GE alfalfa

Some farms are using genetically engineered alfalfa to feed their cows. That means that all cow products will have GE stuff in it. Organic farms are really against this, GE stuff is really unhealthy for you. It's really like eating fake steak. I am really against GE alfalfa. When we buy the meat or milk, don't you think that we should know that the cow that made that meat or dairy ate GE alfalfa? What if the GE alfalfa made that cow sick and then you get sick because the cow that made the meat or the milk that you had eaten some laboratory fake alfalfa? My solution is that we ban GE alfalfa or we get labels that say that the cow that made this meat or milk ate GE alfalfa so the costumer has a choice in what meat or dairy they want.

Genetically Engineered?? Yummy....

Hey Everyone! It''s Hannah

Places like Whole Foods Market and Strauss Farms are educating me on the world of agriculture. It's definitely a topic I wouldn't CHOOSE to learn about, but what's going on right now is pretty important. - 

Lots of cows and other livestock that are being used for meat, milk, and other dairy products are starting to be fed genetically engineered alfalfa. That means that we are sort of eating fake food too. The problem I have with that, is that people are trying to get away with selling that meat or dairy without specially marking it, or letting us know at all that it's fake, or being fed GE crops. It's important that the citizens of the planet know exactly what they're eating. 

I think it would be okay if farmers wanted to feed their animals whatever kind of food they want, after all, it's their cows. But,  I want to know what the farmers are feeding them, so that I can stay away from GE foods. There are positive sides to this too, meat and dairy made from GE crops would probably be ALOT cheaper than naturally, wonderfully grown crops that are fed to animals. Many families who are struggling to buy food could afford meat and eggs. Which, would be GREAT! 

If you want to show your support or just research and learn more about this, go to blog.wholefoodsmarket.com

Change is Happening!

Hey Guys! It's Hannah.

I was so happy to see that on Christmas Eve (one my family's favorite holidays) lots of our friends and family brought reusable bags. Everything that usually is brought to my house in a grocery store's paper or plastic bags, was in cute (and eco-friendly) cloth bags. All of the bags sported logos of local schools, churches, or stores. It gave me a great sense of community and pride to see everyone supporting local businesses and the well being of our planet. This is a great start to a healthier planet! Here's to a new year of being green! Happy 2011!

Chips

Hi Everybody, it's Ben,

I've been thinking about chips,like the kind you can eat. The chip companies use so much bagging material. When I get a large bag and I open it, half of the bag is empty. They just waste so much material. So, either the companies should keep the same amount of chips and make smaller bags or they should fill the bags up all the way. My solution is that stores make reusable bags, take out all the chip bags and get rid if them,then the stores get chips and put them in dispensers that you can fill your reusable bags with.

Fake or Real?

Hi Guys!
It's Hannah.
So, it's Christmas time! And, of course, that means mangers, decorations, candle-light services, presents, and the infamous Christmas tree. Every year, around this time, my family goes to Baker's Christmas Tree Farm, and scouts around until we find the best tree there. I know lots of people who have real trees, and I know tons who have "artificial" (fake) trees. Now, which one is better for the planet? Just since my birth, my family has annually helped slaughter 14 trees for Christmas. Talk about bad. But, the trees we buy are planted specifically for use as Christmas trees, so when they're chopped down, it technically isn't taking away from the ever shrinking tree population. Artificial trees are made out of all kinds synthetic plastics and bad-for-the-planet junk. But, if you only buy one your entire life (in theory), that would be so much better for the planet! I've decided that artificial trees are better for the earth, but it was a close call. It's CHRISTMAS! A good smelling, fresh Christmas Tree is just too much to give up!
                                                                                                
                                                                                                

Hi everybody, it's Ben.
While me and my daddy were starting a fire we asked each other a question, is it better to have a fire in your fire place or use the heater. we asked each other that because most people use newspaper to start fires. The newspapers have ink in them so when you burn them that ink harms the air. Using the heater uses electricity tho, so they both harm the earth. I'm leaving the answer to you, which one harms the earth more. I think that burning the newspaper harms the earth less, because to recycle the newspaper the garbage truck has to drive here to get it, then gas is used to power the motor to do the recycling process.

Brainwashed

I think I've been brainwashed.
Last week, my brother had a hockey tournament in San Jose. So, that meant my mom didn't cook for a whole weak. We ate at the hotel and at restaurants. Usually this wouldn't have been a big deal at all, but  last week I really had a hard time with, well, food. First of all, every time I had a meal, I felt guilty that at home a perfectly untouched, healthy,  good-for-the-planet share box from Farmer Jim's was just sitting there waiting to be thrown away. Secondly, I had difficulty not knowing where my food had come from and how the animals that I ate were treated.

Also, I'm having trouble with the microwave.
About a month ago ours broke, and in between it breaking and us buying a new one, we realized that it's better for our family not to have one. Everything a microwave does, can be done by an oven or stovetop in just a little longer time. Furthermore, microwavable foods have tons of preservatives that don't need to be there. So as we were sitting in the hotel room in San Jose, I was starring at the tray in the microwave rotate and heat up the Campbell's Soup that would be my lunch, I realized- I've been brainwashed. Our family has done so much researching, field trips, vegetable planting, and eco-talks at the dinner table that I have  become super aware of what is good for me and our planet.