New Travel Resources from the Forthcoming Healthy Highways (Second ed.)

Here's an advance look at the updated Resources from the forthcoming Healthy Highways (Second ed.)

RESOURCES (In no particular order.)

AAA: Emergency number in all fifty states. 1-800-AAA-HELP
Better World Club: Environment-oriented automobile association. www.betterworldclub.com 866-304-7540
Disability Travel and Recreation Resources: www.makoa.org/travel.htm
State and Local Governments On The Net: All state, county and local town websites. www.statelocalgov.net/index.cfm
Recreation.gov: Recreational activities to weather maps. www.recreation.gov
Road Closures: Construction, weather, road conditions, traffic, etc. www.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficinfo/
Rail Travel: www.traintraveling.com/usa/
Hostelling International-USA: Hostels, educational programs and travel advice. www.hiusa.org/index.shtml 301-495-1240
Green Hotels Association: Find hotels with an environmental viewpoint. www.greenhotels.com 713-789-8889
Reserve America: Online reservations for federal, state and private campgrounds. www.reserveamerica.com
RV Travel: RV campgrounds and more. www.allcampgrounds.com
The National Park Service: www.nps.gov/ Headquarters 202-208-6843
Traveling with Pets: Dog-friendly lodgings, restaurants, beaches, attractions, and more. www.dogfriendly.com 877-475-2275
National Public Radio: Find public radio stations for your trip. www.NPR.org
Farmers’ Markets: Farm markets throughout the US. www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: National network of public recreation trails from former rail lines. www.railtrails.org 202-331-9696
Entertain the family en route: old-fashioned traveling games. www.travelwithkids.about.com/cs/printgames/a/gamesprint.htm.
Festival Fun: Online information about festivals and events throughout the US. www.fulltiming-america.com/festivals/index.html
Quirky America: Museums, festivals and destinations on the fringes of mainstream tourism. www.eccentricamerica.com
Swimmer’s Guide: An international directory of full-size, year-round swimming pools open to the public. www.swimmersguide.com
Yoga Finder: Find a yoga class, retreat center or event. www.yogafinder.com
Conversation cafes: Plug in to the local scene. www.conversationcafe.org
Weather: Current US weather or 5-day forecast. http://cirrus.sprl.umich.edu/wxnet

ORGANIZATIONS OF INTEREST TO RESTAURANTS
Greening Ethnic Restaurants: Helps ethnic restaurants adopt environmental principals. www.thimmakka.org 510-655-5566
Green Restaurant Association: Encourages ecologically sustainable restaurant industry and certifies restaurants that meet certain criteria. www.dinegreen.com 858-452-7378

For more travel resources visit us at HealthyHighways.com

SIGN THE PETITION FOR A PROGRESSIVE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE FROM FOOD DEMOCRACY NOW

About Food Democracy Now
Original Signers

After signing, please check out Fooddeclaration.org to endorse a set of principles to create a national sustainable food and agriculture policy»

Dear President-Elect Obama,

We congratulate you on your historic victory and welcome the change that your election promises to usher in for our nation. As leaders in the sustainable agriculture and rural advocacy community we supported you in record numbers during the caucus, primary and general election because of the family farm-friendly policies that you advocated during your campaign.
As our nation’s future president, we hope that you will take our concerns under advisement when nominating our next Secretary of Agriculture because of the crucial role this Secretary will play in revitalizing our rural economies, protecting our nation’s food supply and our environment, improving human health and well-being, rescuing the independent family farmer, and creating a sustainable renewable energy future.
We believe that our nation is at a critical juncture in regard to agriculture and its impact on the environment and that our next Secretary of Agriculture must have a broad vision for our collective future that is greater than what past appointments have called for.
Presently, farmers face serious challenges in terms of the high costs of energy, inputs and land, as well as continually having to fight an economic system and legislative policies that undermine their ability to compete in the open market. The current system unnaturally favors economies of scale, consolidation and market concentration and the allocation of massive subsidies for commodities, all of which benefit the interests of corporate agribusiness over the livelihoods of farm families.
In addition, America must come to understand the environmental and human health implications of industrialized agriculture. From rising childhood and adult obesity to issues of food safety, global warming and air and water pollution, we believe our next Secretary of Agriculture must have a vision that calls for: recreating regional food systems, supporting the growth of humane, natural and organic farms, and protecting the environment, biodiversity and the health of our children while implementing policies that place conservation, soil health, animal welfare and worker’s rights as well as sustainable renewable energy near the top of their agenda.
Today we have a nutritional and environmental deficit that is as real and as great as that of our national debt and must be addressed with forward thinking and bold, decisive action. To deal with this crisis, our next Secretary of Agriculture must work to advance a new era of sustainability in agriculture, humane husbandry, food and renewable energy production that revitalizes our nation’s soil, air and water while stimulating opportunities for new farmers to return to the land.
We believe that a new administration should address our nation’s growing health problems by promoting a children’s school lunch program that incorporates more healthy food choices, including the creation of opportunities for schools to purchase food from local sources that place a high emphasis on nutrition and sustainable farming practices. We recognize that our children’s health is our nation’s future and that currently schools are unable to meet these needs because they do not have the financial resources to invest in better food choices. We believe this reflects and is in line with your emphasis on childhood education as a child’s health and nutrition are fundamental to their academic success.
We understand that this is a tall order, but one that is consistent with the values and policies that you advocated for in your bid for the White House. We realize that more conventional candidates are likely under consideration; however, we feel strongly that the next head of the USDA should have a significant grassroots background in promoting sustainable agriculture to create a prosperous future for rural America and a healthy future for all of America’s citizens.
With this in mind, we are offering a list of leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to the goals that you articulated during your campaign and we encourage you to consider them for the role of Secretary of Agriculture.
The Sustainable Choice for the Next U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
Gus Schumacher, Former Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Former Massachusetts Commissioner of Agriculture.
Chuck Hassebrook, Executive Director, Center for Rural Affairs, Lyons, NE.
Sarah Vogel, former two-term Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of North Dakota, attorney, Bismarck, ND.
Fred Kirschenmann, organic farmer, Distinguished Fellow, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Ames, IA and President, Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, Pocantico Hills, NY.
Mark Ritchie, current Minnesota Secretary of State, former policy analyst in Minnesota’s Department of Agriculture under Governor Rudy Perpich, co-founder of the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy.
Neil Hamilton, attorney, Dwight D. Opperman Chair of Law and Professor of Law and Director, Agricultural Law Center, Drake University, Des Moines, IA.



Sign Now
http://www.fooddemocracynow.org

Bad Taste at The Wall Street Journal

From The Wall Street Journal:

Talk About Audacity!
By JAMES TARANTO August 19, 2008
Oh the humanity! [David's emphasis]The cost of school lunches is also rising:
As the cost goes up, nutritional quality goes down. It is not cheap to follow federal guidelines for healthy eating; fresh fruits and veggies and whole grains can cost several pennies more per meal.
Poor kids, deprived of vegetables and whole grains! (Emphasis mine)

David wrote to the paper asking:
What did the writer mean my this apparently sarcastic remark?
Is he playing into "the eat your vegetables" joke? If so, it was in bad taste as diabetes and obesity are rising in this country among kids and bad diet particularly the lack of fruits and vegetables are the cause. Perhaps he should check his own audacity meter.

In this regard below is a news release I recently sent out through my publishing company, Ceres Press on this important subject.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Food Activist Says “We Must Help the Kids”

Diabetes On The Rise Again

Children’s Book Develops Good Attitudes Towards Healthy and
Anti-diabetes Foods

The U. S government reports that the number of Americans with diabetes has grown to about 24 million people, or roughly 8 percent of the U.S. population. A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), based on data from 2007, said the number represents an increase of about 3 million over two years. The CDC estimates another 57 million people have blood sugar abnormalities called pre-diabetes, which puts people at increased risk for the disease.

Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the country and can cause serious health problems, including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and amputations. It is well established that overweight predisposes people and that the regular consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables is one of the best defenses against overweight, in addition to being a protective factor against most chronic ailments.

“We Must Help the Kids”

For more than thirty eight years, best-selling food writer David Goldbeck has been writing books with his nutritionist/wife Nikki Goldbeck to help adults with their nutrition concerns. They have produced nine books, including the seminal bestselling The Supermarket Handbook and American Wholefoods Cuisine.

But now it’s not adults, but children that concern David. He says, “We must help the kids. There is no doubt that the foundation of a healthy diet and the key to weight control is the significant consumption of vegetables and fruit. Unfortunately, many adults do not like these fine foods - so we must make sure kids don’t develop adult’s negative attitudes. That's why I created and wrote “The ABC’s of Fruits & Vegetables and Beyond” (Ceres Press, $16.95). The goal of the book is to make good food enticing, appealing and acceptable – not just “good for you.” It is out only a short and it is already being bought in quantity for class use. I think this says a lot about the need for resources like this.”

David’s Unusual Approach

To solve this difficult problem, David took an unusual approach. He constructed a book that is actually ‘two books in one.’ First, he wanted kids’ first words – their “ABCs” – to be “B is for banana” and “T for tomato,” rather than “ball” and “truck.” David brought in noted children's entertainer, author and literacy promoter Steve Charney to fill the bill with clever and zany alphabet poems. Charney brought the same genius to the poems as in the songs he wrote for “The Bear in the Big Blue House,” Jim Henson's Emmy-nominated show. David says he fantasizes about toddlers being fed while they (and their parents) recite:

B is for bananas.
The US loves this fruit -
It certainly is "a peeling"
In its pretty yellow suit.

In the book’s second part, “Beyond the ABC’s,” which David wrote with food editor Nikki Goldbeck, takes kids to a delightful mixture of food lore, recipes, jokes, tongue twisters, unusual facts, shopping tips, recipes, and other fun- and thought-provoking activities. Children also discover where many fruits and vegetables come from, learn some Spanish words, and are directed to related books and websites.

The objective is for kids to translate the early impressions gained from the ABC’s and the expertise they develop in Part Two into intentional eating.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS AND ILLUSTRATOR

Steve Charney is a nationally known children's entertainer, magician, ventriloquist, songwriter, radio personality, and literacy promoter. His books include Hocus Jokus and Kid’s Kookiest Riddles. He is also the co-host, with his dummy Harry, of the radio program “Knock On Wood.” Steve performs at festivals, theaters and libraries throughout the world, and Steve and Harry often promote literacy in schools, as well. He has written dozens of songs for Jim Henson's TV show “Bear in the Big Blue House.”

David Goldbeck is coauthor with Nikki Goldbeck of nine food books. These books include the bestsellers The Supermarket Handbook, American Wholefoods Cuisine and, most recently, Healthy Highways. He is the author of The Smart Kitchen. David, trained as a lawyer, has worked as a waiter, produce man and elementary school teacher.

Nikki Goldbeck (Food editor) is a New York State Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist. She received her B.S. in nutrition from the School of Human Ecology, Cornell University. She is co-author with David Goldbeck of nine food books, with more than 1,500,000 books in print. Nikki Goldbeck has worked in the field of nutrition as an independent researcher, writer and educator for almost fort years. She is known to millions through her four one-hour shows on Donahue and hundreds of other media appearances and lectures. In addition to writing, Nikki maintains a private nutrition practice and runs workshops on various aspects of health and nutrition.
***

The next time the Wall Street Journal complains about the high cost of public health, perhaps they should look to their paper's contribution to the public's poor health habits.

-

The New Organics?

The week of August 3-9, 2008, has been designated National Farmers’ Market Week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The week is meant to celebrate the creation of farmers’ markets and the role they play in offering local farmers an outlet for their products. But this is only part of the story. The honorees really deserve to be the farmers themselves for the role they have played in communities all over the country. As everyone recognizes, being a farmer is a difficult job: long and hard hours of labor while at the mercy of the weather and never seeing the economic rewards of a company CEO. What farmers return to the community is not only nourishing and wholesome fresh food but preservation of the rural landscape, as well.

This got me thinking about our local Woodstock Farm Festival. Many people have asked why there isn’t more organic food being offered by the vendors. As a result, I began to ponder the real meaning of “organic.” Does growing or producing organic food on a huge commercial farm fulfill the organic dream? Does making relatively unhealthy foods like candy, chips and soft drinks organic suddenly redeem them? (I hear someone is even manufacturing organic high fructose corn syrup. Is organic Coca-cola next!) Certainly the ability to eat foods free from harmful chemicals is significant, but is that enough?

About a decade ago, a well-intentioned group of farmers, consumers and government officials decided that rules and regulations should be written and enforced to keep organic foods “honest.” If companies were going to sell organic foods nationwide, a standard to adhere to would be critical. And having a uniform label would lend credibility. But what these laws did not contend with was the fact that for smaller farmers, many of whom have been growing foods and raising animals using traditional farming techniques for decades, if not generations, these new laws and standards could be prohibitive.

David and I have been writing about wholefoods and organic food since the early 1970s. The dedication page of The Supermarket Handbook, the 1972 book that launched our careers, reads “To the preservation of the family farm.” This is what the organic movement was all about: Growing food in harmony with nature – a non-industrial way of raising animals humanely and growing food crops without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. It is about eating food made by people, not factories. And, it is about distributing food through alternate and local networks like co-ops, natural food stores, farm stands, and farmers’ markets, thereby reducing the cost and pollution of long-distance transport, increasing the biodiversity of our food supply, and preserving a green belt around cities.

Local farming accomplishes most of these goals without the government dictating how it is done. When you shop locally – whether at the farmers’ market or at stores that carry local foodstuffs – you are supporting the original vision of organic. If the purveyor doesn’t display an official notice, it is still more than likely the animals have been treated humanely and the land has been farmed in a sustainable manner. Unlike huge agribusinesses, without adhering to these principles, local farms could not survive. This does not mean local produce is free of potentially toxic chemicals, but at least you have the ability to ask the farmer about it.

If your aim is to buy “organic,” you might want to broaden your definition of what that term means. Perhaps the next time you shop at Famers' and other markets that feature local products, you will weigh the many value-added features of watermelon grown within 25 miles of your house versus the ones organically grown on a corporate farm out west and then shipped across the country. It brings new meaning to the phrase “think global, act local.”

We Must Help The Kids

“I could be a vegetarian - I love vegetables” is one of the more surprising reactions I get from some people when they learn that I am a vegetarian. My standard reply has been, “Vegetarianism is about protein. Everybody should be eating vegetables.”

But the problem is they don’t. There is no doubt that the foundation of a healthy diet and weight control is the significant consumption of vegetables and fruit. Unfortunately, many adults do not like these fine foods - so we must make sure kids don’t develop these attitudes.

The U. S government reports that the number of Americans with diabetes has grown to about 24 million people, or roughly 8 percent of the U.S. population. A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), based on data from 2007, said the number represents an increase of about 3 million over two years. The CDC estimates another 57 million people have blood sugar abnormalities called pre-diabetes, which puts people at increased risk for the disease.

Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the country and can cause serious health problems, including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and amputations. It is well established that overweight predisposes people to illness and that the regular consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables is one of the best defenses against overweight, in addition to being a protective factor against most chronic ailments.

In addition, a new study reported in the journal Pediatrics shows that when infants are exposed to fruits and vegetables repeatedly, they’re more likely to not only eat them, but to actually want to eat them. Researchers in Philadelphia looked at a group of 45 4- to 8-month-olds and found that the babies ate more green beans when they were fed these vegetables repeatedly, regardless of whether they had already developed a taste for sweeter peaches.

Obesity rates in the U.S. have tripled among children ages 2 to 5 and nearly quintupled among 6- to 11-year-olds since the 1970s, according to the CDC. The medical consequences amount to an estimated $100 billion a year and an immeasurable amount of human suffering. Kentucky cardiologist, Dr. James W. Holsinger Jr., nominated as the next surgeon general, says fighting childhood obesity is his top priority.

I am happy to say that these studies confirm the ideas behind my new book, “The ABC's of Fruits & Vegetables and Beyond.” My basic notion is to have kids’ first words, that is their ‘ABCs,’ be ‘B is for banana’ and ‘T is for tomato,’ instead of ‘ball’ and ‘truck.’ Everyone knows that if you want kids to learn things without resistance – languages for example - start them young.

B is for bananas.
The US loves this fruit -
It certainly is "a peeling"
In its pretty yellow suit.
*
T is for tomato.
Did you know that it's a fruit?
Some say that it's a vegetable
Which causes a dispute.

After kids learn the alphabet through the amusing fruit and vegetable poems written by Jim Henson writer Steve Charney, their relationship to these important foods is strengthened by a variety of activities, such as jokes, geography, recipes and fun facts, in order to develop an easy-going relationship with them.

I have received confirmation of my approach from nutritionists, but what I am most happy about is that it is already being bought in quantity for class use.

We must help the kids.



(c) David Goldbeck

REDUCE, REUSE, THROW A PARTY

At the end of a successful party, after the guests have gone, what’s left is generally a lot of clean-up. Trash bags full of paper plates, napkins, plastic ware, paper tablecloths, streamers, balloons, gift wrapping. Is this really the price we must pay to host a party? Throwing a party that’s kinder to the environment is probably easier than you think.

Invitation by Email
To save paper (and postage), send invitations by email. Whether it’s a small dinner party or a formal affair, you can design something attractive, including an RSVP and all the vitals the guests need to know. There are also websites such as evite.com that make this simple. If it’s a big event, you might even want to design a webpage around it.

Setting the Table
Begin with cloth. It doesn’t have to be the finest Damask. Consider inexpensive vinyl felt-lined tablecloths or buy oil cloth from a roll to size. (Woodstockers take note, both are available at H. Houst & Sons). These can be wiped clean and reused numerous times.

If you don’t have enough plates and glasses in your pantry, consider the options. If you entertain frequently (and have the storage space), consider purchasing an inexpensive set of dishes and glasses or mix-and-match from yard sales and the dollar store. The same for silverware. Renting is another possibility. If you must resort to disposables, purchase compostable products made from plant materials like potato starch, cornstarch or bagasse (a byproduct of sugar production). You can find resources on line at http://www.ecoproducts.com/, http://www.ecowise.com/, and http://www.worldcentric.org/.

If disposable cups are used, set out a marker and ask everyone to write their name or some favorite fanciful identifier so they can keep track of it for refills.

Setting the Scene
For table and room decorations, use fresh flowers, paper creations made from used paper (and save them for future events) or food to create edible table décor.

At the event, set up bins for reusables, recyclables and compostables with signs explaining what goes where.

What’s to Eat
Build the menu around fresh, locally grown or produced food. Less fuel wasted in transport and less packaging to discard.

Greener Gifts
When gifts are involved, encourage guests beforehand to shop locally, avoid the “big box” stores, or use their creative talents. You can also send out a wish list of things you would really like to have. Another ideal green gift is something consumable that leaves no waste, such as food or candles. Or request donations be made to your favorite nonprofit or charitable organization.

Request “no gift wrapping” or reusable gift bags. (Note: When you bring a gift to someone, scarves and fabric make a reusable gift wrapping alternative.)

Give party favors that are durable or consumable rather than useless throw-aways. If you have the time, consider making something from resources you have on hand. If you’re looking for something even easier, how about a gift exchange. If it’s a kids’ event, ask everyone to bring a puzzle, book or toy they already own and swap so they each get something “new.” For adults, suggest books, cds, dvds or other items they have enjoyed rather than the “white elephant” they have sitting in the closet waiting to be dumped on someone else.

After the Ball is Over
The next day, say “thank you” to everyone by email, as well. Let them know you appreciate their help in making your gathering greener.

-- Nikki

I came Upon this wonderful mural of fruits and vegetables and wanted to share it. I hope I gave proper credit.
-David

photo Andrea Micholini

http://www.tankmiche.com/