Sunday, August 30, 2009

GMO VS ORGANIC PT.2

So when you look and think about Organic vs. GMO, a GMO process is no different than the process of human stemcell research. Human stem cell research is supposedly illegal. So why does our government allow companies to modify our dairy, meats, vegetables and fruits that we feed our families and our kids, which are our future. Should GMO's be illegal?
Check out this site (http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php)
Let me know what you think.
Patrick Stark
Executive Chef
"The Stark Raving Chef"
www.StarkRavingChef.com
http://starkravingchef.blogspot.com/
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Thursday, August 27, 2009

GMO VS ORGANIC...DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE EATING PT.1?

FIRST OFF, WHAT IS ORGANIC? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_food)
Organic foods are made according to certain production standards. For the vast majority of human history, agriculture can be described as organic; only during the 20th century was a large supply of new synthetic chemicals introduced to the food supply. This more recent style of production is referred to as "conventional," though organic production has been the convention for a much greater period of time. Under organic production, the use of conventional non-organic pesticides, insecticides and herbicides is greatly restricted and saved as a last resort. However, contrary to popular belief, certain non-organic fertilizers are still used. If livestock are involved, they must be reared without the routine use of antibiotics and without the use of growth hormones, and generally fed a healthy diet.[citation needed] In most countries, organic produce may not be genetically modified. It has been suggested that the application of nanotechnology to food and agriculture is a further technology that needs to be excluded from certified organic food[1]. The Soil Association (UK) has been the first organic certifier to implement a nano-exclusion[2].
Organic food production is a heavily regulated industry, distinct from private gardening. Currently, the European Union, the United States, Canada, Japan and many other countries require producers to obtain special certification in order to market food as "organic" within their borders. Most certifications allow some chemicals and pesticides to be used, so consumers should be aware of the standards for qualifying as "organic" in their respective locales.
Historically, organic farms have been relatively small family-run farms[3]—which is why organic food was once only available in small stores or farmers' markets. However, since the early 1990s organic food production has had growth rates of around 20% a year, far ahead of the rest of the food industry, in both developed and developing nations. As of April 2008, organic food accounts for 1–2% of food sales worldwide.

WHAT IS A GMO, OR A GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISM? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_organism)
A genetically modified organism (GMO) or genetically engineered organism (GEO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. These techniques, generally known as recombinant DNA technology, use DNA molecules from different sources, which are combined into one molecule to create a new set of genes. This DNA is then transferred into an organism, giving it modified or novel genes. Transgenic organisms, a subset of GMOs, are organisms which have inserted DNA that originated in a different species. Some GMOs contain no DNA from other species and are therefore not transgenic but cisgenic.
SO WHICH IS BETTER FOR US AND THE ENVIRONMENT? I think the answer is clear.
CHECK OUT THIS ARTICLE AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_683.cfm
Patrick Stark
Executive Chef
"The Stark Raving Chef"
www.StarkRavingChef.com
http://starkravingchef.blogspot.com/
www.myspace.com/StarkRavingChef
www.facebook.com/StarkRavingChef
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Wednesday, August 26, 2009

"WHERE HAVE ALL THE ROLE MODELS GONE PT.3?"

I believe their needs to be a renaissance with role models and public figures. Our society and youth need leadership more than ever. With all the choices and influences in today, no one wants to lead them in a positive direction. I by no means am saying people need to "saints". LIve your life, indulge in your desires and vices....but do them out of the public eye. When in the public eye, try to stand for something positive. Is this really to hard or much to ask? How do we set the trend that being a role model is hip or cool again?
Patrick Stark
Executive Chef
"The Stark Raving Chef"
http://www.starkravingchef.com/
http://starkravingchef.blogspot.com/
www.myspace.com/StarkRavingChef
www.facebook.com/StarkRavingChef
www.twitter.com/StarkRavingChef

Monday, August 24, 2009

WHERE HAVE ALL THE ROLE MODELS GONE? PT.2

Why doesn't anyone want to be a role model anymore? I think it all started in the early 90's with the Nike campaign with Charles Barkley, "I am not a role model". It seems after that, much of marketing and society jumped on the band wagon. I mean really.....these public celebrity figures have tons of money and everything in life accept "class" apparently for the fact that they don't wanna help, lead or impact the lives of their fans? I have met many celebs and personal heroes in person and can tell you I was disappointed when I met them. Douche bag deville people. My biggest role model in my life is my father. Morals, ethics, accomplishments, and class. He was a leader to many and still is. In a celebrity role model, my fav. was Darrell Abbott of Pantera. He is one of the few that was a class act and treated people the way he would want to be treated when i met him (several times). So why is it seem now that all society celebrity persons now strive and race to be the baddest and biggest by indulging and promoting a lifestyle excess and bad behavior? (i.e. drugs, sex, conduct, crime, materialism). We are now reaching the max point of such behavior. So what next. Why do the new celebs coming on the scene think keep trying? (its all been done by now, and most have died trying lol) Let me know what you think!!
Patrick Stark
Executive Chef
"The Stark Raving Chef"
www.StarkRavingChef.com
http://starkravingchef.blogspot.com/
www.myspace.com/StarkRavingChef
www.facebook.com/StarkRavingChef
www.twitter.com/StarkRavingChef

Friday, August 21, 2009

WHERE HAVE TODAY'S ROLE MODELS GONE PT.1?

Remember back 20 years ago to a time when successful persons (ie. atheletes, movie stars, etc) were praised and took responsibilty of being infront of the masses and trying to set an example? Michael Jordan, Arnold Schwartzenegger, The Fridge, Doug Flutie, and Michael Jackson? What has happened to all of our role models and heroes? Why is not cool anymore? I would love to hear your thoughts :)
Patrick Stark
Executive Chef
"The Stark Raving Chef"
www.StarkRavingChef.com
http://starkravingchef.blogspot.com/
www.myspace.com/StarkRavingChef
www.facebook.com/StarkRavingChef
www.twitter.com/StarkRavingChef

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

LOVE, BREAK UPS, AND STARTING OVER BLOG PT. 3

How to start over after a break up? I find that everyone is different. I personally like to ask a close friend to set me up on a date to get out there, get over the past, and start to grow and breathe again. It might be a disaster, but that is why you are asking a close friend to set you up. Your friend can let that person know what you are going through and be compassionate and help you get over your troubles. Fresh air from a new person can be just what the doctor ordered! I am not an expert, but found this article (from a doctor) to really help. http://www.enotalone.com/article/2445.html
Tell me what you think helps you?


Patrick Stark
Executive Chef
"The Stark Raving Chef"
www.StarkRavingChef.com
http://starkravingchef.blogspot.com/
www.myspace.com/StarkRavingChef
www.facebook.com/StarkRavingChef
www.twitter.com/StarkRavingChef

Sunday, August 16, 2009

LOVE, BREAK UPS, AND STARTING OVER PT.2

So when a bad break up occurs, what is the best way to go about it and remain healthy and not hurt both parties? Some people decide to break up because they do not love each other anymore, or because they have different goals in life, or maybe they just do not get along. Sometimes people decide to break up even though they love each other, for reasons that may be best for both parties. But how do you break up with someone you love? Even in song lyrics, you can hear the line "breaking up is not easy to do".

So why break up if you still love him or her? You may feel that there is love, but that they are not the person that you want to spend the rest of your life with, or vice versa. Or maybe due to certain circumstances, say long distance, you decide too much effort is required to make the relationship work. No matter the reasons, you start to ponder about a way to resolve this and start thinking about how to break up with someone you love.
Breaking off is not fun at all. Somebody is bound to get hurt. So how to break up with someone you love? Telling you to do it gently probably wouldn't be of much help because inevitably hearts shall be broken. Do not delay the break up further. The longer you take to break up, the harder it will become.
Talk it through with your loved one on the reasons for wanting to go your separate ways. If you are honest with your feelings and your confessions, this should make it easier on how to break up with someone you love so much. Do not make up a complicated story for the breakup as this will complicate situations and make it even harder to break up.
In a nutshell, when you break up with someone you love, make sure you pick the right place and the right time. Avoid making the situation awkward by picking the wrong place to break up. Be honest and sensitive with your partner and gently explain the reason for the break up. There is no one proven effective way on how to break up. As long as you are honest and sincere in your ways, you shall see it through!

Got any tips or tricks! I wanna hear them!
And remember, "Stay mohawk friendly".....

Sincerely,
Patrick Stark
Executive Chef
"The Stark Raving Chef"
www.StarkRavingChef.com
http://starkravingchef.blogspot.com/
www.myspace.com/StarkRavingChef
www.facebook.com/StarkRavingChef
www.twitter.com/StarkRavingChef

Thursday, August 13, 2009

LOVE, BREAK UPS, AND STARTING OVER PT. 1

Are we really in love with someone when we first meet them? Or is it just the fact that we as humans have been wanting someone for so long that we confuse it as love. I am no professional when it comes to relationships, but have been in an enough to know what is healthy and what is unhealthy. I would like to hear what you guys think on this topic :)

Patrick Stark
Executive Chef
"The Stark Raving Chef"
www.StarkRavingChef.com
http://starkravingchef.blogspot.com/
www.myspace.com/StarkRavingChef
www.facebook.com/StarkRavingChef
www.twitter.com/StarkRavingChef

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

FAT AMERICA VS THE FAST FOOD GIANT PT. 3

I think the fast food giant should take responsibility for its service being sold. They should donate money yearly to American Heart Association to help with the heart disease it causes from the consumption of the food we purchase from them. I think with every meal sold, it should supply a free pass to gym for the day to be responsible for the fat consumption its loyal customers ingest. Yes, America the free. America the great. America....the best country on the planet. We are so fortunate to have the right and freedom to live in such a country of opportunity. Over the last decades, our country has endured many great changes including political leaders, government, business, consumerism, foreign policies, wars, the environment, family values, and society to cover just a few lol. As a result, our pace of life has become busier in our everyday routine and the "home" or family structure has changed dramatically. Parents are working longer hours, kids have less supervision, and society has more obstacles to avoid potential pit-falls in the path of life. Our children are our future. America has dropped dramatically in rank in education. America has also risen in obsetity. This in my opinion is a recipe for disaster. With lack of time, excercise, adult guidance, and strong teachers, we have become a fat, stupid, and lazy country. How do we turn our country around?

Patrick Stark
Executive Chef
"The Stark Raving Chef"
http://www.starkravingchef.com/
http://starkravingchef.blogspot.com/
www.myspace.com/StarkRavingChef
www.facebook.com/StarkRavingChef
www.twitter.com/StarkRavingChef

Monday, August 10, 2009

FAT AMERICA VS THE FAST FOOD GIANT PT 2

I believe much of these problems/issues starts with our diet. If we eat processed-non nutrient food, we become less effiecent and unproductive with our daily tasks due to burning off the calories and left feeling sluggish and full of fat. The fastest and most accessable foods are ones found in our lunch room cafeteria as well as every urban street corner (fast food). These multi billion dollar fast food powerhouses are making money hand over fist and continually serve us the worst grade, processed food available. Where is the ethical responsibility to its customers? I am sure customers would not gripe about spending an extra $.50 to have a qualtiy meat, vegetable, or cheese. Why can these giants not offer more healthy options. I am not talking just apples or some iceberg salads with high fat dressings, but other options that aren't fried or full of fat. Jeeze, you would think that they would have caught on and started the first "healthy fast serviced" restaurant. They WOULD BANK!!! The double edge sword here swings back by these large companies saying offering more quality options or ingredients cuts their profit margins and the food spoils faster. The cheap price might fill the stomach, but is fattening our future (kids). We need to set a healthy standard with our criteria for what is acceptable to feed our families and children. CLICK ON THE LINK ON THIS BLOG TO READ HOW MUCH OUR HEALTH CARE PAYS FOR ALL THE HEALTH PROBLEMS LINKED TO FAST FOOD!!
www.speakout.com/activism/issue_briefs/1333b-1.html

I would love to hear what you guys think......
Patrick Stark
Executive Chef
http://www.starkravingchef.com/
http://starkravingchef.blogspot.com/
www.myspace.com/StarkRavingChef
www.facebook.com/StarkRavingChef
www.twitter.com/StarkRavingChef

Thursday, August 6, 2009

"FAT AMERICA VS THE FAST FOOD GIANT PT.1"

Currently, our government is regulating banks, cars, and small businessess, so why not regulate the healthiness of our food and consumption? It is a free country but when is it unhealthy/dangerous to consume such calories and fat? Is our government not suppose to protect our people and families? These multi billion dollar fast food powerhouses are making money hand over fist and continually serve us the worst grade, processed food available. Where is the ethical responsibility to its customers? I would love to hear what you guys think......
Patrick Stark
Executive Chef
"The Stark Raving Chef"
http://www.starkravingchef.com/
http://starkravingchef.blogspot.com/
www.myspace.com/StarkRavingChef
www.facebook.com/StarkRavingChef
www.twitter.com/StarkRavingChef