Thursday, March 29, 2012

Food for Thought...

I can not take credit for writing this, I received it in an email and I wanted to share it.  I don't know who the author is but it is really something we should all be thinking about.

  Imported food we eat and the junk we buy....REAL EYE OPENER


Hi - - -Green Giant   frozen vegetables are from China and so are most
of Europe's Best.  Arctic Gardens are OK.  Never buy the grocery store
garlic unless it is clearly marked "from USA" or Canada,  the other
stuff is grown in people poop (even worse than chicken poop).  Buy
only local honey, much honey is shipped in in huge containers from
China and re-packed here.  Cold-FX is grown and packed in China and is
full of fecal bacteria.  Doesn't work anyway, big scam.  If the
country of origin is not clearly marked beware...if produce ask an
employee.  Watch out for packages which state "prepared for", "packed
by" or "imported by".  Don't understand the lack of mandatory
labelling in BC. especially the produce.  In Ontario, the country of
origin has to be clearly shown on the item in the store.  I am not
sure about other provinces.  I go to the local farmers markets in
season and keep a wary eye open the rest of the year.
Worth reading, although I’m sure you already know at least some of this . . .
I thought this was very interesting. I was surprised by the "NO NAME
BRAND" and "PRESIDENT'S CHOICE" I thought they would be both the same.
Please read this very carefully, and read to the very bottom.  Its
important for all of us.
How is it possible to ship food from China cheaper -- than having it
produced in Canada or at least the U.S. ?

FOR EXAMPLE THE "OUR FAMILY" BRAND OF THE MANDARIN ORANGES SAYS RIGHT
ON THE  CAN FROM CHINA ... SO FOR A FEW MORE CENTS BUY THE LIBERTY
GOLD BRAND OR THE DOLE IS FROM CAL . Beware, Costco sells canned
peaches & pears, in a plastic jar, that come from China.

ALL  "HIGH LINER" AND MOST OTHER FROZEN FISH PRODUCTS COME FROM  CHINA
OR INDONESIA ..  THE PACKAGE MAY SAY "PACIFIC SALMON" ON THE FRONT,
BUT LOOK FOR THE SMALL PRINT.  MOST OF THESE PRODUCTS COME FROM FISH
FARMS IN THE ORIENT AND THERE ARE NO REGULATIONS ON WHAT IS FED TO
THESE FISH.

(Recently a Montreal Gazette had an article by the Canadian Gov't how
Chinese feed the fish... they suspend the chicken wire crates over the
fish ponds, and the fish feed on chicken shxxt.  Canadian Government
recommended and stressed NOT to buy any type of fish imported from
China .  If you search the internet what the chinese feed their fish
you'll be alarmed , eg. growth hormones, expired anti-biotics from
humans,  and never buy any type of fish or shellfish that comes from
these countries... Vietnam , China , Philippines ...)

Check this out personally.  I did..

BICK'S HAVE RECENTLY CEASED OPERATIONS IN CANADA     --   DON'T BUY
THEM .   Stienfeld’s  Pickles are made in India – just as bad!!!
Many NoName pickles are made in Canada ...

Another example was in canned mushrooms. No-Name brand came from Indonesia .
Next to them were President Choice brand. Produce of Canada !! The P.
C. went into my grocery bag.

Also check those little fruit cups we give our children. They use to
be made here in Canada in the Niagara region until about 2 years
ago....They are now packaged in China !

While the Chinese, export inferior and even toxic products, dangerous
toys and goods to be sold in North American markets, the media wrings
its hands and criticizes the Obama Administration and the Harper
Government for perceived errors. Yet 70% of North Americans believe
that the trading privileges afforded to the Chinese should be
suspended!!  Well, duh. Why do you need the government to suspend
trading privileges?

SIMPLY DO IT YOURSELF  CANADA & US!!

Simply look on the bottom of every product you buy, and if it says
'Made in China ' or 'PRC' (and that now includes Hong Kong ), simply
choose another product, or none at all.  You will be amazed at how
dependent you are on Chinese products, and you will be equally amazed
at what you can do without.

Who needs plastic eggs to celebrate Easter? If you must have  eggs,
use real ones and benefit some North American farmer. Easter is just
an example; the point is not waiting for the government to act.. Just
go ahead and assume control on your own.

Canadian Thermos bottles were made here for many years. Thermos sold
out in the 1990's and now the bottles, those that keep our food warm
or cold are now made in CHINA . We lost---about 200 jobs!

THINK ABOUT THIS,

If 200 million North Americans refuse to buy just $20 each of Chinese
goods, that's a billion dollar trade imbalance resolved in our
favour...fast!!  The downside? Some Canadian/American businesses will
feel a temporary pinch from having foreign stockpiles of inventory.

Just one month of trading losses, will hit the Chinese for 8%, of
their North American exports. Then they will at least have to ask
themselves if the benefits of their arrogance and lawlessness were
worth it.

START NOW and don’t stop.

Send this to everybody you know. Let's show them that we are
intelligent Canadians / Americans, and NOBODY can take us for granted.
If we can't live without cheap Chinese goods for one month out of our
lives. . .
WE DESERVE WHAT WE GET!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Royal Manitoba Winter Fair

We spent the day today at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair.  Is was a great day but also a very tiring one.  Chasing my two year old while wearing my ten week old was definitely a great workout.  My son really enjoyed seeing all the animals and getting to touch, pet and feed them.  He really enjoyed the grain elevator in one of the play areas.  He also really enjoyed watching the horses in the big show ring.  Although we had fun it was not without it's meltdowns.  He was up early this morning and didn't nap while we spent the day walking around at the fair.  I was very grateful for my Bamberoo mei tai carrier and my Sleeping Baby Productions ring sling.  I would not have survived the day without them.

My son really loved the animals so much that it really made think our eventual move to a farm is going to be such a great thing for our family.  He was so enthralled with everything to do with the farm that I know he is a farm kid at heart and needs to be in the open space and air. 

We are headed back to the fair on Friday for another day of fun. Although this time I am taking my husband with me so he can help me wrangle the two year old.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Sorry and Update

Well where has the time gone... I am apparently not the best blogger but I am going to better this time around. 
Things have changed a lot since I last posted.  I am back on maternity leave, I gave birth to a little girl on January 9th.  I say little but she was 9lbs 9ozs and 22 inches long so really not all that little.  I was very happy that I was able to do it all natural.  I recovered so much faster from this birth than I did from my first.  I tried to do it naturally with him as well but because of some complications I was not able to do it without the epidural. 
As for our crunchie lifestyle we are still headed down that path.  I am knitting like crazy and recently bought a knitting machine to try out.  I love that I can make clothing for my children and my nieces, and nephews.  I have also continued to preserve food.  I canned 200lbs of tomatoes this fall in to various yummy things.  I also canned 5 cases of peaches and 3 cases of pears.  We have been eating very tasting things all winter.  I was able to find free run chickens and I loaded my freezers with them, I also shared in the purchase of beef from my Uncle.  So we have been able to eat meat this year knowing the source of it. 
I have been busy bugging my husband to move us to the country.  We have been looking at land and have narrowed it down to one spot we really like.  We are just working out the details and hopefully by 2013 we will building our dream home.  If we do get this spot it will take us this summer to prepare the lots and dismantle the current buildings on the site.  We are hoping to re purpose the the lumbar from the existing building to build our house. 
Well that is a little update from me and I promise to do a better job at blogging!