Food News

There is an improved awareness in the school systems that healthier foods need to be on their menus.  Chef Carlino, who serves school lunches, reminded me of the obstacles in front of decision makers. So before you go storming in and demand better food for your kids, take a look at what these obstacles are; then make your move.

1. Food DIstributor’s make deals with food companies.  Food companies are known to off load their over-runs or soon to be out of date products to school lunch
distributors for pennies on the dollar.  This fits the school’s food budget.

2. Contracts with food distributors and food companies are made for multiple years.  In order to change the planned orders, these contracts have to be broken at
a price, or, they have to run their coarse.

3  Cafe managers and workers need to be educated about healthier products and menus.

Chef Carlino suggested that parents “create a demand, not a protest.” In other words, offer constructive practical solutions without being negative or angry.  A group of parents has more power than a single one so work together.  Talk to principal, supervisors, cafe managers in a helpful mode.

Number One way to change the system – don’t use it.  If most of the kids brought their own lunches to school, the school lunch program would fail – it could not survive.  Then the school would need redesign their school lunch program. You could be right there to help them!

Chef Carlino offers more helpful and delicious school lunch ideas in our interview with him.  Click HERE. to listen.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

This summer’s drought is causing havoc on the farmed fields across America. You can expect food prices to go up.  Why the focus on going Corn-Free?  Because corn is a by-product in thousands of processed foods.  Whether it be high fructose corn syrup (a big healthy NO),  corn starch or other corn fillers, you’ll find corn ingredients in a boat load of grocery store products. We don’t recommend you eat those, unless they are organic.  The summer sad fact is that fresh corn is getting more expensive due to high demand and lower yield.  If you can find it, freeze it.  No doubt, the prices for frozen corn during this coming fall, winter and spring are going to be higher than now.  Buy now and freeze.

Now remember, corn is fed to many domestic animals.  Thus the prices of meat and chicken will rise. Buy now and freeze. This drought affects more than corn.  Soy is becoming more scare.  We only recommend that you eat organic soy to avoid GMO and toxins.  And, because soy is known to stimulate the production of estrogen in all bodies, young as well, we simply suggest you take soy products off your grocery list.  As to all other produce, the drought is endangering their harvest as well.  Buy now and freeze.

Bottom line:  Freeze now to save later. It’s simple to do. Google the process for details.  Do away with your frozen processed foods to make room for … fill your freezer with frozen vegetables, fruit, meat and poultry,  and eat well all winter!

As for grains, they can be kept in a cool, dry, dark container and cupboard.  Make sure the air has been removed from these container… use plastic bags, roll them tight and seal them.

Hey, if you want to can food, be my guest.  I find it challenging and prefer the ease of freezing.

You can beat rising prices if you act now.  Yes, I have to practice what I preach to save money, too.

… for the health of our families,
ellen

I was looking to see what Olympians eat for breakfast… no not cheeseburgers.  They know the science of  eating for performance.   Their breakfast food depends on the time of day they are competing.  Let’s say they are up at 6pm and their race is at Noon.  This would call for great grain carb sources and some fruit for energy, not a lot of protein.  The staple for most is oatmeal – better to have cooked rolled or steal cut oats.  Along with this I recommend our recently Kid Kritics Approved Breakfast Banana Split.  You simply cut a banana in half.  Spread some vanilla yogurt over the halves. Top it with freshly cut strawberries, pineapple and some blueberries.  Place a dollop of some vanilla yogurt over the fruit.  Sprinkle ground nuts of choice on top (or not if you have nut allergies in your home).  Serve.  This combination, with oatmeal lightly sweetened with 100% pure maple syrup or fair trade honey, prepares your kids for hours of  high performance.  FYI: all fresh produce contain some protein  – a little of a lot adds up.  Of course, include a tall glass of spring water.

Enjoy this Olympic Power Breakfast!  (Recipe details Click Here)

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Do You Still Believe Soy is a Health Food?

By Dr. Mercola

Soybeans contain compounds called phytoestrogens or isoflavones, which have been found to produce a variety of mild hormonal actions within the human body by mimicking the sex hormone estrogen. An increased risk of breast cancer is another potential hazard, especially if you’re exposed to high amounts of estrogen-mimicking compounds from birth.

Making matters worse, unless you’re buying USDA 100% Organic soy products, chances are you’re consuming genetically engineered soy, or feeding it to your baby, and GE crops—soy in particular—have also been linked to serious fertility problems. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, has similarly been implicated in causing miscarriages, and both conventional- and genetically engineered soy are typically treated with heavy doses of this herbicide.

All in all, the health hazards of unfermented soy products—particularly genetically engineered varieties—are so serious and numerous, I strongly suggest avoiding them altogether, whether you’re planning a pregnancy or not. But clearly, it’s of particular concern for pregnant women.

Please also understand that many supplement use lecithin in them, which is typically made from genetically engineered soy. If you take supplements please be sure to find a supplier that also avoids soy lecithin.

For an excellent summary of the many dangers of consuming unfermented soy, please see this previous article by The Weston A. Price Foundation.

Unfortunately, many Americans who are committed to healthy lifestyles have been hoodwinked and manipulated into believing that unfermented and processed soy products like soymilk, soy cheese, soy burgers and soy ice cream are good for them. This is a tragic case of shrewd marketing and outright lies, with the end result of producing large profits for the soy industry and impaired health for most who have been deceived into using unfermented soy long-term.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

(www.mercola.com)

Keep it simple.  Start with three, two or one pots, good organic soil, seeds and water.  That's it!  The soil is key to making gardening easy.  And, you must keep the soil moist.  No green thumbs required.  Jesse recommends that your first plants be lettuce, radishes, carrots, baby beets, potatoes… yes root vegetables as well. For herbs, first try thyme, rosemary, oregano, sage, basil, parsley and chives.  Don't expect your results to be perfect, just do it and keep trying.  Get you kids involved.  You'll find that when they grow it, they will eat it.  For more of our interview with food expert, chef, cookbook author and organic gardener, LISTEN HERE.

… for the health of your family,
ellen

Wouldn't you like a stash of Creamy Almond Butter with Omega 3s by Once Again Nut Butter to fill your cupboard?  Enter to win a case. www.KidKritics.com/sweepstakes