Go Green with Coffee and Tea

Well i am not a big coffee or tea drinker. But coffee is the second biggest world trade after crude oil. Wow. Tea is the second most liquid drank in the US water is first. But I do love this world that we live in. But some of the stuff on this a bit on the like duh side. Here are some of those ways. Local shops, reuse mugs, organic coffees and teas, home brew your own, make a compost out of your coffee and tea grounds, give good coffee and tea grounds for gifts. In the end I think some of these can really help how much coffee and tea we get imported.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/02/how_to_green_your_coffee_and_tea.php

slick swine

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/07/0701_040702_pigoil.html

here is the address to an article in national geographic that tells of the U of I turning hog manure into crude oil. Dr. Zahng states that at this point they are only recieving 9 oz of oil from each 1/2 gallon of crap.but if 50% of america's swine farms adapted this procedure we could cut back on importing oil by up to 1 1/2 billion dollars yearly. hog farmers would also make a considerable amount more per hog( 10-15$) this is quite a bit since only a few years ago the price of a market hog dropped to under $30.

Grass Fed Cows Produce better milk!

In the article that i read it mainly talked about CLA's (conjugated linoleic acid) and how they are higher in cows that are feed grass compared to that of feed. The important thing about CLA's is that they are proven to be one of the biggest fighters of breast cancer. Grass feed dairy is also rich in essential fatty acids which help fight many diseases such as; cancer, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, allergies, obesity, diabetes, and dementia. To me it looks like a pretty clear choice as to which one i would chose if given a choice of dairy products. http://www.eatwild.com/articles/superhealthy.html

don't eat that dirty duck

www.scwds.org
this website includes information on what types of species of bird are most likely to catch influenza during certain times of years. such as ducks are most likely to catch it in late summer or early fall. outside of those seasons they only have about a 1 0/0 chance of catching it. there are tips to hunters and fowl farmers of when to be suspect of odd-acting birds.

A basic over look on light pollution

http://www.cnn.com/NATURE/9903/29/light.pollution.enn/



This article is an overview of a survey done on the effects of light pollution. The article tell about how only 10% of the US population has the ideal conditions regularly to see the 15000 visible stars and the milky way. It also talks about how light pollution can affect national parks up to 100 miles away.

Sustainable Development in a Dynamic World

This 2003 report discusses the importance of long term thinking with taking action now. In other words it is better to start a project now while continuing to do research for the long term. Doing nothing until you have completed all research will put us further behind in solving the harmful effects caused by the business decisions made yesterday. This report provides a road map to guide us as we make decisions today that will effect future generations. It is a long read but well worth looking at.

You can read the chapters at your leisure.

ozone and climate change

this article talked about how we are ruining the ozone. The gases from are cars go into the atmosphere and kind of clog it up. Then sunlight comes in and stays in because it cant get out. Which causes global warming and makes the stratosphere colder.

Algae

This article talks about how a new research project that is going on in the great lakes area is using algae to determine climate change. the national reasources research institute and the university of minnesota dulut were awarded 1 million, five year grant for the project

http://www.mepartnership.org/mep_whatsnew.asp?new_id=2306

equiptment

this article talks about the benefits of new farm equiptment, the lower emissions and more efficent fuel use. and the negatives like how this specalized equiptment is so expensive.
http://attra.ncat.org/

FDA suppressed report on harmful effects of GE food

This article was really fascinating. The fact that the FDA just by passed what their scientist said about GE Foods, is really scary. This article talked about the fact that warnings were given to the FDA by their own scientist about GE-tomato Flavrsavr, yet they were ignored. These are the same people we trust everyday with our lives, when it comes to the food we consume. The scientist also warned the FDA of consequences related to the GE Foods, because the technology is still so new, and not enough testing has really been done on it.
http://www.psrast.org/importantnews.htm#suppr

How Far Does Your Food Travel? Eating your way to a healthy environment, community and body.

How Far Does Your Food Travel?
This is another article on bying locally. It also talks about organic foods as well. It is based out of Canada, but you can get the idea. This is a very informative article. The thing that interested me most was that 1/2 kg of lamb bought locally gives off 7g of CO2, but when it is shipped from New Zealand it puts off 8kg of CO2 into the atmosphere. You can learn a lot from this site. For any of you interestide in changing the global warming situation, I would recommend reading this article. If not read it anyway!

Minnesota Food Works

Minnesota Food Works

This is not really an article, what it is, is more of a starting point for the idea of promoting local foods. It has about 15 links to different organizations and projects that are happening in Minnesota. Also just some list of "local" restaurants, and even a magazine about farmers markets in the Twin Cities. There are a lot of links provided. If you want to learn more about promoting local foods, just check out this site. But like I said its just a starting point, you'll have to look a little harder but it has all the links you need.

gas prices around the world

it was a pretty interesting graphic of prices around the world, showing what other countries paid for gas per gallon. makes you think of how countries like china, whose population is greater than ours, are able to handle daily life with gas being so expensive, and they also dont have nearly the same wages as us. check it out.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/06/gas_atlas.php

You are what your food eats

This article talks about a study that was done in 1996. The study is the article was, that livestock producers fed stale gum, still in the aluminum foil to cattle. They said that it did not alter the quality of meat. Also that the aluminum levels were within normal limits. It also goes on to talk about most experts in human nutrition are blind to the feed/food aspects of farming. they don't see that there is a direct quralation between what they eat and what we will eventually consume ourselves. http://www.eatwild.com/articles/youare.html

California produce is no good

http://www.foodpolitics.com/pdf/spinachfal.pdf

This article is stating that much of California's spinach is unsafe due to an e-coli break out. There have been 199 hospitilizations and three deaths. There have been law suits filed and companies invested in the spinach industry have gone bankrupt due to the law suits and shut down of companies producing spinach. A very interesting article, a little long but worth the time.

death from above

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/index.html

this is another website dedicated to the avian influenza.The WHO(not the band) reports that to date there are no known cases of human infection through PROPERLY cooked food. Since December 2003 over 50 countries have had outbreaks of h5n1. only ten countries have reported human infection. of the 311 cases of human infections, 190 died. this website tells yearly case reports, deaths, and where they occurred. it also gives the different types of influenzas and the warning signs to catch the disease early. it also tells what kind of birds are carriers. it also tells of past outbreaks of pandemic influenza in 1918-Spanish, 1957-Asian, 1968-Hong Kong.This is the best website I have found to date, on avian influenza. Read it

this seems pretty interesting

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_pollution

so this is something that i never really put any thought behind, how too much light can be pollution. i think this might be where i go with my project. if you got a sec. check it out and let me know what you think
peace

50 Harmful Effects of Genetically Modified Foods

This article goes into so many aspects of what could possibly go wrong with genetically modified foods, it is truly incredible. The thing that amazes me the most is the simple fact you have the pretty much other countries not allowing the "Frankenstein food" as it is called to enter their markets, farms, or any part of their lives at all. And they fight it with such passion that they are actually succeeding, where as a country like the United States, says nothing about the food that is spear heading every single one of our markets. The consumers don't seem to mind companies like Monsanto's to be genetically modifying our food supply and putting it out there for us and our children to consume. We have become the largest human guinea pigs, without really being informed about it. Our health, our safety long term are being shortsighted by the power, money hungry people who want control of the biggest part of our lives, our food system. They like many before them have their pocket interest over,the health of the people. The article goes into depth about the affects be it health, environmental, the affects on our small farmers, the political, and social affects. These are the things that seemingly get ignored all for the purpose of making money and controlling the largest aspect of our human nature which is our food supply. I really feel that this is a must read if you really do care as future chefs, about the future of the food you will be feeding your consumers.
http://www.cqs.com/50harm.htm

Walking on Eco friendly floors

This article is for people who would like more information about floors made from renewable and sustainable resources. Building environmentally friendly homes and business is a great idea, however finding the products can be tricky. Paul Shahriari started Greenmind, inc to assist people in choosing flooring that is Eco friendly. He makes some great suggestions, however he is quick to point out that if your flooring choices cause the use of a lot of fossil fuel you have defeated the whole purpose.

Check out this article to see his flooring suggestions.

This is another Nick Johnson post, he still can't figure it out.

http://www.localharvest.org/organic.jsp
This one talks about the way the health of the soil affects the quality og the produce. It also mentioned that the local farmers use less chemicals in the fields. It tells the benefits of organic and local grown foods.

Imported fish

Publications & Press

This article was about different types of fish imported from around the world. It talks about common fish such as salmon, tilapia, and catfish. This article doesn't only talk about the types of fish that are imported, but it talks a little about how fish are not being raised in there natural habitat. So my question is, and maybe it said and I didn't read enough, does this change in there upbring change the way the fish tastes. This link also talks about how to find a good provider and what questions to ask. I liked this article and it would most likely be helpful for anyone looking to open up a restaurant.

controlling bird flu

this is a continuation on my series of research on avian influenza. i found some interesting preventative measures to clean and disinfect equipment to prevent outbreaks. for all of us in the food industry should be well aware of any possible diseases in our food. i would strongly recommened looking at this site
"www.usda.gov/birdflu

when fowl go bad

http://attra.ncat.org/avian.html
here is the link to my first blog on avian bird flu- sorry i thought the link was attached from me

this is nick johnsons posting. he couldnt sign on to the blog for some reason

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/conditions/asthma-allergies/peanut-allergy/


This artical is about the food allergies and there effect on the human body. How the new food allergies have possiblly come from the

Support Grass

It has been found that grass-fed livestock are healthier for human consumption. They are lower in fat content. They say that the beef's fat content is almost as low as a skinned chicken breast. They go on to tell about the many numerous health benefits that naturally raise livestock posses. It even goes to the limits of saying that if all consumers of beef in the U.S ate grass-fed beef ,the obesity problem could diminish. If you would like to learn more look no further.

http://www.eatwild.com/healthbenefits.htm

organic growing

this article talks about organic grown foods and why they are superior to chemically fertalized produce. It also speaks a lot about the strict qualifications that need to be met to have your product labeled "organic." I found this article interesting because i am a sucker for organic produce and free range meat.

Field Trip to Fort Snellling State Park

Class,

We're going to meet this Wednesday the 6th at Fort Snelling State Park for normal class hours. We'll have some field activities and enjoy the outdoors for the afternoon. Remember, it's $5 per vehicle. Travel on past the entrance fee building for a few minutes until you reach the end of the road and the visitor center parking lot.

Here's some information to help you with directions.
From DNR site: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/fort_snelling/index.html

101 Snelling Lake Road, St. Paul, Minnesota 55111.

tel: (612) 725-2389 or Visitor Center (612) 725-2724

fax: (612) 725-2391


Take the Post Road exit off Highway 5 and follow the signs.

World "growth"

It's sad, really, that in a time where we say that the world is advancing and we as a civilization are taking care of hunger, the starving family is tending to a field of silk worms instead of rice. More and more often, third world countries are forced to grow cash crops or turn over the use of land entirely for the sole purpose of providing for first-world nations such as the US. When using that same area for their own benefit would seem more logical, it's not as cost-effective for the country as a whole to develop its own agriculture...but rather rely upon the whims of juggernauts for their existance.

Find out for yourself, read.

Water Use by Ethanol Plants

http://www.agobservatory.org/library.cfm?refid=89449

This article talks about how much water it takes to produce one gallon of ethanol. In 1998 it took about 8 gallons of water to produce one gallon of ethanol, which was a ridiculous amount. So ethanol plant producers needed to come up with a better idea that brought that number down by a significant amount. If you think about how much ethanol is produced each year, at that rate we would run out of usable water in a hurry. Thankfully they have come up with a much more efficient way to produce ethanol which uses about half the amount of water than it took in 1998.

Independent Report Slams The Benefits of GE Crops

This article really concentrates on the facts of negative effects that GE crops have. This report is far from what Mansato wants you to believe about their genetically engineered crop. Based on this report the economy has suffered greatly, "it is estimated that gene-altered maize, soya and grapeseed mayhave cost the U.S. economy $12 billion since 1999 in farm subsidies,lower crop prices, loss of major export orders and product recalls. Within a few years of the introduction of GM crops, almost the entire$300 million annual US maize exports to the EU had disappeared, and theUS share of the soya market had decreased," the report said. "The lost export trade as a result of GM crops is thought to have causeda fall in farm prices and hence a need for increased governmentsubsidies, estimated at an extra $3-$5 billion annually," it added. Due to these numbers a majority of farmers are getting together, to put a moratoriumon on the introduction of GM wheat. I find that this article really does show the darker side to GM foods. One that we should all be aware of.

http://www.organicconsumers.org/patent/exposed091702.cfm