Hello peeps!!
I know it's been awhile, but I have been one busy person. The hubs and I took a fabulous vacation to San Francisco then went apartment hunting in Houston.-- We found an amazing apartment, I might add. So while I have been away, new decisions have been made and lots of research (as always) has been done. That brings us to the topic of discussion for today...
I have decided to give up sugar. I know many are probably freaking out, but it really hasn't been as bad as one might think. The only sugar that I am taking in is through fruit and other natural forms of sugar. So why did I do this and limit my already limited diet even more? Well it's pretty plain and simple, sugar upsets my stomach. I never had this problem before I began my gluten-free, healthy diet, but it's something that very quickly changed for me. I also had concerns because when I had my blood work done 3 months ago, my blood sugar levels were high. It was mostly caused by my gluten issues, but I would rather be safe than sorry. I don't need to add diabetes to my long list of medical issues!
So what are some benefits of reducing your sugar intake? Well contrary to what most people think, sugar decreases the amount of energy your body has. Energy comes from the other things you eat in a balanced, healthy diet. Your risk for tooth decay drops dramatically. I have been blessed with a good dental record, but if you aren't so lucky, you should really consider a no sugar added diet. Another benefit is that it's key in effective weight loss. I know that I have seen a difference in the way I am beginning to shape up at the gym. For me, I'm not necessarily losing weight, but I am burning more fat and building and toning muscle easier. These are just a few of the many benefits that you will get by making this very simple change to your diet!
Just to make sure we are all clear and on the same page, sugar might be labeled as: sucrose, dextrose, glucose, fructose, and maltose. There are also other names, but they usually contain one of these words in it. Oh and please (I am begging you)--stay away from high fructose corn syrup!!!! Until next time...
Besos,
Courtney
Friday, May 27, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
All Natural vs. Organic
Hello!
I don't know about you, but when I go to the grocery store, I get super overwhelmed when looking at all of the labels and not knowing the real difference between "All Natural" and "Organic." A few days ago, I gave a list of the top 10 things to always buy organic, but what about the rest of it? What about canned goods, cereal, etc? Do those things reallllllly matter if they are organic or not? Well for the longest time I struggled with not knowing what to buy between the two, so I thought I would research it out and see what I could find.
As it turns out, it really does matter and it makes a huge difference. The definition of "Organic" refers to food grown without synthetic pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, hormones, fertilizers or other synthetic or toxic substances. No artificial flavors or colors have been added. Organic food does not include foods that have been irradiated or Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). According to Webster's new world dictionary, the word "natural" means, "produced or existing in nature; not artificial." By that definition, anything derived from plants, animals or elements found on planet Earth could earn the "all natural" label. Sound a little bit different? Basically, they can't call it natural if a process has changed the ingredient to something that is no longer found in nature (corn vs. high fructose corn syrup).
To break it down, "all natural" is simply a marketing ploy to sell their product. Do you really think "Natural" Cheetos are healthy for you? Or that they even contain different ingredients than the normal ones? Maybe, maybe not. The FDA does NOT require that food companies list the chemical contaminants found in their food so how will ever truly know? Food that is labeled "All Natural" can contain: pesticides, herbicides, toxic heavy metals, trace amounts of PCBs, toxic fluorides, hidden MSG, high-temperature cooking byproducts, synthetic chemical vitamins, or other non-natural substances.
The more I research the more I yearn to live a completely organic, sustainable lifestyle. I hope you feel the same way too! Make wise decisions while buying your groceries, clothing, personal care products, and household products. Leave no room for toxic chemicals and take control of what happens to you and your family because unfortunately the government is not making that easy. While the other governments in the world are saying, "It hasn't been proven safe," the US government is saying, "It hasn't been proven dangerous." Just a little something to think about. Go organic and live green.
Besos,
Courtney
I don't know about you, but when I go to the grocery store, I get super overwhelmed when looking at all of the labels and not knowing the real difference between "All Natural" and "Organic." A few days ago, I gave a list of the top 10 things to always buy organic, but what about the rest of it? What about canned goods, cereal, etc? Do those things reallllllly matter if they are organic or not? Well for the longest time I struggled with not knowing what to buy between the two, so I thought I would research it out and see what I could find.
As it turns out, it really does matter and it makes a huge difference. The definition of "Organic" refers to food grown without synthetic pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, hormones, fertilizers or other synthetic or toxic substances. No artificial flavors or colors have been added. Organic food does not include foods that have been irradiated or Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). According to Webster's new world dictionary, the word "natural" means, "produced or existing in nature; not artificial." By that definition, anything derived from plants, animals or elements found on planet Earth could earn the "all natural" label. Sound a little bit different? Basically, they can't call it natural if a process has changed the ingredient to something that is no longer found in nature (corn vs. high fructose corn syrup).
To break it down, "all natural" is simply a marketing ploy to sell their product. Do you really think "Natural" Cheetos are healthy for you? Or that they even contain different ingredients than the normal ones? Maybe, maybe not. The FDA does NOT require that food companies list the chemical contaminants found in their food so how will ever truly know? Food that is labeled "All Natural" can contain: pesticides, herbicides, toxic heavy metals, trace amounts of PCBs, toxic fluorides, hidden MSG, high-temperature cooking byproducts, synthetic chemical vitamins, or other non-natural substances.
The more I research the more I yearn to live a completely organic, sustainable lifestyle. I hope you feel the same way too! Make wise decisions while buying your groceries, clothing, personal care products, and household products. Leave no room for toxic chemicals and take control of what happens to you and your family because unfortunately the government is not making that easy. While the other governments in the world are saying, "It hasn't been proven safe," the US government is saying, "It hasn't been proven dangerous." Just a little something to think about. Go organic and live green.
Besos,
Courtney
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Fun in the Sun
Hello!!
I just wanted to start off this post by saying that today has been a great day for learning about the future of food and the sustainability of our planet. There was a conference today in DC and I have been so encouraged by what was spoken because it means that I am not alone in my quest to find a better way of life. There are so many people that have no idea the effects of the food they are eating and the things they put on their body. They just assume that if it's on the shelves at the store, it's safe. We live in a country concerned about ourselves. We are very selfish people in the United States. For instance, each week Americans, representing 5% of the worlds population, comprise 25% of the world's consumption of resources. Wow! Things need to change, and I can only hope that I will be able to be apart of bringing change to the world. Now that I have done a little bit of rambling--- I want to talk to you about something that totally blew my mind!
Summer is fast approaching, and we have all grown up being told to put sunscreen on every 30 minutes to avoid getting a sunburn and ultimately skin cancer. I try to be so cautious when I'm out in the sun because I don't want to get skin cancer. I want healthy skin with a bit of a tan! So I'm sure many of you are thinking... What could be so wrong with sunscreen? We are protecting ourselves from those harmful rays. Well you are right, but those sunblocks and sunscreens that are intended to protect your skin also introduce harmful chemicals into your system through your skin! From this point on, please no longer think of your skin as a barrier, but as a sponge. What you put ON will go IN!
In the book I am reading, "Living Green," the author states that suncreen/sunblock exposes our skin to suspected carcinogens, including (but not limited to) diethanolamine and related ingredients (DEA, TEA). Other ingredients are suspected endocrine disruptors: benzophenone (oxybenzone), homosalate, octyl-methoxycinnamate (oxtinoxate), and the parbens (methyl-, ethyl-, butyl-, propyl-).
I know that this looks like a just went crazy on the keyboard and typed some letters, but these are actual words. :) Even though you and I can't pronounce them and more than likely have no idea what they are, we should avoid them at all costs! Also in the paragraph above, "endocrine disruptors" is used. This simply means that those chemicals that can interfere with the body's hormonal system-- which is something that you do not want to disrupt. In doing research on chemicals and their effect on the body, I have found that the majority of them are known endocrine disrupters. For women it's especially a big deal because they take on an estrogen-like form and cause tons of problems. Children are VERY vulnerable (more than women) so please protect them from these things!
I know that it seems like all hope is lost and that you will have to stay inside all summer, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I have seen several natural or organic sunscreens at the stores that I shop at, but one that is known to be pure and probably your best bet is 'Aubrey Organics.' Their website is www.aubrey-organics.com and you can also check out all of their other skin care products while you are there!
I know that some people will probably read this and blow it off because they don't think it makes that big of a difference, but it really does. The advice that I have been told/read/live by when it comes to skin care is that if you wouldn't ingest it, don't put it on your skin! I'm not advocating eating your shampoo, but read those labels and if you can't...... you should probably leave it on the shelf!
Besos,
Courtney
I just wanted to start off this post by saying that today has been a great day for learning about the future of food and the sustainability of our planet. There was a conference today in DC and I have been so encouraged by what was spoken because it means that I am not alone in my quest to find a better way of life. There are so many people that have no idea the effects of the food they are eating and the things they put on their body. They just assume that if it's on the shelves at the store, it's safe. We live in a country concerned about ourselves. We are very selfish people in the United States. For instance, each week Americans, representing 5% of the worlds population, comprise 25% of the world's consumption of resources. Wow! Things need to change, and I can only hope that I will be able to be apart of bringing change to the world. Now that I have done a little bit of rambling--- I want to talk to you about something that totally blew my mind!
Summer is fast approaching, and we have all grown up being told to put sunscreen on every 30 minutes to avoid getting a sunburn and ultimately skin cancer. I try to be so cautious when I'm out in the sun because I don't want to get skin cancer. I want healthy skin with a bit of a tan! So I'm sure many of you are thinking... What could be so wrong with sunscreen? We are protecting ourselves from those harmful rays. Well you are right, but those sunblocks and sunscreens that are intended to protect your skin also introduce harmful chemicals into your system through your skin! From this point on, please no longer think of your skin as a barrier, but as a sponge. What you put ON will go IN!
In the book I am reading, "Living Green," the author states that suncreen/sunblock exposes our skin to suspected carcinogens, including (but not limited to) diethanolamine and related ingredients (DEA, TEA). Other ingredients are suspected endocrine disruptors: benzophenone (oxybenzone), homosalate, octyl-methoxycinnamate (oxtinoxate), and the parbens (methyl-, ethyl-, butyl-, propyl-).
I know that this looks like a just went crazy on the keyboard and typed some letters, but these are actual words. :) Even though you and I can't pronounce them and more than likely have no idea what they are, we should avoid them at all costs! Also in the paragraph above, "endocrine disruptors" is used. This simply means that those chemicals that can interfere with the body's hormonal system-- which is something that you do not want to disrupt. In doing research on chemicals and their effect on the body, I have found that the majority of them are known endocrine disrupters. For women it's especially a big deal because they take on an estrogen-like form and cause tons of problems. Children are VERY vulnerable (more than women) so please protect them from these things!
I know that it seems like all hope is lost and that you will have to stay inside all summer, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I have seen several natural or organic sunscreens at the stores that I shop at, but one that is known to be pure and probably your best bet is 'Aubrey Organics.' Their website is www.aubrey-organics.com and you can also check out all of their other skin care products while you are there!
I know that some people will probably read this and blow it off because they don't think it makes that big of a difference, but it really does. The advice that I have been told/read/live by when it comes to skin care is that if you wouldn't ingest it, don't put it on your skin! I'm not advocating eating your shampoo, but read those labels and if you can't...... you should probably leave it on the shelf!
Besos,
Courtney
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