I am sure it is fairly obvious by now, but I will say it anyway. For me, food is more than a hobby. It is more than sustenance. It is more than a major part of a person's culture. The way we treat food says a lot about who we are, as individuals and as a species. For the past few weeks, I have been spending an exponential amount of my free time considering how I relate to food now and how I want to relate to food in the future. I have based much of my thought and research on how my government relates to food and on how my government pushes its citizenry to relate to food by creating laws that support specific farming methods-like "monocropping" and genetically modified and engineered foods. Most of what I have learned has left me feeling really agitated. But, upon further internal investigation, I realized I, the consumer, am just as much to blame for the direction agriculture has taken.
I live in an apartment with no personal outdoor space. I am on a very limited food budget. I try to make good choices in buying mostly produce that was grown organically and in making sure I do not throw food away. But, I still shop at a grocery store and this means most of my food probably comes from Canada and Mexico. I love Farmer's Markets but cannot always get to them and cannot always afford the prices. Anyway, I digress. The gist of this paragraph is that I see a need to change the way I live so I can relate to the world around me in a way that I can be proud of.
In my search for a better way, I have come across the concept of permaculture. Permaculture is a method that was born in Australia and has become quite the popular form of agriculture in the UK. Permaculture basically pushes us to find a way to live in nature (even and especially in urban areas) instead of lording over nature.
Our constant interference is putting the ecosystems around us completely out of balance. In the U.S. we grow mostly soya beans and seed corn on farms that are 2,000 acres and over. This is literally killing the soil. The nutrients are being stripped and the soil is eroding. Having so many of the same plant in one large area is drawing in pests that harm those crops. This leads to the need to spray synthetic chemicals on the food and to genetically modify the foods to resist the pests. Then these chemicals are getting leached into the water table and traveling up the natural food chain. We have created a really big mess!
The best way to clean it up is to stop fighting nature and find a way to work with it. First, we need to make efficient use of the land. The best way to restore balance is to allow for biodiversity. Grow a large variety of crops including fruit and nut trees, grains, and annual vegetables all in the same area. Doing so will attract a variety of insects, which will attract a variety of birds, amphibians, rodents, and reptiles that will all eat each other. The population control will take care of itself. This eliminates the need for chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Meanwhile, your garden produces a healthy crop that required minimal financial and physical input from you.
You may think you need a lot of land in a rural area to make a difference. But, this is absolutely not the case. The most efficient gardens are 1/4 of an acre to an acre in size (or smaller). It is easily possible to feed a family of 6 for an entire year on 1/4 acre of fertile land if you plant bio-diverse crops.
Not everyone will be interested in becoming a sustainable farmer in their spare time. Those who don't want to farm can still be part of the solution by purchasing from small-scale organic farmers and avoiding processed and GMO foods at the grocery store.
Conscious growing is just as important as conscious cooking and conscious eating. If we all want to be vibrant, healthy, energetic beings we need to change our ways and eat what God intended us to eat and grow it the way God intended it to grow. It is time to stop "running interference" and let nature take its course. We were always meant to be a part of it and if we start respecting and trusting nature again, it will take care of us for many, many years to come.
For more very helpful information on Permaculture and how to use this method in your own life I recommend these video lectures:
http://courses.ncsu.edu/hs432/common/podcasts/
Monday, April 29, 2013
Thursday, April 25, 2013
"Waste not, want not."
As I do a lot of personal research on how to become a successful, sustainable, small-scale farmer I continually come across important issues with the food industry. There are so many things going on that are already mostly out of our control: mono-cropping, genetic engineering, and chemical pest control. These things can change, but it will take time, patience, and a great deal of effort. In the meantime, there are things we can change right now. We can buy from local, organic, small-scale farmers. We can purchase fewer processed foods in supermarkets, and we can buy less and use more.
One of the most chilling statistics about food is that the United States throws away at least half of all food produced here. This is because it rots before people can manage to buy or consume it. I know that I still end up throwing food away at times even though I try really hard not to. It is difficult to cook just enough for one person and sometimes even more difficult to keep eating the leftovers. Sometimes eating the same thing for three days out of the week makes me feel like I would rather not eat at all.
But, what if we found ways to use leftover foods that seem to be unusable? What if we transformed our leftovers into a whole new meal? I think if I worked harder at this, I could manage to avoid throwing out any food at all. And, I could also buy less food and spend less at the grocery store.
A couple of days ago, I made what I like to call "Italian mashed potatoes" to go along with some tilapia piccata. It is very easy to make too many mashed potatoes. For one thing, I love them and I make a lot because I always think I will eat a lot. Anyway, today I still had three servings of these mashed potatoes still in the refrigerator and had no desire to eat them. So, I made "breaded Italian mashed potato balls". There are probably a million things one could do with leftover mashed potatoes. But, I went with this because of what other things I had laying around that needed to be used. One such ingredient was the end of a baguette that went stale to the point it could not be consumed as just bread. So, I ran it across the cheese grater and made it into coarse bread crumbs. I then shredded some parmesan cheese and added that along with oregano and basil to the bread crumbs. Then, I beat an egg. I got the leftover mashed potatoes out and while still cold i gathered some up in the palm of my hand and rolled them into a ball. I then rolled each ball in the egg and then in the bread crumb mixture. I baked them in a toaster over at 350 for about 10 minutes. I enjoyed eating them for lunch. They had just enough of a new flavor and texture to make it seem like I was eating something else entirely. Making it took a total of 15 minutes and I was able to use things I would have otherwise thrown out. I did have extra bread crumb mixture which I saved to use as a topping on some baked pasta in the next couple of days.
I am sure you could do this with any type of mashed potatoes and hard cheese you happen to have leftover. In case you want to try to make Italian mashed potatoes, here is how I do it:
Quarter and boil red potatoes with the skin on until they are tender. Drain and transfer them to a mixing bowl and add 1/2 c plain Greek yogurt, 4 tbsp lemon juice, 1/4 c white cooking wine, 2 cloves chopped garlic and whip until they reach your desired consistency.
Baked Italian Mashed Potato Balls
One of the most chilling statistics about food is that the United States throws away at least half of all food produced here. This is because it rots before people can manage to buy or consume it. I know that I still end up throwing food away at times even though I try really hard not to. It is difficult to cook just enough for one person and sometimes even more difficult to keep eating the leftovers. Sometimes eating the same thing for three days out of the week makes me feel like I would rather not eat at all.
But, what if we found ways to use leftover foods that seem to be unusable? What if we transformed our leftovers into a whole new meal? I think if I worked harder at this, I could manage to avoid throwing out any food at all. And, I could also buy less food and spend less at the grocery store.
A couple of days ago, I made what I like to call "Italian mashed potatoes" to go along with some tilapia piccata. It is very easy to make too many mashed potatoes. For one thing, I love them and I make a lot because I always think I will eat a lot. Anyway, today I still had three servings of these mashed potatoes still in the refrigerator and had no desire to eat them. So, I made "breaded Italian mashed potato balls". There are probably a million things one could do with leftover mashed potatoes. But, I went with this because of what other things I had laying around that needed to be used. One such ingredient was the end of a baguette that went stale to the point it could not be consumed as just bread. So, I ran it across the cheese grater and made it into coarse bread crumbs. I then shredded some parmesan cheese and added that along with oregano and basil to the bread crumbs. Then, I beat an egg. I got the leftover mashed potatoes out and while still cold i gathered some up in the palm of my hand and rolled them into a ball. I then rolled each ball in the egg and then in the bread crumb mixture. I baked them in a toaster over at 350 for about 10 minutes. I enjoyed eating them for lunch. They had just enough of a new flavor and texture to make it seem like I was eating something else entirely. Making it took a total of 15 minutes and I was able to use things I would have otherwise thrown out. I did have extra bread crumb mixture which I saved to use as a topping on some baked pasta in the next couple of days.
I am sure you could do this with any type of mashed potatoes and hard cheese you happen to have leftover. In case you want to try to make Italian mashed potatoes, here is how I do it:
Quarter and boil red potatoes with the skin on until they are tender. Drain and transfer them to a mixing bowl and add 1/2 c plain Greek yogurt, 4 tbsp lemon juice, 1/4 c white cooking wine, 2 cloves chopped garlic and whip until they reach your desired consistency.
Baked Italian Mashed Potato Balls
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Processed Food and Toxins: You May Be Feeding Your Baby Lead.
I haphazardly ran across an article today about lead being present in imported rice. While I am not one to believe just any random article posted on the Internet, it did make me want to research heavy metals and foods. Heavy metals are part of our environment and it is normal for trace amounts of them to be present in our bodies as well as in plants and animals. But, if we consume too much of any heavy metal our bodies will be poisoned and the repercussions can be serious. I learned a lot about lead and food. I will sum up some of the information I found to be the most important here and will post links to the articles I read at the end of this post in case you want to do any further investigating.
The first thing I learned is that there is such a thing as the ELF (Environmental Law Foundation). The ELF's purpose is to protect communities by openly sharing information on environmental toxins and by taking legal action against companies and/or the government when communities are being threatened by toxins. The ELF is currently working on a law suit that has to do with lead being found in foods marketed as made specifically for babies and children. They have put out lists of what baby foods to avoid buying. To visit the list follow the link below. (carrots and sweet potatoes in every major brand of baby food are on the DO NOT BUY list)
http://envirolaw.org/documents/2013BabyFoodGuide.pdf
Another thing I learned is that the fruits, vegetables, and grains we know we should be eating can contain lead, even if grown organically. The foods absorb the lead from contaminated soil and because the lead is absorbed, it remains in the food no matter how well you wash it. The experts studying the contaminated rice believe that the rice is becoming contaminated in the growing process as opposed to the manufacturing/packaging process.
"While lead exposure can negatively affect cognitive development and performance in kids, adults with high lead exposure can also experience problems with blood pressure, heart disease and calcium deficiency. Tongesayi’s team believes the rice became contaminated during growing and harvesting. “Processing can potentially add some contaminants, but from what we studied, it seems that the contamination is coming from contaminated soils and contaminated irrigation waters,” he says."(taken from healthland.time.com)
These findings only apply to imported rice. Rice grown in the U.S. has not been implicated.
So, how do we protect ourselves from this? I think the best answer is the answer I always have. Buy local food from local farmers that you know you can trust. When purchasing at a farmers market, ask the farmer if he/she tests their soil for heavy metals, including lead. If their soil is clean, their food is clean. If we support the people who care about the quality of their product, then those are the people who will succeed and the world will be a better place for it.
For more information on lead content in food and how the FDA regulates lead in food:
http://healthland.time.com/2013/04/11/high-levels-of-lead-found-in-imported-rice/#ixzz2QBFf7GjG
http://envirolaw.org/
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/Product-SpecificInformation/FruitsVegetablesJuices/ucm233520.htm
The first thing I learned is that there is such a thing as the ELF (Environmental Law Foundation). The ELF's purpose is to protect communities by openly sharing information on environmental toxins and by taking legal action against companies and/or the government when communities are being threatened by toxins. The ELF is currently working on a law suit that has to do with lead being found in foods marketed as made specifically for babies and children. They have put out lists of what baby foods to avoid buying. To visit the list follow the link below. (carrots and sweet potatoes in every major brand of baby food are on the DO NOT BUY list)
http://envirolaw.org/documents/2013BabyFoodGuide.pdf
Another thing I learned is that the fruits, vegetables, and grains we know we should be eating can contain lead, even if grown organically. The foods absorb the lead from contaminated soil and because the lead is absorbed, it remains in the food no matter how well you wash it. The experts studying the contaminated rice believe that the rice is becoming contaminated in the growing process as opposed to the manufacturing/packaging process.
"While lead exposure can negatively affect cognitive development and performance in kids, adults with high lead exposure can also experience problems with blood pressure, heart disease and calcium deficiency. Tongesayi’s team believes the rice became contaminated during growing and harvesting. “Processing can potentially add some contaminants, but from what we studied, it seems that the contamination is coming from contaminated soils and contaminated irrigation waters,” he says."(taken from healthland.time.com)
These findings only apply to imported rice. Rice grown in the U.S. has not been implicated.
So, how do we protect ourselves from this? I think the best answer is the answer I always have. Buy local food from local farmers that you know you can trust. When purchasing at a farmers market, ask the farmer if he/she tests their soil for heavy metals, including lead. If their soil is clean, their food is clean. If we support the people who care about the quality of their product, then those are the people who will succeed and the world will be a better place for it.
For more information on lead content in food and how the FDA regulates lead in food:
http://healthland.time.com/2013/04/11/high-levels-of-lead-found-in-imported-rice/#ixzz2QBFf7GjG
http://envirolaw.org/
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/Product-SpecificInformation/FruitsVegetablesJuices/ucm233520.htm
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Sprouts: The Why and How of Growing Nutrient Rich Food in a Jar
Filling-yet light, crisp, and flavorful- sprouts are among
the best foods you can add to your diet.
Sprouts are basically newly germinating seeds. Seeds are rich with nutrients needed to grow
a thriving plant. While those nutrients
are very good and helpful to the plant intended to come from those seeds, the
nutrients present are also quite good and helpful for us to ingest. Eating a plant that has just sprouted will
yield significantly more nutrients than a eating a fully grown plant as the
growing plant has not yet used up the nutrients from the seed.
Among the most widely available sprouts are alfalfa sprouts
and bean sprouts. These can be found in
just about any grocery store. However,
these are not the only sprouts we should be consuming. Broccoli, lentil, peanut, kidney bean,
chickpea, wheat, barley, and rye seeds, among others can all be sprouted. Eating these foods in their sprouted form
(also called microgreens) will provide you with higher concentrations of the
nutrients these foods normally provide.
Sprouts, especially organic sprouts, can be on the pricey
side at grocery stores and markets. But,
have no fear-it is fairly simple and economical to grow your own sprouts at
home and the only equipment you need is organic seeds (seeds should be labeled “for
sprouting” so they are properly clean), water, cheesecloth, and a clean glass
jar with a lid.
How to Grow
Sprouts in a Jar
Growing sprouts
in a jar is easy. Here's how to do it:
- Place one to two tablespoons of seeds
in your jar, and cover with approximately two inches of warm water. Let
this sit overnight.
- Drain the water, using a fine sieve
or cheesecloth.
- Rinse the seeds by adding water the
jar, swishing the seeds around, and draining.
- Repeat twice a day, every day until
your sprouts are the desired size. This will take anywhere from three to
seven days, depending on the variety of sprout you're growing. Sprouts are
best when they're still fairly small and just starting to turn green.
- Store your sprouts in a covered bowl
or food storage bag with a paper towel inside to absorb excess moisture.
Use the sprouts within a week.
These directions
were directly taken from: http://organicgardening.about.com/od/vegetablesherbs/a/growingsprouts.htm
I am planning to
focus on some food DIY projects for a week or so. I intend to provide easy advice on how to
save money by doing some easy projects at home that take very little active
time. Please comment if you have
questions or would like to me research a particular food topic. I am learning from this blog as well and am
interested in everything food, everything “green”, and everything that will
help others and myself live the most nutritious life possible.
The 12 Most Important Foods to Buy Organic
We are all out to do what is best for ourselves and for our families. Unfortunately, most of the people in the world are considered to range from middle class all the way down to completely destitute. This means that most of us cannot afford to take the health of the planet into consideration when it comes to buying food while still being able to provide other necessities like clothing, shelter, and education.
Buying organic is expensive. It is harder for organic farmers to get a high crop yield. These farmers have no choice but to up prices if they want to stay in business. But, that doesn't mean that all of us can afford a completely organic diet. Below you will find a list of the 12 most important foods to buy organic. Even if every individual or family can only switch to one organic product, doing so will have a very positive effect on the health of the consumers and the health of the planet over time.
1. Apples. Believe it or not, apples retain the most amount of pesticide after picked. They retain so much that apple products, like applesauce and apple juice, also contain traces of pesitcides. This makes switching to organic apples the most important choice for your personal health.
2. Celery.
3. Strawberries.
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines
7. Grapes (and grape related products such as raisins)
8. Bell Peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries
11. Lettuce
12. Kale.
All of the above foods have a least 30 pesticides on them and many of them have 60. No matter how much you wash your food, there will still be traces of pesticides in them because the chemicals get absorbed by the foods. But, if you cannot buy organic make sure you wash all produce thoroughly because it will reduce the amount of pesticides on the food.
Also, as we approach farmer's market season, remember that just because the food is being sold at the farmer's market does not mean it is organic. If the food is not advertised as organic, ask the farmer if chemicals are used in their growing process.
Being "Green" has become a rather trendy lifestyle. The lifestyle isn't for everyone and changing shopping habits overnight is unrealistic. Try making one or two small changes toward a healthier life at a time and it will be financially and emotionally easier to stick with it.
Buying organic is expensive. It is harder for organic farmers to get a high crop yield. These farmers have no choice but to up prices if they want to stay in business. But, that doesn't mean that all of us can afford a completely organic diet. Below you will find a list of the 12 most important foods to buy organic. Even if every individual or family can only switch to one organic product, doing so will have a very positive effect on the health of the consumers and the health of the planet over time.
1. Apples. Believe it or not, apples retain the most amount of pesticide after picked. They retain so much that apple products, like applesauce and apple juice, also contain traces of pesitcides. This makes switching to organic apples the most important choice for your personal health.
2. Celery.
3. Strawberries.
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines
7. Grapes (and grape related products such as raisins)
8. Bell Peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries
11. Lettuce
12. Kale.
All of the above foods have a least 30 pesticides on them and many of them have 60. No matter how much you wash your food, there will still be traces of pesticides in them because the chemicals get absorbed by the foods. But, if you cannot buy organic make sure you wash all produce thoroughly because it will reduce the amount of pesticides on the food.
Also, as we approach farmer's market season, remember that just because the food is being sold at the farmer's market does not mean it is organic. If the food is not advertised as organic, ask the farmer if chemicals are used in their growing process.
Being "Green" has become a rather trendy lifestyle. The lifestyle isn't for everyone and changing shopping habits overnight is unrealistic. Try making one or two small changes toward a healthier life at a time and it will be financially and emotionally easier to stick with it.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Allergy Season and Using Food Choices to Promote Respiratory Health
I have been waiting for Spring to arrive. After a long winter I need some warm sunny days. But, not everyone is able to look forward to Spring. Many people will suffer greatly from seasonal allergies. There is no cure for seasonal allergies, but eating a healthy diet and avoiding certain foods can help ease some of the symptoms and help you breathe a bit easier as we enter into pollen season.
As usual the best thing you can do to feel healthier is to eliminate or at least cut back on deep fried foods, refined foods, fatty meats and cheeses, and milk. All of these foods are associated with inflammation which can make breathing difficult. Some foods, even though they are healthy in general, will increase mucous production causing that annoying runny nose and maybe even a sinus infection. Foods that increase mucous production in the body include cabbage, potatoes, bananas, corn, and all dairy products. If you are suffering from a respiratory disease or infection, or seasonal allergies, it is probably best to leave these foods out of your diet for awhile.
The best offense for fighting off a respiratory problem is to eat a diet extremely high in antioxidants. Antioxidants are found in a variety of organic fruits and vegetables, particularly in berries, citrus, dark leafy greens, tomatoes, and broccoli. There are also some foods known to reduce mucous production including salmon, nuts, seeds, garlic, parsley, horseradish, and lemon. Eating a generally healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats will boost your immunity and help protect your overall health including your respiratory health.
So, don't be afraid to get out and enjoy the weather we've all been waiting for and take comfort in knowing that when it comes to your body functioning properly (or at least a little bit better) you are in control!
As usual the best thing you can do to feel healthier is to eliminate or at least cut back on deep fried foods, refined foods, fatty meats and cheeses, and milk. All of these foods are associated with inflammation which can make breathing difficult. Some foods, even though they are healthy in general, will increase mucous production causing that annoying runny nose and maybe even a sinus infection. Foods that increase mucous production in the body include cabbage, potatoes, bananas, corn, and all dairy products. If you are suffering from a respiratory disease or infection, or seasonal allergies, it is probably best to leave these foods out of your diet for awhile.
The best offense for fighting off a respiratory problem is to eat a diet extremely high in antioxidants. Antioxidants are found in a variety of organic fruits and vegetables, particularly in berries, citrus, dark leafy greens, tomatoes, and broccoli. There are also some foods known to reduce mucous production including salmon, nuts, seeds, garlic, parsley, horseradish, and lemon. Eating a generally healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats will boost your immunity and help protect your overall health including your respiratory health.
So, don't be afraid to get out and enjoy the weather we've all been waiting for and take comfort in knowing that when it comes to your body functioning properly (or at least a little bit better) you are in control!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Deciphering "Buzz Words" About Food-The difference between organic and all natural and more
There are a lot of buzz words out there about food and agricultural practices lately. We've got "organic", "sustainable", "certified naturally grown", "all natural", "certified organic", "local", "free range", and "cage free". We assume that these words are clear in what they are describing but with major corporations and small farms alike working hard at marketing to the environmental health craze, there is quite a lot to decipher. And how can any of us be expected to make good choices if we are never actually told what is going on?
Food labeled all natural is not necessarily all natural. For a food to be labeled as such it simply cannot have the following ingredients: added color, artificial flavors, or synthetic substances. All natural foods can be grown using harmful fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides. No matter how much the food is washed before becoming an "all natural" cracker, traces of those chemicals remain in the food.
Some foods are labeled organic. Some are labeled certified organic. And, some are labeled certified naturally grown. Organic produce is produce grown without the aid of man-made chemicals of any kind. For a food product (like crackers) to be labeled organic, they must contain a minimum of 95% organic ingredients. For a product to be certified organic it must be grown on a farm that acquired certification from the USDA. This label is very expensive for a farm to get. Therefore, anything certified organic likely came from a very large scale farm. Certified naturally grown is a term coined by small farms to indicate that their foods meet or go beyond the standards of the certified organic label. This term was coined because small farms cannot afford the certified organic label from the USDA. Sidethought: Why is the USDA making it harder or more expensive to grow foods that are better for us and for the environment??? Anyway, try to support the underdog and buy food from a local farmer that loves the land.
It used to be that people just bought eggs. Now you not only have to choose between the brown eggs and the white eggs, but also between vegetarian, organic, free range, and cage free eggs. Vegetarian eggs are simply eggs laid by chickens who are fed a vegetarian diet. This became a trend because of the cannibalism that sometimes goes on in large scale farms that produce eggs really fast and keep their chickens locked up very small cages. Cage free eggs are laid by chickens who are not locked up in tiny pens but the chickens are still inside for their entire lives. Free range chickens must have access to the out of doors. This, however, does not mean that the chickens actually get to go outdoors. Organic eggs come from chickens that are fed an organic vegetarian diet. To get free range, organic, vegetarian eggs from a grocery store you are going to have to shell out 5 bucks. So, again, if you have access, your best bet for buying eggs is from a local farmer who has chickens running around his/her backyard.
One of the best things you can do for the environment is to start eating local. Most people do not have access to enough land to grow all of their food at home. Those who cannot garden may want to consider finding out about local CSA's. CSA stands for community supported agriculture. Local organic farmers will often let customers pick up produce straight from the farm for either a bi-weekly or monthly fee. By participating in a CSA you reduce the amount of energy it takes to get food from the farm to your table. Most major grocery stores buy their organic produce from other countries and have it shipped. This adds up to a major "carbon footprint" over time.
The best thing any of us can do in terms of acquiring food is to get as basic as possible. Choose to purchase from a small scale organic farm when possible. Even better, try to buy from someone you know. We need to support the people who are trying to make an honest living while producing honest food that nurtures all God gave us.
Food labeled all natural is not necessarily all natural. For a food to be labeled as such it simply cannot have the following ingredients: added color, artificial flavors, or synthetic substances. All natural foods can be grown using harmful fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides. No matter how much the food is washed before becoming an "all natural" cracker, traces of those chemicals remain in the food.
Some foods are labeled organic. Some are labeled certified organic. And, some are labeled certified naturally grown. Organic produce is produce grown without the aid of man-made chemicals of any kind. For a food product (like crackers) to be labeled organic, they must contain a minimum of 95% organic ingredients. For a product to be certified organic it must be grown on a farm that acquired certification from the USDA. This label is very expensive for a farm to get. Therefore, anything certified organic likely came from a very large scale farm. Certified naturally grown is a term coined by small farms to indicate that their foods meet or go beyond the standards of the certified organic label. This term was coined because small farms cannot afford the certified organic label from the USDA. Sidethought: Why is the USDA making it harder or more expensive to grow foods that are better for us and for the environment??? Anyway, try to support the underdog and buy food from a local farmer that loves the land.
It used to be that people just bought eggs. Now you not only have to choose between the brown eggs and the white eggs, but also between vegetarian, organic, free range, and cage free eggs. Vegetarian eggs are simply eggs laid by chickens who are fed a vegetarian diet. This became a trend because of the cannibalism that sometimes goes on in large scale farms that produce eggs really fast and keep their chickens locked up very small cages. Cage free eggs are laid by chickens who are not locked up in tiny pens but the chickens are still inside for their entire lives. Free range chickens must have access to the out of doors. This, however, does not mean that the chickens actually get to go outdoors. Organic eggs come from chickens that are fed an organic vegetarian diet. To get free range, organic, vegetarian eggs from a grocery store you are going to have to shell out 5 bucks. So, again, if you have access, your best bet for buying eggs is from a local farmer who has chickens running around his/her backyard.
One of the best things you can do for the environment is to start eating local. Most people do not have access to enough land to grow all of their food at home. Those who cannot garden may want to consider finding out about local CSA's. CSA stands for community supported agriculture. Local organic farmers will often let customers pick up produce straight from the farm for either a bi-weekly or monthly fee. By participating in a CSA you reduce the amount of energy it takes to get food from the farm to your table. Most major grocery stores buy their organic produce from other countries and have it shipped. This adds up to a major "carbon footprint" over time.
The best thing any of us can do in terms of acquiring food is to get as basic as possible. Choose to purchase from a small scale organic farm when possible. Even better, try to buy from someone you know. We need to support the people who are trying to make an honest living while producing honest food that nurtures all God gave us.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Spring Must Be Near: Foods for Fertility
As a woman who loves spending time with children, one of the most difficult modern topics is infertility. It truly saddens me to hear about couples who are kind and loving and really want children but cannot for some reason or another. Common knowledge says there isn't much anyone can do about infertility, but diet studies say otherwise. It is quite possible for couples to increase their chances of getting pregnant and staying pregnant based solely on changing their diets.
There are a few things one should definately not eat if trying to get pregnant. These are all things that have an ill effect on hormone production and balance. The worst of these foods is any kind of unfermented soy. Soy can raise estrogen to a dangerous level. It can also mimic progesterone, the hormone a woman produces when she releases a mature egg and when she is pregnant. Basically, soy can trick your body into thinking it is already pregnant. Eating a lot of foods grown with chemicals, foods and drinks with caffeine and refined sugar can also effect your hormone production and balances. Making sure the produce you eat is organic is a very helpful step toward increasing your fertility.
There are specific nutrients you should eat to help with fertility. These include vitamins D, C, E, B6 and B-12, folic acid, iron, selenium, zinc, CoQ10, and omega-3s. All of these nutrients help for specific reasons. Overall, they basically protect the health of eggs and sperm, provide good hormone balance, and increase the health of the entire reproductive system. They can also decrease the risk of birth defects in a growing fetus.
If you are already eating a healthy diet, these nutrients won't be hard to come by. Among the most important foods to eat while trying to get pregnant are eggs (organic farm fresh), nuts and seeds, dark leafy greens, fruits, cold water fish (salmon, tuna, halibut), lentils and beans (lentils have the highest amount of folic acid of any vegetation) and a variety of veggies in all the available colors. Remember, the produce needs to be organic to be useful.
If you or somone you know is having fertility issues, don't give up hope. While a certain diet can't fix everything for everyone, it certainly never hurt anyone to try. There is nothing to lose by eating a healthy balanced diet.
There are a few things one should definately not eat if trying to get pregnant. These are all things that have an ill effect on hormone production and balance. The worst of these foods is any kind of unfermented soy. Soy can raise estrogen to a dangerous level. It can also mimic progesterone, the hormone a woman produces when she releases a mature egg and when she is pregnant. Basically, soy can trick your body into thinking it is already pregnant. Eating a lot of foods grown with chemicals, foods and drinks with caffeine and refined sugar can also effect your hormone production and balances. Making sure the produce you eat is organic is a very helpful step toward increasing your fertility.
There are specific nutrients you should eat to help with fertility. These include vitamins D, C, E, B6 and B-12, folic acid, iron, selenium, zinc, CoQ10, and omega-3s. All of these nutrients help for specific reasons. Overall, they basically protect the health of eggs and sperm, provide good hormone balance, and increase the health of the entire reproductive system. They can also decrease the risk of birth defects in a growing fetus.
If you are already eating a healthy diet, these nutrients won't be hard to come by. Among the most important foods to eat while trying to get pregnant are eggs (organic farm fresh), nuts and seeds, dark leafy greens, fruits, cold water fish (salmon, tuna, halibut), lentils and beans (lentils have the highest amount of folic acid of any vegetation) and a variety of veggies in all the available colors. Remember, the produce needs to be organic to be useful.
If you or somone you know is having fertility issues, don't give up hope. While a certain diet can't fix everything for everyone, it certainly never hurt anyone to try. There is nothing to lose by eating a healthy balanced diet.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Mood Boosting Food: How to Eat Your Way to Happiness
There are many conflicting ideas on how to handle the drawbacks of modern society- especially on how to handle the increasing number of people with mental and emotional disorders like stress, depression, and anxiety. In our corner of the world, the things we NEED to survive (food, water, shelter,) are in abundant supply. Somehow, we are still plagued with worry. There are lots of options. You can see a mental health professional. You can take a prescription drug. You can whine about it to your friends. Or, you can try eating your way to happiness. After all, working on tailoring your diet to your personal overall needs is the option with which you have nothing to lose. As long as you continue to eat a broad spectrum of foods to meet basic nutritional needs, adding or subtracting some foods based on a current medical or emotional issue can only help. (Eating the right foods will not always eliminate the need to see a mental health professional, but may help suggested treatments work better for people with more severe versions of these emotional disorders.)
People battling any level of depression can benefit greatly from consuming foods rich in omega-3's. Omega-3's are something your body does not make on its own so the only way to get them is to ingest them. There are some delicious foods out there that are naturally rich in these nutrients including walnuts and cold water fishes: salmon, tuna, and halibut. Complex carbohydrates also help to regulate blood sugar which in turn helps to regulate mood. Simple carbs like white bread, pasta, and anything else made with refined flour will lead to mood swings. If you want to find contentment you will have to look in whole grains and potatoes.
Whole grains are also useful to people who are dealing with stress. Whole grains help the brain release seratonin, the "feel good" chemical. When feeling stressed it is also important to up your intake of vitamin C. Vitamin C has been shown to help people reduce their stress. On top of that, stress causes your body to release more free radicals and vitamin C helps to keep free radicals in check and repair the body. You can simply take a vitamin C supplement or just eat blueberries and citrus fruits.
All of the foods useful to treating depression are also useful to treating anxiety. But those with anxiety will also want to make sure they are getting Tryptophan. Nuts, oats, bananas, and sesame seeds are full of tryptophan which releases chemicals in the brain that help us to relax.
So, if you are like me and you get the "winter blues" on cold, cloudy days or if you simply have more going on in your life than you believe you can deal with you might find comfort and relief in having a piece of broiled salmon served next to a cous cous salad with a bowl of fress blueberries for dessert. It will certainly do more for you than a candy bar!
People battling any level of depression can benefit greatly from consuming foods rich in omega-3's. Omega-3's are something your body does not make on its own so the only way to get them is to ingest them. There are some delicious foods out there that are naturally rich in these nutrients including walnuts and cold water fishes: salmon, tuna, and halibut. Complex carbohydrates also help to regulate blood sugar which in turn helps to regulate mood. Simple carbs like white bread, pasta, and anything else made with refined flour will lead to mood swings. If you want to find contentment you will have to look in whole grains and potatoes.
Whole grains are also useful to people who are dealing with stress. Whole grains help the brain release seratonin, the "feel good" chemical. When feeling stressed it is also important to up your intake of vitamin C. Vitamin C has been shown to help people reduce their stress. On top of that, stress causes your body to release more free radicals and vitamin C helps to keep free radicals in check and repair the body. You can simply take a vitamin C supplement or just eat blueberries and citrus fruits.
All of the foods useful to treating depression are also useful to treating anxiety. But those with anxiety will also want to make sure they are getting Tryptophan. Nuts, oats, bananas, and sesame seeds are full of tryptophan which releases chemicals in the brain that help us to relax.
So, if you are like me and you get the "winter blues" on cold, cloudy days or if you simply have more going on in your life than you believe you can deal with you might find comfort and relief in having a piece of broiled salmon served next to a cous cous salad with a bowl of fress blueberries for dessert. It will certainly do more for you than a candy bar!
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