“Taco Bell is not a Mexican telephone company.”  DMG

How aware are you of what is in your taco seasoning mix?

I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love.  (Eph. 3:17; NLT)

We’re starting a new month of recipes.  I’ve been asked by a few readers to offer various odds and ends recipes such as sauces, dressings, and spice combinations.  Taco seasoning is one of those all time favorites that can be used in a number of recipes.  When I looked online to find what is in traditional, packaged taco seasoning, it was next to impossible to locate ingredient lists for most of the popular brands.  (I don’t have any in the  cupboard, in  case you’re wondering.)  After much searching, I located one popular brand that was brave enough (or unwise enough) to post its ingredients list for taco seasoning. 

Maltodextrin, chili pepper, salt, onion powder, spice, monosodium glutamate, modified corn starch, garlic powder, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, silicon  dioxide, and ethoxyquin made up the list.  Of these eleven ingredients, chili pepper, salt, onion and garlic powder are the only real food ingredients.  That’s four ingredients out of eleven.  That means that only about one-third of the ingredients has any food value whatsoever!  The other seven ingredients are friends of the food industry and foes of the human body.

I’ve already written about the many negative effects of monosodium glutamate (see 1/24/08 DG, “The Taste That Kills”).  I’ve also written about genetically modified foods (see 7/10/08 DG, “NOT a Popular Subject”).  Genetically modified soybeans and corn make up the largest portion of genetically engineered crops.  Unless a product says it’s organic, things like maltodextrin and modified corn starch will be genetically modified.  And why on earth is partially hydrogenated soybean oil in a dry taco seasoning?  I have my guesses, and it’s not to make you build strong bodies eight ways!  Oh, and I almost forgot, this particular seasoning bragged that it has 40% less sodium.  Imagine that!  So, maybe your ankles won’t swell quite as big after eating your taco salad if you use this seasoning mix.

Today’s recipe is an easy taco seasoning mix that can be used to flavor meat when you make taco salad.  It can be used in taco soup and other recipes calling for Mexican spices.  Easy to make, and much, much healthier for you and your family.

Prayer Power
Father, we thank You for Your love and grace.  We also thank You for Your protection over us each and every day.

Link of the Day
Taco Seasoning

Blessings on you as you continue to become more and more aware of what you’re feeding your family.