The 2014 Shoppers Guide To Pesticides In Produce

There is a list put out each year tested by the EWG (Environmental Working Group) of the top 15 fruits and vegetables with the least amount of pesticides, called "The Clean Fifteen".  The EWG list is to help you buy produce at the grocery store if you can't always buy organic.  The most contaminated fruits and vegetables list is called "The Dirty Dozen".

Here is EWG's 2014 shoppers guide of both lists to help reduce the amount of pesticides you consume in your diet:

"The Clean Fifteen"

1)  Sweet Corn
2)  Onions
3)  Pineapple
4)  Avocadoes
5)  Cabbage
6)  Frozen Sweet Peas
7)  Papayas
8)  Mangoes
9)  Asparagus
10)  Eggplant
11)  Kiwi
12)  Grapefruit
13)  Cantaloupe
14)  Sweet Potatoes
15)  Mushrooms

"The Dirty Dozen" (Recommended to buy organic)

1) Apples
2) Strawberries
3) Grapes
4) Celery
5) Peaches
6) Spinach
7) Sweet bell peppers/hot peppers
8) Nectarines - imported
9) Cucumbers
10) Cherry tomatoes
11) Snap peas - imported
12) Potatoes

Recently Updated -

PLUS + 2

+ Domestic blueberries
+ Kale & Lettuce









Please also read my post "Tips on Buying Healthier Foods for Your Family", which explains why you should read the labels on produce.

Doctors Oath "Do No Harm"

Anti-Psychotic drugs as well as Bi-polar medication are extremely dangerous and detrimental to your health.  In fact, those pharmaceutical drugs are considered a modern form of LOBOTOMY.  And most of you know what that means because it impairs your judgment and can make you into a vegetable.  Eating a healthy organic diet and living healthy will not only reverse illness but you'll feel and look better!   Doctors prescribe a course of chemotherapy for their cancer patients, when in reality if most doctors developed cancer they would use an alternative therapy for themselves.


People are dying or become ill every day from taking harmful medications prescribed by their own doctors whom they trust to help make them better.  In most cases, only one medication is prescribed for the wrong reasons and used for multiple ailments.  For example Celebrex is prescribed as an anti-depressant and for arthritis , when indeed it actually causes depression.

Seroquel is the market name of a drug called "Quetiapine," which is produced by AstraZeneca. It is primarily used as an antipsychotic for schizophrenia or to treat bipolar disorder. However, doctors and psychiatrists also prescribe this drug for off-label usage to treat alcoholism, insomnia, anxiety disorders and major depression.    Off-label medications that are prescribed by doctors are actually drugs promoted by representatives of the drug telling the doctors how to manage their patients.   Pharmacy Companies use commercial advertising to sell their drugs to the medical community, even though they are dangerous and harmful.  The doctors know this because of a [BLACK BOX WARNING] from the FDA , allowing them to prescribe these medications without the patient knowing. Therefore, people have died terrible painful deaths from this illegal practice.

Medical students should be retrained for Natural alternatives to a problem.  To treat the cause of a medical issue and not just the symptoms!   There is a Net Profit for the doctors to lie to their patients about these dangerous drugs.  They are paid a handsome profit for prescribing them to you.

So the doctors oath "Do No Harm" has no meaning for the doctors prescribing dangerous medications to their patients. 

My antidote for today is to read your pharmacy prescriptions, pay attention to the side effects, and get a copy of your own medical records.  Make sure to be your own patient advocate! 

ADHD in Adults - Symptoms and Natural Treatments

I have an interest in ADHD because I had all the symptoms as a child and it has developed into Adult ADHD, which is usually the case. I absolutely refuse to take pharmaceutical medication for the symptoms because of the dangerous side-effects.  I know this first-hand because my son was diagnosed with ADHD when he was about 3 years old.  His pediatrician prescribed Ritalin (a stimulant medication) which made his symptoms much worse.  I have lived with ADHD for 62 years now, and it is not only challenging but extremely disruptive and annoying.

From the perspective of the medical community, they assume that it is genetic, and passed down from one or both parents.  But they also state that it might be acquired if a women smoked or drank too much alcohol while pregnant.

I recently spoke to Ryan, a consultant with the Sedona Wellness Retreat in Arizona, which uses the Gerson therapy to treat people with cancer and other illnesses.  The Sedona consultant stated that ADHD may not be genetic and the symptoms can be minimized with their treatment plan, which costs a whopping $7000 for a two week stay at the retreat!  I don't have that kind of money on hand, and it's not paid by medical insurance.

For anyone who suffers from the debilitating symptoms of adult ADHD like myself, I researched more thoroughly to find some less expensive options to minimize these symptoms with supplements, vitamins, herbal medicines and organic foods.

Symptoms of Adult ADHD:

* Hyperactivity - fidgeting, constant motion, inability to relax.
* Inattention - difficulty completing tasks, maintaining relationships, focusing attention, forgetfulness, misplacement or loss of things, distractibility, and impulsivity.        

The key to the diagnosis of ADHD for an adult is the presence of symptoms before he or she was 7 years old.


Natural Treatments for Adult ADHD Symptoms:

Proper nutrition is essential for ADHD symptoms.  In addition, some specific vitamins, supplements, minerals and herbs help improve these symptoms.  

These are some of the most beneficial supplements, minerals, and herbs to help with the symptoms of ADHD:

1) Omega-3 Fatty Acids (primarily from wild-caught fish)

2) Zinc (regulates brain chemicals)

3) Flax Seed Oil 

4) Krill Oil

5) Ashwagandha (also known as Winter Cherry and Indian Ginseng) soothes and calms down the stressed mind and nerves.  It is a world class herb that is beneficial in a tonic for nerve health, sexual well-being, stress, and insomnia.  

*These incredible 5 additives have helped me personally minimize my symptoms of adult ADHD. I've also learned to cut back on my coffee intake, get more sleep, and try not to worry so much.  I'm praying that in the future there will be a cure for this absolutely aggravating and frustrating illness.

• Please comment and add your suggestions - I would love to hear from you!

Intuitively Yours,
Laurel ♥

BANNED FOOD INGREDIENTS STILL ALLOWED IN THE US

I will list the WORST banned food ingredients in a series of upcoming posts.


Number One:
Brominated Vegetable Oil (aka BVO).  Found in sports drinks and citrus-flavored sodas.  The FDA has approved this ingredient as safe.  BVO acts as an emulsifier, preventing the flavoring from separating and floating to the surface of a beverage.

Health Hazards:  Competing with iodine, elevated levels may lead to thyroid issues, such as hypothyroidism, autoimmune disease and cancer.  The main ingredient Bromine, is a poisonous chemical that is considered both corrosive and toxic.  Bromine has been linked to major organ failure, birth defects, growth problems, schizophrenia and hearing loss, which explains why it is banned in 100 countries.

Sports Drinks and Sodas:  Gatorade, Mountain Dew, Powerade, Fanta orange, Fresca, Squirt, and Sunkist.


Read the labels of all foods before you buy them to avoid toxic chemicals.  While it may seem like the US government is out to protect us from bad or "fatal food", and borne illnesses, they don't completely have our best interest or health in mind.

Tips on Buying Healthier Foods For Your Family

If you are unable or can't afford to shop at an Organic Food store, I have some great tips for buying healthy foods for you and your family at your local grocery store.  Bring your list for the menus you will be preparing for the week.  Shop the outer perimeters of the grocery store first, as this is where the healthier foods are located: 1) Produce (fruits and vegetables) 2) Bulk whole grains, seeds, and nuts. 2) Meats, poultry and fish  3) Cage-free eggs, pure butter 4) Frozen Foods.

I shop at Cub Foods grocery store because I live in the area.  Cub grocery store has two aisles labeled 'natural' and an organic produce section.  Grocery stores such as Whole Food Market's, Trader Joe's, and Aldi's are also great alternatives in the Minneapolis area.  Depending upon where you live, follow my tips as they apply to any grocery store in the US.    Be careful when buying 'Natural' foods, as they are NOT always natural. 'Natural' is labeled on some products to fool you into thinking that the product is safe, when indeed it's usually not.

Produce:  

All fruits and vegetables have a label on them telling you what country they came from. Look for fruits and vegetables that are labeled from Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Costa Rica or locations outside the US, unless labeled organic.  I usually stay away from brand named produce but there are exceptions.  For example, I recently purchased a fresh whole pineapple and although it was labeled Dole, the pineapples origin was Costa Rica, so I knew it was free of pesticides. Whenever possible, shop for produce at your local Farmers Market.

Whole Grains, Nuts and Seeds:

Buy whole grains (a safe carb), nuts and seeds from the bulk bins.  You'll save money and they are healthier.  Make sure they are pure and do not include canola or soy oil in the ingredients.

Meats, Poultry, and Fish:
Buy only the leanest meats, not packaged or processed.  I personally don't eat red meat or pork, but that's up to you.  Choose chicken or turkey that are labeled: No antibiotics ever, fed all vegetarian diet, no animal by-products, humanely raised, and raised cage free.  The healthiest fish to buy is wild caught Alaskan sockeye salmon, as it is full of Omega 3's.  Albacore tuna in spring water and Pacific sardines are also healthy for you. Make sure the fish is not FARMED, but wild caught.

Dairy:
Pure butter and organic or cage-free eggs are the only items I buy from the dairy department.  Milk and milk products are extremely unhealthy for you.  Buy cheese that is not pasteurized and not processed.

Frozen Foods:
Frozen meals may not be as nutritious as freshly cooked food, but you can take these pointers to make them healthy to some extent.

When purchasing frozen items, avoid ones with any kind of cheese sauce. These meals are high in calories and saturated fat. Also, once you thaw the box, do not refreeze it again. Take out only the amount you want quickly and refreeze the rest in case of a packet.

Avoid buying frozen fruits packed in syrup. The rule of thumb is this: check the ingredients. The only ingredients that should be listed in the fruits or vegetables you are purchasing are the fruits or vegetables themselves.

*Always read the labels!



I hope these tips help you to plan healthier meals for you and your family!

Happy St. Patrick's Day !

Hello everyone!   Today I'm not going to bore you with nutrition facts and advice.  But I happen to have for you a green breakfast smoothie recipe for the start of your day, and an easy healthy salad for lunch.  


Start your day with an organic green smoothie for breakfast -

Ingredients:

1 cup of fresh spinach
1 banana
1/2 cup of pineapple chunks

Blend with ice cold spring water ( add ice)



Shamrock Energy Salad for lunch - (take it to work)

1/2 cup shredded romaine lettuce
1/2 cup of clover sprouts
1/2 Avocado
1 carrot, grated
1/4 cup diced green pepper
1/8 cup of organic sunflower seeds (shelled)

Top with: My homemade Organic Honey balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing (locate on my blog)


St. Patrick's Day is not a government holiday and most of you will be working 9-5 Monday.  My suggestion is to go OUT for dinner!  Eat and drink sensibly, but MOST of all have a wonderful time! 

Intuitively yours,
Laurel  ♣

Shamrock made with Clover

February 2, 2014 "Super Bowl Sunday"

Lauren "The Health Babe" I'm not particularly fond of football, but I still enjoy watching the Super Bowl. It's worth watching even if you're not into football that much because Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers are performing in the halftime show. But the real "kicker" (pardon the pun) is that after the super bowl, the show "New Girl" will air. Even if you've never watched this show, watch it if you happen to be a PRINCE fan! PRINCE is guest starring, and PERFORMING his new song! I am a huge fan of Prince...not only because he grew up and performed in Minneapolis, MN where I live, but he's an amazing performer and composer. "Tune in to Fox...it's worth the watch".



PRINCE  "Purple Rain"

My homemade "Organic" Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing Recipe

My easy homemade salad dressing is healthy, delicious, and more economical than NEWMAN'S OWN  Extra Virgin Olive Oil Balsamic Vinaigrette.  This dressing has canola oil, soybean oil, and vegetable oil in the ingredients, which are known to be unhealthy.  It also contains sulfites and xanthan gum for thickening, (which in small amounts won't harm you), but you don't need thickeners for my dressing.


 Organic Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing

1/4 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp.  Organic chopped garlic  ( or you can use chopped shallots)
1/3 cup Organic balsamic vinegar
3 tsp honey (either homegrown or raw honey)
3/4 cups Organic extra virgin olive oil

In medium bowl , mix the first 4 ingredients together, and whisk in the olive oil.

Pour dressing mixture into a clean salad dressing bottle by using a funnel.  Shake closed bottle WELL.  I used the type of salad dressing bottle that has a stopper under the cap...which is easily removable so you can use this bottle again.  Use approx. an 8 oz bottle, or larger depending on if you want to double the recipe.

Pour dressing over salad and toss lightly to coat.

No refrigeration is necessary.  Store in your kitchen cupboard.


ENJOY!

Today I'm remembering the past ...sharing with you my poetry/prose

     My Lover in the Darkness

My lover in the darkness, to touch, to hold , to feel the firm press of your body next to mine.

The softness of your skin quickens the beat of my heart as my fingers slide across your smooth form.

In trance, I watch the slight rise and fall of your chest as you lay sleeping, and like a whirlpool I'm drawn in by your essence with thoughts of pleasure rushing over me.

I kiss your lips and you awaken...cradling me in your arms.  My lover in the darkness, I await as you lose yourself inside of me.

Written by Laurel

1996