Monday, October 22, 2012

Field Greens With Feta & Mandarin Orange Vinaigrette

 I whipped a tasty salad up the other day and enjoyed it so much I have to share. 



 Field Greens with Feta and Mandarin Orange Vinaigrette

1 bag Organic mixed field greens with fresh herbs
A handful of snow peas, chopped into 1/2" pieces
A chunk (as big or small as you desire) cow's milk Feta in water (I get mine at Whole Foods, it is milder than the crumbles or dry chunks I have found in the past at Trader Joe's)
2 Mandarin oranges, peeled and separated
1/4c. roasted and salted Sunflower kernels/seeds
~Toss the first 5 ingredients together and sprinkle sunflower kernels on top. Dress with Mandarin Orange Vinaigrette and enjoy.

Mandarin Vinaigrette

1/4c. Avocado oil
Juice from 2-3 Mandarin oranges (these are in addition to the two included in the salad)
2T. Unseasoned Rice vinegar
1 clove crushed garlic
1/4t. onion powder
Put all ingredients in a glass jar with a tight lid, shake well.








Thursday, October 18, 2012

Healthy Fats to Use When Cooking...and the Ones to Remove from your Diet


Lately, I have been hearing more and more about how processed and unhealthy certain cooking oils are, especially when they are heated during the cooking process. I came across some great visuals, (one which I plan to print out and keep on my fridge!) and a few great articles as well.






Healthy Cooking Oils: Healing Natural Oils Safe to Cook with and the Healthy Fats and Oils You Must Avoid when Cooking



Butter IS Better!






Why You Should NEVER Eat Vegetable Oil or Margarine!



What is the Healthiest Oil to Use For Cooking?





Saturday, October 13, 2012

Earthlings--Documentary directed by Shaun Monson, Narrated by Joaquin Phoenix, & Features Music by Moby


From puppy mills & factory farms, to leather/fur traders, entertainment/gaming industries, & medical experiments, this award-winning documentary uses hidden cameras to capture real footage of day-to-day practices which entirely depend on animals for profit. I had to turn away during certain scenes & my eyes were never dry. This is not for the soft-hearted, but important to watch. I will never look at animals the same way, nor am I sure I will be able to enjoy a steak or feel as fabulous in my leather boots.
Directed by Shaun Monson, narrated by Joaquin Phoenix, & features music by Moby.
http://earthlings.com/ 
EARTHLINGS is an award-winning documentary film about the suffering of animals for food, fashion, pets, entertainment and medical research. Considered the most persuasive documentary ever made, EARTHLINGS is nicknamed “the Vegan maker” for its sensitive footage shot at animal shelters, pet stores, puppy mills, factory farms, slaughterhouses, the leather and fur trades, sporting events, circuses and research labs.--earthlings.com

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

The Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food and Information on GMOs

Last November, the people of California voted against Proposition 37, the labeling of genetically engineered food.  What are GMOs?  Where are they hiding in your local supermarket? What companies support GMOs?  Should you be concerned? Read on.....


Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of our Lives 








Who is funding Proposition 37?



THE FACTS ABOUT GMOS




"California consumers have the right to know if their food has been genetically engineered. This basic information should be available for consumers on the label the way it is in nearly 50 other countries around the world." --US Senator Barbara Boxer

 Non-GMO chicken vs. GMO chicken

65 Health Risks Associated with the Consumption of GMOs

"Working people deserve to know what is in the food we are feeding our families. Prop 37 ensures our families are able to make educated choices. We’re proud to join with millions of Californians in supporting the right to know what’s in our food." --California Labor Federation

GMO Dangers: How much more proof do we need?
 GMOs more dangerous for children than adults-

Higher Risks for Children consuming GMOs than for Adults

Hidden Dangers in Processed Kids Meals

 Is GMO food dangerous? From Healthy Child, Healthy World

"Listen up, people! I AM NOT A SCIENCE EXPERIMENT!" 


Thursday, October 4, 2012

What is More Important than the Health of your Child?



I have never been more affected by watching a video. By the time it was over, I had tears streaming down my face & goosebumps running along my arms as I completely connected with every image on the screen. It explains my need to read every label, the reasons I have concerns over the ingredients in everything that goes in my daughter's mouth, or on her skin (not to mention injected into her muscle tissue!) It is not the same world be are living in, and our kids are getting sicker and sicker. Something needs to change, NOW.


Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Coal Tar Dyes--FD&C Red No. #40




 I shared the picture below and the info/links attached to it on my facebook page and got some slack from my processed-food loving friends. The basic summary is that some people really don't care what they're putting in their bodies, as long as it tastes good. Of course, these will be the first people to complain of health issues...nonetheless, my response was this- 
People of all ages that have never participated in activities one would consider "cancer causing" are being diagnosed with cancer (amongst a plethora of other ailments) ever day. People consume these types of products on an normal basis having zero idea they contain carcinogenic dyes that are ILLEGAL in other countries because of how toxic they are. At least when you smoke, there is a clear warning label on the side of the package! FYI Trader Joe's makes licorice that gets it's naturally red hue from elderberries, & it tastes even better than Twizzlers :)
 "Coal Tar Colors (FD&C, D&C) are derived from petroleum waste, research has suggested FD&C Blue No.1 and FD&C Green No. 3 are carcinogenic (cancer-causing), and D&C Red No. 33, FD&C Yellow No. 5, and FD&C Yellow No. 6 can contain impurities
that may cause cancer when applied to the skin. They have been banned for use in Canada and the European Union. FD&C Yellow No. 5 is also used in foods and is known as tartrazine, and can worsen asthma and breathing problems."
http://www.nanp.org/news/?p=484

"Allura Red is the newest color of the bunch, approved in 1971, and was introduced to replace the banned Red No. 4. Despite the popular misconception, Red No. 40 is not derived from insects (that would be carmine). This azo dye was originally manufactured from coal tar, but is now mostly made from petroleum. It is banned in Denmark, Belgium, France, Switzerland, and Sweden. It was also included in UK’s voluntary phase-out in 2009, due to hyperactivity in children. Red No. 40 can be found in sweets like Twizzlers, soft drinks, condiments, and cosmetics."
http://idsgn.org/posts/an-edible-color-palette/