Bike commuting in the rain isn't great. It's kind of scary in the dark and, well, wet. Fenders, a rain jacket and rain pants keep me fairly dry though and it's still generally faster than the bus.
However, tonight I rode my bike to track... to run in the rain. I think my fingers and toes are still thawing out.
Needless to say, I was really happy to get a ride home in a dry car.
(Also nice to hang out more with CP.)
03 March 2009
02 March 2009
Some things I ate today
(Un)fortunately, this is not a comprehensive look at what I've eaten today, but I'm having fun with my iPhone, the integration of Picasa/iPhone/Blogger and with (mostly) homemade food. (and feeling inspired by KERF) And I'm apparently stupid at posting pictures. Help!Breakfast - coffee, mixed grains (pearl barley, millet & quinoa) with almond milk & berries
Lunch - out at Pasta Paridisio - I got their garlic pasta special. So not vegan day. Meatballs, tomatoes, spinach with garlic olive oil.
I tend to bring my lunch, but some tri club friends and I planned to eat together today.Trader Joe's Sipping Chocolate with hot water
Grapefruit - yay for citrus season (even if this lovely came from Texas, instead of California). And my ever-present veggies! Carrots, celery and red peppers. Best work snack ever (especially with a little sunflower seed butter).
Dinner - Romaine lettuce, pea shoots & hard-boiled egg salad. Homemade sweet potato, kale, collard greens, coconut milk, garam masala, vanilla, red pepper flakes and mixed peppers soup with some plain yogurt and walnuts on top.(followed by my addiction - rice cakes with peanut butter AND a vegan pumpkin chocolate chip muffin I made... but I was over pictures by then)
01 March 2009
The Bunny Project, II
Alisha and I decided on a plan for TBP. We wrote up a little contract and signed it. Of course, I've already violated it, since I forgot to do my sit-ups yesterday. I guess that means I should do double today, but we haven't really figured out how to punish forgetfulness.
1. 40 pushups on days when you don't otherwise get an upper body workout (regular, girly, wide-arm, close arm, split up in sets of 10, 20, etc)
2. abs daily - upper, lower & obliques (you choose how you want to do this)
3. no cheese. includes soy cheese & cream cheese. cottage cheese is okay. we each get four cheat days over the course of the project. (I used one yesterday at a wine tasting festival)
Since the no-cheese thing isn't such a huge sacrifice for me (Alisha's a pescaterian *and* loves cheese), I've also decided that I'm not purchasing any processed foods to eat at home. I can finish up whatever I already have in my apartment, eat whatever I want when I'm out, but the only new foods that are coming into my kitchen are going to be whole -> *ingredients*, rather than pre-made whatever. This one will require more planning and cooking, but hopefully it'll save money and I'll eat even more vegetables than I already do - and I'm hoping for more proteins too!
On the agenda for today: soup! Like maybe this recipe for Nutty Vanilla Sweet Potato Soup from Kath Eats Real Food.
Edit:
Note that since this whole no-processed thing is of my own creation, I decide what qualifies. Yogurt, for example, while "processed" (and yeah, I could make it myself), will be purchased. Tofu, peanut butter (though more likely almond butter, since I'm on a big almond butter kick), jam, canned tomatoes, frozen vegetables, wine, beer - all okay. Veggie burgers, canned soup, Tofurky sausage, cookies (I can make homemade though!) , rice cakes (this is going to be hard, since I'm a total rice cake + PB addict)-> all off limits. I'm still on the fence about Kombucha and hummus. I know I can make my own hummus... *sigh*
1. 40 pushups on days when you don't otherwise get an upper body workout (regular, girly, wide-arm, close arm, split up in sets of 10, 20, etc)
2. abs daily - upper, lower & obliques (you choose how you want to do this)
3. no cheese. includes soy cheese & cream cheese. cottage cheese is okay. we each get four cheat days over the course of the project. (I used one yesterday at a wine tasting festival)
Since the no-cheese thing isn't such a huge sacrifice for me (Alisha's a pescaterian *and* loves cheese), I've also decided that I'm not purchasing any processed foods to eat at home. I can finish up whatever I already have in my apartment, eat whatever I want when I'm out, but the only new foods that are coming into my kitchen are going to be whole -> *ingredients*, rather than pre-made whatever. This one will require more planning and cooking, but hopefully it'll save money and I'll eat even more vegetables than I already do - and I'm hoping for more proteins too!
On the agenda for today: soup! Like maybe this recipe for Nutty Vanilla Sweet Potato Soup from Kath Eats Real Food.
Edit:
Note that since this whole no-processed thing is of my own creation, I decide what qualifies. Yogurt, for example, while "processed" (and yeah, I could make it myself), will be purchased. Tofu, peanut butter (though more likely almond butter, since I'm on a big almond butter kick), jam, canned tomatoes, frozen vegetables, wine, beer - all okay. Veggie burgers, canned soup, Tofurky sausage, cookies (I can make homemade though!) , rice cakes (this is going to be hard, since I'm a total rice cake + PB addict)-> all off limits. I'm still on the fence about Kombucha and hummus. I know I can make my own hummus... *sigh*
25 February 2009
Interview with Audrey
I decided to play an interview game with my friend, Audrey. (She blogs about running here and make-up and pop-culture here - but also a real-life friend, yo. ) Audrey had gotten interviewed by a few friends and said that she'd send questions out for folks to answer on their blogs. It may take me a while to get answers out to all of these, but here goes -
1. You are an athlete. Go out for track.
2. Remember that your sister looks up to you. Be good to her.
3. Be thankful that you're good at math.
4. Don't be so self-conscious.
5. Continue to go to the dermatologist.
6. You're going to be okay.
7. Talk about your feelings. Really, it's healthy.
8. Tell mom you love her every day.
To play along:
1. Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.”
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the questions).
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview others in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
1. What is your craziest "girl meets boy" story? The kind that make your friends yell out, "NO WAY!!!"
I actually have very few random guy meetings. Most guys I've dated, or even just gone on *a* date went, I've met through other friends, work, out at a bar, or online. However, if I *had* been single...
I was working in Ireland. Pretty awesome. Two weeks, outside of Dublin. Naturally, I stuck around for the weekend after my work trip was done to check out the city. Friday night, I'm wandering around, getting a shawarma for dinner and end up chatting with this group of guys from England who are there for a Stag Night (bachelor party) weekend. Cool. I ended up hanging out with them for the night, which was pretty great because I didn't actually know anyone in town and Dublin's got quite the night life. Saturday night, I'm wandering around kind of the same area and... run into the same group AGAIN! Hung out with them - they insisted I was only adding to the Stag Night - and exchanged info with one of the guys who was planning to come to the States for work fairly soon. We emailed a few times, but never got together. I can't help but think that if I *had* been single, we would have made an effort to hang out again since we got along really well, and it was just totally random that I ran into them both nights that weekend.
2. How would you describe your fashion style?
I wouldn't. Really - sometimes I dress like a college student - or like I did when I was a college student - jeans, tshirts, hoodie or fleece, super casual, really young (perhaps this adds to why I do not have a great boy-meets-girl story). Sometimes I rock some sort-of skinny jeans and tshirts with bicycle-y graphics, mini-brimmed hats and look like an old wannabe hipster. Actually, I wear a LOT of tshirts. I have some "fancy" ones that I wear out (lower neckline, interesting fabric, etc), some that get put under blazers & cardigans for work and then my weekend casual Ts. Sometimes I'm sporty. My work wardrobe is fairly dull and unfashionable, due to the fact that I'm still wearing a lot of stuff that I wore in Silicon Valley. I wouldn't say that I'm polished and tailored, that's for sure. I'm mildly trendy and do enjoy a good fingerless glove. I don't mind slightly uncomfortable heels when I go out, as long as I've added a padded insole and whatever else I need to avoid blisters and excessive pain. I like to wear non-black cocktail dresses that are a little funky, edgy or different.
Really, I focus on wearing clothing that is flattering. A lot of people tell me that I'm small - and I think that I just do a decent job of dressing my shape. If I go shopping with someone, I tend to ask "how does this look on me" instead of "do you like this" - sure, that dress may be super cute, but if it makes my ass look like a lumpy 50 pound sack of potatoes and my chest look inverted, I'm not going to wear it.
I was working in Ireland. Pretty awesome. Two weeks, outside of Dublin. Naturally, I stuck around for the weekend after my work trip was done to check out the city. Friday night, I'm wandering around, getting a shawarma for dinner and end up chatting with this group of guys from England who are there for a Stag Night (bachelor party) weekend. Cool. I ended up hanging out with them for the night, which was pretty great because I didn't actually know anyone in town and Dublin's got quite the night life. Saturday night, I'm wandering around kind of the same area and... run into the same group AGAIN! Hung out with them - they insisted I was only adding to the Stag Night - and exchanged info with one of the guys who was planning to come to the States for work fairly soon. We emailed a few times, but never got together. I can't help but think that if I *had* been single, we would have made an effort to hang out again since we got along really well, and it was just totally random that I ran into them both nights that weekend.
2. How would you describe your fashion style?
I wouldn't. Really - sometimes I dress like a college student - or like I did when I was a college student - jeans, tshirts, hoodie or fleece, super casual, really young (perhaps this adds to why I do not have a great boy-meets-girl story). Sometimes I rock some sort-of skinny jeans and tshirts with bicycle-y graphics, mini-brimmed hats and look like an old wannabe hipster. Actually, I wear a LOT of tshirts. I have some "fancy" ones that I wear out (lower neckline, interesting fabric, etc), some that get put under blazers & cardigans for work and then my weekend casual Ts. Sometimes I'm sporty. My work wardrobe is fairly dull and unfashionable, due to the fact that I'm still wearing a lot of stuff that I wore in Silicon Valley. I wouldn't say that I'm polished and tailored, that's for sure. I'm mildly trendy and do enjoy a good fingerless glove. I don't mind slightly uncomfortable heels when I go out, as long as I've added a padded insole and whatever else I need to avoid blisters and excessive pain. I like to wear non-black cocktail dresses that are a little funky, edgy or different.
Really, I focus on wearing clothing that is flattering. A lot of people tell me that I'm small - and I think that I just do a decent job of dressing my shape. If I go shopping with someone, I tend to ask "how does this look on me" instead of "do you like this" - sure, that dress may be super cute, but if it makes my ass look like a lumpy 50 pound sack of potatoes and my chest look inverted, I'm not going to wear it.
3. If you could redo one moment of your life - what would it be and why?
Oh jeez. I'm going to have to come back to this one. I have quite a few regrets - but I'm generally pretty good at pushing them out of my mind because I can't actually go back in time.
Oh jeez. I'm going to have to come back to this one. I have quite a few regrets - but I'm generally pretty good at pushing them out of my mind because I can't actually go back in time.
4. What is your ultimate endurance sport goal? Explain why it is important to you.
Something to do with speed - not just distance. I like going fast. Or about longevity. Recovering from the marathon-induced injuries is teaching me how important endurance sports are to my overall well-being. I'd like to be running, biking & swimming -> or some combination of the three - for the rest of my life.
Right now it's *not* about qualifying for Boston or completing an Ironman, though I imagine both of those have been on my list at some point. I need to think about this one.
5. If 30-something-year-old Kelly could give one piece of advice to 13-year-old Kelly, what would that be and why?
Ok, there's obviously quite a few things here. Thinking specifically about age 13...Something to do with speed - not just distance. I like going fast. Or about longevity. Recovering from the marathon-induced injuries is teaching me how important endurance sports are to my overall well-being. I'd like to be running, biking & swimming -> or some combination of the three - for the rest of my life.
Right now it's *not* about qualifying for Boston or completing an Ironman, though I imagine both of those have been on my list at some point. I need to think about this one.
5. If 30-something-year-old Kelly could give one piece of advice to 13-year-old Kelly, what would that be and why?
1. You are an athlete. Go out for track.
2. Remember that your sister looks up to you. Be good to her.
3. Be thankful that you're good at math.
4. Don't be so self-conscious.
5. Continue to go to the dermatologist.
6. You're going to be okay.
7. Talk about your feelings. Really, it's healthy.
8. Tell mom you love her every day.
To play along:
1. Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.”
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the questions).
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview others in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
22 February 2009
A month on food stamps - CNN.com blog
And now for a different perspective on food...
CNN reporter Sean Callebs is feeding himself on $176 this month - the estimated amount he would receive if he qualified for food stamps. Income levels starting at poverty level + 30% qualify for SNAP (what the gov't calls what the rest of us call food stamps).
Anyway, Callebs has been updating readers here. I've been keeping up with it and learning quite a bit, as well as just trying to get another perspective on food and the economy.
Now for some emails. Sue writes in from South Bend, Indiana saying, "I just want to thank you for reminding me how fortunate I am. I had been taking my blessings for granted. I read your blog every few days and have actually become more conscious of my food spending and more importantly food waste." I am right there with you. I am curious what this is going to be like for me once this project ends. I can't watch people walk in and out of Whole Foods without doing quick arithmetic in my head, "let's see broiled chicken, bread, energy drink, salad, oh, he's easily dropped $24."
I know I've done that ! If I was on food stamps, that would have been FIVE DAYS worth of food, not just dinner. And, save for farmer's markets - which we're fortunate to have year round in California - forget organics (for the most part, Sue, I'm sure you'll have something to add here!) - and potentially a lot of fruits and vegetables. If you're eating so you don't feel hungry, you're going for calorically dense - not necessarily nutritionally dense (yes, there's that fiber keeps you full argument...).
Anyway, check out the blog when you've got time. If I was more budget savvy, I'd track how much I spend on food in a month... but I know for sure that it's >>$176.
CNN reporter Sean Callebs is feeding himself on $176 this month - the estimated amount he would receive if he qualified for food stamps. Income levels starting at poverty level + 30% qualify for SNAP (what the gov't calls what the rest of us call food stamps).
Anyway, Callebs has been updating readers here. I've been keeping up with it and learning quite a bit, as well as just trying to get another perspective on food and the economy.
Now for some emails. Sue writes in from South Bend, Indiana saying, "I just want to thank you for reminding me how fortunate I am. I had been taking my blessings for granted. I read your blog every few days and have actually become more conscious of my food spending and more importantly food waste." I am right there with you. I am curious what this is going to be like for me once this project ends. I can't watch people walk in and out of Whole Foods without doing quick arithmetic in my head, "let's see broiled chicken, bread, energy drink, salad, oh, he's easily dropped $24."
I know I've done that ! If I was on food stamps, that would have been FIVE DAYS worth of food, not just dinner. And, save for farmer's markets - which we're fortunate to have year round in California - forget organics (for the most part, Sue, I'm sure you'll have something to add here!) - and potentially a lot of fruits and vegetables. If you're eating so you don't feel hungry, you're going for calorically dense - not necessarily nutritionally dense (yes, there's that fiber keeps you full argument...).
Anyway, check out the blog when you've got time. If I was more budget savvy, I'd track how much I spend on food in a month... but I know for sure that it's >>$176.
The Bunny Project, part I
Some coworkers and I are doing a little experiment in self-improvement we're calling "The Bunny Project" (because we're doing it during Lent because of the convenient timing and Lent ends on Easter... and Easter has the bunny association).
1. No cheese
2. Push-ups & sit-ups daily (we were going to do 40 push-ups a day, but that may be a little extreme - TBD before Wednesday)
The no cheese part really shouldn't be so tough for me. I try to limit my dairy anyway since I have a hunch I'm somewhat lactose intolerant. I do just fine with, and enjoy the hell out of goat cheese, so that's the main cheese I'll potentially miss.
However, I'm torn on the following:
Cream cheese
Soy cream cheese
Cottage cheese
Soy/almond based cheese "products"
Cottage cheese seems silly to give up since it's so friggin healthy. I have it occasionally, but it's not a staple in my fridge. So I'm totally on the fence about this one.
Soy cream cheese, however, is part of one of my favorite snacks - rice cake + soy cream cheese + jam. I'm just whining about this because really, I think that the fake cheese should probably be avoided during T.B.P. because it's not really "good" for you - I mean, helllllo processed, non-whole food!
Oh, and I get a pass on my birthday. So if I want Chicago style pizza, I'll have it, damnit.
The push-ups and sit-ups should be interesting. We still need to iron out the details here, but I like the idea of strengthening my core - important for running & biking. I have a feeling that there will be some days that I'll forget, so we may need to come up with a make-up policy!
Anyway, if you're interested in joining, come on along... it'll be a fun, healthy ride!
1. No cheese
2. Push-ups & sit-ups daily (we were going to do 40 push-ups a day, but that may be a little extreme - TBD before Wednesday)
The no cheese part really shouldn't be so tough for me. I try to limit my dairy anyway since I have a hunch I'm somewhat lactose intolerant. I do just fine with, and enjoy the hell out of goat cheese, so that's the main cheese I'll potentially miss.
However, I'm torn on the following:
Cream cheese
Soy cream cheese
Cottage cheese
Soy/almond based cheese "products"
Cottage cheese seems silly to give up since it's so friggin healthy. I have it occasionally, but it's not a staple in my fridge. So I'm totally on the fence about this one.
Soy cream cheese, however, is part of one of my favorite snacks - rice cake + soy cream cheese + jam. I'm just whining about this because really, I think that the fake cheese should probably be avoided during T.B.P. because it's not really "good" for you - I mean, helllllo processed, non-whole food!
Oh, and I get a pass on my birthday. So if I want Chicago style pizza, I'll have it, damnit.
The push-ups and sit-ups should be interesting. We still need to iron out the details here, but I like the idea of strengthening my core - important for running & biking. I have a feeling that there will be some days that I'll forget, so we may need to come up with a make-up policy!
Anyway, if you're interested in joining, come on along... it'll be a fun, healthy ride!
Perhaps a bobcat?
Kirby is not a cougar. She just may have kissed a 25 year old last night. And made dinner plans with him for Wednesday.
14 February 2009
If I Twittered...
I'm not super comfortable updating my Facebook status on a regular basis. I don't Twitter. And I'm not likely to do the "25 Random Things About Me" FB post. But if I did any of these things, here are some things I might have said. Most of them really vain, superficial and pithy.
I'm angry that I did a marathon and am now unable to run >3 miles without pain. It's really tough to say that the marathon was worth it. Training for the marathon just highlighted muscle imbalances that I'm now working to fix with physical therapy 2x a week and lots of stretching and strengthening.
I *finally* look like a real biker when I'm at spin class. I've been riding consistently since 2005 - I remember being pissed off that my ex had these biker-y legs after biking for a few months... four years later, my quads have finally arrived.
That ex? He was my fiance.
Peter Sagal is my icon of humor.
Kirby is tired after dragging/pushing a 100 pound box (a new desk) up three flights of stairs.
Kirby just spent ~ $600 at Sports Basement. This was *after* the 20% off coupon.
Kirby just sent her mom and sister an un-ironic gift certificate to The Olive Garden. Seriously, my mom loves their "soup, salad & breadsticks" dinner. Nothing says "Happy Valentine's Day" like a breadstick.
My dad died when in 1990. He had pancreatic cancer. While the pancreatic cancer gene is not inherited, I'm doing what I can to limit my chances. Sodium nitrite, an ingredient found in many processed meats (bacon, sausage, salami), has been linked to pancreatic cancer. Bye, bye bacon! (actually, you can get nitrite-free bacon, etc.) I'm also generally fairly conscious of other behaviors that have been linked to cancer, since my grandma had breast cancer and ovarian cancer. I'm maintaining a healthy weight, I don't smoke, don't eat that much meat and eat mostly organics. Oh, and I eat dark chocolate and drink red wine.
Kirby had fun celebrating at Grace's bachelorette party/shower! Wonderful times with girl friends. However, is it horrible to think that her short, short dress (and aforementioned biker legs) were somewhat wasted on the older/tourist crowd at the Starlight Lounge?
Kirby is selling her old desk, loft bed and daybed frame + two twin matresses. Out with the old, in with the new!
I want to go on vacation with a boyfriend. I miss that. Applications for stand-ins or temporary boytoys available at the front desk.
I feel green guilt over my shower head. I don't think it's got any sort of water saving properties and I love standing in a hot shower for way too long. But then feel guilty. I need a new shower head and a timer so I don't stay in the shower for that long.
Kirby should be studying for the LEED AP exam.
Kirby is actually looking forward to the rain this weekend because it will force her to work on her new apt furniture and the LEED AP exam.
The coffee shop next door is closing. I'm so bummed - Mike, the owner - is such a sweet old man. He accepts my FedEx & UPS deliveries, sings little songs and makes great sandwiches. I will miss him, but I hope he enjoys a vacation - he's at the shop six days a week, from open till close.
I need to have more focus when I'm at work. Damned interwebs. I could be so productive...
Kirby is moutnain biking at Annadel. It is awesome.
Kirby is operating on minimal caffiene. And operating just fine!
I did a cleanse. www.blessedherbs.com/ -> the colon cleanse. I did not feel amazing or energetic or euphoric. I did feel hungry and sick of apple juice. I dreamt of eating oatmeal and celery sticks. I am not planning to do another one any time soon.
Kirby is excited to see what is in her CSA box this week!
Kirby is bruised from falling at Annadel. Mountain biking was still awesome.
I'm angry that I did a marathon and am now unable to run >3 miles without pain. It's really tough to say that the marathon was worth it. Training for the marathon just highlighted muscle imbalances that I'm now working to fix with physical therapy 2x a week and lots of stretching and strengthening.
I *finally* look like a real biker when I'm at spin class. I've been riding consistently since 2005 - I remember being pissed off that my ex had these biker-y legs after biking for a few months... four years later, my quads have finally arrived.
That ex? He was my fiance.
Peter Sagal is my icon of humor.
Kirby is tired after dragging/pushing a 100 pound box (a new desk) up three flights of stairs.
Kirby just spent ~ $600 at Sports Basement. This was *after* the 20% off coupon.
Kirby just sent her mom and sister an un-ironic gift certificate to The Olive Garden. Seriously, my mom loves their "soup, salad & breadsticks" dinner. Nothing says "Happy Valentine's Day" like a breadstick.
My dad died when in 1990. He had pancreatic cancer. While the pancreatic cancer gene is not inherited, I'm doing what I can to limit my chances. Sodium nitrite, an ingredient found in many processed meats (bacon, sausage, salami), has been linked to pancreatic cancer. Bye, bye bacon! (actually, you can get nitrite-free bacon, etc.) I'm also generally fairly conscious of other behaviors that have been linked to cancer, since my grandma had breast cancer and ovarian cancer. I'm maintaining a healthy weight, I don't smoke, don't eat that much meat and eat mostly organics. Oh, and I eat dark chocolate and drink red wine.
Kirby had fun celebrating at Grace's bachelorette party/shower! Wonderful times with girl friends. However, is it horrible to think that her short, short dress (and aforementioned biker legs) were somewhat wasted on the older/tourist crowd at the Starlight Lounge?
Kirby is selling her old desk, loft bed and daybed frame + two twin matresses. Out with the old, in with the new!
I want to go on vacation with a boyfriend. I miss that. Applications for stand-ins or temporary boytoys available at the front desk.
I feel green guilt over my shower head. I don't think it's got any sort of water saving properties and I love standing in a hot shower for way too long. But then feel guilty. I need a new shower head and a timer so I don't stay in the shower for that long.
Kirby should be studying for the LEED AP exam.
Kirby is actually looking forward to the rain this weekend because it will force her to work on her new apt furniture and the LEED AP exam.
The coffee shop next door is closing. I'm so bummed - Mike, the owner - is such a sweet old man. He accepts my FedEx & UPS deliveries, sings little songs and makes great sandwiches. I will miss him, but I hope he enjoys a vacation - he's at the shop six days a week, from open till close.
I need to have more focus when I'm at work. Damned interwebs. I could be so productive...
Kirby is moutnain biking at Annadel. It is awesome.
Kirby is operating on minimal caffiene. And operating just fine!
I did a cleanse. www.blessedherbs.com/ -> the colon cleanse. I did not feel amazing or energetic or euphoric. I did feel hungry and sick of apple juice. I dreamt of eating oatmeal and celery sticks. I am not planning to do another one any time soon.
Kirby is excited to see what is in her CSA box this week!
Kirby is bruised from falling at Annadel. Mountain biking was still awesome.
28 January 2009
OMG WTF Hg in HFCS!?!?!!!
Taken from http://blog.eatwellguide.org/
Our Melamine: There’s Mercury in High Fructose Corn Syrup, and the FDA Has Known for Years
January 27th, 2009 by leslie ·
Maybe Jeremy Piven didn’t get mercury poisoning from fish at all — according to the results of this new study released by the Institute for Agriculture and Trace Policy (IATP), the actor may well have been sickened by soda or candy or anything that contains high fructose corn syrup, which, if you eat processed food in this country means, well, just about anything.
Foodies and nutritionists alike have been griping about high fructose corn syrup for years, and the industry has responded with an “astroturf” campaign and a level of secrecy generally reserved for the military officials or secret societies (see Corn Refiners’ Association president Audrae Erickson’s stonewalling performance in King Corn).
Of course, I wouldn’t want to show my hand either, if the making of my product could be described as undertaking a small “Manhattan Project” (see eye-glazing production info here). But as it turns out, the HFCS industry has been hiding some major skeletons in its closet — according to the IATP study (pdf), over 30% of products containing the substance tested positive for mercury.
What makes this news truly shocking is not just that the manufacturers of high fructose corn syrup would put consumers’ health at risk, but that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) knew about the mercury in the syrup and has been sitting on this information since 2005.
Here’s the connection, according to the IATP press release (pdf) announcing the study: The IATP study comes on the heels of another study, conducted in 2005 but only recently published by the scientific journal, Environmental Health, which revealed that nearly 50 percent of commercial HFCS samples tested positive for the heavy metal. Renee Dufault, who was working for the FDA at the time, was among the 2005 study’s authors.
Here’s how the mercury gets in there, according to Janet at the Ethicurean:
How did the heavy metal get in there? In making HFCS — that “natural” sweetener, as the Corn Refiners Associaton likes to call it — caustic soda is one ingredient used to separate corn starch from the corn kernel. Apparently most caustic soda for years has been produced in industrial chlorine (chlor-alkali) plants, where it can be contaminated with mercury that it passes on to the HFCS, and then to consumers.
And here’s more from the press release:
“While the FDA had evidence that commercial HFCS was contaminated with mercury four years ago, the agency did not inform consumers, help change industry practice or conduct additional testing.”
And on why it matters:
“Mercury is toxic in all its forms,” said IATP’s David Wallinga, M.D., and a co-author in both studies. “Given how much high fructose corn syrup is consumed by children, it could be a significant additional source of mercury never before considered. We are calling for immediate changes by industry and the FDA to help stop this avoidable mercury contamination of the food supply.”
In China, heads might roll over a scandal like this one, at least if the country received global attention for its allowing corrupt health officials’ greasy palms come before, um, public health.
Of course, in this country, the FDA’s neck is safe. But what about the health of American consumers? Let’s see the Corn Refiner’s Association try to spin this one.
16 January 2009
Ultimate bike lane coolness
From Treehugger.
So yeah, it's been a while since I've posted... and all I give you is this picture. Happy 2009 folks. It's going to be a good year.
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