ann
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Posts by ann
The Secret Codes of Produce
Jan 17th
Ever wonder how the cashier knows what to charge you for your produce? Well those little stickers stuck on to your apples tell a
very rich story. These stickers are called “price look-up codes” (PLUs). This not only informs the clerk of the price, but can also help you to know exactly what you are buying as these stickers actually tell us how the fruits and vegetables were grown.
All fruits and veggies have either a 4 or 5 digit code and through these codes you can decipher between a conventional, organic and GMO grown food item.
- Conventionally grown fruit, (grown with chemicals inputs), has a PLU code that consists of four numbers. A conventionally grown banana would be: 4011
- Organically grown fruit has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 9. So, an organic banana would be: 94011
- Genetically engineered (GE or GMO) fruit has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 8. So the toxic mutated GMO banana would be 84011.
Knowing how to identify organic food is especially important now that over 80% of all processed foods in the US are genetically modified. Hopefully this will be reversed as many countries in the European Union have been banning GM products and produce (including Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary and Luxembourg).
Choose wisely, opt for organic and ask for it if it is not offered. Unfortunately these labels are voluntary so make sure you ask for them if there are none available. The more we ask and insist the more the retailers will also inform themselves of the better options.
If you want to learn more about PLU codes, you can view database of PLU codes at www.plucodes.com
No Mayo Potato Salad: Gluten Free, Nut Free, Soy Free, Dairy Free (option)
Apr 27th
This potato salad is delicious and is surprisingly packed with protein from the hempseeds. It’s a great way
to ward off the bad fat (mayo) and get reap the benefits of the good ones (EFAs) without losing any of the tasty benefits!
Salad:
3 ½ cups diced yellow potatoes cubed in ½” x ½” pieces, (approximately 5 medium ones)
½ cup finely chopped green onions (approximately 3 medium ones)
¼ cup dill pickles, thinly sliced and diced
½ tbsp washed fresh dillweed, minced
2 hard boiled eggs (shell off), chopped (optional)
In a large cook pot, bring 5-6 cups of water to a boil. Add in potatoes and turn down to medium heat. Once fully cooked (a fork can go through easily), about 25 minutes, drain in a colander and set aside to cool. Once cooled add to a large mixing bowl. Add all other salad ingredients and gently mix together. Set aside.
Sauce:
⅓ cup Mum’s Original Slow Roasted Hempseeds
¼ cup dill pickle juice from the jar
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp water
½ tsp Dijon mustard
¼ tsp ground black pepper
¼ tsp ground garlic powder
⅛ tsp celery salt
1 pinch of ground cumin
Note: If you opt for no egg in salad, or like an extra creamy salad, double the sauce recipe.
Blend sauce ingredients in a food processor on high. Drizzle over cooled salad mixture. Mix gently and serve. Makes about 4 cups.
Top 10: Natural Ways to Get Healthier Whiter Teeth
Jun 30th
A nice smile is contagious. Having clean white teeth is a great way to show off the fact that you take good care of yourself. Having white teeth will help give you a more confident smile and make your smile more contagious, If you know of any good teeth whitening tips feel free to share them in the comments below!
- Raw fruits and vegetables are healthy to eat and can also clean your teeth. The extra crunch helps to produce saliva which washes away foods and helps to kill bacteria.
- Vitamin C rich foods (strawberries and lemons) have natural bleaching elements. Mashed up strawberries or lemon peel or orange peel can be placed on teeth for whiter teeth. Be careful to use one time a week as the citric acid can effect tooth enamel. Immediately brush teeth after doing to remove and acid remnants.
- Lay off the red wine, ciggies and coffee as they quickly stain your teeth.
- Cut down on sugars as much as you can. If you do indulge, the make sure afterwards you brush or eat some raw veggies to help clean your mouth.
- Good oral hygiene always starts with the foods you choose to eat. A healthy body is the start of healthy teeth so make wise choices to ensure that your whole being gets the nutrients it needs. Opt for plant based foods and get your daily requirements of carbs, healthy EFA fats (Salba and hemp) and effective proteins.
- Avoid animal protein as much as you can as it is often the cause of bad breath. Animal proteins (versus vegetable proteins like hempseed, Salba or legumes) are highly acidic and require additional digestive acids to be released in your stomach that can result in an acid reflex and an acidic mouth.
- Baking soda is a useful way to keep stain free (great for red wine and coffee leftover reminders). Only use a few times a week as it is abrasive and can r emove enamel if overused.
- A few drops of oregano oil swished around the mouth with warm salt water have medicinal properties and can cut down on bacterial growth.
- You need a good brush so replace every 2 months – that way all of your work brushing is more effective.
- And finally, the no brainer: visit your dentist and get your teeth cleaned professionally at least once a year.
Don’t forget to Smile!
Omega Hemp Latte – Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free, Soy Free
Jun 8th
Description
This protein and Omega rich milk is the easiest thing in the world to make….why buy it when you can make it so easily at home? Add to a half a cup of coffee and you have the healthiest and most amazingly nutrient rich Latte!
- 1 cup warm water
- 3 Tablespoons Mum’s Original Roasted Hempseeds
- 1 Teaspoon Mum’s Original raw cacao powder (optional)
- 1Teaspoon agave or Mum’s Original coconut nectar sugar (optional)
- 1/8 Teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 Teaspoon raw vanilla powder or vanilla extract
- Pinch of dried or raw ginger
- Put all ingredients in Magic Bullet or other small blender. Blend on high until frothy and fully blended.
- Serve on its own or add to a half cup of hot tea or coffee for a dairy free nutritious and delicious option.
Omega Veggie Skewers – Gluten Free, Nut Free, Dairy Free
Jun 8th
Description
These skewers are pretty when plated and are a light and refreshing summery option. It can be served as a veggie main with a side of bean salad and brown rice or as a tasty side option.
Kebobs:
- 2 zucchinis, sliced into ¾ inch pieces
- 1 small purple spanish onion cut in to 12 pieces (2 inch chunks)
- 1 small purple eggplant, cut into 1 inch thick squares
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded & cut into 2 inch squares
- 1 yellow or orange bell pepper, seeded & cut into 2 inch squares
- 6 white mushrooms
- 6 cherry tomato
Marinade:
- 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped washed fresh basil
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped washed fresh Italian parsley
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Finish:
- 1/3 cup Mum’s Original Roasted Hempseeds
- Put all cut up veggies in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, mix together all marinade ingredients.
- Pour the marinade over the veggies, mix, cover and place in fridge for at least 2 hours.
- Preheat BBQ on medium.
- Put veggies on 3 large skewers (or 6 small ones) alternating the different veggies.
- Reserve the marinade and set aside in another small bowl.
- Place skewers on preheated grill for approx. 4 minutes per side, continue basting with the marinade. Serve and sprinkle with the Omega-rich roasted hempseeds.
Omega Spiced Drizzling Oil – Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free
Jun 7th
Description
This spiced oil is an excellent drizzle addition to soups, pastas, salads or simply pour into a bowl and dip with bread or crudites. Rich in Omega 3 and 6 with a high boost of GLA’s and chlorophyll, this oil is worth the wait to enjoy!
- 2 cups water boiled in a cooking pot
- 2 sprigs rosemary (each approx. 8 inches tall)
- 6 small whole garlic cloves
- 4 whole dried red chili peppers
- 10 peppercorns
- 1 500ml bottle Mum’s Original Hempseed Oil
- Place rosemary and garlic cloves in boiling water for 30 seconds to blanche it. Remove and pat dry.
- Pour out 1/4 of the hempseed oil from the bottle into a measuring cup.
- Pop off plastic pour spout from hempseed oil bottle and save.
- Stuff the rosemary, garlic, red chili peppers, and pepper corns into hempseed oil bottle.
- Top up the hempseed oil in the bottle to about 1 inch below the top of the bottle. If anything is left over in measuring cup, just store in another container for further use.
- Put top back on the bottle and place in fridge. Shake once in a while.
- Wait 2 weeks so the flavours combine and then shake before use and enjoy! You may also strain it if you desire but I personally love the little bits of rosemary that escape as you use it.
Omega 3 Herbed Salad – Gluten Free, Nut Free & Optional Dairy Free
May 31st
Description
This couscous is a great summer main dish or attractive side dish to any meal. With Salba and Mum’s Roasted hempseeds, this Omega rich salad along with tasty chlorophyll in the hemp and herbs is an amazingly simple, nutritious, and tasty take on a classic.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 medium green onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 Tablespoon whole Salba seed
- 1 1/3 cups uncooked couscous (or quinoa)
- 1/2 Teaspoon salt
- 2 cups veggie broth
- 2 teaspoon EACH washed and chopped: fresh basil AND cilantro AND parsley
- 1/4 cup Mum’s Roasted Hempseeds
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1/3 cup roasted or raw slivered almonds (optional)
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in 3 quart pan on medium to high heat.
- Cook the garlic and onions in the oil until the onions are tender (approx 5 minutes).
- Add Salba and stir then add in the uncooked couscous or quinoa (for gluten free) and salt along with veggie broth to the pan.
- Turn heat to high and bring to a boil. Turn off element and remove from heat.
- Add in Mum’s Original roasted hempseeds and lemon juice and allow to stand covered for 5 minutes.
- When serving, fluff the couscous and hempseeds and slowly add in all fresh herbs (and the Parmesan cheese if desired)
- Top with 1/3 cup slivered almonds (optional).
Farm Life – A Social Life
May 25th
I used to go to fine art auctions that included a subsection on vintage clothing and jewelry. In fact, my wedding ring was bought at such an exclusive event. With a huge glossy print catalogue outlining all such exquisite buys to be had, the day of auction became a “seen and be scene” event. With an air of judgment for all who greeted you, you registered with an auction number and hoped for the best. Feeling like you had no right to be there, due to the passive aggressive response that the crowd had, the bidding became a psychological mind trap.
One bidding game in particular turned ugly. I had my eye set on a vintage Gucci 1970′s dress that I had luckily had the privilege of previously viewing as my friend was the coordinator for the vintage jewels and clothing for a primo auction house. I knew it fit, I knew it was gorgeous, and I knew I had to have it. After the bidding started I also knew it was going to be a bad scene. The alter-bidder was angry and obnoxious, throwing her bidding paddle aggressively in the air and scowling at me as if I had done her personally wrong. Not to be deterred, I ended up spending 400% more than I had anticipated just to ensure that such a witch was “put in her place”.
Who got put in their place? I did. I stupidly spent more than I wanted to, or could afford, due to a weak ego.
Fast forward to today. At the most recent farm equipment auction, the people were so calm. Willing to provide help and assistance in advising what the best equipment was and how to use it, there was a comraderee that I have never before been witnessed at any auction. The communal response was witnessed from the onset as we pulled into the massive paddock vying to get a parking spot. Full of baseball caps and pick up trucks, people waited patiently while the one way lane in and out of the parking paddock had to control the comings and goings of all.
Once there, the people bidding were calm, cool, collected and connected. What a treat. In the end, we bought a silo for seed storage (see pics) and are happy for the amazing deal to be had. A big thanks to all of the old and new farmers who helped us figure out what to do and what equipment to do it with.
PS: my 70′s collectible Gucci dress still hangs in my closet but has been lonely for some time.
Indian Spice Mixture – Gluten Free / Nut Free / Dairy Free / Soy Free
May 25th
Description
This simple make ahead spice mix can be kept for weeks in the fridge in an air tight container and easily incorporated into veggie, rice, stews, salads and protein rich meals to provide a flavourful Indian kick to dishes.
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 Tablespoon whole cardamon
- 4 Tablespoon whole red pepper
- 4 Tablespoons whole cumin seed
- 4 Tablespoon whole coriander seed
- 1 generous pinch sea salt
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil on medium to high heat.
- Add cardamon and toss in oil and cook until slightly brown (about 2-3 minutes). Remove from pan into metal or earthenware bowl.
- Add another tablespoon of oil and toss the red pepper until brown (about 2-3 minutes). Remove from pan into bowl.
- Add cumin, and coriander along with last remaining tablespoon of oil and toss in oil and cook until slightly brown (about 2-3 minutes). Remove from pan into bowl.
- Let cool and mix with salt. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for a couple of weeks. Draw down from as needed.
Prepping the Fields – an Homage to Farmers Everywhere
May 25th
When we bought our 100 acre farm we realized that it would be a lot of work to plant and harvest. We had been warned. We knew that it would not be easy. We have never been adverse to working hard and have always welcomed new challenges. But, did we ever learn FAST about the difficulties of farming!
First of all, timing is everything. Knowing when to churn the fields (“cultivating” in farm world speak, “prepping” in my food world speak) is key. This sets the stage for the planting to come and determines how much weeds you have, how well conditioned the soil is and what the chances are of the seed growing (which by the way, seed is expensive!!!) or the weeds from winning the horticultural war.
So how do you know when to do this? Well, you look to the skies, understand and contemplate past weather conditions, get your equipment running in good condition (note to self: BEFORE the last snowflake has melted) and hope that the weather and tractor gods will help you out.
As you can see by the pic, we waited a bit too long (due to the breakdown of ALL of our equipment and our need to purchase vintage pieces to supplement what we had)…so our uber-green pastures are now being cultivated versus tilled black earth. I think we were about 3 weeks too late. Oh well.
Now we also know that we have to do massive tilling in the fall (mulching up the fields) to prevent weed growth from taking over in the spring. Yes, like math that I did not excel at due to impatience, doing things at the right time and in the right order is key. So we have started the process of having the fields ready for seeding (to take place in the next week) and to start our first crop ever. It is exciting, it is overwhelming in work, it is empowering and it is humbling.
I take my hat off to all farmers who feed so many. Who work so hard. Who have little accolades other than the benefit of seeing the seeds that they plant, germinate and grow to fruition. You are the growers of life’s sustenance and deserve a lot of credit. Honestly, up until now I had no real idea how much work, patience and drive it takes.
Our training continues….
Strawberry Salad Recipe – Gluten Free, Nut Free, Soy Free Raw food
May 24th
Description
Strawberry Salad – Yummy Summer Nights!
- 940g box of Strawberries
- 3 tablespoons of basil (fresh, washed and towel dried)
- 1 Tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon maple syrup or raw agave syrup
- 2 Tablespoons Mum’s Original Roasted Hemp Hearts
- 2 Tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 2-3 pinches ground black pepper
- Wash and cut off tops of strawberries and quarter them.
- Wash, dry and finely chop the basil. Add to strawberry mixture.
- Add the remaining ingredients in a separate bowl and mix together. Drizzle dressing over the strawberry mixture over spinach.
A Better Butter Tarts Recipe – Gluten Free, Soy Free, and Vegan
May 21st
Description
I love Butter Tarts. And they love me – especially my thighs. 
Is it possible to have a healthy alternative?
Unlike depressing, fattening butter tarts, my version is delicious, nutritious and guilt free!
- 1/4 cup Salba whole seed combined with 1 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup raisins soaked in 1/4 cup water for a half hour – then drained
- 1 cup maple syrup or raw agave
- 1 cup chopped cashews (raw or roasted)
- 1/2 cup Mum’s Original Roasted Hemp Hearts
- 1/4 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoon solid coconut oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 tablespoon ground Salba (more or less depending upon how gooey you like your tarts)
- Soak the whole seed Salba in water in one bowl. In a separate bowl, soak raisins in water – let sit for 1/2 hour and then drain water from the raisins.
- Add the whole seed Salba mixture with the raisins.
- Add all other ingredients (including ground Salba) together to original Salba mixture, mix well and refrigerate for 1/2 hour. For a crust, use the Super Duper Energy Bars recipe
- Press into small tart tins.
- Let chill in the freezer on its own for an hour, remove and then add the filling and let chill in the fridge.
Call to Cauliflower – Gluten Free, Vegan, Nut Free
May 20th
Description
I really do not like cauliflower. It smells and tastes like cabbage to me but I know that it has great nutritional benefits. So to make this taste the way it should I have concocted the following super yummy recipe. I now love cauliflower!
- 1/4 heaping teaspoon of EACH: coriander seed, caraway seed, red
pepper whole seed, cardamon seed (all found at most bulk food locations) - 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cups washed and sliced cauliflower flowers
- juice of half a lemon
- 1 1/2 tablespoon Bragg’s liquid aminos
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon of Salba
In a fry pan heat first 2 T olive oil on medium to high heat and once heated slowly add the cardamon, then pepper, then coriander, and then caraway. Toast all spices until browned (about 5 minutes total) by stirring constantly. Once browned set spices aside. In a frying pan, heat 2 T olive oil on medium and once heated add cauliflower along with Braggs’s Amino Acids, salt and lemon juice. Cover and cook Cauliflower until soft but solid (about 5 – 8 minutes). Turn off heat and place cauliflower in a serving dish. Sprinkle with toasted spices and one tablespoon of Salba and serve.
Super Duper Energy Bars – Gluten Free, Soy Free, Vegan
May 20th
Description
This simple recipe will provide a super protein and Omega infused energy boost for post workouts or as a pick-me-up first thing in the morning or mid-afternoon. Easy to make, store this in the fridge for the go-to energy bar.
- 2 1/2 cups almond meal
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut flakes
- 1 cup Mum’s Original Roasted Hemp Hearts
- 1/3 cup Mum’s Original Hemp Protein Powder
- 1/3 cup Salba whole seed
- 1/2 cup chopped dried cranberries (or other dried fruit like Goji Berries)
- 2 tablespoons Amazing Grass Superfood Powder – Berry flavoured (or another green powder)
- 1/4 teaspoon powdered cinnamon
- 1/3 cup agave
- 3/4 cup melted coconut oil
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Mix the first 8 ingredients together (all dry ingredients) in a bowl. In a separate bowl, add together the last three (agave, coconut oil and vanilla). Combine the wet ingredients with dry ingredients and mix well. Place into a glass 13 x 9 inch pan at 3/4 inch thick and push down and level. Place in freezer to become solid. Let set 1 hour. Take out and cut into squares. Place squares into a container in the fridge for easy access.
The Top 10 Easy and Cheap Ways to Get Fit
May 17th
To get moving there are some simple steps you can take to get on the right path. To give you some ideas, I have set up my top 10 easiest and cheapest ways to get fit:
1. Sex
You have to love something that feels great, costs no money and will help slim you down. A woman weighing 160 pounds having five minutes of foreplay and 20 minutes of sex loses approx 110 calories. Not only is sex a great exercise, but orgasms also release endorphins that make you feel happy and positive about yourself! So have a good roll (safe sex always) to get a good workout in and feel perky.
2. Walk
Simple and cheap, this is a great way to get in some quality time with your partner, friends or kids or just have some you time. You can get in a cardiovascular workout without even breaking a sweat! A person weighing 62kg (or 137 pounds) and walking an hour at an average speed will burn about 260 calories. Not a bad return for a walk and talk! So grab a walking partner and make it part of your daily routine.
3. Supermen
This one is super easy, can be done anywhere and brings relief to your back while strengthening it. Lie down on your stomach on the floor with your eyes looking at the floor. Point your toes downwards and elongate your body to get a good stretch in. While holding the stretch, bring your arms out in front of you (raised about four inches from the ground) and point your thumbs up towards the ceiling. Take a deep breath, pull back your shoulders and start to slowly raise your arms towards the ceiling while bringing your shoulders and then your chest off the ground. At the same time, slowly raise both legs up off the ground. Your arms and feet should both be heading for the ceiling at the same time – strive to have your body looking like a semicircle. Squeeze your butt muscles and exhale and slowly return to starting position. Repeat as many times as you can but aim for 20 a day to get good returns. If this is too tricky with both arms and legs then simply alternate between opposite arm and leg. Make sure you avoid jerking your neck and you don’t tuck your head into your shoulders.
4. Wall Push-ups
This is an easy way to get the benefits of push-ups without the pain of doing it on the floor. I could never do a full push-up even at the height of my “fit self” because it always hurt my toes. Pick any wall and stand facing it with your toes two feet away. Extend your arms out and place your hands, shoulder width apart, on the wall in front of you. Keep your body straight and pull in your abdominal muscles. Bending only at the elbows, slowly lower yourself forward towards the wall. Then slowly push yourself away from it. Pick a spot in your home that you walk past frequently and plan to stop and do one every time you walk past that spot. You won’t believe how much of a difference this one makes. Aim for 20 a day.
5. Squats
This one is easy – if you do this every time you are about to sit down for a meal you will be fit in no time! Grab a kitchen chair and stand about 1.5 feet away from it. Place your hands on top of chair. Point your feet towards the chair and keep them shoulder width apart. Keep your torso straight, abdominal muscles tight and slightly arch your back. Slowly bend your knees while keeping them over your toes. Squat down as far as it is comfortable, hold the position and then slowly raise yourself by using your leg muscles. Do 20 a day.
6. Standing Calf Raises
This one is a great way to get nice summer legs and have them year-round. Pick some stairs or get out an old thick phone book. Stand on the edge of the step/book with only the balls of your feet on the step/book. Keeping your knees stiff, body straight and tall, lower your heels down slowly towards the floor. Only bend at the ankle. Go down as far as you can until you feel a strong stretch in your calves. Reverse the direction – don’t bounce – and then push up as high as you can. Start by doing both feet at the same time and then go to one foot for greater challenge. Do this while talking on the phone and you can get your workout in without even thinking about it.
7. Arm Twirls
This one requires a bit of room, but is a great way to get tighter arms and get an upper back workout. Stand straight with your tummy tight and your feet shoulder width apart. Extend both arms out at shoulder height with fingers pointed straight. Start to make small circles the size of a doughnut (the one you will never eat again) in a clockwise motion. Speed up your circles and do 50 of them. Then reverse and do them counter clockwise. After completing the doughnut-sized ones, start to make huge circles (the size of a bike tire – the one you will soon be riding everywhere) clockwise and then reverse. You will have a toned upper back and arms in no time!
8. Just Sit There
This is the easiest thing you can ever do to stay fit and aligned. Whenever you are sitting (at work, in a car or in front of the TV or computer) make sure you do the following:
- Keep your shoulders back, not rolled forward. This will keep your chest muscles stretched out and your neck and upper back as well.
- Sit upright. This will force your lower back to stretch and will give your abs a little stretch as well. During every set of commercials on TV or every 15 minutes at your desk or in the car, contract your ab muscles; release and repeat 20 times. This will give you more success than doing sit-ups once a week.
- Raise your heels off the ground and go up and down with your heels quickly so as to jiggle your entire leg. This will keep circulation going and will exercise your leg muscles. P.S.: don’t do the “jiggles” while driving the car – only as a passenger!
9. Balance
While standing for any reason, try to stand on one foot and balance for 30 seconds. The other can be 1 inch off the ground or higher. Alternate your feet. This will help to develop your core strength and is a great way to exercise in those “unused moments” like waiting in line, waiting for public transit or talking on the phone. Do this 10 times for each foot.
10. Laugh!
Research indicates laughter can be the best medicine for weight loss. While studying adults watching film clips, the researchers discovered that laughing increased the heart rate and calorie expenditure of all participants by up to 20 per cent! The longer they laughed, the greater the effects. Using the results, the researchers calculated that with 15 minutes of laughter a day you can burn 10 to 40 calories (depending on the laughter’s intensity and the person’s weight), which is enough to lose a couple of pounds a year. So keep on laughing!
What’s Not-so-Natural in Your “Natural” Burgers?
May 14th
A report has been released by the food and agriculture nonprofit organization Cornucopia Institute on Soy Proteins used in many veggie burgers. Now, I have been eating Veggie-Burg’s for years and have assumed that because they are “natural” or “made with organic ingredients” they are the safe and a healthy good-for-you choice.
What Cornucopia’s Report found was that most non-organic veggie burgers currently on the market are made with a chemical called hexane which is an air pollutant as recognized by the EPA and a known neurotoxin. So why would anybody use a neurotoxin in health-based foods. Well, it seems that manufacturers opt for the cheapest means of separating the soy protein from the soy beans by submerging soybeans in a bath of hexane. The addition of hexane substantially speeds up the separation process of the oil from the protein.
Any non-organic product that contains a soy protein isolate, soy protein concentrate, or texturized vegetable protein, will likely have hexane in the processing. Although hexane is a neurotoxin, surprisingly the FDA and CFIA does not monitor or regulate hexane residue in foods. Even worse is that due to North American labeling laws, there is no requirement for manufacturers to list the ingredients used in the processing of food. To add fuel to this toxic fire, according to the report, “Nearly every major ingredient in conventional soy-based infant formula is hexane extracted.”
For a list of all Veggie Burgers that are made with hexane, see page 37 of the Report and include:
Hexane Burgers
- Amy’s Kitchen
- Boca Burger, conventional
- Franklin Farms
- Garden Burger
- It’s All Good Lightlife
- Morningstar Farms
- President’s Choice
- Taste Above
- Trader Joe’s
- Yves Veggie Cuisine
Hexane-free products:
- Boca Burgers that say “Made with organic soy”
- Helen’s Kitchen
- Morningstar that say “Made with organic”
- Superburgers by Turtle Island
- Tofurky
- Wildwood
Soy based foods labeled “made with organic ingredients” or “natural” may be made with hexane. So when choosing a veggie burger, opt for products labeled “organic” as these aren’t allowed to contain any hexane-derived ingredients.
For more information, read the Cornucopia Institute’s full study:
8 tips for getting busy without a gym membership
May 13th
There are ways to get busy without paying for a gym membership you will
never use. There are so many things in day that can all add up to make a
difference – you just need to start and to keep on doing it! Here are just a
few tips:
• Take the stairs – always. Don’t do elevators, escalators or hot air
balloons unless you must.
• Wake up every morning to a full stretch without even getting out
of bed! Lie in bed and reach your arms up high over your head with
feet pointed down. Start the stretch at your fingertips and work your
way down to your toes. Try to feel every muscle pulling as you do it.
Once fully extended, release the stretch just as slowly. The stretch
should be 30 seconds long with the release another 30. Do it five
times for one minute each.
More >
Wholefoods Park Royal – Here I come!
May 11th
I am looking forward to meeting the team at the West Van Wholefoods (I love this store).
I will be doing an in store training and information session on super whole foods and my book the morning of Thursday May 13th (my lucky number?!).
Come hungry team!
: )
Ann
________________
Thanks Park Royal Wholefoods Team!
Here are some updated pictures of a great day of training (thanks to Tracy for the pics)!
Ann
Omega Popcorn
May 10th
Description
This simple addition to a snacker’s standby is an easy way to boost the benefits of popcorn.
- 4 cups popped popcorn
- 3-4 tablespoon Mum’s Original Hempseed Oil
- 1 tablespoon Red Star Nutritional Yeast Flakes.
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- pinch of garlic powder
Place corn in a bowl. Drizzle on oil and then sprinkle on yeast flakes, salt, onion powder and garlic powder. Toss and enjoy!
