Scary News About the Fake Foods We Eat

Not only are Dave and I growing food, I have been doing a lot of reading about the commercial foods we eat ---- and let me tell you,

IT IS SCARY!

Michael Pollan, in his simple little book Food Rules...,  states that commercial foods are really edible food-like substances.   This book is a great "putting your toe in to test the water" before you dive into the bigger, uglier pond.

We don't eat at McDonald's anymore and never will --- even the items that may sound "safe."  As a matter of fact we are, with very few exceptions, through with fast food places.

I have just finished reading Fast Food Nation (The Dark Side of the All-American Meal) by Eric Schlosser.

It is not a light, simple read --- it is 288 pages of well-researched gut-retching facts about the fast foods we consume on a regular basis.  Again, trust me on this ----

It is scary!

Better yet, don't trust me, read it yourself!

Let's start with the simple Burger King Strawberry Milk Shake


"When you get a strawberry milkshake, you would expect there to be strawberries and milk in the milkshake, right?  Well, here are the ingredients in a

Burger King Strawberry Milkshake:

Amyl acetate, amyl butyrate, amyl valerate, anethol, anisyl formate, benzyl acetate, benzyl isobutyrate, butyric acid, cinnamyl isobutyrate, cinnamyl valerate, cognac essential oil, diacetyl, dipropyl ketone,  ethyl acetate, ethyl amylketone, ethyl butyrate, ethyl cinnamate, ethyl heptanoate, ethyl heptylate, ethyl lactate, ethyl methylphenylglycidate, ethyl nitrate, ethyl propionate ethyl valerate, heliotropin, hydroxyphrenyl-2-butanone (10% solution in alcohol), ionone, isobuyly anthranilate, isobutyl butyrate, lemon essential oil, maltol, 4-methylacetophenone, methyl anthranilate, methyl benzoate, methyl cinnamate, methyl heptine carbonate, methyl naphthyl ketone, methyl salicylate, mint essential oil, neroli essential oil, nerolin, neryl isobutyrate, orris butter, phenothyl alcohol, rose, rum ether, undecalactone, vanillin, and solvent.

NO STRAWBERRIES!!!  NOTHING REAL!!!

Can you believe this? There is zero food in this, it’s all fake. Back in the day, a strawberry milk shake had 4 main ingredients: milk, ice cream, strawberries, and sugar. Today it is full of chemicals that your body doesn’t even recognize as food. It’s a highly toxic blend that is sure to send you to your grave early."

from:
http://www.draxe.com/real-foods-vs-fake-foods/#comments

Simply Gail's Real Strawberry Milkshake                                    


In a blender:
1/2 cup water
3/4 cup milk powder*
2 T. sugar or to taste
About 4 large ripe strawberries, cut into chunks
about 2 cups ice**
Blend until smooth and creamy


Serve immediately.  Makes 3 cups.

*I use non-fat regular milk powder---not the instant type so I cannot tell you how instant would work.
** I don't measure but use an ice cube tray full and that is about 16 regular (not giant ice-maker) cubes, so adjust accordingly.

Note:
What it is not: It is not bright pink, it's not strongly flavored, and it does not contain chemicals.

What it is: Refreshing, healthy and REAL. It gives the taste buds a chance to experience and distinguish the wonders and subtleties of natural flavors and foods.

And, aside from all the health benefits, it is as quick to make as standing in a line or at a drive-up window and it is really cheap!

'til we eat again,
     I am Simply, Gail . . .the creative cheapskate

P.S. "tune in" Friday for a look into a kid's fast-food favorite.