Honey, Honey

No, I'm not singing you a sweet ABBA song. I'm singing about something a little closer to home today. At least I hope it's a little closer to home.

Today I write about real, straight from the comb honey. I have my own source - do you? Do you know where that honey you're eating and feeding your children came from? Are you sure it's even real honey?

One of our local newspapers, the Seattle Post Intelligencer, conducted a five-month investigation that resulted in a short series of news stories a few weeks ago. The first two stories can be read by copying the following links into your browser:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/394053_honey30.asp

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/394054_honeyhealth30.asp

So if the US-based honey packers are purchasing their honey outside the US and can't be sure of it's origin, how can you unless you're raising your own bees or know a beekeeper?

Lots of questions and many things to consider. This isn't the reason I keep my own bees and harvest my own honey - but it sure reinforces my desire!

Don't Worry, Be Happy!

Today was the second day of my Master Gardener course. My neurosis has been fed. I learned enough to blog about for weeks. And believe me, I will. But don't worry, be happy - enlightenment helps us make informed choices!

I chose to take the courses and put in the time to become a Master Gardener so that I could be a better gardener at home. I want to grow better flowers, fruits and vegetables. I want to have access to the latest information on all the methods, technologies and developments that come from the research university here that sponsors the Master Gardener program.

Just a quick side-note: the Master Gardener program was started right here in Pierce and King Counties through the Washington State University Extensions. Now it's a nationwide program with most of the land-grant, agricultural schools.

Anyway, last week we learned about soils! Who knew that there was six hours of fascinating information about soils?!? It was amazing and the teacher was amazing. This week would prove to be no less fascinating, but in a different way.

This week we spent the first half of the day learning about pesticides! I will share most if not all of what I learned in the near future. I am pleased to say that I was able to hold my cookies in the whole time. I sit on the front row, right in front of the instructor, and nobody signed up for the lecture and a show....

What's the big deal? Let's just say that I was sickened with the knowledge I learned. It will help me make informed choices! And it has compelled me to share with those near and dear to me so that they too can make informed choices.

My only regret is that those loving and, well, mean friends and family were unable to join me in this lecture - you would have loved to see me squirm. I know it.

Total Recall(ection)

Yum, we love the peanut butter! It's disturbing to hear that more and more and more products are being added to the recall list - especially painful is the dog food, most likely processed right next to those granola bars and crackers!! Should I run to the pantry and purge (heehee)?

After a little research I feel much better. Our tub of organic natural peanut butter is safe, for the time being. It's interesting to note that the products affected are pretty much highly processed - sold in stores as a highly processed product or shipped off to our nursing homes and schools for lunch! Anyone need another reason NOT to eat school lunch?

Amazed that I care about peanut butter? I really do eat it now, actually I LOVE it now! Years of abstinence and therapy have allowed me to overcome the chunky peanut butter throw-up dream. Skiing down that oh-so-smooth creamy hill of peanut butter only to trip on an obnoxious chunky peanut rock and fall face first into the pool of peanut oil that had separated at the bottom of the hill - urp! Maybe some things are better left un-recalled. None of that purging either.

As for all those highly processed peanut butter "flavored" items. No need to worry. They've been banned for the most part from the pantry already. Started worrying about all the extra things in the peanut butter long ago and now eat the real stuff. If we want peanut butter anything we'll make up a batch of homemade cookies. Now that's something to remember!

See? It's in your best interest to be aware.....

This is ME!

How does a neurotic, OCD, worry-wart mom survive in this world? Add the "green" colored glasses and the outlook is not good.

I didn't choose these labels myself, they were imposed on me by loving, well-meaning (or is that well, mean) family and friends. You know who you are, and I want you to know that I deny every-single one of them!

I rather consider myself aware. I am aware of myself, my family and immediate surroundings, and the planet we inhabit!

My purpose in creating and keeping this blog is to let you - my loving and well, mean family and friends - see how my awareness helps me survive....!!