It is easy to get distracted when shopping, the numerous products on the grocery store shelves, sales flyers offering usually least nutritional value foods at a GREAT price and the game of supermarket sweep as we dash through the store due to the busyness of our lives. Advertising has also clouded our brains with pretty pictures and tools that lurk even our children in utilizing Sponge Bob or Dora to attract the youngest customers.
In continuance of our ever increasingly busy lives, America has turned into a fast food nation. After working a long day, add on the kids activities and housework the last thing on our minds in nutritional content and home cooked meals.
Some of us are becoming more aware of the foods we eat, healthy living and eating is starting to take focus more-BUT it is challenging to decipher what is nutritious and what is not. All this talk on Genetically modified foods, organic and local foods have some heads spinning.
We need to as a nation get back to our roots, eating real food an not those with additives, colored dyes or GMO's. But where do we start?
#1 Research and educate yourself! This is easier said than done, I know..But I have done my own research and will share with you some definitions and guidelines to start with!
What are GMO's (genetically modified organisms) they are plants or animals created through gene-splicing techniques of biotechnology. This experimental technology merges DNA from different species, causing unstable combinations of plants, animal, bacterial and viral genes that can not occur in nature. All commercial GMO's are engineered to withstand direct application of herbicide and or produce insecticide. A growing body of evidence connects GMO's with health problems, environmental damage and violation of farmers and consumers rights. (non-GMO Project) I will be offering a workshop on GMO's in March!
Buzz on Organic Food:: Organic foods are produced without synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Organic foods are also processed without using irridation, industrial solvents or chemical food additives.
Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of
renewable resources and the conversation of soil and water to enhance
environmental qualities for future generations.
Now not all organic food is NON-GMO, Organic farmers may still be using GMO seeds...
Local Food movement: is a "collaborative effort to build more locally based, self-reliant food economies - one in which sustainable
food production, processing, distribution, and consumption is
integrated to enhance the economic, environmental and social health of a
particular place. It is part of the concept of local purchasing and
local economies; a preference to buy locally produced goods and services
rather than those produced by corporatized institutions.
Natural Foods
are often assumed to be foods that are minimally processed and do not
contain any hormones, antibiotics, sweeteners, food colors or artificial
flavorings that were not originally in the food. The terms are often misused on labels and in advertisements. READ YOUR LABELS.
Whole Foods: Unprocessed, unrefined foods. with no added ingredients. Vegetables, fruits, whole grains are some examples.
Beth's Top Tip's
1. Read labels, If you can not pronounce it...or if there are more than 10 ingredients...Try to avoid purchasing it.
2.
Eat local foods first, then organic-as sometimes our organic foods come
from across the country if not out of the country. There are several
farmers who offer CSA's (community supported agriculture). Visit a local
Farmers market.
3. Aim for products with the Non-GMO label! The most GMO contaminated US crops are corn, soy and cotton!
4.
When purchasing meet products, look for those local farmers who do not
add hormones or antibiotics and pasture raise their animals. (this is a
whole other Topic I will cover at a later time)
5.
Get in the kitchen! Experiment! Cook a home made meal at least once per week, if
not more! Cooking your own food for you and your family will bring a
peace of mind, togetherness of family and healthy benefits.
6. Get your kids involved, teach them the importance of eating healthy, cooking healthy and living healthy.
7. When shopping at grocery stores, shop the outskirts of the store..this is usually where the freshest foods can be found..the middle filled with more box meals, preservatives, etc.
8. Educate yourself, read, listen and
learn more about topics that inspire interest to you. I will be offering
Healthy living workshops in Oneida as well as on line SOON!
9. Meet your local farmers, know where your food is coming from. Eat fresh whole foods including fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
10. When dining out, avoid fast food chains and try local restaurants that feature local foods.
A few Resources to check out:
(Farm) A local, year-round, diversified CSA
that includes seasonal vegetables and storage crops, grass-fed beef and
lamb, pastured pork and chicken, unpasteurized milk, and eggs from
pastured laying hens? That's the Greyrock Farm CSA.
(Restaurant)
The Copper Turrett: We purchase fresh local ingredients from: Alambria
Springs Farm, Mosher Farms, Canaseraga Farms, and Purdy & Sons Foods
http://copperturret.com/
(Non-GMO Project) http://www.nongmoproject.org/
Sign up for my monthly newsletter for healthy living tips, recipes and upcoming events and workshops.
http://elizabeth-aust.healthcoach1.integrativenutrition.com/newsletter-0-0
Peake's
Harmony Wellness is opening a shop in March offering non-GMO, organic,
vegan and gluten free options as well as Holistic Health Coaching,
workshops and more! check out my website or follow me on facebook
Peakesharmony.com
https://www.facebook.com/PeakesHarmonyWellness?ref=hl
