Duties to Delights: "All natural"......right

Sunday, January 22, 2012

"All natural"......right

You've seen the label "all natural" on foods, right? Nowadays it seems to be on everything. All natural chicken, all natural peanut butter, all natural cheese, all natural ice cream (really???), the list goes on. We think that's good when we see that on a product, don't we? It makes us feel better about what we're buying, no matter what it is. I know I do. We think we're getting something real, something healthier than all the processed stuff out there. Well, I've been reading differently.

Here's a few things I've learned from doing a little reading about "all-natural" foods:

The term "all-natural" can mean anything, the term has no nutritional value, and isn't even regulated by the FDA.

"A "natural" product can be virtually anything -- genetically modified, full of pesticides, made with corn syrup, additives, preservatives and artificial ingredients"

Most all-natural products are heavily processed.

All natural doesn't mean that all the ingredients are all natural. In fact, usually it's quite the opposite.

And many, many more facts that are sort of shocking. I'm not here to get on a soap box, but I am here to tell you to please be aware of what you are buying. Look at the ingredients lists and read up on which ones to stay away from. Educate yourself on food products. But don't feel guilty if you buy a pack of hot dogs or lunchables, or even a frozen pizza every now and then.

With that being said, its time for my weekly menu. This week it's a little different because there are a few extra days in this week's menu (and we have a lot of chicken to use up):

Sunday

Easy dinner night

Monday

Tilapia with rice in pesto sauce

Tuesday

Spaghetti with local beef and homemade breadsticks

Wednesday

Homemade pizza

Thursday

Chicken Noodle soup

Friday

Pork stir fry