Recipe: Crock Pot Shredded Pork

I threw a boneless pork roast in the crock pot with Red Thunder Energy drink.  12 hours on low makes great pulled pork.  With 4 hours to go I shred it and put in minced garlic onion, black pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, and onion powder.  This is a good basic recipe that can be mixed with your choice of sauce after cooking.

Food Spotlight: Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.)

Raw Blueberries

Aldi recently had a deal pricing blueberries at $1.89 per pint.  Knowing the potency and concentration of the phyotchemicals contained in blueberries, I naturally bought and ate 15 pints over the course of two weeks.  Blueberries have phytochemicals from nearly every group listed on the USDA database. (1)  They contain anthocyanadins, flavan-3-ols, flavones, flavanols, and proanthocyanadins. (1)  Even kale is not listed as having antioxidants in all of these categories. (2)  The possible health benefits of these compounds include: protection against cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and cognitive decline. (3)  Blueberries are a good source of fiber, potassium, vitamin k, and vitamin c. (1)

1 Raw Blueberries
2 Kale
3 Phytochemicals
4 Absorption of Anthocyanins from Blueberries and Serum Antioxidant Status in Human Subjects
5 Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity of Georgia-Grown Blueberries and Blackberries

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Genetically Modified Organisms - life forms that have had their DNA altered by artificial methods, usually to confer abilities that would never be possible in nature.

For a long time I opposed GMO foods, even writing papers in school against them.  I have read enough research to realize that some GMOs have their place in society.  Technically every domesticated crop or animal is a GMO. Some are made in a lab while others are made from cross-breeding. Some can be purely beneficial like wild mustard which has been modified to produce several healthy vegetables.  Throughout the world, a slight aversion to GMO foods is present. (5)  Roughly 26% of people prefer Non-GMO foods. (5)  Unsurprisingly, foods that are genetically modified to give nutritional benefits are less avoided. (5)  Fat cells in plants are unaffected by GM processes so they end up not containing any unwanted substances. (5) Sugar is in the same boat as it has had its impurities removed during processing.

A study found GMO potatoes to have the same metabolite composition as conventionally grown. (1) Basically, there are no additional toxins that could have potentially arisen from the genetic modification process.  GMO crops require less pesticides and increase yield almost two-fold in underdeveloped countries. (2)  One study found toxic effects arising from GMOs. (3)  Another study cautions against future complications from GMOs. (4)

While reading an article in the wallstreet journal (suggested by my father), I saw how hollow the argument is against GMOs.  The author seemed to focus on a few instances of negative occurrences only. (6)

1 GMO potatoes vs. conventionally grown potatoes
2 GMO yield boost and related pesticide use
3 Health Risks of Genetically Modified Foods
4 Potential Adverse Health Effects of Genetically Modified Crops
5 A Meta-Analysis of Genetically Modified Food Valuation Studies
6 Should Companies Be Required to Label Genetically Modified Foods?