Double R Farm (Amish Country Soaps & Sundries)

Once again the MSN article referenced in our blog " Why you should know where your food comes from" is back on the front page of MSN.com. this morning. It is listed in the week in review section and is entitled "You're eating ....What?" I am not sure how long it will stay there, but hopefully long enough for those who are interested will have a chance to read it.

Also, my apologies to those wh tried to follow the links provided in our blog. While I am trying to understand the intricacies of the computer, I must admit I am still not that savvy.The link to CARMINE will not completely load unless the #'s at the end of the web address are written. You can get there by clicking at the end of the web address given in the blog on the far right so that the entire address loads. If not type the #'s section in the address bar after the address.

For the article on SHELLAC you must take out the period after the word dept. in the address bar or it will sent you to an empty page on the University of Iowa's website.

Computers sincerely confuse me, but  I am trying to get the hang of it. Thankfully I don't have to make a living using them!

This morning I read an interesting article on MSN.  Apparently a natural substance currently used as a coloring additive in some yogurts, juices, and other products has a rather bizarre origin. The natural coloring used in these products is  CARMINE. While CARMINE is seemingly harmless I am not too sure many people would want to eat it if they knew what it was.The FDA acknowledges that CARMINE is derived by the  crushing  and processing of dried Dactylopius Coccus Costa  which is a beetle.

.The article also discussed another additive  used on jelly beans, gummy bears, fruits and vegetables to give them all their glossy finish.This additive  is SHELLAC. This additive is of the same family of perservitives used for protecting the finish of wood etc. SHELLAC is made from the excrement of the Laccifer locca, which is yet another bug. Personally,I am not too excited about eating the excrement of anything.

What I found most interesting is that when you look for the article now it is gone. I tried to show a co-worker the article this afternoon, and it seems to have vanished. I am wondering if corporate greed has caused so much pressure, or fear of yet another food boycott that the article was pulled.

I did find two other articles that referred to both additives. The article concerning CARMINE was written by Natural News.com and can be found at http://www.naturalnews.com /002043.html . The article was written in October of 2004, and apparently although it was suggested, no move was made at that time to remove the additive. Recently vegetarian groups have asked that if it will not be removed to at least have the package clearly marked with the word CARMINE, so that others would know just what they were ingesting.

The article concerning SHELLAC can be found at http://www.ent.iastate.edu/dept/courses/ent211/use/shellac. The article is written by the Iowa State Department of Entomology.

Just thought  you'd like to know what wonderful things are added to some of the foods we eat. 

I have been trying to come up with a cheery post for our blog. Unfortunately the way things have been happening around here it is difficult. Ohio like many other states is being devistated by the current downfall of the economy. Businesses are laying off by the hundreds, or worse closing their doors forever. Unemployment is sky rocketting and foreclosures are on the rise.

This past Friday the school where I have been teaching  for the last several years notified us that it will be closing at the end of this school year. An institution that has for the past 100 hundred years provided a  solid acedemic as well as spiritual  course of study for its community will now end. I realize that we are yet another statistic in this downward economic spiral, but still it stings a bit.

Like many others we are no stranger to adversity or having to tighten our belts. We are braced to do all that we can to provide for ourselves, the animals that depend upon us, as well as for those that we serve in the community. The thought that continues to run through my mind is the staggering number of people who are being devistated by this economy. It both amazes and saddens me.

This morning I was looking through my emails trying to find some inspiration. I came across one that my sister had sent. Maybe you've seen it. It is called "Hummingbird Fly Zone". While putting out new food in a feeder this lady in Louisiana was visted by these tiny creatures. I bet it made her day. I know it made mine.

Enjoy!