MSG/Canola Music Video

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Lousy music, but beefy in reasons to avoid MSG and Canola Oil

Toothpaste and Shampoo

Brand names from Debby's book for MSG free products:

Detergent All Free and Clear and Biokleen Free and Clear detergent
Shampoo Shampoo for color treated hair is milder, but avoid hydrolyzed proteins (wheat, silk, milk, soy) if listed
Soap Clearly Natural unscented glycerine soap for skin and hair
Dr. Bronner's soaps and liquid castile for shampoo (the soap can be used to brush teeth)
Dove soap for sensitive skin- no perfume or dyes
Toothpaste Baking soda, Homeodent
Deoderant Sure Original, plain baking soda

No MSG cookbooks

Any cookbook will likely have MSG-free recipes in it, you just have to know what you're looking for. Its nice to have one that you can trust, though, and we checked out Battling the MSG Myth: A Survival Guide and Cookbook by Debby Anglesey through WSU interlibrary loan. Available for $21 at msgmyth.com. She has delicious recipes in here, and there is so much additional knowledge you have to know to avoid MSG, not just reading labels, and you can get it from her book. She does still have recipes with a lot of sugar, which is also hazardous to our health, but I love how she sneaks shredded carrots and other veggies in her main entrees. Its a pretty complete book for anything you'd want to make from salad dressings to sauces to candy, and contains education all about the MSG myth and shopping tips.
Debby's not the only one that has written a cookbook. Here's another one called No MSG For Me by Lisa Kramer, available in many locales on the web.

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

So, I got this little flyer in the mail for the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive, with a little picture of what foods to leave for the mailman to pick up. I got a little sarcastic feeling about it, so I'm going to write about it.

Stamp Out Hunger is sponsored by Campbell's, and, well, just look in the bag to see who else is in on it. This is a very logical move for these companies. They have storable items that would easily be donated to a food bank and it would increase sales; nothing wrong with that.

What I do have a problem with is that all these foods are loaded with MSG: Campbell's anything, Swanson chicken broth, Goldfish, etc. Are we really doing poor people a favor by giving them this junk? Thankfully, at the bottom of the page I have a picture of what was actually donated, and its not Campbell's. It appears to be fruits and vegetables. Phew!

Back to doing them a favor or not: after learning what I've learned about MSG, I'm going to avoid it like the plague. Now, if I was a hurricane Katrina victim, three days after the flood, and I was starving, sure, I would gobble that stuff right up, thankfully; but, if it was 3 months, or even 1, after the flood and I was still being offered that stuff, I would be horrendously offended, and say, "Hey, this is America. If I'm going to get charity, give me some real food!" (even though I know this is what the majority of us are eating).

So, this is especially pertinent for food storage. Food storage items, unless carefully planned, are loaded with MSG!



To be perfectly honest, maybe it is wise to actually add a bag of MSG to food storage. Afraid your kids (or you) won't want to eat foodstorage when it actually comes down to it? Hey, just sprinkle some MSG on it, and that yucky food will taste wonderful! (It'll kill a few brain cells in the meantime, but when it comes to survival...)























yuck

Tuna: The Triple Whammy

Look, Ma, I caught a big one!

More playing with the food storage. So, yes, tuna can contain mercury, MSG, and BPA. I'm not going to say don't eat it. Its got omega 3 fatty acids, protein, I don't even know the cost-benefit analysis of eating a can of tuna, but there are ways to reduce risks:

1. Look for tuna with just water, salt, no broth. Broths often contain MSG.

2. Buy fresh and avoid canned to hurdle BPA leached from can linings. I'd like to can my own meat if I can find the right size jars.

3. Mercury: sadly, 95% of all tuna on earth now contain mercury. What to Expect When you're Expecting (2008) states pregnant women should limit tuna and freshwater fish caught by recreational fishers to 6 ounces per week. For everyone, fish with lower mercury content are "salmon (wild caught is best), sole, flounder, haddock, tilapia, halibut, ocean perch, pollack, cod, and trout, as well as other smaller ocean fish (anchovies, sardines, and herring are not only safe, but also loaded with omega 3)." Alex Jones states he read that much of the mercury we eat passes through us with our food, but the dangerous mercury to avoid is in our vaccinations.

The Seattle Times quoted a producer on the BPA-ban in sippy cups and formulas in WA: "It's 'being put in the mind of consumers that it [canned food] is a dangerous product,' said Randy Ray, a lobbyist for the Pacific Seafood Processors Association. 'And try making a can of salmon to sell in 50 states and have 50 states tell you [you] have to do it differently.'"

I would say to him, we're all the same species and what is harmful to humans in Washington state is going to have the same affect on humans in Mississippi, so there are no 50 different standards; what endangers Washingtonians also endangers Mississippians, too.

Mercury

Word on the street, a few ways to get mercury into your system:

1. "Breathing in while passing a coal plant," will give you "the same amount of mercury found in your local flu shot."

2. Select vaccinations.

3. Eating shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, or tuna steaks.

4. Mercury fillings.

Whoa, whoa, back up. This video reveals a way longer list than I knew:

Watch Video Clip "Mercury- How to get this lethal poison out of your system"

Do NOT vaccuum up mercury, as it will distribute it into the air.

Do not have your mercury fillings removed by just anyone. Once the drilling starts, it goes into the air and can poison those present. The dentist must know what they're doing and have a special vaccuum for the vapors.

Pregnant women should not be getting the normal flu shot, even though they'll offer it; get thimerosol free.

Chelation is a process of putting proteins in the body which gather the mercury in order to get it out of the system. Also special foods and supplements.

What are the affects of Mercury on the body? (Lots of neurological, depression, weight gain, etc.) How to clean up? What to eat, what to avoid? Watch the continuation of the above video.

Read more:

Most flu shots contain mercury, but few know it

First person: The quest for a flu vaccine without mercury

Mom's Against Mercury

Thimerosol, organic mercury, swine flu, and you

Does the Swine Flu Vaccine contain Mercury?

Flu Vaccine: Contains Mercury, Take Caution if Younger or Lightweight

Your Child’s Flu Vaccine May Contain Mercury

The Mercury Story

Mercury Poisoning and Heavy Metal Toxicity

Learn more about Mercury and other heavy metal toxicities by clicking on my toxin label.

TVP and dry milk

My mom and I were discussing storing meat one day, and she suggested TVP. "TVP?" I asked. "What's that?" I guess its a meat substitute that is dry that can be used in food storage, and my mom says its an okay-tasting substitute. I did find it at my local WinCo store in the bulk section.

Only problem is, TVP (Texturized Vegetable Protein) is one of the sources of hidden MSG. So, TVP: out.

Another common food storage item: dry milk powder. This is another ingredient that often contains MSG due to processing. What to do without dry milk in an emergency situation? Where are we going to get our calcium? (My bread actually tastes fine when I omit it, b.t.w.)

Sounds like a doozy, but milk is not the only source of calcium, perhaps not even the best. To some this may be good news because not liking powdered milk is one of the hurdles of eating food storage food. (blog "Adventures in Self-Reliance" has a dry-milk comparison of brands to help). Other sources of calcium include: broccoli, collards, bok choy, black eye peas, spinach, trail mix, baked beans. (sources: spine-health.com, iloveindia)

Okay, so we're back to square one. How often do I eat these things, especially in food storage? Plus we'll have to be counting our calcium with a list of how much each of these contain instead of just counting glasses of milk (much easier).

This video here states protein inhibits calcium absorption, and of course milk is full of calcium. (Soda also inhibits calcium absorption, and too much calcium can't be absorbed all at once). I'm not sure about the statements made in here, but here it is: Milk the Deadly Poison on Hard Copy I do have to say, my grandmother lived on a dairy farm all her married life, and does have osteoporosis.

My husband says that after taking Biology at WSU, he wondered why we are still drinking milk. He says he really likes it, but he learned that everyone is eventually going to contract lactose intolerance (symptoms: bloating, gas, etc.) and whenever he has those symptoms, he thinks he must finally be lactose intolerant.

Children with autism are recommended trying a diet free of dairy, wheat, artificial sweeteners, and MSG.

Labeling

Take the Label off of me

("Overly Conscientious Consumer")

...And put it on the can!

*Surgeon's General Warning*:

monosodium glutamate, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, hydrolyzed protein, hydrolyzed plant protein, plant protein extract, sodium caseinate, calcium caseinate, yeast extract, textured protein (including TVP), autolyzed yeast, hydrolyzed oat flour, corn oil, malt extract, malt flavoring, bouillon, broth, stock, flavoring, natural flavors, "seasoning," "spices," natural beef or chicken flavoring, carageenan, enzymes, soy protein concentrate, soy protein isolate, and whey protein concentrate often contain the excitotoxin MSG, which accelerates Alzheimers, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington's, Multiple sclerosis, and Parkinsons' disease, induce Fibromyalgia, neurological/emotional disorders, migraine headaches, asthma attacks, behavioral disorders, depression, heart irregularities, arthritis, sinus problems, many digestive problems, swollen throat and tongue, racing heart, joint pain, vertigo, skin disorders, sleeping disorders, burning, and/or tightness or redness of face.

Read more.

Fish Crackers: Thorn in my side

I don't know what your kids get for a snack when they're at childcare, but its universal in my church that children are fed fish crackers. So, I decided to check what's in them, ducked behind the counter and started reading labels on the pretzels, animal crackers, and goldfish crackers. Well, I knew Goldfish crackers had autolyzed yeast (see hidden MSG list), but all the snacks were pretty much tainted.

So, I thought, should I refuse my child getting these snacks? I hesitated, and it was soon too late.

I go home, and read this: in a study, rats given MSG in the first 9 days of life become obese; they were then taken off MSG and the obesity remained and it was very hard to diet or exercise off. Make me barf.

Have I got a thing against my kids being fat? I'll love them however they are, and I'm quite resigned to the fact that fat is a part of life and I'll never look like a supermodel. But, purposely, avoidably, causing our kids to be obese? Please, no.

So, I'm now on a bring-my-own snack plan, and its working okay so far. Just got to keep it up. And even if I do create upheaval, at least I'll be making a political statement.

If this sounds bizarre, I agree, but its serious how harmful MSG is. More on how excitotoxins affect developing brains from the book Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills by Dr. Russell Blaylock, M.D.

Hidden MSG; print a list

Here's a few links for lists of hidden MSG. They're each a little different. Print out the list you like best, and hang it in the pantry, and start reading labels!

• Say No To MSG
• Truth in Labeling and Addendum
• MSG Exposed.com
• MSG Myth.comWhere is MSG hidden?
  

What's wrong with Citric Acid?

Citric acid is natural and just comes from fruits, right? Traditionally, yes, but in modern times it is made from corn, the wonderful tax-subsidized modern staple in America. Corn is cheap, and further cheap through subsidies, and its in almost all our food. (See Food, Inc. movie trailer!). When citric acid is processed from corn, it is very volatile and easily releases free glutamic acid, commonly known as MSG.

Citric acid is added several canned products such as tomato sauce, canned tomatoes, salsa, mushrooms, olives, cake mixes, etc.

Unnarrated MSG Video

I like this one 'cause its in Spanish.

What's in the kitchen: monosodium glutamate (MSG)

Even if there's no ingredient listed on the nutrition label with the name "monosodium glutamate," the product will still always contain monosodium glutamate (free glutamic acid) if it has:

• Glutamate (E 620)
• Glutamic acid (E 620)
• Monosodium glutamate (E 621)
• Monopotassium glutamate (E 622)
• Calcium glutamate (E 623)
• Monoammonium glutamate (E 624)
• Magnesium glutamate (E 625)
• Natrium glutamate
• Gelatin
• Calcium caseinate
• Sodium caseinate
• Textured protein
• anything "hydrolyzed"
• any hydrolyzed protein
• Yeast nutrient
• Yeast extract
• Yeast food
• Autolyzed yeast
• Vetsin or
• Ajinomoto

So, what's in my kitchen (with absolute certainty) of monosodium glutamate? Take a look:
Summary of MSG Ingredients (*ingredients in parentheses OFTEN contain MSG or create MSG during processing):

-whipped topping
less than 2% sodium caseinate.
(less than 2% natural and artificial flavor, Xanthan and guar gums)
also contains hydrogenated vegetable oil, HFCS


-Family Canning Vanilla Pudding
sodium caseinate.
(maltodextrin, dextrose, soy lecithin, natural and artificial colors, xanthan gum)
also contains partially hydrogenated soybean oil


-Family Canning Chocolate Pudding
sodium caseinate.
also contains hydrogenated soybean oil, blue 1



-Family Canning Hot Cocoa
sodium caseinate.
(lecithin, natural and artificial flavors, carrageenan)
also contains partially hydrogenated soybean oil


-Stuffing Mix
hydrolyzed corn and soy protein, monosodium glutamate.
(dough conditioner, maltodextrin, disodium guanylate, disodium inosinate)
also contains partially hydrogenated soybean oil, BHT


-Add Hamburger Lasagna
autolyzed yeast extract.
(enzymes, soy lecithin, natural flavors)
"No Artificial Ingredients or Preservatives. NO MSG Added."


-Red Beans and Rice Mix
yeast extract.
(malted barley flour, soy sauce, dextrose, natural and artificial flavors)


-Ranch Dressing
monosodium glutamate.
(less than 1% natural flavors, Xanthan gum, natural and artificial flavor, disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate)


-Horseradish sauce
hydrolyzed soy protein, autolyzed yeast.
(Xanthan gum, artificial and natural flavors, citric acid)
also contains HFCS


-White Gravy Mix
hydrolyzed corn gluten and soy protein.
(disodium inosinate and guanylate)
also contains partially hydrogenated cottonseed and soy oil


-Onion soup mix
hydrolyzed soy protein, monosodium glutamate.
(maltodextrin, yeast extract, natural flavors, disodium inosinate and guanylate)
also contains partially hydrogenated cottonseed and/or soybean oil


-marshmallows
gelatin.
(dextrose)


-Chicken Bouillon
hydrolyzed corn protein, autolyzed yeast extract.
(disodium inosinate and disodium gunaylate)
also contains partially hydrogenated soy oil "No MSG Added (Contains naturally occuring glutamates)"


-Beef Bouillon
hydrolyzed soy protein, monosodium glutamate.
(natural flavors)
also contains partially hydrogenated soybean and/or cottonseed oil


-Seasoned Bread crumbs
monosodium glutamate.
(soy lecithin)
also contains partially hydrogenated vegetable oil shortening


-Turkey gravy mix
monosodium glutamate.
natural and artificial flavors



-Au Jus mix
hydrolyzed soy protein and corn gluten, autolyzed yeast extract.
(disodium guanylate, maltodextrin, dextrose, natural and artificial flavors, disodium inosinate)
also contains partially hydrogenated soybean oil


-Hollandiase mix
hydrolyzed soy protein, autolyzed yeast extract.
(maltodextrin, dextrose, citric acid, cellulose gum, disodium inosinate)


-Alfredo sauce mix
sodium caseinate, autolyzed yeast extract.
(soy lecithin, dextrose, maltodextrin, disodium inosinate)
also contains partially hydrogenated soybean oil


-sugar free gelatin
gelatin.
(maltodextrin)
also contains aspartame


-Top Ramen seasoning mix
hydrolyzed soy, corn and wheat protein, monosdium glutamate, autolyzed yeast extract, hydrolyzed wheat gluten.
(maltodextrin, soy sauce powder, disodium guanylate and inosinate)


-canned Chili
2% or less textured vegetable protein, hydrolyzed corn protein, hydrolyzed soy protein.
(2% or less flavorings, citric acid)



-Vegetable with beef stock soup
less than 2% monsodium glutamate, hydrolyzed corn, soy and wheat proteins.
(dextrose, disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate, citric acid)
also contains high fructose corn syrup


-cream of chicken
less than 2% hydrolyzed soy, corn, wheat gluten proteins, autolyzed yeast, natural flavor, monosodium glutamate, autolyzed yeast extract.
(broth, less than 2% soy protein concentrate, disodium inosinate and guanylate, dextrose)


-cream of celery
soy protein concentrate, monosodium glutamate, autolyzed yeast extract.
(dextrose, maltodextrin, natural flavlor, soy lecithin)



-Chicken Noodle
less than 2% hydrolyzed corn and soy proteins, yeast extract.
(less than 2% soy protein isolate, soy lecithin)
"No MSG Added"


-Fish crackers
less than 2% autolyzed yeast extract.
also contains less than 2% red 3, blue 1



-Reduced sodium chicken gumbo
less than 1% corn and soy proteins (hydrolyzed), yeast extract.
(chicken broth, less than 1% natural flavor, disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate, soy protein isolate, citric acid)
"No MSG Added"


-Savory beef barley vegetable soup
less than 2% corn and soy proteins (hydrolyzed), yeast extract.
(citric acid, natural flavor)
"No MSG Added"


-yogurt
gelatin.
also contains food dyes


-Cup of noodles
monosodium glutamate, hydrolyzed soy, corn and wheat protein, autolyzed yeast extract.
(maltodextrin, citric acid, natural flavors, disodium guanylate, disodium isonate)


Furthermore, the following ingredients OFTEN contain free glutamic acid or create MSG during processing:

whey protein concentrate
soy sauce

enzymes

pectin

carageenan

citric acid

And

• Natural pork flavoring
• Bouillon and Broth
• Natural beef flavoring
• Stock
• Whey protein
• Whey protein isolate
• Flavor(s) & Flavoring(s)
• Natural flavor(s) & flavoring(s)
• Maltodextrin
• Natural chicken flavoring
• Ultra-pasteurized
• Barley malt
• Protease
• Protease enzymes
• Anything enzyme modified
• Enzymes anything
• Malt extract
• Malt flavoring
• Soy protein isolate
• Soy sauce extract
• Soy protein
• Soy protein concentrate
• Anything protein fortified
• Anything fermented
• Seasonings (the word "seasonings")

Get a printable list of MSG foods to avoid here.

Finally, here's an appendix with even more ingredients that contain lower doses of MSG.

(*You will note there are lots of cans of tomato sauce and stewed tomatoes in the photo above. I read recently in the book "Battling the MSG Myth" (see my bookshelf in my widgets) that Muir Glen products are free of any adverse affects in glutamate sensitive people)

How to find MSG in the food label

The FDA has been petitioned by very educated and well informed people to acknowledge that MSG is a danger in our foods (this petition is very interesting, and you may read it here). However, the food industry loves to use this ingredient (its getting into more and more foods each year that used to be safe, by food manufacturers that either only care about our money or are ignorant), and it has over 40 different names. Glutamate is found naturally in our food, but when glutamate is synthesized and added to our food, it has carcinogens and mirror image molecules in it, which of course cause cancer and creates more toxins than our brains can handle, which results in irreversible brain damage and neurodegenerative diseases. Also, when its processed, its broken down, instead of ingested slowly as occurs from ingesting healthy ("normal") foods, which then floods our brains and excites our neurons to the point of death. (See more here). MSG is a drug, not a flavor enhancer or spice; its an excitotoxin and its neurotoxic. Pregnant women, children under 3, and anyone that doesn't want Alzheimer's or Parkinson's shouldn't be eating MSG.

So, what to do? Get a list of MSG ingredient names, print it off right away, and post it to your fridge! But, still, best of luck in trying to avoid it. Click here for your own MSG ingredient names list to print and refer to in the grocery store and at home.