Hello friends!
It's been wayyyy too long since I last posted something on here. Well I have a lot of things going on right now so I've been looking for easy meals to prepare that are easy on the pocket book as well. I just made this Vegan Chili for lunch and loved it so much that I wanted to share. I know that most of you are experiencing colder weather than I am, and I am totally jealous. Fall is my favorite season of the year and I miss the cool, crisp air that is supposed to accompany it! I'm still in fall mode regardless of the weather.. eating chili, scents of pumpkin in the air, and comfy sweatshirts just to name a few. Now onto the recipe. I hope you like it!
Vegan Chili
1 15oz can Black Beans
1 15oz can Great Northern White Beans
1 15 oz can Diced Tomatoes
Approximately 3 cups Water
1-2 stalks Celery
1/2 Medium-sized Onion
3-5 Cloves Garlic (I love Garlic more than most)
2 tbsp Chili Powder
1/2 tbsp Cumin Powder
Dash of Onion Powder
Dash of Garlic Powder
Salt & Pepper to taste
Chop the celery, onion, and garlic. (I like mine a little chunky.)
Mix all the ingredients together in a large pot.
Cover and bring to a boil. Allow vegetables to soften. (about 10 minutes)
Let it cool and enjoy!
Serves 4
The great thing is that this can be made for around $7 and that is using organic ingredients!
You can't beat feeding your family for such a low price!
You will probably be seeing a lot more Vegan, Gluten-free recipes popping up on my blog. I am going to do a 30-day vegan trial so I'm hoping to be disciplined enough to share with you everyday for the month!
Besos,
Courtney
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
The Adventures of Gluten-Free Travel
Hello everyone!
If you don't already know, today is National Celiac Awareness Day! It's just a day dedicated to celebrate those with Celiac Disease, as well as raising awareness about Celiac Disease and gluten intolerance in general. In celebration of the day, I thought I would talk about how to travel gluten (& dairy!) free. I know that summer is over, so it seems a little late to be addressing travel concerns, but with school functions and holiday traveling, it's still a very relevant topic. Most of you probably don't know that I just got back from a trip to NYC. I love that city more than life. (Ok maybe a slight exaggeration, but you get the point.) The first time I went to NYC I was not gluten-free. It was pre-diagnosis so I just enjoyed all of the food I wanted, including some cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery. Yum. This time things were different so I tackled the city's abundance of restaurants from a gluten-free and dairy-free standpoint. I'm happy to report that NYC is where it's at!
Let's talk preparation. I understand that it's unlikely that many of you will be traveling to NYC anytime soon, but if you are, get excited about the options that await you! Before we left, I began researching restaurants and put together a "restaurant guide." I broke the city down by neighborhoods and listed the restaurants according to location so that no matter where we were in the city, I would be able to find something nearby with suitable dining options. I printed off a copy to put in my purse and emailed it to myself so I would have it on my phone. I also looked into iPhone apps that would be useful, and I found one that works pretty well. It had a few issues, but nothing too serious. It's called "Find Me Gluten Free." It uses your location to find restaurants around you with gluten-free options. You can also enter in an address, search for chain restaurants, or choose whether you want it to search all restaurants or just those with a dedicated gluten-free menu.
Here is a link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/find-me-gluten-free/id431006818?mt=8
Have you ever been in an airport or your on the airplane and you need a snack? Well here is my suggestion to you... Pack your own snacks. Do not assume that there is going to be something safe for you to eat. What if you were to encounter travel complications and didn't have time to grab something before running on the plane? You can eat the peanuts, right? Sorry, but you can't. At least not the ones on Southwest Airlines. I checked the package and guess what was listed as an ingredient on the back of those seemingly innocent peanuts? Wheat starch. Oopsies! Here are a few of my favorite snacks (in general) that make perfect travel companions. These are all dairy-free, not to mention they are free of other allergens as well (particularly Enjoy Life).
Other suggestions that I would like to add, especially if you are driving, is to take a loaf of gluten-free bread (I like Udi's) with some peanut or sun butter, fresh fruit, gluten-free chips, etc. If your hotel has a refrigerator, you can also purchase some gluten-free deli meat to make sandwiches (no cheese if DF!). This not only keeps you safe, but it saves you money as well.
Research restaurants and ask plenty of questions when you get there. Ask for a gluten-free menu and tell them of your food intolerance(s) so they can accommodate your needs. It's really not that hard to travel gluten and dairy free, especially if you are visiting large cities. There are some resorts, cruises, etc that are now going gluten-free (Disney included) so it's only getting easier!
Here are a few of my favorite pictures from my trip. Can't wait to go back!
Besos,
Courtney
If you don't already know, today is National Celiac Awareness Day! It's just a day dedicated to celebrate those with Celiac Disease, as well as raising awareness about Celiac Disease and gluten intolerance in general. In celebration of the day, I thought I would talk about how to travel gluten (& dairy!) free. I know that summer is over, so it seems a little late to be addressing travel concerns, but with school functions and holiday traveling, it's still a very relevant topic. Most of you probably don't know that I just got back from a trip to NYC. I love that city more than life. (Ok maybe a slight exaggeration, but you get the point.) The first time I went to NYC I was not gluten-free. It was pre-diagnosis so I just enjoyed all of the food I wanted, including some cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery. Yum. This time things were different so I tackled the city's abundance of restaurants from a gluten-free and dairy-free standpoint. I'm happy to report that NYC is where it's at!
Let's talk preparation. I understand that it's unlikely that many of you will be traveling to NYC anytime soon, but if you are, get excited about the options that await you! Before we left, I began researching restaurants and put together a "restaurant guide." I broke the city down by neighborhoods and listed the restaurants according to location so that no matter where we were in the city, I would be able to find something nearby with suitable dining options. I printed off a copy to put in my purse and emailed it to myself so I would have it on my phone. I also looked into iPhone apps that would be useful, and I found one that works pretty well. It had a few issues, but nothing too serious. It's called "Find Me Gluten Free." It uses your location to find restaurants around you with gluten-free options. You can also enter in an address, search for chain restaurants, or choose whether you want it to search all restaurants or just those with a dedicated gluten-free menu.
Here is a link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/find-me-gluten-free/id431006818?mt=8
Have you ever been in an airport or your on the airplane and you need a snack? Well here is my suggestion to you... Pack your own snacks. Do not assume that there is going to be something safe for you to eat. What if you were to encounter travel complications and didn't have time to grab something before running on the plane? You can eat the peanuts, right? Sorry, but you can't. At least not the ones on Southwest Airlines. I checked the package and guess what was listed as an ingredient on the back of those seemingly innocent peanuts? Wheat starch. Oopsies! Here are a few of my favorite snacks (in general) that make perfect travel companions. These are all dairy-free, not to mention they are free of other allergens as well (particularly Enjoy Life).
 |
| Enjoy Life NOT Nuts Trail Mix. I really like "Beach Bash." |
 |
| Glutino Gluten Free Table Crackers |
 |
| Glutino Gluten-Free Pretzels |
 |
| Enjoy Life Chewy Bars. I prefer Caramel Apple. |
Research restaurants and ask plenty of questions when you get there. Ask for a gluten-free menu and tell them of your food intolerance(s) so they can accommodate your needs. It's really not that hard to travel gluten and dairy free, especially if you are visiting large cities. There are some resorts, cruises, etc that are now going gluten-free (Disney included) so it's only getting easier!
Here are a few of my favorite pictures from my trip. Can't wait to go back!
 |
| Greenwich Village makes my heart happy. |
 |
| The beauty of Central Park. |
 |
| My new obsession, Babycakes. Vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free goodness. |
 |
| Flags covering Battery Park in remembrance of 9/11. |
 |
| Skyscrapers. In love. |
Courtney
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Milk: The Grand Finale
Hey!
I hope that you have learned a little bit about milk from the previous postings. I am now going to switch gears and begin talking about how the body can react to it. I'm sure you are all very familiar with the term "lactose intolerance," but you are probably not as familiar with the words "cross-reactivity" and "casein." I am going to talk about what they are, how they can effect you, what the symptoms related to them are, and what products you can and cannot have. Last, but not least, we will talk about why a gluten-free and dairy-free combination diet is the solution for a lot of people who are gluten intolerant but have unresolved issues.
Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose- a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products. This happens when the small intestine doesn't produce enough of the enzyme lactase. Premature babies can have this problem because they are not fully developed, but newborn babies are usually not affected. Most children do not show symptoms until they are around 3 years old. Genetics, race, etc can cause variations in the age, but be aware of your child's reaction to dairy products around this age to catch lactose intolerance early. It is estimated that 30 million Americans have some amount of lactose intolerance by the age of 20. The symptoms of lactose intolerance include:
Next up is casein. Casein is a protein found in bovine (cow) milk and is also found in many other things as a binding agent. According to wisegeek.com, "Casein can be found in two main types: edible and technical. Edible casein is widely used in both medicine and food, both for nutritional value and as a binder. Technical casein is used in an enormous range of products, including paints, cosmetics, and many types of adhesives. A not-insubstantial number of people have a casein allergy and may find themselves experiencing negative reactions both to casein-containing food products and to products such as nail polish that contain casein." People who react to casein will more than likely be able to enjoy goat and sheep dairy products with no problems unlike those with lactose intolerance.
So how does dairy have anything to do with gluten? Well people who have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease or Gluten Sensitivity in general are often times put on a dairy-free diet. For gluten intolerant people, gluten and dairy go hand in hand. Here's why... People with Celiac or Gluten Sensitivity have gut damage that doesn't allow them to properly digest proteins in their food (lactose and more). Do you remember when I told you about "Leaky Gut Syndrome?" - This is the main reason.
More than likely, you are not lactose intolerant, but you can't rule it out completely. Celiac Disease has been found to cause lactase (enzyme) deficiencies. However, in most cases, when the gut has been allowed to properly heal, the problems associated with malabsorption decrease. Most people are able to reintroduce dairy products back into their diets after 6-12 months. For some it's more like 24-36 months.
Another issue gluten intolerant people face is "cross-reactivity." Cross-reactivity is when, after a period of time, your body starts to see other proteins, such as casein, as an "invader" just as it once thought gluten was an invader in your body. This is quite a phenomenon and in a later post, I will talk more about it and the other foods your anti-bodies begin to confuse for gluten. According to Primo Health, "Studies show that about 50% of gluten sensitive patients also have a problem with a protein called casein." As you can see, that's a large group of people so a dairy-free diet is something that needs serious consideration for those who are gluten intolerant. Who else benefits from a gluten-free/casein or dairy-free diet? People with Autism and ADHD. I will also address this at a later date, but I wanted to mention it now.
So where do you go from here? What can you eat? Well since I have been gluten-free for about 7 months, going dairy-free was somewhat easy for me. I know that not everyone is as well disciplined as I am and I definitely will not deny that both of these diets can be very challenging. Unfortunately, if you want to reap the full benefit and regain health or determine if one of these two (or both) are the root of your problems, you must strive for perfection. No cheating allowed! Obviously no milk, cheese, yogurt, etc along with no gluten. And if you're going completely dairy-free, that means no goat or sheep products either. Those are considered dairy too! It's a little easier if you are going casein-free because remember that's cow's milk only.
Here are a list of great alternatives for a dairy-free diet: (listed in order of personal preference)
Besos,
Courtney
I hope that you have learned a little bit about milk from the previous postings. I am now going to switch gears and begin talking about how the body can react to it. I'm sure you are all very familiar with the term "lactose intolerance," but you are probably not as familiar with the words "cross-reactivity" and "casein." I am going to talk about what they are, how they can effect you, what the symptoms related to them are, and what products you can and cannot have. Last, but not least, we will talk about why a gluten-free and dairy-free combination diet is the solution for a lot of people who are gluten intolerant but have unresolved issues.
Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose- a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products. This happens when the small intestine doesn't produce enough of the enzyme lactase. Premature babies can have this problem because they are not fully developed, but newborn babies are usually not affected. Most children do not show symptoms until they are around 3 years old. Genetics, race, etc can cause variations in the age, but be aware of your child's reaction to dairy products around this age to catch lactose intolerance early. It is estimated that 30 million Americans have some amount of lactose intolerance by the age of 20. The symptoms of lactose intolerance include:
- Abdominal bloating
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Nausea
Next up is casein. Casein is a protein found in bovine (cow) milk and is also found in many other things as a binding agent. According to wisegeek.com, "Casein can be found in two main types: edible and technical. Edible casein is widely used in both medicine and food, both for nutritional value and as a binder. Technical casein is used in an enormous range of products, including paints, cosmetics, and many types of adhesives. A not-insubstantial number of people have a casein allergy and may find themselves experiencing negative reactions both to casein-containing food products and to products such as nail polish that contain casein." People who react to casein will more than likely be able to enjoy goat and sheep dairy products with no problems unlike those with lactose intolerance.
So how does dairy have anything to do with gluten? Well people who have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease or Gluten Sensitivity in general are often times put on a dairy-free diet. For gluten intolerant people, gluten and dairy go hand in hand. Here's why... People with Celiac or Gluten Sensitivity have gut damage that doesn't allow them to properly digest proteins in their food (lactose and more). Do you remember when I told you about "Leaky Gut Syndrome?" - This is the main reason.
More than likely, you are not lactose intolerant, but you can't rule it out completely. Celiac Disease has been found to cause lactase (enzyme) deficiencies. However, in most cases, when the gut has been allowed to properly heal, the problems associated with malabsorption decrease. Most people are able to reintroduce dairy products back into their diets after 6-12 months. For some it's more like 24-36 months.
Another issue gluten intolerant people face is "cross-reactivity." Cross-reactivity is when, after a period of time, your body starts to see other proteins, such as casein, as an "invader" just as it once thought gluten was an invader in your body. This is quite a phenomenon and in a later post, I will talk more about it and the other foods your anti-bodies begin to confuse for gluten. According to Primo Health, "Studies show that about 50% of gluten sensitive patients also have a problem with a protein called casein." As you can see, that's a large group of people so a dairy-free diet is something that needs serious consideration for those who are gluten intolerant. Who else benefits from a gluten-free/casein or dairy-free diet? People with Autism and ADHD. I will also address this at a later date, but I wanted to mention it now.
So where do you go from here? What can you eat? Well since I have been gluten-free for about 7 months, going dairy-free was somewhat easy for me. I know that not everyone is as well disciplined as I am and I definitely will not deny that both of these diets can be very challenging. Unfortunately, if you want to reap the full benefit and regain health or determine if one of these two (or both) are the root of your problems, you must strive for perfection. No cheating allowed! Obviously no milk, cheese, yogurt, etc along with no gluten. And if you're going completely dairy-free, that means no goat or sheep products either. Those are considered dairy too! It's a little easier if you are going casein-free because remember that's cow's milk only.
Here are a list of great alternatives for a dairy-free diet: (listed in order of personal preference)
- Coconut Milk/Yogurt
- Almond Milk/Yogurt
- Rice Milk
- Soy Milk/Yogurt/Cheese (it has it's own risks and watch for casein in it as well!)
Besos,
Courtney
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Milk: Part 2
Hello!
We are going to learn about the use of growth hormones and antibiotics in dairy production. I think I may have mentioned this in a previous posting, but I feel the need to reiterate just how big of a deal this really is! The main controversy with dairy and hormone usage comes with recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH), but I want to add that while this is important, it’s also important that you realize there are about 20 FDA approved synthetic growth hormones used everyday in conventional livestock production. I am just going to tell you about rBGH for now so please educate yourselves on the others. One thing to note: this hormone does have an interchangeable name. It will either be labeled as recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) or recombinant Bovine Somatotrophine.
Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone was introduced in 1993 to enhance weight gain and milk production in cattle. This sounds like such a great thing, and in theory it is. With the help of this hormone, milk production can be increased up to 15%. So what’s the harm in speeding up this natural occurring process? How does it affect the cattle? How does it affect humans?
Let’s learn a little bit about it. Robyn O’Brien states in her book The Unhealthy Truth, “Although the product is made in a lab, it’s designed to mimic a hormone that’s naturally produced in a cow’s pituitary glands. It’s injected into cows every two weeks to boost their hormonal activity, causing them to produce an additional 10 to 15 percent more milk, or about one extra gallon each day.” So what’s the big deal? Well the hormone does more than just increasing milk production. It can be harmful to the cows. The label on the hormone that is provided by the manufacturer (Monsanto) lists these as side-effects: “Painful udder infections (mastitis); increased body temperature; an increase in digestive disorders; infertility; increases in cystic ovaries and disorders of the uterus; and decreases in gestation length and birth weight of calves.” These are just some of the things that can happen as a result of the growth hormone, this isn’t the full list. Some of you may think that it’s sad or you say to yourself, “poor cow,” but you move on because it is just an animal. Well if you fall into one of these two groups, or even if you don’t, let me begin to share with you something that affects the consumer aka YOU!
Well as stated above, one of the side effects is mastitis or an udder infection. Administering this hormone brings an 80% increase in the rate of this type of infection. What isn’t told is that this infection can take hold in one of two ways. On the inside, which isn’t visible with the naked eye, or on the outside, which is clearly visible. When a farmer notices that one of his cows has an infection (on the outside) he will begin to treat the infection with antibiotics.
That’s a great thing, right?
He got rid of the risk, right?
Before the farmer notices the infection it’s already there. And remember, the infection can occur on the inside of the udders too. So here comes the gross part. This type of infection is accompanied by a little substance called…. Puss. The first time I read this I wanted to throw up. Absolutely disgusting. So as the cow is being “milked” the udder puss comes out right along with it and is mixed in with the milk. So how many people want to drink a big ole glass of milk right now? Probably not many.
One last thing I want to cover before I wrap it up is antibiotic use. There are about 82 possible antibiotics that can be used throughout this whole process, but they usually only test for 4 of them. Eating and drinking antibiotics is no better than taking them on a regular basis. You and I both know that you shouldn’t overuse antibiotics so why should we eat and drink them everyday? Ingesting antibiotics all of the time reduces the amount of good bacteria you have available in your gut that aids with the digestive process. Another issue that is beginning to arise is antibiotic resistance. This is occurring in humans and also just general resistance with bacteria and infection (E Coli). 80% or more of the antibiotics produced in this country are given to animals. What do the majority of people in this country eat? Animals. This is an unnecessary use of antibiotics and it’s just an attempt to bandage our terribly wounded agricultural system. It’s not beneficial to the animals and it’s not beneficial to humans. Enough is enough. The abuse of antibiotics needs to come to an end.
Now that I have given you this information, let me tell you how you can avoid this all together. Buy organic dairy products. Let me just say that this goes beyond milk. This means anything that is made out of milk such as cheese, yogurt, ice cream, etc. Who wants to substitute chocolate syrup on their ice cream sundae for some udder puss? Come. On. Organic dairy producers do not use hormones or antibiotics and is the safest bet for you and your family. What if you can’t get organic or maybe you can’t afford to spare an extra dollar or two on each gallon? You can still get milk that is rBGH or rBST free even though it’s not organic. Wal-Mart only carries hormone free milk, and many other brands have it too. Unfortunately we have our labeling system backwards in this country, but look for that hormone free or organic label next time you’re at the grocery store on ALL dairy products. It’s one more step you can take towards a healthier life. Oh I almost forgot... Milk from the U.S. is banned in Europe. Can anyone guess why?
Besos,
Courtney
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Dairy: Part 1
Hey everyone!
Sorry I have been MIA for a while. I have been dealing with a few things and needed some time away to gather my thoughts. I began having some problems after we moved to Houston. I couldn’t figure out what was going on and I knew there had been some changes made to my supplements so I started by looking there. After trying different things, one of the two issues resolved. So then I started doing some research. I knew that people with a gluten intolerance can also face issues with dairy products so I tried dairy free for a few days and voila!... My issues were gone. Now I have to admit that this wasn’t an easy decision and not one that I wanted to make at all. I thoroughly enjoyed dairy products. Not milk, but yogurt and cheese. They were my “go-to” foods. I loved yogurt the most. Frozen or regular, no matter what flavor, I just loved it. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to have it for a while. I don’t think it will have to be a permanent change, but one that I will have to adhere to for about 6-12 months (according to my research). I had an absolute breakdown and cried about the thought of having to give it up. Hadn’t I already been through enough? Why was this happening? Couldn’t I just get a break? Well after coming to terms with it and finding some pretty great alternatives, I do what I do best. I began researching to figure out what the link between gluten and dairy is and why it affects people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. I also began to look at just how nutritious dairy products are and if it’s different in other countries ( I already knew the answer to this one). Because my research is pretty extensive, I am going to do a “series” on milk. I would rather give you smaller amounts of information at a time rather than overwhelming your eyes with a novel on my blog.
Let’s begin.
Part 1:
I have been reading for some time now that there is a theory that “raw milk” is better for you and that it can help to heal or improve the health of people with certain illnesses. It is claimed that our pasteurized milk loses nutritional value once it endures the heat that occurs during the pasteurization process. My first thought was that this makes sense. We all know that eating cooked vegetables isn’t as nutritious as eating them raw. The heat “ruins” most of the nutritional value. I think that this is true for milk as well, although others will say differently.
According to the Organic Valley website, there are two accepted methods of pasteurization in the United States. “The first, traditional pasteurization, heats the milk to at least 165°F for 15 seconds. This is commonly referred to as "High Temperature, Short Time," or HTST pasteurization. Heating the milk removes 99.9% of the bacteria in the milk, which gives HTST milk a printed shelf life of 16 - 21 days from the date it was packaged.” The other is ultra pasteurization. “Ultra pasteurization, the most widely used pasteurization process for milk in Europe and throughout the world, is a more recently developed process. The ultra pasteurization process is often referred to as “Ultra High Temperature,” or UHT pasteurization. The UHT process heats the milk to 280° F for only two seconds, and eliminates a larger percentage of bacteria than HTST pasteurization. When coupled with sterile packaging, ultra pasteurized milk has a shelf life of 70 days from the date of processing. UHT is gaining popularity in the United States and Canada.”
So what is the reason for pasteurization? Well milk is considered sterile while inside the utters of the cow, but once it leaves, aka the cow is “milked,” there are microorganisms such as bacteria that can infect the milk. Pasteurization takes care of any of the risks associated with possible contamination by heating up the milk and killing off anything that could be potentially harmful for human consumption. These risks are all viable with raw milk so it is outlawed in most states in the U.S. Although the nutritional value may be compromised, pasteurization creates a safe drink that so many love. Because I have never enjoyed drinking milk, I am not particularly interested in which form is better because they both have pros and cons associated with them. Here is a chart for those who might be interested:
After looking at this chart, decide what is best for you and your family. I will be talking about something that is a little closer to my heart in the next part of my series on milk-- growth hormones. Stay tuned for more information, and in the mean time, make the switch to organic milk if it's your drink of choice. That's one of the best decisions you will ever make.
Besos,
Courtney
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Killer in the Fridge
Hello Everyone!
This is an email that I received and thought I would share. I'm sorry in advance because it is formatted in a weird way, but just read the information and ignore the fact it looks kinda crazy :) I am working on a new post so keep an eye out for that soon!
Please make sure to read till the end!!! SWEET POISON... In October of 2001, my sister started getting very sick She had stomach spasms and she was having a hard time getting around. Walking was a major chore. It took everything she had just to get out of bed; she was in so much pain. By March 2002, she had undergone several tissue and muscle biopsies and was on 24 various prescription medications. The doctors could not determine what was wrong with her. She was in so much pain, and so sick she just knew she was dying. She put her house, bank accounts, life insurance, etc., in her oldest daughter's name, and made sure that her younger children were to be taken care of. She also wanted her last hooray, so she planned a trip to Florida (basically in a wheelchair) for March 22nd. On March 19, I called her to ask how her most recent tests went, and she said they didn't find anything on the test, but they believe she had MS. I recalled an article a friend of mine e-mailed to me and I asked my sister if she drank diet soda? She told me that she did. As a matter of fact, she was getting ready to crack one open that moment. I told her not to open it, and to stop drinking the diet soda! I e-mailed her an article my friend, a lawyer, had sent. My sister called me within 32 hours after our phone conversation and told me she had stopped drinking the diet soda AND she could walk! The muscle spasms went away. She said she didn't feel 100% but, she sure felt a lot better. She told me she was going to her doctor with this article and would call me when she got home. Well, she called me, and said her doctor was amazed! He is going to call all of his MS patients to find out if they consumed artificial sweeteners of any kind. In a nutshell, she was being poisoned by the Aspartame in the diet soda.. and literally dying a slow and miserable death. When she got to Florida March 22, all she had to take was one pill, and that was a pill for the Aspartame poisoning! She is well on her way to a complete recovery. And she is walking! No wheelchair! This article saved her life. ** If it says 'SUGAR FREE' on the label; DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT! ** I have spent several days lecturing at the WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE on 'ASPARTAME,' marketed as**'Nutra Sweet,' 'Equal,' and 'Spoonful.' ** In the keynote address by the EPA, it was announced that in the United States in 2001 there is an epidemic of multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus. It was difficult to determine exactly what toxin was causing this to be rampant. I stood up and said that I was there to lecture on exactly that subject. I will explain **why Aspartame is so **dangerous: **When the temperature of this sweetener exceeds 86 degrees F, **the wood alcohol in ASPARTAME converts to formaldehyde and then to formic acid, which in turn causes metabolic acidosis. Formic acid is the poison found in the sting of fire ants. The methanol toxicity mimics, among other conditions, multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus.** Many people were being diagnosed in error. Although multiple sclerosis is not a death sentence, Methanol toxicity is! Systemic lupus has become almost as rampant as multiple sclerosis, especially with **Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi drinkers. ** The victim usually does not know that the Aspartame is the culprit. He or she continues its use; irritating the lupus to such a degree that it may become a life-threatening condition. We have seen patients with systemic lupus become asymptotic, once taken off diet sodas. In cases of those diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, most of the symptoms disappear. We've seen many cases where vision loss re- turned and hearing loss improved markedly. This also applies to cases of tinnitus and **fibromyalgia**. During a lecture, I said, 'If you are using ASPARTAME (**Nutra Sweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc**) and you suffer from fibromyalgia symptoms, spasms, shooting, pains, numbness in your legs, Cramps,Vertigo,Dizziness,Headaches,Tinnitus,Joint pain,Unexplainable depression, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, blurred vision,or memory loss you probably have ASPARTAME poisoning!' People were jumping up during the lecture saying,'I have some of these symptoms. Is it reversible?' Yes! Yes! Yes!
STOP drinking diet sodas and be alert for Aspartame on food labels! Many products are fortified with it! This is a serious problem. Dr. Espart (one of my speakers) remarked that so many people seem to be symptomatic for MS and during his recent visit to a hospice; a nurse stated that six of her friends, who were heavy **Diet Coke** addicts, had all been diagnosed with MS. This is beyond coincidence! Diet soda is** NOT** a diet product! **It is a chemically altered, multiple SODIUM (salt) and ASPARTAME containing product that actually makes you crave carbohydrates.** **It is far more likely to make you GAIN weight!** **These products also contain formaldehyde**, which stores in the fat cells, particularly in the hips and thighs. Formaldehyde is an absolute toxin and is used primarily to preserve 'tissue specimens.' **Many products we use every day contain this **chemical** but we SHOULD NOT store it IN our body! Dr. H. J. Roberts stated in his lectures that once free of the** 'diet products**' and with no significant increase in exercise; his patients lost an average of 19 pounds over a trial period. ** Aspartame is especially dangerous for diabetics. We found that some physicians, who believed that they had a patient with retinopathy, in fact, had symptoms caused by Aspartame. The Aspartame drives the blood sugar out of control. Thus diabetics may suffer acute memory loss due to the fact that aspartic acid and phenylalanine are NEUROTOXIC when taken without the other amino acids necessary for a good balance. Treating diabetes is all about BALANCE. Especially with diabetics, the Aspartame passes the blood/brain barrier and it then deteriorates the neurons of the brain; causing various levels of brain damage,** Seizures, Depression, Manic depression, Panic attacks, Uncontrollable anger and rage. Consumption of Aspartame causes these same symptoms in non-diabetics as well. Documentation and observation also reveal that thousands of children diagnosed with ADD and ADHD have had complete turnarounds in their behavior when these chemicals have been removed from their diet. So called 'behavior modification prescription drugs' (Ritalin and others) are no longer needed.Truth be told, they were never NEEDED in the first place! Most of these children were being 'poisoned' on a daily basis with the very foods that were 'better for them than sugar.' It is also suspected that the Aspartame in thousands of pallets of diet Coke and diet Pepsi consumed by men and women fighting in the Gulf War, may be partially to blame for the well-known Gulf War Syndrome. Dr. Roberts warns that it can cause birth defects, i.e. mental retardation, if taken at the time of conception and during early pregnancy. Children are especially at risk for neurological disorders and should NEVER be given artificial sweeteners. There are many different case histories to relate of children suffering grand mal seizures and other neurological disturbances talking about a plague of neurological diseases directly caused by the use of this deadly poison.' Herein lies the problem: There were Congressional Hearings when Aspartame was included in 100 different products and strong ob-jection was made concerning its use. Since this initial hearing, there have been two subsequent hearings, and still nothing has been done. The drug and chemical lobbies have very deep pockets. Sadly, MONSANTO'S patent on Aspartame has EXPIRED! There are now over 5,000 products on the market that contain this deadly chemical and there will be thousands more introduced. Everybody wants a 'piece of the Aspartame pie.' I assure you that MONSANTO, the creator of Aspartame, knows how deadly it is. And isn't it ironic that MONSANTO funds, among others, the American Diabetes Association, the American Dietetic Association and the Conference of the American College of Physicians? This has been recently exposed in the New York Times. These [organizations] cannot criticize any additives or convey their link to MONSANTO because they take money from the food industry and are required to endorse their products. Senator Howard Metzenbaum wrote and presented a bill that would require label warnings on products containing Aspartame, especially regarding pregnant women, children and infants. The bill would also institute independent studies on the known dangers and the problems existing in the general population regarding seizures, changes in brain chemistry, neurological changes and behavioral symptoms. **The bill was killed. ** It is known that the powerful drug and chemical lobbies are responsible for this, letting loose the hounds of disease and death on an unsuspecting and uninformed public. Well, you're informed now!
Besos,
Courtney
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
The Unhealthy Truth
Hey guys!
I wanted to let you know about a great book that is a must-read! It is full of great information, it's easy to read, and you can sense her passion through her writing. Robyn O'Brien, a mother of four children who all have food allergies, gives her account on how to deal with them, as well as, providing all sorts of connections and corruption with our food industry. If you are looking for a book to read for the summer, I would highly recommend it!
I wanted to let you know about a great book that is a must-read! It is full of great information, it's easy to read, and you can sense her passion through her writing. Robyn O'Brien, a mother of four children who all have food allergies, gives her account on how to deal with them, as well as, providing all sorts of connections and corruption with our food industry. If you are looking for a book to read for the summer, I would highly recommend it!
Besos,
Courtney
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Baby Steps
Hello!
Are you like most people making the switch over to organic but totally freaked out by the cost of it? Well the Environment Working Group (EWB) has come out with an updated list of the cleanest and dirtiest fruits and vegetables this year. This is based on the amount of pesticides these hold. Obviously fruits and vegetables with a thinner skin are going to absorb more than those with a hard outer shell. So here it is!
The Dirty Dozen:
1) Apples 7) Nectarines
2) Celery 8) Grapes
3) Strawberries 9) Bell Peppers
4) Peaches 10) Potatoes
5) Spinach 11) Lettuce
6) Nectarines 12) Kale/ Collard Greens
^ So make sure you buy these organically because it means that they were never treated with pesticides/herbicides so you can eat them worry free!
The Clean Fifteen:
1) Onions 9) Cantaloupe
2) Corn 10) Kiwi
3) Pineapples 11) Cabbage
4) Avocado 12) Watermelon
5) Asparagus 13) Sweet Potatoes
6) Sweet Peas 14) Grapefruit
7) Mangos 15) Mushroom
8) Eggplant
^ Until you are able to purchase everything organic, you will be okay with eating these non-organically. Most have a protective barrier so little or no pesticides reach the inside.
I know it's hard to find organic produce in some areas or the cost may scare you off, but think about your health and the health of your family the next time you are at the supermarket. In a recent news, it has been found that fruits and vegetables contain 2+ pesticides each, and there has also been a link made between pesticides and children affected by ADHD. Hufingtonpost.com reports that, "with the latest news that ADHD in children is linked to common pesticides used on fruits and vegetables, it is more important than ever to be aware of what we are putting on our plates. Of the 1.2 billion pounds of pesticides used annually in the US, less than .01% actually reach their intended targets--the bugs! Obviously they are completely contaminating our food, and the consequences are disastrous, with numerous national and international government agencies acknowledging the connection to various health problems--nervous system toxicity, cancer, hormone system effects, and irritation of skin, eyes, and lungs among them."
Take steps toward a healthy lifestyle. It doesn't have to happen all at once. Look at the things you eat the most or the top 5 things on the "Dirty Dozen" list and start your organic journey there. Good luck to you all!
Besos,
Courtney
Are you like most people making the switch over to organic but totally freaked out by the cost of it? Well the Environment Working Group (EWB) has come out with an updated list of the cleanest and dirtiest fruits and vegetables this year. This is based on the amount of pesticides these hold. Obviously fruits and vegetables with a thinner skin are going to absorb more than those with a hard outer shell. So here it is!
The Dirty Dozen:
1) Apples 7) Nectarines
2) Celery 8) Grapes
3) Strawberries 9) Bell Peppers
4) Peaches 10) Potatoes
5) Spinach 11) Lettuce
6) Nectarines 12) Kale/ Collard Greens
^ So make sure you buy these organically because it means that they were never treated with pesticides/herbicides so you can eat them worry free!
The Clean Fifteen:
1) Onions 9) Cantaloupe
2) Corn 10) Kiwi
3) Pineapples 11) Cabbage
4) Avocado 12) Watermelon
5) Asparagus 13) Sweet Potatoes
6) Sweet Peas 14) Grapefruit
7) Mangos 15) Mushroom
8) Eggplant
^ Until you are able to purchase everything organic, you will be okay with eating these non-organically. Most have a protective barrier so little or no pesticides reach the inside.
I know it's hard to find organic produce in some areas or the cost may scare you off, but think about your health and the health of your family the next time you are at the supermarket. In a recent news, it has been found that fruits and vegetables contain 2+ pesticides each, and there has also been a link made between pesticides and children affected by ADHD. Hufingtonpost.com reports that, "with the latest news that ADHD in children is linked to common pesticides used on fruits and vegetables, it is more important than ever to be aware of what we are putting on our plates. Of the 1.2 billion pounds of pesticides used annually in the US, less than .01% actually reach their intended targets--the bugs! Obviously they are completely contaminating our food, and the consequences are disastrous, with numerous national and international government agencies acknowledging the connection to various health problems--nervous system toxicity, cancer, hormone system effects, and irritation of skin, eyes, and lungs among them."
Take steps toward a healthy lifestyle. It doesn't have to happen all at once. Look at the things you eat the most or the top 5 things on the "Dirty Dozen" list and start your organic journey there. Good luck to you all!
Besos,
Courtney
Monday, June 20, 2011
E Coli: Corn vs Grass
Hey guys!
So I must say that I have been reading and learning so much information that I feel overwhelmed- in a good way! My head is spinning and my emotions are all over the place, but it's ok because I know that I am supposed to be doing what I am doing! After the European E Coli scare, I really started thinking about why they don't just make a few obvious changes and put an end to E Coli as we know it. I know that it wouldn't be easy because it would affect too many pocketbooks - aka the meat producers and government - but who cares! Is our health and safety really not worth it?
In a 1998! (that's 13 years ago) study done by Cornell, they look the differences in corn vs grass fed beef. I don't know where you are, but in Texas this is a big deal. We are all about eating a big, juicy steak the size of our plate. I, on the other hand, am thinking - and have been thinking for some time - about becoming vegetarian or vegan. Meat has honestly started grossing me out, especially with the amount of information that I have learned!
I want to start out by giving you the overview of E Coli.Their article states that, "E Coli is a normal bacterium in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals, and most types are not harmful." So after reading that, I wondered what could cause it to be harmful. I am not oblivious to what happens in today's beef industry with the over-crowded feedlots, the use of anti-biotics and hormones, and corn fed diets. I feel that it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this stuff out, but hey, let's just look at the facts. So how did corn-fed diets for cattle become such the go-to diet anyways? Last time I checked, cows were supposed to eat grass. Well during WWII, farmers were producing more grain than the US population could eat so they started feeding it to cattle. They soon realized that they could fatten them up a lot faster for slaughter with grain (corn). During that time, it would take 4-5 years to fatten a cow to 1,200 pounds, but with the discovery of feeding them corn, it cut the time to 14-16 months. Wow! That is so great, right? Well it sounds great, but what are the effects?
Healthytheory.com states that, "the stomachs of cows are naturally pH neutral. A corn-based diet, however, creates an acidic environment that contributes to a host of health problems. Corn-fed cattle are prone to serious health conditions such as bloat, diarrhea, ulcers, liver disease, and a weakened immune system. To combat these health problems, cattle are continually fed antibiotics, which leads to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that increasingly render modern medicine ineffective." All I can say is... the poor cows! So they are suffering, and we are ruining their digestive and immune systems in the process. Sounds like the kind of cow I want to get my meat from. A sick one. - Total sarcasm.
I would think we would want them at optimal health so that we can get the healthiest product to feed to consumers, but it's all a money game. So where does E Coli come in with all of this? Well corn leads to a very acidic intestinal tract which is a perfect home for E Coli. Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, states that "the lethal strain of E. coli known as 0157:H7 is believed to have evolved in the gut of feedlot cattle. The development of a more acidic environment in cows’ intestinal tracts created an acid-resistant strain of the pathogen, which is able to survive the acidic conditions of the human stomach and prove fatal." In the documentary Food, Inc., Pollan states that switching feedlot cattle to a grass diet would eliminate 80 percent of the E. coli in the cows’ digestive tracts.
E Coli 0157:H7 can lead to bloody diarrhea and kidney failure in humans, that ultimately, could lead to death if not treated immediately. That's such a scary situation, but it happens more often than we think. Sure, we have had big outbreaks of E Coli here in the States just like they did in Europe, but what people aren't getting is that there are people that die, here in the United States, all the time from E Coli. Just a few weeks ago, a 2 year old girl and her older brother were both hospitalized for E Coli. The little girl did not survive, but her older brother was able to pull through. It's heartbreaking that preventative changes could be made, but they're not.
Next time you're in the grocery store, look for organic, grass-fed beef. I know you can get it at Whole Foods and other specialty stores. Make sure it's hormone and antibiotic free also. Antibiotic use is another topic that I could talk about forever, but I will shorten it for your sake, and just say that it doesn't help E Coli. At all. Don't let the media and other people make you think that E Coli comes from vegetables or that you should avoid them at all costs either! Vegetables, cannot produce it, but they can definitely transport it if they are contaminated with some corn-fed, E Coli tainted manure. Reduce the risk and eat beef that's grass-fed (or no beef at all). You're less likely to eat an E Coli burger that way!
Besos,
Courtney
So I must say that I have been reading and learning so much information that I feel overwhelmed- in a good way! My head is spinning and my emotions are all over the place, but it's ok because I know that I am supposed to be doing what I am doing! After the European E Coli scare, I really started thinking about why they don't just make a few obvious changes and put an end to E Coli as we know it. I know that it wouldn't be easy because it would affect too many pocketbooks - aka the meat producers and government - but who cares! Is our health and safety really not worth it?
In a 1998! (that's 13 years ago) study done by Cornell, they look the differences in corn vs grass fed beef. I don't know where you are, but in Texas this is a big deal. We are all about eating a big, juicy steak the size of our plate. I, on the other hand, am thinking - and have been thinking for some time - about becoming vegetarian or vegan. Meat has honestly started grossing me out, especially with the amount of information that I have learned!
I want to start out by giving you the overview of E Coli.Their article states that, "E Coli is a normal bacterium in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals, and most types are not harmful." So after reading that, I wondered what could cause it to be harmful. I am not oblivious to what happens in today's beef industry with the over-crowded feedlots, the use of anti-biotics and hormones, and corn fed diets. I feel that it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this stuff out, but hey, let's just look at the facts. So how did corn-fed diets for cattle become such the go-to diet anyways? Last time I checked, cows were supposed to eat grass. Well during WWII, farmers were producing more grain than the US population could eat so they started feeding it to cattle. They soon realized that they could fatten them up a lot faster for slaughter with grain (corn). During that time, it would take 4-5 years to fatten a cow to 1,200 pounds, but with the discovery of feeding them corn, it cut the time to 14-16 months. Wow! That is so great, right? Well it sounds great, but what are the effects?
Healthytheory.com states that, "the stomachs of cows are naturally pH neutral. A corn-based diet, however, creates an acidic environment that contributes to a host of health problems. Corn-fed cattle are prone to serious health conditions such as bloat, diarrhea, ulcers, liver disease, and a weakened immune system. To combat these health problems, cattle are continually fed antibiotics, which leads to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that increasingly render modern medicine ineffective." All I can say is... the poor cows! So they are suffering, and we are ruining their digestive and immune systems in the process. Sounds like the kind of cow I want to get my meat from. A sick one. - Total sarcasm.
I would think we would want them at optimal health so that we can get the healthiest product to feed to consumers, but it's all a money game. So where does E Coli come in with all of this? Well corn leads to a very acidic intestinal tract which is a perfect home for E Coli. Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, states that "the lethal strain of E. coli known as 0157:H7 is believed to have evolved in the gut of feedlot cattle. The development of a more acidic environment in cows’ intestinal tracts created an acid-resistant strain of the pathogen, which is able to survive the acidic conditions of the human stomach and prove fatal." In the documentary Food, Inc., Pollan states that switching feedlot cattle to a grass diet would eliminate 80 percent of the E. coli in the cows’ digestive tracts.
E Coli 0157:H7 can lead to bloody diarrhea and kidney failure in humans, that ultimately, could lead to death if not treated immediately. That's such a scary situation, but it happens more often than we think. Sure, we have had big outbreaks of E Coli here in the States just like they did in Europe, but what people aren't getting is that there are people that die, here in the United States, all the time from E Coli. Just a few weeks ago, a 2 year old girl and her older brother were both hospitalized for E Coli. The little girl did not survive, but her older brother was able to pull through. It's heartbreaking that preventative changes could be made, but they're not.
Next time you're in the grocery store, look for organic, grass-fed beef. I know you can get it at Whole Foods and other specialty stores. Make sure it's hormone and antibiotic free also. Antibiotic use is another topic that I could talk about forever, but I will shorten it for your sake, and just say that it doesn't help E Coli. At all. Don't let the media and other people make you think that E Coli comes from vegetables or that you should avoid them at all costs either! Vegetables, cannot produce it, but they can definitely transport it if they are contaminated with some corn-fed, E Coli tainted manure. Reduce the risk and eat beef that's grass-fed (or no beef at all). You're less likely to eat an E Coli burger that way!
Besos,
Courtney
Saturday, June 11, 2011
A Need For Change
Hello friends!
We have officially made the move to Houston, and I must say that I have been quite surprised at how well I am liking it so far. I have always thought of Houston as being hot, humid, full of smog, and just kinda gross. That isn't what I have seen so far though. There are so many options when it comes to organic, gluten free, and green living. I love all of the little places that we have discovered just this week. One of the coolest is a bakery called "Gluten Free Houston" which bakes all sorts of bread, pizza crusts, tortillas, sweets, and much more! We went today and bought a loaf of herb and cheese bread, and man it is SO delicious. I haven't had anything like that in about 6 months now so it was one of those melt in your mouth moments!
I have also been doing a lot of research (as usual), I've started reading a new book, and I have honestly been doing some soul searching. I have such a passion for what I write about here, and I want to take my knowledge and somehow use it in my career. I have a few ideas, but I will share those later when I have a more solid plan in place. ;)
One thing that I have been feeling is a little hopeless. I know that the future of our food depends on the demand of the consumers which equals you and me. If we demanded better products, that's what we would get. The problem with that though, is that most people in this country seem to be ignorant to what is taking place in our food supply. That is a problem that must be addressed before anything else can take place. Sure, there are plenty of people who are aware of what's going on, who shop at Whole Foods, and really care about the future of food and the sustainability of our country, but there aren't enough of us. EVERYONE needs to be aware and be proactive in the decisions they make everyday. Don't buy a meal that comes in a box, buy fresh food and prepare a meal that is good for your family. Become anti-preservative, anti-GMO, anti-antibiotics, and anti-hormones. Those were the first steps I took, and it wasn't a hard thing to do at all. Now that I know more, I have become more strict than that, but those few things are a great start to becoming healthy again. Eating what is on your grocery store shelf may or may not be healthy for you and that's the sad truth about it.
I stop and think of all of the Yoplait yogurt, Velveeta mac and cheese, the hormone and antibiotic filled meat and poultry, the bread and pasta, Dr. Pepper, cakes, cookies, etc, etc, etc, that I used to eat and it literately makes me nauseas. The phrase, "if I only knew then, what I know now" definitely applies in this situation. It would apply to your situation or any person that you know, if you would just let it. It's simple things that frustrate me. Why not look at what you're eating as a cause to the problems that you or your children are having rather than running to the doctor for every ache and pain? You have a choice. You can either spend the money now to prevent illness, or you can feed those illnesses and give your hard earned money to a doctor and a pharmacy while still not getting any results. Which sounds better to you? I'll pay extra at the grocery store.
Here are a few examples:
Do you or your children suffer from chronic ear infections? - Dairy allergy, lactose intolerance
Diarrhea, chronic fatigue, joint pain, headaches, etc? - Gluten intolerance, gluten sensitivity
Have a peanut allergy, but still having problems? - Soy allergy
Have asthma? - It's probably food related. Look at the top 8 allergens and start there.
There is an array of things that happens to us, but it's usually your body responding and trying to tell you what's wrong. Just listen to it. If you think that these big food, pharmaceutical, or government agencies have your best interest at heart. Think again. They have money in their pockets and nothing in their hearts.
Now that I have rambled my way into an almost-outraged state, please do the right thing and learn about how to protect yourself and how to protect your family. It took me forever to compile that terrible list that I did above because I haven't eaten anything like that in so long, I don't even remember what all I used to eat. I forgot about it and left it for uninformed people to eat. Most developed countries as well as undeveloped countries eat better than we do (not supply, but nutritionally). They care about the health of their people and won't allow them to be exposed to the things we are battling here in the United States. It's a terrible epidemic that needs to be stopped. This quote says it all: "The public would rather believe a simple lie than a complex truth." Ponder that for a little while and decide if you would rather give in or put up a fight.
Besos,
Courtney
We have officially made the move to Houston, and I must say that I have been quite surprised at how well I am liking it so far. I have always thought of Houston as being hot, humid, full of smog, and just kinda gross. That isn't what I have seen so far though. There are so many options when it comes to organic, gluten free, and green living. I love all of the little places that we have discovered just this week. One of the coolest is a bakery called "Gluten Free Houston" which bakes all sorts of bread, pizza crusts, tortillas, sweets, and much more! We went today and bought a loaf of herb and cheese bread, and man it is SO delicious. I haven't had anything like that in about 6 months now so it was one of those melt in your mouth moments!
I have also been doing a lot of research (as usual), I've started reading a new book, and I have honestly been doing some soul searching. I have such a passion for what I write about here, and I want to take my knowledge and somehow use it in my career. I have a few ideas, but I will share those later when I have a more solid plan in place. ;)
One thing that I have been feeling is a little hopeless. I know that the future of our food depends on the demand of the consumers which equals you and me. If we demanded better products, that's what we would get. The problem with that though, is that most people in this country seem to be ignorant to what is taking place in our food supply. That is a problem that must be addressed before anything else can take place. Sure, there are plenty of people who are aware of what's going on, who shop at Whole Foods, and really care about the future of food and the sustainability of our country, but there aren't enough of us. EVERYONE needs to be aware and be proactive in the decisions they make everyday. Don't buy a meal that comes in a box, buy fresh food and prepare a meal that is good for your family. Become anti-preservative, anti-GMO, anti-antibiotics, and anti-hormones. Those were the first steps I took, and it wasn't a hard thing to do at all. Now that I know more, I have become more strict than that, but those few things are a great start to becoming healthy again. Eating what is on your grocery store shelf may or may not be healthy for you and that's the sad truth about it.
I stop and think of all of the Yoplait yogurt, Velveeta mac and cheese, the hormone and antibiotic filled meat and poultry, the bread and pasta, Dr. Pepper, cakes, cookies, etc, etc, etc, that I used to eat and it literately makes me nauseas. The phrase, "if I only knew then, what I know now" definitely applies in this situation. It would apply to your situation or any person that you know, if you would just let it. It's simple things that frustrate me. Why not look at what you're eating as a cause to the problems that you or your children are having rather than running to the doctor for every ache and pain? You have a choice. You can either spend the money now to prevent illness, or you can feed those illnesses and give your hard earned money to a doctor and a pharmacy while still not getting any results. Which sounds better to you? I'll pay extra at the grocery store.
Here are a few examples:
Do you or your children suffer from chronic ear infections? - Dairy allergy, lactose intolerance
Diarrhea, chronic fatigue, joint pain, headaches, etc? - Gluten intolerance, gluten sensitivity
Have a peanut allergy, but still having problems? - Soy allergy
Have asthma? - It's probably food related. Look at the top 8 allergens and start there.
There is an array of things that happens to us, but it's usually your body responding and trying to tell you what's wrong. Just listen to it. If you think that these big food, pharmaceutical, or government agencies have your best interest at heart. Think again. They have money in their pockets and nothing in their hearts.
Now that I have rambled my way into an almost-outraged state, please do the right thing and learn about how to protect yourself and how to protect your family. It took me forever to compile that terrible list that I did above because I haven't eaten anything like that in so long, I don't even remember what all I used to eat. I forgot about it and left it for uninformed people to eat. Most developed countries as well as undeveloped countries eat better than we do (not supply, but nutritionally). They care about the health of their people and won't allow them to be exposed to the things we are battling here in the United States. It's a terrible epidemic that needs to be stopped. This quote says it all: "The public would rather believe a simple lie than a complex truth." Ponder that for a little while and decide if you would rather give in or put up a fight.
Besos,
Courtney
Friday, May 27, 2011
A Sweet Goodbye
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
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
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
Monday, April 25, 2011
The Top 10
Hello Everyone!
Sorry I have been MIA! I have been in total research mode for the past several weeks and have been learning so much that I honestly didn't know where to even begin to write. It is an overwhelming feeling to be finding out all sorts of information, most of which makes you want to change the things in your life as soon as possible. I have mainly been looking into what it means to have an "organic lifestyle." The more I read, the more I yearn to live the way that these people are talking about. All of this harmful stuff that is allowed in our country doesn't stop with the food. It enters our lives through all aspects, including our skin care products, our clothing, and even the things in our home. I want to share about the changes that I have made and the ones that I hope to make in the very near future. I can only hope that you will see that things in your lives need to change too so we can all live healthy, productive lives.
I have started reading a book called "Living Green" by Greg Horn. It is a book over sustainability and what we, as average people, can do to contribute to the "green" effort. As I was reading, I came across something and it finally clicked that this is where I need to start.
I have often wondered if eating organic fruits and vegetables makes that big of a difference. I wasn't sure if the regular ones at the supermarket were that different from the organic or if it really even mattered in the bigger picture of things. Well I am here to tell you today that it does. It makes a huge difference by keeping harmful chemicals out of your body and home. In the book, there is a great list of produce that you should ALWAYS buy organic, and that's what I want to share with you today. It is a great way to get started on the road to complete sustainability and health.
1) Meats: These are high on the food chain, and thus can concentrate chemicals from the animals' diets in their fatty tissues
2) Dairy Products: Also high on the food chain and rich in fats, which is where harmful chemicals become stored.
3) Fish: While not strictly organic, it is crucial to buy wild fish and avoid all farmed fish, which can contain high levels of contaminants. Hint: All "Atlantic Salmon" is farmed, as this fish is virtually extinct in the wild.
4)Berries: Strawberries, raspberries, and other berries including grapes have a thin, absorbent skin that you can eat. These fruits are heavily sprayed and tend to absorb more of the chemicals that they come in contact with during production.
5) Salad Crops: Lettuce, spinach, and celery are highly sprayed, and have no outer shell to protect the part that you eat-- the leaf.
6) Mushrooms: Mushrooms are highly absorbent, and conventional growing uses powerful fungicides between crops to keep stray species from invading the intended crop.
7) Root Crops: Conventional potatoes, yams, carrots, onions, and other root crops can be sprayed with fungicides as well as pesticides, and the parts you eat grow in direct contact with the chemicals.
8) Bananas: Banana plantations use up to 20 times more pesticides per acre than crops grown in industrialized countries. Conventional bananas are often grown with a blue plastic bag of pesticides placed over the soft, absorbent skin of the fruit. Enough said?
9) Waxed Fruit: That shiny apple had a wax coating that locks in the pesticides and makes them very difficult to wash off.
10) Coffee and Tea: Technically not "foods," but hot-water brewing can concentrate the residual pesticides used in the growing process while it is extracting the "good stuff." Remember to use an unbleached filter and NEVER use styrofoam!
I hope this list will be helpful and allow you to become more aware and conscience of the harm that can occur by not making the right decisions at the supermarket. Look for the "USDA Organic" seal while you are shopping so you can have the comfort in knowing that what you are getting is certified organic. Also, if you go to farmers markets- a great option- just talk to the farmers because even though it may not be certified, more than likely they have grown it organically. Until next time... Enjoy those fruits and veggies!
Besos,
Courtney
Sorry I have been MIA! I have been in total research mode for the past several weeks and have been learning so much that I honestly didn't know where to even begin to write. It is an overwhelming feeling to be finding out all sorts of information, most of which makes you want to change the things in your life as soon as possible. I have mainly been looking into what it means to have an "organic lifestyle." The more I read, the more I yearn to live the way that these people are talking about. All of this harmful stuff that is allowed in our country doesn't stop with the food. It enters our lives through all aspects, including our skin care products, our clothing, and even the things in our home. I want to share about the changes that I have made and the ones that I hope to make in the very near future. I can only hope that you will see that things in your lives need to change too so we can all live healthy, productive lives.
I have started reading a book called "Living Green" by Greg Horn. It is a book over sustainability and what we, as average people, can do to contribute to the "green" effort. As I was reading, I came across something and it finally clicked that this is where I need to start.
I have often wondered if eating organic fruits and vegetables makes that big of a difference. I wasn't sure if the regular ones at the supermarket were that different from the organic or if it really even mattered in the bigger picture of things. Well I am here to tell you today that it does. It makes a huge difference by keeping harmful chemicals out of your body and home. In the book, there is a great list of produce that you should ALWAYS buy organic, and that's what I want to share with you today. It is a great way to get started on the road to complete sustainability and health.
1) Meats: These are high on the food chain, and thus can concentrate chemicals from the animals' diets in their fatty tissues
2) Dairy Products: Also high on the food chain and rich in fats, which is where harmful chemicals become stored.
3) Fish: While not strictly organic, it is crucial to buy wild fish and avoid all farmed fish, which can contain high levels of contaminants. Hint: All "Atlantic Salmon" is farmed, as this fish is virtually extinct in the wild.
4)Berries: Strawberries, raspberries, and other berries including grapes have a thin, absorbent skin that you can eat. These fruits are heavily sprayed and tend to absorb more of the chemicals that they come in contact with during production.
5) Salad Crops: Lettuce, spinach, and celery are highly sprayed, and have no outer shell to protect the part that you eat-- the leaf.
6) Mushrooms: Mushrooms are highly absorbent, and conventional growing uses powerful fungicides between crops to keep stray species from invading the intended crop.
7) Root Crops: Conventional potatoes, yams, carrots, onions, and other root crops can be sprayed with fungicides as well as pesticides, and the parts you eat grow in direct contact with the chemicals.
8) Bananas: Banana plantations use up to 20 times more pesticides per acre than crops grown in industrialized countries. Conventional bananas are often grown with a blue plastic bag of pesticides placed over the soft, absorbent skin of the fruit. Enough said?
9) Waxed Fruit: That shiny apple had a wax coating that locks in the pesticides and makes them very difficult to wash off.
10) Coffee and Tea: Technically not "foods," but hot-water brewing can concentrate the residual pesticides used in the growing process while it is extracting the "good stuff." Remember to use an unbleached filter and NEVER use styrofoam!
I hope this list will be helpful and allow you to become more aware and conscience of the harm that can occur by not making the right decisions at the supermarket. Look for the "USDA Organic" seal while you are shopping so you can have the comfort in knowing that what you are getting is certified organic. Also, if you go to farmers markets- a great option- just talk to the farmers because even though it may not be certified, more than likely they have grown it organically. Until next time... Enjoy those fruits and veggies!
Besos,
Courtney
Sunday, April 3, 2011
What's Your Type?
Hey guys!
I have been trying to figure out how to change things up on the blog all afternoon. I am apparently not as technology savvy as I thought I was. Needless to say, I have some things to learn.
I haven't really gone over all of my results from my trip back to the doctor like I said I would. Sorry about that. Long story short, I was supposed to go back in 3 months (May/June) and have all of the testing redone just to track my progress, but I was having some issues not too long ago and had to make a quick stop by Dr. Pon's office over spring break. While I was there, she gave me some very interesting info.
You see, I have type B blood. So who would have thought that your blood type could have a determination in what type of food your body can handle? Well I didn't. But your blood type matters. Your body naturally likes and dislikes some foods and it all depends on your blood type. I have to admit that I get all giddy when I make these discoveries because they are always pretty darn accurate! Ok that was a side note, but it really is important for you to know your body and know what things are going to make living healthy a little bit easier for you.
If you are type B, here is a direct link: http://www.drlam.com/blood_type_diet/blood_b_chart.asp
For the general info, check it out here: http://www.drlam.com/blood_type_diet/
Besos,
Courtney
I have been trying to figure out how to change things up on the blog all afternoon. I am apparently not as technology savvy as I thought I was. Needless to say, I have some things to learn.
I haven't really gone over all of my results from my trip back to the doctor like I said I would. Sorry about that. Long story short, I was supposed to go back in 3 months (May/June) and have all of the testing redone just to track my progress, but I was having some issues not too long ago and had to make a quick stop by Dr. Pon's office over spring break. While I was there, she gave me some very interesting info.
You see, I have type B blood. So who would have thought that your blood type could have a determination in what type of food your body can handle? Well I didn't. But your blood type matters. Your body naturally likes and dislikes some foods and it all depends on your blood type. I have to admit that I get all giddy when I make these discoveries because they are always pretty darn accurate! Ok that was a side note, but it really is important for you to know your body and know what things are going to make living healthy a little bit easier for you.
If you are type B, here is a direct link: http://www.drlam.com/blood_type_diet/blood_b_chart.asp
For the general info, check it out here: http://www.drlam.com/blood_type_diet/
Besos,
Courtney
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Why Are We Allergic To So Many Foods?
Hello everyone!!
I found this video on a blog that I follow and it is toooooooo good for me to not share it with all of you! She does such a good job describing what is wrong with the American food system and puts it such an easily understood way! I hope you enjoy and let me know what you think :)
Besos,
Courtney
I found this video on a blog that I follow and it is toooooooo good for me to not share it with all of you! She does such a good job describing what is wrong with the American food system and puts it such an easily understood way! I hope you enjoy and let me know what you think :)
Besos,
Courtney
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Pearly Whites
Hey!
I am SOOOOO excited right now/humored at how bad American food is.... I just ate pasta imported from Italy and guess what? No. Reaction. Hmmm that's interesting isn't it? Get it together people.
Ok so that's not the point of this post, but I had to share because that is my first carb in months! I wanted to give y'all some info on a new product that I discovered and love! Everyone has heard of Burt's Bees. I love their chap stick, but I was at the grocery store the other day and saw that they are now making toothpaste that is 100% natural so I decided to try it. My goal is to start replacing things as I run out for an all natural or organic product.
Well I tried it and I have to admit that I was a little weirded out by the texture and consistency at first because it is a bit different than a regular toothpaste but once I embraced it, I decided that I love it! :) Here are some pictures of the the one that I bought.
Try it out! I hope you enjoy it like I do!
Besos,
Courtney
I am SOOOOO excited right now/humored at how bad American food is.... I just ate pasta imported from Italy and guess what? No. Reaction. Hmmm that's interesting isn't it? Get it together people.
Ok so that's not the point of this post, but I had to share because that is my first carb in months! I wanted to give y'all some info on a new product that I discovered and love! Everyone has heard of Burt's Bees. I love their chap stick, but I was at the grocery store the other day and saw that they are now making toothpaste that is 100% natural so I decided to try it. My goal is to start replacing things as I run out for an all natural or organic product.
Well I tried it and I have to admit that I was a little weirded out by the texture and consistency at first because it is a bit different than a regular toothpaste but once I embraced it, I decided that I love it! :) Here are some pictures of the the one that I bought.
Besos,
Courtney
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Got Trash? Go Green.
Hello peeps!
So today I wanted to share my new found love...Recycling. As sad as this is, I never knew how or what to recycle. Most people think it's too complicated or that it takes to much time and effort, but in all reality... it's really simple. I was exposed to recycling by my coworker. We recycle paper, cardboard, and plastic at work. At first it was hard to break the habit of just throwing everything in the trash, but once I became accustomed to separating it out, it became second nature.
Once I formed this habit at work, I started feeling guilty throwing a plastic bottle in the trash at home. So I have been doing some research on recycling centers for home and trying to come up with the best that fits our needs. One thing you need to do before setting one up is see what your city recycles. Unfortunately for us in Lubbock, they only recycle a couple of plastics, newspaper, cardboard, regular paper, and that's about it. Some cities offer extensive recycling services that involves all types of plastic and everything else you can imagine. How great!
To show you how recycling-retarded I was... I didn't know how you could tell what plastic went where at the city recycling center so I had to ask. On the bottom of a bottle there is the recycling sign (the arrows that make the diamond) with a number (1, 2, etc) in the middle. That's how you can tell! We can recycle #1 and #2 plastics so I am working on getting us separate bins for the two types of plastic.
Once you know the number of bins you need for your recycling center, get creative with it! Here are a few ideas that I have found that are great alternatives to plastic bags or bulky plastic containers.
These are available at World Market-- my FAVORITE store of all time :)
Helpful hint--These can be hung so they aren't taking up floor space
This is great for small spaces like an apartment! It will keep your recycling concealed and not take up a lot of space. These can be found in most stores... they come in all different sizes, colors, textures, etc. but such a great alternative if you live alone or don't have a lot of recyclables to begin with!
This sleek, 3 compartment recycle center is perfect for a pantry or kitchen and is available at Crate & Barrel. I think this option would make for a very easy recycling transition!
Well now that I have given you some options and things to think about, I hope that you will make the conscience decision and RECYCLE! Love our planet... God didn't give it to us to abuse :)
Besos,
Courtney
So today I wanted to share my new found love...Recycling. As sad as this is, I never knew how or what to recycle. Most people think it's too complicated or that it takes to much time and effort, but in all reality... it's really simple. I was exposed to recycling by my coworker. We recycle paper, cardboard, and plastic at work. At first it was hard to break the habit of just throwing everything in the trash, but once I became accustomed to separating it out, it became second nature.
Once I formed this habit at work, I started feeling guilty throwing a plastic bottle in the trash at home. So I have been doing some research on recycling centers for home and trying to come up with the best that fits our needs. One thing you need to do before setting one up is see what your city recycles. Unfortunately for us in Lubbock, they only recycle a couple of plastics, newspaper, cardboard, regular paper, and that's about it. Some cities offer extensive recycling services that involves all types of plastic and everything else you can imagine. How great!
To show you how recycling-retarded I was... I didn't know how you could tell what plastic went where at the city recycling center so I had to ask. On the bottom of a bottle there is the recycling sign (the arrows that make the diamond) with a number (1, 2, etc) in the middle. That's how you can tell! We can recycle #1 and #2 plastics so I am working on getting us separate bins for the two types of plastic.
Once you know the number of bins you need for your recycling center, get creative with it! Here are a few ideas that I have found that are great alternatives to plastic bags or bulky plastic containers.
These are available at World Market-- my FAVORITE store of all time :)
Helpful hint--These can be hung so they aren't taking up floor space
This is great for small spaces like an apartment! It will keep your recycling concealed and not take up a lot of space. These can be found in most stores... they come in all different sizes, colors, textures, etc. but such a great alternative if you live alone or don't have a lot of recyclables to begin with!
Well now that I have given you some options and things to think about, I hope that you will make the conscience decision and RECYCLE! Love our planet... God didn't give it to us to abuse :)
Besos,
Courtney
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Food, Inc.
Hello Loves!
This last week was spring break and since I didn't do much, I decided to watch a documentary that I have seen on netflix for ages.. It's called "Food, Inc." and I highly recommend for you to watch it. It's available on Netflix, like I said before, or you can rent it on iTunes. This documentary gives you an inside look at the American food industry and highlights a lot of the problems that I have been getting frustrated with myself. It also covers a little bit about the seed company Mansanto, who is responsible for genetically modified seeds (GMOs). It is one of those things that is a little hard to watch, but brings to light just how bad things really are in this country. I hope you all take the time to watch it if you haven't already seen it!
Besos,
Courtney
This last week was spring break and since I didn't do much, I decided to watch a documentary that I have seen on netflix for ages.. It's called "Food, Inc." and I highly recommend for you to watch it. It's available on Netflix, like I said before, or you can rent it on iTunes. This documentary gives you an inside look at the American food industry and highlights a lot of the problems that I have been getting frustrated with myself. It also covers a little bit about the seed company Mansanto, who is responsible for genetically modified seeds (GMOs). It is one of those things that is a little hard to watch, but brings to light just how bad things really are in this country. I hope you all take the time to watch it if you haven't already seen it!
Besos,
Courtney
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