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11.1.12

‘Real Food’ Advocate Robyn O’Brien Sheds Light On The Food Industry

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.

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Comments


  1. I heard O’Brien’s TedTalk a while back and found it so powerful and persuading; and her new book sounds amazing! The fact listed above that 90% of breast cancer cases being environmentally-related is shocking. I would love to read this book and learn more!

    Tara | 11.01.2012 | Reply
  2. I have been following The Chalkboard for a few months now and I appreciate all your informative content! I started my own blog so I could track my own exploration of learning about clean, healthy living. Thanks for writing about Robyn and her book, her story resonates with me and I am so glad she is getting the word out about our broken food systems. I would love to learn more about what we can do personally and as a community to reclaim our food 🙂

    Annie | 11.01.2012 | Reply
  3. Robyn is such a He(she)roe! We can really make remarkable change when spreading this tres tres important words. I would absolutely LOVE to get a chance to learn more from Robin via her book so that I can share the message more clearly to friends, family and the world.

    Thank you, Elenore

    Elenore Bendel Zahn | 11.01.2012 | Reply
  4. I watched Robyn’s TED Talk last year and was so inspired by her story that I shared it with all of my friends and family. Unfortunately, so many Americans are unaware of where our food sources come from and how it can adversely affect our health and wellness. Robyn’s rigorous research is life changing and I am so thrilled to hear she has authored a book. Thank you, Robyn!

    Shannon | 11.01.2012 | Reply
  5. Great quick write-up summarizing some of our food system problems. I became vegetarian 3.5 years ago and have never looked back! After trying to educate myself more on these topics by reading and watching documentaries, I recently read ‘Animal, Vegetable, Miracle’ by Barbara Kingsolver which opened my eyes to many of our food system problems in detail including the use of hormones in animals as well as in the corn and soy that we now feed animals (who should be grass fed). I’m interested in Robyn’s new book. I’ve definitely heard her story on a documentary but am unfamiliar with her TED talk. Checking it out now!

    Christina | 11.04.2012 | Reply
  6. WE ARE THRILLED TO HEAR OUR READERS LOVE ROBYN AS MUCH AS WE DO – CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER, CHRISTINA!

    The Chalkboard | 11.07.2012 | Reply
  7. This is my first introduction to Robyn and the Chalkboard but already I know we are like minded individuals. My philosophy is Creating Health through Awareness. Go Robyn, would love to read your book!

    joyce wallace | 11.09.2012 | Reply
  8. Looking forward to reading the book…

    terri sirignano | 11.07.2013 | Reply

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