GMO's - What they are and why to work hard to avoid them.

GMO Foods

In the U.S., GMO's are in as much as 80% of conventional processed food. This is an upsetting figure, and a very important topic - one that many people aren't even aware of. That's because in the U.S., we don't have to label when a product is GMO (genetically modified organism). Really, the only way to be sure you are not eating a modified product is if it's labeled - non-GMO, or if it's organic. I only get fired up about a few things, and it doesn't happen too often... the more I read about this, the more fiesty I feel. 

There are healthcare professionals who think that the large amount of GMO foods in our diets are contributing to the high levels of allergies, autism, cancer, chronic disease & fertility problems. However, the long term effects of eating these crops has hardly been studied. We can't wait for these studies to come out - we have to be proactive, and use our heads.  If we are altering the genetic makeup of our foods, and we "are what we eat", then what are we doing to the genetic makeup of our own body? Not only a nutritional and health concern, GMO food is most certainly an ethical dilemma. Are we changing our genetic makeup by eating these "foods"? 


GMO foods have been banned by The European Union, Australia, Japan, the UK and two dozen other countries that recognize that a lack of long term studies and testing may be hiding disastrous health defects. Come on, America.... Monsanto... 


How does a plant become a GMO?

• With modern genetic engineering, genes from an animal, plant, bacterium, or virus are inserted into a different organism (most often a plant), thereby irreversibly altering the genetic code, the "blueprint" that determines all of an organism's physical characteristics, of the organism that received the gene. Through this technology, scientists have created tomatoes with a longer shelf life by adding flounder genes, soybeans that are resistant to weed killers, potatoes that produce their own pesticides, and potatoes with jellyfish genes that glow in the dark when they need water. Genetic engineers are also working to develop fruits, vegetables, and grains with higher levels of vitamins and foods that contain vaccines against diseases like malaria, cholera and hepatitis. (www.whfoods.com)

According to The Non-GMO Project... 


High-Risk Crops (in commercial production; ingredients derived from these must be tested every time prior to use in Non-GMO Project Verified products (as of December 2011):

• Alfalfa (first planting 2011)
• Canola (approx. 90% of U.S. crop)
• Corn (approx. 88% of U.S. crop in 2011)
• Cotton (approx. 90% of U.S. crop in 2011)
• Papaya (most of Hawaiian crop; approximately 988 acres)
• Soy (approx. 94% of U.S. crop in 2011)
• Sugar Beets (approx. 95% of U.S. crop in 2010)
• Zucchini and Yellow Summer Squash (approx. 25,000 acres)

ALSO high-risk: animal products (milk, meat, eggs, honey, etc.) because of contamination in feed.

Monitored Crops (those for which suspected or known incidents of contamination have occurred, and those crops which have genetically modified relatives in commercial production with which cross-pollination is possible; we test regularly to assess risk, and move to “High-Risk” category for ongoing testing if we see contamination):

• Beta vulgaris (e.g., chard, table beets)
• Brassica napa (e.g., rutabaga, Siberian kale)
• Brassica rapa (e.g., bok choy, mizuna, Chinese cabbage, turnip, rapini, tatsoi)
• Curcubita (acorn squash, delicata squash, patty pan)
• Flax
• Rice

This is an excellent article from Organic Authority about why GMO's are not great for you. 

Lastly, I've been working with a friend of mine on an elimination diet (to determine potential food allergies). We took our list of approved foods to Whole Foods and went on a search for food, and it had to be non-GMO. First, she emailed a few companies to find out what their stance was on this matter. 

Here's Kellogg's response: 

From: consumersupport@kellogg.com Subject: Kellogg  Consumer Affairs  M, Thank you for contacting us about biotechnology ingredients.  Our Rice Crispies Gluten Free cereal are not GMO free. Like most other food makers in the nation, we buy the ingredients for our foods  on the open market. We use grain and sugar from a number of suppliers in our country,  so our supply would likely include biotechnology-produced ingredients  in the same proportion that they occur in the United States supply. Sincerely, Sam Consumer Specialist Consumer Affairs Anywayyyyy...  Next time you're at the grocery, look for "organic" or "Non-GMO" verified. Happy health. Learn more about GMO labeling www.LabelGMOs.org www.JustLabelIt.org www.OrganicConsumers.org www.ResponsibleTechnology.org

3 Step Red Lentil Stew

3 Step Organic Red Lentil Stew - 8 servings (all for under $10) What?! Yep. Bargain organic.

I know what you're thinking. Putting that orange mush on pretty china doesn't make lentils look any better. I tried. Well, lentils are just not the prettiest of foods. But they are really good and most importantly, good for you. 

This is an easy, delicious and protein packed meal courtesy of my sister in law (the same one I wrote about who just raw detoxed) 3 easy steps, organic, AND under $10? Yea it is. Convinced yet? Put this on your to-make list. 

Ingredients: 

Brown Rice (2 cups: Organic: around $2?)

2 c. Red Lentils (Organic: $3)

1 Med. Green Pepper - Chopped (Organic: $ 1.50)

1 Red Onion - Chopped ($0.83)

1 Small can of organic tomato paste (0.89)

Chopped fresh basil (grow it in the garden - or in a pot if you live in an apartment)

S & P (yea, not sure how much that is)

3 Step Directions

1. Brown red onion and green pepper in pan with olive oil. 

2. Add 2 c. red lentils and one small can organic tomato paste. 

3. Add chopped fresh basil and salt and pepper and cover with about 1 1/2 inch water and simmer stirring consistently (you may need to add a little more water if it cooks too quickly). 
You'll know when it's done by tasting the lentils - they should be soft and the water should be mostly evaporated. 

Serve over organic brown rice (Costco has best deal on organic rice). 
Optional: top with grated Pecorino Romano Cheese (sheep's milk cheese has smaller proteins than cow's milk, and if you're going to eat cheese, makes it a little better). 



Can also serve with organic grilled veggies like these.

Happy health!


P.S. Another THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the Oxylent Giveaway. Kirsten was the winner - Congrats! Look for more fun giveaways soon! 

Kale Summer Salad Recipe & Raw Food Detox

Raw food. It's full of nutrients and has enzymes and has some pretty powerful effects on the body. I think you will love this quick youtube video from David Wolfe, who explains the power of raw food and of enzymes on the body. It will make you want to eat this kale salad. I promise. ;)

Speaking of this kale salad, it's delish. Here's how you make it. 


To make the salad...  

Choose a big bunch of organic kale. I used purple kale. Rinse it and allow to dry (or pat dry).

Remove the stems and chop it into bite size pieces. Place into a big bowl. Sprinkle with a little salt. Use your hands and massage the kale. This helps to improve the taste and break it down.

Add

• Chopped Mango
• Sliced Avocado
• Raw Pumpkin Seeds

To make the dressing: 

In a small bowl, combine equal parts cold pressed olive oil and lemon juice. Depending on how much kale you have, you may need to add some, but I used 2 Tbsp. each. Add 1/2 tsp. raw honey, salt and pepper. Whisk until it becomes creamy and thick. Pour on top of salad and mix. Let the dressing sit on the kale for 5-10 min. 

It's a really good summer salad. Kale is so good for you, but I know some people have trouble with the flavor. Add a little more honey to the dressing at first if that helps you eat it. It's so good for you, it's worth it!  Check out the benefits of kale here at One Green Planet.

Raw Food Detox ~ Clean out that body!

One really cool way to clean up your health is through a raw food detox. My sister and brother in law recently did a 3 day raw food only cleanse. I asked her to summarize how it went for anyone who was interested in trying this. She had some pretty cool things happen. (And some not so cool, as you will usually feel worse before you feel better as your body is cleansing itself of its toxins).

It's always a good idea to check with your doc if you have any major health conditions before doing a cleanse. And, it's also a good idea to be guided. But, a raw food cleanse is a good option because you can still eat - no maple syrup & pepper diets : ) If you are interested in this, and want to ease your way into it (a gentler approach - less intense symptoms), add lots of raw food to your diet first. Gradually switch to all raw for a few days. Drink LOTS of water.
Here's some more info...

Just a quick note to you mamas or mamas to be: Jennifer (a really awesome, positive raw foodie who lives is Thailand)  from healthybliss.net, says that for those of child bearing age (and desire:), the best time to cleanse is right before you get preggo. You don't want to cleanse during or while nursing, as to prevent your baby from getting extra toxins that are released through your bloodstream.

Anyway, here's my fab sister in law's account of her raw food cleanse. She's a mom of 2 and amazing writer, too.

A Detox has been on my to-do list for years. So when my inspiring sister-in-law suggested a raw foods fast as a great starting detox, I was game. I even convinced my husband to join me! Honestly, I went into the fast with a bit of a cocky attitude; after all I’ve been a lacto-ovo vegetarian for 20 years – how hard could this be?

Turns out, pretty hard. However, those three days of eating nothing but raw foods revealed several important things to me. First, eating raw takes time and planning. My husband and I were both surprised when we were still munching away on our lunch of apples and peanut butter, carrots, cucumber spears and homemade salsa, blueberries, and raw almonds 20 minutes after we sat down. You can’t down a raw foods meal in under 10 bites in 3 and half minutes, which I am often guilty of even with healthy, vegetarian lunches. The raw meal itself forced us to slow down, and it was nice.

We also learned that you certainly can’t wing it when eating raw. My husband left the fast after meal four at an office luncheon where it would have been weird to bring a bag lunch, and there were zero raw options. His “vegetarian” lunch of chips and a cookie left him starving and uninterested in continuing the fast.

I have to be honest, the experience of ridding the body of toxins isn’t particularly pleasant. I was starving half-way through the first day and developed an all-day headache the second. By the third day I felt slightly nauseated, and my eliminations were, uh, different. My husband lost six pounds with just a day and a half of eating raw. Now, we had also just returned from a week vacation, but the fast certainly put him back on a healthy track with the exception of that fateful luncheon. He did experience a little bit of nausea and some elimination differences even with just four meals. If it feels unpleasant coming out, I can only assume that the toxins are much worse staying in.

Its funny, all these years I’ve resisted a vegan diet because life without cheese didn’t seem worth living. So, I assumed that I would miss cheese the most during the three-day fast. Surprisingly, cheese didn’t even cross my mind; I craved brown rice and oatmeal. I think I might have even dreamed about bowls of dense whole grains. The cravings were particularly intense on the first day, and I spent a lot of time fixated on what I couldn’t eat. But, I had a revelation over a bowl of beautiful organic strawberries and mangoes on the second day. Eating raw organic fruits and vegetables full of vitamins and nutrients with the ability to fuel my body isn’t a sacrifice, it’s a privilege. It’s a privilege that many, many people on this planet do not have access to or means to enjoy. So, I left my raw foods fast feeling grateful, and then I ate a very large bowl of the most delicious oatmeal I’ve ever eaten.

Giveaway - Multivitamin Supplement for Adults (Oxylent) - easy to enter!

Lately, I've been writing about natural skincare, vitamins and other supplements. This is one more product that I LOVE, especially because it's helped me remember to take my vitamins, which I've always had trouble doing.  Oxylent is an all natural product, and the children's and prenatal versions are sweetened with stevia (sweetener from the stevia plant).  

A single effervescent packet of Oxylent dissolves quickly in water & provides a blend of vitamins, minerals, amino acids (specifically L-Arginine which helps improve circulation), and enzymes (to help rid the body of toxins, AND has anti-aging components which work on a cellular level). The supplement promotes oxygenation, hydration, circulation, and rejuvenation. More than just a multi-vitamin, it also supports adrenal health and immune and nervous systems.  

Best of all, it tastes so good. I always remember to take it! It's a good way to get in an extra glass of water because you just put the packet in a glass of water. 

The vitamins and minerals in Oxylent are easily absorbed and are of high quality. Quality matters whenever you are putting anything into your body. 

This is a pretty awesome and exciting giveaway. 

It includes a Camelback water bottle and a full box of Oxylent with all three adult flavors.
And best of all, it's REALLY easy to enter to win... 

Here's how to enter: 

US residents age 18 and over can enter except where prohibited by law.TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY do at least one, any, or all of the following to qualify with a comment:

1 entry....Become a follower on Google Friend Connect and leave a comment letting me know!

1 entry... Become a follower on Facebook and leave a comment letting me know!

1 entry...Let me know if you already are a follower on Facebook or Google Friend Connect

2 entries...Share this giveaway, our blog, or one of my blog entries on your Facebook or Blog and comment to let me know!

Here's a little more info about how it affects the body. 

Oxylent...  

OXYGENATES: The enzymes, SOD and catalase, work together to promote the conversion of toxins into beneficial oxygen and water, enhancing cellular oxygenation1,2.*

HYDRATES: Important electrolytes control the balance of fluid in the body. They are also important for muscle and nerve function, blood pressure, movement of nutrients into the cells, and the removal of waste
product from the cells3.*

CIRCULATES: The amino acid, L-Arginine, promotes healthy blood flow, which significantly improves circulation4.*

REJUVENATES: A full range of B vitamins support adrenal health and immune and nervous systems5. Powerful antioxidants, CoQ10, vitamin C, and bioflavonoids, are also included. 

Good luck! 
Entry deadline is Monday June 25, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. EST / US.
Winner will be announced on my blog and facebook June 26, 2012

Winner to be drawn at random from all entries. Entrants must reside in the United States and be over 18 years of age. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. Odds of winning are based on the total number of valid entries (maximum of three entries per person.) Winner will be notified and have 72 hours to respond. If they don't respond in that time frame another winner will be chosen. 

Positive Effects of Raw Food on the Immune System

"Research begun by the Swiss scientist Paul Kouchakoff (and continued today by various raw-food researchers) has indicated that the leukocytosis (a sudden multiplication of white blood cells) reaction to eating food was only present when 50% or more of the food was cooked. When raw food was eaten, no leukocytosis would occur. This means that every time one eats more than 50% cooked food at a meal, the immune system is activated. 

When this research was applied to water, the tipping point for water (when water is considered cooked) is 170+ degrees Fahrenheit. That means that if you heat water above 170 degrees Fahrenheit and then drink it (even if it has completely cooled off) leukocytosis will occur. If the water is not heated about 170 degrees, leukocytosis will not occur." - David Wolfe


I thought this was a fascinating discovery worth sharing. If you are sick or have a disorder that suppresses the immune system, it would be very beneficial for you to eat more raw foods, or try a raw food cleanse, like my sister and brother in law are embarking on this week (more on that, and how to do a raw cleanse, soon). This will give your body a chance to heal itself without activating an immune response in the body. 


Check out these amazing looking RAW mango and coconut mousse tarts from The Sweetly Raw blog...

Or these from Ani's Raw Food Desserts... another spin on Mango tarts... 

Other ways to eat more raw food include eating fresh fruits and veggies, raw nuts, seeds,sun dried fruits, olives and sauerkraut. Try to incorporate some of these into your diet today. 


Happy health! 

Great, Natural & Socially Conscious Skincare Products

The skin is the body's largest organ. It's crucial in eliminating toxins from the body. So it makes sense that what we put on our skin should be pure, as we absorb everything that goes on it. This isn't the easiest of feats, especially for women who wear makeup or those who wish to hide their perspiration.
I'm not saying that you should automatically abandon all of your body care treatments tomorrow if they aren't all natural(unless you want to!), but just to start reading labels and understanding what you are putting into your body. Also, consider where the product comes from and if they contribute to any larger cause.

If you were to look in my bathroom, you'd find a mix of natural products and some unnatural ones too. I'm working on gradually changing these. I do better when I make gradual, not so drastic changes. My journey towards natural, organic living is ongoing and evolving. I'd like to continue to shift more towards using completely natural skin care products. Here's some info on what I've found so far....

Deodorant

This is one product that you should strongly consider buying without an anti-perspirant (or an aluminum free one). Most anti-perspirants contain aluminum which is then stored in the body. Heavy metals in the body lead to inflammation, chronic illness and even has been linked to Alzheimer's. People don't use aluminum pans anymore for a reason. So, why then, can we still have aluminum in our deodorants? A heavy metal detox is a good idea to cleanse of heavy metals in the body. Here's some info on it from Dr. Hyman.

Tom's has an all natural, aluminum free deodorant for men and women and they also give 10% of profits back to charity. Smell good, be healthier, and help the world too. Triple win :)
I've found that there are more mens deodorant only brands (apparently its more ok for men to sweat than women?) Dove has a deodorant only brand too.

You can also embrace your inner hippie and make you own. Here's some great info from Bonzai Aphrodite on how to do this.

Chapstick

You really need to try Eco-Lips. I love it! It's organic, cruelty free, petroleum free, and made my lips super smooth. My favorite kind, the "ecotints" has a little shimmer. There are some for men and women, scented and non scented, and best of all you don't have to worry about putting toxic substances on your skin. I was really impressed that it stayed on my lips for a long time.
There's even a vegan, beeswax free stick too. You can buy an Eco-Lips carabiner so you won't lose it in your bag.
When I use regular chapstick, I've noticed that they make my lips worse. Eco-lips actually healed and soothed my lips after being in the sun all day. My lips are softer after a few days of wearing it.
The company gives a lot of money back to charities with each purchase. When we become more of a conscious consumer, we can  make a difference, and still enjoy great products. Being mindful not only of what you eat, but what you buy, can only have positive effects in your life.

Ayurvedic Skincare

Natural skincare is obviously great, but i thought i would focus on Ayurvedic Skincare. Auromère Ayurvedic Imports is an amazing company that gives 100% of its profits to non-profit integral yoga communities in India and the U.S. WOW!


Ayurveda, literally, “the science of life,” is the ancient system of promoting health and rejuvenation with natural herbs and minerals that began over 3000 years ago. There's a lot more to Ayurveda; it's a fascinating system of healing that is still practiced throughout the world. Deepak Chopra is probably the most famous modern Ayurvedic practicioner. Dr. John Douillard is also an amazing Ayurvedic doctor.
(Click here to take the quiz to find out your Ayurvedic body type (Pitta, Vata or Kapha) and how you can eat and live healthier based on this type.) Auromère also has products that are specifically designed for your Ayurvedic body type.

I've included some pics of some of their products. I especially loved their mud bath mask. It contains 12 potent herbs, 4 types of clay & skin nourishing minerals all noted for purifying and rejuvenating effects. It draws out toxins and impurities and exfoliates. It made my skin super soft.

I also tried the shampoo and pre-shampoo (conditioner oil which surprisingly didn't make my hair oily - but rather very soft), the toothpaste (minty with no gross after taste) and body lotion. All of the products smell very good - of different herbs. There are no harsh chemicals, artificial fragrances, dyes or bleaches.  I really love this product.

Some natural products over promise and under deliver, but I was really happy with these products and feel like you really get a lot for your money, and most importantly, for your health. I hope you'll try out some of these products and please let me know how you like them!

Happy health!

Winner of the Nordic Naturals Omega's

Congratulations to Jenny Magee, who won the bottle of Nordic Naturals Children's Omegas!

Thank you to everyone who entered to win, and please stay tuned, as I have more awesome giveaways coming up soon!!