WHY SHOULD I BUY ORGANIC?

VS

Hi everyone,

Sorry it’s been so long between posts. I have recently moved house and it has taken me some time to get organised.

I am currently in the process of setting up an organic fruit and veg co-op as there are no shops where I live that sell organic produce.  I am starting with wholesale organic fruit and veg and then I am going to expand into, groceries, dry goods, personal care and household products.  My vision is to replace the need for a supermarket.  I am going to source certified organic, minimally packaged, ethically produced, non-genetically modified and affordable products.  If any of you have been involved in a co-op I would love to hear your experiences.

So why should you choose organic?

Five Benefits of Choosing Certified Organic:

Good for the soil

•        Organic systems ensure understanding of ecology and soil science, while also depending on traditional methods of crop rotations to ensure fertility and weed and pest control.

Good for the environment

•        Organic systems aim to reduce dependence on non-renewable resources. Organic production aims at all times towards sustainability whilst having best management of the environment and wildlife as a priority.

Good for people

•        Organic based ingredients have been shown in a number of studies to contain more vitamins, nutrients and cancer-fighting antioxidants than non-organic ingredients.

No synthetic chemicals

•        Organic systems prohibit the use of artificial chemicals, pesticides and fertilisers.

No GMO's

•        Certified Organic products are produced without GMOs, which are prohibited in the standards for organic food and farming.

How do I know if I am really buying organic?

•        There are no rules on the terms natural or organic on product labels and even though products may contain natural or organic ingredients, they can still contain harmful cancer causing chemicals.

•        Manufacturers are using these words just to grab a share of your hard earned cash.

•        Make sure you look for these logos – it is your independent 3rd party guarantee.

A good place to start when initially buying organic fruit and veg is to replace those that are most contaminated with chemicals and pesticides.  Have a look at this list from the Environmental Working Group to help you reduce the amount of harmful chemicals you are putting in your body:

Here is an inspiring young man who had been fortunate enough to learn the truth about where his food really comes from at a very young age. 

Healthy Banana Oat Slice

3 large ripe bananas
1 teaspoon vanilla
¼ cup coconut oil
2 cups rolled oats
2/3 cup almond meal
1/3 cup finely shredded coconut
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup sultanas
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup rice milk

1.         Preheat oven to 175C

2.         In a large bowl combine bananas, vanilla, coconut oil and milk

3.         In another bowl combine oats, almond meal, shredded coconut cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder and sultanas

4.         Add dry to wet ingredients

5.         The dough is a bit loose, this is OK

6.         Either place cookie size portions onto baking paper/tray or just spread whole mixture into small baking tray

7.         Bake 12 – 14 mins

I usually put into a baking tray and cut into slices.  I found that cooking this slice in a baking tray takes a bit longer.  After 14 mins, check every 5 mins until ready.

To make this recipe Gluten/Oat Free:

Instead of using oats, replace these with almond meal (so 2 cups plus 2/3 cups almond meal altogether).  You will not need the rice milk when just using almond meal.

If you can buy it from the shop it should be safe, right?

I USED TO THINK THAT IF A PRODUCT WAS SOLD IN A SHOP THEN IT WOULD HAVE TO BE SAFE
Surely the government wouldn’t allow companies to sell products containing ingredients that could make us sick?  I discovered that ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ products can still contain potentially toxic, cancer causing chemicals.  This is because there is no regulation of the skin and personal care industry.  It is up to the companies who make the products to ensure they are safe, however most seem to be more interested in profit than doing the right thing by us.

ONE-THIRD OF ALL PRODUCTS CONTAIN ONE OR MORE INGREDIENTS CLASSIFIED AS POSSIBLE HUMAN CARCINOGENS
Also, nearly 70% of all products contain ingredients that can be contaminated with impurities linked to cancer and other health problems, and many of these impurities penetrate human skin.  To make matters worse, 89% of the 10,500 ingredients used in personal care products have not been evaluated for safety.  Even with those that have been tested, they have not been tested for safety being combined with a range of other potentially toxic chemicals in a cocktail of ingredients which are found in most products.

THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THAT THERE REALLY ARE “SAFE” SYNTHETIC CHEMICALS
If we look at synthetic chemical use historically, we see a pattern of fantastic chemical breakthroughs that are sold to us as the “new” answer to our problems, which are then subsequently banned (or withdrawn) after the damage has been done. Remember the “miracle” of DDT for getting rid of pests on crops? The search for newer, better and safer synthetic chemicals is foolish. Mother Nature always has, and always will, provide us with everything we need. We should avoid all synthetic chemicals. 

WITH CERTIFIED ORGANIC PRODUCTS YOU ARE GUARANTEED THAT THEY ARE TRULY NATURAL, SYNTHETIC FREE AND SAFE FOR US AND THE ENVIRONMENT  
The plants used are grown and processed without the use of synthetic chemicals, pesticides, fertilisers or GMO’s.  Healthy soil grows healthy plants which when used/consumed by us leads to healthy people.  Organic plants have been shown in a number of studies to contain more vitamins, nutrients and cancer fighting antioxidants than non-organic food.  Organic systems work in harmony with nature, keeping harmful chemicals out of our land, water and air, creating a healthy environment rich in wildlife, woodlands and nutrients.  

AND MOST IMPORTANT ARE OUR CHILDREN
Infants and children are more vulnerable to the toxins from pesticide residues and environmental chemicals.  This is because of their larger intake of food per kilo of body weight.  Also, as their bodies and critical organs are still in developmental stages, they are more susceptible to pesticide toxicity.  The risk is further increased due to the main food groups that make up a toddlers diet: fruit and vegetables, with some of these having high levels of pesticide residues.  

If we can reduce the amount of toxic chemicals we use on and in our bodies and our homes, we and our children will be happier and healthier and future generations will thank us for stopping this vicious cycle which is destroying our bodies and our planet.

A couple of interesting articles have been in the Daily Mail in the UK recently.  The first one reveals that women can put up to 515 synthetic chemicals on their bodies every day and the second one reveals that there is lead in lipstick, arsenic in eyeliner and cadmium in mascara

Check out these articles:

Revealed... the 515 chemicals women put on their bodies every day and the second one reveals that there is lead in lipstick, arsenic in eyeliner and cadmium in mascara... CLICK HERE to read the article

 

Lead in lipstick, arsenic in eyeliner and cadmium in mascara: The ugly secrets that the beauty industry isn’t telling you... CLICK HERE to read the article

To learn more about why these harmful chemicals are in our personal care products and how they got there, have a look at this video?

http://www.storyofstuff.org

GLUTEN FREE VEGAN PANCAKES

1 cup gluten free flour 
(I have used ½buckwheat ½ rice flour, 1 cup brown rice flour, ½ spelt flour ½ rice flour – all worked well)
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons sugar (optional or any healthier alternative eg. agave)
½ teaspoon salt (optional)
1 mashed banana (instead of using an egg)
1 cup milk (I use rice milk)
2 tablespoons melted coconut oil (instead of butter)

Optional Extras
I also like to add things like nutmeg (1/4 teaspoon) cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon) vanilla (1 teaspoon)

·           Mix dry ingredients together

·           Add banana, milk and coconut oil, mixing well after each addition

·           Use ¼ cup batter for each pancake

·           Yum – enjoy!

UNDERSTANDING FOOD INTOLERANCE

 


WHAT IS A FOOD INTOLERANCE
A food intolerance is a negative reaction, often delayed, to a food, drink or food additive that produces symptoms in one or more body organs and systems, but it is not a true food allergy. 

WHAT CAUSES FOOD INTOLERANCES
Intolerance can be caused from the absence of specific chemicals or enzymes needed to digest a food substance, such as in lactose intolerance and hereditary fructose intolerance. It may be a result of an abnormality in the body's ability to absorb nutrients, as occurs in fructose malabsorption. Food intolerance reactions can occur to naturally occurring chemicals in foods, as in salicylate sensitivity.

Unlike allergies and coeliac disease, which are immune reactions to food proteins, intolerances don’t involve the immune system at all. They are triggered by food chemicals which cause reactions by irritating nerve endings in different parts of the body, rather in the way that certain drugs can cause side-effects in sensitive people.

Some people are born with a sensitive constitution and react more readily to food chemicals than others. The tendency is probably inherited, but environmental triggers — a sudden change of diet, a bad food or drug reaction, a nasty viral infection — can bring on symptoms at any age by altering the way the body reacts to food chemicals. Women often become more sensitive in their child-bearing years, perhaps due to hormonal changes, which might be nature’s way of preventing pregnant and breast-feeding women from eating foods that could harm the developing baby.

Babies are more vulnerable to food chemicals because their metabolism, gastrointestinal and nervous systems are immature, which is why they often prefer bland foods. As children mature, their bodies become accustomed to handling small amounts of rich, spicy and highly flavoured foods, which usually only cause ill effects if eaten in excess.

FOOD INTOLERANCE REACTIONS
Symptoms of food intolerance vary greatly, it can be difficult to determine the offending food causing a food intolerance because the response generally takes place over a prolonged period of time. Food intolerance symptoms usually begin about half an hour after eating or drinking the food in question, but sometimes symptoms may be delayed up to 48 hours.

Symptoms triggered by food chemical intolerances vary from person to person. The most common ones are recurrent hives and swellings, headaches, sinus trouble, mouth ulcers, nausea, stomach pains and bowel irritation. Some people feel vaguely unwell, with flu-like aches and pains, or get unusually tired, run-down or moody, often for no apparent reason. Children can become irritable and restless, and behavioural problems can be aggravated in those with nervous system disorders such as ADHD. Even breast-fed babies can have food intolerance reactions due to chemicals from the mother’s diet getting into the breast milk, causing colicky irritable behaviour, loose stools, eczema and nappy rashes.

HOW TO TEST FOR FOOD INTOLERANCES
Diagnosis of food intolerance can include hydrogen breath testing for lactose intolerance and fructose malabsorption, elimination diets, and testing for IgG-mediated immune responses to specific foods.   Treatment can involve long-term avoidance, or if possible re-establishing a level of tolerance.

LIVING WITH FOOD INTOLERANCES
Food intolerances don’t necessarily need to be permanent. You may be able to build up your tolerance levels by gradually increasing the amount and variety of foods you have an intolerance to over several weeks or months, and eventually return to a more normal diet. Even if this is not possible, you’ll learn ways of avoiding severe reactions by looking out for the foods that upset you most.

If you are having trouble working out foods that you are sensitive to or need assistance with an elimination diet, a dietician will be able to help identify these foods and help you put together a diet.

CONCLUSION
Food intolerance reactions can be unpleasant and inconvenient, but they are rarely serious and, as far as is known, they cause no long-term harm. Their severity depends on the amount of the offending foods you’ve eaten, your degree of sensitivity, and the nature of your symptoms. Once you’ve worked out what your problem foods are, you’ll be able to decide how to balance the benefits of being free from distressing symptoms against the inconvenience of restricting your dietary choices.

References:
http://www.sswahs.nsw.gov.au/rpa/allergy/resources/foodintol/ffintro.cfm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_intolerance

BLISS BALLS

I am always looking for healthy snacks for myself and my family.  In the afternoons I tend to crave something sweet and I have been on a mission to find healthy sweet snacks that aren't full of wheat, dairy and sugar.  This one has a bit of honey in it but the rest of the ingredients are healthy enough to balance that out.  Enjoy!

1 cup puffed rice
½ cup coconut
½ cup sesame seeds
1 cup almond meal
1 cup sunflower seeds
¼ cup carob
½ cup honey
½ cup tahini

·          Mix dry ingredients

·          Gradually add tahini and honey

·          Form into balls (add more honey or tahini if necessary)

·          These can then be rolled in dessicated coconut

NOTES:

 
This recipe works best mixed up in a food processor

I have used different combinations of nuts and seeds depending on what I had available and all worked well

These freeze well and I have even eaten them straight out of the freezer

Food Intolerance Issues

Does your family have them?

These days more and more people are having issues coping with certain foods, especially our children.  My whole family have problems coping with certain foods, but it is especially hard to know how to treat the kids.  Do you eliminate the problem foods and risk even worse reactions in the future, or do you listen to others who say not to worry about it, they are fine, and give them a “normal diet” while watching their little bodies struggle.  Children have different dietary needs to us grown ups and eliminating foods could eliminate much needed nutrients to help them grow big and strong and healthy.  But what is the effect on them in the long term?  Will they grow out of it or will they have issues into their adulthood?

Here are our stories:

I grew up eating a very healthy diet including the old favourite “meat and three veg” – chewy meat and mushy veg.  I wasn’t allowed much junk food but there were times when I remember coming home from school and just scooping sugar from the sugar bowl down my throat!  I was out of home in my late teens and ate everything I could get my hands on – the unhealthier the better.  After a few years of this and having become a hypochondriac, I came to my senses and started eating healthy again.  From my mid 20’s I tried eating different styles of vegetarian and even went vegan for a couple of years. 

Over time I started to notice that my body was not tolerating foods like it used to, especially dairy and soy.  For a while there I was eating soy cheese, yoghurt and milk and I ended up with mastitis.  This was way before I even had kids.  Stopping the soy stopped the mastitis so I have stayed clear from soy since, expect for the occasional indulgence in soy ice cream.  Around the same time I found that dairy products would give me a mild stomach ache and lots of wind.  So to avoid any further embarrassment I significantly reduced the amount of dairy I was eating.  Now I only eat a bit of cheese occasionally (I have found it really hard to eliminate cheese totally) and will eat food, usually cakes, that contain dairy occasionally too.   About a year ago I noticed that I was getting really bloated all the time, and I discovered it was gluten/wheat that seemed to be doing this.  So for the past year I have reduced my gluten/wheat intake from numerous times a day to once every few days and I feel so much better for it.

My children have also had their challenges with food, mostly my oldest son, Ethan, who is 5.  When Ethan was born he would poo all the time and it was always runny.  Being my first child I did not know what to expect and if this was normal or not.  After about a year I started to notice that if he had a breastfeed after I had eaten a lot of dairy, say a pizza loaded with cheese, he would have diarrhoea straight away.  There seemed to be a regular reaction and I thought that he must be lactose intolerant.  

I took him to a naturopath when he was 2.5 and on their instruction eliminated gluten, wheat, dairy, yeast and oats from his diet.  Not only did this improve his bowels but it also calmed him down significantly.  Over this time I searched for a test to tell me exactly what foods Ethan had issues with and we went to numerous health professionals who said they could help me, but in the end were not able to give me a definite list of foods, or they would tell me that because I wasn’t changing his nappies any more then it shouldn’t be a problem for me and I shouldn’t worry about it.  Also, when Ethan went to his father’s house, I was unable to know for sure whether the diet recommendations were being followed.  When Ethan pointed out the gluten free cafe that daddy was taking him to, which turned out to be McDonalds, I confirmed my suspicions that our diet plan was not being followed.  Still I persisted.  

When Ethan turned 4 I wanted to do a celiac test on him, and I had to introduce gluten and wheat back into his diet for 6 weeks before doing the test.  During this time he seemed to cope well with these foods.  The test came back negative.  I decided to reintroduce all foods into Ethan’s diet and shortly after came across a blood test that tested for over 90 foods for food intolerances.  I was excited.  It cost me a fortune, but at the time I thought it was worth it.  It came back saying that Ethan had a mild intolerance to peas and dairy.  So I just limited these from his diet.  I have since been told that there is no reliable test to determine which foods someone is intolerant to.  

So after letting Ethan eat normally again, he started to get tummy aches from time to time, and after about a year his tummy aches became more and more regular.  18 months after reintroducing all foods into his diet, his tummy aches became a regular daily event.  This started one day last October, when Ethan ate some chocolate and got a tummy ache straight away.  He has had a tummy ache daily since then.  I again took him to doctors trying to find out the cause of these daily tummy aches, and the closest I came to an answer was during an ultrasound of Ethan’s tummy.  I was told that Ethan had a lot of gas in his tummy which was being caused by the foods he was eating.  Unfortunately this comment was not included in the report to my doctor, so my doctor ended up telling me not to worry about it, that he had seen kids in pain, and that Ethan was fine.  

I decided to remove gluten and dairy from his diet until I came across a naturopath who I was recommended to take Ethan to see.  This naturopath wanted to work on strengthening Ethan’s digestive system so that he could eat anything without getting tummy aches.  He also said that Ethan had chronically inflamed tonsils and that his liver was struggling. Since he had just come back from 2 weeks with his father where he had been eating anything and everything, we decided to let Ethan eat a regular diet whilst working on his gut.  The naturopath prescribed some homeopathics and I been giving Ethan these for the past week and a half, but at this stage nothing has changed.  I am taking him back to the naturopath later this week, so hopefully there is some change, otherwise I’m not sure what else to do.  

I just want Ethan to feel better and for his tummy aches to go away.  I worry about him because I see him in pain and Ethan tells me often how much pain he is in.  I will post an update in a few weeks time.

My youngest son, Tiriki, who is just about to turn 2 seems to have issues with dairy and gluten/wheat.  Too much dairy and it affects his bowels and only a small amount of gluten makes him extremely bloated.  He only has small amounts of dairy and I have reduced the amount of gluten/wheat he eats from many times a day to around once a day.  Tiriki loves his carbs and could probably live on pasta and bread all day, so I have had to get creative with what to feed him.  I make gluten free bread and I am giving him more protein during the day to try and fill his ever hungry tummy!

Even my husband has had his own issues.  He regularly admits that he has an iron stomach and can eat anything, but once we started living together I encouraged and influenced him to eat healthier.  He went from using his asthma pumps numerous times a day to hardly ever now.  He no longer drinks a litre of milk a day and eats less sugar and more veggies.  Even though he has an iron stomach he has noticed that foods such as dairy and wheat do not totally agree with him. 

So what is it that causes food intolerance issues?  Is it passed on from our parents?  I know my mother was lactose intolerance, so is it to be expected that my children and I are too?  Are we eating the wrong foods for our bodies?  Have we modified our foods to much from their original state? Is it all of the chemicals floating around our environment?  

Stay tuned for my next post where I explore these issues and look for some answers.