Canaries in the Coal Mine

Ever since seeing it advertised in a magazine, I've been dying to read "Organic Manifesto" by Maria Rodale. The Rodale family has really led the way in researching and promoting organic farming to the general public and this most recent book really dives into the full picture of the effects organic farming can have. There's a great review of the book on a great blog, Civil Eats.

It's interesting to me that there's sort of a micro look at organics and a macro. First, the micro: this entails everything that organics do for us personally. I'll have to read the book to learn more about any studies that have been done, but there have been clear changes to animals because of their proximity to water runoff and other chemical exposure from non-organic farms. The article calls them our "canaries in the coal mine." If high exposure to these chemicals has caused certain frogs to change genders, what is it doing to us? Granted, our exposure levels are not nearly as high given that we're not squatting in the dirt next to the plants themselves, but prolonged exposure to even low levels cannot be a good thing. I'm wishing now that I had had all three of us tested for pesticide levels just to see the change over time. I like being a science experiment, apparently.

One quote that really stood out to me personally is “What is wrong with us? Why do we seem to care so little about our own safety, our own health, and the future of our children?... Why are we willing to pay thousands of dollars for in vitro fertility treatments when we can’t conceive, but not a few extra dollars for the organic food that might help to preserve the reproductive health of our own and future generations?” It's no secret that having Lauren was a struggle for us and now I'm wondering what decisions I've made about what I eat may have affected that. Of course, there's nothing to do about it now and it's not worth feeling bad about it, but I do wonder. So many women I know are suffering from some sort of infertility; could it be because of our pesticide-ridden foods? I'll be interested to learn more.

There's also the macro level to organic farming: the effects it can have on the environment and the economy. Environmentally, the soils are more stable and can produce more over time. It's not adding dangerous chemicals into our water supplies. It uses fewer fossil fuels than non-organic farming. Overall, it's so much better for our planet. In terms of the economy, supporting small farms and CSAs can help the businesses in our area, which benefits everyone. Sure, organic produce is more expensive, but isn't it worth the expense, knowing these things?

I'm definitely convinced that organic is the way to go, and I haven't even read the book! Just wait until I get my hands on a copy and you'll learn more than you ever wanted to. Until then, I'll find little blurbs to slake my thirst for this information.

Finally, a report from the penitent guinea pig. I got up extra early this morning and went to the gym, trying to rid myself of the things I ate and to perhaps perform a little self-flagellation for bad eating. Okay, so I'm exaggerating a bit, but I am really wanting to get back on the wagon. I just felt so good for the three weeks I ate well and my running performance was great. And then I go and eat things I know aren't good for me and my running performance suffered. Heck, I can't even call it "performance" as I didn't run at all this weekend and yesterday. I just felt too sluggish to do it; all I wanted to do was sit and eat. I think I really understand how people get trapped in our Standard American Diet: it tricks you into doing nothing else! That's why I'm back in the saddle.

One final confession. I weigh myself fairly often, even though I know the experts say not to. It's not that I'm obsessing over what I weigh, but I like to know how what I'm eating or drinking or how much exercise I'm getting affects my body. Anyway, I weighed myself pre-crappy food on Friday and then again this morning and found a 6 pound difference. SIX POUNDS!! Now, I know a great deal of this is water retention due to salt intake, but still. That's only after a weekend of eating badly. No wonder our society is dealing with weight issues. Ick. I'll have to let you know how quickly it comes off now that I'm back on the healthy eating. Canary in the coal mine, indeed.

Not that this is about food per se, but I found an interesting article in the NY Times about exercise and weight loss. Basically, exercise alone does not lead to weight loss, but it can help you maintain a healthy body weight. Lots of interesting information about fat rats "lolling around" in cages.

The article that led me to that one is "Cows on Drugs", also from the NY Times. It's from the former commissioner of the USDA, Donald Kennedy, and is about the nontherapeutic use of antibiotics in cows. That isn't just a burger you're eating. Hello antibiotic resistance!