Chewing The Cud

Chew On This, has some good points: Americans eat too much fast food, we are an obese or overweight society, and that fast food joints have become a normal part of the American lifestyle. The first chapter was interesting in the history of fast food and the details of how it all got started.

However, listening to Schlosser speak on the Today Show (view the interview) proved many things about his take on food in general. He has a point that people abuse fast food by ordering the large fries, chicken strips, and jumbo shake, but on the contrary, Eric misses the mark entirely on the agriculture industry. In the interview, they reveal a clip of his fictitious movie, Fast Food Nation. The movie clip portrays a converstion of the two main characters about a "slaughter" house. Details like "chopping the cattle's heads off and standing ankle deep in blood"are mentioned. These grousome and false accusations on the beef industry are insulting and a bit humurous. I believe if one were to witness the harvesting of a beef animal, one would truly understand that it is a humane and necessary process.

If you want information based on fact not fiction visit a new web site called Best Food Nation. And organizations like the National Minority Health Month Foundation and The Heartland Institute have stated Chew on This is inaccurate and inappropriate. Take a look at the commentary by Elizabeth Whelan of the American Council for Science and Health in Saturday's Washington Times for a more balanced view.

Well, after another insightful read with our buddy, Eric Schlosser, I learned more about how my brain, tongue, and nose detect flavors and fragrances than I ever wanted or needed to know. In all actualitiy, I did learn alot of useful things, but it makes me wonder where this innocent science lesson is leading to. Sure, McDonald's got in a tight spot by cooking their fries with beef fat, and maybe the fast food industry survives off of having a great taste you'll never forget....but isn't it all in the name of good business? Again, that's what it comes down to. McDonald's runs a business. This is the fast food industry. Of course they want you to LIKE their food! Schlosser is trying to blame the whole obese and overweight epidemic on fast food. Give me a break! I agree that fast food may not always be the most healthy of choices, but it's just that, a choice. We as Americans don't have to CHOOSE to eat fast food, we don't have to CHOOSE to eat unhealthily at home, and we don't have to CHOOSE to not exercise and take care of ourselves. Yet in this society, it seems that more and more people are choosing to make poor decisions when it comes to our health. I don't agree when people sue McDonald's blaming them for becoming fat because I believe we only have ourselves to blame. You want fast and easy? Try an apple and a deli sandwich on the go. We are not limited to fast food for the quick and easy, but it's up to us to start making conscious decisons about what goes in our mouths. To learn more about what foods to incorporate in a healthy lifestyle, check out this USDA website, My Pyramid . Through this we can learn how to "chews" wisely!

There are two choices at my school lunch: healthy and unhealthy.

The unhealthy line dubbed "The Express" offers personal Domino's pizzas, French fries, cookies, pretzels and cheese, nachos, Pop Tarts, and cappuccinos.

The healthy line is the actual lunch offered by the school program offering things like: stir fry, casseroles, burgers, potato bar, vegetables, fruits, and even a salad bar.

The unhealthy vending machine has the usual pops, juices, candy bars, chips, and crackers.

The healthy vending machine offers delicious dairy and beef products like milk, yogurt, string cheese, and beef sticks.

At my school, we were offered open campus our sophomore year. The half hour allotted to us gave us enough time to drive through McDonald's, Arby's, Burger King, or Taco John's. We also could go for some "home cooking" at a local grocery store.

You might think that ALL high school students would pick the fast food restaurants or the junk food in the Express line at school. However, you might be surprised to find that most of my senior friends and I stayed at school and opted for the healthier school lunch program choice. It was by far cheaper, offered a wider array of foods, and very convenient. It's not disgusting, not gross, and definitely shows that school lunch programs have improved over the years.

The chapter, Big, from "Chew on This", was absolutely ridiculous. It would be so easy to fall for every little trick used in this chapter to disgust, repulse, and pretty much blame the entire obesity epidemic on the fast food industry. Give me a break. That would be like saying that guns kill people. Noooooo, people kill people just like people feed people. The fast food industry has come a long way in providing a healthier menu, educating the public on nutritional information, and promoting a better lifestyle. Here are some examples:

• Apple dippers, apple juice, milk, and salads have become a huge marketing tool to appeal to health conscious citizens.


• Selling products like pilates and yoga cds to go along with their new salads promotes exercise as a perfect companion to better eating.


• Nutritional information on every item on their menu is available upon request to help people make smart choices about what they are eating.


• New advertisements promoting their healthy items and healthy living show that McDonald's really does care about the quality of life of their customers.

Here is an interesting article that I just read about the connection between red meat and breast cancer:

Red Meat Increases Risk of Breast Cancer -- or Does It?
By: Ruth Kava, Ph.D., R.D.

Should women stop eating red meat to avoid or lessen the risk that they'll develop breast cancer? Taken at face value, a new study suggests that might be a good idea -- but a more careful consideration does not support this interpretation.

A report in the November 14 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine indicates that premenopausal women who regularly consume large amounts of red meat have a 97% increased risk of hormone-positive breast cancer. Although this sounds like a frightening increase, a couple of caveats are in order. First, this increase in relative risk is borderline for the level of risk epidemiologists consider real. Anything under a doubled risk (i.e., a 100% increase) would be termed moderate or weak, although if the population at risk is very large, moderate risks could theoretically affect a large number of people.

A second reservation is the nature of the data on which these statistics are based. The women in the study didn't actually measure the amount of food they ate. While this may not be very important for foods and beverages that are purchased in discrete quantities (e.g., a bottle of soft drink, or a fast food hamburger), red meat can be purchased and consumed in a wide variety of forms and sizes. Thus the accuracy of the data depends on how well participants can estimate the quantities of the various foods they consumed, as well as how accurate they are when they recall how often they ate or drank particular items.

Well, now that my year as the 2006 National Beef Ambassador is complete, I often reflect on my experiences. I ask myself questions like: Did I do my job to the best of my ability? Did I take advantage of every opportunity that was offered to me? Did I leave my mark on the beef industry? Did I make a difference? Did I enhance the value of beef?

Even though I feel confident in the answers to my questions, I have realized that there is so much left to do and so many people left to share my beef production story with.

Even after traveling across the United States to promote the beef industry by speaking with consumers about nutrition, food safety, and environmental issues, there are so many people left uneducated, misinformed, and making poor decisions for their health. I realized all this because of some of my closest friends. Let me tell you about some of the girls I hang out with....I'm going to call this segment: Beef Bloopers!

Did you know women make 80% of all decisions in the average American household? Cool huh? I certainly thought so. Among these decisions are selecting meals to feed their families. What are women choosing to put on the dinner table?

Many are choosing beef time and time again. The decision to provide a safe and wholesome meal by selecting beef is an important one. So important, that American women wish to share this secret with Japanese women.

When your words and actions match, people know they can trust you.

With all of my beef promotions, I sometimes wonder if I truly make a difference and if I have an impact on the consumers I speak with on a daily basis. I have blogged about my friend Natalie, the runner who lost strength when she cut beef from her diet. Natalie is my best friend, and we chat everyday. As an exercise enthusiast, she is always giving me workout ideas and I’m constantly suggesting new ways to incorporate beef into her diet.. Natalie is my inspiration and motivation. She has gone from not eating beef at all, to encouraging her friends to eat beef at every meal!

After surviving the last blizzard, students across South Dakota State University's campus are crawling out of hybernation to embrace this wonderful spring weather! The birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and spring fever is in the air. With spring comes a whole new inspiration to work out and get fit. More students are outside playing basketball, running, or picking up a game of ultimate frisbee. I have found motivation to revamp my outdoor running program once again, and the fresh air feels so good.

There is no better way to get fit and have fun in the outdoors, then to celebrate life with beef. Lean beef truly fits into a healthy lifestyle. The beef Americans love is leaner than ever before and good for you too.

As I embrace spring, an inspirational man comes to mind. My friend and fellow beef advocate, Daren Williams, is training for the Vineman Triatholon through Team Garmin. His success comes from a lot of hard work and by incorporating beef into his daily training diet. I'm excited that we have linked blogs. Check out his blog to keep an eye on his training progress! Go Daren!

Start thinking spring: get in shape with exercise and beef!

The beef industry has found a way to reach to a new realm of customers. Niche markets such as natural, organic, and leaner ground beef have reached health-conscious and environmental-friendly consumers. These are value-added products that encourage people, who might not eat meat without these alternatives-to incorporate beef into their diets.

A growing problem seems to be that these niche markets are not only promoting their attributes, but also throwing stones at the conventional way of producing beef, claiming natural and organic are truly healthier for the consumer.

Let me remind everyone that we have been eating grain-fed, farm-raised beef for hundreds of years. Conventional beef remains a safe, affordable and healthy option for the American consumer. Furthermore, Choice, grain-fed beef tastes great! While many consumers are more aware of making smart health choices, maintaining a quality tasting product is still the goal of America’s cattlemen.

The moral of the story: whether you are a traditionalist and prefer conventional beef products or find yourself pulled towards trendy new niche markets- beef is safe, healthy, and delicious. Enjoy!

I was looking through an old scrapbook this weekend, and I discovered a blast from the past: a newspaper article announcing me as the winner of the South Dakota Junior Beef Ambassador Contest with my speech entitled, "Wandering and Wondering About Beef." It was the summer of 1998 and I was ten years old.

If my memory recollects correctly the speech talked about "wandering" into the meat aisle at the grocery store and scratching your head "wondering" exactly what cut of beef I should select for my family meal.

Any consumer can relate to a bewildered sense of confusion about which cut to choose and for what occassion. With grilling season just around the corner, I suggest taking a handy beef guide with you the next time you shop for the perfect cut of beef. I guarantee it will make shopping easier and give you the confidence you need to be king of the kitchen! Good luck beef enthusiasts!

The flames dance as the burgers are pulled off the grill at a perfect 160 degrees. The crickets chirp and the laterns set aglow the mingling couples at the barbecue. The guests laugh and enjoy the evening, taking in the scenery as dusk paints a rainbow of colors across the sky. The mouth-watering smell of hamburgers, set atop a golden, toasted bun with garden fresh tomatoes, lettuce, and onions, attract the guests towards the picnic tables. Paired with a juicy slice of watermelon and a tall glass of iced tea, and soon the party silences as the hungry bunch digs into this classic summer meal.

This scene may seem like a utopia, and has some worried after a recent recall of beef. According to CNN, United Food Group LLC said it is voluntarily expanding a recall of possibly contaminated beef to include all fresh and frozen ground- beef products produced at its plant from April 6 through April 20. The Vernon, Calif., company said the recall involves some 5.3 million pounds that may have been contaminated with the E. coli O157:H7 bacteria.

So what is the beef industry doing about it?

It looks like I will be able to enjoy beef well into my golden years according to a recent study conducted by National Cattlemen's Beef Association and the University of Texas Medical Branch.

The report, prinited in the Houston Business Journal, states that elderly people aren't getting USDA recommended daily servings of protein. Muscle deteriation is a serious health problem for the elderly, but adding beef to their diets could be just the ticket!

The report states, the investigation compared changes in muscle protein synthesis in 10 young and 10 elderly volunteers after eating a four-ounce serving of lean beef. During the five hours after eating the beef, both groups' muscle protein synthesis increased by 50 percent. To read the full report, click here.

Good news for me: I can eat the prime steaks well into my prime years!

This is a recount of my morning in Spanish class...

"Buenos dias!"my Spanish teacher greeted.
"Te gusta la comida?" (Do you like food?) Food, I like food.

Te gustan los chocolates? (Do you like chocolate?)
Oooh me encantan los chocolates! (I LOVE chocolate!)

"Te gusta la maize? Es numero producto en agricultura!" (Do you like corn? It's the number one product in agriculture!)
Yeah, I like corn. One kind feeds me, the other feeds my cattle!

"Te gusta la hamburgesa?" (Hamburgers)
I look around. Seems most people have their hands up. Who doesn't like hamburgers?

"Te gusta el bistec?" (Do you like steak?)
Oh boy, do I ever! Juicy, grilled to perfection steak! Count me in!

Todos los estudiantes? (Everyone likes steak?) No, not you Ashley? I whirl my head around. Who is this girl?

"No me gusta el bistec, Senora Lopez", replied Ashley, quite smugly, "No me gusta los carnes nunca, Nada!" (I don't like meat at all!)

Girls around her began to huddle and soon concluded that was the reason why she was so skinny. I didn't know what to do... I certainly couldn't turn around in my seat and ask her in class about it. I couldn't disrupt my Spanish lesson to discuss something so important as making a health decision like giving up meat! I wanted to scream out and ask, WHY ARE YOU A VEGETARIAN??? But I want an A in the class, so I kept listening intently.

Well, the semester is young, and I hope to talk to Ashley about it someday soon. It seems there is a common misconception that meat in a diet is bad for you. There are so many myths out there, fed to the consumers by animal rights activists, and they aren't giving the true story on the nutrients and health benefits of meat.

Check out these websites to learn more about how incorporating meat and dairy products in your diet can benefit YOU!

-MyPyramid
-Beef It's What's For Dinner
Pork-The Other White Meat
-American Lamb
-Milk-3 a day!

Gracias Amigos!

The Kansas City Star posted an article about the (PCRM) Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine's new ad, "Dirty Little Secret," claiming that excess unhealthy food is dumped into school lunch programs, paid for by congress. The article said the ad will play nationwide on CNN. I hate to give more buzz to the ad itself, but I think its worth viewing to understand my following points. Click here to view.

To most, this ad quickly paints a picture of corporate America dealing under the table with Congress to make children fat. Let me point out some of the few inaccuracies of this ad...

Fact 1: Congress has nothing to do with buying meat and dairy products for school lunch programs. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Ag Marketing Service Livestock and Seed Program has a branch called Commodity Procurement. With more supply in agriculture products than there is demand, USDA supports American farmers and keeps them in business while nurishing today's generation of students. This has nothing to do with money under the table. It has EVERYTHING to do with ensuring food security through successful production agriculture.

Fact 2: Incorporating meat and dairy products into a young person's diet is so important for development and overall health. The benefits of meat and dairy in the diet are vital to the success a student has in school and throughout their lifetime.
Check out these links to learn about the benefits of meat and dairy.
So what makes America's children fat? Hmmm...generally Americans have troubles with portion sizes and often students gorge on afterschool snacks like cookies and candy, soda pop, and processed, salty foods like potato chips and frozen dinners.

Fact 3: What's the REAL Dirty Little Secret of this article? Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine is not a trustworthy organization at all. In fact, PCRM consists of less than 5% physicians and health professionals. It's another animal rights organization in disguise. Learn more about where their dirty money goes to by clicking here.

My next question, Is CNN really a credible news station if they are willing to run such a bogus advertising campaign? What are your thoughts on this issue?

No, I'm only kidding! However,Eating Food Will Kill You was the title of a recent article I read, published in USA Daily. The witty and sometimes sarcastic article makes a critical point against this vegan movement we are facing. Here is a piece of that article...

It is now a proven fact that eating food—any kind of food—will kill you. No one who has eaten food in the past is alive today and everyone currently eating food will die. Therefore, those noble people who seek to save us from eating every kind of food that the earth provides should be hailed and saluted for their efforts to keep us alive.Bear in mind that at least 10,000 Americans on the average die every day from something, not infrequently just old age and the infirmities associated with it. If you live beyond age 85 or into your 90s, the odds of dying from something are pretty good.

A Google search for “Meat + Health” will turn up links to literally thousands of studies that proclaim that eating meat will cause breast, prostrate, colon, and other forms of cancers. That said, if you search all the studies, you will also find those that confirm that meat is as healthy a part of diet as anything else. For example, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USDA) 2005 Food Guide and its Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Eating Plan recommend two to three servings a week of lean meat.To read the rest of this article, click here.

Good news, my Why Eat Beef? article is gaining a lot of traction. If you like what you read, post the list to your blog, send it on your email list, or hit me with a comment and let me know what you think! I always like a good dialogue.