Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Artsy Fartsy
http://www.scad.edu/
I suppose she comes by it honestly as my friend, Vonnie would say. There is a long lineage of artists and creative type people in my family. Both sides, the Metz's and the Williams' are represented there. Grandpa Maury loved to write, Grandpa Williams was a master carver, his sisters were painters, Aunt Sue painted and created lots of fun things, My mom, sewed and still loves creating she's even been known to write a poem or two and she's even thought about a book! Jayne makes beautiful jewelry and Karyn has a keen eye for photography. I love to paint and shape and mold and sew. Kate has always loved sewing. When she was 7 years old, she'd retreat to her room to sew. And she always wanted to sew by hand! The world will a beautiful place when she is out working in it making her own mark creatively! I can't wait to see it be a part of it!
I suppose she comes by it honestly as my friend, Vonnie would say. There is a long lineage of artists and creative type people in my family. Both sides, the Metz's and the Williams' are represented there. Grandpa Maury loved to write, Grandpa Williams was a master carver, his sisters were painters, Aunt Sue painted and created lots of fun things, My mom, sewed and still loves creating she's even been known to write a poem or two and she's even thought about a book! Jayne makes beautiful jewelry and Karyn has a keen eye for photography. I love to paint and shape and mold and sew. Kate has always loved sewing. When she was 7 years old, she'd retreat to her room to sew. And she always wanted to sew by hand! The world will a beautiful place when she is out working in it making her own mark creatively! I can't wait to see it be a part of it!
The Truth About Your Weight Gain
The Truth About Your Weight Gain
Seems like eating clean is definitely the best way to go! Honestly, I can't believe we buy this stuff.
Seems like eating clean is definitely the best way to go! Honestly, I can't believe we buy this stuff.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Fabulous Oat Pancakes!
Definitely a must for breakfast on cold December mornings. This is one of my favorite pancake recipes and it is pretty much the ulitmate in clean eating. I wish my kids would eat these!
half cup ground oats ( you can do this in the blender and it is actually okay when there are a couple of whole oats left)
one egg white
quarter cup cottage cheese
dash of vanilla..... combine all ingredients in a bowl, mix together. I like to use virgin coconut oil to fry my cakes. I also added some flax to this mix. while cakes are cooking, mix, a tsp of reduced fat cream cheese (ideally you'd use almond butter but I like cream cheese) and a tsp of honey. mix and mix and mix and then when cakes are done drizzle on each one! This morning, I had a banana, a few chopped walnuts and a few cranberries on top. This packs a huge punch for fiber, protein and whole grains.
half cup ground oats ( you can do this in the blender and it is actually okay when there are a couple of whole oats left)
one egg white
quarter cup cottage cheese
dash of vanilla..... combine all ingredients in a bowl, mix together. I like to use virgin coconut oil to fry my cakes. I also added some flax to this mix. while cakes are cooking, mix, a tsp of reduced fat cream cheese (ideally you'd use almond butter but I like cream cheese) and a tsp of honey. mix and mix and mix and then when cakes are done drizzle on each one! This morning, I had a banana, a few chopped walnuts and a few cranberries on top. This packs a huge punch for fiber, protein and whole grains.
Monday, December 27, 2010
New things from clay to kiln
zesty breakfast
Breakfast for this chilly Monday was vanilla greek yogurt, several dried cranberries, orange slices, orange zest, chopped walnuts (not too many) and ground flaxseed! So yummy and actually very filling. Now if I could get the boys to eat that, I'd be making major progress.
Health Benefits of Cranberries
Benefits Come in a Variety of Forms
Cranberries contain bacteria-blocking compounds that are believed to be helpful in preventing urinary tract infections, and scientists now think this same function may be useful in blocking the bacteria responsible for ulcers and certain oral bacteria that can lead to gum disease. Current research indicates that approximately 10 ounces of cranberry juice cocktail is needed daily to achieve the bacteria-blocking benefits that ward off UTIs, ulcers and gum disease. You can get these benefits in an array of cranberry products. For round-the-clock protection, snack or cook with one of these products at least once a day.
Health Benefits of Cranberries
Benefits Come in a Variety of Forms
Cranberries contain bacteria-blocking compounds that are believed to be helpful in preventing urinary tract infections, and scientists now think this same function may be useful in blocking the bacteria responsible for ulcers and certain oral bacteria that can lead to gum disease. Current research indicates that approximately 10 ounces of cranberry juice cocktail is needed daily to achieve the bacteria-blocking benefits that ward off UTIs, ulcers and gum disease. You can get these benefits in an array of cranberry products. For round-the-clock protection, snack or cook with one of these products at least once a day.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
about as simple as it gets.... or does it? ha
This is the question I get asked all the time in regard to eating clean. So many times people get so caught up in this diet or that diet. Or the whole high protein low carb thing. Or the counting points or calories thing.
I think sometimes we can makes eating overly complicated. So here's a simple rule to follow when you ever find yourself asking; "What should I eat?"
Eat only foods that had a mother or that came from nature.
That's it. That's all you need to know. If you folow the above rule then you'll automatically be eating clean.
So, I totally get that... That is easy. But when you start making recipes and casseroles and snacks and desserts, it seems to get a little more tricky. I guess, being smart about adding ingredients to things is the key.
I think sometimes we can makes eating overly complicated. So here's a simple rule to follow when you ever find yourself asking; "What should I eat?"
Eat only foods that had a mother or that came from nature.
That's it. That's all you need to know. If you folow the above rule then you'll automatically be eating clean.
So, I totally get that... That is easy. But when you start making recipes and casseroles and snacks and desserts, it seems to get a little more tricky. I guess, being smart about adding ingredients to things is the key.
Grass is best for Cows!!!!
The Health Benefits
of Grass Farming
Author: Jo Johnson
"Why Grassfed is Best!"
Consumers have been led to believe that meat is meat is meat. In other words, no matter what an animal is fed, the nutritional value of its products remains the same. This is not true. An animal's diet can have a profound influence on the nutrient content of its products.
The difference between grainfed and grassfed animal products is dramatic.
First of all, grassfed products tend to be much lower in total fat than grainfed products. For example, a sirloin steak from a grassfed steer has about one half to one third the amount of fat as a similar cut from a grainfed steer.
In fact, grassfed meat has about the same amount of fat as skinless chicken or wild deer or elk.1 When meat is this lean, it actually lowers your LDL cholesterol levels.2
Because grassfed meat is so lean, it is also lower in calories.
Fat has 9 calories per gram, compared with only 4 calories for protein and carbohydrates. The greater the fat content, the greater the number of calories.
A 6-ounce steak from a grass-finished steer has almost 100 fewer calories than a 6-ounce steak from a grainfed steer.
If you eat a typical amount of beef (66.5 pounds a year), switching to grassfed beef will save you 17,733 calories a year—without requiring any willpower or change in eating habits. If everything else in your diet remains constant, you'll lose about six pounds a year. If all Americans switched to grassfed meat, our national epidemic of obesity would begin to diminish.
Extra Omega-3s
Although grassfed meat is low in "bad" fat (including saturated fat), it gives you from two to six times more of a type of "good" fat called "omega-3 fatty acids."
Omega-3 fatty acids play a vital role in every cell and system in your body. For example, of all the fats, they are the most "heart friendly." People who have ample amounts of omega-3s in their diet are less likely to have high blood pressure or an irregular heartbeat. Remarkably, they are 50 percent less likely to have a serious heart attack.3
Omega-3s are essential for your brain as well. People with a diet rich in omega-3s are less likely to be afflicted with depression, schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder (hyperactivity), or Alzheimer's disease.4
Another benefit of omega-3s is that they may reduce your risk of cancer.
In animal studies, these essential fatty acids have slowed the growth of a wide array of cancers and kept them from spreading.5 Although the human research is in its infancy, researchers have shown that omega-3s can slow or even reverse the extreme weight loss that accompanies advanced cancer.6 They can also hasten recovery from cancer surgery.7
Furthermore, animal studies suggest that people with cancer who have high levels of omega-3s in their tissues may respond better to chemotherapy than people with low levels.8 Omega-3s are most abundant in seafood and certain nuts and seeds such as flaxseeds and walnuts, but they are also found in grassfed animal products.
The reason that grassfed animals have more omega-3s than grainfed animals is that omega-3s are formed in the green leaves (specifically the chloroplasts) of plants. Sixty percent of the fat content of grass is a type of omega-3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic or LNA.
When cattle are taken off grass and shipped to a feedlot to be fattened on grain, they lose their valuable store of LNA as well as two other types of omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA. Each day that an animal spends in the feedlot, its supply of omega-3s is diminished.9
The graph below illustrates this rapid decline.
When chickens are housed indoors and deprived of greens, their meat and eggs also become artificially low in omega-3s.10
Eggs from pastured hens can contain as much as 20 times more omega-3s than eggs from factory hens.
Switching our livestock from their natural diet of grass to large amounts of grain is one of the reasons our modern diet is deficient in these essential fats. It has been estimated that only 40 percent of Americans consume a sufficient supply of these nutrients. Twenty percent have levels so low that they cannot be detected.11 Switching to grassfed animal products is one way to restore this vital nutrient to your diet.
The CLA Bonus The meat and milk from grassfed ruminants are the richest known source of another type of good fat called "conjugated linoleic acid" or CLA. When ruminants are raised on fresh pasture alone, their milk and meat contain as much as five times more CLA than products from animals fed conventional diets.12
CLA may be one of our most potent defenses against cancer.
In laboratory animals, a very small percentage of CLA --- a mere 0.1 percent of total calories ---greatly reduced tumor growth.13 Researcher Tilak Dhiman from Utah State University estimates that you may be able to lower your risk of cancer simply by eating the following grassfed products each day: one glass of whole milk, one ounce of cheese, and one serving of meat. You would have to eat five times that amount of grainfed meat and dairy products to get the same level of protection.
There is new evidence suggesting that CLA does reduce cancer risk in humans.
In a Finnish study, women who had the highest levels of CLA in their diet, had a 60 percent lower risk of breast cancer than those with the lowest levels of CLA.
Switching from grainfed to grassfed meat and dairy products places women in this lowest risk category.14 Vitamin E In addition to being higher in omega-3s and CLA, meat from grassfed animals is higher in vitamin E.
The graph below shows vitamin E levels in meat from: 1) feedlot cattle, 2) feedlot cattle given high doses of synthetic vitamin E (1,000 IU per day), and 3) cattle raised on fresh pasture with no added supplements. The meat from the pastured cattle is four times higher in vitamin E than the meat from the feedlot cattle and, interestingly, almost twice as high as the meat from the feedlot cattle given vitamin E supplements.15
In humans, vitamin E is linked with a lower risk of heart disease and cancer. This potent antioxidant may also have anti-aging properties. Most Americans are deficient in vitamin E.
The NY Times best selling author, Jo Robinson, has an informative book "Why Grassfed is Best!" on the benefits of grassfed beef. She has done a great service educating America about this healthy beef and her book is a "must have" in your library of health books. Please visit her web site at www.eatwild.com to purchase the book and learn more about this healthy beef.
References
1. Fukumoto, G. K., Y.S. Kim, D. Oduda, H. Ako (1995). "Chemical composition and shear force requirement of loin eye muscle of young, forage-fed steers." Research Extension Series 161: 1-5. Koizumi, I., Y. Suzuki, et al. (1991). "Studies on the fatty acid composition of intramuscular lipids of cattle, pigs and birds." J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 37(6): 545-54.
2. Davidson, M. H., D. Hunninghake, et al. (1999). "Comparison of the effects of lean red meat vs lean white meat on serum lipid levels among free-living persons with hypercholesterolemia: a long-term, randomized clinical trial." Arch Intern Med 159(12): 1331-8. The conclusion of this study: "... diets containing primarily lean red meat or lean white meat produced similar reductions in LDL cholesterol and elevations in HDL cholesterol, which were maintained throughout the 36 weeks of treatment."
3. Siscovick, D. S., T. E. Raghunathan, et al. (1995). "Dietary Intake and Cell Membrane Levels of Long-Chain n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and the Risk of Primary Cardiac Arrest." JAMA 274(17): 1363-1367.
4. Simopolous, A. P. and Jo Robinson (1999). The Omega Diet. New York, HarperCollins. My previous book, a collaboration with Dr. Artemis P. Simopoulos, devotes an entire chapter to the vital role that omega-3s play in brain function.
5. Rose, D. P., J. M. Connolly, et al. (1995). "Influence of Diets Containing Eicosapentaenoic or Docasahexaenoic Acid on Growth and Metastasis of Breast Cancer Cells in Nude Mice." Journal of the National Cancer Institute 87(8): 587-92.
6. Tisdale, M. J. (1999). "Wasting in cancer." J Nutr 129(1S Suppl): 243S-246S.
7. Tashiro, T., H. Yamamori, et al. (1998). "n-3 versus n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in critical illness." Nutrition 14(6): 551-3.
8. Bougnoux, P., E. Germain, et al. (1999). "Cytotoxic drugs efficacy correlates with adipose tissue docosahexaenoic acid level in locally advanced breast carcinoma [In Process Citation]." Br J Cancer 79(11-12): 1765-9.
9. Duckett, S. K., D. G. Wagner, et al. (1993). "Effects of time on feed on beef nutrient composition." J Anim Sci 71(8): 2079-88.
10. Lopez-Bote, C. J., R.Sanz Arias, A.I. Rey, A. Castano, B. Isabel, J. Thos (1998). "Effect of free-range feeding on omega-3 fatty acids and alpha-tocopherol content and oxidative stability of eggs." Animal Feed Science and Technology 72: 33-40.
11. Dolecek, T. A. and G. Grandits (1991). "Dietary Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Mortality in the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial (MRFIT)." World Rev Nutr Diet 66: 205-16.
12. Dhiman, T. R., G. R. Anand, et al. (1999). "Conjugated linoleic acid content of milk from cows fed different diets." J Dairy Sci 82(10): 2146-56. Interestingly, when the pasture was machine-harvested and then fed to the animals as hay, the cows produced far less CLA than when they were grazing on that pasture, even though the hay was made from the very same grass. The fat that the animals use to produce CLA is oxidized during the wilting, drying process. For maximum CLA, animals need to be grazing living pasture.
13. Ip, C, J.A. Scimeca, et al. (1994) "Conjugated linoleic acid. A powerful anti-carcinogen from animal fat sources." p. 1053. Cancer 74(3 suppl):1050-4.
14. Aro, A., S. Mannisto, I. Salminen, M. L. Ovaskainen, V. Kataja, and M. Uusitupa. "Inverse Association between Dietary and Serum Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Risk of Breast Cancer in Postmenopausal Women." Nutr Cancer 38, no. 2 (2000): 151-7.
15. Smith, G.C. "Dietary supplementation of vitamin E to cattle to improve shelf life and case life of beef for domestic and international markets." Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1171
E-mail American Grass Fed Beef
of Grass Farming
Author: Jo Johnson
"Why Grassfed is Best!"
Consumers have been led to believe that meat is meat is meat. In other words, no matter what an animal is fed, the nutritional value of its products remains the same. This is not true. An animal's diet can have a profound influence on the nutrient content of its products.
The difference between grainfed and grassfed animal products is dramatic.
First of all, grassfed products tend to be much lower in total fat than grainfed products. For example, a sirloin steak from a grassfed steer has about one half to one third the amount of fat as a similar cut from a grainfed steer.
In fact, grassfed meat has about the same amount of fat as skinless chicken or wild deer or elk.1 When meat is this lean, it actually lowers your LDL cholesterol levels.2
Because grassfed meat is so lean, it is also lower in calories.
Fat has 9 calories per gram, compared with only 4 calories for protein and carbohydrates. The greater the fat content, the greater the number of calories.
A 6-ounce steak from a grass-finished steer has almost 100 fewer calories than a 6-ounce steak from a grainfed steer.
If you eat a typical amount of beef (66.5 pounds a year), switching to grassfed beef will save you 17,733 calories a year—without requiring any willpower or change in eating habits. If everything else in your diet remains constant, you'll lose about six pounds a year. If all Americans switched to grassfed meat, our national epidemic of obesity would begin to diminish.
Extra Omega-3s
Although grassfed meat is low in "bad" fat (including saturated fat), it gives you from two to six times more of a type of "good" fat called "omega-3 fatty acids."
Omega-3 fatty acids play a vital role in every cell and system in your body. For example, of all the fats, they are the most "heart friendly." People who have ample amounts of omega-3s in their diet are less likely to have high blood pressure or an irregular heartbeat. Remarkably, they are 50 percent less likely to have a serious heart attack.3
Omega-3s are essential for your brain as well. People with a diet rich in omega-3s are less likely to be afflicted with depression, schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder (hyperactivity), or Alzheimer's disease.4
Another benefit of omega-3s is that they may reduce your risk of cancer.
In animal studies, these essential fatty acids have slowed the growth of a wide array of cancers and kept them from spreading.5 Although the human research is in its infancy, researchers have shown that omega-3s can slow or even reverse the extreme weight loss that accompanies advanced cancer.6 They can also hasten recovery from cancer surgery.7
Furthermore, animal studies suggest that people with cancer who have high levels of omega-3s in their tissues may respond better to chemotherapy than people with low levels.8 Omega-3s are most abundant in seafood and certain nuts and seeds such as flaxseeds and walnuts, but they are also found in grassfed animal products.
The reason that grassfed animals have more omega-3s than grainfed animals is that omega-3s are formed in the green leaves (specifically the chloroplasts) of plants. Sixty percent of the fat content of grass is a type of omega-3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic or LNA.
When cattle are taken off grass and shipped to a feedlot to be fattened on grain, they lose their valuable store of LNA as well as two other types of omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA. Each day that an animal spends in the feedlot, its supply of omega-3s is diminished.9
The graph below illustrates this rapid decline.
When chickens are housed indoors and deprived of greens, their meat and eggs also become artificially low in omega-3s.10
Eggs from pastured hens can contain as much as 20 times more omega-3s than eggs from factory hens.
Switching our livestock from their natural diet of grass to large amounts of grain is one of the reasons our modern diet is deficient in these essential fats. It has been estimated that only 40 percent of Americans consume a sufficient supply of these nutrients. Twenty percent have levels so low that they cannot be detected.11 Switching to grassfed animal products is one way to restore this vital nutrient to your diet.
The CLA Bonus The meat and milk from grassfed ruminants are the richest known source of another type of good fat called "conjugated linoleic acid" or CLA. When ruminants are raised on fresh pasture alone, their milk and meat contain as much as five times more CLA than products from animals fed conventional diets.12
CLA may be one of our most potent defenses against cancer.
In laboratory animals, a very small percentage of CLA --- a mere 0.1 percent of total calories ---greatly reduced tumor growth.13 Researcher Tilak Dhiman from Utah State University estimates that you may be able to lower your risk of cancer simply by eating the following grassfed products each day: one glass of whole milk, one ounce of cheese, and one serving of meat. You would have to eat five times that amount of grainfed meat and dairy products to get the same level of protection.
There is new evidence suggesting that CLA does reduce cancer risk in humans.
In a Finnish study, women who had the highest levels of CLA in their diet, had a 60 percent lower risk of breast cancer than those with the lowest levels of CLA.
Switching from grainfed to grassfed meat and dairy products places women in this lowest risk category.14 Vitamin E In addition to being higher in omega-3s and CLA, meat from grassfed animals is higher in vitamin E.
The graph below shows vitamin E levels in meat from: 1) feedlot cattle, 2) feedlot cattle given high doses of synthetic vitamin E (1,000 IU per day), and 3) cattle raised on fresh pasture with no added supplements. The meat from the pastured cattle is four times higher in vitamin E than the meat from the feedlot cattle and, interestingly, almost twice as high as the meat from the feedlot cattle given vitamin E supplements.15
In humans, vitamin E is linked with a lower risk of heart disease and cancer. This potent antioxidant may also have anti-aging properties. Most Americans are deficient in vitamin E.
The NY Times best selling author, Jo Robinson, has an informative book "Why Grassfed is Best!" on the benefits of grassfed beef. She has done a great service educating America about this healthy beef and her book is a "must have" in your library of health books. Please visit her web site at www.eatwild.com to purchase the book and learn more about this healthy beef.
References
1. Fukumoto, G. K., Y.S. Kim, D. Oduda, H. Ako (1995). "Chemical composition and shear force requirement of loin eye muscle of young, forage-fed steers." Research Extension Series 161: 1-5. Koizumi, I., Y. Suzuki, et al. (1991). "Studies on the fatty acid composition of intramuscular lipids of cattle, pigs and birds." J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 37(6): 545-54.
2. Davidson, M. H., D. Hunninghake, et al. (1999). "Comparison of the effects of lean red meat vs lean white meat on serum lipid levels among free-living persons with hypercholesterolemia: a long-term, randomized clinical trial." Arch Intern Med 159(12): 1331-8. The conclusion of this study: "... diets containing primarily lean red meat or lean white meat produced similar reductions in LDL cholesterol and elevations in HDL cholesterol, which were maintained throughout the 36 weeks of treatment."
3. Siscovick, D. S., T. E. Raghunathan, et al. (1995). "Dietary Intake and Cell Membrane Levels of Long-Chain n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and the Risk of Primary Cardiac Arrest." JAMA 274(17): 1363-1367.
4. Simopolous, A. P. and Jo Robinson (1999). The Omega Diet. New York, HarperCollins. My previous book, a collaboration with Dr. Artemis P. Simopoulos, devotes an entire chapter to the vital role that omega-3s play in brain function.
5. Rose, D. P., J. M. Connolly, et al. (1995). "Influence of Diets Containing Eicosapentaenoic or Docasahexaenoic Acid on Growth and Metastasis of Breast Cancer Cells in Nude Mice." Journal of the National Cancer Institute 87(8): 587-92.
6. Tisdale, M. J. (1999). "Wasting in cancer." J Nutr 129(1S Suppl): 243S-246S.
7. Tashiro, T., H. Yamamori, et al. (1998). "n-3 versus n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in critical illness." Nutrition 14(6): 551-3.
8. Bougnoux, P., E. Germain, et al. (1999). "Cytotoxic drugs efficacy correlates with adipose tissue docosahexaenoic acid level in locally advanced breast carcinoma [In Process Citation]." Br J Cancer 79(11-12): 1765-9.
9. Duckett, S. K., D. G. Wagner, et al. (1993). "Effects of time on feed on beef nutrient composition." J Anim Sci 71(8): 2079-88.
10. Lopez-Bote, C. J., R.Sanz Arias, A.I. Rey, A. Castano, B. Isabel, J. Thos (1998). "Effect of free-range feeding on omega-3 fatty acids and alpha-tocopherol content and oxidative stability of eggs." Animal Feed Science and Technology 72: 33-40.
11. Dolecek, T. A. and G. Grandits (1991). "Dietary Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Mortality in the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial (MRFIT)." World Rev Nutr Diet 66: 205-16.
12. Dhiman, T. R., G. R. Anand, et al. (1999). "Conjugated linoleic acid content of milk from cows fed different diets." J Dairy Sci 82(10): 2146-56. Interestingly, when the pasture was machine-harvested and then fed to the animals as hay, the cows produced far less CLA than when they were grazing on that pasture, even though the hay was made from the very same grass. The fat that the animals use to produce CLA is oxidized during the wilting, drying process. For maximum CLA, animals need to be grazing living pasture.
13. Ip, C, J.A. Scimeca, et al. (1994) "Conjugated linoleic acid. A powerful anti-carcinogen from animal fat sources." p. 1053. Cancer 74(3 suppl):1050-4.
14. Aro, A., S. Mannisto, I. Salminen, M. L. Ovaskainen, V. Kataja, and M. Uusitupa. "Inverse Association between Dietary and Serum Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Risk of Breast Cancer in Postmenopausal Women." Nutr Cancer 38, no. 2 (2000): 151-7.
15. Smith, G.C. "Dietary supplementation of vitamin E to cattle to improve shelf life and case life of beef for domestic and international markets." Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1171
E-mail American Grass Fed Beef
Saturday, December 25, 2010
So This is Christmas
Friday, December 17, 2010
Headed To Peoria!
Fearless Friday: ways to handle fear
Fearless Friday: ways to handle fear
Love this site!!! She always gives a neat way of looking at things.
Love this site!!! She always gives a neat way of looking at things.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Angel of the Lord
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all.
KJV
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Making our way
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
A little Martha
Monday, December 13, 2010
Love
I've been reading about Love. How powerful it is and how we don't usually love something long enough for love to really work. For example, we love that it is sunny and warm out but we get irritated that the car in front of us is going too slow, we love that our best friend called us but we quickly leave that feeling for being irritated by the song we don't like on the radio. Love can change lives and maybe giving it time in our hearts and minds to really grow would help everyone.
1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Flurry, Furry Sunday.
It's flurrying here in Alabama! The boys are outside playing soccer and Owen is whining at the door. Oh how he wants to go out and play, but no, he cannot. I've been busy wrapping gifts and making gifts. I don't think I'll get to the baking this week. I just don't have the time to get it done. Maybe this year, since I will be in Peoria, I will stop in at Trefzgers to buy my baked yummies! I'm thinking of leaving on Friday so I will have enough time to see everyone.
Last night was wonderful. We watched Home Alone, possibly my favorite Christmas movie and the boys enjoyed yummy hot chocolates. The tree still does not have ornamnents on it but I am not worrying about that. Whatever. Tonight we are going to late church and then to LaBrisa for dinner with Kate's bf's fam. Should be fun! Oh and Kate has put some rules in place for Rick and me tonight at dinner. They're very simple and easy to follow. No Talking! ha
Saturday, December 11, 2010
yes, I'm a bow snob
Friday, December 10, 2010
Fearless Friday
No rest for the weary. This time of year, we just go and go and go and it is really no wonder that we get sick. Thank goodness for airborne!! I'm trying to teach my children that through out this life, it is okay to have enough. I wish them enough, I wish them enough, money for the things they need a couple of things they don't. I wish them enough sleep so they can accomplish the tasks of the day. I pray they will understand that a work family balance is key to a happy home. I'm a firm believer in everything in moderation. Just enough is perfect! I'm hoping to bake this weekend and in my Martha Stewart mind, I see a kitchen with flour and sugar and lots and lots of cookeis but in reality, I think I'll just pick three treats to bake. That is enough. :)
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
and sometimes the tree falls
Last night, I put started decorating our family tree. The real tree the boys and Rick picked out on Sunday. This is the tree that holds all the kids ornaments, ornamnents that have been given to them or they've made or picked out. It's a fun hodge podge tree. Well, today, I came home from work and the tree had fallen over. Kate was home when it happened and she tried cleaning up the ornaments. Most of the ornaments were Joe's b/c he helped decorate last night. Thankfully, the ones that broke were not special. I couldn't get the tree to stand up so I dragged that sucker outside and put it on the back porch. Maybe Rick can help me tomorrow to get it back up in working order.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Dec. 7th
Monday, December 6, 2010
Flying by!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Friday Dec. 3
Friday Friday Friday!! Love Friday's. It's my favorite day of the week! Today's saying in the Advent calendar is...And, coming to her, he said, (Gabriel) "Hail favored one! The Lord is with you." Luke 1:28. Gabriel, the messenger of good news.
Last night was very sweet. I was curled up in bed and Kate came in and cuddled with me. I was reading a book on all the archangels and I started reading out loud. She actually fell asleep to my reading. This morning she said, that was just like when she was little and it was so comforting. It doesn't matter how old we get, but being read to is so special especially when your mom is reading to you.
Last night was very sweet. I was curled up in bed and Kate came in and cuddled with me. I was reading a book on all the archangels and I started reading out loud. She actually fell asleep to my reading. This morning she said, that was just like when she was little and it was so comforting. It doesn't matter how old we get, but being read to is so special especially when your mom is reading to you.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Making our Way
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Dec. 1st.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Holidays
Friday, August 27, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
*yoga, I love you!
*laundry, I don't love you!
Just purchased Jack's new Sperry's in the men's dept! He is wearing an 8.5 mens! Whoo hoo. Little by little he is growing up!
tonight is boot camp at the gym, where I might drop dead! making enchalidas for the fam for dinner.
so I have min. to write about this. As I was shopping for Jack's shoes, I was thinking how much I loved all the sperry topsiders! I had all of them except the boring brown. I had blue, green, red, beige with tassels maybe even pink, maybe I'm imagining that. I loved them!!! I think i want a pair of navy ones. love them!
ps.. getting very excited about homecoming around here!!
*laundry, I don't love you!
Just purchased Jack's new Sperry's in the men's dept! He is wearing an 8.5 mens! Whoo hoo. Little by little he is growing up!
tonight is boot camp at the gym, where I might drop dead! making enchalidas for the fam for dinner.
ps.. getting very excited about homecoming around here!!
War Eagle salvaged antique door serving tray!
I'm a tide fan through and through but I did have fun working with blue and orange! This piece turned out super cute.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Summer Smoothie!
This is the best smoothie ever!
half cup skim milk
1 container greek yogurt (pick your fav. flavor)
half cup frozen mango
1 banana
half cup of crushed ice.
mix it all up in your blender, add a small handful of peanuts and enjoy! soo yummy and it is soo good for you and it will fill you up all morning long!
half cup skim milk
1 container greek yogurt (pick your fav. flavor)
half cup frozen mango
1 banana
half cup of crushed ice.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Spring Break
So, this is it, the Friday before SB10. Here is a little recap of our planning of SB10
SB is March 15-19
January, we have decided to go to Pensacola Beach with the Shulas. Yay! Should be a great time. No Hoover drama, we can visit several friends we have there and it is super easy to get to. Finding a nice condo that allows pets is a little tricky though so we might have to have an alternate plan.
February, changed our sb location due to having to take Ralph and Owen. Kate is now going with friends to a different part of Florida and we are going to Orange Beach. I have friends that have a condo and they were so sweet to let us rent it, however, we had a miscommunication about the dates so we cannot go to Orange Beach.
March 9th, learned that the Orange Beach condo was actually booked for the week after our sb so I had to find a new location. Now that Kate isn't with us, going to Destin is fine, the boys will be great, boys are always easier than girls. So we are staying at a condo in Destin, we can take the dogs, the only problem is, the owner seems to definitely have the beach mindset and is very casual about everything. That is probably a good thing but it is a little disconcerning when taking all of us down there. I feel there is a reason that God has moved me all the way back to Destin. Oh did I mention that we were actually supposed to stay in Sandestin first. Yes, I almost forgot. We booked the villa on the golf course in Oct but we decided to not go to Destin as Kate didn't want to be with tons of Hoover people. Doesn't matter anyway, we couldn't take Ralph there. Hopefully, next week, I will have tons of fun stories to tell!
SB is March 15-19
January, we have decided to go to Pensacola Beach with the Shulas. Yay! Should be a great time. No Hoover drama, we can visit several friends we have there and it is super easy to get to. Finding a nice condo that allows pets is a little tricky though so we might have to have an alternate plan.
February, changed our sb location due to having to take Ralph and Owen. Kate is now going with friends to a different part of Florida and we are going to Orange Beach. I have friends that have a condo and they were so sweet to let us rent it, however, we had a miscommunication about the dates so we cannot go to Orange Beach.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Exercise!
So, I was wondering today as I was sweating it out on the treadmill, trying to get my goal of three miles in 30 min. in, does exercise ever get easy? I mean do I even want it to be easy but sometimes I think I do. As I'm running, I think, seriously, is it worth it? Who really cares if I am sporting an extra five pounds? Running and running and running trying to get the 300 calories burned is a chore but one that usually pays off in the end. When swimsuit season finally gets here, if it actually ever gets here, I'll be happy I dragged my butt into the gym and practically killed myself on the treadmill. But I think, what will I be like in ten years? Ugh! Maybe I shouldn't even think about ten years from now.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Feb.6,10
Okay, So, here I go again but now that I've found out that I can actually print this blog off in some sort of orderly fashion I'm a little more willing to journal about our life. For so long, I just felt like I was writing to the air and really, who cares about whats going on in my life except me and my family. So, maybe it will be nice in 20 years to look back on what I was thinking and what the kids were doing b/c we will surely not remember even though today, I can't imagine not remembering.
This past week has been the worst week since moving to Hoover. You know how you think someone will just always be there? Our neighbor and dear friend, Donna died on Wed. Yep, died. Very strange to actually write that but thats what happened. She was so sick with lung cancer, something I know she desperately feared. We didn't know she was so sick, but we did know that she hadn't been herself for a long time but we certainly didn't think she was going to die. I'm a little peeved at her for suffering all by herself and then again, I can respect that she did what she thought was best. She wasn't one to bring attention to herself and she would never have wanted all of us fussing over her and worrying even though I worried about her a lot. I know she is in a wonderful place, I hope she visits me in my dreams so we can chat and say hello and goodbye. Ralphlette will miss her like crazy. With out Donna, Ralph wouldn't be so great. Really, she trained him and we all learned from her so hopefully, we can train little Owen the same way. Rick and I are blessed, we have wonderful kids, a beautiful home, great friends and really so much to be thankful for. Bad things happen to good people. thats just the way it is and there's a plan and I have faith in God and trust that He knows best. We really have so much to look forward to. Kate has had a wonderful year. She has learned so much and we are so proud of her. Now, there are days when i look at her and think oh my goodness. haha. But, I know that is just the teen years talking. I don't think we could have endured another year like last year. However, I say that and without last year's experiences, she and I wouldn't be the people we are today. She is so excited about making Hoover Belles. Over 200 girls interviewed for Belles adn 35 made it. wow! What an accomplishment. She will make a beautiful Belle. We've had fun picking her dress out and thinking about her fabric. The Belle's meeting is next week and I know all the girls and mamas are excited to get going. Sadie Hawkins is coming up too and then we get Owen. It will be fun having a little puppy around the house. Ralph will not be happy at all but hopefully, he'll be a good uncle. This is Kate's puppy. She wants this puppy to love her and the only way that is going to happen is if she does everything! We'll see. ;) Jack is all signed up for baseball. He is excited. He'll be playing at the park and he'll also be doing some traveling which will be a good experience for him. He's been getting up early the past three weeks for football workouts. So proud of him for being dedicated. The things he does today, being committed to a team will help him be a good team worker in the "real" world. He desperately wants to grow, I think he almost wills himself to grow. He is already wearing a size 8.5 shoe, so I think he'll be taller than Rick. This is sort of funny, Rick noticed that Jack was walking strangely the other day and he had on his new shoes and Rick said, "Jack, why are you walking like that?" Jack said, "I don't want to wrinkle my new shoes." haha Oh Jack! What a goober. Next week Jack starts spring football. I know he is excited to get in there and get going. 8th grade will be very different than 7th grade. A lot of boys aren't returning to the field this year so hopefully the one's who didn't get to play a lot last year will get some playing time. We keep telling him to hang in there and keep on keeping on and hopefully the hard work will pay off. Middle school is such a strange time for the kids. Some kids peak early and they're super good and the ones who are late bloomers may not grow and get fast and strong until 9th or 10th grade. We'll see. It's always fun to watch. Joe is not playing baseball this spring. :( He didn't want to, he said he hates it and thats it. Well okay then. He is doing so great in school. He is enjoying reading and learning the up and down way in math. He's my xbox boy but he will be doing camps this spring b/c he cannot just play xbox all the live long day. His birthday is coming up soon and I think he wants to have a couple of friends over for a sleep over. I had sort of given up on spring break this year but I'm thinking now that maybe a few days at the beach would be nice. I'm sad Lauren won't be joining us but Jayne is planning on coming and then mom and dad will be here and maybe they'll get to see kate going to prom, if she gets asked then karyn and rick and the kids will be here then confirmation for kate then kate's birthday then schools out then Lauren graduates from college!! Sooo proud of her. She is amazing and just doing so great. Hoping to hear from her soon to see how Dance Marathon went. I know she'll be tired. I'm headed upstairs to work on several projects. This is a good start for my journal.
This past week has been the worst week since moving to Hoover. You know how you think someone will just always be there? Our neighbor and dear friend, Donna died on Wed. Yep, died. Very strange to actually write that but thats what happened. She was so sick with lung cancer, something I know she desperately feared. We didn't know she was so sick, but we did know that she hadn't been herself for a long time but we certainly didn't think she was going to die. I'm a little peeved at her for suffering all by herself and then again, I can respect that she did what she thought was best. She wasn't one to bring attention to herself and she would never have wanted all of us fussing over her and worrying even though I worried about her a lot. I know she is in a wonderful place, I hope she visits me in my dreams so we can chat and say hello and goodbye. Ralphlette will miss her like crazy. With out Donna, Ralph wouldn't be so great. Really, she trained him and we all learned from her so hopefully, we can train little Owen the same way. Rick and I are blessed, we have wonderful kids, a beautiful home, great friends and really so much to be thankful for. Bad things happen to good people. thats just the way it is and there's a plan and I have faith in God and trust that He knows best. We really have so much to look forward to. Kate has had a wonderful year. She has learned so much and we are so proud of her. Now, there are days when i look at her and think oh my goodness. haha. But, I know that is just the teen years talking. I don't think we could have endured another year like last year. However, I say that and without last year's experiences, she and I wouldn't be the people we are today. She is so excited about making Hoover Belles. Over 200 girls interviewed for Belles adn 35 made it. wow! What an accomplishment. She will make a beautiful Belle. We've had fun picking her dress out and thinking about her fabric. The Belle's meeting is next week and I know all the girls and mamas are excited to get going. Sadie Hawkins is coming up too and then we get Owen. It will be fun having a little puppy around the house. Ralph will not be happy at all but hopefully, he'll be a good uncle. This is Kate's puppy. She wants this puppy to love her and the only way that is going to happen is if she does everything! We'll see. ;) Jack is all signed up for baseball. He is excited. He'll be playing at the park and he'll also be doing some traveling which will be a good experience for him. He's been getting up early the past three weeks for football workouts. So proud of him for being dedicated. The things he does today, being committed to a team will help him be a good team worker in the "real" world. He desperately wants to grow, I think he almost wills himself to grow. He is already wearing a size 8.5 shoe, so I think he'll be taller than Rick. This is sort of funny, Rick noticed that Jack was walking strangely the other day and he had on his new shoes and Rick said, "Jack, why are you walking like that?" Jack said, "I don't want to wrinkle my new shoes." haha Oh Jack! What a goober. Next week Jack starts spring football. I know he is excited to get in there and get going. 8th grade will be very different than 7th grade. A lot of boys aren't returning to the field this year so hopefully the one's who didn't get to play a lot last year will get some playing time. We keep telling him to hang in there and keep on keeping on and hopefully the hard work will pay off. Middle school is such a strange time for the kids. Some kids peak early and they're super good and the ones who are late bloomers may not grow and get fast and strong until 9th or 10th grade. We'll see. It's always fun to watch. Joe is not playing baseball this spring. :( He didn't want to, he said he hates it and thats it. Well okay then. He is doing so great in school. He is enjoying reading and learning the up and down way in math. He's my xbox boy but he will be doing camps this spring b/c he cannot just play xbox all the live long day. His birthday is coming up soon and I think he wants to have a couple of friends over for a sleep over. I had sort of given up on spring break this year but I'm thinking now that maybe a few days at the beach would be nice. I'm sad Lauren won't be joining us but Jayne is planning on coming and then mom and dad will be here and maybe they'll get to see kate going to prom, if she gets asked then karyn and rick and the kids will be here then confirmation for kate then kate's birthday then schools out then Lauren graduates from college!! Sooo proud of her. She is amazing and just doing so great. Hoping to hear from her soon to see how Dance Marathon went. I know she'll be tired. I'm headed upstairs to work on several projects. This is a good start for my journal.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Clean Eating!
Clean eating means choosing fruits, vegetables and meats that are raised, grown and sold with minimal processing. Often they're organic, and rarely (if ever) should they contain additives. But in some cases, the methods of today's food producers are neither clean nor sustainable. The result is damage to our health, the environment, or both. So we decided to take a fresh look at food through the eyes of the people who spend their lives uncovering what's safe -- or not -- to eat. We asked them a simple question: "What foods do you avoid?" Their answers don't necessarily make up a "banned foods" list. But reaching for the suggested alternatives might bring you better health -- and peace of mind.
The Endocrinologist Won't Eat Canned Tomatoes
Fredrick Vom Saal, Ph.D., is an endocrinologist at the University of Missouri who studies bisphenol-A.
The problem: The resin linings of tin cans contain bisphenol-A, a synthetic estrogen that has been linked to ailments ranging from reproductive problems to heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Unfortunately, acidity (a prominent characteristic of tomatoes) causes BPA to leach into your food. Studies show that the BPA in most people's body exceeds the amount that suppresses sperm production or causes chromosomal damage to the eggs of animals. "You can get 50 mcg of BPA per liter out of a tomato can, and that's a level that is going to impact people, particularly the young," says Vom Saal. "I won't go near canned tomatoes."
The solution: Choose tomatoes in glass bottles (which do not need resin linings), such as the brands Bionaturae and Coluccio. You can also get several types in Tetra Pak boxes, like Trader Joe's and Pomi.
Budget tip: If your recipe allows, substitute bottled pasta sauce for canned tomatoes. Look for pasta sauces with low sodium and few added ingredients, or you may have to adjust the recipe.
The Farmer Won't Eat Corn-Fed Beef
Joel Salatin is co-owner of Polyface Farms and author of half a dozen books on sustainable farming.
The problem: Cattle evolved to eat grass, not grains. But farmers today feed their animals corn and soybeans, which fatten up the animals faster for slaughter. But more money for cattle farmers (and lower prices at the grocery store) means a lot less nutrition for us. A recent comprehensive study conducted by the USDA and researchers from Clemson University found that compared with corn-fed beef, grass-fed beef is higher in beta-carotene, vitamin E, omega-3s, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), calcium, magnesium and potassium; lower in inflammatory omega-6s; and lower in saturated fats that have been linked to heart disease. "We need to respect the fact that cows are herbivores, and that does not mean feeding them corn and chicken manure," says Salatin.
The solution: Buy grass-fed beef, which can be found at specialty grocers, farmers' markets and nationally at Whole Foods. It's usually labeled because it demands a premium, but if you don't see it, ask your butcher.
Budget tip: Cuts on the bone are cheaper because processors charge extra for deboning. You can also buy direct from a local farmer, which can be as cheap as $5 per pound. To find a farmer near you, search eatwild.com.
The Toxicologist Won't Eat Microwave Popcorn
Olga Naidenko, Ph.D., is a senior scientist for the Environmental Working Group.
The problem: Chemicals, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), in the lining of the bag, are part of a class of compounds that may be linked to infertility in humans, according to a recent study from UCLA. In animal testing, the chemicals cause liver, testicular and pancreatic cancer. Studies show that microwaving causes the chemicals to vaporize -- and migrate into your popcorn. "They stay in your body for years and accumulate there," says Naidenko, which is why researchers worry that levels in humans could approach the amounts causing cancers in laboratory animals. DuPont and other manufacturers have promised to phase out PFOA by 2015 under a voluntary EPA plan, but millions of bags of popcorn will be sold between now and then.
The solution: Pop natural kernels the old-fashioned way: in a skillet. For flavorings, you can add real butter or dried seasonings, such as dillweed, vegetable flakes or soup mix.
Budget tip: Popping your own popcorn is dirt cheap.
The Farm Director Won't Eat Nonorganic Potatoes
Jeffrey Moyer is the chair of the National Organic Standards Board.
The problem: Root vegetables absorb herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides that wind up in soil. In the case of potatoes -- the nation's most popular vegetable -- they're treated with fungicides during the growing season, then sprayed with herbicides to kill off the fibrous vines before harvesting. After they're dug up, the potatoes are treated yet again to prevent them from sprouting. "Try this experiment: Buy a conventional potato in a store, and try to get it to sprout. It won't," says Moyer, who is also farm director of the Rodale Institute (also owned by Rodale Inc., the publisher of Prevention). "I've talked with potato growers who say point-blank they would never eat the potatoes they sell. They have separate plots where they grow potatoes for themselves without all the chemicals."
The solution: Buy organic potatoes. Washing isn't good enough if you're trying to remove chemicals that have been absorbed into the flesh.
Budget tip: Organic potatoes are only $1 to $2 a pound, slightly more expensive than conventional spuds.
The Fisheries Expert Won't Eat Farmed Salmon
David Carpenter, M.D., director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at the University at Albany, published a major study in the journal Science on contamination in fish.
The problem: Nature didn't intend for salmon to be crammed into pens and fed soy, poultry litter and hydrolyzed chicken feathers. As a result, farmed salmon is lower in vitamin D and higher in contaminants, including carcinogens, PCBs, brominated flame retardants and pesticides such as dioxin and DDT. According to Carpenter, the most contaminated fish come from Northern Europe, which can be found on American menus. "You could eat one of these salmon dinners every 5 months without increasing your risk of cancer," says Carpenter, whose 2004 fish contamination study got broad media attention. "It's that bad." Preliminary science has also linked DDT to diabetes and obesity, but some nutritionists believe the benefits of omega-3s outweigh the risks. There is also concern about the high level of antibiotics and pesticides used to treat these fish. When you eat farmed salmon, you get dosed with the same drugs and chemicals.
The solution: Switch to wild-caught Alaska salmon. If the package says fresh Atlantic, it's farmed. There are no commercial fisheries left for wild Atlantic salmon.
Budget tip: Canned salmon, almost exclusively from wild catch, can be found for as little as $3 a can.
The Cancer Researcher Won't Drink Milk Produced with Artificial Hormones
Rick North is project director of the Campaign for Safe Food at the Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility and former CEO of the Oregon division of the American Cancer Society.
The problem: Milk producers treat their dairy cattle with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH or rBST, as it is also known) to boost milk production. But rBGH also increases udder infections and even pus in the milk. It also leads to higher levels of a hormone called insulin-like growth factor in milk. In people, high levels of IGF-1 may contribute to breast, prostate and colon cancers. "When the government approved rBGH, it was thought that IGF-1 from milk would be broken down in the human digestive tract," says North. As it turns out, the casein in milk protects most of it, according to several independent studies. "There's not 100 percent proof that this is increasing cancer in humans," admits North. "However, it's banned in most industrialized countries."
The solution: Check labels for rBGH-free, rBST-free, produced without artificial hormones, or organic milk. These phrases indicate rBGH-free products.
Budget tip: Try Wal-Mart's Great Value label, which does not use rBGH.
The Organic-Foods Expert Won't Eat Conventional Apples
Mark Kastel, a former executive for agribusiness, is codirector of the Cornucopia Institute, a farm-policy research group that supports organic foods.
The problem: If fall fruits held a "most doused in pesticides contest," apples would win. Why? They are individually grafted (descended from a single tree) so that each variety maintains its distinctive flavor. As such, apples don't develop resistance to pests and are sprayed frequently. The industry maintains that these residues are not harmful. But Kastel counters that it's just common sense to minimize exposure by avoiding the most doused produce, like apples. "Farm workers have higher rates of many cancers," he says. And increasing numbers of studies are starting to link a higher body burden of pesticides (from all sources) with Parkinson's disease.
The solution: Buy organic apples.
Budget tip: If you can't afford organic, be sure to wash and peel them. But Kastel personally refuses to compromise. "I would rather see the trade-off being that I don't buy that expensive electronic gadget," he says. "Just a few of these decisions will accommodate an organic diet for a family."
The Endocrinologist Won't Eat Canned Tomatoes
Fredrick Vom Saal, Ph.D., is an endocrinologist at the University of Missouri who studies bisphenol-A.
The problem: The resin linings of tin cans contain bisphenol-A, a synthetic estrogen that has been linked to ailments ranging from reproductive problems to heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Unfortunately, acidity (a prominent characteristic of tomatoes) causes BPA to leach into your food. Studies show that the BPA in most people's body exceeds the amount that suppresses sperm production or causes chromosomal damage to the eggs of animals. "You can get 50 mcg of BPA per liter out of a tomato can, and that's a level that is going to impact people, particularly the young," says Vom Saal. "I won't go near canned tomatoes."
The solution: Choose tomatoes in glass bottles (which do not need resin linings), such as the brands Bionaturae and Coluccio. You can also get several types in Tetra Pak boxes, like Trader Joe's and Pomi.
Budget tip: If your recipe allows, substitute bottled pasta sauce for canned tomatoes. Look for pasta sauces with low sodium and few added ingredients, or you may have to adjust the recipe.
The Farmer Won't Eat Corn-Fed Beef
Joel Salatin is co-owner of Polyface Farms and author of half a dozen books on sustainable farming.
The problem: Cattle evolved to eat grass, not grains. But farmers today feed their animals corn and soybeans, which fatten up the animals faster for slaughter. But more money for cattle farmers (and lower prices at the grocery store) means a lot less nutrition for us. A recent comprehensive study conducted by the USDA and researchers from Clemson University found that compared with corn-fed beef, grass-fed beef is higher in beta-carotene, vitamin E, omega-3s, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), calcium, magnesium and potassium; lower in inflammatory omega-6s; and lower in saturated fats that have been linked to heart disease. "We need to respect the fact that cows are herbivores, and that does not mean feeding them corn and chicken manure," says Salatin.
The solution: Buy grass-fed beef, which can be found at specialty grocers, farmers' markets and nationally at Whole Foods. It's usually labeled because it demands a premium, but if you don't see it, ask your butcher.
Budget tip: Cuts on the bone are cheaper because processors charge extra for deboning. You can also buy direct from a local farmer, which can be as cheap as $5 per pound. To find a farmer near you, search eatwild.com.
The Toxicologist Won't Eat Microwave Popcorn
Olga Naidenko, Ph.D., is a senior scientist for the Environmental Working Group.
The problem: Chemicals, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), in the lining of the bag, are part of a class of compounds that may be linked to infertility in humans, according to a recent study from UCLA. In animal testing, the chemicals cause liver, testicular and pancreatic cancer. Studies show that microwaving causes the chemicals to vaporize -- and migrate into your popcorn. "They stay in your body for years and accumulate there," says Naidenko, which is why researchers worry that levels in humans could approach the amounts causing cancers in laboratory animals. DuPont and other manufacturers have promised to phase out PFOA by 2015 under a voluntary EPA plan, but millions of bags of popcorn will be sold between now and then.
The solution: Pop natural kernels the old-fashioned way: in a skillet. For flavorings, you can add real butter or dried seasonings, such as dillweed, vegetable flakes or soup mix.
Budget tip: Popping your own popcorn is dirt cheap.
The Farm Director Won't Eat Nonorganic Potatoes
Jeffrey Moyer is the chair of the National Organic Standards Board.
The problem: Root vegetables absorb herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides that wind up in soil. In the case of potatoes -- the nation's most popular vegetable -- they're treated with fungicides during the growing season, then sprayed with herbicides to kill off the fibrous vines before harvesting. After they're dug up, the potatoes are treated yet again to prevent them from sprouting. "Try this experiment: Buy a conventional potato in a store, and try to get it to sprout. It won't," says Moyer, who is also farm director of the Rodale Institute (also owned by Rodale Inc., the publisher of Prevention). "I've talked with potato growers who say point-blank they would never eat the potatoes they sell. They have separate plots where they grow potatoes for themselves without all the chemicals."
The solution: Buy organic potatoes. Washing isn't good enough if you're trying to remove chemicals that have been absorbed into the flesh.
Budget tip: Organic potatoes are only $1 to $2 a pound, slightly more expensive than conventional spuds.
The Fisheries Expert Won't Eat Farmed Salmon
David Carpenter, M.D., director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at the University at Albany, published a major study in the journal Science on contamination in fish.
The problem: Nature didn't intend for salmon to be crammed into pens and fed soy, poultry litter and hydrolyzed chicken feathers. As a result, farmed salmon is lower in vitamin D and higher in contaminants, including carcinogens, PCBs, brominated flame retardants and pesticides such as dioxin and DDT. According to Carpenter, the most contaminated fish come from Northern Europe, which can be found on American menus. "You could eat one of these salmon dinners every 5 months without increasing your risk of cancer," says Carpenter, whose 2004 fish contamination study got broad media attention. "It's that bad." Preliminary science has also linked DDT to diabetes and obesity, but some nutritionists believe the benefits of omega-3s outweigh the risks. There is also concern about the high level of antibiotics and pesticides used to treat these fish. When you eat farmed salmon, you get dosed with the same drugs and chemicals.
The solution: Switch to wild-caught Alaska salmon. If the package says fresh Atlantic, it's farmed. There are no commercial fisheries left for wild Atlantic salmon.
Budget tip: Canned salmon, almost exclusively from wild catch, can be found for as little as $3 a can.
The Cancer Researcher Won't Drink Milk Produced with Artificial Hormones
Rick North is project director of the Campaign for Safe Food at the Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility and former CEO of the Oregon division of the American Cancer Society.
The problem: Milk producers treat their dairy cattle with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH or rBST, as it is also known) to boost milk production. But rBGH also increases udder infections and even pus in the milk. It also leads to higher levels of a hormone called insulin-like growth factor in milk. In people, high levels of IGF-1 may contribute to breast, prostate and colon cancers. "When the government approved rBGH, it was thought that IGF-1 from milk would be broken down in the human digestive tract," says North. As it turns out, the casein in milk protects most of it, according to several independent studies. "There's not 100 percent proof that this is increasing cancer in humans," admits North. "However, it's banned in most industrialized countries."
The solution: Check labels for rBGH-free, rBST-free, produced without artificial hormones, or organic milk. These phrases indicate rBGH-free products.
Budget tip: Try Wal-Mart's Great Value label, which does not use rBGH.
The Organic-Foods Expert Won't Eat Conventional Apples
Mark Kastel, a former executive for agribusiness, is codirector of the Cornucopia Institute, a farm-policy research group that supports organic foods.
The problem: If fall fruits held a "most doused in pesticides contest," apples would win. Why? They are individually grafted (descended from a single tree) so that each variety maintains its distinctive flavor. As such, apples don't develop resistance to pests and are sprayed frequently. The industry maintains that these residues are not harmful. But Kastel counters that it's just common sense to minimize exposure by avoiding the most doused produce, like apples. "Farm workers have higher rates of many cancers," he says. And increasing numbers of studies are starting to link a higher body burden of pesticides (from all sources) with Parkinson's disease.
The solution: Buy organic apples.
Budget tip: If you can't afford organic, be sure to wash and peel them. But Kastel personally refuses to compromise. "I would rather see the trade-off being that I don't buy that expensive electronic gadget," he says. "Just a few of these decisions will accommodate an organic diet for a family."
Sunday, January 3, 2010
I think I do have one resolution. I really need to get back into my routine of doing my yoga practice. I love how it works in my life and I'm not really sure why I don't incorporate it into my every day routine. At some point I will post on here all the fabulous benefits of yoga! For now though, I love this gingerbread cut out. haha, little chubby gingerbread yogis!
Ahhh! I can feel it sucking me in, even though it is sunny and bright outside. January! January represents all things new, (except flowers and green grass). A new year, a new calendar, new thoughts and resolutions. Why can't I embrace this month? It just pulls me down and makes me sad. When the end of January rolls around, I'm usually surprised I made it through. Sound crazy? Maybe but thats the way I roll in this month, up and down, mostly down trying to just stay above water. Maybe this time will be different. I'm sure it'll go fast, I'm busy, the kids are busy and thankfully we don't live anywhere where its super cold but wow, January. Sure makes me appreciate February!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
2010
Happy New Year! I always love the beginning of a new year. January, however is my least favorite month. Jack's birthday is this month and that which I love b/c it gives us something to look forward to but January as a whole, not my fav. I am not really in the mood to make resolutions. Honestly, I feel like I try all year to do good things, to work hard, to eat right, to exercise. I think my resolution will be to continue to try to do good things, work hard, eat right and exercise. I love my life and I wouldn't change it for anything. Maybe a goal for me this year is to get my art pieces in a shop. That is something I really need to do and I want to do and is uncomfortable for me. So there, that is my resolution!
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