Food Films That Every Human Being Should Watch

Ever year or two there comes an amazing film that sheds light into the food and beverage industry. It's usually a grass roots, film documentary that never makes the big screen where current blockbuster war, love and action films take over. That's why you need to see these, share these and take a step somewhere if you support or deny the messages that are built into the backbone of these powerful films.   

A recent film that was not included in this list was GMO OMG that just debut last month and needs support in your city. Check out GMO OMG website and learn all about the GMO, Monsanto and FDA play in this deep analysis by Jeremy Seifert. I saw this debut at EXPO EAST natural food and beverage trade show in Baltimore in September. Jeremy joined in for a Q/A afterwards.

Now view the full list of 26 other must watch food films to date here compliments of Food Tank and plan your next 30 days of powerful, emotional and a bit scary truths.

1) A Farmer In Africa
2) A Place At The Table
3) Cooking By Heart
4) Fast Food
5) Food Chains
6) Food Fight
7) Food Speculation
8) Forks Over Knives
9) Fresh The Movie
10) The Hidden Cost Of Hamburgers

See Food Tank's full list here.

Natural Products Trending From Expo East

 

Expo East 2013 natural food show was terrific! There were new products seeking distribution and existing products that were making heads turn. So when you walk down the aisle of your grocery store tomorrow, one that actually has innovative and natural products vs a traditional grocery who rarely has organic and/or gluten-free, there likely will continue to be even more trending ingredients on the shelf snagging your eye heading into next year...

FOOD TRENDS

1. Ingredient Transparency: More than ever founders, marketers and their team are in tune with all of the raw ingredients, manufacturing protocol and food allergen information vs the past. Each chooses their own list of priority but it's good to see that they are more aware and open to share.
2. Gluten-Free (GF): Albeit this phrase is almost everywhere and it's on many labels not everyone is getting GF certifications. Brands find it a real health issue, but as for consumer product labeling (A) brands believe it's still too expensive (B) claim the product already is "naturally gluten-free" despite it's possible contamination and don't need labeling (C) it's on their list of allergens to certify and/or self test
3. Non GMO: It was the #1 buzz word this year and I was loving it! Look out for the documentary GMO OMG and go bring everyone you know to watch and support it. Very few vendors were from another planet not featuring this a selling point and/or knew nothing about this practice. 
4. Chia: The miracle seed is found in everything from water, flavored drinks, milk, crackers, flours, chips, breads and tons more
5. Raw: Everything and it's mother is raw including solo and combos of coconut water, tea, kombucha, maple syrup water, super veggies and energy bars
6. Energy Bars: Look out for organic meat, jerkys, chia, raw fruits and veggies, veggie proteins and chocolates. Copy cat traditional brands are following yet look at how different the ingredients will be. 
7. Kale: It's in and around everything. Perhaps the wise President Clinton's affinity for kale helped a bit ;) but it's better to have this on the market than a GMO corn chip that America still consumes. 
8. Chips: I found the names of chips to be more creative yet also experienced they have less seasonings on the chip compared to the double sided coating that is out there! Even traditional brands have opened emerging divisions to offer a more natural chip product making them more competitive in this growing space.
9. Popcorn: Smart, air popped, no oils or butter, flavored with truffle oil, half popped, non GMO, it was popping everywhere without the pooping!
10. Water: Since we can't live without it, there continues to be innovation from different sources such as deep underground American resources, Korean, maple syrup trees, coconut, vitamin enriched this and that.

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Expo East 2013 Organic Harvest Fest

Good Boy Organics Bops and Organicasaurus 

Urban Moonshine Bitters and tonics

Alter Eco Chocolate and quinoa

Le Pain Des Fleurs Buckwheat, chesnut and quinoa crispbread

I drove into Baltimore at noon today and it was 78 and sunny! I walked through the Baltimore Convention Center entrance and Expo East banners and sidewalk logos excited me, badges were hanging from necks, vendors were unloading and the chit chat was underway on the patio for Organic Harvest Fest. As I walked further into the light there was an unlimited sampling of organic and sustainable goodness and lots of laughing and smiles ear to ear. The buzz from educational workshops for those in the manufacturing and retail world were another sign of a solid day. My hunt for the most innovative gluten-free goodies had begun!

I began engaging with various vendors, distributors, brokers, marketers and I was specifically impressed with the ingredients used in many new products that I hadn't purchased before.  I gently probed into their gluten-free claims and almost all of them were certified gluten-free through GIG which was reassuring. Those who were not GF labeled had obtained other third party gluten-free claims under 20ppm or better, but hadn't launched revise package yet.  As our talks grew deeper they were each willing and able to share the depth of their raw materials and manufacturing practices to assure me they care about the true gluten-free consumer whom has Celiac Disease. My expectation for more natural food consumer packaged good (CPG) brands to label gluten-free appropriately showed promise.

Expo East Natural Food Show Launches September 25th

It's almost here... Expo East is at Baltimore Convention Center and all of the most innovative natural foods, beverages, and mobile apps will be here presenting their products and services with guest speakers beginning on September 25-28th.  If you haven't been here before or heard of the event, consider this reminder your lucky day...

What Is Expo East?

• About 1,600 exhibitors will be on display at the largest trade show on the east coast!  The smallest and largest natural food and beverages, apps, health and beauty, marketers, chefs, media and customers all over the world will be checking it out. Also seek out key note speakers and other terrific speaking engagements with your registration type. If you live within 1-2 hours from Baltimore driving then it's ideal for you to take the step and register.  

Why Attend Expo East?

• Because you care about the food business, your health and the manufacturing practices that are used in making better tasting, healthy and innovation for a better planet! If you care about natural foods, gluten-free, vegan, allergy friendly and/or green products, to name a few then check it and share with everyone you know that may be interested. If not, then keep eating unhealthy and miss out on what's trending in the real world.

Gluten-Free Skin Rash - Dermatitis Herpetiformis

Skin irritations can exist from a variety of reasons. Touching, inhaling or absorbing certain stuff in our community can lead to something unfortunate. Skin rashes often showcase a deeper underlying issue that may exist.  I never had to deal with the skin irritation associated with Celiac Disease, dermatitis herpetiformis, which is related to gluten consumption in the GI yet I truly believe that this rash like others can be treated by proper lifestyle and health balance. It's no secret that we are what we eat so it's up to us to try harder to find balance. I am not a doctor, but consider these thoughts:

Overview
Dermatitis herpetiformis could be red legions that are itchy found throughout your body commonly on the hands and arms. It likely clusters and could have a liquid center and be a darker purple color as well. It is believed that consumption of some gluten either consistently or rarely could present this rash. Going gluten-free by avoiding all food/beverages and the risk of contamination that exists in manufacturing facilities and kitchens is the only way to avoid and heal it over time. If this has happened  to you take a few photos each time and log what you ate recently. Do you have any other symptoms that are irregular? Be sure to capture the rash to share with a doctor especially if you currently have it or  go to your general doctor, dermatologist or even a gastroenterologist since this may be a deeper issue such as Celiac Disease.

Treatment
Consider changing your diet before going on medication though. Unless you're in severe pain and have issues medication should never be your first and only solution. That's old thinking where drug companies had previously influenced of our parents and their parents to fix health issues. Do your research on skin rashes and in this case avoid eating gluten based foods, beverages and check that the manufacturing facility and at home your kitchen is gluten-free 100% could be a simple solution that beats taking a white pill. Learn more and see photos here.

Change The World, Scarecrow

Can you tell which brand is behind this highly charged movement? Watch the dramatic Scarecrow teaser and consider downloading the app if you want to have fun and it connects with your values.

Everyday, I walk in and out of this world and I find myself learning something new about food all of the time. Typically, I can see in a storefront from afar and guess what is likely being offered inside. Or I can smell the bakery of sandwich shop down the corner.

But do you know what you're truly eating? Do you care about each ingredient and the source of it's manufacturing? Where was this dairy farmed and what are their manufacturing processes?  Can you trust the food labeling and marketing behind an old brand who hasn't evolved it's ingredient recipe despite it's "great taste"? Is this all too much to worry about or are you taking some steps forward for yourself and your family/friends health?