Here are some facts. Since the end of World War II the risk of breast cancer has risen from one in 22 to one in 8. Diabetes has increased over 1000% since 1933. At the turn of the century there was very little heart disease but the rate rose so fast between 1940 and 1967 that the World Health Organization called it the most serious epidemic.
Since the end of World War II huge changes happened in meat packing and production. Prior to that nearly all cattle were free grazed and their diet was grasses. They came to their ultimate size naturally. Chickens were also allowed to roam around and eat grass and other grains. They also were allowed to naturally get to their ultimate size.
Now cattle are kept like sardines in feed lots and fed corn. This is done to speed up the rate at which they get to their ultimate size. Corn is fed because it is cheap. The corn is cheap because we pay subsidies through our taxes that pay corn farmers to over produce it. The feed lots actually buy the feed for less than it costs to grow - thanks to us.
Chickens are kept as tightly packed in huge barns without windows. In both cases the tight proximity means that any disease is quickly spread so the animals are regularly dosed with antibiotics and steroids. They can't even spot some of the sick cows until it is time to move them to slaughter and they can't stand on their own.
Cattle won't eat corn on their own. You have to give them no choice. The corn makes them grow faster which sounds good except that it also means that the meat has very high triglycerides that raise the triglycerides levels in whoever eats it.
In both chickens and cattle the proximity also increases the stress level of the animals which directly affects the hormone levels in the meats.
It seems unlikely that the changes in the way the meat is grown and fed is not partially to blame for the rise in cancers and diabetes. With all of the new drugs and treatments for both diseases you would have expected the rates to decline, but - with the exception of lung cancer- the rates have risen. Scary huh?
The good news is that there are many local sources nearly everywhere for organic free range birds and organic grass fed beef.
Exercise:
Athena drug me around our favorite 6.3 mile route in 1:24 this morning. My left hip was talking a little, but we didn't listen. Is it odd that it didn't bug me on a grueling 15 mile hike to Upper Lena Lake, but it does walking the dog? If I felt like spending a bunch of money I'd ask my doctor.
Recipe:
Pasta with a simple Tomato Sauce (15-20 minutes total prep and cooking)
1 Pkg Whole wheat Spaghetti
1 Can Organic diced tomatoes
2-3 cloves of garlic - sliced very thinly
Fresh Basil
Olive oil
Parmesan
Get pasta boiling. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in saute pan. Add garlic and stir constantly for a minute or just until garlic starts to turn tan. Add Tomatoes and let them cook about 5 minutes on fairly high heat. Salt and pepper to taste. When the pasta is done, drain and add to the sauce and add 10-12 basil leaves - either torn or roll them up and cut in 1/8 inch slices making confetti. Stir for 1 minute and take off heat. Serve with Parmesan cheese.
Want something hotter? Add a good pinch of red pepper flakes and swap the basil for chopped olives and or capers. If you use capers watch the salt as the capers are very salty.
More soon.....
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