Exploits of a Vegan Wannabe

Happy Non GMO Month.

I just read that October is the first ever National  Non- GMO month and October 10Th is Non GMO Day.  I am hoping that my new employer will honor it as a floating holiday but I’m not sure. I thought this was so timely after the Honey Crisp conversation yesterday and the question about where is the line with GMO? The idea of a  university scientist crossing two types of apples to create a heartier varietal apple does not bother me.  Likewise, I enjoy a bright green head of broccoflower every once in a while. So, as I was asking yesterday….where is the line? I am not sure of the answer…I am just making these decisions based on the info I currently have.  When do foods that have been engineered to be beautiful, hearty or tasty become wrong?

I found this GMO information on the WholeSoy Blog.  I think it is  clear and concise. I also appreciate the  example they give using pigs as well as a visual. It makes it easier to wrap your mind around.

GMO stands for genetically modified organism and GE means genetically engineered. Modern usage of GMO actually refers to genetically engineered crops where, in a laboratory, the DNA from one organism is spliced into the genes of another organism, or even another species, to give it new or different traits. The resulting combinations are plants and animals that do not naturally exist in our environment.

“In traditional breeding it is possible to mate a pig with another pig to get a new variety, but is not possible to mate a pig with a potato or a mouse. Even when species that may seem to be closely related do succeed in breeding, the offspring are usually infertile—a horse, for example, can mate with a donkey, but the offspring (a mule) is sterile. With genetic engineering, scientists can breach species barriers set up by nature. For example, they have spliced fish genes into tomatoes. The results are plants (or animals) with traits that would be virtually impossible to obtain with natural processes, such as crossbreeding or grafting.”

I’m nervous about the taste of that tomato with the fish genes, I think my line is crossed on that one.

Lets continue to search for information, be open to change and make the best decisions we can with the information we have. I want to consume beautiful and healthful foods that are void of chemicals and mal intent. Please share your GMO knowledge with us as we continue to learn.

Above GMO information from the Whole Soy site. They have a ton more if you would like to dive in.

Here is a link to a fantastic Non-GMO Shopping guide . It as a two page guide to help you make the most informed choices possible when shopping for yourself and your family.

Have a delicious day.

Tags: compassionate eating, compassionate products, dairy free, going veg, non GMO, trying vegan, trying vegetarian, vegan, vegan challenge, vegan experience, vegan wannabe