FRENCH WORD-A-DAY

The worry over the food is more harmful than the OMGs in it. Eat sensibly, but don't let it become an obsession. Hugs.

It's good that you are educating yourself about this. A lot of people in the U.S. could use your insight instead of blindly buying products and produce that may end up being harmful. Fortunately, the U.S. doesn't eat a lot of produce! (Haha!) It's important to remember to make the right decisions and to control what you can control (one of my favorite quotes from Andre Agassi).

I so connect with your frustration. I became a vegetarian 33 years ago after reading Food for People Not for Profit, and learned about what was going into the feed giving to cows, etc. In recent times, I've belonged to a CSA, getting my produce during our growing season (May through mid-Nov. from an organic farm. I read labels, I buy cosmetics with a good rating on EWG skin safety data base, all in the name of trying to eat healthy and be safe. My children, now adults, are of the same mind set, however, we do go out to eat in restaurants and other people's homes, knowing we can't ever be totally safe, Marilyn Wheless is right on. We do the best we can, make good choices about what we eat and put on our skin, as much as we are able. Don't let it drive you crazy though. Enjoy life.

Mon premier mail de vous: Très bien écrit et un plaisir à lire :-) It's good to be aware but Betty (above) is right "The worry over the food is more harmful than the OMGs in it. Eat sensibly, but don't let it become an obsession. "
Bisous, Jackie

Chere Kristin, you are living in the emotional rollercoaster of a major life change, The Big Move. The fixation on food safety is not without merit-yes, an important consideration- but perhaps your emotional fragility now has a lot to do with it. Time tempers these major life changes, but in the meantime, manger bien, dear one. I think I hear Julia Childs saying "Bon appetit!" love,

yes, when you said the US had genetically modified food, and the French didn't, I tried to recall what I'd read on the subject. . . . the French have similar issues. None of us are safe under the control of any government regulations.

Try to relax and enjoy food! There's been a lot of research recently showing there is no difference in the health properties of organic and non-organic foods. Even if that's only partly true, it's worth reflecting on. If you are providing home-cooked meals for your family with plenty of fruit and vegetables, then that's fantastic! If you can sometimes grow your own, then that's brilliant! Worrying about it will only make you ill. A little of what you fancy does you good. I'm sure the French would agree!
Bisous, Clare.

Just PRETEND it's all very, very good food and that nothing harmful will touch you or harm you! This sounds and looks so flip on the screen, but the alternative is harsh--and harsh is where you are at right now. Move up a square on the lovely chessboard of life and play.
(I write from having once been a breathatarian myself. It is better to consume and allow your alimentary canal to do its job than it is to just depend on your lung power.) You will work it all out, my friend!

I so empathize with your feelings about GMO's and the worry about food safety, particularly with a family. I am a vegan with severe food allergies...wheat in particular...so I must eat gluten-free. I found that this includes even GF corn and oats products. Because this allergy has manifested itself in recent years I often wonder if it has to do with the introduction of GMO's. I did suspect there is a serious reason why Canada has banned Monsanto!

But there are good healthy choices and you at least are the type of conscientious consumer, (wife and mom) that you will make the best choices possible. Note to Jean-Marc: In defense of Kristin's behavior...Its not obsessing,it is love and concern for her family. It is something we mothers do!

Several years ago a young college student, concerned with nutrition, suggested that I scrape my carrots instead of peeling them because the most nutrients were on the outside. My concern then as well as now is that I don't grow these vegetables and by removing the outer layer I am hopefully removing most of the pesticides. Living in a farming community I learned a lot about how to grow vegetables, composting, good and bad pesticides, and how to cooking foods for the best nutritional results. I am surprised at how things change and why they change, and then go back to the way they were.

Your statement, "Sugar feeds cancer" jumped out at me and if that is driving your fears check out the Adkins diet or any low carb diet. There are "good sugars" as well as bad sugars and these diets tell you both. But, most healthy women need 1800 to 2000 calories a day. Your life keeps you physically active so this should not present a weight problem for you.

As far as pesticides are concerned, remember that thousands of people eat foods with pesticides and never get cancer. Ask your doctor just how much you could consume in a baguette. I think you will be surprised.

I have lost three very dear people to different cancers and stress seems to have been the common trigger. So maybe less worry about what you are eating may be the best solution.

Love and prayers to you.

I would underscore Sharon's comment! Stress is much more of a problem than any particular nutrient or carcinogen - look at the folks around you in France who smoke and have lived to an old age.
I would add a word of caution, looking at that smiling face full of pride at catching the fish, and warn not to convey any sense of it not being good enough an offering - whether it's size or whatever. What an absolutely delightful picture you presented us of youth and adventure and joy and sense of accomplishment.
Carolyn

Dear Kristin, When concern turns into obsession, sometimes we need to step back. Not eating will end up causing more problems. I will pray that you can find a balance and learn to enjoy the food you are preparing for your family. Sending hugs.

Kristin,what did you eat growing up? And you are alive and well. Your enemy has been the sun, and there is no life without the sun, so protect yourself when outside, and relax relax relax.

Life is short~ let go, let flow, let God! :)

Several years back, I was where you are now. Yes, one can make oneself crazy with all of this. And one can't ALWAYS control what one eats. I recoommend the book Traditional Nutrition by Sally Fallon-which shows how much our diets have changed in the past 100 years-we don't eat anything like our grandparents! I am lucky to live in the Seattle area, home to the biggest natural food co-op in the country, Puget Consumer's Co-op. They put their products where their beliefs are and I highly recommend perusing their website. I will close with this-eating is an experience, as well as a necessity. So, sometimes, even when you don't know WHAT you are eating, you are eating it in a bon vivant atmosphere, with good vibes and people you love, and that, perhaps, means the most of all.

As usual, I love your honesty and your courageous strength to write about a challenge that is coming up for you -- in this case, how to avoid contaminated and altered foods, (Montsanto is spending a fortune here in California to convince voters that it is not in their interest to know whether or not their food has been altered) and how this affects your sense of well-being and, of course your sense of responsibility toward yourself, Jean Marc, and your children. You are courageous and doing our online community a service when you offer your own true emotions and challenges of communication with your husband. I see this as a strength of yours. And not something we, your readers, have to worry about, and counsel you that you need to be stronger and relax more and not worry. That's BS. Everyone has challenges. You are strong (as you are) and generous to share your vulnerabilities in the process of change, as well as your "conquests". Your writing about real life and your understanding that it is all about change shows wisdom and compassion and patience (even a kind of patience with your own impatience) at every turn. Good on ya' Kristin.

We are turning fear into a god and it, not food, good or bed too much or too little, will consume us if we allow it. Eat normally and logically. Obsessive behavior is a killer. More people are living longer, healthier lives now than ever before and the abundance of food is a major reason. In third world countries people would give anything for the food you are rejecting.

The media is the one to question right now. Who is controlling what is being written? Studies and safety limits? Everyone has different levels of tolerance and genetic tendancies that are not addressed in general studies. I hold onto the studies done by the French scientists showing that gmo corn has damaging effects to the digestive track. thank you France!
Locally grown, know your farm and organic seem to make the best sense to me. But most importanat is the stress we put ourselves though with fear. Health is in our attitudes and how we embrace life. Fear is what 'they' want us to feel and react to - and the media is our worst culprit. Find the good and wholesome and eat with that idea, Blessing what we prepare. Peace! Ayurveda a 5000 year old health system supports the body, food as medicine.

Thank you, Kristin, for connecting us to the documentary about GMO's. I hadn't been paying much attention to that particular aspect of healthy living. I read many books about nutrition over forty years ago and changed many of my eating habits as a result. I realize food and exercise are only part of healthy living. Gradually, I've come to see the truth in these words, "Man does not live by bread alone. . ." I am 64, don't take any vitamins or meds, and am trying to grow older gracefully, thankful to God for many blessings each day. I appreciate your openness, and all the people that comment as well. We love living in south western Ontario where many healthy foods are grown.

Kristin, take a nice deep breath and relax. I think I'm speaking to myself as well! My very wise mother died at the age of 93 and the motto she lived by was "everything in moderation". She ate well, allowed herself treats, but always in moderation. I am pretty obsessed with reading labels, not buying anything with corn syrup, saturated oils, or any GMO food, etc. We buy from local farmers whenever possible at our weekly market in town and we buy organic and/or grass fed meat and poultry at Whole Foods. We have learned that when we are eating at other people's homes we eat and enjoy what they have prepared. I'm trying my best to adhere to my mom's voice in my head of "everything in moderation" (including dark chocolate!).

Moderation. The stress that you are building up over this is far more harmful than 95% of the food your family eats. You cannot control every bite you take and litteraly those few leaves of lettuce that J-M talks about will be your demise as you know they don't supply near the amount or norrir that is required to sustain a body. You know the foods you should stay away from. I buy organic and do what I can but try to be reasonable. That GMO corn the cow eats.....is the meat affected by it? I don't think so....is most of it passed out as waste? I think so. In animals I would be more concerned of them being given hormones.We do the best with what we are given. How sweet the concern of Jean-Marc, and the fish that Max got.....well, that will not feed the family. Plus, then we could get on to how much mercury might be in the fish. In order to eat we must eat. Another way to look at things: One hundred years ago we ate basically organic on everything and our life span was far less than it is today. And this is not all just because of medical advances.
I am fortunate to live in a place very similar to where you now live. Two years ago I decided to try to eat all foods that come from a hundred mile radius of where I live. Probably the only 4 things I have made exception to are coffee, bananas, the occasional French or Italian cheeses and my wine. I can get good local hard cheese and goat cheese(all orgainic).....but a Brie de Meaux . I can get excellent local wine too, but my favorites are a bit pricey.
Put this all out of your head now, head to the boutique, buy yourself a pretty blouse and pack for that cruise. I am thinking it could not come at a better time.

Today in California, Proposition 37 is a vote to LABEL ALL GMO FRANKENFOOD. Monsanto, et.al. have put Millions to defeat it. I voted for it, of course. I thought that the EU including France BANS ALL GMO adulterated food? These crazies are on a campaign to OWN ALL THE SEEDS IN THE WORLD. FARMERS IN INDIA ARE KILLING THEMSELVES BECAUSE THEY CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO BUY THESE HORRIBLE SEEDS AND MAY NOT USE NON-CONTAMINATED SEEDS(NORMAL SEEDS!!)THE COMPANIES NOW OWN THE FARMERS IN INDIA $$$

Bonjour Kristin,

Est-ce que Jean Marc a choisi le nom de son vin dont il avait glané les grappes? Merci de me tenir au courant.

Hi dear Kristin,
Your fears are well founded and are shared by MANY of us.
What a sad commentary of the times we live in.
The only high point in any of this is that we are able to do our research and discover what's right for ourselves and our families.
A far cry from 'the way it used to be'!!
Love, Natalia XO

Yes on the cruise!!! Do enjoy time with your dear friend! It’ll do wonders for your health!

I can so relate to your reaction, been there while researching matters regarding my animals well-being and my own. The information at the time seemed over-whelming and it probably was. While healthy choices run the gamut, it makes sense to not allow this to bring stress upon you. No matter how good our choices if made in fear or worry, we are not doing ourselves a favor. With my propensity to worry, I prefer to keep it whole and simple and not veer too far off path, trusting my intuition and how I feel. Best wishes! Now, get packing!

Moderation in all that we eat and minimizing stress are the best we can do to insure good health. we do have to eat and can no longer grow all our own food, but we can eat healthier, avoid too much sugar & fat, avoid preservatives and get lots of exercise.

Hi Kristin,

I hear you, it is so complex, but if you try to take it on board all at once it will do your head in. I have been studying nutrition as part of my naturopathy degree and when I started realising all these things that you have mentioned I lost faith in our food suppliers. Having said that, I know I can get a little 'fixated' on things so I made a conscious decision to be gradual about the changes I made to where and how I obtained my food. It's not simple and with a busy life sometimes I have to get it from the supermarket but that's when the pragmatic part of me kicks in. You can only do the best you can, don't turn yourself inside out, over time you will find that you will be able to satisfy yourself that most of what you buy you will be happy with. It is a shock when you first realise how pervasive the corporations are, but bit by bit you can source good food. It sounds like you are well on the way. Take care :)
Christine

I hope I never become one of those people that says just lie back and enjoy it because you can't do anything about it! It is going to take outrage by all of us to change the industrial food industry.

Doesn't anyone wonder about the explosion of gluten intolerance?! We have bought a well known "organic" breakfast cereal for years. We can no longer tolerate it; embarrassing, severe intestinal upset the day after! What happened to our cereal after the company was bought out by one of the largest cereal companies in the US? Are we intolerant to GMO grains, not gluten? Can grains engineered to tolerate vast amounts of pesticides be good for us?

We have become careful about what we eat. It can be done without making yourself crazy. We have a garden. We buy produce and meats from farms that we know and trust. We buy bio wines, France is on the forefront in this. This is important. We have to show these industrial food producers that we will not buy their crap!

I'm with you, Kristin, on the fight against pesticides. Along with that, I'm against farm raised fish and frozen fish from Vietnam (caught in one of the world's most polluted rivers) and China.I spend a lot of time reading packaging when I shop and still miss the final line of actual origination. I bet Carol Drinkwater is a neighbor of you and she fought against spraying her olive trees quite a few years ago. You are not alone with public awareness, trust me. But, don't let this overwhelm you. Just do what is right for you and yours and enjoy. If you have time leftover, do some more for others.

Kristin--Jean-Marc needs to teach your son how to fly fish. He'll have much better luck in the sea world. My husband's license plate is: Fly-Fish----he and our son are avid fly fishermen----the only way to go!
Don't worry so much----there is a happy medium. The term "organic" is meaningless. When I was a child everything we grew/raised was organic, but we didn't know it! Decapitated our own chickens, had our beef cut, etc. You can find the same sources. NRS

Kristen, I cook from scratch, eat lots of veggies and buy meat that is anti-biotic free, however, that does not mean myself and my family will not be exposed to something that is not natural. You do the best you can. Don't worry about it so much. As long as you are doing the best you can, c'est tout! Enjoy the sit down meals with your family, (something that here in the states is becoming a rarity)unfortunately time flies buy so quickly with our children, we need to enjoy every minute we can.