September 11, 2012 · 2:47 pm

Everything is an Opportunity

We are motivated by the happy moments: successes, holidays, milestones, and fun.

But snafus, stress, struggles, and sadness are inevitable.

We all make mistakes. We all have stress. We all endure tough times.

We all know that.

The important thing is that we get through these moments gracefully. These trials happen so that we may learn from them and evolve as individuals.

Here’s how…

1. Let it out
Have an outlet. Release the stress. Cry if you need to. Whatever you do, don’t keep it in. If you bottle it, it will fester. And that’s not healthy.

2. Look at the positive
Think about what good might be lurking in a bad situation. Hold onto that and appreciate that things happen for a reason. Journeys are not meant to be easy – they are meant to be valuable. Find the nugget.

3. Learn from it
See how you can do it differently next time. See how you can grow from it.

4. Move forward
Don’t dwell. Take the time to grumble, yell, pout…whatever. And then look forward. Better moments await you.

And what is true in life, is often true in food. When you indulge a little, don’t let that be the slippery slope that derails you from your efforts. Make your next choice a healthy one and get right back on track.

Mistakes, misfortunes, and misunderstandings are a part of life. Missed opportunities shouldn’t be.

And finally, as today is September 11, we all take time to remember the heroes, the lost lives, and the unbelievable shock and sadness that reverberated through this country 11 years ago…and for a long time after. I give special thought to Deora Bodley, who was on Flight 93, which crashed in Shanksville, PA. I knew her in high school – we ran track together. I feel such sadness for her shortened life, but today, I have someone’s birthday to celebrate, too. It is not all bad.

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September 8, 2012 · 10:44 am

Crockpot Chicken Extraordinaire

Whoa. I freakin’ knocked dinner out of the park last night.

Normally, the husband and I take to the kitchen separately to make our own salads. That’s right. The husband eats salads for dinner. How great is that?

But yesterday I said, “Husband! We’re having chicken tonight.”

(There were vegetables, too, of course. And it was all organic. You know how I roll.)

And the best part? In all it’s deliciousness, it couldn’t have been easier.

For the veggies, I sauteed mushrooms, spinach, and green beans in coconut oil and Bragg’s Organic Sprinkle. That’s it. You’ll get the au jus from the chicken so no need for more flavor. You can do whatever veggies you want, however you want, but make sure you’ve got some greens in there. šŸ˜‰

As for the chicken, I did it slow cooker style. Meat was falling off the bone. You’re welcome.

Slow Cooker Roasted Chicken

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons Bragg’s Organic Sprinkle 24 Herbs & Spices
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Ā¼ teaspoonĀ of turmeric
  • Ā¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Ā¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 onion
  • 1 large chicken

DIRECTIONS

  1. Combine the dried spices in a small bowl.
  2. Loosely chop the onion and place it in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  3. Remove giblets from the chicken (HCJ’s secret: have the meat guy do that for you).
  4. Rub the spice mixture all over. You can even put some of the spices inside the cavity and under the skin covering the breasts.
  5. Put prepared chicken on top of the onions in the slow cooker, cover it, and turn it on to high. Don’t add any liquid.
  6. Cook for 4 ā€“ 5 hours (for a 3 or 4 pound chicken) or until the chicken is falling off the bone. Save the scraps and make a stock!

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September 7, 2012 · 8:42 am

The Organic vs. Non-Organic Debate

There’s a hot topic right now: that study on Organic vs. Non-Organic foods. This meta-study out of Stanford University found that there is “no significant health benefit to organic food.”

Um, I don’t really think that was the issue, so don’t latch onto that.

The study also found that organic produce has a 30% lower risk of pesticide residue than conventional produce. Ah, there’s the issue.

Here are the facts:

Our soil is depleted across the board, so our produce is not nearly as nutrient dense as it used to be. And that same food is transported thousands of miles to our grocery stores, further losing its nutritional value because it is picked before it ripens, leaving it to ripen on the truck for two weeks. Vine-ripened tomatoes? Hardly. But “truck-ripened tomatoes” probably wouldn’t sell. So by the time it gets to your refrigerator, it’s pretty old stuff, and if you don’t get to it for a few more days, well, then it’s really old stuff.

So organic or conventional, that’s the state of affairs. And it sucks.

But the difference is that conventional produce has more pesticides and meat has antibiotics, hormones, andĀ antibiotic-resistant bacteria.Ā And all these chemicals are hormone disrupters. They’reĀ linked to cancers. And they’reĀ extremely harmful to developing children both in and out of the womb.

So that being said, if you are a mom-to-be or a woman contemplating pregnancy, it’s best to keep these chemicals out of your system, in order to keep it out of your growing child’s system. And if you’re already a mom, it’s best to feed your children cleaner food. Youngsters can’t process these toxins as well as adults can. And with cancer rates skyrocketing, I’d say adults aren’t processing the toxins very well, either.

And if your immune system is compromised for any reason, you don’t want those chemicals. A weakened system will be more vulnerable to these toxins.

And if you’re a person concerned about the health of the farm workers who are regularly exposed to these chemicals, you probably want to opt for organic, too.

Oh and if you’re a person who doesn’t want the makers of Agent Orange (Monsanto – also known as the wizards behind Genetically Modified Crap) spraying their magic juice on your food, then organic’s for you, too.

That’s what we do to our food. Does that look appetizing to you? Not to me.

So, in summary, the issue isn’t really the nutrition. It’s the chemicals.

Lastly, this study followed participants for two years or less. That’s hardly enough time to establish the long-term effects of pesticides on our health.

But common sense says that the fog in that picture doesn’t belong in our bodies. Why else would he be wearing a gas mask?

For more on this, you can read CNN’s article,Ā NPR’s summary orĀ Michael Pollan’s response to these findings.

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August 28, 2012 · 9:28 am

Cutting Corners

It’s best to eat whole foods, which are foods in their natural state. I’m talking aboutĀ fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, meat, fish, eggs…foods like that. These are foods that have not been processed beyond recognition. These are foods with one ingredient, that come from nature.

But we all have a lot going on. Sometimes it’s just too much work to cook up a fresh meal every time. Am I right?

This is why so many people turn to packaged foods. They’re easy, ready-to-go, and last an eternity in your car or bag. Of course, that “lasting an eternity” thing is the problem – they’ve got all kinds of scary chemicals in there that allow them to do that. Don’t even get me started on what those chemicals are doing to your body…

I get that we only have 24 hours in the day. And if there’s too much prep involved, we’re less likely to eat that particular food. So here’s the healthy way I cut corners so that I eat the right foods:

1. Kale Salad

Buying local is best, and cutting your veggies on the spot is best, but with this pre-cut bag of organic kale, I’m getting kale that’s ready to go, along with carrots and cabbage. Saves me a lot of time in prep + 3 whole ingredients in one = Very Helpful.

2. Quick Oats

Sure, steel cut oats are best, but like many of you, I need to expedite my breakfast, so quick oats it is for me. Whole Foods 365 brand makes a great organic option that is ready to go in just a few minutes – cooking isn’t even necessary! Make cold or hot and let them sit for a couple of minutes to let them soak and you’re good to go.

3. Coleman Naturals The Original Brat Hans Cooked Chicken Breast Strips

Now, I don’t know how many places are carrying this – could be a very new product – but I just found it at my local Whole Foods in Silicon Valley and it’s great. This is a package of pre-cooked organic chicken breast with a bit of salt, pepper, and onion and garlic powders. That’s it. No preservatives. Throw ’em on salads, sandwiches, or eat right out of the package. Easy. Tasty.

4. Eden Organics Canned Beans

Ideally, you want to buy dried (not canned) beans and soak them. It’s healthier because they’re fresher, cans have BPA, and the contents of cans typically contain a lot of additives. There are some exceptions, like Eden Organics. Their cans are bpa-free and there are no nasty ingredients. GMO-free since 1993, and one of the last independently owned organic companies, this is one company I’m happy to support.

For snack ideas (not exactly 1 ingredient whole foods, but healthy packaged options for on-the-go, quick refueling), check out some of my older posts:

Food Finds, Part 1 and Part 2
In a Pinch
“I Think There’s Something To This Whole Organic Thing…”

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August 16, 2012 · 9:20 am

Mission: Intuition

Sometimes you’re faced with a tricky situation, requiring you to make tricky choices. You know the outcome you want but you’re not quite sure how to get there. But then you just sort of blindly dive into it and do what you need to do, and it feels so right.

Using your intuition is important both in life and in eating.

When they say, “Trust your gut,” it’s because everything is connected when it comes to the body. Listen to what feels right both in your actions and in your food choices.

Your body tells you what it wants.

Craving protein? Have some protein!

Feeling full? Stop eating!

Thirsty? Drink some water!

Tired? Get more sleep!

We need to start listening to our bodies more, fueling it the way we need to fuel it at that particular moment, whether calorically, spiritually, or otherwise. This is living honestly, being authentic.

Check out this article on how living honestlyĀ means a healthier you. And check out this article about eating intuitively.

Keep in mind that your body works very hard to protect you from toxins in the food you eat, the air you breathe, the products you put on your skin, etc…and yet we allow ourselves to be in toxic situations that adversely affect our health. And when that happens, all the kale in the world can’t save us.

Eat right and do right. In the end, they’re one and the same.

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