Category: Food

Plant-Based Lifestyle

2/23/2014

According to Melissa Costello of Karma Chow (http://karmachow.com/), plant based eating is coming more into the mainstream, and often another term for vegan-ism, but it doesn’t mean your vegan. It’s just that you are eating more foods that are less processed, so you are eating things that grow in the ground or on a tree — things that are more natural. It’s about eating fewer animal products and more natural foods like vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts, seeds and fruits.

This describes my choice of food lifestyle best. I won't say I'm always 100% plant based, but I strive to get as close to 100% as often as I can! Still, I'm feeling better than I've ever felt in my life. And I have learned about so many new and different foods and recipes. It's always a great adventure for me.

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EU vs USA on Food Safety and Health

1/20/2014

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My parents just got home from Hungary a couple of weeks ago. Yay! I've spent the last two weekends with them and one topic which came up several times was how much BETTER food tastes in Hungary. The meat. The vegetables. The fruit. I have to agree. When you go to the local supermarket in Szombathely, there are vendors outside the store selling local fruits and vegetables. We always end up buying from them before buying in the store (although the produce in the stores I would take over US produce in big chains).

My parents' comments got me thinking about the food practices we use here in the United States and so, I started searching the Internet. I came across a wonderful chart in one of my favorite magazines (http://www.yesmagazine.org) which shows how the United States stacks up against the European Union on food safety issues like GMOs, hormones, questionable chemicals, and other food additives.

A great chart indeed...Check out the magazine. Subscribe if you like it and want them to survive. If you would rather just read the articles online, you can donate to them (which I did). If we don't support the media which represents us, we have a great chance of losing them and all we're left with is NY Times, CNN, People, US Weekly, etc. etc. I think you get my point.
https://store.yesmagazine.org/donate/?ica=Don_txt_Donate_multi&icl=TopNav_100

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Do you think of your food as medicine and integral to every cell in your body?

8/18/2013

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If your answer is yes, then you have a good concept of eating to keep you healthy. The thought that food is medicine originated from a quote from Hippocrates - "Let Food be thy Medicine, and Medicine be Thy Food" - in 431 BC. Those words are what led me to take nutrition classes last year and to go on a totally plant-based diet.

Food is not only our medicine, but our very source of wellness, or un-wellness. When I "listen to my body," what I hear is based on what foods I've put into my system. If I eat dairy, I feel bloated, nauseous and congested. When I drink a smoothie with lots of fiber in the morning, I never feel constipated or bloated.

With the increase in GMO (genetically modified organisms), it is all the more important to be aware of what is in your food so that you can remain feeling well and prevent illness.

An article in the Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/08/frozen-yogurt-ingredients_n_3721930.html?ir=Women&utm_campaign=080813&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Alert-women&utm_content=Photo) talks about the ingredients in the ever-so popular frozen yogurt in places popping up all over the country making it SEEM they are serving you a healthy treat. But watch out! Frozen yogurt contains not only sweeteners (sugar, corn syrup, fructose, and/or dextrose) and dairy proteins (casein and whey to which many people are sensitive), but they also contain gums (guar gum and cellulose gum), propylene glycol and carrageenan (known to cause digestive issues and numerous other health issues). Heck! I can't even pronounce a lot of the ingredients in there. I'm not saying to keep away from eating fro-yo but, as Laura Schocker (the author of the article) ends the article,
"consider it an occasional, portion-controlled dessert, more akin to an ice cream cone than a daily treat."

So, say you want to skip the chemicals in fro-yo, what can you do when you want a nice summer treat?

Make yourself a bowl of fresh or frozen organic fruit with some almond butter. Sometimes, since I have the Vitamix, I will make some cashew cream and add a touch of agave or maple syrup and pour it atop some berries. It will satisfy your craving for sugar, you enjoy something delicious but most importantly, the benefit to your body will be much better.

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Feel good about the food you eat

6/18/2013

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When you're feeling celebratory and good about yourself, what foods do you gravitate toward? For me, it's salad with lots of crunchy nuts, sweet cranberries, avocado (oh my I can't get enough of it) with a ginger type dressing. But when I'm having a difficult time in life, the first food I reach for (if it's in my freezer) is ice cream or I want cookies. The foods which me make me more physically ill and I know it!

How we relate to food can get very complicated especially when we look to it to help us feel better about ourselves. We search for happiness, contentment but not nourishment.

Many people tend to look to feeling good through food so they gravitate toward the comfort foods (which sometimes is not so good for you). Nourishment is not in the vocabulary at these times. But there are ways to keep from eating too much or starving yourself. Discover how you can nurture yourself to create a happier, healthier relationship to food - and your body.

EAT MINDFULLY - Think about where your food came from and how it was prepared. Enjoy the colors or the aroma. Pay attention to the food you eat.
EAT LOW-DENSITY FOODS - Here's a trick to figure out what packaged foods you buy are low energy density foods. Check the label (you should be doing that anyway). If a food has a low energy density, the number of calories will be lower than its weight in grams. For example, a 1/2 cup of Trader Joes Organic Kidney Beans is 130 grams and is 110 calories so it's considered to be a low-density food.
EAT COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES - http://www.glycemicindex.com to help you choose foods low on the glycemic index (55 or less).
STAY ACTIVE - Move your body! Find something you enjoy and incorporate it into your life. If you really enjoy it don't look at as a chore (that's how I felt when I joined a gym - quit after several months because I was bored there), you’ll do it more often.
BE SURE YOU GET ENOUGH SLEEP - About an hour before going to bed, turn off the TV and computer, keep your bedroom as dark as possible, if you're a light sleeper (like I am), block out noise with earplugs and do some deep breathing to help calm your nerves so you can sleep better.
IF YOU OVEREAT, BE GENTLE WITH YOURSELF - Take a walk or go to the movie. Even call a friend. Just be sure you care for yourself in all ways.

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It's not just about how many nutrients there are in your food

11/12/2012

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According to Alternative Medicine's November/December issue, "Every stalk (of celery) has traces of chlorantraniliprole, which kills caterpillars, moths, and beetles by over-stimulating their muscles to contract.

Chilean grapes have 34 different pesticides.

Blueberries are sprayed with 52 pesticides...

Sweet peppers have tested positive for 50 pesticide residues...

Strawberries, which act like sponges to absorb six carcinogens and 13 hormone distruptors, are especially problematic because they are so difficult to clean.

Pears have been found to have residue from over two dozen pesticides...

Apples are some of the most pesticide laden of non-organically grown produce, with samples from around the United States containing over 40 different pesticide residues."

These are the biggest offenders in terms of pesticides according to EWG (Environmental Working Group) and although they say the benefit of eating fresh fruits and vegetables outweighs the known risks of consuming pesticide residue, for people who can't afford organic or have no access to them, apples, pears and peaches may be better off being peeled to remove most of the residue.

Remove the outer layers of spinach if it's not organic before washing with warm water mixed with salt, and either lemon juice or vinegar. Berries, including strawberries, should be rinsed thoroughly and drained in a colander.

So, even though the Annals of Internal Medicine found little difference in the nutritional value of organic and conventional foods back in September 2012, I agree with Alternative Medicine magazine and go on the premise that organic food may not always contain more nutrients than conventional food but it's what they DON'T contain that puts them at a premium!

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Pecans! It's what's good for you!

11/3/2011

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I have always loved pecan pie. But lately, I've been eating just plain pecans because I just love them! Well, here's an article from Natural Solutions Magazine telling us that we should eat these tasty snacks in place of a lot of more salty, unhealthy ones. Try it! I also munch on almonds all day...REALLY good for you!

From Natural Solutions

A new survey suggests that pecans are one of nature’s best kept secrets. Although medical research suggests that eating pecans in moderation may reduce the risk of heart disease, 54 percent of Americans are unaware that pecans are good for you. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Most Americans eat pecans in a baked good or dessert, according to the survey of 1,000 U.S adults conducted by Chicago-based Blue Chip Marketing. But health experts suggest you “think outside the pie” and snack on pecans as well. Pecans fit right into the latest USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans which recommend a variety of protein foods, including seafood, lean meat, eggs, beans, and nuts, such as pecans.

Substituting about one ounce of pecans into your daily diet is a healthy alternative for many traditional snack foods, according to Beth Hubrich, R.D., a registered dietitian with the National Pecan Shellers Association.

“Pecans are a power food that stay with you longer than high carbohydrate snacks that your body burns through quickly,” Hubrich said. “Their tender texture and rich, buttery flavor make pecans an ideal snack choice.”

There’s no better time to start eating healthy by substituting pecans for other snack foods. Here are a few suggestions from the National Pecan Shellers Association:

Instead of salty snacks, bring about 20 pecan halves to work to snack on throughout the day. Pecans are naturally sodium-free.

Sprinkle pecans on top of your yogurt, cereal or salad and you’ll get more zinc—an important nutrient for proper growth and strong immunity.

A study published in the January 2011 issue of The Journal of Nutrition suggests that Vitamin E (an antioxidant) in pecans may help contribute to heart disease prevention by increasing antioxidant-levels in the body and reducing LDL “bad” cholesterol.

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A Few Spices to Know

10/17/2011

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Just a few spices you should know about:

GARLIC: anti-bacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal, thins the blood.
ROSEMARY: This is a memory herb. For a quick snack (or light lunch) cut up a potato and put in a baking pan with olive oil and put rosemary on it. Bake at 425.
THYME: A decongestant/expectorant. A digestive aid which relaxes muscles in your colon.
OREGANO: Ant-fungal, Anti-parasitic, Anti-bacterial
BASIL: Cough suppressant. When i had a really bad cough in Florida, I was in the Asian grocery with my mom getting some food and the woman there told me to boil basil in water and drink it as a tea. It calmed my cough immediately.
CINNAMON: Regulates glucose, brings blood pressure down and good for digestion and urinary tract infections.
DILL: A great digestive aid and good for gas.
CLOVE: Have a toothache and can't see a doctor yet, try the essential oil of clove on the tooth. Instant relief!

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Turmeric & Ginger Yogi Tea

10/15/2011

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Always keep turmeric (curcumin) in your pantry. Here's the reason why.

Straight from the NIH (National Institute of Health) site:
"Although safe in most cases, ancient treatments are ignored because neither their active component nor their molecular targets are well defined. This is not the case, however, with curcumin, a yellow-pigment substance and component of turmeric (Curcuma longa), which was identified more than a century ago. For centuries it has been known that turmeric exhibits anti-inflammatory activity, but extensive research performed within the past two decades has shown that the this activity of turmeric is due to curcumin, a diferuloylmethane. This agent has been shown to regulate numerous transcription factors, cytokines, protein kinases, adhesion molecules, redox status and enzymes that have been linked to inflammation. The process of inflammation has been shown to play a major role in most chronic illnesses, including neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, autoimmune and neoplastic diseases. In the current review, we provide evidence for the potential role of curcumin in the prevention and treatment of various pro-inflammatory chronic diseases. These features, combined with the pharmacological safety and negligible cost, render curcumin an attractive agent to explore further."

I cook with turmeric every chance I get. But I also learned of a great tea in which you boil 2 cups of water (or any kind of milk including nut milks - they just have more calories), add a teaspoon each of turmeric and ginger powder. Let boil for 10 minutes and add sweetener to taste. I use a special pot for this since the turmeric stains everything but the taste is wonderful and it's MY pick me up in the morning instead of coffee. And...it can help stave off the pain in my joints.

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Plant-Based Lifestyle

EU vs USA on Food Safety and Health

Do you think of your food as medicine and integral to every cell in your body?

Feel good about the food you eat

It's not just about how many nutrients there are in your food

Pecans! It's what's good for you!

A Few Spices to Know

Turmeric & Ginger Yogi Tea

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