Breaking up with the Nutritionist

My thyroid doctor thought it would be a good idea to have me sit down with the nutritionist in the office.  She said it was just to get some ideas about what is good for the thyroid and what is bad for the thyroid.  I hesitantly agreed and off to group nutrition class I went.

As we sat down in the group setting, with other people experiencing thyroid issues just as myself, this nutritionist began to tell her story.  In the middle of her "speech" I noticed her quote the book The Wheat Belly.  In my daze of boredom I quickly perked up to catcher telling the group that the wheat we eat has been genetically modified and that is why our bodies do not accept it like it used to......

Hold it right there!  As my face turned red and my heartbeat started going faster and faster I kindly raised my hand and asked her to please share her source for genetically modified wheat.   She looked at me dumbfounded.  I kindly explained to her that there is no genetically modified wheat being sold in the United States.  For some reason she had a hard time believing me until another farm woman spoke up and said "no she is right".  The nutritionist then went on to ask well why doesn't wheat look the same as it did 100 years ago........

Head to desk.  Myself and the other woman explained that with breeding we are able to control height and other features that work with the different environments and equipment being used today.  I asked her to please stop saying that it was genetically modified as she is putting a bad perception into the minds of these people she is talking to.....plus it is just not the truth.  Her answer: "well I will have to look into it."    Classic.

Next on our list was meat.  Of course she tells us that we should really chose Organic meat as it is a healthier choice to make.  That is when I about walked out and she lost all credibility with me.  How do you sit and tell a group of women that they should choose organic because it is healthier without sourcing your claim.  Also, is that fair to the other women?  If I were a mom on a budget and just couldn't afford organic, that may make me feel as though I am supplying an inferior product to my children.   That is not ok!  Show the choices and leave your fear mongering out of it!!!!!!!

 I left that day angry, confused, and disappointed.  It quickly made me realize how so many people become so misinformed.  These people came to this group meeting to gain information from someone that is looked at as a professional in her field.   This is the kind of information they are walking away with.  Sad.........

We walk into a meeting expecting to hear factual information from someone that many may see as an "expert".  Instead we get very biased and false information.  I would expect professionals to show the choices out there and let the consumer do the choosing instead of fearing them into a choice.  If I wouldn't have known better, there would have been no reason why I wouldn't have taken what she said as the truth and made those lifestyle changes.

It really made me realize the importance of not taking everything at face value.  While we may be seeing experts in a certain profession it is always important to keep asking questions and maybe get a second opinion.

And that my friends is why I broke up with the nutritionist

Good Day!

No organic, grassfed, or gmo free?

This past weekend the Ohio Farm Bureau put on a summer tour for the Young Ag Professionals.  This event really intrigued me because they had many tour options and I felt it would be a great way to network with other members of farm bureau in the state as well as learn about some great places within the state.  Our tour stopped at Scioto Downs, North Market, and Watershed Distillery.

Our first stop was Scioto Downs race park.  This was pretty interesting to me as I really know little about horses, especially race horses but know a couple people that actually raise harness racing horses so it was neat to make the connection.  This is a very busy and dedicated sport.  It was very evident that these horses are treated like royalty.  Speaking with the trainers and Farrier they take great pride in the horses and the jobs that they do.

We also stopped at Watershed Distillery which is a craft distillery which makes vodka, gin, and bourbon.  It is neat to see these little craft distilleries in your home state that make their main focus to stay and support the state they originated.  These guys purchase all of their grains from within the state and do not push to sell a ton outside of the state as Ohio is their main focus. They have sold to markets in New York City and Chicago but only because they came to them!  That's pretty cool for a small operation!  They have unique tasting spirits and you all need to give them a try!!

My favorite stop of the day was at Columbus North Market.  This market is in the heart of Columbus and provides fresh local foods to the city and surrounding areas.  We had the opportunity to sit down with the owners of Bluescreek Farm Meats

Cheryl and David Smith

Photo courtesy of bluescreekfarmmeats.com

 

They’re a farm-raised, hardworking couple who have been selling their locally raised meats since 1993. They opened their mom-and-pop shop so they could sell directly to the consumer "because their meat is too good to sell any other way."  As you can tell they are very passionate about the meat that they are providing to their customers.  They raise their animals the "old fashioned way, like it should be" as they stated.  Their animals are raised on a rationed grain diet along with hay. This got the wheels turning in my head and made me wonder.....Do they get many people that come to them looking for organic, grassfed, or gmo free and walk away when they say no? 

 

I was surprised by her answer.  She said that over the last 3 years they have really seen an increase in the gmo free, organic, and grassfed question but 90%-95% will still purchase from them even though they don't carry those niche meats.  She said that most people just want to know how the animals are raised and that they care about the animals.  She commented that they looked into organic a few years ago and the price of grain and then the price they would have to charge their customers just wasn't worth it.  Plus the fact that they already feel they have a pretty superior product.  If it ain't broke why fix it?

 

I found this quite interesting.  I feel it goes to show that many people may have concerns because they read it on the Internet and hear all this negative info about conventionally raised animals but when it comes down to it, just being able to talk to the people that raise the animals and hearing about the operation is all that the consumer is really after.  This is why putting yourself out there for people to talk to you about why you do things they way you do and letting them see into your operation is crucial. 

 

There is a small but very vocal sector out there that is doing its best at fear mongering but I think this just shows that when you are willing to open your doors and show transparency and show you really are just wanting to provide the best quality product out there like the Smith's, people will trust you and your product and keep coming back for more!

 

Be sure to check out Bluescreeek Farms Meats both on facebook and their website as they offer classes to help you better understand cuts of meats and sharpen up on your meat knowledge!!

 

Have a safe and fun 4th of July holiday!!