So have some big news to share... immanent life changes are taking place - duh duh duhhhhh.... So it all started because of a book - I can't say that, let me rephrase, actually it's all been happening and this blog exists to document the changes I go through to make life better, "greener", and more creature friendly and hopefully help others who are on this path or thinking about taking a stroll down this path. My other focus is to make it as affordable as possible.
ANYWAY... I just recently read Skinny Bitch by Rory and Kim, I borrowed it from my sister with the warning that if you want to continue eat meat skip chapter 5. Well how many of you can have someone say that, even though a good warning, and not do it? It's like the waitress tells you, "don't touch your plate, it's hot" what do you immediately do? right - same diff. So I liked the book it really gives it to ya straight. I highly recommend if you are so inclined. It's about weight loss but really about soooo much more.
So what are these changes... well let me first give my reasons as they are very important and I am all but forced to make these changes. I consider myself an environmentalist, animal lover, and pretty spiritual. These things I consider to be core to my being, they resonate with my soul so to speak. Truth, honor, love, respect for all beings - core values I endeavor to embody. Ok that being said, I of course have written before about factory farming - there are a lot of horrible things that go on with that. Also factory farming contributes to the decline of the environment - as a matter of fact it is sooo toxic most areas around these farms are dead and the runoff from the farms gets into YOUR drinking water. (more on this later)
So the first thing is I have given up dairy - this I am doing for #1 reason - my health - I am asthmatic and dairy makes your body produce mucus, something asthmatics have plenty of already! I don't know if it will work but I am going to try to heal my lungs through holistic methods - this being the first step I take in that direction. And by the way I LOOOVE milk and cheese - so this will be tough. #2 reason is for the health and well being of the animals and the environment. If you must have dairy always go Organic! better treatment of the animals and MUCH better for the environment.
The second thing is I have given up diet soda - I gave up regular soda about 7 -8 years ago and I gave up diet soda during the week about 4 months ago, only drinking it on the weekends, I am now going to give it up completely. I learned that the aspartame in diet sodas turns into formaldehyde in your body - GREAT!!! So you can preserve all the fat on your body - wonder why you're not losing weight?? Something to think about! Soda companies give lots and lots of money to companies that are supposedly protecting your health to put out PR that says it isn't as harmful as it is. They also spend billions on advertising, trying to hook kids and adults, because we don't already have an obesity problem right??
Third thing is I got a juicer and I'm going to start drinking nature's miracle cure in a glass every morning (well I'll try to!) fresh fruits and veggies.
So those aren't the only changes but those are the major ones, and after reading the book it became horribly apparent that if the things I believed in truly meant anything to me I had to start living by my convictions. Instead of do as I say not as I do, I really want to embody my favorite quote, "Ese Quam Videri" for all those who don't speak Latin - "To Be, Not to Appear". So here's to 2009 and making a better earth for us all!! Cheers!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
What the food industry doesn't want you to Know!
Good morning! I have been on a food kick lately, probably because I am looking to change my lifestyle just a little bit more and no I will not say the word "diet" because that is a bad word and diets don't work - apologies to all who read this and are on a diet. If you are, then just know that it WILL work if you continue making the changes in your life even after you have lost the weight. On to bigger and better things... I read a great article about 10 Things the Food Industry Doesn't Want You to Know if the link doesn't work just go to MSN Health and Fitness and search out the title.
Anyway a brief rundown, basically your kids are not safe from junk food because the junk food industry spends BILLIONS working to get them addicted and then minimizes the health risks associated with their products. The really scary aspect is that the junk food industry donates large sums of money to professional nutrition associations, for example Coca-Cola donates to the American Dietetic Association. Realize this means that all of those warnings are minimized or none are given at all. This also means these "non-biased" associations are being manipulated by the junk food industry.
So what does this all mean?? It means that the more processed, refined, and changed from the natural state a food is the WORSE it is for you!
Biologically speaking we are just animals with digestive systems very similar to other mammals (yes on my biology kick, I know!) and we have basic elements to help us digest and assimilate food into our bodies. We didn't evolve with Twinkies! In other words your body doesn't know what a "Twinkie" is. It will not process it correctly because it has no way to do so. Just because you put food in your mouth doesn't mean your body will use it, in fact this is why gaining weight is so easy - all that processed junk you eat goes into your fat cells because your body can't recognize what it is. The more Whole Foods you eat and by whole I mean no processing - salads, fruit, veggies (always organic), whole grains, organic and free range beef, chicken, pork (lean cuts) the better your body can work. Your body immediately recognizes a tomato, it is like, "sweet a tomato, great we can use the vitamins in that over here, the water can go to the cells, the skin and pulp we'll just digest into energy, and the rest, well there isn't much left!"
Now my most important point is - It is not as important what you put into your body as what you leave OUT! So here is a quick recipe should you be so inclined to try the whole foods thing.
1 whole grain (has to say #1 ingredient whole grain/wheat) baguette (long skinny french bread)
- slice into diagonally cut pieces and set aside
1 tomato (organic)
1 clove garlic (organic)
2 tblspn extra virgin olive oil (buy this in dark containers - light causes oxidation, and preferable organic)
1 tspn sea salt (yes the sea salt is important as it contains good trace minerals)
1 tspn pepper
2 tspn Parmesan cheese (Parmesan goat cheese will work too)
- dice tomato and garlic then mix all above ingredients and let sit a minimum of 1 hour, this allows the flavors to meld together, then place atop baguette and stuff your face!
Whole food - slow food and this is for 1 person, just double ingredients for 2 people.
That's it and want to know the best part? Whole, unprocessed food satisfies you and fills you up for longer than ANY processed stuff does - so add in some good whole foods and change your diet, your life, your world!!
-peace
Anyway a brief rundown, basically your kids are not safe from junk food because the junk food industry spends BILLIONS working to get them addicted and then minimizes the health risks associated with their products. The really scary aspect is that the junk food industry donates large sums of money to professional nutrition associations, for example Coca-Cola donates to the American Dietetic Association. Realize this means that all of those warnings are minimized or none are given at all. This also means these "non-biased" associations are being manipulated by the junk food industry.
So what does this all mean?? It means that the more processed, refined, and changed from the natural state a food is the WORSE it is for you!
Biologically speaking we are just animals with digestive systems very similar to other mammals (yes on my biology kick, I know!) and we have basic elements to help us digest and assimilate food into our bodies. We didn't evolve with Twinkies! In other words your body doesn't know what a "Twinkie" is. It will not process it correctly because it has no way to do so. Just because you put food in your mouth doesn't mean your body will use it, in fact this is why gaining weight is so easy - all that processed junk you eat goes into your fat cells because your body can't recognize what it is. The more Whole Foods you eat and by whole I mean no processing - salads, fruit, veggies (always organic), whole grains, organic and free range beef, chicken, pork (lean cuts) the better your body can work. Your body immediately recognizes a tomato, it is like, "sweet a tomato, great we can use the vitamins in that over here, the water can go to the cells, the skin and pulp we'll just digest into energy, and the rest, well there isn't much left!"
Now my most important point is - It is not as important what you put into your body as what you leave OUT! So here is a quick recipe should you be so inclined to try the whole foods thing.
1 whole grain (has to say #1 ingredient whole grain/wheat) baguette (long skinny french bread)
- slice into diagonally cut pieces and set aside
1 tomato (organic)
1 clove garlic (organic)
2 tblspn extra virgin olive oil (buy this in dark containers - light causes oxidation, and preferable organic)
1 tspn sea salt (yes the sea salt is important as it contains good trace minerals)
1 tspn pepper
2 tspn Parmesan cheese (Parmesan goat cheese will work too)
- dice tomato and garlic then mix all above ingredients and let sit a minimum of 1 hour, this allows the flavors to meld together, then place atop baguette and stuff your face!
Whole food - slow food and this is for 1 person, just double ingredients for 2 people.
That's it and want to know the best part? Whole, unprocessed food satisfies you and fills you up for longer than ANY processed stuff does - so add in some good whole foods and change your diet, your life, your world!!
-peace
Friday, January 9, 2009
Change
Sorry I haven't been on in awhile - all the works have kept me very busy but since this is a blog about "change" or "changing" your ways, going more green and making a better world for yourself I received a newsletter that had the following article about change I think it is very relevant considering the changing state of the world today and in the U.S. the very crazy economy and changes from day to day... I hope you will enjoy as much as I did!
5 Ways to Welcome Change (by Elizabeth Lesser)from Natural Awakenings Magazine
1 Expect Change
Because we live in a changing universe, expect change: good change, difficult change, destructive change and transformative change.
2 Make Friends with Change
Try not to fight change. Make unconditional friendship with it, in whatever form it arrives.
3 Relax into the Mystery
There is much more to this life than we can ever understand with our tiny brains and fearful hearts. So, in times of big change, it's good to be gentle, kind and patient with yourself and to relax. The best peacemakers are those who are at peace with themselves.
4 Receive Change's Message
Be still and listen deeply for the truth that is carried on its winds-information about the past, wisdom about the present and direction for the future.
5 Come Alive
Join forces with the dynamic flow of life. The African-American theologian Howard Thurman said: "Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs are people who have come alive."
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