Katie, from Kitchen Stewardship, has done a great post about the new Dirty Dozen food list. This is a printable list naming the top 12 foods you should try to buy organic. These fruits and veggies are the ones with the highest pesticide residues at the grocery.
Make your organic purchases really count by using this list. You can download it at Katie’s.
Further Reading:
I grew up eating sauerkraut from a can. I liked it pretty well, but then I was introduced to REAL sauerkraut! I’m talking about lacto-fermented sauerkraut, alive and health-giving. There’s no way to describe the difference between canned sauerkraut and fresh, real sauerkraut!
(I haven’t taken any pictures of my sauerkraut, so I’ll give you a few links that explain the process.)
(It’s important to remember that these new ways of eating and cooking get so much easier with time. So, if things feel awkward at first, don’t be concerned. )
Crystal Miller shares: How to make sauerkraut-Step by Step.
Debbie Apple shows how she makes sauerkraut.
Have you ever made sauerkraut? Do you make other fermented veggies or have a favorite recipe to share?
Go to Food Renegade for Fight Back Friday to learn more about great food!
(This is a timely repeat from the archives.)
If you listen to the news you hear a lot about flu and cold season.
So, I thought I’d share what has helped our family stay well.
When our babies were sick I would have given anything to make their pain go away.
So after suffering through a few colds, I had enough!
It was time to be on the offense.
I found our there is SO MUCH we can do to keep from getting sick!
Here are a few things I’ve learned over the years:
Sugar is public enemy number one.
Eating one teaspoon can lower the immune system up to six hours.
Ever wonder why the flu season happens around the holidays?
Think about all of the pies, cakes, brownies, sugar cookies…
It’s hard not to eat sugar but it’s even harder to see your babies with what my daughter calls “booger nose”.
Enough said.
Over 80% of your immune system is located in the intestinal tract.
Help keep the digestive tract working well by taking a good quality probiotic or by eating naturally fermented foods, like yogurt or sauerkraut.
Peroxide is a wonderful helper in the fight against disease.
Bubble out your ears with peroxide.
(Just dip a cotton ball into the peroxide, lay on your side and use the cotton to drip peroxide into your ear canal.
Wait until you hear it stop bubbling and then tip your head and pour it out.
It’s helpful to have a hand towel on the pillow.)
I do this whenever we have any symptoms and it really seems to help. With little kids you can just take a cotton swab and dip it into the peroxide and gently put some into their ears.
If you are having a sore throat you can gargle with a mixture of half water and half peroxide.
Wash your hands, eat healthy foods, get plenty of rest and STAY WELL!
(I hope these things help your family too. I’m not a doctor, so these are just tips from one Mom to another. May your family stay healthy this winter!)
“… I am the LORD that healeth thee.” (Exodus 15:26 KJV)
If you enjoyed this here is some additional reading:
My homemade germ killing cleaner.
For more info on improving your health visit Food Renegade on Fight Back Fridays
I just finished reading some wonderful books…I have limited time to sit down and read, so I usually stick to topics I’m trying to learn more about.
(If you read this blog very often you’ll not be surprised at my list!)
The first book I’d like to recommend is Crunchy Cons. As I read this book, I was so glad to know there are others like me out there!
You see, I’m usually walking this narrow road between the right and left wing politicians. For example: As a Christian I believe we are to take care of our earth because we are to be good stewards of God’s gifts. But, we also need to remember that all we do is for people…for their good. If we plan carefully, the earth can be kept clean and people can be well taken care of. (stepping off of soapbox now)
Even if you don’t see eye to eye with me (and that’s okay) then you will still learn a lot from this book.
Now for a classic…Nourishing Traditions! This book changed the way I fed my family forever. I have seen some amazing changes happen in our family since I started feeling them whole, real foods, made in traditional ways.
By the way this “traditional” doesn’t mean your Grandmother’s condensed soup filled, topped with fried in trans fat onion pieces, canned green bean casserole that showed up at the Thanksgiving table every year!
Tasty, yes. Good for you, nope. Sorry.
By “traditional” I’m talking about things that healthy, “primitive” cultures have been eating for thousands of years. Like butter from animals fed only grass, lots of fresh fruits and veggies, etc.
Now for the benefits we’ve seen by eating this way: Since October 2008, my husband has lost over 20 pounds, I’ve lost 30, my children have had an easier time doing school work, their behavior has improved, they are growing well and we are all really healthy.
I could go on and on…go ahead, take the plunge into traditional, nourishing foods and see what good things happen in your family!
Want more? Then head over to Fight Back Friday to see what’s new!
I’m sure you have been seeing the same flabby to fit belly ads that I have. In moments of weakness and desperation I’m sure we all give those ads a second look. But, honestly, do you want to be locked into buying expensive “miracle fat burners” all your life? Not me! I’ve got to use my grocery money to buy food for my family, not “quick fixes”.
So, am I doomed to be fluffy forever? Nope. Welcome to weight loss in real life!
One of the best blogs I’ve found on loosing weight while still eating nourishing food is Kelly The Kitchen Kop. Here are a few of my favorite articles:
I’ve also been reading quite a few blogs about nutrition and I’ve been learning so much. I thought I’d tell you about some of the gals that have been a real encouragement to me as I’m working hard to nourish my family.
