Category Archives: Diet And Food

For my parents generation, catering for vegetarians was certainly not the norm. In fact, vegetarian wasnt a recognised term like it is today plenty of people had never met a vegetarian before, and to embrace that title was to identify yourself as completely outside of the mainstream. Since then, social stigma has greatly improved and its rare to not find mushroom risotto on a restaurant menu, let alone expect a look of confusion or even repulsion from friends or family as a free side-dish accompanying their order.

Veganism is also gradually being accepted. Whilst its rare for someone to say they are vegan without being scrutinised for their dietary choices or posited counter-arguments, the situation has swiftly improved as it becomes more accepted and options like cheese alternatives and egg substitutions become available. I distinctly recall one particular lunchtime in year 10 when my best friend had mince thrown in her face and plate by a boy shouting various abusive terms; she had just turned vegan and was the first in our entire school. At the time, no one questioned his actions, and I was told off for demanding his apology. This all followed an ordeal with the catering staff who tried to serve her bacon-wrapped chicken with gravy. Even after repeating that no, she really didnt eat meat, they offered a plate of chicken without the bacon, and for about a month she made herself content with oily chips.

That was four years ago. Now, most people would (hopefully!) not tolerate such actions, let alone perform them, and would respect my friend for her choices regardless of their own beliefs. Figures from a survey by The Vegan Society indicates veganism is also gaining popularity, with approximately 600,000 vegans in the UK in 2018 just over 1% of the population[1].

But in the background is another diet that receives less attention: raw foodism.

I have to admit that I was completely ignorant of what a raw food diet actually meant before writing this article. What follows is a disclaimer: having never actually met anyone who follows this diet, Google quickly became my best friend.

BBC Good Food seemed the most logical place to start. Here I learnt that a raw diet consists of unprocessed, untreated and unrefined foods that have not been cooked more precisely, never heated above 48C (although figures vary between sources). Apparently it all began in the late 1800s after a doctor named Maximilian Bircher-Benner cured his jaundice by eating raw apples, stimulating a series of experiments into the effect raw foods have on human health. Few people follow a 100% raw diet, and it ranges from raw vegans to raw omnivores who eat uncooked or dried meat, unprocessed dairy products and even raw eggs. Generally speaking, however, dieters avoid pasta, bread, pastries, alcohol (maybe this explains why Im yet to meet a raw student?), chips and table salt (which rules out Hassans perhaps another reason), refined sugars and flours, pasteurized dairy the list goes on. Not even coffee or tea are permitted. Ovens, microwaves, hobs, barbeques are all ruled out and replaced instead with juicers, blenders and dehydrators.

So to summarise, raw foodism is based on a principle of eating unprocessed and uncooked foods. So what do people like Woody Harrelson actually eat?

Depending on how strict you are, the list includes fresh fruits and raw vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, seeds, raw nut butters, nut milk, coconut milk, coconut oils, fermented foods like sauerkraut, seaweed, (for some) raw fish like sushi and raw or dried meats, and soaked and sprouted beans, legumes and grains (for easier digestion).

Placed in context, here are a few examples of what a day could look like eating only raw foods:

Now for the critical question: what are the benefits, if any?

As it turns out, the benefits are few and far-fetching. Supporters argue that raw foods have higher nutritional values as some minerals and vitamins are destroyed during the cooking process, in particular the water-soluble ones like vitamin B and vitamin C. For example, tomatoes lose approximately 10% of their vitamin C content when heated above 57C for just two minutes. However, other fruit and vegetables benefit from cooking by breaking down the cell wall, making nutrients easier to be digested and absorbed, such as beta-carotene found in carrots and sweet potatoes (a compound converted to vitamin A in the body). Likewise, bonds in the tertiary structure of starch and protein are broken into smaller and easier to digest chains.

It is also argued that vital enzymes needed for digestion which are found in our food are denatured during cooking when heat breaks the bonds holding together the polypeptide chains that maintain an enzymes shape. Im no scientist, but doesnt our body produce its own enzymes for digestion? Besides, enzymes found in food are denatured in the acidic environment of the stomach, so scientists believe this argument is fairly weak.

I came across one raw food advocate called Fully Raw Kristina who was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes aged 16, and decided two years later to convert to a completely raw food diet. She ate peaches for two weeks straight when I began, and two years later she no longer diabetic. Since then, she started a business entailing a YouTube channel, recipe books and FullyRaw Retreats in Bali and St. Lucia. But and heres where the numbers really crunch to benefit from her recipes, answers to FAQs, meal plans and shopping lists, you have to join the Inner Circle costing $47/month. This subscription roughly equates to 38/month, adding up to a grand total of 450/year. Now also seems an appropriate time to say that there is limited scientific evidence that support the claim of preventing or controlling diabetes.

A raw diet does make the national five-a-day goal seem like a walk in the park meaning individuals benefit from a higher intake of minerals, vitamins and fibre. It also means you avoid processed foods containing chemical food additives to lengthen shelf life and added sugars and saturated fats to cater for the sweeter tooth of modern ages both have long been associated with negative health impacts. Studies note that raw food diets seem to lower blood cholesterol, as well as lowering the number of carcinogens consumed which increase cancer risk. A raw diet is also effective for people trying to lose weight, although some doctors online have said the demands and restrictions of the diet make it hard to maintain in the long run which can lead to more weight gain after coming off. More importantly, one group of researchers found that about 30% of women under 45 developed amenorrhea, a term for when menstrual periods stop due to insufficient calories.

There are, in fact, plenty of health concerns, especially in those following the diet strictly or over a long time period. For starters, without taking supplements, individuals have a lower intake of vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron and calcium. And whilst omnivores obtain their protein from meat and fish, vegetarians from eggs and vegans from legumes like lentils, chickpeas and beans, raw foodists mostly rely on nuts. Furthermore, there is a significant danger of food poisoning from Salmonella bacteria for those that eat raw eggs and meat, as well as from Listeria bacteria in unpasteurised milk.

Other drawbacks include the expenses. Organic ingredients are usually more costly and some people may be required to travel much further afield to find a grocery or speciality store that stocks a wide range of raw and organic products. Then there are the appliances: from blenders to juicers to dehydrators to food processors for slicing, grating and shredding, a quick search on Amazon indicated these run from 80 well into the hundreds.

Food preparation is also more time consuming, accounting for the time spent sprouting seeds, germinating nuts, dehydrating foods and juicing and blending. One online recipe for raw granola takes three-days with steps like soaking raisins and dehydrating the entire mix.

Above all else, the diet strikes me as very isolating. Its hard to eat out unless you can find a speciality restaurant because even a salad may have a dressing which contains ingredients that arent raw or natural. Staying around a friend or relatives house would likely be very challenging for them to cater for you unless they too were raw foodists, so it would be easy to find yourself feeling guilty or even cancelling plans due to your inconvenient dietary choice. Dont get me wrong there seems to be an entire online community supporting one another, but as the diet is far more limiting than vegetarianism and veganism its not nearly as popular and so chances are you wont have an immediate social network of raw foodists.

It would seem that the negatives far outweigh the benefits, some of which lack strong scientific evidence. This doesnt discount the diet entirely as we could probably all benefit from eating a few more vegetables and fruits, but balance is key. Raw foodism is an overarching concept interpreted differently depending on the dieter, with the degree of strictness varying between individual. But there is clearly a reason why doctors ask pregnant women, young children and seniors, people with weaker immune systems and chronic medical conditions like kidney disease to avoid this diet, and why many dont recommend to anyone. Raw foodism seems to me to be an example of where too much of a good thing isnt good anymore.

[1] https://www.vegansociety.com/about-us/further-information/key-facts

Image Credit: Sasha Gill

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The Raw Revolution - Oxford Student

environment

We mustlearn Covid-19's lessons for our relationship with the planet and help nature restore the living systems on which human life utterly depends, writes Rod Oram

(This is the first of three articles at Newsroom in conjunction with Pure Advantage and the Edmund Hillary Fellowship on the importance of regenerative agriculture. Tomorrow: The Good, the Bad and the Opportunity, by Alina Siegfried.)

Natures rebound is one of the upsides of the otherwise calamitous Covid-19 crisis. Atmosphere and waters cleared, land quietened, and birds, fish and animals returned. When we took our foot off the neck of nature, she responded with renewed vigour and resilience. But we gave nature only a temporary reprieve while lockdown lasted.

Speed is another surprise about the virus, in ways frightening and uplifting. It is spreading with astonishing speed through the human population. Harmless to the bats it came from, it is deadly to some people it attacks. Yet, people have responded fast, individually and collectively, magnificently and abysmally. One way or another, humankind is getting through this crisis.

We could choose to ignore these lessons of nature and speed. We could carry on the way we were before the virus struck. If so, nature would respond ever faster to the destructive pressure we humans put on it. Climate catastrophe, species extinction, ecosystem destruction and degradation of air, water and soil would all accelerate with frightening speed. With every species we eliminate, we break one more thread in the web of life.

Or we could choose to apply these lessons to our relationship with the planet. If we did, we would help nature restore the living systems on which human life utterly depends.

We could make our towns and cities healthier and more productive, in terms human and natural. Ways to do so include travelling less by relying more on virtual communications and walking, cycling and public transport; by restoring our urban rivers and coastal waters; and by bringing more of nature back into our urban environments to help us feed ourselves and restore our urban ecosystems.

Beyond our towns and cities, we could help nature rebuild its diversity and vitality, resilience and fecundity in all of Aotearoas land, waters, atmosphere and oceans. Ways to do so include eradicating predators from our native bush; helping threatened species recover; making infrastructure compatible with natural environments; ensuring tourism and other human activity dont degrade pristine places; and using natural resources in ways that help renew and regenerate the ecosystems which provide them to us.

An inexorable logic runs through these great ambitions. We must learn how to work with nature, not against it. In all we do.

One expression of this is the regenerative economy. This is a radical change from the exploitive economy which has driven human progress through the two centuries of industrialisation to date.

The bankruptcy of the exploitive economy is abundantly clear. One measure of its ecological failure is our breaching of some of the nine planetary boundaries defined by Earth systems science. One measure of its economic and social failure is the UNs Human Development Report.

Of all the enormous challenges of creating a regenerative economy, the greatest is learning regenerative ways to use land to grow food. Yet, doing so will have multiple benefits to the planet and people. It is the bedrock on which we can build sustainable human societies.

For the past century or so, the industrialisation of food production has had its triumphs. It has made much more food available to far more people at prices ever more affordable for many of them.

But such farming systems are the greatest human drivers of changes in land use, in ecosystem degradation and species extinction. Cumulatively, they are the greatest single cause of climate change, which only compounds and accelerates the other problems they create.

Moreover, some industrialised food consists of empty calories,those which provide energy but little or no other nutrition. Consequently, there are now more obese people (from a number of causes, not just nutrition) in the world than malnourished. This is causing a health crisis.

Overweight and obesity are linked to more deaths worldwide than underweight. Globally there are more people who are obese than underweight this occurs in every region except parts of sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, the World Health Organisation reported recently.

The twin goals of healthy people and a healthy planet are inextricably linked. But we cant achieve them by incremental improvements in existing systems. They are too broken, their damage is too great and our time too short. Only radical, fast reinvention informed by nature itself will work.

A wealth of investigations, initiatives and organisations have embraced this essential truth in recent years. They range from long-established bodies such as the World Economic Forum and The Commonwealth,to new alliances such as the Food and Land Use Coalition, which published a report last September entitledGrowing Better: Ten Critical Transitions to Transform Food and Land Use.

One of the best guides to how we can feed a healthy diet to 10 billion people (the likely human population by 2050, up from 7.8 bnow) within the planetary boundaries is the work of the EAT-Lancet Commission on Food, Planet, Health. This joint venture between a Scandinavian NGO and a British medical journal published its definitive report early last year.

Its starting point was to establish healthy reference diets, then to work out how much the shift to them would reduce the environmental impact of current food and farming systems.

Transformation to healthy diets by 2050 will require substantial dietary shifts, including a greater than 50 percent reduction in global consumption of unhealthy foods, such as red meat and sugar, and a greater than 100 percent increase in consumption of healthy foods, such as nuts, fruits, vegetables, and legumes.

The reports data, analysis and graphics are compelling. For example, red meat consumption in North America is five times the recommended healthy intake per person; in Europe and central Asia it is three times. Dairy consumption in those three regions is only moderately above the recommended intake. But the adverse environmental impacts of dairy production per serving are similar to red meat so they share the same transformational challenge.

In addition to changes in diet, new forms of food will play a crucial role too. Two alternatives to red meat and dairy products, for example, are substitutes made from plants or grown from stem cells. Both have significantly reduced environmental impact compared with the farmed versions, as do plants grown aeroponicallyand in other forms of indoor horticulture.

Here in New Zealand, our red meat and dairy sectors argue they have two advantages over their farming competitors abroad: they are more efficient, and their pasture-based systems have lower environmental impacts compared with feedlot farmers overseas. Thus, they believe they will always have plenty of consumers overseas who are willing to pay high prices for their high-quality products.

But thats as logical as if Volkswagen said it will always have plenty of customers for its high quality, reliable, safe and relatively low emission fossil fuel cars. Quite the contrary. It is designing thelast range of fossil fuel engines it will ever make. They will go into production in 2026 to tide it over until electric, hydrogen and other zero-emission technologies are ubiquitous. Along the way, Volkswagens customers are gaining substantial economic and environmental benefits.

Our farmers need to make a similar transition. Yes, they will keep producing quality meat and milk, just as Volkswagen will keep making cars. But how can they transform their science and practices to turn their farms from sources of greenhouse gas emissions into carbon sinks? This would help turn their farming from an extractive system to a regenerative one. And with zero nutrient losses due to the improved soil filtration of more diverse pastures with longer roots, their farms would be more productive and environmentally sustainable.

Transitioning rapidly to regenerative systems, our farmers would build ecological and economic resilience and establish this new competitive advantage, even over such farmers overseas. Our farmers will have a deeply compelling story to tell about their pivotal role in restoring Aotearoas unique ecosystems and species, and in encouraging urban Kiwis to bring true regeneration to their built environments and economic activity.

By helping nature rebuild the ecosystems on which their farmingdepends, they will be agents of positive change. Doing so, they will build far closer relationships with their customers at home and abroad, and with their fellow Kiwis who would applaud and support such a transformation.

A growing number of Kiwi farmers are already on the journey, as Pure Advantageand the Edmund Hillary Fellowshipexplore in their newly launched initiative Our Regenerative Future. This column is part of that series of articles laying out principles, practices and case studies of regenerative agriculture in New Zealand. Alina Siegfried is the lead author of the series, edited by Simon Millar at Pure Advantage and Im an EHF Fellow.

This is absolutely the right time for us to begin to regenerate. The virus crisis is forcing us all to think and act better and rewarding us for doing so. Nature is showing us the way.

Tomorrow: The Good, the Bad and the Opportunity, by Alina Siegfried.

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Rod Oram: Nature is showing us the way - Newsroom

A month ago, I invited you, my punderful readers, to submit your best original preys on words. Within hours, a punami of more than 50 original puns poured in, and by the deadline for submission, I swam in a torrent of more than 200. From start to finish, every day was Punday.

Such a response demonstrates that a good pun is its own reword. Heres a sample of the top puns. Ive posted a lot more on my website: http://www.verbivore.com. Lets get right to wit:

After my dinner date with Bo Derek, my cannibal co-workers at the electronics lab said, You know, that was attenuate. Erik Hanson, South Park

Letting those darned seals overpopulate down at the Childrens Pool really defeats the porpoise! Todd Hoover, La Jolla

What do you call a waffle at the beach? A Sandy Eggo. Bryant Berk, Normal Heights

The new movie with Harrison Ford about the love life of a misplaced garden tool is titled Ardors of the Lost Rake. Michael Punaro, Encinitas

Sometime in the late 1980s, I was covering the Masters golf tournament for the Union, sports columnist Barry Lorge at my side. As we worked on our stories, Barry suddenly asked, How do you spell cirrhosis? I answered, possibly correctly, and added, In these fast-paced, deadline-pressured circumstances, it can be helpful if you just stop to spell cirrhosis. Hank Wesch, La Mesa

Did you hear about the Boy Scout who started a business fixing broken car horns? He called it Beep Repaired. Patrick Elms, Carmel Valley

A donut baker bemoaning his girth lamented, I cant believe I ate the hole thing. I should cut down this roll around the middle. Linda Gross, Carlsbad

A mycologist wanted to add to her mushroom collection, but due to spore planning, it was such a sporgasbord, there wasnt mushroom for anything new. Claudia Lopez, Oceanside

A doctor insisted on stitching up his own wound. The nurse said, Suture self. Christopher Boyle, Glendale, Ariz.

What did one Neanderthal say to the other regarding a misunderstanding about the local flora? Him peach meant. Dawne Adam, National City

Whats the difference between me and garbage? Garbage gets taken out once a week. Mary Jo Crowley, Escondido

Did you hear about the swami who was in a fender bender? He was having an auto-body experience. Tim Hart, Carlsbad

Even though baseball players are on furlough, umpires are still working from home. Doug Miller, La Jolla

Why did the ghost win the pie-eating contest? Because he was the best at goblin it up. Lara Hardin, Escondido

Why didnt my husband go outside when he got dizzy? Because he didnt know vertigo. Vee Weaver Roebuck, Kearny Mesa

What do you call a one-of-a-kind trumpet? A unicorn (unique horn). John Silcox, Serra Mesa

I bird-proofed my home. Now its impeccable. Matt Strabone, North Park

Hurrying to get to the airport on time, Giovanni backed his Alfa Romeo out of his garage and drove over his suitcase containing his clothes. Anguished, he shouted, Mama mia! I have a flat attire! Howard Crabtree, Coronado

All this social distancing has given me an inferiority complex. Staying at home used to be enough, but now I have to go hide in abasement! Andy Tao, Los Alamitos

I attempted to eat a clock the other day. It was really time consuming. Carl P. Hennrich, Encinitas

Im a very skeptical person. The doctor recently told me that I needed a diet that was low in sodium. I took the advice with a grain of salt. Abraham Perez, San Ysidro

One mans meat is another mans poisson. Judith Leggett, Escondido

Why did the former vice president have to give up dancing? Because he couldnt find his Al Gore rhythm. Ren Halloran, Rancho Bernardo

When the HOV lane goes underground, it becomes a carpool tunnel. Peter Lawson, Carmel Mountain Ranch

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Jest for the pun of it, pun for all and all for pun! - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Catherine Cohen with her pigs in a blanket. Illustration: Margalit Cutler

I just kinda see what happens, and its been fun and a really nice way to remember what day it is, says the comedian Catherine Cohen of her weekly stand-up show, Cabernet Cabaret. Since the lockdown began, shes moved it from Club Cumming to her living room, performing on Instagram live while drinking things like dirty martinis and Ina Gartens cosmo. But even more than the show, she says, cooking helps her differentiate Tuesday afternoon from Thursday morning: Truly, Cohen says, food is the thing that is anchoring me to reality.

Thursday, April 23How on Gods green Earth is it already the end of April? No one knows! Im currently quarantined with my hot/cute, infinitely patient boyfriend Brian at his familys cabin in the Berkshires. I know, Im a spoiled little princess, yet I still find time to complain How does she do it?! Whenever I think about the word diary, I immediately hear Britney Spears singing the phrase Dear Diary, as she does on her sleeper hit of the same name (track 12 on Oops! I Did It Again), so as you read my diary, please imagine me whisper-crooning the whole thing into the cracked spine of a bubblegum-pink Moleskine.

Dear Diary,

Two years ago, I met this guy at a show for 12 minutes and he explained the concept of intermittent fasting to me over the dull roar of an East Village dive bar and ever since then I have half-tried to do it, which usually means I dont start eating until 2 or 3 p.m. and then I stop whenever I want. Thats not how intermittent fasting works, but that is the freaky-Friday-fucked-up way I do it because I have no self-control and a quirky, flirty way about me. 😉

Every morning, I like to have what I call Brians coffee. This just means that I try and convince my boyfriend, Brian, to make me coffee, even though he does not drink coffee. I want Brians coffee. Its better than what I can make, I coo in velvet tones from the bedroom. Brians coffee tastes the same as when I make coffee (which critics and fans alike call Catherines Coffee), but I am lazy and only learned how to use a coffee machine a few weeks ago. Come through, woman in tech!

My other obsession is hydration. I need to have at least three liters of water a day to keep my vocal cords buzzing beautifully, but I dont trust myself to keep track of how many glasses I have, so I only drink water from my One Liter, Overpriced Hydro Flask. I always keep it by my side and dont wash it enough. Stars theyre just like us!

So I had my morning combo of Brians coffee and a liter of water. Then, around 2 p.m., because we were out of eggs, I made oatmeal and mixed in peanut butter, maple syrup, and raisins. Normally, I would have eggs like a fitness girl on a sad diet. Oatmeal is sad in a different way, but I was randomly into it today. Whenever I have oatmeal, I feel like Im a pioneer woman making slop for everyone on the wagon. All aboard!

I was still hungry minutes after the oatmeal (brave), so I had some Siete Chips (nacho-cheese flavor) dipped in garlic hummus. It was a bad combo that I immediately regretted. I turned to Brian and was like can you believe these chips are grain free, gluten free, and paleo friendly, and he was like, Yeah, I can.

We had made brownies the night before, so then I cut myself a brownie edge. Later in the day, Brian was like, Did you eat all the edges? and I was like, Hmm, maybe a ghost did that to it. Ive never seen a ghost, but I am scared of them. Isnt it more fun to believe something exists? Okay, I just got my Ph.D. in being existential as fuck.

Around 8 p.m., I became furious and then realized I was hungry. I frantically put some black beans in a tortilla and had a sad, wet taco. I learned during quarantine that they actually sell Taco Bellbrand Fire Sauce at the grocery store. I put so much TBFS on my taco that I kind of keep it in my hand the whole time I eat a taco. Brian and I joke that TBFS is my drink to go with my meal. We have fun! We both had another sad black-bean taco and shared a Heineken. Then we made sweet, sensual love. JK. I dont know why having sex at night is the thing. I like having sex around 3 p.m., but Ill save that for my OTHER diary, wink-wink. I am rock-and-rolling my way through this food diary, and youre lapping it up, you sick freak!

Friday, April 24I started my day with Brians coffee and a liter of water. I was doing a voice-over gig all afternoon, so I had to eat before my usual window, which was upsetting. My life is so hard!

I had chopped up sweet potato and chickpeas in a tortilla with some yogurt on it, topped with my daily dose of Taco Bell Fire Sauce, and I will now be referring to it as mothers medicine. I also feel its important to include that every day at 10:30 a.m., I take my birth-control pill, which I call the queens candy. Dessert vibes!

After my voice-over session, I was feeling some kind of way (COSMICALLY DEPRESSED) and I suggested we make the Pillsbury cinnamon rolls I had bought two weeks ago in case of emergency. We inhaled all five cinnamon rolls in about six minutes while standing over the hot tray in the kitchen, panting like beasts that had just ripped an alive mammal to bloody shreds after being released from captivity. Cuteness! We both agree the icing-to-roll ratio is off. There should be more icing. I love icing because it tastes good! Opinions here are my own.

That night I went the fuck OFF and made vodka sauce from ScRaTCh to have with rigatoni and baked chicken breast. Me and Bri both have a disease where we never know when chicken is done and are terrified of not cooking it enough. Its like I become colorblind and suddenly the whole thing looks pink. Brian suggests we call his friend Josh hes a chef thats about to open a new restaurant called Orso in L.A. (sexy lil quarantine tip: Hes doing fresh pasta and homemade sauce delivery weekly). Josh tells us the best way to tell if chicken is cooked is to feel it with your hands Now youve heard everything. Through touching, it is revealed that we have overcooked it. Anxiety prevails! The meal is still a hit. I also had two massive IPAs from Berkshire Brewing Company. Just a light Friday-night supper! Obviously, that night in bed, I was rolling around in pain from overeating kind of like The Princess and the Pea, but the pea is inside of me and the pea is a half-pound of pasta and 32 oz. of extremely hoppy beer. Tale as old as time!

Saturday, April 25I felt bad asking Bri to make my coffee again, so I made it myself. Feminist win! I was literally so full from dinner the night before that I didnt eat ever again. JK, but I did skip breakfast/lunch.

We went on a three-hour hike (two-hour hike, but we got lost; youre obsessed!). On the drive home, Bri looked at me with a glimmer in his eye and I knew what was up since our groceries were almost gone, we were going to treat ourselves to takeout for the first time in six weeks!

Thats wild for me because in NYC I never cook and only eat via Seamless.com or Caviar if Im feeling like a billionaire. In New York, I literally have a college-dorm-room mini-fridge situation, so I never cook. I dont even have a freezer, so I have to buy a bag of ice if I want to make drinks.

I do really enjoy cooking, so its been great to actually get to do it we made the Marcella Hazan Bolognese, and it was really fun to spend all day doing something. I never wouldve done that normally.

Bri and I felt like we EARNED, it so we had the most decadent meal from the incredible Baba Louies pizza in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. We ordered the Dawns Delight salad (gorgonzola, pears, dried cranberries, figs, and toasted walnuts with mixed greens and a balsamic vinaigrette) and a BBQ-chicken pizza (BBQ sauce, chicken, red onions, mozzarella, smoked Gouda, oregano, and Parmesan). There was a bit of drama because I reallllly dont like blue cheese (I know this is an unsophisticated take its literally the only food I dont like), so we had to get it on the SIDE. But even on the side, as they say in the biz, I could still smell it and kept asking Bri if my feet smelled while we watched TV (TV = Love Island) for a few hours. It was finally revealed that my feet actually smelled normal/good and it was the CHEESE I was smelling. I am so sensitive, so in tune, so easy to be around!

For dessert, we had picked up black-raspberry ice cream from SoCo Creamery. This ice cream is like nothing your little slutty mouth has ever tasted its just beyond! Plus, at the SoCo shoppe, there was the most iconic woman, who in the midst of a (say it with me) pandemic, sampled at least nine flavors from underneath her mask. Chaotic Queen.

Sunday, April 26Brians coffee and water followed by leftover pizza and salad for lunch around three. For dinner, I had some of that leftover sweet-potato veggie hash plus chorizo and rice and mothers medicine.

I have made it one of my quarantine goals to learn how to make perfect rice. I know it sounds simple, but its hard its always soupy or burned. This time, I really got it right and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (i.e., a huge glass of ros). Bri and I both had out-of-body experiences after doing back-to-back Zooms with our families that totaled about four full American hours, so I needed more wine. I dont actually really like wine. I prefer beer (guys-girl alert!), but lately Ive taken to drinking ros with ice. I kind of thought if it was extra cold and watered down, Id like it more. And I was right. Its the finer things in life

Monday, April 27Kicked off another exciting week in quarantine with Brians coffee and my morning water liter. At this point we had basically no groceries we made it 23 days without going to the store! Epic win! so I made grilled cheese for lunch, which I dipped in Franks Red Hot, of course. At first I felt cute, like a child again I famously used to call grilled cheese girl cheese, which is adorable and true! It is my cheese! I am a girl! But a few minutes after finishing the sandwich, my stomach felt like shit, which was kind of nice because it gave me something specific to complain about instead of shouting What the hell is going on? out loud to the wall every 14 minutes.

That night, we randomly got drunk off Negronis because we watched that video of Stanley Tucci making one on Insta. They were amaze, even though we made them with definitely expired vermouth. I felt TiPsY after two sips and then had leftover kidney beans and rice for dinner Its a glamorous life. The plan was to go to the grocery store the next day, which truly got me hyped up now that we never leave the house.

I want to make coq au vin doesnt that seem like a thing I should do? I have such insane, unearned confidence when it comes to cooking. Thats just what makes me me! XOXO miss u already.

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Comedian Catherine Cohen Knows the Power of Taco Bell Fire Sauce - Grub Street

This is a editorial from KETV president and General Manager Ariel Roblin The spread of Covid-19 in meat packing plants have been making headlines all week. Some workers are afraid to go to work, ranchers are concerned they will be forced to euthanize their livestock, and consumers are even hoarding meat in their freezer. Nebraska Governor Ricketts warns of civil unrest if we lose access to meat and says it is an important part of a healthy diet. While the vast majority eat it daily, its not the only way to get protein. We should be willing to adapt, even just temporarily, to adding a few plant or fish-based meals in our diets. Science has long supported the idea that more plant-based food is healthy and strengthens your immune system to fight illnesses. That's something everyone of us needs right now. Plant-based diets also support lower risks of heart disease, certain cancers, type two diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. You can also easily buy plant-based protein on line: Peanut butter, almonds, quinoa, lentils, and protein supplements can be shipped to your door. A careful approach to processing meat can provide a safe environment for workers, and build a stronger food supply chain. That should be enough of an incentive to try something new. I realize an editorial in Omaha Nebraska about the benefits of eating less meat is probably not going to go over very well I get it, but we're talking about risking human life in fear of an outraged community because they won't try another source of protein. We're better than that.

Opinion

Editorial: COVID-19 Protein and Diet

The spread of Covid-19 in meat packing plants have been making headlines all week. Some workers are afraid to go to work, ranchers are concerned they will be forced to euthanize their livestock, and consumers are even hoarding meat in their freezer.

Updated: 10:49 AM CDT May 1, 2020

The spread of Covid-19 in meat packing plants have been making headlines all week. Some workers are afraid to go to work, ranchers are concerned they will be forced to euthanize their livestock, and consumers are even hoarding meat in their freezer.Nebraska Governor Ricketts warns of civil unrest if we lose access to meat and says it is an important part of a healthy diet. While the vast majority eat it daily, its not the only way to get protein. We should be willing to adapt, even just temporarily, to adding a few plant or fish-based meals in our diets.Science has long supported the idea that more plant-based food is healthy and strengthens your immune system to fight illnesses. That's something everyone of us needs right now. Plant-based diets also support lower risks of heart disease, certain cancers, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. You can also easily buy plant-based protein on line: Peanut butter, almonds, quinoa, lentils, and protein supplements can be shipped to your door.A careful approach to processing meat can provide a safe environment for workers, and build a stronger food supply chain. That should be enough of an incentive to try something new.I realize an editorial in Omaha Nebraska about the benefits of eating less meat is probably not going to go over very well. I get it, but we're talking about risking human life in fear of an outraged community because they won't try another source of protein. We're better than that.

The spread of Covid-19 in meat packing plants have been making headlines all week. Some workers are afraid to go to work, ranchers are concerned they will be forced to euthanize their livestock, and consumers are even hoarding meat in their freezer.

Nebraska Governor Ricketts warns of civil unrest if we lose access to meat and says it is an important part of a healthy diet. While the vast majority eat it daily, its not the only way to get protein. We should be willing to adapt, even just temporarily, to adding a few plant or fish-based meals in our diets.

Science has long supported the idea that more plant-based food is healthy and strengthens your immune system to fight illnesses. That's something everyone of us needs right now. Plant-based diets also support lower risks of heart disease, certain cancers, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. You can also easily buy plant-based protein on line: Peanut butter, almonds, quinoa, lentils, and protein supplements can be shipped to your door.

A careful approach to processing meat can provide a safe environment for workers, and build a stronger food supply chain. That should be enough of an incentive to try something new.

I realize an editorial in Omaha Nebraska about the benefits of eating less meat is probably not going to go over very well. I get it, but we're talking about risking human life in fear of an outraged community because they won't try another source of protein. We're better than that.

Link:
Editorial: COVID-19 Protein and Diet - KETV Omaha

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Ever since the 2011 documentary Forks Over Knives put plant-based eating in the spotlight, the popularity of veggie-forward diets has only increased over the years.

According to Nielsen, nearly 40% of Americans are now "actively trying to eat more plant-based foods". While a staggering 94% of Americans are willing to eat more plant-forward meals, states a recent report published by the Earth Day Network and the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication.

Today, over 40% of U.S. households are consuming plant-based milk while 14% of households are eating plant-based meats, notes the Good Food Institute (GFI).

However, as plant-based diets become more mainstream, misconceptions that surround veggie-forward eating have also multiplied.

Here, four nutrition experts debunk some of the most prevalent myths about plant-based eating:

Myth 1# Plant-based eating is the same as veganism and vegetarianism. "A vegan diet completely excludes all animal products in the diet and often lifestyle, including dairy, eggs and meat," tells Alexis Joseph, Columbus-based nutritionist and founder of Hummusapien. While "a vegetarian diet includes eggs and dairy but does not include meat, poultry and fish," she explains. Plant-based eating, however, means adopting a diet that prioritizes whole plant foods. "But It doesnt have to mean eliminating any nutrient or food group altogether," notes Jaclyn London, registered dietitian and head of nutrition and wellness at WW (Weight Watchers). "Theres more than one way to adopt a more plant-based style of eating, but the keyword there is 'more'more vegetables, more fruit, more whole-grains plus nuts, seeds, legumes and plant-derived oils," adds the nutritionist.

Myth 2# It's hard to get enough protein on a plant-based diet. "Protein needs are grossly overstated in America, which is fueled largely by the diet industry," says Joseph. "Eating less meat doesn't mean you're going to suffer from protein deficiency," tells the registered dietitian. "Protein is found in all foods. It's impossible not to get enough protein if you're eating a balanced diet," she points out. "Even foods like oats, whole-grain pasta, vegetables and fruit of all types will provide some amount of protein, even if nominal," adds London. To up your protein intake, load up on beans, legumes, peanut butter, soy milk, tofu, tempeh, nuts and seeds to your daily diet, suggests Claire Power, plant-based nutritionist and founder of Healthy French Wife. Power also suggests trying vegan protein powders made of pea, hemp or brown rice protein.

Myth 3# Plant-forward eating is expensive. If your diet predominantly consists of unprocessed plant protein foods like beans, lentils, nuts and seeds then a plant-based diet can actually be cheaper than a typical meat-heavy diet, says Dawn Jackson Blatner, registered dietitian nutritionist and author of Superfood Swap and The Flexitarian Diet. To make your meals more budget-friendly, stock up on seasonal produce and indulge in expensive plant-based foodslike vegan cheeses, yogurts, faux meat and burgersonly occasionally and in small amounts. "It will not only keep the costs down but will also help you focus more on getting nutrients from natural plant-based foods," tells Blatner.

Myth 4# All plant-based foods are healthy. Just because something is plant-based doesn't mean it's automatically healthy. "There are vegan versions of almost everything these days, but vegan isn't synonymous with healthy," says Joseph. "Those foods are fun and I enjoy them too, but they shouldn't make up the bulk of your diet," she tells. The best strategy to eat healthy on a plant-based diet is to focus more on whole foods, tells Blatner. "If something comes in a package, read the ingredient list to see if it contains items that you would use in your own kitchen," suggests the nutritionist. "The more C.R.A.P. (chemicals, refined sugar/flour, artificial additives and preservatives) it contains, the more processed and less healthful food is," she points out. A healthy plant-based diet is one that is both balanced and diverse, says Power. Ideally, it should be high in whole-grains, legumes, seeds, nuts, fruits and veggies and very limited in processed foods," she adds.

Myth 5# Plant-based meals are not very filling. On the contrary, "many people feel less hungry on a whole-food plant-based diet than they do on a typical American diet, which tends to be low in fiber and high in sugar," states SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. A plant-based meal can be very satisfying provided its well-balanced. "Plant proteins are very filling. In fact, they may keep you more full than animal protein because, in addition to the staying power of protein, they also have filling fiber," tells Blatner.

Myth 6# Going plant-based means swearing off meat forever. "A plant-based diet is mostly plants, but theres still room for foods like meat, poultry, eggs, cheese, yogurt and fish," tells Blatner. In fact, "research suggests that following a flexitarian dietincreasing plant-based foods and reducing, but not eliminating, animal foodsyields similar health benefits as a vegetarian diet, like reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes," says Joseph. Meaning, indulging in cheese or some chicken here and there isn't going to make or break your health, assuming you don't have an extreme medical condition that requires giving up a particular food group altogether.

Myth 7# Plant-based diets are very restrictive. "The definition of 'plant-based' is often misinterpreted and in some cases, can be extremely misapplied," says London. Plant-forward diet involves making more of your meals veggie-based and eating more natural plant-based foods in general. "Anything that feels restrictive wont benefit you in the long-run, so if trying a more plant-forward style of eating makes you feel limited, then you may want to reassess your approach," suggests London.

Myth 8# Plant-based diets aren't suitable for children.

Yes, they are, says Power. However, it's important to ensure that the bulk of their diet is made of natural plant-based foods like fruits veggies, whole-grains, seeds and nuts, notes the nutritionist. Also, "parents need to be mindful that their kids get enough calcium, protein, zinc, iodine and iron from food sources as well as supplement their diet with a Vitamin B12 supplement," she adds.

Why plant-forward eating is good for you?

Adopting a diet rich in natural plant-based foods has an array of benefits for your health as well as the environment. "Regularly consuming foods high in plant proteins (like beans, legumes and tofu) versus animal protein can help prevent and reverse a slew of chronic conditions, including cancer, diabetes and heart disease," says Joseph. Additionally, "these nutrients also help support healthy cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels," notes the nutrition expert. Research also suggests that a healthy plant-based diet may help prolong the lives of those living with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Moreover, "plant-based foods are packed with fiber and phytonutrients that support immunity, combat inflammation and feed the healthy bacteria in your gut," says Joseph. And as an added bonus, "plant proteins are far more affordable and far better for the planet than animal proteins," she points out. Eating more whole plant foods reduces your carbon footprint, lowers habitat destruction and saves water. "Twenty servings of vegetables have fewer greenhouse emissions than one serving of meat, with beef and lamb having the highest emissions," tells Joseph.

Plant-forward eating tips for beginners

If you're considering switching to a plant-based diet, try these nutritionist-backed tips to ease into the habit effectively:

Last but not the least, speak with a registered dietitian or nutritionist before starting any new diet. "There is nothing more personalized than health," says Joseph. Anyone with a history of disordered eating should proceed with extreme caution when following a diet, especially one that eliminates or limits intake of particular food groups, she adds.

Read this article:
The Biggest Plant-Based Eating Myths That Nutritionists Want You To Stop Believing - Forbes

Our brain is the most important organ in our body. Our brain regulates all the other functions and metabolic processes including our heartbeat, breathing, digesting of the food and everything else. The cognitive decline can be accelerated or delayed by several different factors. But our diet is the best shot at preventing cognitive disturbance for a long time. The studyAccording to a new study published in the Journal Alzheimer's and Dementia, a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, olive oil and nuts, dramatically reduces one's risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases later in life.According to the same study, the Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower risk of cognitive impairment but not slower decline in the cognitive function.

Another study conducted for almost 10 years found that people who adhered closest to the Mediterranean diet enjoyed the highest cognitive function throughout the observational study (10-year window).

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The only diet that can keep your brain healthy for years - Times of India

Cutting meat from your diet can be a significant lifestyle adjustment, but the documented health benefits can make the change well worth it.

If your doctor has recommended that you cut back on your meat intake or you have decided to fully embrace a meat-free diet, here are some of the changes your body may experience. Just keep in mind that the effects can vary from person to person.

Because red meat and heavily processed meat products tend to be calorie-dense, eliminating them from your diet may help you lose weight. A 2015 study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that people following a vegetarian diet lost more weight than people on other diets.

Plenty of studies have demonstrated how going meatless can lower your risk for cardiovascular disease and heart disease-related mortality. An American Heart Association study found that people who ate plant-based diets were 16 percent less likely to develop heart disease and 32 percent less likely to die from heart disease and stroke.

The balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut has been linked to many different health issues. Adding probiotics to your diet can create a healthier gut environment, but so can going meatless. This is because animals that are conventionally raised have been given hormones and antibiotics that can wreak havoc on your gut microbiome.

In addition, your body produces Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) while digesting red meat high levels of which have been linked to cardiovascular disease, heart failure and chronic kidney disease.

Some studies have found that adopting healthier lifestyle changes (like reducing meat intake) can affect the length of our telomeres, which are the caps at the end of DNA strands that protect our chromosomes. The shortening of telomeres can cause damage to the DNA strands and has been linked to increased risk of breast and prostate cancers.

According to a 2019 Nature study, cutting back on or eliminating meat especially red meat and eating more nuts and fruits, which have anti-inflammatory properties, can reduce the inflammation levels in your body.

High levels of systemic inflammation in the body can weaken your immune system, contributing to the development of immune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

In order to reap the most benefits from going meatless, its important to protect yourself from any potential nutritional deficiencies.

When cutting out large food groups from your diet, its important to find alternative sources for the nutrients they provided. For instance, if youre not getting most of your protein from meat, youll need to up your intake of other sources like eggs, low-fat milk, beans, peas, soy products, and unsalted nuts and seeds. Stay away from heavily processed and sugary foods that can also have a negative impact on your health.

Be sure to also talk to your doctor about taking supplements of certain essential nutrients and minerals like vitamin B12, vitamin D, and iron. A B12 deficiency can cause anemia or lead to damage to the nervous system.

Getting into the groove of making healthy meat-free meals doesnt happen overnight so dont get frustrated. Try to be as consistent as possible and remember its okay to start with just adding a few meatless meals into your weekly mix.

The more prepared you are before going meatless, the easier it will be to stick to it. Make sure you do plenty of research on tips and recipes ahead of time, and ask your doctor or nutritionist for help creating daily and weekly meal plans that are built around beans, lentils, vegetables, and whole grains instead of meat.

Information on this site is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. If you have, or suspect that you have, a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider.

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What to expect when cutting meat from your diet - PhillyVoice.com

Since John Tesh had the good news that he was cancer free in 2018, he is doing everything he can to stay healthy and in the best shape possible. The beloved television star and musician exclusively tells Closer Weekly that he remains cured with a good daily diet and exercise regime.

I really have [no restrictions], says the 67-year-old, pointing to his wife, Connie Selleccaand stepson, Gib Gerard, help him stay the course especially in quarantine in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Jim Cooper / AP / Shutterstock

I mean, my wife and son are on a ketogenic diet, he continues, referring to the weight loss program in which you eat a very low amount of carbohydrates and a lot of fat. I was on it when I was sick, but I eat quite well.

The former Entertainment Tonight star who linked with Connie, 64, in 1992 said that although he is not in the gym at the moment, he stays in shape with full exercises air.

We live on land with about 150 steps going down into a valley, he explains. So Im on these steps every day and it keeps me on the ground. If I dont wake up at 4:30 a.m. or 5:00 a.m. and exercise, then the rest of my day is [shooting].

In addition to staying healthy after his terrifying battle with cancer, artist Roundball Rock who organized a six-hour live Facebook fundraiser with Connie and Gib, 38, to support front-line workers online during the coronavirus pandemic in late April says the majority of his schedule stayed the same.

It really is, he insists. Just more work, you know, but again [Im] grateful to do it.

Jm Smeal / EIB / Shutterstock

Throughout his multi-year battle with cancer, John has been fairly open and honest about the trials and tribulations he has faced. In a recent issue of Closer magazine, radio host Intelligence for Your Life congratulated the greatest American actress for being with her in her fight against a rare form of prostate cancer.

I had two major surgeries, then chemo, then I took a drug that sucks up all the testosterone. You are going through menopause, night sweats, you cant eat or sleep, and the cancer keeps coming back, he shared with Closer in early March, admitting frankly that he once asked Connie to please kill me while he suffered mightily . a night.

Meanwhile, we discovered the healing scriptures we started to study, he continued. I started to recover, then they found three or four spots and wanted to irradiate my pelvis with 62 treatments. [It was then] that we realized that I was done with the treatment. It was two years ago, and all the markers indicate that there is no cancer in my body.

We hope John and his family will stay safe during this unprecedented pandemic!

Given the ever-changing nature of COVID-19, Weekly closing wants our readers to have access to the most accurate resources. For the latest information, advice, and support on coronaviruses, see the CDC, WHOand information local public health officials. If you have symptoms of coronavirus, call your doctor for medical advice.

Report by Diana Cooper.

View original post here:
John Tesh Is Staying Healthy With Exercise and Diet Post-Cancer - Bulletin Mail

The coronavirus outbreak has upended a sense of normalcy and daily routines, which may be affecting your typical health and wellness regimen as well.

And while health experts say maintaining a healthy weight is important, you don't have to go overboard to avoid gaining weight right now.

"I'm not suggesting starting a strict diet or intense exercise program while sheltering in place, but there are some simple things you can do to prevent weight gain and protect yourself not only from Covid-19-related complications, but also from diseases such as diabetes and heart disease," Dr. Melina Jampolis wrote in an article for CNN.

Make stress management a priority

Amid the coronavirus outbreak, it's important to take care of your mental health as well as your physical health, experts note.

"I know, it isn't easy. Balancing homeschooling, financial challenges, cabin fever, social isolation and illness is stressful, but stress can contribute to poor eating choices and increase fat deep in your belly (underneath the muscle) that can contribute to heart disease and diabetes," Dr. Jampolis wrote in the CNN article.

Additionally, the CDC recommends the following measure to look out for your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak:

Pay attention to what you're buying

When you go to the grocery store, or order supplies to be delivered, pay attention to what you're adding to your cart. Try to stay away from having too much junk food in the house to avoid temptation.

Getting enough water and servings of fruits and vegetables is also recommended.

More tips on cooking amid the pandemic can be found here.

Get a good night's rest

If you've been having trouble sleeping lately, a new study shows that you're not alone.

The study, commissioned by Sleep Standards, found that nearly 77% of Americans have lost sleep over the coronavirus pandemic.

Sleep is an essential part of all-around health.

"Both excess sleep and inadequate sleep have been linked to weight gain, increased appetite and worsening blood sugar control, so try your best not to completely abandon your sleep schedule," according to CNN.

Stay social

Just because you're sheltering in place, doesn't mean you have to be socially isolated. In fact, the World Health Organization even encouraged experts to move away from calling it "social distancing" and instead opt for "physical distancing."

Maintaining a sense of connection with people in your life can help keep a sense of normalcy, which can help keep you healthier all around.

"It occurred to me from the beginning that this was an unfortunate choice of language to talk about 'social distance', when actually what was meant was 'physical distance,'" Martin W Bauer, a London-based sociology professor told Al Jazeera. "It is good that WHO finally tried to correct an early error of mistaking physical distance for social distance. In these strange times of the virus, we want clear physical distance, but at the same time, we want people to remain close to each other 'socially.'"

Visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Atlanta, Ga.) at http://www.ajc.com

Go here to read the rest:
Ways other than diet, exercise to stay healthy while at home - Finger Lakes Times