genetic code altered—typically by introducing genes from another organism. This process gives the GMO food characteristics that are not present in its original form. Many feel this practice goes against nature and poses a profound threat to people, the environment, and our agricultural heritage.
GMO seed manufacturers maintain that this makes the seed more pest resistant, promotes higher yields, or enhances nutrition. The fact is that the long-term effects of these seeds on the consumer and our genetic pool is still unknown. We believe this untested engineering might be dangerous to human health in the long term. By definition, eating organic foods eliminates GMOs from our food supply.
There are even GMO seeds that are referred to as assassin seeds. The plant that grows from these seeds produces seeds that are infertile. This prevents the replication of the genetic bond. This means that farmers must constantly purchase seeds every year from the companies that manufacture them.
Many communities around the world have succeeded in becoming GMO-free. Please join us in this critical movement to move our agriculture away from genetic engineering and toward truly sustainable agriculture. For more information, you may visit the Non-GMO Project at www.nongmoproject.org.
Composting: The Cycle of Life
Composting is the method of breaking down food waste, grass trimmings, and leaves to create nutrient-rich and fertile soil. It’s the next step we can take toward creating a more sustainable method of growing our food. Compost contains nitrogen and micronutrients to keep the soil healthy and can be used as a mulch and soil amendment. When the soil is healthy, plant yields are higher, and fertilizers and pesticides aren’t as necessary.
Composting completes the cycle of life from seed to table and back to the earth. Many communities sponsor composting programs and can give you all the tools and instructions you need to succeed. Check out www.compostguide.com for a complete guide to composting.
Appendix B:
Resource Guide
In this section we provide our recommendations for you to explore the subject matter in the book more in depth. Follow these leads for a lifetime of exploration into the art of healthy living.
Further Reading
Bailey, Steven, and Larry Trivieri, Jr. Juice Alive: The Ultimate Guide to Juicing Remedies . Garden City Park, NY: Square One Publishers, 2006.
Brazier, Brendan. The Thrive Diet: The Whole Food Way to Lose Weight, Reduce Stress, and Stay Healthy for Life. New York: Da Capo Press, 2007.
Campbell, T. Colin, and Thomas M. Campbell II. The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss, and Long-Term Health. Dallas, TX: Benbella Books, 2006.
Cousens, Gabriel. Conscious Eating. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books, 2000. _____. Rainbow Green Live-Food Cuisine. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books, 2003.
Esselstyn, Caldwell. Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease. New York: Avery Publishing, 2007.
Fuhrman, Joel, M.D. Eat to Live: The Revolutionary Formula for Fast and Sustained Weight Loss. Boston, MA: Little, Brown, and Company, 2005.
Graham, Dr. Douglas N. The 80/10/10 Diet. Key Largo, FL: FoodnSport Press, 2006.
Jacobson, Michael, Ph.D. Six Arguments for a Greener Diet: How a Plant-Based Diet Could Save Your Health and the Environment. Washington, D.C.: Center for Science in the Public Interest, 2006.
Kulvinskas, Viktoras. Survival