I started a new group on parentcenter.com

I just started a new discussion group called avoiding artificial food dyes on Parentcenter.com. My blog automatically posts to the journal entries, there was some recent discussion about food dyes and so it seemed like a good way to get the word out. Babycenter and Parentcenter users can get more information about food dyes and the problems they cause at my blog.

great news

I hadn't been to CPSI's site for a while and just happened to check it out today. I was excited to see a new article just out today indicating that Maryland may ban food dyes. check it out here.

wondering about pimentos

I'm curious about how pimentos get their color. I found one mention of pimentos being dyed at this link. There is no mention of dye on the label. But I've found other foods sometimes fail to reveal their true ingredients as well. I started wondering because Lindsey is suddenly a mess again. Lots of yelling, trying to hit, and spit. It's all the usual stuff she does when dye exposed. I was pretty grumpy and worn out with it last night. Then it dawned on me. I made olive bites for the Superbowl and Lindsey munched on at least a dozen olives Sunday. She wanted more Monday. If there is dye in there it would sure explain a lot. So I'm wondering if anyone knows where pimentos get their color.

Let's hear it for red licorice

I was all set to spend a bundle ordering dye free candy online for Valentines Day. I happened to go to Target today and actually found a dye free red licorice on sale, 2 for $4.00. It tastes really good, it's naturally flavored and colored and does not have HFCS either. Its called Australia's Darrell Lea Soft Eating Strawberry Liquorice. I'm hoping we can use the power of our dollars to keep stores stocking more natural products. Please share if you have found other good items.

is there mercury in corn syrup?

My friend just told me about this article about a study that found Mercury in US corn syrup
What I find interesting is that once again the FDA was informed about a potential risk and ignored it. It's the same as with the food dyes. What is the point of having the FDA if they refuse to do their job? Here is another article about mercury in corn syrup that explains a little more and this article lists that products testing positive for mercury including ketchup and jelly.

I found this article with the technical version with more specifics .

Uhg. I guess it's eat at your own risk these days. Regardless, my family will definitely be avoiding HFCS much more diligently. Iguess I'll keep you posted on what we do about ketcup and chocolate syrup.

I would not have guessed it was the milk shake

Yea, here we go again. It is so darn hard to stay off food dyes. So we've had another slip. My kids don't know, but all the signs are there. Lindsey got up 4 times last night. All other nights she has been going to bed calmly and quietly with no problem and staying there until morning. We decided to eat out Saturday. We hardly ever do that anymore. Our first choice restaurant had a 90 minute wait so we went to Shake N Steak, more out of desperation than preference. We splurged and got milk shakes. I was careful to request no cherries. They brought mine with cherry juice dribbled on top. Since Ed feels he is immune to the effects of dyes he got a strawberry shake. I scooped all visible signs of red off my shake and dumped it on his. I still felt very very grouchy all day yesterday. I figured the trace of red in my shake did it. It seems like my thoughts get more negative. It amazes me how much I don't feel like myself. I want to obsess on one little thing that didn't get done right rather than all the good things in front of me.

So this morning I decided to investigate the ingredients. Doesn't it figure that their ice cream has yellow #5 and yellow #6. Big sigh. I have to remind myself not to say what is on my mind because it is not rational or accurate.

My friend called to tell me about her terrible weekend after her daughter ate the yellow cheesy chips at school. I can relate. I wish there was more that could be done to help people realize these ingredients are a problem and that children shouldn't consume them. I shouldn't consume them either. I'm not proud of the parenting that comes out when I do.

dye free candy for Valentine's Day

We've made it through Halloween and Christmas, now it's time to gear up for all the red and pink concoctions that will be flowing in the classrooms for Valentine's Day. I have vivid memories of last year's kindergarten party cupcakes with no less than an inch of dark red frosting. Yuck! The kids left with red faces, lips, tongues, hands, you name it. It stained everything in site. But just because my kids can't have that doesn't mean that they shouldn't have something special. I'm sure I'll get some good chocolate.

I also tend to shop at the local health food store for organic candy. I went to the sites of the brands I like and found some extra items too. You can even get red candy hearts that are all natural. check it out:

Natural Candy Store I like the Surf Sweets swirls. They taste good and have calcium and Vitamin C.

Yummy Earth We love their lollipops. I keep them in my purse.