As a Vegan, do you need to care about or even advocate for non-GMO food production? Well, considering that the 9 genetically engineered food crops currently on the market in the U.S. are all “Vegan”, and that tomatoes are being mixed with flounder genes in order to grow larger and more quickly the answer might be a resounding YES. But the biggest kicker of them all is the fact that…
Question: Flavonoids are one of the following: The taste buds of a robot. A rare form of hemorrhoids A powerful antioxidant found in over 4,000 foods. A GMO food additive What a flavonoid actually is is much more interesting than what you’d get out of the name but don’t be fooled; this is not an artificial ingredient (although if I didn’t know better I would’ve chosen answer d!). Flavonoids…
Have you noticed a new gluten-free section at your local grocery store pop up in the last year or so? For those people suffering from Celiac disease this is a welcoming new trend but those people are only about 1% of the US population, so why do they get a special section when we have by far more people dealing with other diet related issues, like peanut and tree nut…
If you’re a parent or caregiver then the rush to get your children ready to head back to school is well underway. Clothes, school supplies, meeting teachers, books, backpacks and more structured routines are just some of the things on your minds. But have you begun thinking about food? This is a good time to do so because planning and preparation are the key elements involved in making sure…
I recently attended a lecture given by a young woman promoting her new healthy food business who shared some of the concepts she learned after going through a 3-month program on nutrition. She proceeded to draw a line on the chalk board with two arrows going in opposite directions and then wrote “neutral” in the middle. After writing down a few different foods under each arrow she told us that…
No one will argue that preventing Vitamin D deficiency is a very good idea, but who is truly at risk, how much Vitamin D is needed and from what sources is where it gets tricky. In my own research I’ve seen recommendations from reputable medical practitioners that say fortified foods and 10-15 minutes of sunshine 3 times a week is perfectly adequate to physician’s prescribing 50,000 IU’s per day for…
I live in the desert where the average temperature throughout the summer months is 105F. I also train for sprint triathlons and running races but can’t stand gyms. This leaves one option: figure out how to do it all outdoors without feeling terrible! There are three elements to successful warm weather activity that apply to all people: heat acclimation, proper hydration and wise fuel choices. In addition to…
What have you heard about coconut oil? Is it mostly positive or negative? Here are some of the claimed benefits I’ve come across in my research (and I’m sure there’s even more). Positive Benefits Reverses Effects of Alzheimer’s + Increases Metabolism+ Improves Hypothyroidism + Aids Weight Loss + Cure Ulcers + Great Mouth Wash + Sustained Energy for Endurance Athletes + Heals Various Skin Problems + Replaces Hair Conditioner +…
Vegan Beware: Natural Flavorings and Other Hidden Animal Sources in your Food Supply Finding an ingredient listed as “natural flavorings” may very well be one of the most confusing, misleading and costly issues we face today with truth in labeling practices. In fact, as a Vegan this is especially troublesome because companies are not required to list the source of the flavorings, whether from animal or plant. Here we’ll go…
When you go to a store or online to shop for a multivitamin how do you go about making your choice? Do you feel 100% confident in your purchasing process? Do you rely on better informed friends and family, buy on a whim if the advertising looks reputable enough or do you simply guess your way through it? According to a study done by the Office of Dietary Supplements, in…
Being a Vegan doesn’t mean you’re some kind of extremist freak the way it did say 20 years ago. In fact, the number of Vegans in the U.S. has been increasing every year and is slowly but surely becoming main stream, even hip thanks to some celebrity endorsements and a growing concern for disease prevention. So now that Veganism has found a more acceptable place in society what has taken…
When I decided to become a Vegan, it was a weighty decision. Not because I thought it would be really hard for me personally but I had a husband and two young children to convince as well. With my girls, I decided to take the slow and steady approach. I just casually began adding more almond milk to their cow’s milk, switching out hummus for deli meats in their lunches,…
Are you by chance anything like me in that you love to discover a new food or flavor combination? (I think people refer to us as Foodies if I’m not mistaken) In those moments, everything else fades in the background and the only thing truly important is to have the experience of smelling it, touching it, tasting it and then thinking and talking about it… It wasn’t unlike any other…