Manufacturers use preservatives/additives in their foods to improve shelf-life, decrease the growth of mold, and enhance the appearance & flavour of the food. Chemical additives are in frozen meats to keep them from going rancid, in the packaging of your breakfast cereal to keep it from going stale, and sprayed on your oranges to make them look more ripe & appealing. These chemicals have no nutritional benefit to the consumer, and in fact, have been linked to all kinds of damage in the body - most commonly cancer, but also brain-nerve disruption, diseases such as Alzheimers & Parkinsons, and the leaching of important minerals & vitamins from your bones.
Try to avoid:
- BHA & BHT
- Aspartame (it turns into formaldehyde once it gets in your body or is in temperatures above 30 degrees, and was turned down by the FDA 6x over 16 years before it finally got approval - after some shifty job swaps on the board)
- Acesulfame-K
- Sodium Nitrite / Nitrate
- Potassium Bromate
- MSG
- Fake colours (made up of petroleum, acetone, & coal tars) - blue 1 & 2, red 3 & 40, yellow 6, green 3.
Here's some info. about the colourants (which you can find all over on the web):
Blue 1 and Blue 2: Blue 1, used to color candy, beverages and baked goods, may cause
cancer. Blue 2, found in pet food, candy and beverages, has caused brain
tumors in mice.
Red 3 & 40: This food coloring is used in cherries (in fruit cocktails), baked
goods and candy. It causes thyroid tumors in rats, and may cause them in
humans as well.
Yellow 6: As the third most often used food coloring, yellow 6 is found in many
products, including baked goods, candy, gelatin and sausages. It has
been found to cause adrenal gland and kidney tumors, and contains small
amounts of many carcinogens.
Green 3: Has been linked to bladder cancer.
Go here for a more detailed explanation of the direct effects of some of the above mentioned additives (or google "dangers of food additives").
In everyday life it can be difficult attempting to avoid all of the above mentioned additives (we all seem to want food that is convenient, but it's tricky to find convenient, quick meals that aren't loaded with nasty crap), but making small changes (like choosing naturally-coloured Smarties instead of artifically-coloured Skittles as your treat du jour), can really make a big difference to the health of your body over time, and especially your children's. Read your labels & drink lots of water - this can help flush out some of the toxins that are sneaking by. So can eating your fruits & veggies - foods & drinks that fight free-radical damage can trap some of the nasties that preservatives & additives release in your body, and help them pass out of your system.
PS. Processed sugars could very well be referenced in this entry as well, but I spent an entire entry on it last time around! & I'll have you know I have been successful in greatly reducing my chocolate consumption -- so there's hope for any other guy or gal out there; give it a try!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
So Long *I mean Good Riddance, sweet tooth
As of late I have been attempting to be more conscientious of my sugar intake, that is, reducing it (not counting those that occur naturally in fruits & veggies). It's been really tough trying to consume less chocolate (I eat it every day, & Easter sure as heck did not help my case)(& I am unfortunately not talking about the good-for-you organic dark chocolate), but as I am becoming more educated as to the consequences of regular consumption of processed/refined sugars (which my chocolate is loaded with, not to mention the outrageous fat content), the war in my thought process which is prompted by sweet goodies is becoming an easier one to fight.
Food Sugar for thought: At the end of the 19th Century the average American consumed 5lbs of sugar per year. Today the average American consumes 2-3lbs of sugar per WEEK. (Sorry I don't have Canadian stats, boo.) Along with our sky-rocketing sugar intakes, so to have our statistics for occurrences of heart disease & many other ailments soared.
Did ya know that sugar is actually addictive? Fo realz, it causes changes in your brain similar to that of drug use. Dopamine (a "feel good" neurotransmitter in your brain) levels jump when you consume foods containing sugar, which makes your body jump for joy. And so your brain ends up in a cycle which points you back to sugar again & again because it enjoys being in that happy feel good zone. (Sidestory: in college my Psychology of Drugs & Behaviour professor regularly wrote letters to the author of our course textbook recommending sugar be included in the content, right alongside cocaine & heroin.) This sugar-induced dopamine cycle is not a good one to be stuck in considering all the negative effects sugar can have on your health.
Sugar decreases your body's ability to absorb many minerals & vitamins - nutrients key to your body performing optimally, along with good bone health. It also has a negative affect on your immune system (your body's ability to fight off bad guys like cold bugs or the flu, also your body's defense against occasional flaws in cell reproduction... abnormal cell growth can result in cancer). Sugar increases free radical damage, such as the aging of your skin. Sugar increases fats in the blood & decreases 'good' cholesterol. Sugar causes cavities (when combined with the acid in the mouth, chemicals are formed which dissolve enamel). Excessive sugar intake can result in Type 2 Diabetes. Considering how it affects the brain (not only does it alter the production of Dopamine, but of Serotonin & Norepinephrine, too), it could play a role in mood disorders such as depression (in fact decreasing sugar intake can increase emotional stability). Why expose yourself to all of these risks just for a brief analgesic sugar hit? There are tons of other ways to get those feel good neurotransmitters high, without the negative side effects - try walking or running, stretching, a heart-to-heart with a friend.
Here are some ways sugar can be disguised on a label: sucrose, fructose, maple syrup, molasses, dextrose, turbinade, amazake, sorbitol, carob powder, glucose, high fructose corn syrup.
Next time you're jonesin' for a sugar hit, reach for an apple or some other natural source of sugars (carrots, peppers, bananas, strawberries, grapes... most fruits & veggies!) instead of processed nasties (dress up your veggies with yummy tzatziki or hummus). Avoid fake sweeteners like aspartame which imitate sugar and leave your body craving more sweetness. If you're going to indulge in a treat, making homemade goodies instead of purchasing them prepackaged helps you to see & control how much sugar you & your family are consuming.
Love your body & take care of yourself by limiting your crappy sugar intake - even if it's just a little baby step (like eating a chocolate treat every other day instead of every day or limiting your indulgence in sour candies to girls movie nights in); this can have HUGE effects on your health as the years go by. You'll be absorbing & storing nutrients better and your body will be able to function more optimally, resulting in a happier healthier you, & contributing to keeping diseases & ailments at bay.
Did ya know that sugar is actually addictive? Fo realz, it causes changes in your brain similar to that of drug use. Dopamine (a "feel good" neurotransmitter in your brain) levels jump when you consume foods containing sugar, which makes your body jump for joy. And so your brain ends up in a cycle which points you back to sugar again & again because it enjoys being in that happy feel good zone. (Sidestory: in college my Psychology of Drugs & Behaviour professor regularly wrote letters to the author of our course textbook recommending sugar be included in the content, right alongside cocaine & heroin.) This sugar-induced dopamine cycle is not a good one to be stuck in considering all the negative effects sugar can have on your health.
Sugar decreases your body's ability to absorb many minerals & vitamins - nutrients key to your body performing optimally, along with good bone health. It also has a negative affect on your immune system (your body's ability to fight off bad guys like cold bugs or the flu, also your body's defense against occasional flaws in cell reproduction... abnormal cell growth can result in cancer). Sugar increases free radical damage, such as the aging of your skin. Sugar increases fats in the blood & decreases 'good' cholesterol. Sugar causes cavities (when combined with the acid in the mouth, chemicals are formed which dissolve enamel). Excessive sugar intake can result in Type 2 Diabetes. Considering how it affects the brain (not only does it alter the production of Dopamine, but of Serotonin & Norepinephrine, too), it could play a role in mood disorders such as depression (in fact decreasing sugar intake can increase emotional stability). Why expose yourself to all of these risks just for a brief analgesic sugar hit? There are tons of other ways to get those feel good neurotransmitters high, without the negative side effects - try walking or running, stretching, a heart-to-heart with a friend.
Here are some ways sugar can be disguised on a label: sucrose, fructose, maple syrup, molasses, dextrose, turbinade, amazake, sorbitol, carob powder, glucose, high fructose corn syrup.
Next time you're jonesin' for a sugar hit, reach for an apple or some other natural source of sugars (carrots, peppers, bananas, strawberries, grapes... most fruits & veggies!) instead of processed nasties (dress up your veggies with yummy tzatziki or hummus). Avoid fake sweeteners like aspartame which imitate sugar and leave your body craving more sweetness. If you're going to indulge in a treat, making homemade goodies instead of purchasing them prepackaged helps you to see & control how much sugar you & your family are consuming.
Love your body & take care of yourself by limiting your crappy sugar intake - even if it's just a little baby step (like eating a chocolate treat every other day instead of every day or limiting your indulgence in sour candies to girls movie nights in); this can have HUGE effects on your health as the years go by. You'll be absorbing & storing nutrients better and your body will be able to function more optimally, resulting in a happier healthier you, & contributing to keeping diseases & ailments at bay.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Don't eat your chia pet, but DO eat chia seeds ;)
Different from my regular entries (I'm having a difficult time coming up with topics! I've covered the most important things in my opinion - staying away from parabens, pthalates, dmdm hydantion & other weird ingredients); I wanted to share a bit of knowledge about the super-healthy antioxidant-packed chia seeds!
Chia seeds are infamous for the crazy grassy hair they create on the tops of dirt characters, but have recently become referred to as a Superfood for consuming. Not only are they packed with antioxidants (which battle free-radical damage in your body like aging skin & inflamed tissue)(and are responsible for the fact that chia seeds can stay fresh at room temperature for 2 whole years), but with calcium, iron, & other vitamins and minerals too, as well as fiber. Not to mention they are a plant-based complete protein, which is good news for all you vegetarians & vegans out there. Chia seeds are also the richest plant source of Omega-3 fatty acids ("that healthy stuff in fish") - omega-3 oil is important in heart & cholesterol health. AND chia seeds aren't grown with any pesticides - awesome. AND they are fantastic at regulating blood sugar levels, keeping our bodies in balance.
This morning I added 1tbsp of chia seeds to my oatmeal (along with a bit of brown sugar, cinnamon, and fresh strawberries). Really chia seeds can be added to anything (smoothies, baked goods...) since the seeds do not have a flavour of their own. A recipe I'm inclined to try out involves adding milk to chia seeds (when mixed with water/milk chia seeds take on a gelatinous consistency), for an incredibly healthy tapioca-pudding-like treat. Give it a whirl when you're fixing for chocolate or want to try a new dessert!
All you need is chocolate almond milk & some chia seeds! The chocolate almond milk will provide sweetness (mmm chocolate) & good-for-your-bones vitamins & minerals, and the chia seeds will provide tons of excellent benefits like what I mentioned above. Resulting in a vitamin, mineral, antioxidant, healthy omega-3 fatty acid, fiber-packed vegan-friendly delish dish for you.
Updated recipe*
In a bowl, mix1 2-4tbsp chia seeds with 1cup chocolate almond milk. Let sit 20 minutes (in the fridge will keep your treat nice & chilly), stir & adjust liquid-seed ratio to personal preference and let sit again if necessary, and enjoy! *For me the 1tbsp was not enough, I found 2-4tbsp was a better consistency (or 1/3c. / 2c. liquid), and added a bit of natural vanilla yogurt for sweetness (since I used unsweetend almond milk).
If you google Chia Seed Pudding there are tons of variations of this recipe involving mashed bananas, vanilla extract, and other yummy ingredients. You can also use coconut, rice, or regular milk, depending on your preference.
Chia seeds are infamous for the crazy grassy hair they create on the tops of dirt characters, but have recently become referred to as a Superfood for consuming. Not only are they packed with antioxidants (which battle free-radical damage in your body like aging skin & inflamed tissue)(and are responsible for the fact that chia seeds can stay fresh at room temperature for 2 whole years), but with calcium, iron, & other vitamins and minerals too, as well as fiber. Not to mention they are a plant-based complete protein, which is good news for all you vegetarians & vegans out there. Chia seeds are also the richest plant source of Omega-3 fatty acids ("that healthy stuff in fish") - omega-3 oil is important in heart & cholesterol health. AND chia seeds aren't grown with any pesticides - awesome. AND they are fantastic at regulating blood sugar levels, keeping our bodies in balance.
This morning I added 1tbsp of chia seeds to my oatmeal (along with a bit of brown sugar, cinnamon, and fresh strawberries). Really chia seeds can be added to anything (smoothies, baked goods...) since the seeds do not have a flavour of their own. A recipe I'm inclined to try out involves adding milk to chia seeds (when mixed with water/milk chia seeds take on a gelatinous consistency), for an incredibly healthy tapioca-pudding-like treat. Give it a whirl when you're fixing for chocolate or want to try a new dessert!
All you need is chocolate almond milk & some chia seeds! The chocolate almond milk will provide sweetness (mmm chocolate) & good-for-your-bones vitamins & minerals, and the chia seeds will provide tons of excellent benefits like what I mentioned above. Resulting in a vitamin, mineral, antioxidant, healthy omega-3 fatty acid, fiber-packed vegan-friendly delish dish for you.
Updated recipe*
In a bowl, mix
If you google Chia Seed Pudding there are tons of variations of this recipe involving mashed bananas, vanilla extract, and other yummy ingredients. You can also use coconut, rice, or regular milk, depending on your preference.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Why You Should Switch To Natural Lip Care
Lip balm rocks... but what is in it & what is it actually doing to our lips? & what about it supposedly being addicting?
There are plenty of different brands of lip creations for you to choose from to soothe dry chapped lips, get some colour, protection from the sun, a glimmer. As a kid I was a sparkly smacker Bonnebell type of girl, as a teen I loved Carmex & DuWop's Lip Venom, and now... well I'm becoming a naturally-based product fanatic, so my old faves are out, and my new ones only need being borrowed by a friend once to make them a fanatic, too.
Lip moisturizers are centuries old - back in the day gals used to mix up concoctions including good-for-your-lips ingredients like beeswax, jojoba oil, shea butter, and the juice of aloe vera plants. However in more recent days commercially developed lip balms have flown the natural coop and delved deep into toxic make-a-company-tons-of-money-by-sabotaging-your-lips trench.
Natural ingredients work with your body promoting good lip health (taking care of the delicate & extremely thin skin on your lips) and protecting your lips from environmental factors such as wind & pollution. Toxic balms containing carcinogenic petrolatum and mineral oil -both derived from petroleum-, synthetic fragrances and flavours, propylene glycol, and human nervous system toxicant dyes (eg FD&C __), amongst other nasty ingredients can have the opposite effect: temporarily relieving your chapped lips & over the long haul in fact drying them out more - making you reach back for that balm again, and again, and again. Keep in mind that the pores on your lips are greater in size than those on your body and that you swallow & ingest pounds (that's right, pounds!) of lip stuff every year; it makes sense to be conscientious of what you are putting on (and therefor in) your mouth. + why would you expose yourself to those toxic concoctions when there are awesome alternatives?
Switching to a natural lip moisturizer is easy, and really won't cost you - there are tons of natural lip balms out there that are the same price as their non-natural counterpart. AND you get more effective, better-for-you care for your pout! Look for ones with ingredients like beeswax, almond oil, hempseed oil, jojoba oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, sunflower seed oil. Beeswax seals in moisture as well as attracts it out of the air to your lips. Pure oils are excellent excellent moisturizers and can give your lips shine. Organic is best since the use of pesticides is obnoxious, and not good for you.
I've heard good things about Burt's Bees, however since they were bought out by Clorox and have started making less-than-natural switches to their ingredient lists, I've steered clear. Saltspring Soapworks has a great lip balm, as does Rocky Mountain Soap Company (in 5 yummy flavours). Cheeky Cosmetics has some nice tinted ones with a natural peppermint flavour. Pangea Organics has some that I've heard rave reviews about but have never tried myself. I'd love to hear if you have any reviews/favourites:).
There are plenty of different brands of lip creations for you to choose from to soothe dry chapped lips, get some colour, protection from the sun, a glimmer. As a kid I was a sparkly smacker Bonnebell type of girl, as a teen I loved Carmex & DuWop's Lip Venom, and now... well I'm becoming a naturally-based product fanatic, so my old faves are out, and my new ones only need being borrowed by a friend once to make them a fanatic, too.
Lip moisturizers are centuries old - back in the day gals used to mix up concoctions including good-for-your-lips ingredients like beeswax, jojoba oil, shea butter, and the juice of aloe vera plants. However in more recent days commercially developed lip balms have flown the natural coop and delved deep into toxic make-a-company-tons-of-money-by-sabotaging-your-lips trench.
Natural ingredients work with your body promoting good lip health (taking care of the delicate & extremely thin skin on your lips) and protecting your lips from environmental factors such as wind & pollution. Toxic balms containing carcinogenic petrolatum and mineral oil -both derived from petroleum-, synthetic fragrances and flavours, propylene glycol, and human nervous system toxicant dyes (eg FD&C __), amongst other nasty ingredients can have the opposite effect: temporarily relieving your chapped lips & over the long haul in fact drying them out more - making you reach back for that balm again, and again, and again. Keep in mind that the pores on your lips are greater in size than those on your body and that you swallow & ingest pounds (that's right, pounds!) of lip stuff every year; it makes sense to be conscientious of what you are putting on (and therefor in) your mouth. + why would you expose yourself to those toxic concoctions when there are awesome alternatives?
Switching to a natural lip moisturizer is easy, and really won't cost you - there are tons of natural lip balms out there that are the same price as their non-natural counterpart. AND you get more effective, better-for-you care for your pout! Look for ones with ingredients like beeswax, almond oil, hempseed oil, jojoba oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, sunflower seed oil. Beeswax seals in moisture as well as attracts it out of the air to your lips. Pure oils are excellent excellent moisturizers and can give your lips shine. Organic is best since the use of pesticides is obnoxious, and not good for you.
I've heard good things about Burt's Bees, however since they were bought out by Clorox and have started making less-than-natural switches to their ingredient lists, I've steered clear. Saltspring Soapworks has a great lip balm, as does Rocky Mountain Soap Company (in 5 yummy flavours). Cheeky Cosmetics has some nice tinted ones with a natural peppermint flavour. Pangea Organics has some that I've heard rave reviews about but have never tried myself. I'd love to hear if you have any reviews/favourites:).
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