High Fructose Corn Syrup is in Everything!

One of the first things that started me on this journey to attempting to do more for myself and my family at home was learning that high fructose corn syrup (hfcs) is in absolutely everything... Everyone has highlighted the trend among Americans of growing increasingly overweight and far outpacing the rest of the world. I wondered why it is that this could be happening, because it seemed rather sudden. When I was in grade school there were very few overweight children and parents. Sure, the decline in outdoor activities and many, many other factors are involved, but one trend that I noticed paralleling this growth, was the incrased use of high fructose corn syrup. Perhaps it is just a conicidence, but it isn't one that I'm interested in proving through consumption. I've read a good deal aout hfcs over the years and I'll include some excellent links below that are representative of what I have learned. Once I learned that high fructose corn syrup isn't good for me, I made an active attempt to avoid it. Have you ever read your food labels? Hfcs is in everything! It's really pretty horrifying. I've spent hours reading grocery store labels trying to find bread, salad dressing, and jelly that doesn't contain it. I've started baking my own bread and making a concerted effort to only buy and consume products that don't contain it. It's harder than you would think, but I really feel like its worth it for my family and I. So, my advice gentle reader is... do as much for yourself as you can. Make your own bread, its easy, its inexpensive, and its fun to do with your family. Isn't it amazing that the very things that are good for you, your family, and the environment can also help you save money too? Corporations do not have your best interests at heart, they don't care if the products they create have less healthy nutrition choices, as long as they can make them cheap. I'll include some of my favorite recipes for home-made bread, pancakes, and pizza. It really is easier than you think.

My favorite place to buy great bread flour: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/ (I also buy the most used flour in bulk from BJ's warehouse).

Buy a refurbished Kitchenaid Artisan Mixer; it's worth its weight in gold: http://www.amazon.com/Factory-Reconditioned-KitchenAid-RRK150WH-Artisan-5-Quart/dp/B0001ZYYQU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1201483845&sr=8-1

For loaves that come out perfect: http://www.amazon.com/Creuset-Stoneware-Deep-Dish-Loaf-Pan/dp/B00007BHZI

Bread books:

The Bread Baker's Apprentice: Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread (Hardcover)by Peter Reinhart (Author), Ron Manville (Photographer)
http://www.amazon.com/Bread-Bakers-Apprentice-Mastering-Extraordinary/dp/1580082688/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201484265&sr=1-1

The Bread Bible: 300 Favorite Recipes (Paperback)by Beth Hensperger (Author)
http://www.amazon.com/Bread-Bible-300-Favorite-Recipes/dp/0811845265/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201484312&sr=1-2
I would absolultely recommend a pizza stone and peel also; they come in handy more often than you would think.

High Fructose Corn Syrup Links:

"High-fructose corn syrup: Why is it so bad for me?"
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-fructose-corn-syrup/AN01588

"Does High-Fructose Corn Syrup Have to Be in Everything?"
http://www.lewrockwell.com/alston/alston13.html

YOU: The Owner's Manual: An Insider's Guide to the Body that Will Make You Healthier and Younger (Hardcover)by Michael F. Roizen (Author), Mehmet Oz (Author)
http://www.amazon.com/YOU-Owners-Insiders-Healthier-Younger/dp/0060765313

High Fructose Corn Syrup
http://www.sprol.com/?p=236