Hungry For Change

Watch this amazing documentary about how our modern world is suffering of nutritional starvation!
Hungry for Change is FREE for the next 9 days! Please, give it a try! It could change how you see food

Food Documentaries

Here are 2 Food Documentaries that are available for Instant Viewing on Netflix that are inspiring and eye-opening (and gut wrenching).

The Future of Food gives a clear picture of the effects of Genetically Modified food on farmers, economy, government, and food culture.
I feel like we're setting ourselves up for disaster...for famine and pestilence. If these GM crops are all we have and there's a bug or weed or effect of some sort that wipes that type of plant out...we're lost.

When I first heard about the effect of GM crops on other countries I was in my Anthropology class. My professor told us about a group of farmers in India that had committed mass suicide by drinking the pesticide and herbicide Monsanto had sold them to use on the Monsanto crops...the same crops that had made the farmers impoverished (a situation that they could not stand with honor and that led to their suicide).
They became impoverished because of the Terminator technology (the suicide genes in the plant) that cause the plant to be sterile so every year the farmers must buy new seed from the company.

Food, Inc. is a look at the food industry and the effects on the people.
"This isn't about what we're eating. Its about what we're allowed to say; what we're allowed to know."
This movie differs from Future of Food in that it spoke about animals/meat a little more and directed its attention away from Monsanto as much and more on the companies that benefit from Monsanto.
There's a scene in the movie where a man interviewed open up a live cow with a 4-5 inch hole to access the first stomach! The cow squirms and bucks a lil but doesn't feel the cut as its been numbed but still...It squicked me out so I thought I would put a warning. 
There's also a slaughterhouse scene...so if you have a weak stomach...you may not want to watch.
I will say that this movie was emotionally jarring...it made me want to cry several times.

Picking Pitting and Canning: Cherries!

What a day! Farmville has nothing on me! Haha!

Halloween, our furkid, went to the vet this morning for her fix (spade). We'll be picking her up tomorrow morning.

We headed out after a breakfast of toast all around, to Clyde's farm to pick cherries after a phone call last night saying, the birds are eating them, come as soon as you are able!
Clyde has 3 grown trees with tart little cherries. There are more than that number but these are small and many will be transplanted to my in-laws this fall. Sadly, these trees, which in the past have been so full its taken hours to pick, were only partly full of cherries and many of these were either half eaten by birds and bugs or weren't ripe. We got about 3 1/2 to 4 gallons. The trees here on the property aren't ready for picking yet.

We got the buckets of cherries back to the house where we pitted them by hand (they're too small for cherry pitters) and put them through a mesh to collect the juice (the remaining pits and fruit are composted and if any saplings grow we are considering selling them at the farmers market).

And then I got to can jelly for the first time ever! Now, I did watch jelly and vegetable canning last year but my participation ended at harvesting and pitting/stringing/cutting.
I watched and took the experience in as if I were taking a class. I write the recipe down and made notes on everything Kathy said about canning.
I am proud to say that my first batch ever (7 jars total) was a delicious success!

The recipe is pretty straight forward.
Recipe
3 1/2 cups cherry juice
1/2 tsp butter
1 box gelatin/fruit pectin
4 cups sugar

Mix juice, butter and gelatin in a large pot (we used stainless steel) and bring to a hard boil stirring all the while.
Add sugar and stir, bring to hard boil again and stir 1 minute.
After exactly 1 minute, bring off heat and ladle into jars (using a funnel).

Notes (I'll try and keep them comprehensive and coherent...but no promises)

Jars: make sure to have good jars, as weak ones are likely to crack, break or even shatter during canning. We used Bell brand. Kerr is also a good brand.
As for the lids, do not reuse the flat part of the lid as the rubber will not re-seal for a second use.

Equipment: always wash equipment in between batches. Dry jelly jars COMPLETELY before filling (water will ruin your jelly).

Making the jelly:
~ The 1/2 tsp of butter is to prevent foaming
~ Only ever make 1 batch at a time. Doubling up tends to create jelly that will not set.
~ If juice falls under the 3 1/2 c measurment, add up to 1/2 cup of water (Kathy also recommends 1/4 cup lemon juice).
~ Add 30 seconds to last hard boil to help jelly to solidify if its coming runny.
~ Never set jars of jelly just made on the counter (always put a towel down), cool surfaces will speed the cooling and cause jars to burst.
~ Do not waterbath jelly, even though some instructions say to do so.

Well thats that on the notes.
I was inspired to experiment and wrote my ideas down on jellies I would like to create in the future.
I plan on researching
~ Flower jellies (hydrosol + sugar + gelatin)
~ Jellies made with fruit AND herbs
~ Superfood/herb jellies
(Specific combos: st. johns wort and cherry, apples and apple blossoms, rose and lavender with honey, blueberry and thyme)
~ the use of stevia or coconut sap for a low glycemic jelly
~ the use of coconut butter instead of cow butter to prevent foaming for a vegan recipe

Simply want to sign off by saying I had soooo much fun today and plan to add pictures to this post later on when I find the camera cable...

Compromise

When making the transition towards organic and detoxing my life, I had a lot of questions not only about what was healthy, but what is cheap? Like many people, I have to balance my desire for a pure lifestyle with what is reasonable.


Some of the best ways I’ve found is to be willing to make compromises. However, these need to be safe compromises. These include taking things slow. Instead of quitting all conventional cleaners and foods cold turkey, I would take things a step at a time. For every commercial cleaner I used up, I would replace it with a natural one or make a bottle of baking soda, vinegar mix. For every eyeliner I bought that wasn’t organic, I’d make sure to buy natural, organic lipstick – haha.

I did learn a few tricks though:

When it comes to buying produce, buy organic staples in the kitchen. For example, I make sure to buy organic potatoes. We eat them all the time and potatoes tend to leech toxins in the soil so easily. On the other hand I don’t stress over buying onions organic as they’ve been shown to be less likely to pull in toxins.

Here’s a short list of fruits and veggies to buy organic as they are the most likely to be filled with toxins:

Apples

Pears

Celery

Cherries

Grapes

Kale

Peaches

Strawberries

Lettuce

Nectarines

Carrots

Spinach

Sweet Bell Peppers

A short list of non-organic produce you may not need to worry about as much:

Asparagus

Avocados

Broccoli

Cabbage

Eggplant

Onion

Sweet corn, peas and potatoes

Tomatoes

Mango

Watermelon

These lists are edited from the 2009 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides.



Also to add to the list of things I’ve done to go green in the last post:

Add a bottle of water to the back of my toilet tank to prevent an unnecessary waste of water

Buy a EPEAT Gold label laptop made with recycled materials

Obtain a used, rather than new mattress

Give kudos to clubs for recycling bins

5 Ways to Go Organic

I have a new article up on Suite 101 about simple ways to live an organic lifestyle. This article is for those who have been green for some time and for people who are new to organic products and are a little overwhelmed by the whole array of green appliances, organic food and natural products.
I hope that my article, 10 Ways to Go Organic, is helpful, informative and enjoyable. I'd love to hear your comments.

What a Crazy Saturday!!!

So, if you're my friend on Facebook, you would have seen my status saying I was going to Good Foods for their Sampler Saturday. I also wanted to stop in at the Farmers Market on Richmond Rd.
I woke up early, earlier than I had initially planned but feeling rested and ready to go. 
After some breakfast (a cup of tea, a spoonful of honey, and half a bagel if you wanted to know what I eat) and getting ready my husband and I headed out to meet our day.

The Richmond Road Farmers Market what a lot smaller than I expected it to be but had a good pick of tomatoes, pumpkins (I bought a small one for $1.50 and it is adorable), eggplant, and fall flowers. One booth was handing out samples and cups of chili, which smelled wonderful and full of herbs sold right next door.
Having walked the majority of the market in about 5 minutes, my hubby and I were heading out with our pumpkin, and we ran into Mr. Keith Green. Mr. Green was selling Honey Dew Honey in a variety of jar sizes for a relatively good price (I think the biggest jar was $13).
We talked to Mr. Green for a little bit, about what he feeds his bees, what he does with the wax, the Lexington Bee Keepers Association, and about the honey, which is 3 different colors depending on time of year harvested (ranging from a clear gold to a dark, beautiful red-gold-brown). We also discussed the healing properties of honey and he was enthusiastic about how honey, applied on a wound, works just as well as Neosporin.
He was also kind enough to give us a small jar of honey to try, knowing my husband used to raise bees and considers himself a little but of a honey expert. We shared this jar with my family and think its quite yummy and I was amazed at how easy it pours, its so liquid-like rather than the super thick, sugary stuff at the supermarket.

We went to the Good Foods Sampler Saturday but I think we showed up too early. There were 3 small tables with samples of Fair Trade chocolate and coffee, dips, and a butternut squash soup. I tried the soup and the chocolate, both were very yummy. I do wish there would have been more booths though.

Stopping at the local Taco Bell (I know, I know, soooo not healthy) our day was thrown for a big loop. Our Scion xB (yep, we got with THAT haha) picked up a huge bolt in the tire! Chad was furious! We pulled into a parking lot nearby and checked out the damage. After I let Chad vent his frustration, I reminded him that we had recieved a coupon for 1 Free tire repair at Good Year.
Long story short, the tire is fixed and all is well. This was Grace at work for sure!

We tried to relax for the rest of the day, enjoying our time off work.
I've been watching videos like this one by Shazzie, a widely known raw foodist and author who has also written a book with David Wolfe. Check it out:

Tomato Talk Blog Contest

Earth Fare is hosting a blog contest that asks What do you take for lunch? The comment with the most votes wins an Earth Fare gift card of varying amounts.
I've commented and would love your vote, thanks!

I also want to ask, what do you eat for lunch? Do you take a lunch to work or school? What do you pack for your kids?

Amish Store Finds

Wednesday I went to the local Amish Store with my soon-to-be-mother-in-law.
Having never been before, I was in a sort of awe at everthing inside (in individual and bulk packaging). My favorite finds were Bee Pollen, a superfood I've been reading a lot about lately that is normally sold for $25 to 45 a pack and is only a little over $3 here. There was also a loaf of honey oat whole grain bread that was simply delicious smelling (I could have stodd there and breathed in that scent all day).
Lastly, I bought some yummy crystallized ginger to nibble on and use in some tea.

Why am I telling youabout my finds?
Rather than buy the $45 product at some super foods health store, check out locally owned places where the same product might be cheaper AND you can educate yourself on where the product came from easier. in some cases.

My MILK Problem

I want to start out by saying I don't like Milk, never have so I in my research I am trying not to bias my facts by leaning towards studies showing that milk is unhealthy.

In Ayurveda, according to Dr. Robert E. Svaboda, Milk is the perfect food. Milk is the only food given willingly and with love (as it is a mother giving milk to a child, normally). In some Ayurvedic medicine, milk is the only substance given to someone suffering Vata-type illness. (Milk is not for those with a lot of Kapha in their system). Svaboda also recommends that Milk never be drunk cold (cold drinks and food slow the digestive process) and is best for those with strong digestive fire (Pitta).

However,
Gisella Hoffman, and many other people who study nutrition and health, do not recommend milk, indeed they believe that it is unhealthy for adult humans to drink milk at all!
Cow's milk is made for an animal with 4 stomachs (not 1 like humans).
In Nature, milk is not meant for adult use at all, only for babes who cannot find nourishment for themselves.

As for the nutritional value of processed milk?
Hormones given to cows are proven to not be that great for human consumption.
Many people advocate the use of organic, non-pasteurized milk (milk straight from the cow in other words). However, this form of the milk can cause other illnesses such as parasites in the body (i.e. tapeworms).

Milk in general is praised for its Calcium and Vitamin D, but what about other sources?

Calcium Sources:
Sesame seeds, seaweed, dulse, kelp, green/leafy vegetables, almond (I do like Almond Milk), filbert, brazilnut, citrus peel, and sunflower seeds.

Vitamin D:
SUNLIGHT!

What have you found in health and education lectures, magazines, documentaries, etc about Milk?
What is your opinion about milk, how its processed, its nutritional value?
Do you like milk?

Food

Definitions according to Dr. Robert E Svaboda

Food: that which nourishes the body, mind and spirit
Medicine: improves digestion to enchance nourishment
Poison: that which impedes digestion and disturbs nourishment.

Any substance can act as Food, Medicine or Poison.

Are you eating food or poison?
Does that cheese burger and fries nourish the body mind or spirit? Do you feel good after eating it or do you feel heavy with indigestion, fatigue, poisoned?

Health in the Fast Food Industry

Many of us, no matter how health concious and natural living we are, have to get by with jobs that don't necessarily reflect our lifestyles, like working in the fast food industry.

Below is a list of ways to help stay healthy not only in fast food jobs but in any job.

Nikki Goldstein in her book Essential Energy gives a recipe for the
Stressed Out Employee Blend:
2 drops rosemary
1 drop roman chamomile
1 drop geranium
2 drops lemon
1 drop sandalwood
Mix the above drops of essential oils in 1/2 fl oz of sweet almond or evening primrose carrier oil.
This blend can be applied on the body as a massage, used in a bath, or diffused in an office.
For fast food employees, perhaps keep a hanky dabbed with this oil in your pocket or locker, pull out and inhale when needed/able.

Eating in the fast food industry...
Many workers in the fast food industry find themselves eating where they work for many reasons:
Time
Availability
Sometimes its even free.

So how to stay healthy when eating junk?
If you are eating at work, try eating the healthy options. Wendies has mandarin oranges instead of fries, most places have salads, and if neither are available, try the common chicken sandwhich.
Opt out when it comes to sauces. Ketchup, mayonaise, even mustard add unnecessary fats and processed ingredients to your meal.
Opt in for veggies. Load your sandwhich with lettuce, tomato and onion.
Do Not drink the sodas! Opt for water, milk, or juice.

When eating:
Pray over your food. In I Chose Happiness, I discuss the health of prayer in many posts nad would like to reiterate here. Prayer has been scientifially proven to have relaxing and healing effects. Even if its just a simple thanks for the food or an acknowledgement of what you are about to recieve, its worth the few moments.
Eat slowly, allow your stomach time to accept and digest what you're putting in it.
Think about the food, the animal it came from, the fields the veggies were grown in, the way it was made even. This knowledge will allow the brain to process just as much as the stomach.

When you can, Bring your lunch to work.
Pack a brown bag or a reusable tote with a healthy lunch. Not only is it better for you but your fellow employees will get jealous (I've had several coworkers drool over my dried fruit and crisp veggies then look at their hamburgers in disgust).

Mental Health in the Workplace:
Don't spend the time before work dreading the hours about to come. This will only put you in a bad mood and mindset that will form the rest of your day.
Don't watch the clock while you are at work. This will make the day seem like it lasts forever.
Smile! A good attitude not only will make you feel better, but could brighten the day of a coworker, boss, or customer.