Monday, January 11, 2016

Paleo Bark

1. Melt Dark Chocolate Morsels, 2. Pour onto on a baking sheet, 3. Sprinkle with Seed & Fruit Mix, 4. Refrigerate. Eat with gusto.

- Enjoy Life Foods

Why Not Try Squash Rings?

Crispy Delicata Squash Rings
 
Crispy on the outside and creamy on the in, this simple side dish will win anyone over with its simple and delicate flavors.
Author:
Recipe type: side dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Wash squash and dry.
  2. Slice into rings using a mandolin or a large, sharp knife.
  3. Remove seeds.
  4. Place rings in a single layer on a Silpat lined cookie sheet.
  5. Spray rings with coconut oil and sprinkle with salt.
  6. Broil on low until golden brown freckles appear. Flip over and let cook until golden brown freckles appear.
  7. Remove, slather with butter (if desired), and serve immediately.
- Health Nut Nation

10 Foods You Should NOT Eat

70% of its rivers are polluted as well, and the sheer volume production of products there leaves a lot of toxic chemicals and by-products as waste. These leak into the environment and pollute it to a seriously high extent.
These are only part of the numerous indications that foods produced in China are perhaps one of the worst choices you can make, for they may seriously harm your health.
This is a list of 10 foods produced in China that should not be part of your menu:
  1. Plastic Rice
Indeed, plastic rice is being produced and it is believed that its effects could be cancerous. It is said to be actually made from potatoes and a fake synthetic resin, but it doesn’t cook like the regular rice, as it stays hard after boiling.
  1. Tilapia Fish
Tilapia is commonly fish-farmed in China, for 80% of the Tilapia in America comes from China. It is one of the worst, most toxic and unhealthy fish that you can come across. Farming leaves fish in extremely bad conditions, for they are placed in a small pool of waste water, and they actually eat anything there during their development process. Being aware of this, the sea-food farmers won’t let their own children eat the seafood that they farm.
  1. Processed Mushrooms
34% of processed mushrooms are from China, and US inspectors have found tainted mushrooms from China. Furthermore, there are even some manufacturers in China that go so far as to label these processed mushrooms organic to increase their profits.
  1. Chicken
The reality is that China produces more pesticides than any other country in the world and is polluted by not only that, but its mass production and industry as well.
Also, regarding the fact that China is a country where avian influenza and food-borne illness are common, numerous food safety experts are concerned with the quality of this chicken. Yet, the sale of chicken from China in America has been approved by the US Department of Agriculture in 2013.
  1. Green Peas
Once more, avoid food from China. The production of fake green peas in China was discovered in 2005, but it may still last today.  These fake peas were created with snow peas, soy beans, along with green dye and sodium metabisulfite (a chemical that is used as bleach and as a preservative).
The use of this dye is banned as it can cause cancer, as well as inhibit the body’s natural ability to absorb calcium. Just like fake rice, these green peas also didn’t soften when boiled and the water turned an unnatural green color.
  1. Cod Fish
Statistics say that currently just over 50% of American Cod comes from China. Cod is absolutely unhealthy as it lives in its own waste.
  1. Mud (Sold As Black Pepper)
China is the largest pesticide producing country in the world and they haven’t even begun to address pesticide or chemical residue on foods. The Chinese don’t have a lot of due diligence in their food and safety regulatory systems, and consequently, the origin and contents of food can often be left vague.
Believe it or not, a vendor in China collected mud and sold it as black pepper, and also took flour and sold it as white pepper. Therefore, in order to protect yourself and your family and avoid any unwanted side-effects, always do your best to know your source, buy local and true organic.
  1. Industrial Salt
Industrial salt should also be avoided, for it has been found to be unfit for human consumption by scientific research. It can lead to mental and physical issues, hypothyroid problems, as well as reproductive system disorders.
  1. Chinese Garlic
Apart from tainted mushrooms, US inspectors have also found tainted garlic from China. This garlic is sprayed in enormous amounts and it leaves a bad aftertaste, that of a chemical concoction. To speak in numbers, 31% of Garlic sold in the US is from China.
  1. Chinese Apple Juice
Regarding the extremely high amounts of pesticide produced in China, it is best to avoid apple juice completely, as approximately 50% of the apple juice sold in the United States comes from there!
Yet, it is hard to tell if a food item originates from China or not. Hence, it is best, if possible, to grow your own organic food or to find a reliable local farmer or a store, where you can buy naturally grown foods.
Sources and References:
althealthworks.com
healthywildandfree.com
supertastyrecipes.com

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Dr. Lisa Shaver on Chocolate

Easy 2-ingredient (chocolate/water) chocolate mousse. That's doable for anyone! (See health effects of chocolate below)
Just keep the amount you eat at any one time to a little bit and you're okay. Yes, I inferred 'chocolate' and 'moderation' in one sentence! All studies are done on DARK chocolate, not milk chocolate.
CHOCOLATE PROS:
Chocolate contains flavanoids and flavanols, such as anthocyanidin and epicatechins.
The darker the chocolate, the more flavanoids and flavanols it contains.
Chocolate has been lauded by some experts for its antioxidant content.
Some studies have SUGGESTED chocolate COULD lower cholesterol levels and prevent memory decline. Not yet proven.
Chocolate MAY help increase walking distance for people with peripheral artery disease.
A cocoa extract - called lavado - MAY reduce or block damage to nerve pathways found in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
A cocoa product COULD help patients with kidney failure to improve their blood vessel function

CHOCOLATE CONS:
Chocolate consumption has been ASSOCIATED with conditions such as diabetes, coronary heart disease and hypertension.
Chocolate MAY cause poor bone structure and osteoporosis.
Chocolate contains a large number of calories.
The high sugar content in chocolate CAN lead to tooth decay.
The average American consumes around 4.5 kg of chocolate each year. HOLY MOLY!
Read more here: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270272.php
And here: http://cle.clinic/10BVWLe

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Chicken Recipes

Salsa Chicken
Mix together a jar of salsa, 1 cup nonfat sour cream and low-sodium,
GF taco seasoning (or use your own blend of onion, garlic and chili
powders, cumin, paprika, and red pepper flakes). Pour over chicken
breasts and bake at 350F for 45 minutes or until tender. Sprinkle with
cheese and green onion for a quick, savory meal with a Southwest
flavor.

Curry Chicken
Coat chicken breasts with a mixture of 2 tbsp. melted butter, 1/4 cup
each honey and spicy brown mustard and 1/2 tsp. curry powder. Bake
in a foil-lined pan at 375F for 40 to 45 minutes or until done.

-The Arthritis Foundation