Jill MacInnes We are all 'Children of the Corn'

Beware the children of the corn! No, I’m not talking Stephen King: This truth is more frightening than fiction. Many of us don't give much thought to where our food comes from or what it's made of, but you might be spooked to learn that nearly everything we eat starts out as corn. Cows, pigs, chickens and turkeys eat it -- and of course, we eat them.

Not even our fish have escaped, as much of what we consume are “farmed” fish who are fed… corn.

Even your favorite can of soda contains corn.

Then there are corn's numerous bi-products: The most well-known, if not the most evil of these, is high-fructose corn syrup, which is in everything from “natural” juice drinks to your daily bread.

Here are some others:

leavening;
lecithin;
mono- di -and triglycerides;
citric acid;
modified and unmodified corn starch;
maltodextrin;
ascorbic acid;
dextrose;
lactic acid;
carmel color;
xanthan gum.

All of these ingredients are derived in some form or other from corn. Quite an impressive list! Most processed food has some form of corn in, as do many of our non-food products as well.

The more we know about the foods we eat, the better equipped we are to make healthier decisions.

If you want to know more: Check out a movie now on cable called "Food, Inc.," or the website www.foodinc.com. You could also read Michael Pollan's book, "The Omnivore's Dilemma."

Frankly, I would prefer to eat a hamburger or steak that comes from a cow who eats grass and is free to graze in a large pasture. All the better if the grass is free of fertilizer and pesticides.

Here’s a simple, completely delicious and 100% corn-free dinner recipe:

“Easy Turkey Chili” (feeds 4)

Brown one lb. of organic, free-range turkey meat and add one organic red onion, chopped;

Pour in one 32 oz. can of Muir Glen Organic Fire-roasted Crushed Tomatoes;

Add one 15 oz. can of Eden No-salt Kidney Beans;

Add red pepper flakes and 2 tablespoons of natural chili powder to flavor -- more or less, depending on taste -- and simmer for 15 minutes;

Pour over brown rice and top with freshly grated parmesan cheese.

Yum!

For more ideas on healthy eats feel free to contact Jill at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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