Why is everyone trying to save us?

I don't understand why everyone is trying to save us from ourselves. In San Fransico, there is a lawsuit aimed at stopping McDonald's use of toys to market directly to young children. This is spear headed by The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). In November, the San Fransico Board of Supervisors voted to ban McDonald's and all fast-food restaurants from giving away free toys in kids' meals.

The CSPI stated "The use of toys undercuts parental authority and exploits young children's developmental immaturity. Regardless of the nutritional quality of what's being sold, the practice of tempting kids with toys is deceptive."

My parents said NO thousands if not millions of times during our growing up. We respected their authority, for the most part. If parents cannot make healthful decisions for the kids with or without toys who is CSPI to come in and ban them?

Though, the interesting part is when you get to delving into CSPI's true mission. On CSPI's Form 990 its program is described as "improving both human health and the environment by promoting the consumption of a more PLANT-based diet and reducing the consumption of meat, milk fat and other products that have been linked to cancer, heart disease, and other health problem."

So, the vegetarian agenda strikes again in the form of a deceptive lawsuit and bullying activist group trying to impose its thoughts on the American people. So, who is exploiting who now?

Is corn the root of all evil?

Think about it... Is corn the root of all evil in the modern world? We have obesity that is blamed on high fructose corn syrup, easy access to fast foods which use corn as a filler, and fat beef many of which have been fed diets containing corn. I am not going to even mention- corn whiskey, ethanol, and other uses. Or is it just our consumption and lack of activity?

I am as guilty as the next person about eating foods in excess. This is especially true this time of year. It is cold and I crave chocolate and caramel and well, really anything with a high carbohydrate component. Not exactly what a dietician would reccommend but it is winter and sweaters are a godsend. Most of these foods contain some form of corn in them. If you look at the label of almost all candy- HFCS is in the top 5 ingredients.

So why are people attacking the beef industry about their use of corn? It doesn't take away from other human uses. It adds to the CHEAP food supply. You know the one where we only spend about 10% of disposable income on food.

New Research

I try to keep up with some of the new research that is out there but UGH. It can be so irritating? disheartening? conflicting? exciting?

So when I found this article that links red meat to cancer I was disappointed.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6A43IG20101105
I was thinking here we go again. They have linked dihydrogen oxide to cancer also. You know that thing called water! And there is also evidence that meat high in conjugated linoleic acids will help prevent certain cancers. http://www.mercola.com/beef/cla.htm

Then Harvard came out with a study about eating unprocessed red meat and how it is not linked to heart disease or diabetes.
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/2010-releases/processed-meats-unprocessed-heart-disease-diabetes.html

But they said the heart health benefits were not covered by processed red meats.

Then, this study http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/449747/nitrates_and_nitrites_may_increase.html?cat=5

Says the nitrites in processed meats are good for heart health and may help overcome heart attacks.

I guess it just depends on what you like to eat what you want to believe. For me- I think I will stick with bacon and hot dogs in moderation- you know like only one meal per day. I will also continue doing what I think is the best form of exercise- feeding the livestock that feeds America.

"F as in Fat"

A new report called "F as in Fat" stated, over 38 states have more than 25% of its population considered overweight or having a BMI that is above 25.

The report’s most important recommendations all involve coordinating policies across government. Agricultural policy is a particular target.

Marion Nestle, Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies and Public Health at New York University “The Farm Bill leaps to mind as an excellent place to start. How about creating an agricultural policy that supports production of fruits and vegetables instead of one that spends $20 billion of taxpayers’ money on corn and soybeans grown mainly for animal feed?”

This annoys me. Currently, there is over 3,900 calories per day available for every man, woman, and child in the United States. WAY, WAY too many for most people's sedentary lifestyles. Additionally, how many acres in the midwest are suitable for fruit production and when did corn stop being a vegetable? Granted approximately 80% of all corn produced goes into animal feeds but I don't think that is taking away anything from the grocery store for human consumption. You can still go buy corn in almost any form (frozen, canned, and on the cob) in even our rural grocery store.

So how is taking away money from farmers going to change obesity in America? Its NOT! The only thing that is going to effect it in my humble opinion, is if people get off the couch, off the internet, and go outside! Grow your own garden! Believe me weeding will burn off some calories and make you sore.