The 30 day GMO-free diet! Guest Blog from Kyle Grote of Cho ku rei Farm and Ranch, and Yak & Cracker Cafe – Crestone, Colorado
“You can either support the farmer now or the hospital later.”
Although my diet already consisted of mostly free range meat, organic vegetables, being a organic farmer, it was time to stand up and walk my talk. May 1st, 2013, I decided to go on a 30 day GMO free diet. It wasn’t easy to go a whole month with out GMO’s especially since 85% of the American food supply contains GMO’s. I had to research and find out which foods have GMO’s and which don’t.
These are some things I’ve learned in the last 30 days.
1. Most Americans do not know what GMO’s are!
A genetically modified organism (GMO) whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques” to produce desired traits. “Organisms that have been genetically modified include micro-organisms such as bacteria, yeast, insects, plants, fish, and mammals.” eg. herbicide resistant corn.
– A great resource for being GMO-free is the certified NON GMO project. They can help you determine which products are GMO-free and which are not.They are also taking the initiative to help companies label there products GMO-free since our government will not do so.
2. What are some of the effects caused by GMO crops to humans?
-Genetically engineered food alters our digestive systems and our DNA.
-Studies show that GM foods can be toxic or allergenic.
-GMO’s foods might cause cancer.
-GMO’s are causing the extinction of bees, polluting the soil & water.
Genetically engineered foods have never been safety tested by the FDA. There are many studies that have been done on rats, resulting in cancer, digestive problems, and low birth rates. GMO’s promote increased use of pesticides and herbicides which leech into our ground waters, polluting our aquifers. Many Countries around the world have banned GMO crops. 60 countries have placed mandatory labeling so consumers know what they are eating.
3. Even though people know of the risks of GMO’s why do they still eat them?
-”A little bit won’t hurt.” I have found that many people say that since they eat mostly organic that a little GMO’s wont hurt them. The problem is that people don’t see the effect of what GMO’s do to the body right away. They don’t realize that by still eating some GMO’s it promotes the production of them for others to consume.
-”It to expensive to eat GMO-free food.” This one is tough in todays economy. We make excuses because we say that eating GMO-free food is too expensive but the more we support good clean organic food more the price will come down. Eat local meat and veggies, and grow your own food. As a little boy said, when standing up against a pro GMO corporation, “You can either support the farmer now or the hospital later.”
-It definitely takes willpower, knowledge and good planning. Pack your snacks when traveling. Don’t give in when tempted by food with GMO’s. Find grocery stores and restaurants that carry GMO-free food or talk them into carrying GMO-free items. There’s an app for finding out which products have GMO’s and you can always google it.
It is time for all of us to know where our food comes from. Since my 30 days have been up, I’ve decided to go at least a year if not the rest of my life being GMO-free. Join me in eating smart for at least 30 days! We are what we eat and food is medicine. It’s time to feel good when you eat, and know where your food comes from!
May 1, 2014 was my one year anniversary of being GMO free! My body feels great and I feel better for not supporting something that is hurting so many people.
It’s time to wake up America! Its time to take our food back!
In Colorado we have the opportunity to label GMO’s. “Right to know Colorado” has launched a grassroots campaign to achieve mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods across the state. www.righttoknowcolorado.org. Please contact them and find out how you can take part with helping to get this on the the ballot for November 2014. They need 100,000 more signatures by the first of August. This is important for the every day American to know what is in their food with out researching the ingredients. Vermont was the first and only state that has passed mandatory labeling of GMO’s. Let Colorado be the second and may the rest of the states to follow.
We can truly change things by what we spend our money on! Stop eating and supporting GMO’s! If we quit buying the poison, then they’ll stop producing the poison. Plus if you eat good you’ll feel good, and most likely you’ll treat people good.
We will have Peace on Earth!
*****
Kyle Grote is the Founder of Choku Rei Ranch, Farm Store & Cafe located in beautiful Crestone, CO. He came from Ohio, and he has gathered others to work as part of the core team at the ranch and store who share his vision of natural, healthy non-GMO food, people who care about sustainability, their community and the planet.
