After reading an article in the Washington Post on Sunday, organic products and bottled water are sounding much more worth the money. The article talks about the huge number of people who suffer from autoimmune diseases and some possible factors contributing to the rise in such diseases. I happen to have one of the diseases, though mine is very, very minor compared to some. I have Hashimotos Thyroiditis. Throughout the past two years and our attempts at having a baby, I've also learned that many of the hormones throughout my body are not regulated properly. While I've not been diagnosed with anything in relation to this, and each seems to be treated seperately, I take supplements in order to make my body do what it is supposed to do. No one has ever been able to explain why my body doesn't function properly, they just say "it's common." Through a little research I did after reading this article, I've learned that many of my friends and family members also have a variety of autoimmune diseases. For example, MS, Chrone's, and even arthritis are autoimmune diseases. Check out the article if you're interested in learning more:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/14/AR2008031403386.html?sub=AR
So when our friend Kate suggested an organic restaurant, it made me think of the article and I thought we'd at least try it. Tonight we went to American Flatbread in Ashburn for dinner.
http://www.americanflatbread.com/ashburn/index.htm
The concept is the use of almost 100% organic ingredients from local farms. The place is nice, bright and cheery; prices are not bad, $12-18 per "flatbread" or what I would call a pizza; and the food was pretty darn good, very fresh and flavorful. The appetizer was very small for $4 and I got a rootbeer float that was $6.50 (not worth it and I let them know it), but they have a cool concept and good food. I'd highly recommend it for anyone who wants to travel to Ashburn for dinner.
I think it is almost impossible right now to change my lifestyle based on the speculation in the Washington Post article, but I do think that every little bit of change helps. I only hope that causes and cures are found for autoimmune diseases so that we can help prevent the diseases for our little ones and heal those of us who already have one or more of the diseases.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Something a Little Different
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8 comments:
Talk to Ro'y and Amy about organic foods. They know quite a bit. The only thing I would warn against is setting up a lifestyle of super cleanliness. With a kid on the way, if he/she is never exposed to germs, then he/she never builds an immune system. Then, before you know it, wham-o. A lot of people are doing this these days and it is coming from corporations trying to sell all kinds of products...
Yeah, I know you're right about making sure we still have plenty of germs around. You've seen our less than tidy house days, right? I don't think I have the strength to do the whole germ-free thing :-)
I don't think you need organic food to prevent yourself from eating toxic chemicals. It is amazing how many artificial chemicals, in low quantity, are FDA "approved".
The best way to eat better type foods is to stay away from processed food rather than going straight to organic. Stay away from anything that has high fructose corn syrup and partial hydrogenated oils. If you stay away from those two ingredients, you will stay away from 75% of the food that has chemicals and preservative in it.
We eat very natural and eat lots of fresh foods. I stay away from any food that has ingredients that I don't know or sound like some dude in a laboratory made it up. The cool thing about the organic symbol on foods is that generally you don't have to read the label to see if there is anything unnatural in it.
I guess what I'm saying is eating organic is only one part of eating natural and chemical free. Owen has never eaten hydrogenated food, or high fructose corn syrup. In fact he has never had baby formula (which in my opinion is full of bad crap). We do spend more on food then we used to, but we stay away from cheap processed food anyways. If you start reading the ingredients on your food, you will realize how much crap is in our food supply that doesn't need to be there. I really think a little food education is important. To me, it is unfortunate that just because food is in a grocery store, means that it is good for you to eat (I'm not talking about calories and fat).
You can also read this book that Kaz is reading, which she tells me is utterly fascinating.
The Omnivore's Dilemma
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1594200823/interactiveda481-20.
Sorry for so many comments, the natural food thing is very important to me and is something that I am very passionate about. I think everyone should investigate eating better.
Anyways, I agree with Rob 100%. Let the kid eat some dirt. It is better to expose the kid to natural germs to build up natural immunity.
I also wonder how much of those diseases are caused by our food supply and ingesting so many man made chemicals. Ugh.
Omnivore's Dilemma's a great book, but by the end his explanations are more flippant, less researched, and feeling like he's tired of writing about it.
As for George's comment about spending more on food: today Americans spend about 10% of our money on food. 80 years ago, we spent 25% of our money on food. (http://salem-news.com/articles/july192006/food_prices_71906.php; an article on the subject) In the past, food represented a more significant investment to families: so, if eating well for Amy and I means returning to a time when food was a more significant portion of income, then that's fine with me. Better then spending that money on BS consumer products that we don't need anyway.
One last thing: I too avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup (although, I admit to consuming it every now and again), but please note that it is not a 'chemical' anymore than any other organic matter (all plant and animal matter is one form or another of a chemical). My concerns over HFCS is its synthetic nature as well as its total UNnecessity in our lives
When I said chemical, I should have said synthetic chemical. Most food grade "chemicals" start from something natural. But they alter the chemical structure to make it cheaper, easier to handle, or preserve it's state before it spoils. Unfortunately, even Organic labeled food can contain synthetics.
And I forgot about that statistic for the percentage of food spent. So true.
Rory, even though you and Amy are vegans, you guys eat like kings....
Sounds like we have a lot to learn, and investigate before this issue is resolved in my mind. Thanks to all for your input!
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