Milk! Does A Body Bad

As kids we are told to drink our milk... but WHY??

Dairy products are a health hazard. They contain no fiber or complex carbohydrates and are full of saturated fat & cholesterol. They are contaminated with cow's blood and pus along with pesticides, growth hormones, and antibiotics.

Milk does not build strong bones, but actually weakens them and accelerates osteoporosis. Osteoporosis results from calcium loss, which is caused by drinking milk. Dairy products have a high-protein content that leaches calcium from the body through urine. That's right, consumption of milk causes the very condition it's advertised to prevent. Pretty scary huh? You can decrease your risk of osteoporosis by reducing sodium and animal protein intake & increasing fruits and vegetables. Dark leafy greens such as: brussels sprouts, broccoli, and kale all give the body a greater absorption of calcium than dairy products.

Milk does not "do a body good." Milk is the leading cause of iron-deficiency anemia in infants, and the American Academy of Pediatrics now discourages giving children milk before their first birthday. Julian Whitaker, MD is the editor of Health & Healing, which states that milk consumption during childhood also contributes to the development of Type-I diabetes, milk allergies, sinus problems, constipation and fatigue. Over 1/4 of Americans experience allergic reactions, poor digestion, and mucous build-up when they consume milk.

Organic vs Non-Organic

How many of you choose the organic apple over the non-organic apple? Is organic food really worth the extra dollars? Originally, all food was “organic,” which meant it was cultivated & processed without fertilizers, insecticides, and artificial coloring, flavoring, or additives.  In terms of livestock, it refers to the animals being grass-fed and reared without antibiotics or growth hormones.  It wasn’t until the 20^th Century, when a surplus of new synthetic chemicals was introduced into the food supply.  At the grocery store these products are referred to as the “conventional,” non-organic and cheaper products.  Non-organic methods in livestock inject growth hormones into the animals to fatten them up quickly & bring them to a larger market size.  These methods also use antibiotics in rearing the animals in order to keep them alive longer, however, when we eat this non-organic meat we are ingesting these high volumes of antibiotics.  Furthermore, non-organic produce contains pesticides that pass through our immune system during digestion.  These chemicals have all shown to cause cancer as well as liver, kidney & blood diseases. 

 

According to research published in the Journal of Agricultural & Food Chemistry (Feb 2003), organic fruits & veggies have 50-60% higher levels of cancer-fighting antioxidants than “conventional” fruits & veggies.  The average conventionally grown apple has 20 to 30 artificial chemicals on its skin, even after rinsing.  Although organic food is more expensive, the extra dollars spent may save you your health. 

SALMON CAKES

Ingredients:

4oz of cooked wild salmon

6 brown rice crackers

½ onion, minced

2 cloves minced garlic

1tbsp fresh lemon juice

1tbsp EVOO

dash black pepper

dash of coriander

Directions:

1. Break  salmon and rice crackers into small pieces.  Mix all ingredients together.  

2. Create several small patties.  And refrigerate for 1 hour. 

3. In a skillet, heat EVOO on high.  Cook each patty for 3-4 min on each side. 

Serve with sauteed spinach and brown rice. Yum!!

 

What's on your plate?

It's that time of year again, when we all feel a little heavy from the holidays. A little too much drinking, eating, & not exercising will do the trick. So let's revamp those New Year's Resolutions, and start eating right!

Do you really know what's in your food? Let's start here. Too many Americans rely on fast food, or buying premade meals with tons of preservatives & sodium. Overtime, these "meals on the go" are packing on the lbs. The first step to eating right is going to your local grocery store & actually buying real food. I'm talking about lettuce, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans & lean meats. Eating fresh vegetables, fruits, & whole grains will provide vitamins, nutrients, & good calories to your diet. Try to incorporate good fats into your day; like avocados, nuts, & omega-3 rich salmon, which will all lower your cholesterol & maintain your weight. Try to avoid "white" foods like; white bread, white pasta, white rice. Yes, these food may say "low fat," but they all have high amounts of added sugar. Instead opt for "brown" foods like; whole wheat bread, brown rice pasta, or brown rice. These "brown" foods actually have greater nutritional value than their "white" competitors, along with being low in fat & sugar.

I know this way of eating may force you into the kitchen, but come on & challenge yourself to start cooking!! Check-out this recipe:

SPICY CHICKEN PATTIES

Ingredients:

500g (1lb 2 oz) ground white chicken

4 spring onions (scallions), finely chopped

2 handfuls of cilantro leaves, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed

3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 egg white

1 tbsp evoo

1 lemon

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325. Mix together all the ingredients except the evoo & lemon into a large bowl. Season with salt & pepper and shape the mixture into 4 patties. Refrigerate for 20 min before cooking.

2. Heat the evoo in a large frying pan over medium heat, add the patties & cook for about 5 min on each side (or until cooked through).

3. Squeeze the lemon on the cooked patties & drain on paper towels. Serve with a green salad with evoo & balsamic vinegar.