Truth about GMO

Back in the day diet meant three "squares," no bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, no eating between meals except for a piece of fruit and absolutely no sweets.

We have come along way in discovering how our bodies process food, and have come to realize that eating a variety of foods including grains is essential to losing or maintaining healthy weight.

Today, in addition to the plethora of diets available to us, we are being challenged to develop an environmentally responsible relationship to our food that requires more mindfulness in the way we shop and eat.

You can start small by considering adopting the following suggestions as part of a greener lifestyle.

Buy locally whenever possible. Buying from local farmers and food producers brings healthy food to your table with lower transportation costs, greenhouse emissions, preservatives and pesticides. You are also getting food at its nutritional peak.

Grow a small garden. You don't need a large area to grow a few tomatoes, beans, peppers or any small vegetable. Smaller, vertical vegetables will grow nicely in containers on your deck or patio. If you live in an apartment house, get together with your neighbors, create a community roof garden, and reap the additional benefits of regular exercise while growing your own produce.

A vegetarian diet puts less stress on the planet and is easier on your body as long as you are careful to eat a balanced diet. Meat, dairy and grain products use more energy than their plant counterparts do. Gradually introduce more plant-based foods into your diet, by increasing portions of vegetables to meat, and eating meatless meals at least three times per week.

Studies show that eating more uncooked fruits and vegetables not only gives you more immediate access to high-density nutrients, but also reduces the energy needed to process and package food.

Reduce or eliminate fast food consumption. Most are blatantly unhealthy, and the amount of processing, cooking and packaging "take-out" foods is detrimental to your health and that of the planet.

Drink plenty of clean water instead of sugary soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. Instead of buying plastic bottled water that increases the stress in our landfills, make your own filtered water by purchasing a pitcher type water filtering system. Fill the pitcher with water, add a little lemon juice and refrigerate. Don't forget to replace the filter every three months.

Use a toaster oven or counter top grill to cook smaller meals or leftovers. They use far less energy than larger kitchen appliances, and will keep your kitchen cooler in the summer.

Knowing where your food comes from will help you make healthy choices. Whenever possible buy meats from local growers, as their animals are not full of antibiotics that eventually find their way to our bodies. When shopping or eating out, don't be afraid to ask your grocer or restaurant owner about their suppliers. Always look for greener alternatives to genetically modified produce.

Learn about composting, as much of the food we waste and throw away can be recycled into nutrient rich soil for garden and house plants.

Become proactive in respecting and protecting clean air, water and soil that sustains our food supply and us. Every little thing you do to help preserve our planet's natural treasures puts you on the path to greener living.

Marianne L. Kelly a former chef, is a freelance journalist, editor and web writer. As a chef she offered tasty, healthy alternatives to high calorie, fat, sugar and sodium laden foods. She has designed her own healthy eating plan and has helped others do the same. Marianne has written three themed main stream cookbooks. She is currently working on a third that follows each season with stories, poems, thoughts and sayings along with healthy recipes from the bounty of each season. Marianne works with a web designer writing original content and re-writes, and is available for hire. For more information visit http://www.strawintogold.weebly.com or http://www.safeharbourpress.com