The question is, is that cup of coffee you're drinking good for you or not. First it was, then it wasn't, now you hear a cup or two a day has health benefits, but what exactly does it all mean?
I've read conflicting reports as well, some for and some against the classification of coffee as "healthy", but like most Americans I too enjoy my morning cup of Joe.
But to address the question at hand (is it or isn't it healthy), I examine it as I would any other food; it's all in how it's prepared, how often you consume it, and what quality is the food you are consuming.
We've all probably heard the recent claim that coffee is a good source of antioxidants; if this is true than you want to make sure you're drinking the healthiest beans possible. I choose Organic coffee beans for the same reason I choose organic foods; no pesticides or herbicides, and more of the nutrients you're body needs.
Now for the dreaded "how do you take it" question, and in today's world of frappuccinos, cappuccinos, and lattes the answer is a little more complicated than "1 sugar please". This is where your "healthy" cup of coffee can quickly become a whole lot of calories, sugar, and fat. By the time they've added a few squirts of syrup, and creams, and sugar, and whatever else is in that science experiment you wait in line for, you've pretty well maxed out your daily allowance of, well sugar and fat.
I choose to drink my coffee black, not simply because i have a dairy and soy allergy as there are many milk/cream replacements I could use, but because I enjoy the taste of coffee; not to mention it's the fat free, sugar free, practically no calorie, healthiest way to drink it.
Finally remember moderation is key.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Cancer Back in the News
With Kennedy's death all over the news, it puts cancer back in the spotlight.
Living in such an industrial time, of our existence on this tiny planet, doesn't come without its drawbacks. There are so many environmental hazards that we are exposed to on a daily bases, such as air pollutants (exhaust from vehicles, factories, jet fuel that fills our sky's), toxic waste at both the industrial and household levels, and hazardous chemicals (household cleaning products, paints, stains, etc.). Add to that poor diets high in overly processed foods that are loaded with toxins in the form of additives, preservatives, food colorings, and other chemicals, and disease becomes inevitable.
So what can we do?
You can't prevent exposure from many of the environmental hazards we face, but you can limit your exposure when it comes to those hazards that come from the home. This can be done by buying "green" biodegradable plant based products in place of the harsh chemical cleaners and solvents you're use to.
Now when it comes to diet, it's important to know that eating fresh organic produce, free grazed beef eggs and poultry, wild caught fish, and organic minimally processed pre-packaged foods will give your body something it desperately needs... A fighting chance!
You may not be able to prevent any and all disease, but that's no reason to stand by do nothing and become a statistic.
Live Healthy and Happy!
Living in such an industrial time, of our existence on this tiny planet, doesn't come without its drawbacks. There are so many environmental hazards that we are exposed to on a daily bases, such as air pollutants (exhaust from vehicles, factories, jet fuel that fills our sky's), toxic waste at both the industrial and household levels, and hazardous chemicals (household cleaning products, paints, stains, etc.). Add to that poor diets high in overly processed foods that are loaded with toxins in the form of additives, preservatives, food colorings, and other chemicals, and disease becomes inevitable.
So what can we do?
You can't prevent exposure from many of the environmental hazards we face, but you can limit your exposure when it comes to those hazards that come from the home. This can be done by buying "green" biodegradable plant based products in place of the harsh chemical cleaners and solvents you're use to.
Now when it comes to diet, it's important to know that eating fresh organic produce, free grazed beef eggs and poultry, wild caught fish, and organic minimally processed pre-packaged foods will give your body something it desperately needs... A fighting chance!
You may not be able to prevent any and all disease, but that's no reason to stand by do nothing and become a statistic.
Live Healthy and Happy!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
How Our Poor Health Decisions Affect Others
It is pretty sad to see how America's poor health / dietary sense has an unhealthy influence on our pets.
As I was reading the ingredients on a bag of "Beneful" dog food the other day, I quickly noticed that it is clearly marked in such a way as to influence people not dogs; which makes sense since we are the ones buying the dog food. And just as with processed foods we eat, these dog food manufacturers use the same marketing tactics. They count on our lack of knowledge when it comes to a healthy diet, and skillfully distract us with the pictures and misleading wording on the package.
For instance this bag of dog food shows a picture of the contents drawing the buyer's attention to the many different colors as if the consumer were a child buying a box of fruit loops. Then they mislead the consumer buy showing pictures of vegetables and grains on the package, where it becomes obvious that they are trying to draw a connection between the oranges and reds and greens and yellows that the dog food comes in and various "healthy" ingredients from which it comes. Now I am not saying that there is no corn or green beans or wheat or carrots or meat in the food, the ingredients clearly lists it, but as they say... "It's all in the packaging."
What the manufacturer is hoping is that you instantly draw this false misleading connection before you read the ingredients so your focus will be drawn to these ingredients and not the true reason the dog food is so colorful... "added color (Yellow 5, Red 40, Yellow 6, Blue 2)".
Why not just put pictures of Crayola crayons on the bag, oh and "chicken by-product meal" whatever that is?
The answer... in the processed food world the truth doesn't sell!
As I was reading the ingredients on a bag of "Beneful" dog food the other day, I quickly noticed that it is clearly marked in such a way as to influence people not dogs; which makes sense since we are the ones buying the dog food. And just as with processed foods we eat, these dog food manufacturers use the same marketing tactics. They count on our lack of knowledge when it comes to a healthy diet, and skillfully distract us with the pictures and misleading wording on the package.
For instance this bag of dog food shows a picture of the contents drawing the buyer's attention to the many different colors as if the consumer were a child buying a box of fruit loops. Then they mislead the consumer buy showing pictures of vegetables and grains on the package, where it becomes obvious that they are trying to draw a connection between the oranges and reds and greens and yellows that the dog food comes in and various "healthy" ingredients from which it comes. Now I am not saying that there is no corn or green beans or wheat or carrots or meat in the food, the ingredients clearly lists it, but as they say... "It's all in the packaging."
What the manufacturer is hoping is that you instantly draw this false misleading connection before you read the ingredients so your focus will be drawn to these ingredients and not the true reason the dog food is so colorful... "added color (Yellow 5, Red 40, Yellow 6, Blue 2)".
Why not just put pictures of Crayola crayons on the bag, oh and "chicken by-product meal" whatever that is?
The answer... in the processed food world the truth doesn't sell!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Make That PB&J as Healthy as Possible
If you love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as many Americans do (me included), than why not make it as healthy a meal possible. This is one of those situations where in order to enjoy this food you must consume processed foods, so in order to make this meal (or snack) as healthy as possible you must choose the healthiest ingredients. That means organic, minimally processed, with the fewest ingredients listed as possible.
Since you can't have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich without the peanut butter, let's start there. I recommend Organic Freshly Ground Unsalted Peanuts, it's what I buy and it tastes great! Unlike prepackaged processed peanut butter, this contains no added salt, sugar, or preservatives so you know all you are getting are healthy organic peanuts. You can find this at certain food stores in the organic section, or at many health food stores.
Next is the jelly jam or preserves (depending on your preference), and this is where your sandwich can turn VERY unhealthy in a heartbeat. When choosing your jam or preserves try to look for organic with as few ingredients listed as possible, and pay close attention to how many times sugar is listed. This is the part people fail to understand. Many jams and preserves (organic or not) not only have sugar listed multiple times on the label, but often it is the first ingredient listed. What is the sense of that? Fruit, especially berries, are sweet enough, so why would you want so much sugar added... and who in their right mind would buy anything where sugar is listed first?
For me I choose Crofter's Organic Black Current fruit spread (many flavors available). You'll notice right away from the first spoon full that it's minimally processed (berries are still in the full berry form), and none of the fruit spreads have any added sugar; plus they taste great!
Finally, the bread. Try to choose an organic whole grain bread, and as always choose something with the fewest ingredients listed. I like Mestemacher's Organic flat breads, they have few ingredients no added sugar and are very hardy, plus they taste great.
See Soy and Dairy Food Replacements for any of the products listed.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Smart Shopping in Tough Times
These are tough times we are living in, no doubt, and an economy like our current one calls for penny pinching, bargain hunting, and self control. It's times like these though, when no one seems to have any money to spare, that our health becomes even more important. With the cost of health care in this country becoming more and more expensive, it should go without saying that a preemptive approach is the only sensible answer. If you eat healthy and live healthy, then you will personally reap the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, and that means less visits to the doctor, less prescription drugs, less sick days, and more money in your pocket.
The hard part for most people is seeing the big picture. It is cheaper to eat an unhealthy diet, but only at first glance. The money you will save in the check-out line at your local food store by eating a diet high in pre-made pre-prepared highly processed foods, you will be sure to spend 10 times over in health care.
So be proactive when it comes to your health and make the only sensible choice, the only right choice.
Choose to be healthy and the rest will simply fall into place.
The hard part for most people is seeing the big picture. It is cheaper to eat an unhealthy diet, but only at first glance. The money you will save in the check-out line at your local food store by eating a diet high in pre-made pre-prepared highly processed foods, you will be sure to spend 10 times over in health care.
So be proactive when it comes to your health and make the only sensible choice, the only right choice.
Choose to be healthy and the rest will simply fall into place.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Overcoming Food Allergies
I often hear from others, even some with food allergies themselves, the same statement followed by the same question; "I'd die if I had a soy allergy... it's in everything, what can you eat?"
When I first found out about my food allergies (dairy and soy), and the impact soy has on the typical Americans diet, I went to my kinesiologist with the same panic in my voice asking him the very same question. His answer was simply and straight to the point... He said Mike there are many cultures out their most if not all far healthier than ours that have been existing for hundreds of years on diets that do not consist of dairy or soy", and he was right.
So the answer I give to those who ask me "it's in everything, what can I eat?", is just as simple and straight to the point... you can eat healthy.
It's really that simple. At first glance we think soy is in everything, but look a little deeper and you will see what I have; that most everything soy is in is unhealthy. It's in most any and all processed foods, so much so that the average shopper may feel there is nothing left in the grocery store safe for them to buy.
That is because most people are use to eating a diet high in processed foods, and not the healthier variety.
Introduce yourself to the produce aisle, and enjoy all the fresh organic produce you can find. Then introduce yourself to the organic section of your local food store (or your local health food store) and look for substitutes for the few processed foods you are sure to still purchase. Always look for those foods with the fewest ingredients; all natural, no preservatives and no additives of any kind.
See that wasn't so hard after all.
When I first found out about my food allergies (dairy and soy), and the impact soy has on the typical Americans diet, I went to my kinesiologist with the same panic in my voice asking him the very same question. His answer was simply and straight to the point... He said Mike there are many cultures out their most if not all far healthier than ours that have been existing for hundreds of years on diets that do not consist of dairy or soy", and he was right.
So the answer I give to those who ask me "it's in everything, what can I eat?", is just as simple and straight to the point... you can eat healthy.
It's really that simple. At first glance we think soy is in everything, but look a little deeper and you will see what I have; that most everything soy is in is unhealthy. It's in most any and all processed foods, so much so that the average shopper may feel there is nothing left in the grocery store safe for them to buy.
That is because most people are use to eating a diet high in processed foods, and not the healthier variety.
Introduce yourself to the produce aisle, and enjoy all the fresh organic produce you can find. Then introduce yourself to the organic section of your local food store (or your local health food store) and look for substitutes for the few processed foods you are sure to still purchase. Always look for those foods with the fewest ingredients; all natural, no preservatives and no additives of any kind.
See that wasn't so hard after all.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Always Put Your Health First
My wife and I have well water at our house from a well on the property, as do the surrounding houses on our block. The other weekend while speaking to some of the neighbors, the subject of well water came up. They mentioned that other wells in the town were contaminated, some of the homes not far from us. They also mentioned that the last time most of them had their wells tested (which seemed to be some time ago) a few of the wells showed elevated levels of curtain chemicals, and that although they were within the allowable range according to the state, some of the wells on some of the properties actually were considered contaminated based on the county's more strict standards.
I was then shocked to hear that of the houses who's wells tested high for these chemicals, some chose to stop drinking the water (buying bottled instead), some chose to continue drinking it (with the thinking "if it hasn't affected in all these years..."), but either way most haven't had their wells tested for some time.
There are enough toxins in our environment that we are subjected to on a daily basis that we have little control over, so why would you want to subject yourself to more especially when you can do something about it?
If you have a well then get it tested regularly, and if it's contaminated on any level then treat it; but to simply stop drinking it is only removing one of the many ways in which the containment in the water will find its way into you. First of all your skin, as you well know, is very porous and like a sponge will soak up just about anything. So if you shower with it than you can be sure it's in your system. Also if you cook with this contaminated water than you can be sure that the food coming in contact with it is soaking some up, which will result in these contaminants entering your body.
There are so many things that can affect our under-ground water supplies; pesticides, hazardous waste and not just at the industrial level but from households as well; be it cleaning supplies, oil, antifreeze, the list goes on and on.
So be conscious of your actions and always put your health first when making decisions!
I was then shocked to hear that of the houses who's wells tested high for these chemicals, some chose to stop drinking the water (buying bottled instead), some chose to continue drinking it (with the thinking "if it hasn't affected in all these years..."), but either way most haven't had their wells tested for some time.
There are enough toxins in our environment that we are subjected to on a daily basis that we have little control over, so why would you want to subject yourself to more especially when you can do something about it?
If you have a well then get it tested regularly, and if it's contaminated on any level then treat it; but to simply stop drinking it is only removing one of the many ways in which the containment in the water will find its way into you. First of all your skin, as you well know, is very porous and like a sponge will soak up just about anything. So if you shower with it than you can be sure it's in your system. Also if you cook with this contaminated water than you can be sure that the food coming in contact with it is soaking some up, which will result in these contaminants entering your body.
There are so many things that can affect our under-ground water supplies; pesticides, hazardous waste and not just at the industrial level but from households as well; be it cleaning supplies, oil, antifreeze, the list goes on and on.
So be conscious of your actions and always put your health first when making decisions!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Mexican Pizza
My wife and I decided Sunday night would be Mexican night for dinner, so we turned an old favorite, Mexican Pizza "Tostada". It's a very tasty and relatively quick to prepare meal.
All you need are tortillas (we use organic brown rice tortillas), your choice of organic beans to use to make the re-fried beans (think of that as the sauce), and then your toppings. Just as with the Italian American style pizzas your use to, you can be as creative as you want.
This particular evening we used some organic canned corn, sliced black olives, sliced cactus, and some goat cheese mozzarella.
They are fun to make, they taste great, and being soy, dairy, and gluten free they're allergy safe as well!
All you need are tortillas (we use organic brown rice tortillas), your choice of organic beans to use to make the re-fried beans (think of that as the sauce), and then your toppings. Just as with the Italian American style pizzas your use to, you can be as creative as you want.
This particular evening we used some organic canned corn, sliced black olives, sliced cactus, and some goat cheese mozzarella.
They are fun to make, they taste great, and being soy, dairy, and gluten free they're allergy safe as well!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Put Down that Protein Shake
Why is it so many people look for that "extra boost" in the form of a protein shake or bar?
I heard a few woman the other day, as I was getting my hair cut, talking about losing energy by late afternoon (as I'm sure many Americans experience), and one of the woman suggested she buy some protein shakes; apparently that is what she does.
This is something that has been popular with gym goers for some time now, with even the smaller gyms having a disturbingly large supply of supplements that rivals many GNC's, but the fact that this less than healthy trend has made it all the way to the mom's at the local hair salon only strengthens the argument... we as a fast paced on-the-go no time for anything society have really lost touch with what being healthy is all about.
Whether it's this fast paced lazy life style many have grown to accept, or a general lack of knowledge when it comes to the human body (of course with that fast pace life style who has time to learn...), or maybe it's just plain fear of finding out how unhealthy our society has become, I can't help but think how disturbing it all is.
Have you ever stopped and taken the time to examine the ingredients listed on the "health" bars or shakes?
Any good nutritionist will tell you when buying food products always look for those with all natural ingredients, no preservatives, no additives, and the fewer ingredients the better. Ironically though these bars or shakes that have become so popular are loaded with synthetic vitamins and minerals and tons of other stuff you can't pronounce, all made in some chemistry lab by no one with a degree in nutrition I'm sure. But with the help of clever marketing (and many misguided or uneducated "professionals") these manufacturers have "Joe and Jane Public" fooled by using words like "soy protein" or "whey protein".
I was one of these people (a misguided gym rat... there I said!) living what I thought was a healthy life, always quick to try the next latest and greatest "supplement" or energy bar or shake, but healthy was one thing I was not.
Our society needs to change gears, and fast. We live in such a fast paced world, but most live a very lazy lifestyle; with the microwavable meals, the fast food, and the energy bars and drinks. It's this unhealthy lifestyle that causes many to turn to these science projects disguised as health food for that extra boost. It's time we get back to the basics.
Remember a healthy diet consisting of fresh organic produce, whole grains, and minimally processed foods, will ultimately lead to a healthier you. So put down that power bar and pick up an apple... it's that easy!
I heard a few woman the other day, as I was getting my hair cut, talking about losing energy by late afternoon (as I'm sure many Americans experience), and one of the woman suggested she buy some protein shakes; apparently that is what she does.
This is something that has been popular with gym goers for some time now, with even the smaller gyms having a disturbingly large supply of supplements that rivals many GNC's, but the fact that this less than healthy trend has made it all the way to the mom's at the local hair salon only strengthens the argument... we as a fast paced on-the-go no time for anything society have really lost touch with what being healthy is all about.
Whether it's this fast paced lazy life style many have grown to accept, or a general lack of knowledge when it comes to the human body (of course with that fast pace life style who has time to learn...), or maybe it's just plain fear of finding out how unhealthy our society has become, I can't help but think how disturbing it all is.
Have you ever stopped and taken the time to examine the ingredients listed on the "health" bars or shakes?
Any good nutritionist will tell you when buying food products always look for those with all natural ingredients, no preservatives, no additives, and the fewer ingredients the better. Ironically though these bars or shakes that have become so popular are loaded with synthetic vitamins and minerals and tons of other stuff you can't pronounce, all made in some chemistry lab by no one with a degree in nutrition I'm sure. But with the help of clever marketing (and many misguided or uneducated "professionals") these manufacturers have "Joe and Jane Public" fooled by using words like "soy protein" or "whey protein".
I was one of these people (a misguided gym rat... there I said!) living what I thought was a healthy life, always quick to try the next latest and greatest "supplement" or energy bar or shake, but healthy was one thing I was not.
Our society needs to change gears, and fast. We live in such a fast paced world, but most live a very lazy lifestyle; with the microwavable meals, the fast food, and the energy bars and drinks. It's this unhealthy lifestyle that causes many to turn to these science projects disguised as health food for that extra boost. It's time we get back to the basics.
Remember a healthy diet consisting of fresh organic produce, whole grains, and minimally processed foods, will ultimately lead to a healthier you. So put down that power bar and pick up an apple... it's that easy!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Processed is Processed No Matter How You Slice It
We know by now that the only way to achieve a truly healthy diet is to greatly minimize your consumption of processed foods. With that said there will always be some processed foods that make their way into your diet, be it bread, cereal, a jar of preserves, or whatever, but as long as these products are minimally processed, contain no preservatives or additives, consist of all natural organic ingredients, and are consumed in moderation than you’re on the right track.
It's important to keep in mind though that when it comes down to it processed is processed. The more "processes" a food undergoes before it reaches your table the less nutritious the food becomes, and knowing this is the difference between a healthy person and an unhealthy person. Processed food should never be looked at as healthy food, some processed foods are healthier than others no doubt, but they should never be the main source of nutrients in your diet.
Let’s take lemon/lime juice as an example (only because I bought some the other day). Many recipes call for one or the other, and although using a fresh organic lemon (or lime) will always yield the best flavor sometimes it is not practical to have them on hand (off season for instance). So many people will have some pre-squeezed and pre-packaged lemon/lime juice in the fridge; I know I do. I also know that this organic processed food is really only good for one thing... flavor, and this becomes evident upon reading the label on the container.
Although it is made from organic lemons (or limes), it was made in Brazil and bottled in Switzerland. So by the time this product makes it all the way to the shelf of your local grocery store (and ultimately into your favorite recipe) it holds very little nutritional value, but at least you can rest assured knowing it doesn't contain pesticides and herbicides and trust me that's a good thing.
It's important to keep in mind though that when it comes down to it processed is processed. The more "processes" a food undergoes before it reaches your table the less nutritious the food becomes, and knowing this is the difference between a healthy person and an unhealthy person. Processed food should never be looked at as healthy food, some processed foods are healthier than others no doubt, but they should never be the main source of nutrients in your diet.
Let’s take lemon/lime juice as an example (only because I bought some the other day). Many recipes call for one or the other, and although using a fresh organic lemon (or lime) will always yield the best flavor sometimes it is not practical to have them on hand (off season for instance). So many people will have some pre-squeezed and pre-packaged lemon/lime juice in the fridge; I know I do. I also know that this organic processed food is really only good for one thing... flavor, and this becomes evident upon reading the label on the container.
Although it is made from organic lemons (or limes), it was made in Brazil and bottled in Switzerland. So by the time this product makes it all the way to the shelf of your local grocery store (and ultimately into your favorite recipe) it holds very little nutritional value, but at least you can rest assured knowing it doesn't contain pesticides and herbicides and trust me that's a good thing.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Be Creative With Your Meals
Last night my wife made Chicken and Artichoke for dinner (excellent by the way), from a recipe she found online. As with all recipes we find, we often modify them slightly based on the ingredients we have on hand at the time (as well as substituting anything we can with organic), especially when the recipe calls for some pre-made or pre-prepared ingredient... and this recipe was no exception.
When it came to the sauce they called for a can of "Campbell's cream of mushroom"... are you kidding me?
Are the writers of some of these recipes that lazy (and do they automatically assume that the readers are) that we can't prepare the sauce from scratch using fresh healthy ingredients?
Obviously we did not use a pre-made sauce, and believe it or not the meal turned out just fine... better than fine actually!
So when you're making your next meal from a recipe that you stumbled upon, be creative and be adventuress. We were taught as children not to color outside the lines and to follow directions to the 't', but often it's from that creativity and desire to venture off the path that great things are made.
Substituting any pre-made, pre-prepared ingredient for fresh healthy (organic) ingredients when preparing any meal is not just the healthier choice, it's sure to yield a tastier dish.
Go for it, you won't be sorry!
When it came to the sauce they called for a can of "Campbell's cream of mushroom"... are you kidding me?
Are the writers of some of these recipes that lazy (and do they automatically assume that the readers are) that we can't prepare the sauce from scratch using fresh healthy ingredients?
Obviously we did not use a pre-made sauce, and believe it or not the meal turned out just fine... better than fine actually!
So when you're making your next meal from a recipe that you stumbled upon, be creative and be adventuress. We were taught as children not to color outside the lines and to follow directions to the 't', but often it's from that creativity and desire to venture off the path that great things are made.
Substituting any pre-made, pre-prepared ingredient for fresh healthy (organic) ingredients when preparing any meal is not just the healthier choice, it's sure to yield a tastier dish.
Go for it, you won't be sorry!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Your Health and the Government
Rest assured that the government does not care about your health. I am not talking about some huge conspiracy involving secret organizations and all that nonsense although I've read many books on just that subject; no I won't go there, but you should know when it comes to government and your health the deciding factor will always be the mighty dollar.
I have posted about this topic once before, but a fellow blogger has recently posted a great article on "Genetically Modified Soy", so I thought it was a perfect time to revisit the topic... thanks Sarah.
The important thing to remember with genetically modified plants, be it fruit vegetable or whatever, is that profit is the ONLY driving force behind it. It started with corn and the government’s plan to use up all the excess nitrogen left behind from war-time chemicals. All it took was one scientist to come up with a way to use the nitrogen to make fertilizer, along with the help of one of nature’s most versatile and resilient crops; maize (corn).
The dots are pretty easy to connect from there... Use the nitrogen to make fertilizer; subsidize farmers that grow only corn and push them to grow more and more to use up the fertilizer; genetically modify corn to be able to grow more plants in a single field without a fear of overcrowding; help diminish this now abundance of corn by selling it to feed lots to use as food for cows as well as the thousands of other uses for corn (high fructose corn syrup, plant based bio degradable products, an "environmentally friendly" fuel source for running our cars, and the list goes on and on).
At no point did the government care whether or not this genetically engineered corn was good for us or the earth. The sad fact is that this engineered fertilizer that has lead to genetically engineer corn, solely for the purpose of larger better producing crops that have been pushed upon farmers to the point of over harvesting, have simply depleted the earth of many key nutrients resulting in poor soil and an inferior plant highly dependent upon pesticides and herbicides.
Add to that overcrowded feed lots jam packed with unhealthy cows just barely surviving up until slaughter with the only help coming in the form of a daily dose of antibiotics, all because of a unhealthy and unnatural diet consisting of... you guessed it corn, in order to help diminish this ever growing stock-pile of what started out as nothing more than a byproduct of one scientists brilliant idea of how to use up the governments over abundance of this war-time chemical.
The moral of this ugly story is be leery of genetically modified anything, because the driving force behind is sure to be the mighty dollar!
I have posted about this topic once before, but a fellow blogger has recently posted a great article on "Genetically Modified Soy", so I thought it was a perfect time to revisit the topic... thanks Sarah.
The important thing to remember with genetically modified plants, be it fruit vegetable or whatever, is that profit is the ONLY driving force behind it. It started with corn and the government’s plan to use up all the excess nitrogen left behind from war-time chemicals. All it took was one scientist to come up with a way to use the nitrogen to make fertilizer, along with the help of one of nature’s most versatile and resilient crops; maize (corn).
The dots are pretty easy to connect from there... Use the nitrogen to make fertilizer; subsidize farmers that grow only corn and push them to grow more and more to use up the fertilizer; genetically modify corn to be able to grow more plants in a single field without a fear of overcrowding; help diminish this now abundance of corn by selling it to feed lots to use as food for cows as well as the thousands of other uses for corn (high fructose corn syrup, plant based bio degradable products, an "environmentally friendly" fuel source for running our cars, and the list goes on and on).
At no point did the government care whether or not this genetically engineered corn was good for us or the earth. The sad fact is that this engineered fertilizer that has lead to genetically engineer corn, solely for the purpose of larger better producing crops that have been pushed upon farmers to the point of over harvesting, have simply depleted the earth of many key nutrients resulting in poor soil and an inferior plant highly dependent upon pesticides and herbicides.
Add to that overcrowded feed lots jam packed with unhealthy cows just barely surviving up until slaughter with the only help coming in the form of a daily dose of antibiotics, all because of a unhealthy and unnatural diet consisting of... you guessed it corn, in order to help diminish this ever growing stock-pile of what started out as nothing more than a byproduct of one scientists brilliant idea of how to use up the governments over abundance of this war-time chemical.
The moral of this ugly story is be leery of genetically modified anything, because the driving force behind is sure to be the mighty dollar!
Monday, August 10, 2009
The Food Label Conspiracy
Nutrition labels on the foods we buy have been in the spotlight for some time now. With the Food and Drug Administration flexing their muscles towards the food manufacturers, with the intention of giving "Joe Public" a better (yet false) sense of security, has resulted in nothing more than in a flood of information being thrown in the poor naive shoppers face. Information that, unless read and interpreted correctly, can and has resulted in a false sense of enlightenment, and ultimately an increasingly unhealthy public.
These stricter laws, along with a more proactive public and their recent desire to "know", have forced the food manufactures to simply become more creative. People love to see zeros on a label; zero fat, or zero cholesterol, or zero sugar, but these zeros come with a price, a hefty price, that we are paying for every day. When these chemists/scientists are putting their heads together over the next box or can of overly processed "food" that will ultimately fill your shopping cart, the top priorities are 'how do we make this appealing to the customer?" (and that's where the zeros come in), and finally 'how do we make this nutritionless, tasteless, lab experiment become the talk of the grocery aisle?'
When a product is marketed as low in calories and fat free, take a closer look at the amount of sugar; add "Cholesterol Free" to the mix and be aware to the amount of sodium; or "Sugar Free" and "Fat Free" and you should be looking to the calories. In order for a "Zero" to be added to the side of the box or can, another number must go up, because if all you do is take stuff out than your left with no taste, no anything.
So be smart and eat healthy! Limit the amount of processed foods you eat, but when you do buy that box or can of your favorite whatever make sure it's the healthiest box or can out there, with all natural (organic if possible) ingredients with no artificial anything and no preservatives.
These stricter laws, along with a more proactive public and their recent desire to "know", have forced the food manufactures to simply become more creative. People love to see zeros on a label; zero fat, or zero cholesterol, or zero sugar, but these zeros come with a price, a hefty price, that we are paying for every day. When these chemists/scientists are putting their heads together over the next box or can of overly processed "food" that will ultimately fill your shopping cart, the top priorities are 'how do we make this appealing to the customer?" (and that's where the zeros come in), and finally 'how do we make this nutritionless, tasteless, lab experiment become the talk of the grocery aisle?'
When a product is marketed as low in calories and fat free, take a closer look at the amount of sugar; add "Cholesterol Free" to the mix and be aware to the amount of sodium; or "Sugar Free" and "Fat Free" and you should be looking to the calories. In order for a "Zero" to be added to the side of the box or can, another number must go up, because if all you do is take stuff out than your left with no taste, no anything.
So be smart and eat healthy! Limit the amount of processed foods you eat, but when you do buy that box or can of your favorite whatever make sure it's the healthiest box or can out there, with all natural (organic if possible) ingredients with no artificial anything and no preservatives.
Friday, August 7, 2009
The Free Grazed Difference
It is amazing, the difference between eggs from actual free grazed chickens and those fed corn, soy, or other grains.
The visible difference is in the yokes and it's evident the second you crack them open. They are larger, firmer (less watery), a darker yellow in color, and yes they taste better too; but more importantly though they are much better for you. Eggs from free grazed chickens are much higher in Omega-3, as opposed to those from chickens fed corn (very high in Omega-6).
The tricky thing about purchasing free grazed eggs is actually buying free grazed eggs. I bought the "free grazed" eggs from my local food store (found in the organic section), and it's evident the second you crack the egg that these are not eggs from a free grazed chicken. But how is this possible?
If you do some research you will find that for something to be labeled "free grazed" in needs only access to grass... actually eating the grass is not required. From what I've read the chickens from these large food manufactures (organic or not) are kept inside when they are young to protect them from "harm" lurking outside. Tightly packed together indoors they live the first part of their lives; with their beaks clipped (to prevent them from biting each other out of boredom) they spend their days eating corn or other grains. So when they are finally given access to the outside (probably nothing more than a door way leading to a small patch of fenced in grass), they choose what is familiar to them, the tightly packed indoors.
So what to do?
I buy mine from a local farmer, where I know they are actually free grazed. I don't need writing on the carton to tell that, the yokes do all the talking. Now that I have a house my wife and I plan to have our own laying hens, but until that day comes I will stick with the local farmers.
The visible difference is in the yokes and it's evident the second you crack them open. They are larger, firmer (less watery), a darker yellow in color, and yes they taste better too; but more importantly though they are much better for you. Eggs from free grazed chickens are much higher in Omega-3, as opposed to those from chickens fed corn (very high in Omega-6).
The tricky thing about purchasing free grazed eggs is actually buying free grazed eggs. I bought the "free grazed" eggs from my local food store (found in the organic section), and it's evident the second you crack the egg that these are not eggs from a free grazed chicken. But how is this possible?
If you do some research you will find that for something to be labeled "free grazed" in needs only access to grass... actually eating the grass is not required. From what I've read the chickens from these large food manufactures (organic or not) are kept inside when they are young to protect them from "harm" lurking outside. Tightly packed together indoors they live the first part of their lives; with their beaks clipped (to prevent them from biting each other out of boredom) they spend their days eating corn or other grains. So when they are finally given access to the outside (probably nothing more than a door way leading to a small patch of fenced in grass), they choose what is familiar to them, the tightly packed indoors.
So what to do?
I buy mine from a local farmer, where I know they are actually free grazed. I don't need writing on the carton to tell that, the yokes do all the talking. Now that I have a house my wife and I plan to have our own laying hens, but until that day comes I will stick with the local farmers.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Spicy Lemon Garlic Bass with Steak Fries
Here's a great recipe I found in a Men's Health magazine; had it last night.
All ingredients used were Organic and the fish was wild caught.
Bass: (Takes about 12min to cook)
2 Bass fillets (calls for sea bass, I used stripe bass)
1 lemon
2 cloves garlic (crushed)
1 tbsp Red Pepper flakes
1 1/2 tsp Cumin
1 1/2 tsp Paprika
1 tsp Sea Salt
1/2 tsp Pepper
In a large ziplock bag squeeze the lemon and add the crushed garlic, red pepper flakes and fillets. Get the fillets good and coated, and put bag in refrigerator for 30min. Mix the cumin, paprika, salt and pepper and put to the side. After the fish has marinated for 30min, heat up some oil in a large skillet (whatever you use for frying). Coat both sides of the fillets with the spice mix, and cook the fillets over medium heat, 6min on each side.
Fries: (Takes about 40min to cook)
2 large Potatoes (sliced)
2 tbsp Olive oil
2 tsp Cumin
2 tsp Paprika
Slice the potatoes in half long ways, then slice each half into 4 wedges (also long ways). In a large ziplock bag mix the potatoes, olive oil, cumin, and paprika, and shake well until all are fully coated. Bake at 400F for about 40min (until browned).
It's a spicy dish so watch out!
All ingredients used were Organic and the fish was wild caught.
Bass: (Takes about 12min to cook)
2 Bass fillets (calls for sea bass, I used stripe bass)
1 lemon
2 cloves garlic (crushed)
1 tbsp Red Pepper flakes
1 1/2 tsp Cumin
1 1/2 tsp Paprika
1 tsp Sea Salt
1/2 tsp Pepper
In a large ziplock bag squeeze the lemon and add the crushed garlic, red pepper flakes and fillets. Get the fillets good and coated, and put bag in refrigerator for 30min. Mix the cumin, paprika, salt and pepper and put to the side. After the fish has marinated for 30min, heat up some oil in a large skillet (whatever you use for frying). Coat both sides of the fillets with the spice mix, and cook the fillets over medium heat, 6min on each side.
Fries: (Takes about 40min to cook)
2 large Potatoes (sliced)
2 tbsp Olive oil
2 tsp Cumin
2 tsp Paprika
Slice the potatoes in half long ways, then slice each half into 4 wedges (also long ways). In a large ziplock bag mix the potatoes, olive oil, cumin, and paprika, and shake well until all are fully coated. Bake at 400F for about 40min (until browned).
It's a spicy dish so watch out!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Choosing the Right Oil
Whether you're a health nut or a food allergy sufferer (dairy and soy), or both like me, you're always looking for the best of the best when it comes to what you put in your food as you prepare your meals.
Since I have both dairy and soy allergy butter and veritable oil are out, so what are our choices?
To replace butter in a recipe I like Organic Coconut Oil. You can find it in the organic section of your local food store or at your local health food store. It's a healthy replacement with many nutritional benefits, and for those concerned about the flavor don't worry, it won't leave you food tasting like coconut.
For salads, marinates, or simply an ingredient in your favorite meal, I go with Organic Unrefined Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Olive Oil is very healthy with many nutritional benefits (we hear this all the time), but what gets failed to be mentioned is not all olive oils are created equal. All of the refined olive oils sold in the food stores by the gallons have very little if any nutritional value left in them, and if you buy your oil in a plastic container then you can be sure there are some not so desirable chemicals leached from the bottle in every serving.
*I do not use the unrefined olive oil for frying or sauteing do to the fact that unrefined oil has a much lower smoke point.
For cooking over medium heat I go with Organic Canola Oil. It's rated for temperatures of 350F to 400F and works well in any recipe.
Finally for an oil used at high temperatures (frying, sauteing, etc.), I like Organic Avocado Oil. It has a very high smoke point (higher than most oils), tastes great, and is very healthy. Make sure you read the label though, because the rated temperatures vary by manufacturer do to the refining process used.
Now get cooking!
Since I have both dairy and soy allergy butter and veritable oil are out, so what are our choices?
To replace butter in a recipe I like Organic Coconut Oil. You can find it in the organic section of your local food store or at your local health food store. It's a healthy replacement with many nutritional benefits, and for those concerned about the flavor don't worry, it won't leave you food tasting like coconut.
For salads, marinates, or simply an ingredient in your favorite meal, I go with Organic Unrefined Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Olive Oil is very healthy with many nutritional benefits (we hear this all the time), but what gets failed to be mentioned is not all olive oils are created equal. All of the refined olive oils sold in the food stores by the gallons have very little if any nutritional value left in them, and if you buy your oil in a plastic container then you can be sure there are some not so desirable chemicals leached from the bottle in every serving.
*I do not use the unrefined olive oil for frying or sauteing do to the fact that unrefined oil has a much lower smoke point.
For cooking over medium heat I go with Organic Canola Oil. It's rated for temperatures of 350F to 400F and works well in any recipe.
Finally for an oil used at high temperatures (frying, sauteing, etc.), I like Organic Avocado Oil. It has a very high smoke point (higher than most oils), tastes great, and is very healthy. Make sure you read the label though, because the rated temperatures vary by manufacturer do to the refining process used.
Now get cooking!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Preparing an Avocado
If you love avocados as wife and I do than you probably buy them all the time for fresh guacamole or your favorite avocado recipe. Of course if an avocado is nothing more than one of the many "exotic fruits" (or vegetable depending on who you talk to) that frightens you away because of the fear of the unknown, then this is your lucky day.
When picking an avocado from the bunch you want it to be soft (but not too soft); you should be able to squeeze it in your finger with little effort.
When peeling an avocado, simply run a medium size knife around it (long ways) cutting it down to the large pit in the center. Once you've gone completely around the avocado grab both ends and twist them in opposite directions rotating them around the pit, and pull them apart.
Next, grab the half with the pit, and take the knife and chop into the pit (careful not to chop into your hand). Then simply rotate the knife while holding the avocado still; the pit will rotate then pop out. Discard the pit.
Finally you peel the skin from both halves (gently). This is where picking the right one makes the job easy; too hard and you will never separate the skin from the avocado, and too soft and you'll have a mushy mess in your hands.
Enjoy!
When picking an avocado from the bunch you want it to be soft (but not too soft); you should be able to squeeze it in your finger with little effort.
When peeling an avocado, simply run a medium size knife around it (long ways) cutting it down to the large pit in the center. Once you've gone completely around the avocado grab both ends and twist them in opposite directions rotating them around the pit, and pull them apart.
Next, grab the half with the pit, and take the knife and chop into the pit (careful not to chop into your hand). Then simply rotate the knife while holding the avocado still; the pit will rotate then pop out. Discard the pit.
Finally you peel the skin from both halves (gently). This is where picking the right one makes the job easy; too hard and you will never separate the skin from the avocado, and too soft and you'll have a mushy mess in your hands.
Enjoy!
Marinating Makes All The Difference
One of the best things you can do to prepare for a meal is to marinate the meat prior to cooking it, and overnight works best.
The key hear is fresh organic ingredients and spices, and stay away from pre-made marinades and all-in-one spices, especially if you have a soy allergy as I do.
Marinades are easy and fun and make a world of difference when it comes to a tasty meal. Start with the base, vinegar (I like balsamic) or Olive oil (I use unrefined for maximum health benefit), and then add your spices and other ingredients.
My wife and I love spicy so we usually always include either some Curry powder, Cumin, Turmeric, Cayenne pepper, Red Pepper Flakes etc., as well as some fresh crushed garlic, onions, lime or lemon... basically whatever you have available. Then just add the meat (beef, chicken, and fish), shake, and let sit.
What you're left with is a very tasty piece of meat!
The key hear is fresh organic ingredients and spices, and stay away from pre-made marinades and all-in-one spices, especially if you have a soy allergy as I do.
Marinades are easy and fun and make a world of difference when it comes to a tasty meal. Start with the base, vinegar (I like balsamic) or Olive oil (I use unrefined for maximum health benefit), and then add your spices and other ingredients.
My wife and I love spicy so we usually always include either some Curry powder, Cumin, Turmeric, Cayenne pepper, Red Pepper Flakes etc., as well as some fresh crushed garlic, onions, lime or lemon... basically whatever you have available. Then just add the meat (beef, chicken, and fish), shake, and let sit.
What you're left with is a very tasty piece of meat!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Vitamin D Deficiency
So i had a few topics on mind to write about this morning, but a headline in the news made my mind up for me... "Millions of U.S. Kids Lacking Vit D"
It's not the title that took me by surprise, I've read many books and articles written by health and nutrition experts that have been saying this for years, it's the poor research and outdated recommendations that the medical community as well as the FDA base their facts on. The recommended daily allowance as set by "medical experts", or 1 IU (international unit), is about 30ng (nano-grams) with toxicity in levels of about 95um (micro grams) or 3800IU and above, but this is based on flawed incorrect poorly gathered data.
Experts will tell you that Vitamin D deficiency is truly one of the main causes of many diseases in this country with an extensive list provided by the Vitamin D Council. Unfortunately a paper written in 1984 by Narang NK about groups of 6 subjects with hypercalcemia that supposedly consumed levels 3800IU of vitamin D per day, which the author concluded was the cause of the patients disorder, has lead to a massive vitamin deficiency . It's this inaccurate research that has laid the ground work by which our medical community still adheres to. Some have gone as far as to say "Narang, et al's, 1984 paper may have done the most damage to the most people of any paper on vitamin D in the world's literature".
About 10 years ago Dr. Reinhold Vieth (a leading vitamin D expert) challenged the medical community to find any evidence that 10,000IU of vitamin D per day was toxic, and was amazed by the lack of evidence supporting the current LOAEL (Lowest Observed adverse effect levels) of vitamin D; in other words no one could prove this false claim.
So why then do we still adhere to it?
It's no wonder that so many Americas (children and adults alike) are deficient in vitamin D. And if this isn't disturbing enough, I find it very unsettling as to how "they" (the experts) recommend we get our fill. As I read the article this morning, the one that fueled this post, I was further disturbed to hear how they recommend we get our daily dose of D, which as the research above shows, as well as the current state of most Americans health, is far too low of a level. They tell us to get more sunlight (but put the fear of god in us... Cover up or you'll get cancer!), and to consume more foods fortified with vitamin D (processed foods such as cereal, cereal bars, orange juice)... are you kidding me?
Maybe if we actually start eating a healthy diet we won't have to worry whether or not our food was fortified with vitamins (all nutrients have been lost during processing), because they will actually still be in the food, where they were to begin with.
Good natural sources of Vitamin D are fish (some species more than others), eggs, cod liver oil, and the sun, but in order to benefit from these foods you need to choose wisely. For instance wild salmon eat algae which is a good source of vit D for the fish, on the other hand farm raised fish fed corn or grains are a poor choice. Eggs are another source, but once again not from hens that live their entire life packed like sardines in building and fed corn and other grains. You should choose free grazed hens that spend their days eating bugs they find on the ground or in manure. And finally the sun...Humans make at least 10,000 units of vitamin D within 30 minutes of full body exposure to the sun. Vitamin D production in the skin occurs within minutes and is already maximized before your skin turns pink, but fear of skin cancer causes most people to do one of two extremes; either keeps them out of the sun completely or they cover themselves with suntan lotion (which contains toxic chemicals) and then proceed to bake in the sun.
Do yourself a favor and do some research on your own, it may just save your life!
It's not the title that took me by surprise, I've read many books and articles written by health and nutrition experts that have been saying this for years, it's the poor research and outdated recommendations that the medical community as well as the FDA base their facts on. The recommended daily allowance as set by "medical experts", or 1 IU (international unit), is about 30ng (nano-grams) with toxicity in levels of about 95um (micro grams) or 3800IU and above, but this is based on flawed incorrect poorly gathered data.
Experts will tell you that Vitamin D deficiency is truly one of the main causes of many diseases in this country with an extensive list provided by the Vitamin D Council. Unfortunately a paper written in 1984 by Narang NK about groups of 6 subjects with hypercalcemia that supposedly consumed levels 3800IU of vitamin D per day, which the author concluded was the cause of the patients disorder, has lead to a massive vitamin deficiency . It's this inaccurate research that has laid the ground work by which our medical community still adheres to. Some have gone as far as to say "Narang, et al's, 1984 paper may have done the most damage to the most people of any paper on vitamin D in the world's literature".
About 10 years ago Dr. Reinhold Vieth (a leading vitamin D expert) challenged the medical community to find any evidence that 10,000IU of vitamin D per day was toxic, and was amazed by the lack of evidence supporting the current LOAEL (Lowest Observed adverse effect levels) of vitamin D; in other words no one could prove this false claim.
So why then do we still adhere to it?
It's no wonder that so many Americas (children and adults alike) are deficient in vitamin D. And if this isn't disturbing enough, I find it very unsettling as to how "they" (the experts) recommend we get our fill. As I read the article this morning, the one that fueled this post, I was further disturbed to hear how they recommend we get our daily dose of D, which as the research above shows, as well as the current state of most Americans health, is far too low of a level. They tell us to get more sunlight (but put the fear of god in us... Cover up or you'll get cancer!), and to consume more foods fortified with vitamin D (processed foods such as cereal, cereal bars, orange juice)... are you kidding me?
Maybe if we actually start eating a healthy diet we won't have to worry whether or not our food was fortified with vitamins (all nutrients have been lost during processing), because they will actually still be in the food, where they were to begin with.
Good natural sources of Vitamin D are fish (some species more than others), eggs, cod liver oil, and the sun, but in order to benefit from these foods you need to choose wisely. For instance wild salmon eat algae which is a good source of vit D for the fish, on the other hand farm raised fish fed corn or grains are a poor choice. Eggs are another source, but once again not from hens that live their entire life packed like sardines in building and fed corn and other grains. You should choose free grazed hens that spend their days eating bugs they find on the ground or in manure. And finally the sun...Humans make at least 10,000 units of vitamin D within 30 minutes of full body exposure to the sun. Vitamin D production in the skin occurs within minutes and is already maximized before your skin turns pink, but fear of skin cancer causes most people to do one of two extremes; either keeps them out of the sun completely or they cover themselves with suntan lotion (which contains toxic chemicals) and then proceed to bake in the sun.
Do yourself a favor and do some research on your own, it may just save your life!
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