In this episode, we talk to Joyce Laszloffy about how she kicked sugar and optimized her physical, mental and emotional health. Whether it’s an addiction to sugar or other unhealthy behaviors, we often seek something external to appease “the voice” in the head that says, “I am not good enough. I am not enough.” Listen as Joyce and Keith discuss how they overcame that voice and unhealthy behavior to live a peaceful, healthy life.
wellness
There is so much to be said about the food industry. What can we trust and do we really know if we are getting the truth about our food? In my blog last week, I talked about Extra Virgin Olive Oil and the facts from research and studies that say between 85 and 92 percent of the time, olive oil is NOT extra virgin! So what can we believe? And what are some other products that we have to worry about? Referencing a recent podcast that I listened to, Larry Olmsted, food and travel columnist for Forbes.com, shared some shocking information about seafood.
Olmsted says, “seafood is probably the single worst category of food issues in our country. Ninety-one percent of the seafood we eat in the United States is imported, and a lot of this is farmed and produced with no oversight at facilities in Asia that have a well-established track record of using banned or unapproved antibiotics and chemicals. They’re often transshipped to other countries on the way to hide their place of origin. The bottom line with seafood is a lot of the seafood we consume in the United States; we don’t know where it came from.” The ironic thing is that many people buy and consume seafood thinking they are eating healthier! Olmsted says the easiest way to shop for seafood is to look for the seal of approval on the package. There are a couple of third-party certification agencies that trace the seafood, and Costco is a retailer who uses this seal heavily. That’s another gold star for one of my favorite stores. Whole Foods is another excellent choice for seafood.
My favorite seafood is salmon. I have known for some time that wild salmon is much healthier and better for you than “farmed”. Salmon farming is a type of aquaculture where the fish are grown in net cages, typically located in sheltered bays and fjords along the coast. Salmon are hatched in brood hatcheries and grown in freshwater until they are large enough to transfer to marine pens. Roughly two-thirds of salmon consumed in the United States is farm-raised salmon, while the remainder is wild caught. Unfortunately, farmed-raised salmon is the fastest growing food production system in the world. Many people don’t even know there is a difference. According to Prevention magazine, farmed salmon is higher in contaminants and even flame-retardants. When salmon are raised in pens and fed soy, nutritional value plunges. Wild salmon has 32% fewer calories than farmed and half the fat! With those nutritional facts, I always look to buy wild salmon. Costco has sockeye wild salmon fillets in their frozen section that are very good! You can save big bucks by buying Costco’s canned wild Alaskan pink salmon. It is delicious! I always keep it stocked in my pantry for a quick meal that doesn’t have to be cooked.
The United States Department of Agriculture (www.ChooseMyPlate.gov) would recommend that you eat seafood twice a week. It’s high in protein and includes healthy omega-3 fats. Be sure to choose wisely and know what you are buying.
Amy
Are you buying what you think you’re buying when it comes to real food? I listened to a podcast recently and was shocked to learn what food manufacturers can get away with saying on the label of their products. Is it deceptive? You can be the judge, but in my opinion…. yes, it is! Larry Olmsted, food and travel columnist for Forbes.com, has written a new book, “Real Food, Fake Food” in which he reveals some of the food industries dirty secrets.
A common staple in most every kitchen is the bottle of “Extra Virgin Olive Oil”. Has there ever been a reason to question the authenticity of this product? Several studies based on chemical analysis have been conducted and, depending on which one you cite, between 85 and 92 percent of the time, that olive oil is NOT extra virgin. Olmstead has a few tips for finding a good EVOO. First, he says that you can’t shop by price thinking that a fancy oil from a gourmet specialty store costing $30 must be the real thing. He recommends finding one from Australia, if you can. Most people would think that “Made in Italy” has got to be the real thing, but the reality is that Italy exports very little of its high quality olive oil. They can’t even produce enough to meet their own local demand. What they do export is what they have imported – from all around the Mediterranean, Morocco, Syria, Lybia and Turkey. They will then blend it and sell it as bottled in Italy! What can you safely buy and know that it’s a good quality olive oil. Whole Foods 365 brand is good. Larry orders his olive oil from a place called The Fresh Pressed Olive Oil Club. Another thing to think about is how long does a bottle of EVOO last in your kitchen cabinet? The better the quality, the longer it lasts. However, even with the best olive oil in the world, once you open it, nine months is the absolute longest time recommended. We need to remember that while most oil — almost all the other oils we use are from seeds, olive oil is fresh pressed juice.
I have the huge bottle of Kirkland Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil in my kitchen cabinet, so my ears really tuned in when Olmstead started talking about Costco. This is my favorite store, which I will save for a blog all on its own. While the information and opinions on Costco’s EVOO vary, most would say that the Tuscan olive oil in a glass bottle is really good. As I read the fine print on my own plastic Costco bottle, it says “Packed in Italy with select oils from Portugal, Italy and Spain”. I appreciate the honesty. Personally, I have great trust in the products of Costco. Olmsted did share my opinion about Costco by saying that you are better off buying at big box stores like Costco because they have “enormous clout and often lock up the production of a particular farm or supplier who they can dictate standards to”.
I will finish my bottle of extra virgin olive oil, but I have certainly become much more aware of what to look for on labels and to always form my own opinions, based on my own research, in regard to what is real and what is not. Stay tuned to my next blog where I will share some information that I learned about seafood and parmesan cheese – real or not? That should always be a question. What would you want to put in your body?
Amy
Everywhere you look you will see processed foods from grocery store shelves to restaurants. You will hear startling statistics like 70% of the American diet is made up of processed foods or more than half the calories Americans eat are from “ultra-processed foods”. As we get busier and busier we have less time to cook and “convenience” foods become a tempting option. What exactly is a processed food? Well, some obvious examples are potato chips, cookies, crackers, granola bars, frozen pizza, candy and fast food. The not so obvious would be most anything that comes in a box or a jar and has a label. Processed foods can be high in added sugars, saturated fats, additives and chemicals!
Whole foods are most often found around the perimeter of a grocery store and include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, legumes and some “grass-fed” or “pasture raised” dairy items. They are foods that are as close to their natural form as possible, and they are full of nutrients.
Making the shift from processed foods to whole foods isn’t easy, but, like anything, if you are committed you can make it happen. Make it a habit, and wholesome eating can become a part of your everyday unconscious routine. Your health is worth the effort. The following are 7 tips to get started.
- Commit to change – Understand that consuming processed foods in excess over time is not good for your health.
- Research and educate – Read articles about food and health. Watch a food documentary. My favorites are Food, Inc., Forks Over Knives and Fed Up.
- Make a plan for shopping – Stock up on organic frozen fruits and vegetables and buy in-season fresh produce to make salads and cook within the next few days.
- Read labels – Be aware of added sugar and fat. Less ingredients are always better.
- Cook meals at home – Anyone can do it! Start easy with salads filled with your favorite veggies and canned wild pink salmon. Or, a simple chicken breast baked with your favorite spices.
- Use healthier condiments – This is an easy one! Look for the spicy salsas without added sugar – my favorite is 505 Southwestern Chunky Salsa. Cholula Hot sauce or Sriracha will add a kick to most anything. And, two more of my favorites, mustard (without added sugar) and hummus.
- Keep at it! There will be times when staying away from the processed foods is difficult and you may slip up. What’s important is that you get back on track and hold strong with the tips above.
I will be the first to admit that I eat some processed foods, but only what I would determine to be healthy for me. That said, the ultimate goal is to always be striving towards more whole foods and less processed. Some days will be better than others, but, as you educate yourself, you will be on an upward slope towards establishing a clean way of eating for life. You will have more energy and you’ll be in a happy mood because you are in control. What is one highly processed food that you can give up today?
Amy
My mom made sure physical activity was a part of my childhood – from swimming, dance and gymnastics to camping trips that involved enjoying the outdoors through hiking, fishing or even riding motorcycles. Like most parents, she sat through many years of gymnastic meets. That alone would be enough to acknowledge her for. But that would leave out the fitness role model she became for me in my adult years. It is this example that continues to inspire me to make health and fitness a lifelong commitment. [Read more…] about My Mom Is Awesome
What can you do today to increase your energy level and get your nutrition back on track? The following are 5 foods that, you may not even be aware, are less than ideal choices. Time for some healthier options! [Read more…] about 5 foods to avoid starting now