Salad Saturday!
May 17, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Each Saturday I’ll post a free salad recipe from my new salad cookbook. It ha
s over 365 recipes, so you can either buy it now or just hang around here for the next 6 years. LOL!
BLACK BEAN & RICE SALAD
2 cups Cooked rice — cooled to room temp
1 cup Cooked black beans
1 cup Chopped fresh tomato
2 ounces Cheddar cheese (optional) — - shredded
1 tablespoon Snipped fresh parsley
1/4 cup Light Italian dressing
1 tablespoon Fresh lime juice
Lettuce leaves
Combine rice, beans, tomato, cheese (if desired), and parsley in large bowl. Pour dressing and lime juice over rice mixture; toss. Serve on lettuce leaves.
Why I Give The Kids Cod Liver Oil
May 11, 2008 | 2 Comments
So the other day I posted that my dryer smelled like cod liver oil, and when I tweeted that link, Cara asked, “Why do you give your kids fish oil?”
Oh, I’m so glad you asked. 
In general, I eschew the use of supplements in favor of
Our Grandparents were right. Cod liver oil is a wonderful supplement and everyone, young and old, should take it. I also take cod liver oil in addition to giving it to my kids. Here’s why.
Cod liver oil has three vitamins essential to your health: Vitamins A, D, and E. According to Dr. Weston A Price, these 3 nutrients were found in far higher amounts in the diets of native peoples - they got 4 times as much as we do because they ate things like organ meats, seafood, grass fed meat and milk, etc. Many of us are deficient in these nutrients but supplementation with vitamins can be dangerous. Vitamin A especially can be toxic in large amounts, so it’s safer to get it from food. Cod Liver Oil is classified as a food. The body knows what to do with it. Vitamin D helps to protect against Vitamin A toxicity, so these three vitamins found in cod liver oil work synergistically.
Studies have shown that cod liver oil improves memory. It also improves conditions such as asthma and other related diseases. It contributes to general bone health. Studies have indicated that individuals with osteoporosis have shown significant progress when taking cod liver oil.
Many people suffer from joint pain, including me if I don’t take my fish oil. Cod liver oil can help reduce the pain and the damage incurred in arthritis patients.
Secondly, in addition to the natural vitamins in cod liver oil, there are omega-3 fatty acids which have significant benefits. Combined, they improve your energy levels in individuals, help keep the thyroid healthy, help maintain strong vision, keep the immune system healthy, and are noted to offer cardiovascular benefits as well.
Cod liver oil has many health benefits and while some people may prefer just eating more fish, it will not necessarily yield the same results that cod liver oil offers. The potency of the nutrients is not as high in fish products. In fact, one study showed that you would have to consume approximately a half-pound of fatty fish in order to obtain the same amount of vitamin D as is contained in one spoonful of cod liver oil. Not to mention, cod liver oil has to undergo testing for mercury and other contaminants, which is a concern when you’re eating a lot of fish.
Side point: Did you know that your body won’t absorb mercury that you ingest when you’re getting plenty of Vitamin A? It has a protective effect.
If you buy a brand that is flavored with orange or lemon oil, you can get past the fishy taste factor. And of course grown ups (and kids who know how to swallow them) can take capsules. You can even get it in strawberry flavor. See: Nordic Naturals Childrens DHA in strawberry flavor.
Speaking of grown ups, cod liver oil gives you pretty skin. It accelerates healing and maintains the suppleness of your skin - it may even prevent liver spots. If you have dry skin, eczema or dandruff, cod liver oil will often get rid of it.
Cod liver oil is one alternative that has been shown to be an effective agent in reducing LDL (or “bad” cholesterol) levels. In addition, cod liver oil can lower triglycerides as well as increase the “good” cholesterol or HDL. Cod liver oil helps prevent blood clots and maintains a healthy heart.
Are ya convinced yet?
Two of the highest quality cod liver oil supplements are:
Carlson Laboratories Norwegian cod liver oil
Nordic Naturals cod liver oil
Salad Saturday!
May 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Each Saturday I’ll post a free salad recipe from my new salad cookbook. It has over 365 recipes, so you can either buy it now or just hang around here for the next 6 years. LOL!
BLACK & WHITE BEAN SALAD
2 cups Red onions — finely chopped
2 tablespoons Olive or Vegetable Oil
1/3 cup Red Wine Vinegar
1/4 cup Chopped Red Pepper
2 tablespoons Minced Parsley
2 tsp. Garlic — Minced
2 tablespoons Sugar
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Pepper
1 cup 15 oz. Great Northern Beans — Rinsed and Drained
1 cup 15 oz, Black Beans — Rinsed and Drained
Sauté onions in oil until crisp-tender in a medium skillet; Remove from heat and cool until warm. Stir in vinegar, red pepper, parsley, garlic, sugar, salt and pepper.
In a serving bowl put the beans, (both types) and pour the onion mixture over them. Mix well and serve.
Makes 8 servings
Earth Mama Angel Baby® is BPA Free
May 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment
I got this press release from Earth Mama Angel Baby and was very impressed with their determination to only use BPA free packaging for their products. Earth Mama Angel Baby products are also organic and paraben free.
Earth Mama Angel Baby® Announces Incorrect Recycle Code On Angel Baby Shampoo & Body Wash
CLACKAMAS, OREGON
May 9, 2008/ Earth Mama Angel Baby®, manufacturer of natural and organic products for pregnancy, birth and baby care, announced today that due to a bottle manufacturing error, some bottles containing Angel Baby Shampoo & Body Wash were incorrectly marked with recycle code “3″ instead of the correct code, which is “1″ (see graphics below).
“I want to reassure all our customers that our packaging is PET, as advertised,” said Melinda Olson, founder of Earth Mama Angel Baby. “I have received confirmation from the bottle manufacturer that the bottles are indeed the safest form of PET plastic, the recycle code is simply incorrect.” The concern about bisphenol A and phthalates in plastic products has been growing in recent years, with more media exposure about the issue in the past 12-24 months, adds Olson. “It is unclear today how many of our bottles have the incorrect recycling mark, but we will be providing all of our distributors with written verification from our bottle manufacturer that all our bottles are PET, and will provide the same to any consumer who emails our offices to request the information,” she added.
PET resin does not contain bisephenol A (BPA), and BPA is not used in the manufacture of PET resin. PET is also not associated with orthophthalates (plasticizers). PET is designated by the letters PET or PETE on the bottom of the bottle, with a recycle code of “1″ in a triangle. The defective bottles from Earth Mama Angel Baby have the correct labeling of PETE, but contain an incorrect recycle code of “3″ instead of the correct “1″. Olson said the problem is being resolved and new bottles will be shipped as soon as possible, but that consumers should not worry about the current packaging.
“The current bottles are PET, which is the safest material currently available,” explained Olson. “The incorrect recycle code is obviously an oversight in the manufacturing process, because PVC plastic, which has the recycle code of ‘3′, cannot be made in the crystal clear format of our bottles. PVC plastic is always cloudy and impure.”
Olson said she is very happy that a consumer noticed the problem with the bottles and called the error to her attention. “I wish all mamas were this diligent, and read labels this closely,” said Olson. “It is my goal to educate the parents who purchase our products to look for just this type of information, and to make safe and healthy choices for their family.”
#1: PET or PETE plastic is considered the safest plastic for food items and is the most impervious to essential oils. It is also easy to recycle. All applicable Earth Mama Angel Baby® products are packaged in PET plastic.
#3: PVC is rarely recycled, and contains chlorine and other chemicals, making it better suited for non-food or non-personal care product applications. Earth Mama Angel Baby® products have never been packaged in PVC bottles.
About Earth Mama Angel Baby®: Earth Mama Angel Baby® manufactures natural and organic herbal products that support the entire process of childbirth from pregnancy through labor, postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, baby care and even the loss of a baby. Find them in retail stores around the world or online.
Contact: Sheri Wallace,
sheri@earthmamaangelbaby.com
9866 SE Empire Court Phone: 503-607-0607
Fax: 503-607-0667
More on Earth Mama Angel Baby products:
- Earth Mama Angel Baby Stretch Mark Oil
- Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm
- Earth Mama Angel Baby New Mama Bottom Spray
- Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Nipple Butter
I’m Going Gray. Here’s What I’m Going To Do.
May 6, 2008 | 4 Comments
At 32, I have quite a bit of gray hair. And I seem to get more with each passing month. My Dad was totally gray by my age, which is totally foxy on him (he still gets the ladies looking twice) - but on me? Not so much. Plus, my hair is so dark that the white hairs show up like white pet hair on your black pants.
I’ve been thinking of coloring over it but I’m not about to put some nasty cancer causing chemicals on my scalp. Even the temporary colors contain ammonia. If I wouldn’t even clean my house with it, I’m surely not going to let it soak into my skin. According to to this article,
“Most concerns surround dark-coloured, permanent dyes used every four to six weeks. Scientists are particularly worried about two chemical ingredients, para-phenylenediamine and tetrahydro-6-nitroquinoxaline.
These chemicals have been shown to damage the body’s genetic material, and to cause cancer in animals.”
Yummy!
When I’m mostly gray, I’ll let it go natural, like Jamie Lee Curtis and that supermodel Carmen. But, I’m not ready for that yet. It might be the better part of two decades before I’m that gray.
So I went hunting for some non-toxic, natural hair color alternatives. I knew about henna, but the trouble with henna is that it’s going to give you a reddish tint even if you pick a brown color … and I don’t want that. I don’t think it would be flattering to my skin tone.
I did some searching around and found several products that fit the bill. Good gray coverage, no nasty chemicals. While they’re priced a bit higher than what I could find at the local drug store, that’s ok with me. Cancer is pretty expensive.
Herbatint contains no ammonia and is free from “aggressive chemical ingredients”. It gets great customer reviews at Amazon, and users say it makes their hair really shiny too, which would be a plus. It’s very hard to make hair as coarse and curly as mine shine.
This produ
ct gets a safety rating of 6 on SkinDeep’s database.
Another one that looks promising is Light Mountain Natural Color. It’s recommended by The Safe Shoppers Bible and is non-carcinogenic. It’s priced a bit lower than Herbatint.
And this product gets a safety rating of 1 at SkinDeep - excellent! This is probably the one I’ll go with.
A third product I found is Naturtint Permanent Hair Color
After I color my hair I’ll come back here and post my own review. Stay tuned.
Looking for BPA free products on Amazon?
May 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Jeremiah McNichols of ZRECS (remember when he was on the show talking about BPA?) emailed me letting me know that you might want to be careful if you’re searching Amazon for BPA free products.
They’ve launched a BPA Free Baby Shop but according to Jeremiah, they’re promoting products that aren’t BPA free. So you might want to check out their blog post before placing your order.
Salad Saturday!
May 3, 2008 | 2 Comments
Each Saturday I’ll post a free salad recipe from my new salad cookbook. It has over 365 recipes, so you can either buy it now or just hang around here for the next 6 years. LOL!
Berried Avocado Grapefruit Salad
Bibb lettuce
Watercress
2 avocados — seed, peel, slice
2 cups grapefruit sections
1 cup fresh raspberries
Prepared sweet vinegar and oil dressing
Line serving platter or individual salad plates with lettuce and watercress. Arrange avocado, grapefruit and raspberries over and sprinkle with dressing.
Health Concerns With CFLs - Compact Fluorescent Lights
May 1, 2008 | 2 Comments
This article was contributed by this week’s guest, Aurore Adamkiewicz.
“Under the Fluorescent Light”
Fluorescent lighting and its contribution to: Cancer, depression and learning disabilities
By: Aurore Adamkiewicz ND
It’s official, Canada is now in the process of phasing out incandescent lighting and switching over to compact fluorescent lighting in favor of the Kyoto Protocol. The United States is presently considering following in Canada’s footsteps. Sounds like just the promising “Green” change that environmentalists were looking for. Indeed, many are rejoicing over these compact glass gadgets that have been hailed as money/energy earth savers. Why is the fact that CFL’s are filled with mercury, emit microwaves, are labeled a biohazard, and let off a strong and dangerous electromagnetic field being virtually ignored or downplayed in almost every article touting its “benefits”? With these serious health implications to consider, it is worth it for us as a society to take a deeper look at the CFL phenomena and what its potential impact will be on the human race. Let us not forget what the impact that nuclear energy has already left on our entire world. This was also once esteemed as a monetary and environmental breakthrough by many of the same people who are pushing the fluorescent lighting agenda today.
I would first like to explain why this subject interests me so and why I am taking this potential risk to our health so seriously. I am a naturopath doctor that practices sound and color therapy. Color therapy, also known as chromatherapy, is the practice of applying color to certain parts of the body using a light bulb and colored filters to balance, rejuvenate, and heal the human body and organs.
While this sounds like a simple and cost effective therapy (and it is), let me assure you that color and sound therapy is a science based on the effect of sound waves and frequencies and their effects on the human body. In order for a chromatherapist to effectively treat the human body they have to rely on the most perfect light source to deliver the color. Obviously, the most perfect source would be the sun itself, (yes, the sun, you know that big bright ball in the sky that has accumulated so many enemies these days?). You maybe thinking about now that I am going to tell you that I use a full spectrum light, LED’s, or a halogen…think again.
Non-frosted, clear, incandescent bulbs, hands down, have the best and closest spectrum to natural sunlight. Does that surprise you? This is probably because you have been lied to for so long about the benefits of “full-spectrum” lighting. A full-spectrum light or “Ott-light” is a bulb that has had the color yellow completely removed from its spectrum (Dinshah, 2005). Taking out the yellow makes everything appear more clear and crisp, however, the fact that the color blue is completely missing is creates a potential imbalance to the human body. A regular non frosted incandescent bulb has a larger amount of yellow than natural sunlight; however it has a complete spectrum and is not missing any colors. Even with my rejection of the Ott light and the full spectrum light, do not think that I disregard the work of John Ott the founder of full spectrum lighting. To the contrary, Dr. Ott’s research on the dangers of fluorescent lighting on the human body and environment is a powerful voice of dissent among the hypnotized masses. His pioneering research 25 years ago on the biological effects of light sources on the human body is as relevant today as ever.
We no longer need to rely solely on Ott’s work for information about the dangers of Fluorescent lighting. Robert Brennan from the New York Megaphone recently wrote an article calling for the removal of fluorescent lighting from public work places, schools and businesses. Brennan states that fluorescent lighting causes mental and physical illness and poses risks to people who live and work under the lights all day long (Brennan, 2007). Citing revolutionary research from such highly regarded scientists and researchers as Dr. Richard Stevens an epidemiologist from the University of Connecticut medical center and Laurence Martel Ph.D president of the National Academy of integrated learning, Brennan makes an irrefutable case against the “environmentally un-friendly” fluorescent lighting. Fluorescent lighting has been linked to problematic modern day illnesses plaguing our society today, such as: depression, leukemia, melanoma, anxiety, tooth decay, sleep disorders, headaches, SAD, and aggressive behavior. New studies have now proven that people who worked outdoors in the sun all day had the lowest amounts of skin cancer while office workers who worked under fluorescent lights all day had the highest (Cousens, 2000).
Protecting Our Children from the Fluorescent Fall Out
While shopping at Home Depot several weeks ago, I noticed a man knock down a stand of at least 15 fluorescent lights. The crash was so loud it startled me and when I turned around to see what fell I immediately sought out my children to keep them away from the biohazard “spill”. I witnessed in the midst of the chaos several employees running over to pick up parts of the glass with bare hands, I also saw another employee merely “sweeping” it up into a dustpan. Customers, oblivious to the mercury and carcinogenic danger, simply stepped over and onto the debris.
I already knew about the perils of the fluorescent clean up protocol, having just read about the plight of a woman from Prospect, Maine named Brandy Bridges who had a fluorescent bulb break in her child’s bedroom. Ms. Bridges contacted Home Depot, the store who sold her the bulb, and the store warned her not to simply vacuum up the broken bulb but to call poison control. What ensued in the following months was a dangerous fiascal which falls short of a home based reality show called “Biohazard Survivors”. She was instructed to completely seal off her child’s bedroom after the room tested above safe levels for mercury and hire a company that cleans up mercury spills for no less than $2,000! She also found out that her home insurance would not pay for such a service (Farah, 2007). This leads me to ask a personal question to fellow American’s everywhere. How many people do you know return burnt out CFL’s to the store for disposal? How many people do you know have cleaned up fluorescent bulbs with their bare hands and a vacuum cleaner, completely oblivious to the dangers?
At the Home Depot store I was shocked by what I had witnessed. Furthermore, I imagined children running over to that same area and touching and playing on the ground where the spill occurred. I went to two different managers and received a different answer from each one. The first, manager told me that there was no danger as the dangerous chemicals simply “evaporate” into the air upon breaking. The second manager explained the protocol that Home Depot takes such as; using HAZMAT, OSHA, and EPA guidelines when cleaning up. This involves; reporting the spill, wearing special gloves and disposing them with the broken CFL’s, spraying a special solution, and sealing off the area from customers until the clean-up was over. He seemed disappointed by his employees disregard for biohazard protocol but was not immediately alarmed either. This led me to write a certified letter to Francis Blake the CEO of Home Depot, which I hope will make an impact but I have recently learned by reading his bio on the Home Depot webpage that he used to be apart of the environmental protection agency. I now believe because of the marriage between CFL’s, special interest, and government agencies, that it is up to the American populace to educate themselves and protect their families from this potential environmental catastrophe.
The fact that Germany has already restricted the use of fluorescent lighting in public places and has banned fluorescent lights in hospitals shows us that this issue is too great to be shrugged off and ignored (Brennan). We should follow Germany’s path instead of Canada’s in regards to lighting and start as a country looking at more relevant and pressing issues that are beckoning for our attention. Clean water and the effects of fluoride, pesticides and insecticides on our health and water table is something that is spiraling out of control and needs to be taken seriously. While climate change has been apart of life on earth for millions of years, the utter and complete destruction of our environment through man made chemicals has not. Let us work together to keep our environmental priorities and not get caught up in special interest hype. If you want to go “green” and still stay healthy then use LEDs and not fluorescents.
References:
Dinshah, Darius, (2005). Let there be light.
Malaga: Dinshah Health Society
Brennan, Robert, (2007). Cited, Fluorescent light ain’t right.
The New York Megaphone: New York City.
Reprinted: James DeMeo’s OBRL Bulletin
Cousens, Gabriel, (2000). Conscious eating.
Berkley: North Atlantic Books. * See additional research below
(Arch Environmental Health, 1990;45:261-267)
A US Navy study found that the most malignant melanoma was found not in people who worked in the sun, but with people who worked indoors under artificial light.
(Lancet, 8/7/82, 290-293)
A study published in The Lancet found that it was not sunlight that caused melanoma but rather fluorescent light that caused more than twice the melanoma risk.
Farah, Joseph, (2007). Cited, Consumers in dark over new bulbs.
Recession Hysteria, Food Choices, and My Thoughts
April 30, 2008 | 1 Comment
There seem to be an awful lot of blog posts lately about the recession and how it’s going to impact - or already is impacting - people’s food buying choices. Some people are complaining about how cheap food is unhealthy, and the unfairness of that. Others are posting about how poverty makes us fat. Others are offering tips on how to keep your food budget in check even with skyrocketing prices.
After reading a whole lot of these and even getting caught up in a little bit of a fear cycle myself, I came to a kind of peaceful realization. And it is:
Good Healthy Food Is Still Affordable
Shocking isn’t it? Let me explain what I mean.
First of all, I’ve complained myself that it’s unfair how “real” food costs so much more than fake food. Ever compared two bags of rice: one white, one brown? The brown rice is double the price of white rice. That ain’t fair! And the temptation is there to buy the white rice to keep in your budget.
Same thing happens when you talk about sugar. The naturally sugar free product always costs more than the product with added sugar. In what universe should that make sense? It’s not right, but it’s the way it is. But instead of getting upset about it, I had the above realization.
When you pay more for real food, you feel full with much less.
Ever noticed that?
How much white rice can you eat? I can probably eat two cups of the stuff, easy. Just wolf it down with my Chinese takeout. Then I’m hungry again in 30 minutes. But I’m doing good to eat half a cup of cooked brown rice though. So it’s actually cheaper isn’t it?.
How many pieces of lunch meat can you eat? Probably the whole package without trying too hard. How many pieces of homemade roast chicken can you eat? How much orange juice can you drink? Probably a huge 16 ounce glass. How many oranges can you eat in a sitting? One? Two if they’re Clementines. How many white flour pancakes can you eat? How many slices of hearty, whole grain home baked bread can you eat?
See where I’m going with this?
It’s the added sugar, salt, artificial flavors and corn syrup - the stuff that’s in cheap food that makes it cheap - that makes it not cheap. In other words, all that stuff that makes cheap food bad for our health also ends up making us eat far more, feeling hungrier, and gaining weight. We would have been better off buying real food - even if it meant spending more for it, because we feel full with less food and enjoy it more when it’s real, whole food.
So I think the answer to our current reality of rising food prices is to take a deep breath, stop being afraid, and just buy real food in the form as close to nature as we can obtain it. And maybe just eat a little less of it. Use a smaller plate. Light a candle. Vow never to eat while doing another activity. Put the fork down between bites. Probably everyone reading this would do just fine if they ate a bit less.
So buy a whole chicken. Better yet, buy a whole chicken from a local farmer. It will taste far superior to what you can obtain at the grocery store (a sickly animal raised in confinement) that you’ll savor each bite and eat less. I spend more per pound for grass fed meat from a Tennessee farmer, but the last steak I had from them was practically a religious experience. It melted in my mouth.
Buy real butter. (Real fat makes you feel fuller longer and reduces cravings. And I hope noone reading this blog would ever buy fake fats!) Buy whole fruit. Buy brown rice. Buy dried beans and take the time to soak and cook them.
Maybe the answer is for us to spend more money on real food (that our Great Grandmothers would recognize as food), spend more time preparing it with love, more time eating it with people we love, so that in the end we eat less, spend less and enjoy it and benefit more?
What are your thoughts?
Another great post on the topic of how the recession may lead to poor food buying choices from The Simple Dollar.
Salad Saturday!
April 26, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Each Saturday I’ll post a free salad recipe from my new salad cookbook. It has over 365 recipes, so you can either buy it now or just hang around here for the next 6 years. LOL!
Bean and Tuna Salad
3 cups Water
2 cans Cannellini beans
1/3 cup Olive oil
3 teaspoons Red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Salt
Fresh pepper to taste
1 medium Red onion
12 ounces Tuna — drained
Directions: Mix together oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Pour over beans and onion in a shallow bowl. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Transfer bean mixture to serving platter with slotted spoon. Break tuna into chunks and arrange on bean mixture.