Eco-Friendly Eating

If you're living a green lifestyle or are looking for ways to implement it, the food you put on your table may be something you've overlooked. Eco-friendly eating is not necessarily complicated, but it does involve some awareness and possible small changes.

"Sustainable" food choices are those foods that are grown and harvested in environmentally responsible ways. For example, crops that are heavily sprayed with pesticides and fungicides are not only considered less healthy for you, but such conventional farming methods also result in the eventual "death" of the soil and toxic run-off.

Here are some tips on how to apply the green lifestyle to what you eat.

Sustainable Seafood

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The issue of sustainability as it applies to seafood has come to the fore lately. Fish, especially salmon, is considered a very healthy food and a good source of healthy fats and protein. However, some seafood is not considered sustainable.

Species such as orange roughy and Atlantic cod are not sustainable choices due to their endangered populations. Sources say that mussels, tilapia and sardines are, at this point, sustainable choices of seafood.

It's worth pointing out that farm-raised fish are not necessarily the most sustainable choice either; sometimes, wild-caught is better. When in doubt, look for wild-caught fish (it's considered healthier anyhow) that's been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council.

Pesticide-Free Produce

It's probably a no-brainer to point out organic produce as the more sustainable choice - but sometimes it's more complicated than that. For instance, if you are choosing between an organic bell pepper imported from Holland, or a conventional bell pepper grown at a small farm and transported only a few miles, the latter would probably be the most sustainable choice. Less fuel was used to bring the local pepper to your market, and the pepper was probably not sprayed with preservatives or mold-inhibiting chemicals to prepare it for transport.

It's also worth asking if the local farmer uses pesticides or other chemicals (he/she may not, even though the "organic" label is not applied to his/her produce).

Of course, if you can do it, growing your own organic produce is an eco-friendly choice. (See our Sustainable Gardening page for more help with that.)

Filet of grass-fed beef. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Naturally Raised Meats

Large-scale agribusiness and the meat industry has become a concern for eco-conscious people the world over. The problem with some beef cattle is that they are grown (or "produced") on large feed lots that are a source of potentially toxic and unsanitary run-off, and grass-fed beef may mean large areas of forest have been cleared to make way for grazing cattle.

However, lean, grass-fed, free-range beef is usually considered a sustainable choice, as is free-range chicken. Again, local is better; and if you know a hunter, see about getting some venison (that's about as free-range and grass-fed as it gets!). You also might know a local farmer who might consider selling you some fresh chickens or turkeys.

Some experts point out that simply cutting back on meat is an eco-friendly choice, too. Health experts agree that limiting your consumption of red meat is better for you anyway. Most adults should consume no more than 4-6oz of meat per day. Try adding more varied proteins to your diet, such as beans or quinoa, and implement a "Meatless Monday" for at least one day per week that's meat-free. Your health - and your planet - will benefit.

5 Simple Tips for Eating Green & Healthy

So you're thinking about starting to eat cleaner and greener? Good for you. But are you worried that green foods are just not going to be enough to sustain you - or that you won't be able to find the right foods? Well, there's no need to worry. You can live on truly healthy and green foods without a problem. Give yourself two weeks of eating green to create the habit. Here are some ways to eat green that you might want to try...

1. Eat lots of greens.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Eating your spinach will make you strong to the finish as Popeye says! Vegetables do a body good and filling your plate with plenty of hardy vegetables is not only healthy for you, but it's also filling and will give you plenty of energy - positive energy that's good for your muscles and your bones. It's a great way to sustain a healthy body. A good rule of thumb, without trying to count servings, is that for every meal, 2/3 of your plate should be vegetables - primarily green ones. This is literally "eating green."

2. Follow a vegetarian diet.

This doesn't just mean no meat, though. You have to make good organic food choices if you're going to go vegetarian. For example, peanut butter seems like a great source of protein that your body is craving when you switch to a vegetarian diet, but it isn't going to help you in eating green. Some processed foods like peanut butter may contain toxins or man-made additives which are difficult for the body to digest. Eating vegetarian isn't necessarily healthier if you just switch to vegetarian processed foods.

3. Go temporarily vegan.

Take it one step further and don't just cut meat out of your diet, but also milk, dairy products, and seafood. With the use of growth hormones to raise the chickens and cows there's more of a risk of there being a negative effect on our bodies when we eat or drink products made from this stuff. It is possible that the hormone residues could disrupt our hormone balance. As with the caveats in going vegetarian, going vegan isn't healthy if you just switch to vegan processed foods! Be sure you are eating natural, whole foods, and skip the processed fake meat products and that sort of thing. Typically I recommend you go vegan only for a short period of time, so you don't become deficient in certain vitamins that are found only in animal foods, but it's a great way to cleanse and detox your body periodically. And if you do choose to eat meat (or animal products), be sure it is naturally/organically raised! These are the ONLY animal products that are truly safe to eat.

Home cooked food! (Photo credit: Kai Hendry)

4. Eat healthy home cooked meals.

If you're not prepared to go full on vegetarian or vegan, that's okay. Preparing meals at home from scratch has all too often become a thing of the past. Convenience foods (aka junk foods) have taken their place, or eating out. If you prepare your meals at home from scratch then you can control more of what you put into your body. Not only that, but when you eat at home and cook from scratch you will save on energy and package waste. That makes it good for the environment and good for you too, since you can monitor how much sugar and salt is being put on your food. Visit our Cooking From Scratch blog for weekly recipe ideas and healthy cooking tips!

5. Eat super foods that sustain you.

You don't need to eat junk foods when you have a craving. There are some really tasty foods that have the added bonus of being good for you, too. Snack on a piece of dark chocolate instead of a Hershey bar, or an apple and a slice of cheese instead of greasy salty potato chips. Some other must-haves in the super food list include nuts, granola, dried fruit, yogurt, and even kale chips. Or try signing up for a service like NatureBox, which provides you with a selection of naturally healthy snacks every month, so you never have to succumb to temptation in the snack aisle!

All in all, eating green means reducing the amount of processed foods you eat, and meat as well. Less red meat and more green veggies makes for a green diet that will sustain you and which can help you lose weight, too. You'll feel better and more energized as your body is more capable of metabolizing non-processed foods.

Video - Book Review: The Unhealthy Truth

This video reviews a popular book about eating organically. It details why it's so important to eat organic foods these days - much more so than 20 - or even 10 - years ago, and the book will also go into many of the changes in our food supply which make it so unhealthy for us. "Industrial foods" have become the norm, and we are seeing the results in the declining health of our population. Follow one mother's journey to discover the cause of her child's allergies and health issues, in this well-researched and highly informational book.

The Unhealthy Truth: One Mother's Shocking Investigation into the Dangers of America's Food Supply-- and What Every Family Can Do to Protect Itself is available on Amazon.com as well as many other bookstores.

Eating Well and Organic Living! The Unhealthy Truth Review
Get The Book! : www.amazon.com "The Unhealthy Truth: One Mother's Shocking Investigation into the Dangers of America's Food Supply-- and What Every Family Can Do to Protect Itself " My Thoughts on eating well and organic living! Also insight into a g...


 

8 Ways to Eat Organic On A Budget

A lot of people tell me they love the idea of organic food and would start eating it in a heartbeat but their budgets simply don’t allow it. It’s true that organic food can cost considerably more than conventionally grown food…absolutely. The one glimmer of hope is that there has been a downward pricing trend as organic foods became more popular. And I actually posted a blog post on my own experiment with this a while back - showing that it really doesn't have to cost that much more to eat organic if you do it right. Still, the prices aren’t low enough for many people with larger families, so how can you eat organic when you’re on a budget?

Here are a few ideas you can start with:

#1. Start with one thing at a time. Going organic doesn’t mean you have to go all or nothing. Take small steps to where you want to go. I also recommend downloading the EWG (Environmental Working Group) Dirty Dozen list that shows you the produce that is most likely to be grown with the most pesticides, so either avoid those or purchase them organically. The list includes items like cherries, bell peppers, peaches, potatoes, blueberries, spinach, celery, strawberries and more. They also keep a list of produce that is least likely be grown with as much pesticide, so you may not have to rush into organic versions of those.

You can get the list or download a mobile app here: http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/ 

Stoneledge farms CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Local Farming Week Seventeen (Photo credit: smith_cl9)

#2. Buy from farmers markets, or join a CSA program. There are many organic options at farmer’s markets and they are often more affordable than organic fare found at regular supermarkets. You can search Google for “[your town] farmer’s market” or use http://www.localharvest.org to find markets in your area. CSA programs often give you a week's worth of groceries delivered right to your door, and many of them grow completely organically, and they tend to be more affordable than buying from the grocery store. Visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/csa.html for more information.

#3. Cut out expensive (and unhealthy) processed foods. While processed foods may seem like a great deal because they save time and they appear to be inexpensive, they often don’t provide a lot in the way of portion size or nutritional value and can really eat up a food budget if you rely on them. Try reducing the amount of processed foods you buy and eat more nutrient dense whole foods. It’s good for the budget and good for your health.

#4. Stock up when things go on sale and then can, dry or freeze it. It’s the same money-saving concept that people have been using for years and you can apply it to organic foods as well. Invest in a food dehydrator, canning equipment and freezer-ready containers, so you can store organic foods for later eating.

#5. Make it a goal to eat a fully local and/or organic meal each week. It’s an idea borrowed from http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/latest/green-diet-local-meal-44013008 and it’s a good one. If you just try for one meal, you’ll be making a difference without a lot of cost. Plus, leftovers and extra ingredients can be stretched out to additional meals.

#6. Eat more vegetarian meals. I know might sound scary for some meat lovers, me included, but eating more meatless meals gives you so much more money in the food budget. Or if you’re not ready to do completely vegetarian, consider using smaller portions of meat in your meals. Try things like stir fries and casseroles where meat is simply an accompaniment, rather than the main focus of the meal. I've come to use meat often more as a flavoring than as a main ingredient - it really can stretch the budget, and still give you the taste of meat that you love. (For example - pea soup with a ham bone, or just a small piece of ham, or one of my favorites - red beans & rice with just a little bit of ham diced small, and a little bit of ultra-flavorful chorizo sausage and lots of spices. There are lots of great ways to include small amounts of meat in your diet without going overboard - not only is this easier on your wallet, but many studies show it's also easier on your body.)

(Photo credit: yksin)

#7. Pick your own. Don’t be afraid of a little manual labor. Using “you pick” opportunities allows you save a lot of money and stock up for canning, drying and freezing. You can pick a variety of fruits and vegetables. You can look for you picks in your area by visiting http://www.pickyourown.org, but do confirm they are organic growers first.

#8. Grow your own! Often one of the easiest and most overlooked ways to eat organic foods - is to grow them yourself. Organic and sustainable gardening is more and more popular these days, and for good reason. Not only is it a fun and rewarding hobby, but it can provide the freshest and healthiest food possible - picked at the peak of ripeness and nutritional value - from your own garden! Visit our sustainable gardening blog for lots of helpful tips and articles on this at: http://nhlsustainablegardening.blogspot.com/

Every little bit helps and the better you get at picking the right foods, the more affordable it can be. And remember, the long term health benefits of eating more naturally will likely save you plenty in health costs in the long run.

Just one thing before you head out and stock up on everything…we should talk about what organic really means and we’ll do that in my next post.

Other Helpful Resources: 
   

3 Reasons To Feed Your Baby Organic Baby Food

Are you a new parent?  If you are, you may be looking for safe and healthy foods to feed your baby.  When doing so, you may find that you have a small number of options.  Unfortunately, a large number of baby foods currently on the market cannot be considered completely natural.  If this causes you concern, you may want to take the time to examine organic baby food.

As nice as it is to hear that organic baby food is safe and healthy to feed your baby, you may still have some reservations.  After all organic food is known for its higher prices.  There are many first-time parents who wonder if the cost is truly worth it.  But after a close examination, I think you will find that it is.  In fact, there are at least three reasons why you should feed your new baby organic baby food.

1 – Organic Baby Food Is Healthier

Organic Baby Food (Photo credit: Cascadian Farm)

The health reasons are just one of the many reasons why organic baby food is ideal for babies.  As previously stated, many food products designed for babies cannot be considered completely natural.  This is because many companies add in unhealthy sugars and other additives.  This is not the case with organic foods. 

There are many individuals, including parents, who claim that organic food can help to improve a child’s health, as well as their behavior now and in the long run.  Despite the lack of scientific proof, many parents are not willing to take the chance.  Another impact has to do with recalls.  Whether it be recalls on toys, food, or clothing, parents are concerned with companies following all government restrictions to the letter.  Many wonder if a toy manufacturer can put too much lead in a toy, can too many chemicals make their way into baby food?

2 – An Increasing Number of Options

Another one of the many reasons why parents should consider feeding their babies organic baby food is because of the growing number options available.  Unfortunately, many parents mistakenly believe that choosing organic foods limits the number of foods their children will be able to consume.  While this may be true in some cases, you may be surprised how many flavors and different varieties of organic food are available for babies and other small children.

For example, Earth's Best Organic is a well-known supplier and product manufacturer of organic foods.  In terms of their jarred baby food, which is ideal for infants, they have flavors that include apples, carrots, bananas, peas, sweet potatoes, and pears - and much more.  It is also important to mention that these flavors are only for jarred baby food.  Organic formula, rice cereals, and other snacks can be made organically as well.

Homemade Baby Food - Carrots (Photo credit: Cascadian Farm)

3 – You Can Make Your Own Organic Baby Food

As previously stated, organic baby food does cost more than traditional foods.  This is due in part to the extra steps that must be taken to ensure that all foods are organic, including certification.  Although many grocery stores and organic food stores, both on and offline, offer sales and discounts, the costs may still be too much for many parents.  If it is for you, you can still feed your baby organic baby food by making your own.  In fact, you may be surprised just how easy it is to do so.  All you need to do is find homemade baby food recipes and make sure that you use organic fruits and vegetables. Usually all you need is a basic food processor, and you're good to go. You can make small batches in the amounts that you need, and you'll know the food you're feeding your baby is as fresh and healthy as it can be!

As you can see, there are a number of reasons why organic food is great for babies.  If you are concerned with your child, their health, and the ingredients found in many common foods, organic baby food may be a great choice.

Organic Foods Equal Improved Health?

I know for me, one of the greatest lifestyle changes I've made in the past few years is switching over to almost all organic foods. Joining a local CSA has allowed me to do this in a cost-effective manner, and also have the satisfaction of supporting my local community farmers and knowing exactly where my food comes from. I don't know if this is the sole reason, but I'm sure it does have some correlation with the fact that I pretty much NEVER get sick anymore. No more flu, no more twice a year colds, no long drawn out weeks of coughing and sniffling. I have had 2 colds in the past 4 years, both of which lasted no more than 3 days (one of them I caught from my boss, who suffered with his for 5 weeks!)  I can't say for sure this is entirely due to eating organically, but I'm sure it has had some impact. Eating healthy and fresh foods is one of the absolute best things you can do for your body and overall health.

Image via WikipediaOrganic food is food that is free from all genetically modified organisms, produced without artificial pesticides and fertilizers and derived from an animal reared without the routine use of antibiotics, growth promoters or other drugs. Once only available in small stores or farmers' markets, organic foods are becoming much more widely available.

Organic foods have been shown to improve your immune system, help you sleep better, shed the excess weight more easily, and improve your blood work just to name a few. Organic food can boast intense, realistic flavors, and a higher vitamin and mineral content.

And though logically it makes sense to consume a diet based on organic foods, some worry about the cost. But with careful planning and preparation, going organic is actually quite affordable. And, the peace of mind knowing you and your family are consuming foods that haven’t been treated with pesticides or genetically altered is worth the extra money spent.

The pesticides used by conventional farmers can have many negative influences on your health, including neurotoxicity, disruption of your endocrine system, carcinogenicity and immune system suppression. Pesticide exposure may also affect male reproductive function and has been linked to miscarriages in women.

Image by karenandbrademerson via FlickrAdditionally, conventional produce tends to have fewer nutrients than organic produce. On average, conventional produce has only 83 percent of the nutrients of organic produce. Studies have found significantly higher levels of nutrients such as vitamin C, iron, magnesium and phosphorus, and significantly less nitrates (a toxin) in organic crops.

So it’s a smart idea to buy and eat organic produce and free-range organic foods as much as possible for maximum health benefits. In addition, the knowledge that you’re supporting the organic foods industry that is dedicated to protecting the environment by steering clear of harmful pesticides and chemicals that can result in the loss of topsoil, toxic runoff and resulting water pollution, soil contamination and poisoning and the death of insects, birds, critters and beneficial soil organisms should help you feel even better.

For more information on these topics, visit  http://www.newholisticliving.com/csa.html and http://www.newholisticliving.com/toxicload.html.