Food for thought and.. Rules

Besides my addiction to the Twilight series, the only book I've been able to concentrate on is Michael Pollan's Food Rules. The first good thing about this book, is that its not a book. Rather, its a handy little manual of fully digestive material that you can wrap your head around without going stircrazy.

In Food Rules, Pollan outlines what kind of food we should eat and how we should consume it....

Here are my top favorite food rules

1. Eating what stands on one leg (mushrooms/plants) is better than eating what stands on two legs (chicken), which better than eating what stands on four legs (cows, pigs, and other mammals)

2. Pay More, Eat less

My thoughts: As a student, on a oh-so-average income it is sometimes difficult to budget your grocery shopping and get everything you need. Especially when eating a whole foods diet, requiring superfoods, supplements, and all those gogi berries!

However, in contrast to people eating Mcdonald's and Burger King, I know in the grand scheme of things, im making the right choice. Eating fast food or frozen Lean Cusine may save people a a buck or two, BUT they may be spending their extra savings on health bills later on in life becuase of their poor food choices.

3.Avoid the foods you see on television

My thoughts: I love watching CSI and Jeopardy on the weekdays, what i dont love, is the silly commerical breaks in between, especially ones enticing viewers to buy products (NOT FOOD) like reeses pieces, cadbury, hersheys, etc. My latest favorite, is the Snicker's superbowl ad featuring Betty White . The claim: Snickers satifies her hungry and transforms her into a youthful football jock playing around in the mud. Seriously, leafy green veggies could and should be the golden girl's real choice.

4.Stop eating before you're full

My thoughts: I love food and love eating it. But, im grossed out by how many times i see people pigging out at the dinner table, as if it's their last supper. When I dine out, which is not so often, I notice that many restaurants are making portions sizes bigger and bigger. In some people's eyes, the larger quantity on their plate means better value for their meal. In my eyes, the more quanlity translates to less quality. Additionally, it leads to more waste, and more weight around the waist line.


For me, Food Rules, was a great introduction into the complex workings of the evergoing food and nutrition industry. My next step (after finishing Breaking Dawn) is to read his books In Defense of Food and Omnivore's Dilemma!!

A calling for Kale Chips

Browsing the aisles of Noah's one day, I stumbled upon kale chips. I've never been a chip kind of gal, but i was willing to try it. After just one bite, i was hooked. Crunchy, good flavour and a leafy green, all in one!!!

Kale, is from the cabbage family. It is loaded with nutrients. It is a great source of beta carotene, a good source of vitamin k, vitamin c, and rich in calcium.

Of course, when its cooked, it loses some of its nutritional value. But still, its much better than grabbing a bag of potato chips or pretzels.

KALE CHIPS recipe
compliments to Lucy DelRey

1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a non insulated cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. Remove the leaves from the thick stems and tear into bite size pieces. Wash and thoroughly dry kale with a salad spinner.
   
3. Drizzle kale with oil, several options : olive oil, hemp seed oil, pumpkin seed oil and sprinkle with seasoning salt.
4. Bake until the edges brown but are not burnt, 10 to 15 minutes.

If you don't have time to make them, Noah's Natural Foods offers a selection of different flavored kale chips. Prices range from $4 and up.

Kale caution: Kale contains goitrogen which can interfere with thyroid gland functioning.
Therefore, people with thyroid issues should avoid kale.

The best part of waking up...

Folgers tells people, "the best part of waking up is coffee (folgers) in your cup." But is it really the best part? Of course, its going to stimulate you, get your gears running, but is your body thirsty for coffee first thing in morning? I dont think so.

After sleeping for seven to eight hours a night, your body needs hydrating rather than stimulation. Unfortunately with years of drinking so many cups its hard for people to quit such habits. According to Cliff Harvey, a Nutrition and Natural Therapies specialist, 90% of the North American population ingest 200 to 280mg of caffeine daily. Moreover, with Tim Hortons, Second Cup, Starbucks, Coffee Time sprouting up on each city corner, its easy to be a caffeine scapegoat. If your willing to give it a go, here's what i suggest...

When you wake up, squeeze some lemon (maybe a teaspoon to start) in a cup of room temperature water. Gradually increase the amount of lemon if you want. Resist the urge to put on the coffee pot. Occupy yourself, by cutting up some fruit, packing your lunch for work etc.

If you absolutely cant resist going inside Timmy's or your local coffee joint.
Try to do one of these three things.
1. Order a smaller size of coffee than you normally do. (eg. Order a tall instead of the grande)
2. If you already order a small coffee, change it up, have a tea instead. Peppermint, Green tea etc.
3. If you are absolutely dying for a coffee, have one. BUT for every cup of coffee you drink, drink at least 1 to 2 cups of water!

So, the best part of waking up, is not folgers, but that you get to choose.
Choose whats best for and your body.