Teri Wallace
Fuel Food Reality CheckOttawa, ON: Here are the facts on recent increases in fuel and food.
FACT Over the past year, oil prices have jumped by nearly 100%.
· In 2007, food prices increased by about 4% overall.
· In 2007, the same year the U.S. produced a record amount of ethanol from corn, the U.S. increased it surplus of corn to more than 1.4 billion bushels. In a record ethanol year, the U.S. actually fed more of the world by increasing its exports of corn by 6%.
· Food marketing costs now account for 80% of the cost of food. Marketing costs are the difference between the farm value and consumer spending for food at grocery stores and restaurants. · Corn accounts for less than 5% of the price a box of corn flakes.
The price of rice is now up 77% since October. Rice is not used is the production of biofuels. Corn for ethanol cannot be grown in rice paddies. · As a whole, fish prices are up. Fuel prices account for approximately 60%-70% of operating costs of fishermen. Fish are not used in the production of biofuels.· An increasing amount of biofuels are produced from nontraditional feedstocks such as waste products from the beverage, food, and forestry industries. In the very near future, biofuels will be produced from agricultural residues such as grain straw, Hemp stalks, sugarcane bagasse, corn stover, municipal solid waste, and energy crops such as switch grass and algae. Reference: Founded in 1994, the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA) is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote the use of renewable fuels for transportation through consumer awareness and government liaison activities.
For 8000 Years, Hemp Was Primarily Man’s Crop…Fuel Food Reality Check. Hemp’s Making A Comeback!
Breaking the stigma! Cannabis and Hemp 101
Do you know what happens when you smoke hemp? Not a whole lot. You may end up with a cough or a headache, but you certainly won’t end up with a high. Surprised? Most people are 
because they mistakenly think hemp is the same thing as marijuana. It’s not; even though they are both members of the plant species cannabis sativa and bear an uncanny resemblance. Actually, the psychoactive properties in marijuana come from the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) found in the flower of the plant.
To break the stigma associated with marijuana, it is important to actually understand the difference between cannabis and hemp 101:
The two are related through the same genus of plant. While industrial-grade hemp is a rather helpful resource in the world, it lacks the stimulating power of the substance known as delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, or for short, THC. It is this active chemical of THC that brings about the “high” associated with marijuana.
Hemp contains 1.5% of this substance, while marijuana possesses between 4 % and 20%. In Canada, the legal amount of THC used to create products cannot exceed 0.3%. Overall, the plants are rather close in details, but supply very different functions for many dissimilar reasons, which especially shows through in the physical makeup of the two plants.
Hemp is much stronger than the marijuana variety, meaning it holds the possibility to create a wealth of raw materials. Marijuana is actually quite delicate, eliminating it as a contender regarding serving a purpose to benefit mankind in a manner acceptable by law (with the exception of medicinal uses).
Farming practices also dictate the amount of THC produced by the plant. The unfertilized female species of cannabis sativa L contains the highest amount of THC, thus the male species is removed to prevent pollination, increasing it’s psychoactive properties dramatically.
The market is rising for ‘Non-Dairy Protein’ alternatives driven by today’s health conscious consumers…
Today, consumers associate protein powders and supplements as nutrient sources for healthier living. But about 40 years ago the only concentrated form of protein that was manufactured was egg protein. In the 1990’s whey protein became a big hit with body builders who wanted to build muscle mass and reduce recovery periods between training sessions.Advanced science and technology has introduced us to protein isolates. These have become the latest craze because of their high protein content and versatility of use. Protein isolates, derived from milk and soy, contain a protein content that is above 90 percent. Each has a healthy amino acid composition along with several essential nutrients.
This growing awareness is pushing the protein supplement industry to phenomenal growth. While Europe is still the biggest market for protein products, the United States is known to be the fastest growing market for protein products. According to Global Industry Analysts (GIA), the annual growth rate is predicted to be 7.6 percent in the U.S.
What’s Pushing the Sale of Non-Dairy Protein Alternatives? Celiac’s Disease on the rise!! Gluten-Free on consumer demand…
The market is rising for non-dairy protein alternatives. According to a market survey report from Heyman, about 70 percent of the global adult population suffers from some form of lactose intolerance. Another reason that for the growth of this market, is the high cost of milk protein. In 2007, the cost of dairy protein suddenly rose by more than double due to the high cost of animal feed. Both of these factors have been forcing the industry to seek alternative non-dairy protein supplements.
Niche Market for Non-Dairy, Non-Soy Protein Products
While milk-derived and soy proteins make up 90 percent of the market, soy is the second most allergic substance, next to peanuts. There is, therefore, a niche consumer market for proteins derived from other plant and meat sources. With recent fears of the adverse health effects of meat proteins, plant-based protein sources are the more preferred consumer options.
Non-dairy, non-soy protein alternatives with high protein content and a low glycemic index can be found in a number of excellent protein sources for those who are vegans, lactose intolerant, or desire gluten-free protein supplements.
- Yellow Pea Protein Powder contains approximately 85 percent to 90 percent protein. It is rich in glutamine and BCAAs and contains a high concentration of arginine.
- Brown rice has a protein content of 70 percent, along with a high content of arginine which readily converts into nitric oxide. This enhances the absorption of nutrients, reduces recovery periods after training, and promotes muscle growth.
- Buckwheat powder contains albumen, the same kind of protein found in egg whites. Buckwheat contains sulfur-containing amino acids that are necessary for supporting muscle mass and reducing recovery time during training. It enhances muscle growth and promotes fat loss.
- Goat milk protein is manufactured as an option for those who are allergic to protein derived from cow’s milk. Goat milk whey powder has a protein content of 15 percent to 20 percent so cannot compare with the high protein content (90 percent) of whey protein isolates derived from cow’s milk. Goat milk protein powder can also be used as meal replacements.
- Research in Spain shows carob germ flour can produce isolates that have a protein content of 95 percent. In addition, they also possess a well-balanced amino acid composition (BCAA).
- Cranberry seed protein is another good source of protein. The seed has antioxidant properties, and contains about 35 percent of protein consisting of BCAA. The rest of the seed is fiber (both soluble and insoluble) along with Omega 3, omega 6 and omega 9 fats. Cranberry seed protein can also be used as meal replacements.
- Hemp protein powder also has a rich composition of BCAA, arginine, essential fatty acids and fiber. Hemp protein powder can also be used as meal replacements.
- Brazil nut protein powder consists of a complete protein. It is rich in healthy fats and selenium.
Protein powders are used by bodybuilders and health-conscious individuals. They are also used by recuperating patients and as supplements for children and the elderly. Soy protein, especially, has been linked to reducing belly fat and increasing bone density in postmenopausal women; soy protein shows benefits in weight loss management programs; is known to stabilize blood sugar levels; has cholesterol-lowering properties; liver protective properties; promotes healthy lungs and has shown beneficial effects in a number of research studies for various types of cancer. Protein powders are popular for weight-conscious individuals looking for high protein foods with a low glycemic index.
Hemp Seeds Around The World…We All Give Thanks For Our Beloved Humble Plant That Feeds The World.
Uses of Hemp Seeds around the World:
In Canada & USA it has become a daily staple.
In parts of Europe traditional soups such as Salesian hemp soup are still enjoyed.
In parts of China, toasted hemp seeds are still sold like popcorn in movie theaters and by street vendors.
In the Ukraine ancient hemp seed recipes are still shared.
The Japanese use ground Hemp seed as a condiment.
Polish cooks continue to bake the hemp seeds into holiday sweets. Hemp butter will soon be available as an alternative to peanut butter. It will taste similar while containing a healthier nutritional content.
It is currently very popular in Russia. Hemp seeds may also be used in dairy alternatives such as ice cream. Hemp seeds may be crushed in a grinder to produce a flour that is capable of being mixed with any other flour to make bread, cakes, pastas and cookies. This seed is capable of being used as a substitute for meat in much the same way as the Soya-bean is used. Hemp seeds can be used as a protein and flavor enhancement in any recipe. No other single plant source can compare with the nutritional value of hemp seeds.
Referenced: http://www.hemp.com/hemp-university/uses-of-hemp/hemp-seeds/
The Crunch? Conscious Foodies Wanna Know: Raw vs. Roasted Hemp Seeds?
A raw nut is generally picked or purchased in its shell. It has not been heated through or processed. Raw nuts have the most nutrients because they have not escaped or been cooked out of the nut. Most raw nuts are high in protein and are less fat than many roasted nuts because they are not cooked in oil. Roasted nuts are often enjoyed because the natural oils of the nuts are allowed to come out of the nut. Butter, oils, salt and seasonings are often added for a flavorful result in snacking or recipe making.
Vitamin Loss
Heat can destroy B-complex vitamins found in nuts, while soaking the raw nuts so they sprout or drying helps release the enzymes that activate the vitamins they contain. Most nuts contain vitamins B-1, B-3, folate and B-6. The B-vitamin complex helps turn food into energy through enzyme reactions.Raw nuts may also have higher levels of vitamins A, C and E.
Roasted Hemp: How much damage does the sterilizing hemp seed do?
The sterilization process is the roasted hemp seed it actually does minimal damage to the whole seed. An infrared sterilization process (heat) and essentially the damage results in minute cracks in the hull of the seed causing a shorter shelf life of months rather than years for the whole hemp seed. The proteins are not affected, the minerals are not affected, the vitamins are slightly affected but hemp seeds are not a valuable source of vitamins, which can also be said for any seed or nut. The oils are affected by the heat, retaining the fact that the sterilized hemp seed an excellent source of protein. Noted that no one is actually able to sell unsterilized live seed, but are able to produce ALL of other products from live seed, it is just the whole seed we must sterilize.
Issue of Phytic Acid
Raw nuts that have not been soaked or dried may still contain large amounts of phytic acid, which inhibits the digestion of the nutrients in nuts. Phytic acid can also interfere with the absorption of calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc and keeps enzymes in an inactive state, according to Natural Bias. Soaking raw nuts before eating them makes them more nutritionally valuable as well as more easily digestible.
Added Oils in Roasted Nuts
Nuts contain omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats that can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of developing heart disease. Roasted nuts contain added oils that can add not only calories but also more saturated fats, which increase rather than decrease the risk of high cholesterol and heart disease. Roasting can add an additional 10 percent of fat to nuts, according to Lisa Gaetke of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Superfund Research Program Community Outreach Core.
Additives
Roasted nuts also have salt or other flavorings or preservatives added. Additional sodium can raise your blood pressure, which contributes to heart disease. Preservatives add no nutritional value beyond increasing the shelf-life of a product.
Acrylamide
Roasting can cause acrylamide, a toxin known to cause cancer in laboratory animals, to form in some roasted nuts, particularly those that contain free asparagine, an amino acid, such as almonds. The higher the roasting temperature, the higher the acrylamide content, according to a Swiss study reported in the September 2005 issue of the “Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.”
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/466486-the-nutrients-of-raw-nuts-vs-cooked-nuts/#ixzz1eG1UkJjy
Roasted Road Map… how it actually is processed?
To steam sterilize, seeds are not cooked to the point of killing bacteria. Instead, they are brought to a temperature of 160°F for 5 minutes and then cooled. This is hot enough to alter some of the enzymes necessary for photosynthesis. If the seeds were cooked any further, the seed coats would break, allowing the reactive oils to go rancid quickly. As it is, the shelf life of the cooked seeds is compromised. The heat opens micro fissures in the hull that allow oxygen to penetrate into the delicate kernels. Live seeds can sprout after being kept in a drawer for five years, but cooked seeds can go rancid in a few months, especially if not refrigerated.
Robert Stroud, the ‘Birdman of Alcatraz’, became an expert on birds and wrote about them in 1939. The book, Diseases of Birds, still stands as an authority. Stroud mentioned how nutritious hemp seeds were, but expressed frustration with the ‘sterilized’ seeds that were coming on the market as a result of the 1937 Marijuana Tax Act. He called them “rancid trash”.
All foodstuffs, every spice, every grain of rice, including hemp seeds, brought into the US is fumigated to kill all insects and other plant pests. This not only diminishes the freshness but also significantly reduces the nutrient content. Adding insult to injury, the government also requires that these items be fumigated with methyl bromide – a toxic substance to both humans and animals.
Concerns in the Environment?
Methylene bromide works like carbon dioxide by suffocating all living matter. It is inert enough that it does not react with the seeds and dissipates into the air. The major problem with it is that it travels into the upper atmosphere, where it depletes the ozone. However, the amount of methylene bromide used as a fumigant is a tiny fraction of what is used for tenting, houses, and agricultural fields.
As of 2005, the US will be completing its scheduled phasing-out period for the use of methyl bromide, with the exception of what they deem as necessary use.
Websites worthy of your attention on the topic of Roasted.
Ozone Depletion Rules and Regulations — This site tells about the phasing out schedule and the “necessary” items.
Campon Millennium Chemicals — This site gives more information on methyl bromide.
Organic vs. Conventional Foods…1940s the Green Revolution arose & marks history!
Organic foods are those that are produced using methods that do not involve modern synthetic inputs such as pestisides and chemical fertilizers, do not contain GMOs, and are not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents, or chemical food additives.
FACT: For the vast majority of human history, agriculture can be described as “organic”; only during the 20th century was a large supply of new synthetic chemicals introduced to the food supply. The organic farming movement arose in the 1940s in response to the industrialization of agriculture known as the Green Revolution.
Organic food production is a heavily regulated industry, distinct from private gardening.
Processed organic food usually contains only organic ingredients. If non-organic ingredients are present, at least a certain percentage of the food’s total plant and animal ingredients must be organic (95% in the United States, Canada, and Australia) and any non-organically produced ingredients are subject to various agricultural requirements. Foods claiming to be organic must be free of artificial food additives, and are often processed with fewer artificial methods, materials and conditions, such as chemical ripening, food irradiation, and genetically modified ingredients. Pesticides are allowed so long as they are not synthetic.
Organic certification is a certification process for producers of organic food and other organic agricultural products. In general, any business directly involved in food production can be certified, including seed suppliers, farmers, food processors, retailers and restaurants. Requirements vary from country to country, and generally involve a set of production standards for growing, storage, processing, packaging and shipping that include:
- avoidance of most synthetic chemical inputs (e.g. fertilizer, pesticides, antibiotics, food additives, etc), genetically modified organisms, irradiation, and the use of biosolids;
- use of farmland that has been free from synthetic chemicals for a number of years (often, three or more);
- keeping detailed written production and sales records (audit trail);
- maintaining strict physical separation of organic products from non-certified products;
- undergoing periodic on-site inspections.
In some countries, certification is overseen by the government, and commercial use of the term organic is legally restricted. Certified organic producers are also subject to the same agricultural, food safety and other government regulations that apply to non-certified producers.
We love Wikipedia! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_certification Not this below we found by google images…speaks for itself, a great chart to see the differences!!!
Trending…Hemp is one of the fastest growing in the natural products industry!
Hemp is one of the fastest growing trends in the natural products industry. At Natural Products Expo West, it was found in protein powders, bars, shakes or in seed form. It will be interesting to see what happens to hemp in the next couple of years. Hemp, unfortunately, still has the stigma which it will have a hard time shaking (people think it’s a THC product like marijuana).
Hemp Canada Bulk & Branding….on the movement for more growth, go Canada go!!
All the talk about ‘peak oil dismisses biofuels by focusing on corn and ignoring hemp?’ Why!
All the talk about peak oil dismisses biofuels by focusing on corn and ignoring hemp. For example: Biofuels are good-and-fine as long as there is plenty of oil to burn. Getting a massive feedstock of corn husks to create biodiesel can only be done within the hydrocarbon intensive world of petro-farming. Once hydrocarbons are removed from the picture, try harvesting all of that corn by hand. Try not using petroleum-based pesticides and see what your yield will be. Try finding a replacement for the commercial fertilizers that are derived from natural gas. But it gets better…Hemp is a high yield C-4 photosynthesis plant. Hemp can boast a higher oilseed yield than any of today’s oilseed crops (soy, canola or safflower).
And if you wanted to power every single truck in America (excluding cars) with biodiesel you would have to cover the entire nation’s surface with crops dedictated to the creation of fuel. Biofuels are great for recycling, not for fueling a massive society of over-consumers.
http://www.copvcia.com/free/ww3/110705_world_stories.shtml#3
Hemp can produce 10 times more methanol than corn.
But there are lots of indications that hemp is superior to corn:
One player in the biofuel, paper, textile, as well as many other industries, was hemp. Hemp had been grown as a major product in America since colonial times by such men as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson and has had both governmental and popular support. Hemp’s long history in civilization and the multitude of products that can be derived from this single plant has made it one of the most valuable and sustainable plants in the history of mankind. More importantly to the biofuel industry, hemp provided the biomass that Ford needed for his production of ethanol. He found that 30% hemp seed oil is usable as a high-grade diesel fuel and that it could also be used as a machine lubricant and an engine oil.
In the 1930′s, the industrialists entered the picture. William Randolph Hurst, who produced 90% of the paper in the United States, Secretary of Treasury, Andrew Mellon, who was a major financial backer for the DuPont Company which ha d just patented the chemical necessary to process wood pulp into paper, the Rockefellers, and other “oil barons”, who were developing vast empires from petroleum, all had vested interest in seeing the renewable resources industry derailed, the hemp industry eliminated, and biomass fuels derided. A campaign was begun to discredit hemp. Playing on the racism that existed in America, Hurst used his newspapers to apply the name “marijuana” to hemp. Marijuana is the Mexican word for the hemp plant. This application along with various “objective” articles began to create a fear. By 1937, these industrialists were able to parlay the fear they created into the Marijuana Tax Act. This law was the precursor to the demise of the hemp industry in the United States and the resultant long reaching effect on the biofuel, petroleum and many other industries. Within three years, Ford closed his biofuel plant.
At the beginning of World War II, the groundwork for our current perceptions of biofuels was in place. First, the diesel engine had been modified, enabling it to use Diesel #2. Second, the petroleum industry had established a market with very low prices for a residual product. Third, a major biomass industry was being shut down. Corn farmers were unable to organize at that time and provide a potential product to replace hemp as a biomass resource. Finally, industries with immense wealth behind them were acting in concert to push forward their own agenda – that of making more wealth for themselves. It is interesting to note that, during World War II, the United States government launched a slogan campaign, “Hemp for Victory”, to encourage farmers to plant this discredited plant. Hemp made a multitude of indispensable contributions to the war effort. It is also interesting that, during World War II, both the Allies and Nazi Germany utilized biomass fuels in their machines. Despite its use during World War II, biofuels remained in the obscurity to which they had been forced. http://www.ybiofuels.org/bio_fuels/history_biofuels.html
Ethanol — ethyl alcohol, currently produced by fermenting cornstarch from kernels — is gradually replacing toxic Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) in the United States as a high-octane, pollution-reducing gasoline additive. As a source for ethanol, corn kernels are economically viable only because of high federal subsidies. In the next two to five years, the energy-efficient production of ethanol from cellulosic biomass such as wheat and rice straw, hemp, flax, and corn stalks will become commercially viable. This process also generates much lower overall emissions of the greenhouse gas CO2, and because most automobile engines can run on 15:85 ethanol:gasoline blends without modification, ethanol will help nations worldwide meet their greenhouse gas reduction goals. Hemp grown for both seed and biomass has a stalk yield of up to 3.5 tons per acre, which would make it an economical source of cellulose for ethanol production. Farmers in the Midwest could welcome hemp as a pofitable addition to their marginally profitable soybean and corn rotations.
http://www.votehemp.com/hemp_is_hip.html
You drive the car out of the garage and wave goodbye, then head down the road, past tall stands of hemp alternating with alfalfa, corn and other crops. It’s great that the community industrial center is not too far away, yet you can still feel like you live out in the country. Since most of the car is made of lightweight re-fabricated vegetable matter instead of steel, it doesn’t use much fuel, and that new hemp-ahol blend works great. What will they think of next?
_________________________
“making the earth a common treasury for all, both rich and poor.” Gerrard Winstanley; April 20, 1649
Hemp’s Harvest in Review 2011
The majority of the hemp sold in the US has been sourced from Canada. Hemp seed is planted in May and harvested 120 days later; this fits well into Canada’s short growing season but makes the crop vulnerable to weather conditions that shorten that window. In 2010, many regions in Canada were hit by record-breaking rains that lasted through June, washing out much of the hemp.
As the law of supply and demand took hold, Canadian hemp growers and suppliers increased prices forcing some manufacturers to turn away from this ingredient and others to look for alternative sources. But they too, knowing about the situation in Canada, decided to take advantage of the shortage; hemp seed and nut prices jumped by as much as 50%.
It’s been a tough year for hemp food companies. Despite rising hemp and fuel prices, just an example; both Hempco Canada Bulk & Living Harvest has resisted price increases in this tough economy; it’s important to us that our products remain affordable – we want as many people as possible to have access to the superior nutrition it offers.
The 2011 crop is in the ground; moisture problems in Canada again this year pushed planting into June but our growers are confident we’ll see our contracted seed harvested in October. This is great news since they provide us with the premium varietals we prefer – Alyssa, USO, and a new hybrid called Delores. These varietals produce a larger, sweeter nut that puts a bit more creaminess into our milk. Growing 6 to 8 feet tall, these varietals also provide a reasonable amount of fiber for the bio-fiber industry.
Hempco Canada Bulk had also expanded our grower list this year to mitigate supply risk.
Author: Cathy Hearn _ Living Harvest.com
Planet ‘Food’ to Survive Not Money…twisted ‘corporate conglomerates & governments’
You can earn 100 k off 25 acres of land, it has also been shown that the same can be done on 5 acres or less of land, this is the future of sustainable living. We can talk about the most important currency on the planet ‘food’ and we are talking about quality food made up of real minerals and vitamins. We need food to survive not money (watch Zeitgeist). What about those hot-house foods, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, the moment you bite into that hothouse tomato, what does it taste like? Does it taste like that juicy tasty tomato that came out of your grandmothers garden? If it tastes blah that means there are no vitamins and minerals in the tomato and that goes for all of the other hothouse foods.
We have become a lazy society and dependent on corporations growing our chemical, dyed injected GMO denatured food. We have given responsibility over to twisted ‘corporate conglomerates and governments’ our false gods before us to feed us with one agenda in mind, disease, control and profit. We continually complain about sickness and disease and erosion of our food supply, we are sick people because our food is sick. When does it stop? The solution is taking responsibility for ourselves, teaching our children and family; start growing our own foods, putting love back into our food. That is right bringing back family values. Bottom line take responsibility change starts with us with you. Learn how to grow your own food, the educating process of taking charge for self.
