GMO's... no, no, no!

Is our food really food anymore?  How do we know?  Experts estimate around 70% of the food sold in grocery stores contain genetically modified organisms (GMO)- yet this is not required to be on a label so we do not know if a product that we are purchasing contains a GMO.  Although it’s still unclear if GMOs actually pose real health risks, over 90% of Americans agree that they should be identified on food packages and that they as consumers have the right to know what is in the food that they are purchasing.

This growing demand has lead to several initiatives to spread awareness about GMOs and in strong support of labeling legislation. This labeling legislation is known as Proposition 37 and if passed this November in California, Proposition 37 would require packaged food companies to label genetically modified food in their products by January 2014.  It is our right as consumers to know if there are GMOs a food so we can make the decision as an educated consumer as far as what products we want to purchase (or NOT purchase).  Research has shown that if given the choice, many Americans would not choose products that contain GMOs.  Would YOU???  

Pass on the E Coli this Fourth of July

Happy and healthy Fourth of July!  With BBQ's a few hours away I wanted to share a great resource for food safety tips as food borne illnesses skyrocket on this holiday (especially this year with temperatures reaching record highs in many parts of the country).  Have fun, make healthy choices, and be safe.

http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=6442470753

Baked Plums With Yogurt- Yum!

Try this delicious recipe for breakfast and get your daily dose of fiber, calcium and vitamin D with an antioxidant power punch!  If you are not allergic to nuts, the plums are delicious when sprinkled with shaved almonds.  Enjoy!

Baked Plums with yogurt (serves 3):


Ingredients:

• 6 ripe purple plums

• 2 tsp honey or agave

• Plain nonfat or lowfat Greek yogurt, to serve



Directions:

• Pit and halve the plums. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

• Place the plums, cut side up, in a small baking dish so that they fit snugly.

• Spoon the honey over the plums.

• Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes until the plums are soft.

• Serve cold with yogurt spooned over the top (1/2 cup per person).  Sprinkle with sliced almonds or other nut of choice if desired for an added protein punch!  Enjoy...

May is National Celiac Awareness Month!

May designated National Celiac Awareness Month, a great time to spread the word about a condition that is highly underdiagnosed.  One in 133 people are affected by the disease yet approximately 97% (both children and adults) are not diagnosed.  It is a multi-system, multi-symptom disorder that is activated by eating gluten (the protein found in wheat, rye and barley).  The symptoms vary from diarrhea to constipation to migraines to growth issues, to skin conditions and many others.  The only treatment for Celiac Disease is a strict gluten free diet which can be highly nutritious and delicious with the proper instruction.  If you suspect that you or a loved one has Celiac Disease, contact your doctor as there are health consequences of going undiagnosed (even if you do not have symptoms).  Go to the Celiac Disease Foundation website for additional information www.celiac.org

See my upcoming posts for information on nutritious gluten free grains and recipes.

For Valentine's Day... Think Outside the Chocolate Box!

February is not only the month to celebrate L-O-V-E, but it also American Heart Month. More than 70 million Americans suffer from some form of heart disease and this remains the leading cause of death in the United States. For most people, heart disease is preventable. One of the most effective ways to prevent it is through the diet! With this in mind, you can see why it is so important to make this year about loving your heart and soul. With a few small changes to traditional gifts and healthful choices you can celebrate a Valentine’s Day from the heart that’s also good for your heart!


Instead of giving the traditional gift of chocolates and candy, try giving your loved ones a beautiful basket filled with dried fruits and nuts or an assortment of herbal teas with honey sticks. Another wonderful gift is a membership to a gym, a month with a personal trainer, or even something they might not think about like a series of yoga classes or belly dancing classes. Focus on health rather than indulgence. When it comes time for the romantic dinner that you and your loved one share on Valentine’s Day, choose foods that are heart healthy: salmon- a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and protein; spinach and other leafy green vegetables- rich in phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals; tofu- rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals (soy protein has been shown to help reduce LDL cholesterol)… try a new vegetarian restaurant for a change. Keep your love alive and your blood flowing… they say that experimentation keeps love fresh. Try this experiment, go for a walk as a family in the morning, schedule your annual physical (more than one-third of people with high blood pressure do not know that they have it), have a heart healthful dinner and send a gift other than chocolate to your loved one. “Variety is the spice of life”

You have the right to know what is in your food!!!

The introduction of genetically engineered foods into the American food supply without labels is of concern to many given that no long term human health trials have ever been conducted on these ingredients.  

Robby Kenner who produced Food Inc. shares this concern and to address it has just released website www.fixfood.org.  You can also find the videos here http://justlabelit.org/robynlabelit

The video is short and intended to be widely shared, with a call to action asking the FDA to label these ingredients, as they are labeled in other developed countries around the world.  

Please take a few minutes to watch this, to lend your voice to the campaign asking the FDA to label these ingredients and to remember that together, we can affect remarkable change, in the health of our food system, our families and our country.

Kids in the Kitchen- Quinoa Salad

Ingredients:

-Dressing: 4 cloves garlic, ¼ cup red wine vinegar, ¼ cup olive oil, ¼ tsp basil, juice of 1 lemon, salt and pepper to taste

-Salad: 4 cups cooked quinoa, 1 cup grated carrots, ½ cup chopped green onions, ½ cup chopped celery, ½ cup chopped mushrooms, ¼ cup sunflower seeds*, ¼ cup slivered almonds*

Directions: 

-Combine dressing ingredients and let stand for at least 10 minutes.

-Combine quinoa, veggies and seeds (omit for allergies and young children).  

-Toss with dressing and serve

*Children can help rinse the quinoa, measure the liquids and veggies and stir the salad.  Getting children involved in preparing food has shown to help them be more interested in trying new foods.  It is also a great opportunity for learning (math, science, etc) and additional quality time to spend together as a family! 

*seeds and nuts can be a choking hazard for young children.  Omit or substitute if any food allergies exist.