READING PRODUCE LABELS

 You can tell if produce is grown organically, conventionally or, IF a supplier VOLUNTARILY labels it, if it's bio-engineered, by reading the PLU code on the stickers.  The website www.plucodes.com has codes for all produce.

Under the FAQ's (frequently asked questions), it tells how to label organic & GMO foods.  Here's an example:

Conventional banana is 4011

Organic banana is 94011 (the "9" means organic)

GMO banana is 84011 (the "8" means bio-engineered)

 

Here's the catch, though... there is NO LAW that REQUIRES these labels, so you may not always know.  In fact, I can't recall ever seeing an "8" on produce even though I know that almost all tomatoes are bioengineered.  So, even if the food is bioengineered, it can still be labeled as conventional.

 

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VIRGINIA HERB ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE

 Mark your calendars now to attend the Virginia Herb Association’s annual conference, July 16, 17 & 18 at the  Methodist Assembly Center in BlackStone, VA.  More info coming soon.  Workshops, vendors, meals, nature paths, dorm-style accommodations and indoor pool on premises.

 

ACIDOPHILUS AND HEALTH BENEFITS

One of the most prevalent nutritional deficiencies in the

U.S. today is lack of “good” intestinal bacteria.  These are called “probiotics” and they fight the “bad” bacteria that invades our bodies and cause diseases.  Probiotics, according to Dr. Decker Weiss, NMD, AACVPR, are live bacteria that are non-toxic and do not cause disease.  Almost anyone who has ever taken an antibiotic will have reduced probiotics in their intestines.  Antibiotics kill ALL bacteria, both good and bad.

 Without probiotics, we don’t digest foods effectively, process waste or keep bad bacteria at bay.  Lactobacillus and Bifodobacteria, are the most common probiotics, are found naturally in yogurt, buttermilk, cheese, acidophilus milk and acidophilus supplements.  They also help us break down lactose, a sugar found in milk and milk products, which is difficult to digest for 95% of Native Americans, 90% of Asian-Americans, 60% of Jewish Americans, 50% of Mexican Americans, but less than 25% of Caucasians who are non-Jewish and non-Hispanic. 

  One of the biggest benefits to health from probiotics is preventing vaginal yeast infections in women.  They have been shown to fight colon cancer and can greatly improve the symptoms associated with inflammatory bowel diseases, like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome.  They can control eczema and psoriasis because without healthy digestion, toxins build up in the body and will often manifest themselves through inflammatory skin diseases.

  Because probiotics consist of live bacteria, it’s important to buy a good quality nutritional supplement that contains at least 1 billion living, healthy probiotic bacteria in each dose.  It should contain both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria for greatest effect.  Some brands are refrigerated and others, like acidophilus “pearls,” are enteric coated and shelf-stable.  The refrigerated brands may not retain their potency, however, because they may have been exposed to warm temperatures during shipping, killing off some or all of the bacteria.  Daily use is recommended.

 St. Patrick’s Day Herbal Drop Scones

 3/4 cup all-purpose flour         2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon salt                         2 eggs

1 teaspoon baking powder       ¼ C. melted butter

4 tablespoons safflower oil 

1 tablespoon chopped mixed fresh herbs, such as parsley, basil, and rosemary

 

Sift together the flour, salt, and baking powder.

Blend in milk, eggs, butter, and herbs.

Pass this batter through a fine-mesh strainer into a small bowl. Refrigerate, covered with plastic wrap, 10 minutes.

Heat the safflower oil in a heavy-bottomed pan. Pour a tablespoon of batter onto the pan. Cook on both sides, about 30-40 seconds per side or golden brown.