This weekend I am in Anaheim attending the Natural Products Expo West trade show. It is a huge show with all kinds of cool stuff here. Aside from my professional work reasons for being here, I am also an advocate for organic foods. I believe that our foods should not contain any pesticides, growth-hormones, chemical fertilizers, antibiotics, irradiation, genetically modified ingredients, or artificial colors or flavors. Recent science shows that organic foods are actually healthier and minimize a variety of health problems. One of the leading advocates
for organic products is health guru Dr Andrew Weil, who I had the pleasure of meeting once again Friday evening. I attended a small reception where Dr Weil was speaking about pet foods and the benefits of sustainable farming and ranching as well as organic food production. I was a guest of the folks at Pet Promise brand dog & cat food, a company founded to create a pure pet food; committed to natural growing methods and a healthy environment. Dr Weil actually endorses Pet Promise because of how they produce food. He is a very impressive guy who has a calming effect when you meet him. Later I attended the Organic Trade Association reception, followed by The Organic Center VIP dinner where Dr Weil addressed the audience. I sat at the Pet Promise table, who are big supporters of the Organic Center. The evening was hosted by "green living expert" and TV host Sara Snow, who introduced Dr Weil to an audience of manufacturers, retailers, organic farmers and ranchers.
above: Evening festivities at the Organic Trade Association reception...a man on stilts and a great band that entertained attendees who snacked on organic cheese and crackers and organic wines and beers.
Earlier in the day...
above left: The human Pear and Tomato were awfully friendly! above right: I stopped at one booth with organic chocolate. This burlap bag was filled with real cacao beans and smelled delicious. It was a great start to the show..but plenty more to go on Saturday and Sunday...so stay tuned for the next update.
-Rick Rockhill
11 comments:
What FUN! Pet food has improved so much over the years.
My wife grew up in a central California farming community where a lot of pesticides are sprayed on crops - her third arm lends absolute validation to what you're saying :-)
Oh, and she also glows in the dark, which is really kind of hot but I won't get into that..
I'll take two tomatoes and a pear please! ;)
Looks like a wonderfully organic event!
We started switching to organic foods about nine months ago. I don't know if it's mental, but I feel as if it's made a difference in how we feel. At least in how we are living, you know?
Have you heard of the cooking magazine "Clean Cooking"? It's awesome!
I've read a few of his books, he is very interesting actually. how cool that you met him.
I hear his books are great. I haven't read them yet but they are on my "to read" list.
Glad things got off to a good start.
I was once a human pear would look really great on a resume!
My husband spends a fortune buying organic stuff. We're fat but we're a healthy fat from eating healthy foods!
I read one of Dr. Weil's books and respect him a great deal. Another great photo too for you.
It looks like the pear was subjected to a lot of squeezing and feeling at the produce stand. ;-) Steven
I've heard of Dr Weil Rick. He's well respected in the industry. Another great photo opportunity for you. I don't like additives in food either and try to buy organic wherever possible.
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