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Thursday, June 2, 2011
Musical Metal Wall Art 2011
Genetically Modified Foods
Genetically Modified Foods scare the hell out of me. Especially the insertion of bacterial genes into crop DNA that makes the entire - yes EVERY CELL of the plant - poisonous to an entire family of insects. Bt is a bacteria used to control caterpillars. I use it in my garden SELECTIVELY if I have caterpillars destroying a crop. But when the gene is inserted into a plant's DNA, then that whole field of cotton, corn, or whatever, is poisonous to ALL caterpillars (including the ones that become butterflies!).Here is a guide to IDENTIFYING GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS in the grocery store. I will use this and be certain to NEVER give the growers who use this technology my money. The following was copied from Howard Garrett (A respected Dallas Garden Expert and speaker):
"Many consumers don’t realize that the FDA does not require genetically modified food to be labeled. That’s because the FDA has decided that you don’t care if the tomato you are eating has been cross bred with frog genes to render the tomato more resistant to cold weather. Some consumers may not be concerned with eating “Franken Food”, but for those who are, here is how to determine if the fruits and vegetables you’re buying are (GM) genetically modified.
For conventionally grown fruit (grown with chemicals inputs), the PLU code on the sticker consists of four numbers. Organically grown fruit has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 9. Genetically engineered (GM) fruit has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 8.
Example: A conventionally grown banana would be 4011. An organically grown banana would be 94011. A genetically engineered banana would be 84011.
These tips are especially important now that over 80% of all processed foods in the US are genetically modified. Many countries in the European Union have been banning GM products and produce. They include Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary and Luxembourg. However in the US and Canada, food manufacturers are not required to label if their food is genetically modified or not. "
Here are some of Howard's guidelines for steering clear of GM foods in your diet, if that is your choice ...
Here is a link to Howard Garrett's Website page about avoiding GM foods.
FIGHT THE POWER:)
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Funions! Free plants from your salad scraps...
One of the most unusual plants in our garden draws attention every time someone visits for the first time. Alien-like in form with puffy white balls at the end of their stems, our overgrown green onions seem like some rare, exotic find.The plants will root nearly any time of year: even in
the heat of summer. They seem to thrive in sun or shade, are not invasive, and are even edible (although fairly tough and strong; they need to be cooked down in a good amount of oil but certainly work in a pinch!).At maturity, plants are about 2-3 feet tall.
Our kids call the onion areas "the octopus' garden":)Little white onion nubs just barely have to be 'planted' in order to thrive. Get the roots under some dirt and let them have an occasional drink if they aren't in an area that gets water regularly. They are amazingly drought tolerant!