May 5, 2014

Meat. What do we know about the meat industrial complex in the United States? How does it affect us? 

These animals are being fed feed that is loaded with antibiotics and pesticide residues. Cows are fed corn to enhance the fat content and taste. Cows historically only ate grass, a healthier option for us. Hormones are now commonplace. The Animals are kept in ridiculously close quarters where they defecate, stand in it and spread disease. This increases the need for daily antibiotics. 

The antibiotics also enhance the animals growth by altering the gut microbiome. As we know in humans, excessive antibiotic use is associated with many diseases. This cannot be good for the animal and ultimately it is not good for us. 

Modern animal feed is making the animal's meat pro inflammatory. This causes our body, from the gut to the blood stream, to be inflamed and worsen disease. 

Chickens are now bred to grow large breasts and weigh enough at maturity to be unable to stand under their own weight. In the name of feeding the world we are doing some strange things to our food.

It is really important that we the consumers know where our meat comes from and how this is affecting the environment, our bodies and the economy. The movie FOOD INC is a great place to start. 

I am sufficiently concerned about what I have learned that I have moved away from any processed meats and moved toward local, sustainable, healthy meats. As always make your own judgements and conclusions, but be informed.

Dr. M

Statistically, bullying and all major crime are down nationally year over year for the past 20 years. The usual trend during a recession is increased violence. That has not occurred. Something has changed. See Table. The reasons are unknown. Some people speculate that it is related to the excessive exposure to rare but severe negative events in the media that decreases the desire for violence. Think of the attitude in the country post 9/11. 

I find this fascinating because I would assumed the opposite "copycat" effect. Although this may happen to a few, the vast majority appear to get sensitized to the violence and reduce it in their own personal behavior. The publicity on campuses and school yards around bullying, violence and sexual misconduct is at an all time high. Something is working. Obviously, we still have a long way to go. 

The reason that I am writing on this topic is that I fear that the extra publicity has also had a negative effect on our youth. FEAR. Many children now have great fear over being bullied or offended in some way.   

It is akin to telling children about all of the natural disasters that can happen and not helping them understand the infrequency of them or how to prevent an associated injury. That fear needs to be released while the child remains resilient and educated on the topic. 

I would encourage every parent to talk to their child about what it means to be bullied, how to prevent it and most of all that it is rare. They should project love and not fear. 

Being aware and educated is not synonymous with being fear based. More next week on this topic.

Dr. M

Mayo free cole slaw adapted from the Food Network

Ingredients:

1 cup first press extra virgin olive oil

1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 ounces cane sugar
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
1 teaspoon Trader Joe's Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon chopped shallots
1/2 teaspoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 head green cabbage - julienned
1/2 head red cabbage - julienned
1/2 red bell pepper - julienned
1/2 green bell pepper - julienned
1/2 yellow bell pepper - julienned
2 carrots - peeled and julienned
1 green onion - chopped
1 teaspoon dry oregano
Salt and pepper

Directions: 

Mix all ingredients except for the vegetables in a bowl. Add the vegetables and mix further. Chill for 1 hour and serve. Adding some caraway seeds is a nice touch. 

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/gourmet-cole-slaw-recipe.html?oc=linkback