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Sunday, April 22, 2018

Earth Day


Today is Earth Day.
Everyday should be recognized as Earth Day.  We only have one.
We are rapidly destroying it and it is very disheartening.
There are many ways to help protect our beautiful planet. The single most effective way is to eat a plant-based diet.  Animal products and the needs for their production are monumentally resource intensive and contribute to massive amounts of pollution.  Eating a plant-based diet makes the most significant impact, far more than taking shorter showers(2400 gals of water to produce 1 lb of beef vs. 25 gals to produce 1 lb of wheat), driving electric vehicles and swapping out more efficient light bulbs. Granted these things do help, but we need to do more.

If you haven't watched Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret please do so.  It is available on Netflix, RedBox, etc.  There are many skeptics on Climate Change, but the facts are in: It's real and its getting worse everyday.  Here is a great article from Vox9 Questions About Climate Change.  For ways you can help the mission to save our planet see:1% For The Planet

Together, the people of the world can make the change.
We don't really have a choice, do we?


Have a great week.
Be kind.
Judd

Sunday, April 15, 2018

Hummus with Roasted Red Peppers

Here's a recipe for a quick, delicious hummus:

2-15 oz. cans of organic garbanzo beans.
1-6 oz. jar of roasted red peppers.
1/4 cup tahini.
1 garlic clove.
1 teaspoon salt.

Put all ingredients in a Vitamix or high speed blender. 
Blend until smooth and creamy.

Hummus topping:
1-6 oz. jar of roasted red peppers.
A handful of fresh basil.
A pinch of garlic powder or a fresh fat clove.
A dash of salt and pepper.
A dash of sugar.
A drizzle of white wine vinegar.
Combine all into a food processor until smooth.

 Enjoy with fresh veggies or pita chips!


Have a great week. 
Be kind.
Judd

Sunday, April 8, 2018

Eating In Season

Have you ever ate a huge red beefsteak tomato right off the vine?  There is no comparison between that and a half-ripe pale red tomato from the supermarket in the middle of winter. There is something about seasonal eating that seems natural and logical.  Most people would agree that a comforting stew full of root vegetables, like carrots, beets, sweet potatoes and onions goes better on a cold Winter or Fall evening than a big garden salad with tomatoes and cucumbers.  There is evidence that your body gets more out of certain fruits and vegetables at certain times of the year.  Your body needs more beta-carotene during the winter when there is a shorter amount of sunlight.  Carrots, sweet potatoes, etc help with this, all which are growing in this season.  Same goes for fruits like watermelon, berries, cucumbers,etc which are high in fluids, in which we need more during the hot summer months.  Nature has it together when it comes to knowing what we need with each season.  When foods are foods are picked at the peak of ripeness, when they are meant to be eaten, they taste different.  Seasonal eating brings the full flavor of fresh whole foods back to your diet.  We are blessed to have access to a couple of local farms in our area.  They have been producing excellent vegetables for over one hundred years!  Their produce is picked fresh and stays fresh until completely consumed. No waste!  What happens to your bagged greens mixed from the supermarket after only a few days?


Here's a few reasons for eating seasonal:
*Seasonal foods are often less expensive.  It takes a lot of energy and resources to manage, package and transport foods out of season.  Local framers markets are full of fresh fruits and vegetables and the cost is better.
*Seasonal eating is better for the environment.  Foods grown out of season take a tremendous amount of  resources, by recreating natural growing conditions or tremendous amount of fossil fuel in transporting foods from other in season areas around the world.
*Seasonal foods can be more nutritious. For foods to be grown out of season elsewhere in the world to be shipped to you, they must be picked green, before their peak ripeness and fully matured. Unless they are picked at ripeness and then frozen they lose most of their nutritional value. Frozen or Fresh? 
*Seasonal eating adds variety to your diet.  Variety is the foundation of a healthy diet.  By eating seasonally you can break the habit of eating the same food choices. Therefore, getting a more balanced nutritional meal.  The Seasonal Food Guide can help you find whats in season in your area.

Eat local. Eat what's in season. Eat organic.

For your viewing pleasure: How Not to Die 

Have a great week.
Be kind.
Judd

Sunday, April 1, 2018

Recommended Reading 04/01/18



It's time for Spring's 1st recommended reading list!
Here's a follow up on last week's post about "Gut Bomb", A video from Dr. Michael Gregor: Microbiome: We are what they eat
On the environmental side of news;  
Hopefully you are aware of the Dept. of Interior's pressing issue of reducing our National Monuments.  Read Protect Public Lands first, then check out the truths behind the reduction: The Cleanest Line.
Then for a real sh**ty article check out: There's Human Poop in Glacier Waters.
Just when you thought you were getting old and had no motivation to get off the couch, check out this video:100 & 102 year old's break world running records. For more on these two champions: Running Wisdom.
Have you ever wondered the origin of  certain vegetables?  I find it fascinating. The History of Each Vegetable will give some answers.
here's some great tips on How to Save Money On a Plant-Based Diet by Julieanna Hever
You can hear more wisdom on nutrition from  Julieanna and Ray Cronise on Everything Plant-Based Nutrition.

Have a great week. 
Be kind.
Judd