GMO OMG is a must watch movie, especially if you have kids

Cover for GMO OMG

If you haven't seen "GMO OMG", please, please, watch it. It's on netflix. I know you, or your buddy, or your parents have a subscription that you can mooch off of. Watch it now. I promise you won't consider it a waste of time.

As you can see from the title, it's all about GMO's, AKA, genetically modified organisms. You've probably heard some sort of hooplah about this new thing you may or may not have to worry about in one form of another, but what does it actually mean? "GMO OMG" follows a concerned father down a path to find out what GMO's really are, where they are, and if you really need to be worried about them.

And even if you think you already know what GMO's are all about, and have decided if you care or don't care about them, you should still watch this video. I work in a cooperative health foods grocery store, which means I'm bombarded by hippies all day with questions like the ones asked in this video. I'm practically required to know about every hot new food thing, and I didn't know half the stuff they uncovered in this film. And not only is this film important, but it's incredibly well done and entertaining. You will not be disappointed.

The most amazing thing I learned from this movie is that we produce 4,600 kilo calories per person, per day. Which equals out to be enough food to feed 14 billion people. We only have 7 billion people on the planet. If that math is too hard for you, we produce DOUBLE the amount of food we actually need, right now, this very second. Yet biotech giants like Monsanto would have you believe that they're solving world hunger. That we can't feed the planet on organic. That we need patented, roundup ready seeds in order to survive.

The're full of shit. The biggest argument I have heard from those who say GMO's aren't that bad and pesticide's are a necessary evil is that we need it. Absolutely, without a doubt, we can't survive as a species and produce the level of food we need without these advances. And now you know, it just isn't true.

Please, watch this movie. And then buy it as a gift for your parents. Or even better, anybody you know who has children. I can't imagine exactly how I would feel if I had kids in this world we live in today, but after watching this video, I am so angered at how little we know, and how much corporations have forced upon us, and I know my anger would be 10 times worse if I let my kids eat all this crap. Or, even worse, let them think that it's OK for conglomerates like Monsanto to get away with what they're doing.

Ecobags: Buy produce without plastic (and guilt)

Here's a great way reduce plastic in your life: produce bags from Ecobags. They're lightweight but durable, fairly inexpensive, and save you the guilt of yanking out yet another disposable plastic bag in the produce section.

These Ecobags are 100% cotton, which means one less petroleum by-product. I've seen some great reusable produce bags from other companies, yet they're made out of plastic. Kind of defeats the purpose. I've been using and washing them for quite some time with no signs of wear and tear.

They also come with their tare weight written on a tag, but they're so light it almost doesn't matter if you or your cashier forgets to take it off. This also makes them great for buying in bulk, and it's one more reason to keep them in your car for any trip to the grocery store.

If all that doesn't convince you to make these a household staple, consider this: In 2011, according to the EPA, the United States generated 32 million tons of plastic waste, with only 8 percent of the total amount of plastic being recovered for recycling. With cheap options like this, there's no good reason to stupidly generate this much waste, or we'll be paying for it later on.

You can pick up a set of 3 medium bags for about 7 bucks, or a set of three large bags for just over 13 dollars. And remember, you can find tons of uses for these bags other than just produce. For everything else, Ecobags has a huge variety of other reusable products to help reduce waste (and guilt) in your life.

>>>Click here for a set of 3 medium bags
>>>Click here for a set of 3 large bags
>>>Check out Ecobags.com

Buycott: Buy from companies you love, boycott those you don't

Buycott is a new, and so far unique smartphone app that let's you scan products in a store and see exactly what company it comes from, and what they stand for. Basically, you scan a jar of pasta sauce, made by company A. Well in reality company A is owned by company C whose parent company is D, and they're a bunch of f***ing A**holes that you don't want to support. That's right, put it back on the shelf. You can create campaigns, for example, "against GMO's," and it'll instantly tell you if the food your buying conflicts with those interests, without actually having to do research on any of those companies. It's not perfect yet, but it's definitely a step in a great direction. And the biggest thing it needs is users supporting it. It's available for Android and iOS, and is free. Click on the link to learn more or download it.

Buycott App

America's First Zero Waste Zone

In February of 2009 Atlanta, more specifically it's downtown district, began the nations first Zero Waste Zone, an ambitious but amazing idea if I've ever heard one. An in-depth article from SmartPlanet explains how successful this project has been, which should be a huge motivational factor for other businesses and cities to follow suit.

One highlight from the article breaking down the project as follows:

"The goal is to eliminate every scrap of food waste. Spent grease is turning into biofuel. Excess food is now donated to shelters and soup kitchens. Used food is diverted to feedstock. And food deemed inedible is now turned to compost for new urban gardens around the city."

It almost sounds too good to be true. And if that's not enough, here's another one that explains how this is beneficial to companies:

"Atlanta food companies are managing to save thousands of dollars a month in hauling and disposal fees, all while creating new revenue streams — from selling compost and used grease to drawing in new customers who favor their social responsibility. The effort has also stimulated a micro-economy of biofuel makers, compost haulers, urban farmers and recycling outfits."

If that's not enough reason for companies and cities to begin implementing this type of thing immediately, I don't think it belongs on this Earth. It's proof that helping the environment and your community doesn't have to damage your pocketbook, and it can even give you access to some untapped revenue streams. 

Read the entire article, written by Kevin Gray here:

For business, food waste a ripe opportunity for savings

You can also check out some facts straight from the EPA on this Zero Waste Zone here:

Atlanta Launches Southeast's First Zero Waste Zone

In.gredients: Americas first Zero-waste, Zero packaging grocery store.

Man, I wish I lived in Austin, Texas right about now. They have the United States first grocery store with all completely organic, completely local, bare ingredients with no crap and better yet? Zero packaging. You bring your containers in, you fill them with what you need, you weigh it all, pay for it, and your good to go with zero waste. You can also purchase their compostable containers if you don't bring your own.

In.gredients, famous for being Americas brightest idea in a long friggin' time (oh wait, that's my opinion) opened in 2011. My only question, where the hell are the other grocery stores doing the same thing?? As far as I know In.gredients has been a great success, but I have yet to hear of any other stores following their lead. Don't get me wrong, there are some good options out there, but nowhere near as good as In.gredients. Perfectly wrapped, bright and colorful, fun and silly packaging has got to be one of the dumbest things that intelligent people all over the world let corporations get away with. Bastards.

Let's all give three cheers for In.gredients. If you wanna check out their website, click here.
If you wanna read more about them from a local Austin resident and an amazing blogger,  click here.