Living Spiritual Nutrition
Nutritious Delicious Green Cooking
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| (By Joa Carter, CLE, M.S. Nutrition, October 15, 2008) Written by Joa Carter - October 2008 - Unity Green Team Cookbook After studying nutrition for over seven years and getting a couple of degrees, defining and writing guidelines for "Green Cooking" should be a piece of cake…correction stick of celery, right? Yeah! When I give workshops or presentations I refer to Living Environmental Nutrition because it is so much more than taking your reusable bag to the store, picking up a few items which you bring home and cook. Before we even start with cooking, let’s get to know each other. A few years ago, we did know each other better and shared more of a common culture whereas today the majority of us are transplants or multicultural. Being multicultural food-wise has become very easy with free trade where foods are imported from all over the world. That is the reason “diets” don’t work. There is no one diet that fits all except fast and dirty chemical junk food and all we have to do look around to see the effect that has on our health, our environment and our lives. Rather than looking at our differences, let’s explore how we are similar with the question, “What is the most valuable possession that you have?” Just stop here and think about that…The personal possession that has the most value to you…what is it? If you said anything except your body… let’s have an auction. What would you take for your left eye…right hand…yes I am being facetious in even suggesting that you would sell body parts but this is to make you think about how much value you put on the only possession that you will really ever own and it must last a lifetime. Yet how many of us take better care of our automobile which we are going to trade in a few years from now than we do of our bodies which are made to last approximately 122 years. I personally have never seen anyone pour bleach into their gas tank but I see people drinking decaffeinated beverages all the time. I have never seen anyone put partially hydrogenated oils into their crank case, but 90% of the foods we consume are made from it. We are a chemically addicted country because we eat…in other words not only have we chemically polluted our environments, we have chemically polluted our bodies and very few people drink enough pure water to remove these chemicals from the body. Then after the multi-billion dollar diet and weight loss industry tells us how to fix our worthless bodies the multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical companies prescribe more artificial chemicals to "save" our lives. Over the last year, I have been running a little experiment when I am around children and I have been astonished how many children and teen-agers can not recognize or name what should be common fruits and vegetables. Some of these children live in very affluent households where the pantries are full of boxes and cans that have a shelf-life of several years. When you read the ingredient list what you find is high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, artificial sweeteners, dyes, and numerous chemicals. Shocking as it may seem, the effects of smoking one cigarette are less traumatic on the body than eating one commercially prepared French fry. I could go on and on but why… we all get the idea…how can we expect our children to be healthy and well adjusted mentally when they are malnourished? Once we awaken and become conscience of where we are then we can start to become the change we want to see in the world. This is not a time to be critical or judgmental…just become aware. Would you like to stay healthy by improving the quality of the food you eat while decreasing your personal impact on the environment? You can do all of these things simply by becoming conscious about how you cook your meals. Green cooking is simple, sustainable, and quite frankly, food cooked in an environmentally nutritious manner tastes better! Below are some general ideas, suggestions and guidelines of what constitutes “Green Cooking.” Go Organic ● Fruits and vegetables. Organically grown whole grains, beans, lentils and live enzyme foods “support life,” so they are considered green. Included are quinoa, amaranth, spelt, and rice of many varieties. Bleached products in general should be avoided. ● Meats. Organic, naturally-raised meat does not contain antibiotics or hormones. “Grass fed” is preferable to "grain-fed" meat because it has more essential fatty acids. Free-range chicken has not been injected with hormones or antibiotics. Buy wild fish if possible, even though some kinds are contaminated with mercury (a list can be “googled” on the Internet.) Farm-raised fish contain chemical pollution. Pork is never a good choice due to high toxin levels stored in the fat. Buy Local ● Not only does locally grown food eliminate the cost of trucking and packaging but it also supports the local economy by providing jobs and encouraging the practice of sustainable agriculture. Oils ● Use extra virgin olive oil for cooking and salads whenever possible and coconut oil holds up well to high heats and for use in baked goods. Seasoning is the secret to delicious food ● Fresh or dried herbs add zest, as does Sesame oil. Alternatives to iodized salt such as sea salt and kosher salt are suggested. Organic, therapeutic grade essential oils are exceptional seasoning agents. Sweeteners ● Good sweeteners include Stevia, Turbindino sugar, barley malt and rice syrup. Cookware ● The choice of cookware is important. Aluminum cookware and Teflon coating are potentially harmful to health. Although nonstick cookware is popular, stainless steel, cast iron and enameled alternatives are safe, more durable, and usually preferred by chefs. *Personal Preference is copper & stainless steel. Wooden and stainless utensils are always preferable. Plastic, Styrofoam and Teflon are known cancer causing materials. Cooking ● Micro waving is considered by some to be harmful to health because of the changes in the food molecules. Read the Product Ingredient List ● Processed foods contain chemical toxins: A good rule is “if you can not pronounce the ingredient or do not know what it is, do not put it into your body.” The Sustainability Factor ● Is the vendor of your food operating an environmentally sustainable business? Seek out organic and toxin free food businesses and producers. Genetically modified, hybridized and irradiated foods are not environmentally sustainable. Personal Sensitivities ● It should be noted that what is "green" for one person may not be for another. Many people over 50 are sensitive to grains, for example, and need to avoid products containing gluten. Sensitivities and allergies are more often to chemical additives or products used in production than to natural foods. Honor and Gratitude ● Finally, food is living energy and should be honored. The attitude of the food preparer is reflected in the dish that is served. Honoring and expressing gratitude for the food we eat is best shown by such practices as composting, planting edible landscaping and respecting the Earth as our food source. Honoring and expressing gratitude for our bodies is shown by the care we take in choosing foods and activities which nurture and maintain wellness, vitality and beauty. Group Presentations, workshops and consultation available
Start or Join a Living Well Support Group in your Church or Community Be a Living Well Facilitator / Coach Promote or Advertise an Environmental Wellness Business or Service http://ottawakan.com/Living-Well/ Email: joa@joacarter.com Living Well with Nutrition |
The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly... Proverbs 15:14 (TNIV ) Think about not only what you are putting into your mouth but where it came from and what is in it. ***** Anything that can be proved with numbers can be disproved with numbers. Patanjali: Discipline of YOGA Think about drowning in a sea of number confusion and the time spent worrying about numbers such as calories, fat grams, age, weight, cholesterol. Is it any wonder that the media has a love affair ongoing with the drug industry...number depression has become a disease in our culture. ***** The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well. Our food should be our medicine. Hippocrates...Greek Physician For optimum wellness the following should be avoided: Artificial Sweeteners such as aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, xylitol, sorbital, maltilot, etc. There is a clear scientific link between aspartame and seizure disorders, chronic headaches and hyperactivity in children . Hydrogenated Fats: margarine, most pre- packaged foods and dressings,“Olestra” products, etc. The theory that saturated fats and dietary cholesterol clog arteries has been effectively disproved by a number of highly respected scientists. The real culprit is “trans- fatty acids” found in margarines, vegetable oils and any product with partially or hydrogenated oils. The best oil choices are extra virgin olive oil and virgin coconut oil. High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS): found in practically every processed food and drink on the market including “health” and “energy” bars and drinks. There are several good sweeteners. Stevia is my preference, but Agave Nectar, Brown Rice Syrup, Brown Rice Syrup, Fruit Juice or Purées Fruit Juice or Purée, Maple Syrup, and honey are also good. MSG (monosodium glutamate): found in many foods such as dressings, sauces and processed foods (labeled “natural flavorings” or “spices”. HVP (hydrolyzed vegetable protein) can contain up to 60% MSG. Artifical Chemical preservatives, additives, sulfites, FD&C colors and dyes. Bleached processed foods such as white sugar, white flour, decaffeinated coffee, tea, etc. Processed Meats: nitrate/nitrite foods: pork products; bologna; wieners; any luncheon meat with additives or preservatives. Non-Organic Dairy Products: cottage cheese, yogurt, cheese, butter, sour cream, etc. (Anything with non-organic cow’s milk). Look for farm or range fed eggs. ******* THE CHOICE IS YOURS Care for your health or pay for health care ******* Have you considered alternatives such as patio edible gardening & pot composting ******* buying locally, seasonally grown produce & food. ***** Resources awakeningthedreamer.org The Story of Stuff |
Living Well is Eating Well
| REAL FOOD IS NUTRITIOUS & DELICIOUS NATURALLY |