There are so many concerns with ground beef, it is alarming that it is still available for purchase. E coli. runs rampant, with tens of thousands of people infected each year and over 2000 hospitalized. Recalls are abundant and we are running a dangerous gamble by continuing to purchase ground beef in restaurants and supermarkets. Ground beef isn't always just a piece of beef that has been put through a grinder, but is instead often a compilation of many pieces of beef and fatty trimmings coming from many parts of a cow and even many different slaughterhouses. Plus, the inexpensive cuts of meat they use are from parts of the cow more likely to come in contact with feces. Interestingly, there is no federal regulation that requires grinders to test their meat for pathogens. How responsible. No, instead they treat the meat with ammonia in attempts to "clean" it. yum. This saves them money- about 25%. great. Even better, the New York Times did a test which showed that safe handling of ground beef is not enough to prevent the spread of infection in your kitchen. And believe me, you can't trust the USDA to keep you safe... even after finding that companies weren't following their own safety standards following a hug outbreak of E. coli, they did not impose any fines or sanctions. They just threatened to withhold their seal of approval. Ooooook. I'm not even going to go into the way that they treat those poor cows. Now, I'm no member of PETA and my husband and entire extended family are all avid hunters, which is fine with me, but what they do to the cows is ridiculous. Look it up. Organic ground beef is, of course, a better option. Grinding your own organic beef at home is even better. But combined with the questions about the health effects of eating red meat, doesn't it seem like a good idea to find an alternative? At least some of the time?
Say hello to ground turkey (Organic and free-range, of course. Those poultry farmers aren't much better). My husband is a carnivore at heart and I have not bought ground beef in years. We eat turkey burgers, turkey meatloaf, turkey meatballs, turkey chili, turkey meat sauce, tacos with ground turkey, etc... He loves it! So do all of his friends who I unknowingly serve ground turkey to all the time.
Health Benefits of Turkey
- 32 grams of protein in one 4oz serving.
- Source of selenium, a trace mineral which aids your thyroid, immune system, and your antioxidant defense system against cancer-friendly free radicals.
- Source of B vitamins.
- Low in saturated fat.
Some other options to replace ground beef include ground chicken, ground venison, and soy crumbles. I prefer ground turkey to these, simply because we eat plenty of chicken, venison is better as a steak (in my opinion), and because I am not a fan of the taste of soy crumbles. Try them all and decide for yourself what you like best.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
The Borax List
You can find a box of it in the laundry section of any store... but what is Borax? What can it be used for? Borax is a natural substance known of and used by humans for thousands of years. Also known as sodium tetraborate decahydrate, it is a mineral compound of the element boron (combined with water, oxygen, and sodium). Borax is sold commercially in the form of a white granular and is primarily marketed as a laundry booster, but it has many, many more uses. Here are some of them...
1. Laundry booster; improves power of detergent, removes stains. Add 1/2 cup.
2. Alternative to color safe bleach.
3. Softens hard water.
4. Deodorizer
5. Safe for soaking and washing baby clothes. (I add it to each load of cloth diapers).
6. Wash delicates in 1/4 cup Borax, 2TBSP detergent, & warm water for 20 minutes. Rinse.
7. 1/4 cup in toilet bowl, swish with brush, soak 30 minutes, scrub and flush!
8. Sprinkle on wet sponge to remove soap scum from showers and tubs.
9. 1/4 cup in 1 pint water, sponge on carpet/rug, let dry, vacuum to deodorize.
10. Sprinkle on wet sponge to clean grease and grime from kitchen appliances and counters.
11. 3TBSP in garbage disposal or drain, let stand 15 minutes, rinse with disposal on.
12. 1/4 in dishwasher to boost detergent and remove spots from dishes.
13. Cleaning outdoor furniture and garbage pails.
14. Deodorize mattresses.
15. Preserving flowers (Google this for complete directions; it's a pretty in-depth project).
16. Natural insecticide.
This is just a short list of the many things that can be done with Borax
*Borax is safe for septic systems.
*Borax has an indefinite shelf life in a cool dry place.
*Please remember to label any containers you put Borax in.
*Borax is NOT to be digested and keep out of reach of children/pets. It is a natural substance and much safer than chemicals, but you still don't want them eating it!!!
Bottom line: go buy some Borax, it costs next to nothing and can be used for everything!
1. Laundry booster; improves power of detergent, removes stains. Add 1/2 cup.
2. Alternative to color safe bleach.
3. Softens hard water.
4. Deodorizer
5. Safe for soaking and washing baby clothes. (I add it to each load of cloth diapers).
6. Wash delicates in 1/4 cup Borax, 2TBSP detergent, & warm water for 20 minutes. Rinse.
7. 1/4 cup in toilet bowl, swish with brush, soak 30 minutes, scrub and flush!
8. Sprinkle on wet sponge to remove soap scum from showers and tubs.
9. 1/4 cup in 1 pint water, sponge on carpet/rug, let dry, vacuum to deodorize.
10. Sprinkle on wet sponge to clean grease and grime from kitchen appliances and counters.
11. 3TBSP in garbage disposal or drain, let stand 15 minutes, rinse with disposal on.
12. 1/4 in dishwasher to boost detergent and remove spots from dishes.
13. Cleaning outdoor furniture and garbage pails.
14. Deodorize mattresses.
15. Preserving flowers (Google this for complete directions; it's a pretty in-depth project).
16. Natural insecticide.
This is just a short list of the many things that can be done with Borax
*Borax is safe for septic systems.
*Borax has an indefinite shelf life in a cool dry place.
*Please remember to label any containers you put Borax in.
*Borax is NOT to be digested and keep out of reach of children/pets. It is a natural substance and much safer than chemicals, but you still don't want them eating it!!!
Bottom line: go buy some Borax, it costs next to nothing and can be used for everything!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Gluten... Friend or Foe?
This whole thing with gluten has gotten a little crazy, hasn't it? You can't go anywhere without seeing gluten-free options. I am not kidding when I tell you that we visited a church with a gluten-free communion table. I mean, seriously?
So what is gluten? And why the bad rap? Gluten is the protein found in wheat, rye, and barley... it can be found in many of the foods we eat, including bread products, cereal, pasta, beer, salad dressing, cold cuts, etc...
Simple gluten intolerance is when eating gluten-rich foods causes symptoms like abdominal pain, gas, bloating, and diarrhea. This is not a food allergy and the symptoms pass after the food is digested and gone. Many people who suffer from this condition and if you regularly encounter this type of pain after eating gluten rich foods, the best course of action is to see a gastroenterologist. The advice that I've found is this: don't put yourself on a gluten-free diet to treat these symptoms because evidence won't be present in your body for a diagnosis of Celiac Disease if you do end up needing to see the doctor.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease which triggers your body's immune system to attack the villi (the part of your intestines that absorb nutrients). Apparently, this is a pretty common disease- occurring in one out of every 133 Americans. If you are diagnosed with Celiac disease- you MUST eat gluten-free to protect your body's ability to nourish itself.
As far as the rest of us.. would we benefit from eating gluten free? The evidence is unclear. There are numerous people who say that they lose weight and feel more energetic when they cut gluten from their diet. The problem with that is that most people who eat a gluten free diet eat less refined carbohydrates and more fruits and vegetables. Obviously, anyone who does this (gluten-free or not) is going to feel healthier. Another problem with eating gluten-free if you don't have to is that you are missing out on the full benefits of eating whole grains. Whole grains are without question very good for you. Among their many benefits... They're full of fiber- which makes you feel fuller longer and prevents overeating and snacking, and they lower your risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
I'm not going to go into this fully, but there is some evidence to suggest that a gluten-free diet can be beneficial to people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. These people tend to have something called a "leaky gut" which means that things in their stomach can be passed into their bloodstream. Gluten and also milk protein (casein) become peptides in the intestine and can pass into the bloodstream and through the blood brain barrier. This may cause some of the neurological issues associated with autism spectrum disorders. You can find much more information on this on the web.
Bottom line. Gluten free diets are not a weight loss plan! If you are experiencing symptoms of gluten intolerance, see a doctor and consider going gluten-free. If you're not, reconsider forgoing on those healthy whole grains.
So what is gluten? And why the bad rap? Gluten is the protein found in wheat, rye, and barley... it can be found in many of the foods we eat, including bread products, cereal, pasta, beer, salad dressing, cold cuts, etc...
Simple gluten intolerance is when eating gluten-rich foods causes symptoms like abdominal pain, gas, bloating, and diarrhea. This is not a food allergy and the symptoms pass after the food is digested and gone. Many people who suffer from this condition and if you regularly encounter this type of pain after eating gluten rich foods, the best course of action is to see a gastroenterologist. The advice that I've found is this: don't put yourself on a gluten-free diet to treat these symptoms because evidence won't be present in your body for a diagnosis of Celiac Disease if you do end up needing to see the doctor.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease which triggers your body's immune system to attack the villi (the part of your intestines that absorb nutrients). Apparently, this is a pretty common disease- occurring in one out of every 133 Americans. If you are diagnosed with Celiac disease- you MUST eat gluten-free to protect your body's ability to nourish itself.
As far as the rest of us.. would we benefit from eating gluten free? The evidence is unclear. There are numerous people who say that they lose weight and feel more energetic when they cut gluten from their diet. The problem with that is that most people who eat a gluten free diet eat less refined carbohydrates and more fruits and vegetables. Obviously, anyone who does this (gluten-free or not) is going to feel healthier. Another problem with eating gluten-free if you don't have to is that you are missing out on the full benefits of eating whole grains. Whole grains are without question very good for you. Among their many benefits... They're full of fiber- which makes you feel fuller longer and prevents overeating and snacking, and they lower your risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
I'm not going to go into this fully, but there is some evidence to suggest that a gluten-free diet can be beneficial to people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. These people tend to have something called a "leaky gut" which means that things in their stomach can be passed into their bloodstream. Gluten and also milk protein (casein) become peptides in the intestine and can pass into the bloodstream and through the blood brain barrier. This may cause some of the neurological issues associated with autism spectrum disorders. You can find much more information on this on the web.
Bottom line. Gluten free diets are not a weight loss plan! If you are experiencing symptoms of gluten intolerance, see a doctor and consider going gluten-free. If you're not, reconsider forgoing on those healthy whole grains.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
The Salad Dressing Replacement
There are several problems with bottled salad dressing... the ingredients, the fat and calories, the cost... Take a look at the back of the bottles in your fridge; chances are you're going to be disgusted with the chemicals that you're pouring on your salad. Now, I don't think everything has to be low-fat and calorie... If using a salad dressing that has 100 or so calories worth of natural ingredients in it makes you eat a green salad every night, I am of the opinion that it's worth it. I make homemade salad dressings, store them in mason jars in my fridge, and have not bought a bottle of salad dressing in months.
Here is our favorite recipe...
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
2/3 cup balsamic vinegar
2 TBSP grainy Dijon mustard
2 TBSP Braggs Amino Acids (or naturally fermented, low sodium soy sauce / sea salt)
2 TBSP honey
pepper and garlic powder to taste
Combine in mason jar and shake vigorously to emulsify. Refrigerate.
I am also a serious lover of ranch dressing. I especially love Hidden Valley dry mix that you make yourself. Unfortunately, it's full of all kinds of junk. I just found a recipe for a copycat recipe that looks pretty good http://www.grouprecipes.com/38070/hidden-valley-ranch-mix---copycat.html
Bottom line- delicious and healthful salad dressing can be made easily at home. Stop buying it today and save yourself $2-5 a bottle!
Here is our favorite recipe...
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
2/3 cup balsamic vinegar
2 TBSP grainy Dijon mustard
2 TBSP Braggs Amino Acids (or naturally fermented, low sodium soy sauce / sea salt)
2 TBSP honey
pepper and garlic powder to taste
Combine in mason jar and shake vigorously to emulsify. Refrigerate.
I am also a serious lover of ranch dressing. I especially love Hidden Valley dry mix that you make yourself. Unfortunately, it's full of all kinds of junk. I just found a recipe for a copycat recipe that looks pretty good http://www.grouprecipes.com/38070/hidden-valley-ranch-mix---copycat.html
Bottom line- delicious and healthful salad dressing can be made easily at home. Stop buying it today and save yourself $2-5 a bottle!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Must Buy Organic Produce
All of us are at different places in our organic journey... here is a good jumping off point for those who are just starting out.
Time and again, research has shown that there are certain foods that are most affected by pesticides. These are the foods that we should uncompromisingly buy organic. It's true that it can be pricey, but faced with the alternative of exposing ourselves and our children to the harmful effects of pesticide residue... I'd say it's worth the extra few dollars a week. Check farmer's markets, farm stands, etc... to compare prices.
Time and again, research has shown that there are certain foods that are most affected by pesticides. These are the foods that we should uncompromisingly buy organic. It's true that it can be pricey, but faced with the alternative of exposing ourselves and our children to the harmful effects of pesticide residue... I'd say it's worth the extra few dollars a week. Check farmer's markets, farm stands, etc... to compare prices.
The "Dirty Dozen"
1. Apples
2. Cherries
3. Grapes, imported (Chili)
4. Nectarines
5. Peaches
6. Pears
7. Raspberries
8. Strawberries
8. Strawberries
9. Bell Peppers
10. Celery
11. Potatoes
12. Spinach
"If a fly landed on your apple, would you spray it with Raid, wash it off and eat it?" Green Babies, Sage Moms
Weekly Preview
I meant to post this yesterday. I don't plan on doing a major post on Sundays... day of rest and all. But I do want to post a quick preview of what's to come each week. Here's what we have to look forward to this week:
*List of the top foods to eat organic.
*Replacements for bottled salad dressing.
*What is gluten? Why do some go gluten-free?
*List of ways to use Borax.
*Replacements for ground beef.
*What are parabens, and why we don't want them in our beauty products.
*Next week's menu and recipes.
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