We’re believers: Wall Street analyst-turned-real food evangelist Robyn O’Brien has us hooked on her powerful, positive and practical message for all Americans, and especially parents. Not too long ago, Robyn’s career took a drastic shift after one of her children experienced a violent allergic reaction to what she then assumed was a normal breakfast. Having no familiarity with what has become too common an experience for American families, Robyn fixed her analytic mind on understanding just why these allergies were becoming so common. The information she found was too shocking for her to ignore and ever since she has devoted herself to informing consumers and working with the food industry to bring about the balance we have all somehow lost.

Here are some of the facts that hit O’Brien the hardest:

•  In the mid-90′s the US introduced new proteins and synthetic growth hormones into the food supply. The dairy industry began injecting dairy cows with artificial growth hormones to increase milk production which also appeared to cause sickness in the animals, including cysts. At that time, every other developed nation, including Canada, Japan and 27 of the European nations voted against allowing this new artificial growth hormone into the food supply because it had not yet been proven safe.
• In the late 90′s the corn industry built new genetically-modified forms of corn that enabled the corn to produce its own insecticidal toxin in the seed, so that the corn did not need to be sprayed.  The EPA has even labeled these forms of corn ‘pesticides’ themselves, says Robyn.
• Artificial growth hormones have been shown to increase the level of hormones related to breast, prostate and colon cancers which are all on the rise.
• Only 1 out of 10 breast cancer cases are shown to be genetic, meaning the other 90 percent are non-genetic or environmentally-triggered.
• The US has one of the highest cancer rates of any other nation on earth.

Robyn’s Simple Tips For Changing Our Food:

• ‘Progress, not Perfection’: Especially for parents, it’s important to establish a sustainable pace. Don’t burn out. Slow and steady wins the race.
• Find a supportive community: Surrounding yourself with like-minded folks, once again, especially as a parent. Having support can be extremely helpful, even if that community is just one other mom at first.
• Do what you can where you are. Simple, but true. Whether you work in DC or are a Hollywood producer, a mother or friend to many, everyone can help on this issue from right where they stand. Where ever that may be!
• To learn more and get involved check out Just Label It.org. Just Label It is working hard to make sure labels on our food let us know what we’re actually eating. Check out what this issue entails and why it’s so important.

The Chalkboard Giveaway:

Leave us those comments and win this book! The Unhealthy Truth by Robyn O’Brien is full of helpful guidance for all interested in bringing balance to our food supply, whether around the nation or on our own dinner plates.