Self Reliance Today

Just Say No to MSG

Self-reliance means many different things. Today, people are practicing self-reliance be either leaving the Houston area before Hurricane Ike strikes, or they have chosen (and hopefully prepared) to stay behind and weather out the storm. In either case they have taken responsibility for their actions. Personally, as a person who lives in tornado country, I would be out of there in a heartbeat.

But today I want to touch on another area of self-reliance. That is our responsibility to know what is in the food we eat and to take action to make sure we aren’t consuming things that are guaranteed to make us sick and harm us in the long run. To do that requires that we know what we are facing and make educated decisions. I hope the following information does just that.

So what the heck is monosodium glutamate (MSG) and why should we care anyway? MSG certainly isn’t new. It is in fact a naturally occuring form of glutanic acid, an amino acid extracted from some vegetables and grains. It has been used to enhance the flavor of many an Asian dish, however the Chinese recommend using MSG sparingly, if at all. They also apparently know (and knew) of allergic reactions caused by overuse of this additive.

Fast forward to 2008. The food on those all-you-can-eat Oriental buffets are Loaded with MSG. Actually, we should assume that all resturant food (unless it’s organic or stated MSG and free-glutamate free) contains these bad guys. That’s why it’s SO good going down………then SO bad when we feel like crud.

Food manufacturers know that MSG and a whole host of other additives make foods taste better than they really are……..especially the low-fat, high sodium goodies that have shelf lives beyond belief. These additives encourage cravings and increased hunger which can lead to overconsumption and excess weight without providing much nourishment, if any at all. It’s almost like a vicious circle. Back in the day (before I finally got smart) I could down an entire bag of Cheetos in one sitting, and come back for more. MSG definitely does encourage overeating. Which chip people advertised that you couldn’t just eat ONE? They were right!

I’ve been trying to distinguish monosodium glutamate from free glutamates, and from what I can tell they are different forms of the same thing. Pretty unscientific, but the important thing to remember here is that the FDA appears to mandate that food manufacturers and processers list additives from monosodium glutamate, but not glutamates from other sources. Therefore, a product can contain free glutamate, yet not disclose that fact because the additive is not MSG. Are you confused yet? It reminds me of the people who believe that consumers don’t have the right to know if there are antibiotics and hormones in their milk. See what I mean when I say self-reliance is educating yourself, so you’re in a position to make intelligent decisions when you need to.

Now, how can you tell if MSG and free glutamates are harming you? Read these and pick one……or more……..weight gain, water retention, swelling, irritablility, tiredness and fatigue, allergies, headache, unusual hunger and food cravings, flushing, chest pain, nausea, rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, drowsiness, weakness, and burning sensation and numbness in the neck, back, chest and arms. These symptoms of course would rule out any other physical conditions.

The processors of foods that contain MSG in any form are not going to change their ways anytime soon, so consumer awareness is the key here. At www.thewholefoodjournal.com you will find a list of additives you might just find in your food. It’s your guide to reading the label. And, remember what the Chinese said eons ago………use it SPARINGLY if at all?

More frequently that ever I’m thinking……organic food may cost a little more, but I’m getting more and more scared to eat things I can’t even pronounce.

The Whole Food Journal

Say Self-Reliance to the next person you see today and expect a look in return that suggests that you’ve finally “lost ALL your marbles”! Many people you meet today haven’t a clue what self-reliance is, and also don’t care. The term is apt to bring up a mental image of someone living off the land and chopping their own wood. That’s certainly a personally chosen option. But the true meaning of self-reliance is, in my mind, what you do to protect yourself and your family as well in the event of some kind of difficulty.

We have insurance, just in case we wreck the car or our house burns down. My question is, how much water and food do you have in your house. Three days? Three weeks? Three months? What’s in your car besides toys and DVD’s? Can you function at least for a while during some life interruption? Interestingly, during the night we had a monster rain storm that left our town without electricity for some time this morning. My Mr. Coffee maker was totally useless, as am I before my morning coffee. Not to worry though. Because I live in “tornado country” I keep a ton of stuff I might need in the basement, including a coffee pot! And, the kitchen stove is gas. Lucky me.

As you will see as Self-Reliance Today grows,the topic of taking care of yourself and your family is huge. What we all do individually has an effect that reaches well beyond our own little place in today’s world. Many of us are already using our heads to consume less gas by actually driving less. That’s self-reliance in action.

The importance of a more self-reliant mindset came early to me…in the days when I apparently believed everything was and always would be at my fingertips. I had a rude and scary awakening, realizing my small children were in great danger because I had not prepared for their needs. Very stupid. You can read the story at www.thewholefoodjournal.com. Here’s a clue. I have, since that time, stored a full year’s supply of food…..enough to feed a family of eight. That’s not “hoarding”. That’s simple PREPAREDNESS, another definition of self-reliance.

Self-reliance reaches into every corner of our lives and the choices we make. When we eat highly nutritious food that is hopefully organic, or at least chemical free, we are protecting our own health. That would include avoiding most processed food because of the loss of nutrition. Better health equals protection from illness. That’s a highly self-reliant action.

Gardening is a wonderful form of self-reliance, and so much more. Gardening provides healthy food, is good exercise, is good for the soul and gets us in touch with nature. Beyond the garden, understand that all we do by conserving, preparing and living greener is good for us and our planet as well. Sound like a big job? It’s not. Get out pencil and paper and make a list of ten things you can do to live more self-reliant. Start with enough food in your pantry for at least three weeks….and we’re NOT talking cinnamon flavored sugar coated cereals of any kind.

It’s true, the topic of self-reliance is just naturally on the serious side. Just ask victims of hurricanes and other disasters. How many were prepared? How many were not? How many wish they had been, and certainly are now? It’s a matter of taking care of business, and it can be enjoyable and fun. Food storage has often been called the best of insurance, because you can rotate your stock and eat it as you go.

So, after all this, let me welcome you to Self-Reliance Today, where you’ll get a whole lot more about a subject that is definitely attracting increased attention these days. Self-reliant action always means preparedness, and preparedness ALWAYS means peace of mind. Because the subject of self-reliance lends itself so well to the sharing of information and experiences, I do welcome your comments and suggestions. Someone out there wants to know what you know.