GMO Food Watch This Film

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Watch this film - it's 1hr24min, so have movie night tonight.  Trust me...it is worth watching; this is why many of you are obese, sick and can't seem to get well. This is why you should eat organic and support your local farmer's organic market.  Good reason to go back to Europe where GMO food is banned!
http://www.outsiderartfair.com/2013

The Difference Between Whole Wheat and Sprouted Wheat Bread

Sprouted wheat and whole wheat breads are both made from whole wheat kernels.  Sprouted wheat bread is made fom the kernels that have begun to sprout, which makes the grain easier to digest and makes it richer in antioxidents, vitamins and fiber.  You will see sprouted grain breads made from combinations of oats, barley, millet and lentils.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  There's much talk these days about intolerance to wheat, gluten and other digestive disorders.  If you suffer no side effects from a good baguette, have your daily bread and enjoy it.  If you do suffer from intolerance to wheat or gluten, check out your local health food store...there are options out there for you breadaholics!

Let's Go Beans!!!

Here are some healthy statistics on some of the most common types of legumes that are easy to cook and prepare:
Lentils: .25cup dry:  150 calories, 0g fat, 0g sat fat, 27g carbs, 7g fibre, 2g sugar, 11g protein, 15mg sodium, 0mg cholesterol
Black Beans: .50 cup dry:  110 calories, 1g fat, 0g sat fat, 18g carbs, 6g fibre, 0g sugar, 7g protein, 15mg sodium, 0mg cholesterol
Dried Garbanzo Beans:  .25cup dry:  140 calories, 5g fat, 0g sat fat, 23g carbs, 7g fibre, 0g sugar, 8g protein, 10mg sodium0mg cholesterol.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Beans are good for you.  A great source of protein and other wonderful vitamins and minerals, these legumes are action-packed with fiber, can help reduce your blood sugar levels and may help prevent cancer.  So let's go beans tonight!

Wild Salmon

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Wild salmon is a fabulous source of Vitamin D.  Vitamin D is essential for a healthy immune system to kill bacteria and viruses that could potentially cause disease.  Wild salmon is also a great source of fatty Omega -3 which is good for your bones, teeth, joints, hair and skin.  Eat wild salmon twice weekly for good health.

Eat Grains They Taste Great and They Are Good For You

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Grains are important for healthy bodies.  Google the following and learn how you can whip up mighty fine recipes using the following:   Red Quinoa, Basmati Rice, Blak Barley, Pearled Barley, Black Rice, Red Himalayan Rice and Spelt.  FoodNetwork.com has some awesome recipes free and online!

Get Healthy - Grow A Garden

This morning's FT printed an article about China's purchase of a huge quantity of corn (corn for livestock feed is scarce); this will drive the price of soybeans over an already obscenely high rate.  Genetically modified foods are being 'grown' en masse to a point of being scary (Mother Nature really should not be messed with).  I've been offered a small plot of land to start a much larger herbal garden this year...the space is perfect for some nightshades and squashes as well.  I've decided to take the plunge and give it a try.  I'll have to have a small conversation with all the hairy and furry critters that might think this is their very own farmer's market...they'll have to share all the veggies with me - the farmer.  I, in turn, will have to grow enough so that everyone has enough to eat.  At least me, my loved one and all the hairy and furry things that eat  the produce from my garden will have organically grown and fresh food.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you have the opportunity to turn a small plot of land into an organic vegetable garden this year - do it!  The exercise and fresh air will do you some good, but an organic supply of produce for you and your loved ones will ensure healthy eating!

Hey, What's For Lunch?

If your schedule is anything like mine, then lunch can be challenging.  No time to get out and buy a good lunch and very little time to eat the home made lunch you've packed.  Here's the answer to all your woes:

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Every week, take some time while you're watching television in the evening and make a beautiful pot of soup.  There are so many easy to cook soup recipes out there in cyber space or at your local bookstore.  Spicy Moroccan meatball soups, Thai seafood soup, chicken lentil, vegetarian soups...there are thousands to choose from.  Soups can be transported in a tupperware and microwaved in less than 2 minutes.  Soups can be loaded with proteins, carbs, vitamins, minerals and all types of yummy ingredients.  Soups are filling and satisfying.  Finish off your lunch with a piece of fruit and you're set.  Today, I had pulled chicken and red lentil and vegetable soup.  You can even cheat by purchasing a rotisserie organic chicken ready made from Whole Foods Market and throwing the whole bird into the pot.  Simply delicious!  Low fat and so good for you.  Soup's on in my house - how about yours?

What's Good For Lunch!

I always ask my patients what they've had for breakfast and lunch.  I'm amazing at how boring lunch has become for some of them - it's no wonder they go for the Manhattan 'roach coaches' for their daily fare and indulge in greasy fast food.  O.K., folks...bring your lunch to work.  Home made lunches are delicious, nutritious and cheap eats!  Here's an example of what I bring to lunch during my work day...

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Make a visit to Fairway or Whole Foods.  Purchase a rotisserie chicken (at $8 already cooked, you can't make one yourself for cheaper), mixed salad greens, boil and skin some red or golden beats and cube them up, Tsaziki sauce (low fat, low cal and delicious greek yoghurt sauce), tabouleh, cherry tomatoes, avocados, a can of chick peas, alfalfa sprouts, and olives.  combine all or various combinations of the above ingredients and take a tupperware to work with you.  Add a flat bread or pita to go with your lunch and don't forget a lovely blood orange or some other fruit for  a late afternoon snack.  This is a delicious and nutritious lunch that is much more interesting, tasty and healthier for you than that junk you're buying on the street.  Add some pizazz a few days per week and throw some trail mix over the salad, or instead of chicken, try feta cheese and chick peas as your protein source.  With ingredients like these, you have no excuses to make lunch an event to look forward to!  If imagination and planning don't come easy to you, schedule an appointment today and I will design a week-by-week food plan for you that will encompass most of your favorite foods!

Join a Food Club

Here's an interesting idea I was reading about just yesterday:  a food club.  What's a food club?  A food club is a group of friends, family and/or neighbors who contribute a certain amount of money per month into a kitty so that natural foods can be purchased from distributors and local farmers at a wholesale price.  By pooling a little bit of time and finances, hight quality and healthy food can be purchased for an overall savings of 25%.  The food is delivered weekly to a central dropoff location and each member gets their share of the goodies.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Natural and healthy food is expensive (just go to Whole Foods for sticker shock).  If you and your friends would like to form your own food group, it's not that difficult and can be a lot of fun!  Check out foodclub.org or localfoodclub.org today and start your own foodie group!

5 Foods to Beat Breast Cancer

The food choices we make can improve or deplete our health.  According to 5 new studies, you can lower the risk of breast cancer by making wise choices at the market or restaurant.  Cheryl L. Rock, Ph.D., R.D., professor of family and preventive medicine at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, states, "a woman can cut her chance of cancer by as much as 2/3 with good nutrition and weight management". (source:  Eating Well Spt/Oct 2011). 

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Choose lean protein and lots of produce.  Purchase organic whenever you can.  Keep your weight within reason and eat the following foods:
Salmon
Olive Oil
Broccoli
Parsely
Coffee

Learn how NOT to sweat the small stuff.  Practice meditation, tai chi, yoga, and if you really have to 'get it out', join a martial arts class where you will learn how to use your 'yang' energy constructively, while emitting and releasing your aggression.

Fish Consumption Can Reduce Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Time, July 18, 2011
The USDA has recommended that more Americans eat fish.  Premature death and the risk of cardiovascular disease can be reduced by consuming more fish.  Farmed fish represents 84% of the 7 million tons of fish consumed every year in the U.S.  Unfortunately, most of this fish comes from countries that do not follow sustainable farming practices.  Environmentally friendly fish farms are non-polluting and provide sustainable fish choices for the dinner table.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Markets like Whole Foods display their fish sources and their website is a plethora of information regarding environmentally friendly farmed fish.  Know where your fish is coming from and try to do your part to help the environment, while helping your own health!

Eat Right For Good Health

Going to the grocery store can sometimes be challenging.  What to buy?  What's healthy?  Should I buy organic?  What should I eat?

Here Are Your Tips For Healthy Eating:
Tour the perimeter of your grocery store. This is where you will find fresh fruits and vegetables, and all–natural dairy and meats.  This will certainly fill your basket!  Try to purchase organic foods as often as possible. Look for a label that states 'certified organic and pesticide free'.  Visit your local farmers’ market; usually the prices are a bit cheaper than the grocery store for all organic produce. If you've got a little plot of land, grow your own. Wash nonorganic produce; soak them for 20 minutes in water with salt and fresh lemon juice or vinegar.  Avoid high–pesticide foods, such as grapes, peaches, lettuce, strawberries, apples, pears, bell peppers, kale, carrots, celery, and nectarines.  Natural, hormone–free beef and chicken, and choose wild–caught fish are your best bets for animal protein.

Food Colorants, Sugars and Children with Attention Disorders

Recently, it has been theorised that children who are hyperactive should not eat foods containing artifiicial food colorants (just go to a candy store or the cereal aisle of any grocery store - a sugar and artificial 'everything' nightmare). The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has proposed that the  FDA ban color additives as well as require warning labels on the packaging until a ban can be put into practice.  Every Day Health has just published a list of foods that contain artificial colorants.  These foods have been listed because one might not think there would be 'bad' ingredients in them.  I thought it prudent to share this information with you.  Please pass it on:
Grocery Items
Hunt’s Snack Pudding, Vanilla (Yellow 5, Yellow 6) Yoplait Whips Light & Fluffy (Yellow 5, Blue 1) Quaker Oatmeal to Go, Apples & Cinnamon (Yellow 6) Post Honeycomb cereal (Yellow 5) Eggo Blueberry Waffles (Blue 2, Red 40) Betty Crocker Cheesy Lasagna with Beef (Yellow 5, Yellow 6) Oscar Mayer Lunchables Pizza & Treatza (Blue 1, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40) Lean Pockets Ham & Cheddar (Yellow 5, Yellow 6) Hostess Blueberry Streusel Muffins (Blue 2, Red 40) Edy’s Classic Real Strawberry Ice Cream (Blue 1, Red 40) Minute Maid Lemonade (Yellow 5) Pillsbury Flaky Cinnamon Twists with Glaze (Yellow 5, Red 40) Duncan Hines Whipped Frosting Chocolate (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1)
Restaurant Items
McDonald’s Spicy Buffalo Sauce (Red 40) Burger King Mott’s Strawberry Flavored Applesauce (Red 40) Wendy’s Dill Pickles (Yellow 5, Blue 1) KFC Sweet and Spicy Wings (Red 40) KFC Potato Salad (Blue 1) Subway Red Wine Vinaigrette (Red 40, Blue 1) Jack in the Box Mozzarella Cheese Sticks (Yellow 5, Yellow 6)
Courtesy:  Eating Well Online

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Children don't need candy, it's full of sugar, rots their teeth and then you can't figure out why they have no attention span while they're on a sugar high.  Processed foods and foods with added sugar shouldn't be in the cupboard or refrigerators.  Bake your own cakes and muffins, make your own lemonade...the food will taste better, you and and the kids will eat better and you will have better control of your product and the sugars in them.  Muffins should not be green...if you want coloring, buy some crayons.

French Lentils Delicious and Simple To Prepare

Cooking at home can sometimes be boring when you go through the same list of ingredients over and over.  I recently made a simple to prepare, delicious and lowfat meal that I'm going to share with you today. 
French Lentils with Andouille Sausage and StirFry Green Vegetables
Ingredients:
For the Lentils:
1 cup french lentils rinsed
1 cup water
1 cup low sodium beef stock
2 shallots coarsely chopped
1 teaspoon Mrs Dash
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon canola oil
Heat the oil in a pan. Add shallots, Mrs Dash.  Cover and cook until the shallots are soft.  Add the lentils, water and stock.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat, stir in the tomato past.  Cook until fluids are cooked into the lentils (approximately 20 minutes.  Yields 4 servings).

For The StirFry:
I purchased a container of green strifry vegetables from Whole Foods.  It contains, kale, chards, spinach, collards, you name it!  Prepare the greens 10 minutes before the lentils are completely cooked.
4 cups stirfry mix
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/4 cup low sodium beef stock
Heat oil in a pan.  Add greens and stock.  Cover and cook over medium heat until al dente.

For The Sausage:
I just love that George Foreman grill!!! Throw that sausage onto the grill 3 minutes before serving.  Arrange the lentils center on the plate.  arrange the sausage in top and the greens to the side.  Yummy!

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Make this meal EXTRAORDINARY and add a tablespoon of your favorite chutney on the plate to counteract the spicyness of the sausage.  Bon Appetit!  This one's a reall winner and only takes 30minutes total time to prepare and cook.

Methylmercury in Seafood

Ok...pass this on to everybody today and look like a hero:
Methylmercury is a form of mercury found in various types of seafood.  Methylmercury can damage the developing nervous system of a fetus or young child.  It can affect sensory, motor and cognitive functions.  The additive levels over time in a younger person can create severe effects.  So, if you are a pregnant or nursing woman, or have a young child, it would be prudent to avoid ingesting foods that contain a high level of methylmercury.  For everyone else out there, try to limit the amount of foods you ingest that contain methylmercury.
Why Fish?  Methylmercury is a naturally occurring substance in the environment, but industrial pollution that runs off mercury in rain, water, streams, lakes rivers can mix with various types of bacteria.  This causes a tranformation of mercury into methymercury.  Fish absorb the methylmercury that's in the water through their respiratory and digestive systems.  As longer living species exist in such an environment, their levels of methylmercury increase dramatically.  Therefore, when we eat these types of fish, we also ingest the methylmercury accumulated in their muscle and connective tissue.  Get it now????  Cooking the fish doesn't help, so when you eat these species, don't worry if it's sushi or sauteed.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day: 
Types of fish that might have a higher level of methylmercury are:  king mackarel, shark, swordfish, tilefish.
Fish low in methylmercury are:  catfish, clams, cod, crab, flounder/sole, haddock, herring, ocean perch, oysters, rainbow trout, farmed salmon, wild salmon, sardines, scallops, shrimp, spiny lobster, tilapia and trout (farmed).
Special thanks to Whole Foods Market