Non-GMO Shopping Guide

If you would like to know more about GMO foods, and why we should avoid them, here is a great website.  They have a downloadable Shopping Guide for Non-GMO Foods as well as great information on GMOs and their hazards to our health.  

Why Should I Avoid GMOs


4 Simple Tips to Avoiding GMOs:

1. Buy Organic - Certified organic     products cannot intentionally     include any GMO ingredients
2. Look for "Non-GMO Project"     verified seals
3. Avoid At-Risk Ingredients including     Corn, Soybeans, Canola, Cottonseed
4. Buy Products Listed in our     Shopping Guide... read more

If you have a baby  see this page for non-gmo baby food and infant formula.   The brands featured there are enrolled in the the Non-GMO Project Standard.  For more information please click here.

From their website:
The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) recently released its position paper on Genetically Modified foods stating that "... GM foods pose a serious health risk". The AAEM called for a moratorium on GM food, with implementation of immediate long-term safety testing and labeling of GM food. The AAEM is just one of many organizations worldwide calling for these steps to be taken.

Homemade Ice Cream in 3 Minutes!

I just made the most delicious, creamiest ice cream ever, in 3 minutes, with only one ingredient:  frozen bananas.  Want to see for yourself how good and easy it is?

Here is what you do.   When you have bananas that are getting a little ripe and you know they won't get eaten, just peel them, break them in chunks, put them in freezer bags and freeze them.  Then when you want a healthy, creamy, cold treat you are all set for instant gratification.

Just put your frozen bananas, approximately 1-2 per person, in the blender.  Add a little liquid if you like.   I like coconut milk or almond milk.  Blend until it forms ice cream.  I have a Vita-Mix and you have to push the bananas down into the blades for a few seconds.  It doesn't take long so check your results.  It comes out like a beautiful soft serve custard-like ice cream.   I haven't made it in a regular blender, but I think it would work, just be sure to stop the blender to push the bananas down, then restart, until you get the right consistency.  A food processor would also work I'm sure.

Of course you can add whatever you want also.  I have tried walnuts, dark chocolate, and vanilla so far.  Try what sounds good to you, but truly, just bananas by themselves is extremely tasty.

Give it a try and let me know what you think. Wouldn't you love to serve your kids or grandkids a wholesome treat that they will love!

Thanks to my fellow IIN students for this idea.

All Natural Sweetener - Stevia

I would like to introduce you to my best sweetener friend, Stevia.  Not only does Stevia taste great but it is a friend with benefits!

Stevia has many favorable and exciting health benefits and it is completely non-toxic. The herb is nutrient rich, containing substantial amounts of protein, calcium, and phosphorous, as well as sodium, magnesium, zinc, rutin, vitamin A, vitamin C, and over 100 phytonutrients. Here are some of its health benefits:


Weight Loss - Stevia contains no calories and actually reduces cravings for sweets and fatty foods. Studies have shown that it also minimizes hunger sensations. Once again your sweet tooth can be satisfied guilt free. It is not only a diet aide, but beneficial for you too. New reports are stating that if taken 20 minutes before a meal, you will feel satiated sooner.

Diabetes -  Known for its nourishing properties for the pancreas, stevia has been used by diabetics for centuries as a sweetener and also as a method of controlling blood sugar levels. Studies have shown that stevia can regulate blood sugar levels when taken appropriately. This is not meant to replace current practices of a diabetic, but as an aide to control diabetes.

Hypertension - Studies have shown that stevia lowers high blood pressure without affecting normal blood pressure. The Guarani Indians of Paraguay have used stevia for centuries without any negative effects.

Teeth & Gum Care -  Due to high beneficial mineral content and anti-bacterial properties, stevia is a wonderful additive to toothpaste or diluted as a mouthwash. Not only will it not cause cavities, but it actually prevents them!

Digestion - Improves digestion and intestinal function, soothes an upset stomach and promotes quicker recovery from minor ailments. It is best to consume stevia as a tea for this effect, although other methods may also be beneficial to digestion and minor ailments.

Skin Care - Applied to the skin, stevia treats acne and other skin ailments. It also protects against premature aging. Place a few drops of stevia liquid concentrate on your skin, rinse after 30 minutes and feel the difference. Stevia may also be used on skin infections. After a 20 second stinging sensation, the pain is significantly reduced and the healing time is accelerated.
 
Addictions/Cravings - Reports keep coming in that the use of stevia has reduced cravings for tobacco, alcohol, sweet and fatty foods. Chew directly on a stevia leaf or take a few drops of the stevia liquid to help curb cravings. Take 20 minutes before a meal to feel satiated sooner.

Stevia is an outstanding, sweet tasting herb that has remarkable health promoting qualities.  

Stevia is a genus of about 240 species of herbs and shrubs in the sunflower family (Asteraceae), native to subtropical and tropical regions from western North America to South America.(Wikipedia)

Healthier Fries? You Bet!

If you often find yourself craving junk food, try eating a healthier version of that food. This week, try satisfying your sweet and salty cravings with this healthy take on French fries.
    
Spiced Sweet Potato Fries
Recipe from IIN grad Terry Walter's Clean Food cookbook
Serves 6

Ingredients:

• 3-4 sweet potatoes or yams
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• Coarse sea salt                                                                   

Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Wash potatoes and remove blemish spots and dried ends. Slice into sticks and place in large bowl. Drizzle on remaining ingredients and toss to distribute evenly. Spread coated potatoes in single layer on cookie sheet and bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven, flip slices and bake another 10-20 minutes or until tender and browned (cooking time will vary depending on thickness of potato slices). Serve hot & enjoy!

When to Buy Organic -- Download the Guide | Environmental Working Group - Dirty Dozen & Clean 15

Do you need to buy everything organic?  Probably not.  This information will help you make informed choices.  By knowing what is most heavily sprayed, you can help reduce your body's toxic burden.  By knowing what is lowest in pesticides, it can help you save money.

Download a List to Take to the Grocery Store, or an App for Your I-Phone
Download the Guide | Environmental Working Group


  
Top Reasons to Use EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Reduce Your Pesticide Exposures
 http://www.foodnews.org/reduce.php

Confused About Food?

Everyone already knows we should eat lots of fruits and vegetables and whole grains, and we should exercise regularly, to be healthy. They don't need me or anyone else to tell them that. So why are we as a nation, getting more obese and unhealthy every day?

Well, for one thing, it is complicated to figure out what is healthy and what is not in our food supply today. With genetically modified foods, factory farming, pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, additives, preservatives, flavor enhancers, and who knows what else in grocery store and fast food, most people need some help in clearing up this confusing mess so they can feed themselves and their family with the confidence that they are being nourished, and without the fear that they are inadvertently poisoning them in the process!

I have been interested in health and nutrition for most of my life. I read Prevention Magazine at my grandmother's house when I was in early grade school. I helped in her gardens and cooked and preserved foods with my mother. I encouraged my children to eat a wide variety of whole foods, and limited fast food and sugary snacks.  Eating healthy has been my life's quest, but I must admit, I had become confused myself with what to eat. It seemed there was a new diet coming out every other week, that was supposed to be the answer to our problems. And the newest diet likely contradicted the philosophy of one or more of the previous diets!

And then there is the yo-yo diet syndrome that many women of my generation know all to well. What we found after years of that dieting mindset was that none of them worked long term, most of them weren't healthy, and now years later, because of the yo-yo'ing, we can't lose weight at all through dieting!  It is time for a new approach.

So alas, as I am a determined sort, I came to find a way out of this dilemma, and I want to share what I have learned about health and nutrition. Life is our greatest teacher and I have done my share of experimenting on myself with each new diet trend, nutritional supplement, or self-improvement book that I have studied or tried. Don't get me wrong, many of them are great, but the problem for me was that many times I would let the opinion or recommendation of someone else override my own innate knowing of what is right for me.

My way out of the confusion came gradually to me as I began to rely on my own intuition, and began to realize that just because it worked for the author or spokesperson, it may not be right for me. And then I found the Institute for Integrative Nutrition which sort of pieced it all together for me. Their curriculum is based on "bio-individuality", meaning one person's food may be another person's poison. At IIN, we learn from the best of the best -- leading edge holistic health, nutrition, and wellness experts. I'm sure you would recognize many of them.  It has been an enlightening and empowering experience and I am ready to pay it forward.  I hope to help guide others on their journey of self-discovery, in a way that is right for them!

Welcome to Feeding Life Force!

Definition of Life Force:   the vital force or impulse of life; one's source of vitality, spirit, energy, and strength; also called élan vital
(www.dictionary.com)

Feeding Life Force is about eating for energy, health, strength and vitality in a way that nourishes our body, our mind, and our spirit.  And it is about feeding our life force not only through food, but also our lifestyle choices.