Earth Day 2020

EARTH DAY 2020

This year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.  In the Spring of 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson(D-Wisconsin) proposed a national "teach-in" after touring an oil spill devastation off the coast of Santa Barbara, California, which happened a year earlier in January of 1969.  As his idea blossomed, he set up an independent organization called Environmental Teach-In to handle the grass-roots movement which created "Earth Day".  On April 22,1970 more than 20 million Americans participated in the first awareness.  It worked, in December of 1970 the Environmental Protection Agency was created to tackle all environmental issues, including the Clean Air Act ,the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Needless to say, the EPA has changed leadership in this administration and most rules and regulations have been relaxed or removed, not to the benefit of the environment.  For a more in depth look at Earth Day please see The History of Earth Day. 

We must take care of our planet and its environment, human existence depends on it.  We have seen the effects of Coronavirus , with us having to be sequestered, the capabilities the planet can heal itself without us.  Just think what together the possibilities can be, living in harmony with nature.  

There is no planet "B"

Have a great week.

Be kind.

WASH YOUR HANDS.

Judd 

Benefits of Garlic

Don't you just love the smell of garlic roasting in olive oil?  It's the organic sulfur compound allicin that gives it the pungent smell.  When he garlic is crushed or chopped the amino acid allicin is released.  Garlic is one of the most beneficial spices/herbs that can be added to your diet.  Garlic is in the same family as onions, leeks and shallots, the Allium family.  Each segment is called a clove with 10-20 cloves per bulb.  Being a popular cooking ingredient, garlic is and can be grown throughout the world, even in your own window garden.  Throughout history it's main use was for health and medicinal purposes. 

"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food"

Hippocrates (the Father of Western medicine) prescribed garlic to treat a variety of medical conditions.

Benefits:

*Highly nutritious but very few calories-containing a little of all the minerals you need every day.

*Can combat sickness, including the common cold- boosting the immune system is very important.

The active compounds in garlic reduce high blood pressure- cardiovascular diseases are the #1 killers in the world.  In one study, 4 cloves of garlic per day were just as effective as the drug Atenolol at reducing blood pressure over a 24 week period, with NO SIDE effects. The red blood cells turn the sulfur into hydrogen sulfide gas which expands our blood vessels helping to regulate blood pressure.

*Improves cholesterol levels- reducing total and/or LDL levels by 10-15%. The red blood cells turn the sulfur into hydrogen sulfide gas which expands our blood vessels helping to regulate blood pressure.

*Garlic contains high antioxidants-antioxidants protects against cell damage and aging, helping to reduce the risk of  Alzheimer's and dementia. 

*May help min detoxing your body from heavy metals- it has shown to reduce lead toxicity and other heavy metals.

Boosts immunity-  in studies, garlic appears to kill cancer and viruses cells. 

Protects our food- the antibacterial properties in garlic can kill the bacteria that lead to food poisoning, including salmonella and E.coli.

*It just makes your  food taste great!

Here's a great video from Dr Michael Greger;

Benefits of Garlic for Fighting Cancer and the Common Cold

Have a great week.

Be kind. 

WASH YOUR HANDS!

Judd

Recommended Reading 04/05/20

It's April Recommended Reading time.

With most people staying at home now, there is plenty of time to spend time with family. to be creative, catch up on reading and exercise.  Hopefully you will be able to continue working while at home.  Please make time for yourself and take care to keep up with your mental, physical and spiritual habits.  Also, don't get caught up eating a crapload of processed junk food.  Eating a healthy, whole foods plant-based diet will keep your immune system strong, which is even more critical now.  One thing I have noticed, is with this crisis, people have been connecting to their creativity and kindness for one another.  Let's not forget that when we get back to the "new"normal.

Let's get started:

WELLNESS

I know the media is bombarding us with Coronavirus information, but this from Food Revolution is useful info on overall wellness, Staying Healthy

Here are 7 Tips on Staying Healthy from Spartan Life.  Also from Spartan Life: Your Guide to Eating Smart and Healthy when you're stuck at home.

How to Boost Your Immunity During Coronavirus Outbreak from FoodmattersTV. FMTV is like Netflix but all about total wellness, food, yoga, meditation etc. Check it out!

FOOD/RECIPES

Here in Florida we are blessed with a year-long growing season.  With everyone needing to practice social distancing the local farmers are having their own drive up farmers markets and some plant-based restaurants are having "virtual" farmers markets where you can order many different types of produce, local coffees, honey and even prepared foods weekly and then a curbside pick up!

To keep a healthy immune system you need a healthy gut biome.  Fermented foods are one of the best ways to do this.  Here is a very easy recipe for Beetroot Sauerkraut 

Roasted radishes will become your new favorite veggie with this flavorful recipe.

Roasted Veggies:

We take a variety of cubed root veggies like potatoes, onions, heirloom carrots, zucchini and squash. Mix with a few tablespoons of olive oil, salt and pepper in a large bowl.

Roast in oven at 450' until potatoes are tender(40-45 min)

Serve on a bed of prepared whole grain or rice spaghetti noodles which has been "fried" in an oiled skillet until it is a little crispy.

For the sweet tooth in us, try these Jammin' Almond Thumbprint Cookies

ENVIRONMENT

Wild For Life is an awesome learning site about our oceans health. Children(and adults) will like Reef Rider Journey, by learning how coral reefs work.

This company in Switzerland is sucking carbon out of the air and making soda.

Why's There's Never Been a Better Time to Combat Climate Change

3 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day

10 Surprising Dolphin Superpowers

VIDEOS

Broccoli- The DNA whisperer

"Home" Is A Poem by IN-Q

Have a great week.

Please be kind.

WASH YOUR HANDS

Judd

Vegan Irish Soda Bread

For a dense and hearty bread to enjoy by the slice or with a soup try this Vegan Irish Soda Bread.

This recipe is from the Thug Kitchen:

1-1/2 cups unsweetened non-dairy milk ( I used Homemade Oat Milk)

1 tsp. apple cider vinegar or lemon juice.

2 cups oat flour ( just grind up whole oats in a food processor)

2 cups whole wheat flour.

2 tsps baking soda.

1/2 tsp salt

2 tb olive oil

Preheat oven to 400'

Mix together the milk and vinegar and set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, baking soda and salt. 

Pour in the milk mixture and oil.

Stir until you've got a dough ball going, adding milk or flour if needed.

Form the dough into a loafish shape and put it in a greased or parchment lined loaf pan.

Bake for 45 minutes, until crust looks golden.

Take it out and let it cool.

Ready to slice.

THIS IS A VERY HEAVY DENSE BREAD.

For a great topping, why not homemade jam.

For a quick delicious jam, try this Raspberry Chia Jam from Blue Zones:

1-1/2 cups Organic Raspberries or Blackberries

2 tbs honey

2 tbs Chia seeds

In a small sauce pan, cook down the berries on medium heat until they break down. About 5 minutes, remove from heat and mash the berries. Add the honey, stir in the chia seeds. Let set for about 5 minutes to thicken.  Transfer to a glass jar and refrigerate.

Have a great week.

Be kind.

WASH YOUR HANDS.

Judd

Recommended Reading 03/08/20

Let's get started with the:

Environment

These articles are all from Globalcitizen.org:

Why the heck is Los Angeles dumping 96 million black balls into a reservoir?  Sounds pretty interesting.

This article is a couple of years old, but still relevant today as it is very important.  We seriously need to do something about our plastic problem:  10 Plastic Pollution Facts 

Ditch the plastic bottles and Save the Environment and drink tap water.  Tap water may not be the healthiest choice, but tap water is 3500 times less expensive than bottled water.  My choice is 1/2 tsp Pink Himalayan Salt , 1 "Zinger" tea bag added to 1 gallon of distilled water.

On the environmental technology side introducing "Tidal" , from the "X" Company.  Humanity is pushing the ocean past its breaking point and soon there will more plastic than fish.

Health and Wellness

Our liver is critical for healthy functioning of our body.  Do you need a liver cleanse?

For your health and the world's: 9 Reasons to Eat More Plant-based Foods in 2020.

This is the only type of seafood I consume, Kelp:The Oceanic Plant with Skin, Health & Thyroid Benefits

Beans, beans are good for your heart, the more you eat...the longer you live! From Blue Zones: A Cup of Beans Every Day.

The foods you choose for breakfast are crucial for giving your muscles and brain what they need to perform at optimal level:  2 Perfect Breakfasts for Blood Sugar Balance.

From the Center for Nutrition Studies: Living a Whole Food Plant-Based Life

Videos

The Amazing Way Bicycles Can Change You

Vegan Bacon Double Cheeseburger!!

LIVE LIKE A PLANT

Fresh air & sunshine

Strong Support Systems

Minimize Weeds & Toxins

Keep Moving & Reaching

You Don't Have To Get There Fast

Have a great week.

Be Kind.

Judd

The Power of Cumin

 Cumin is an age-old seed and spice which originated in India but is used in culinaries around the world.  It is mentioned in the Bible, the Koran and in Sanskrit.  In ancient Egypt, it was used medicinally in the process of preserving mummies.  Cumin is a low-growing leafy plant in the same family as carrots and parsley. Commonly grown in China and India, it is found in Egypt, Eastern Mediterranean and Mexico.  You can find it in many colors in ground and whole seed form at most all grocery stores.  Besides being a very strong flavoring in foods, it has many healthy benefits including:

*May improve digestion: by increasing the activity of digestive enzymes, speeding the digestion process, it increases the releasing of bile in the gut.  By just adding a half teaspoon of ground cumin to organic yogurt helps the gut biome.

*Blood sugar management: supports healthy blood sugar levels and helps in decreasing glucose for diabetics.

*Lowers risk of Iron-deficiency Anemia: 1 tsp has 1.4 mg of iron, a great way to help acquiring your RDA of 17-20 mg.

*Lowers cholesterol: Cumin has lipid lowering agents which maintains healthy levels of cholesterol.  To achieve better results add cumin with lime to supercharge it(homemade Guacamole) 

*Anti-bacterial, Anti-viral: food borne illnesses are becoming more prevalent and the properties of cumin help in fighting infections, acting as a disinfectant.

*Boosts immunity: high in Vitamin C and A, (antioxidants)it stimulates the function of and activity of white blood cells.  All of which helps prevent cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

Cumin is a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals:

Iron, manganese, magnesium, calcium, copper, zinc, potassium and phosphorus, riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, A,C,E,K and B6.

For a healthy drink and a great way to flush out toxins, start your day with a glass of Jeera water.

Bring a quart of filtered water and 2 tsps of whole organic cumin seeds to a boil, let boil for 15-20 minutes.  Strain seeds and let set to room temperature. Enjoy.

Don't Medicate! HYDRATE

You probably already know that 70% of the human body is made up of water, and it's absolutely essential to human life.  Water is a liquid shuttle bus that transports elements like nutrients, proteins, hormones and other chemicals to where they are needed the most.  The problem is most everyone is dehydrated.  How much water do we need?  A good rule of thumb is half of your body weight in ounces (140lbs= 70 ounces of water - this should the bare minimum).  Not many of us revel over the neutral flavor of plain water.  There are many ways to not only enhance the flavor but also increase the nutrient value of plain H2O.  In our household we mostly drink naturally infused water or Zinger tea (both pictured above).  Celestial Seasonings offers many different flavors of hibiscus tea, which are very high in antioxidants according to studies.  A glass of cold filtered water with a Zinger tea bag and a half pack of stevia, (if you prefer sweetened) will definitely do your body good. It is a much better alternative to sweetened flavored water drinks like Dasani, Nestle or Sparkling Ice brands which are sweetened with sucralose .  Sucralose, aspartame and saccharin is very disruptive to our gut microbiome. To learn more about how important a strong microbiome is please check out my series on Gut Health.   

When infusing your water, there is only two requirement: a glass container of filtered water and creativity!  The combination of fruits, veggies, herbs and spices are endless.  It can be tailored to your own tastes and health benefits you hope to achieve.   

*Berries and fruit- loaded with antioxidants, key vitamins and minerals they help in:

*Balancing free radicals

*Decrease inflammation

*Prevents cancer

*Prevents DNA damage

*Helps to regulate insulin levels

*Citrus- lemons ,limes, oranges and grapefruits all help with:

 *Iron absorption

*Shortens durations of colds

*Helps with detoxing the body

*Inhibits bacteria strain growth

*Ginger and Herbs-

*Helps in digestion

*Reduces inflammation

*Decreases fatigue

*Veggies- Aids in replenishing electrolytes and transferring minerals and nutrients into the water. 

  Use those that have a high water content like:

*Cucumbers

*Cantaloupe

*Celery

*Pomegranate

*Watermelon

Benefits of Drinking Water

*Increases energy & relieves fatigue

*Promotes weight loss

*Flushes out toxins

*Improves skin complexion

*Maintains regularity 

*Boosts immunity

*Natural headache remedy

*Prevents cramps and sprains

*Mood booster

*Saves you money! STOP BUYING CRAP DRINKS

Here are a few blend ideas:

*Lemon, Lime and Orange

*Raspberry and Lime

*Strawberry and Basil

*Lemon, Cucumber and Mint

*Blackberry and Ginger

*Peach, Lemon and Thyme

You will feel the difference once you're properly hydrated.

Have a great week. 

Be kind.

Judd