Not many consumers realize that the FDA does not require genetically modified food to be labeled. That’s because the FDA has decided that you, dear consumer, don’t care if the tomato you’re eating has been cross bred with frog genes to render the tomato more resistant to cold weather. Some consumers may not be concerned with eating Frankenfood, but for those who are, here’s how to determine if the fruits and vegetables you’re buying are (GM) genetically modified. Hat tip to Marion Owen for her valuable information. Here’s how it works:
- For conventionally grown fruit, (grown with chemicals inputs), the PLU code on the sticker consists of four numbers.
- Organically grown fruit has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 9.
- Genetically engineered (GM) fruit has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 8.
For example:
- A conventionally grown banana would be: 4011
- An organic banana would be: 94011
- A genetically engineered (GE or GMO) banana would be: 84011
(via How To I.D. Genetically Modified Food at the Supermarket)
An innovative initiative is taking place in the Philippines to bring sustainable lighting to homes in impoverished communities. Empty plastic bottles are installed in the roof, filled with water and bleach they refract sunlight. These “solar light bulbs” provide light equivalent to a 55watt light bulb.
See how they’re made here. From Visual News
SO MUCH HAPPINESS!
My brain seriously could not process this much happiness and I started crying while watching this. Seriously, don’t say I didn’t warn you.
at that exact moment, I fell in love with him!
Mara Wilson in “Matilda” as Matilda Wormwood.
Lorelai: I’m serious. Why don’t you go get the measuring tape now?
Rory: I am not going to measure my boobs.
Lorelai: Because you know that you are totally bigger.[….]
Rory: You’re cracked!
“Mom, listen, I haven’t been together with Topanga for 22 years, but we have been together for 16. That’s a lot longer than most couples have been together. I mean, when we were born, you told me that we used to take walks in our strollers together around the block. When we were two, we were best friends. I mean, I knew everything about this girl. I knew her favorite color, her favorite food. Then we became six, Eric made fun of me because it wasn’t cool to have a best friend that was a girl or even know a girl. So for the next seven years I threw dirt at her. I like to call those “the lost years”. Then when I was thirteen, mom, she put me up against my locker and she kissed me. I mean, she gave me my first kiss. She taught me how to dance. She always was talking about these crazy things and I never understood a word she said. All I understood was that she was the girl I sat up every night thinking about, and when I’m with her, I feel happy to be alive. Like I can do anything. Even talk to you like this. So that’s, that’s what I think is love, mom. When I’m better because she’s here.” -
Cory Matthews, Boy Meets World
(Source: catherooo)
MADEMOISELLE MAURICE – ORIGAMI STREET ART
The latest creations of the French artist Mademoiselle Maurice, ephemeral installations and non-degrading poetic street art performed with hundreds of colorful origami glued on the walls of Paris. A daunting task to achieve thousands of origami using mostly recycled paper, in a spirit of friendly temporary installation, for the environment and the street. A cloud of origami that fly just like the human network and natural elements, with particular reference to the little Japanese girl Sadako Sasaki.
[Via ufunk]
