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These are bad for your health: GMOs!

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GMOs sounds like something from another planet and as far as I’m concerned they should be! GMO stands for genetically modified organism (sometimes also referred to as just GM foods).

Should you avoid GM foods? I believe you should and so do many other concerned citizens, writers, health practitioners and researchers.  This is because we simply don’t know the long-term health consequences. Many preliminary animal studies have shown harmful effects, so concerned researchers are calling for more studies.

Most of the nonorganic corn, soy, and canola grown in this country is genetically modified.  What does this mean?  It means that any and all processed food that contains these ingredients is very likely a GM food or a GMO. Unfortunately, there’s no requirement that foods containing GM ingredients be labeled as such, so eating real whole foods and purchasing organic is the only way to be certain you aren’t getting GM foods.

One of my favorite stories about GM crops and can be found on Dr Mercola’s site, a wonderful health resource for staying informed. It’s a story about some very smart chickens in South Africa.  I grew up in South Africa so it’s a special story for me!  These chickens refused to eat the maize they were being fed (in South Africa corn is called maize or mielies).  The farmer had the chicken-feed tested and discovered that it contained GM corn/maize that had been genetically modified to include a well-known weed and insect killer.  You can read the whole story here. What smart chickens!

We can be smart about this too – as long as we keep informed!

An excellent resource on GMOs and the health and environmental consequences is the Institute for Responsible Technology.  Jeffrey Smith has written many excellent books and articles and he is doing an incredible job educating the world about GMOs.  I’ve heard him present a number of times and he is great and an expert on the subject!

If you live in Northern California, this is your opportunity!   Below is information on two speaker training events and a public talk Jeffrey Smith will offer in Marin County and Lake County.

Friday, May 6, 2011 – Symposium on the GMO Crisis
6:30pm-10:30pm San Rafael Community Center, 618 ‘B’ Street, San Rafael, CA
Despite polls that indicate Americans overwhelmingly want GMO foods labeled, the USDA continues to allow their production and sale without labeling or adequate testing. Come find out what is happening with GMOs and why we should be concerned! An outstanding panel of experts on GMO technologies will discuss how they are affecting our health and the environment (from 7:30 to 9:30 pm): Claire Cummings, author of Uncertain Peril, Jeffrey Smith, author of Seeds of Deception and Genetic Roulette, a spokesperson from The Center for Food Safety, and Mark Squire of the Good Earth Natural Foods and The Non-GMO Project, will fill us in on the political, legal and health implications of recombinant DNA in our foods.

For more information, contact (415) 454-9898. Wheelchair accessible. Donations gratefully accepted at the door.

Saturday, May 7, 2011 – GMO Speaker and Activism Training with Jeffrey Smith
9:30am – 5:00pm Marin Recycling and Resource Recovery, Environmental Classroom
535 Jacobi Street, San Rafael, CA
Spend a day with international bestselling author and filmmaker Jeffrey M. Smith and learn how to speak about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and to organize effective activism around the issue. Help achieve the tipping point of consumer rejection to force GMOs out of our food supply! Whether you want to be a leading anti-GMO campaigner, help out when you can, or just gain an in-depth understanding of the issue, don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn from the leading spokesperson on GMO health dangers. Jeffrey has presented in 32 countries, counseled world leaders on every continent, and he wrote the world’s bestselling book on the topic – Seeds of Deception.
Cost: $80 Individual / $140 Couple Early Discount Before April 15th $70/$120

More details and register online

Sunday, May 8, 2011 – GMO Speaker and Activism Training in Lake County with Jeffrey Smith
9:30am – 5:00pm Ancient Lake Garden, 8993 Soda Bay Rd., Kelseyville, Lake County
Sponsored by the Committee for a GE free Lake County
Spend a day with the international bestselling author of “Seeds of Deception” and “Genetic Roulette”. Learn how to speak about genetic engineering in agriculture and genetically engineered (GMO) foods. Learn how to organize effective activism around the issue. Help achieve the tipping point of consumer rejection to force GMOs out of our food supply!
Cost: $80 Individual / $140 Couple Early Discount Before April 15th $70/$120

Some full and partial scholarships are available. Please contact margherita@responsibletechnology.org

More details and register online

Gluten Elimination Challenge: An Easy Way to Figure Out If It Affects You! (part 2)

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The easiest and most affordable way to figure out if gluten affects you is to do a 2-week gluten elimination trial (and see how you feel) and then provoke or challenge with gluten (and see how you feel). The 2 week trial will mean zero consumption of food containing wheat, rye, barley, spelt, kamut, triticale or oats. Oats must also be excluded as they are frequently contaminated with gluten during processing. It really is best that you eat home-made, real, whole foods (always, but especially during the trial) as gluten is so often “hidden” in many processed foods. Watch for ingredients like hydrolyzed protein, textured vegetable protein and all derivatives of wheat, oats, rye and barley (including barley malt, modified starch, most soy sauces and natural flavoring).

Other wonderful grains and nutritious starchy vegetables

Rice, corn and buckwheat are acceptable, as are the wonderful ancient grains like quinoa and amaranth. You can find gluten-free-everything – pasta, crackers, you-name-it – made from rice, bean, potato, coconut and corn flour. There are also many wonderful recipes books but some call for margarine, soy milk and excessive sugar – so make substitutions as needed. Rather than simply replacing the problem grain with another grain, consider incorporating more vegetables into your diet. Starchy vegetables like sweet potato and squashes are a wonderfully nutritious source of carbohydrates.

Adding back the gluten

Once you have removed the gluten from your diet and seen improvements in your mood and other symptoms (digestive, pain, skin etc), add it back after 2 weeks and see if it affects you adversely. This test is often more powerful for my clients than any lab test. I’ve seen symptoms ranging from severe mood swings to terrible anxiety to stomach aches to general aches and pains to fatigue and brain fog (and all of the above in some very sensitive individuals). If you experience any of the above, then it’s important that you remove gluten from your diet and work with someone to do additional testing. I’ll cover additional testing in a future blog post.

See here for part 1 (Gluten, your mood and your health) and read more about this and other food intolerances in my forthcoming book The Antianxiety Food Solution – How the Foods you eat can calm your anxious mind, improve mood and end cravings. Find out more at www.antianxietyfoodsolution.com

Miso, seaweed and more: protection from radiation and other toxins

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With regards to what is happening in Japan, here is some sensible advice from Dr Elson Haas, MD: “While none of us really knows exactly what we are facing or what will truly protect us from radiation exposure, we can offer a few suggestions here. We encourage people to eat seaweed and miso soup, which may offer some protection and nourishment. Also, liquid trace minerals to help protect us and detox from heavy metals. Herbal adaptogens such as ginseng, especially Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), schizandra and ashwaganda may be protective as is milk thistle (silymarin), which supports liver detoxification. Also, the antioxidant nutrients that include vitamins A, C and E, as well as zinc and selenium may provide further protection.” Dr Haas also shares this important point: “Please realize that none of this is necessary at this time since we (here in California) are not being exposed directly to the problems occurring currently in Japan. If concerns about radiation levels increase in Japan, you are closer to the fallout, or we are finding increased levels here, we may need to become more proactive.”

While none of this is necessary (right now) when it come to the radiation in Japan, the above suggestions are really things you should consider always – to offer you protection from all heavy metals, environmental pollutants and toxins. We are exposed on a daily basis! And also consider the above suggestions if you fly a lot. You are exposed to radiation during flying. Whenever I’m doing a trip somewhere I eat plenty of miso before and afterwards. And make sure your detoxification pathways are working well by doing a detox a few times a year.

Eating real whole food will, of course, provide you with an abundance of minerals and antioxidants. Include are garlic and onions (high in sulfur) and veggies like broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage. Here is some additional information on miso and seaweed…

Seaweed is naturally rich in minerals, including iodine, iron, and magnesium. Try adding dulse or kelp to soups and stews. Nori is the seaweed used in sushi and is a great snack!

Miso is a fermented soybean paste. You can also find miso made from rice, barley, and other beans if soy is an issue for you. Just make sure it’s organic and raw. And don’t heat miso, as this destroys its beneficial properties. Mix about 1 tablespoon into some water and add it to your food, such as a bowl of soup or stew, just before serving. It’s also great as a warm beverage.

This Japanese event is awful beyond words – doing a blog this week just didn’t feel right – but we need to take care of ourselves and our families, give thanks for what we have, don’t panic, do what we can to help in the way of donations, and send our blessings to the Japanese people.

Scarlett Johansson Oscars 2011: snacks and salmon!

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Scarlett Johansson looked absolutely stunning at the 2011 Oscars and you’ll never guess what she ate before she came – salmon!

Scarlett was interviewed on the Red Carpet and was asked: what is the most important thing about getting ready for the Oscars – the dress, the hair, the jewellery…?

And this is what she said: For me, what I eat before I come to the Oscars, is the most important thing. She said she’d actually just eaten some salmon and that it’s important to eat something good to control your blood sugar. She also said that it’s a little known fact that the celebs bring snacks to the Oscars.

Awesome and brilliant! Having some salmon or other form of protein or fat like eggs, meat or chicken before heading out to a big event will do wonders for keeping your blood sugar stable and keeping you feeling great, calm, stress-free and focused. Some great snack ideas to carry with you when you know you won’t be eating for awhile: nuts, fruit, grass-fed jerky, salmon jerky and my all time favorite, pemmican. A boiled egg is great too but may not go down well at the Oscars!

And yes I watched the Oscars! I have so much to learn about style and fashion! I’m a late bloomer….I’m the typical outdoorsy tomboy – love to travel, camp, bike, climb, ski and generally I’m happy to “rough-it”. But last year I decided to up-level my image and I worked with image consultant Anne Berit Olvsk. I had my colors done and I now actually enjoying shopping for clothes. So I figured the Oscars would be a great way to see some great style – outfits, hair, make-up, accessories, colors and more – and it was not disappointing! Scarlett looked stunning (check her out here and here), I got some great tips and heard Scarlett’s great food and snack advice! Yay Scarlett Johannson!

Food and Mood on Good Day Sacramento: Eggs are ok!

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My Food-Mood TV debut on Good Day Sacramento was a blast! And there really was a green “Green Room” where I waited to go on and watched what was happening in the studio. It went by so fast but I was well-prepared and loved it! And I was thrilled to share my message about Food and Mood for stress, anxiety and worry, depression, irritability and mood swings.

Now you get to enjoy it either watching and listening or reading the summary below. If you watch and listen…take note right at the end when someone (he’ll remain un-named!) yells that they want the sugar! It’s too funny!

Change Your Food – Change Your Mood!

  • Stress & overwhelm – Eat breakfast always & include protein. THE most important tip for all my clients is to eat breakfast every single day and include some protein such as eggs – this sets them up for the rest of the day so they don’t have blood sugar swings. And eggs (including the yolks!) really are ok to eat!
  • Anxiety & worry – Quit caffeine and try some herbal tea. There are a subset of people who are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine, found in coffee, tea, sodas, medications and even chocolate.
  • Depression – Eat grass-fed red meat and salmon or sardines. Beef jerky is one such choice. Grass-fed red meat actually has the same amount of omega-3s as salmon!
  • Irritability – Quit sugar and diet sodas. Sugary foods are empty calories and they deplete us of nutrients we need to feel calm and happy – like the B vitamins and zinc. 1 soda has a LOT of sugar: approximately 12 teaspoons and if you drink 5 sodas a week you’re consuming 60 teaspoons of sugar. Fruit is a much better choice. Sugar also has many other harmful effects
  • Mood swings – Avoid wheat and other gluten-containing grains such as oats, rye & barley – use rice and other non-gluten grains instead

In summary eat like our grandparents ate or as you did as a child – real whole food – quit the processed foods with sugars, additives, colors and ingredients you can’t pronounce!

You can use the amazing healing power of foods to improve your mood naturally so you can feel on top of the world without having to resort to medications!

I would like to add that is very simplistic and we are all unique individuals with our own unique biochemistry and nutritional needs – so what may work for one person may not work for the next person …but making the change to real whole food is a great starting place and implementing some of the above changes makes a huge difference for most people.

Much of the information covered is addressed in a special report called 5 Simple Steps to Reduce Anxiety Now, available at www.antianxietyfoodsolution.com

Trudy's delicious bobotie recipe

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Trudy's bobotie - I made this for a party Saturday night and it was very popular!

Bobotie is a great traditional South African meat dish and is a delicious slightly spicy version of meatloaf (only way better!) and super for holiday parties. This is especially yummy in winter or cold with a salad in summer.  I’ve modified the traditional recipe as follows: added carrots and garlic, replaced the sugar with apple, did not use bread in the recipe, replaced cows milk with rice milk – and recommend organic produce and grass-fed or wild meat, plus organic or pastured eggs.

Trudy’s Bobotie

  • 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
  • 2 onions, peeled and sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped (more if you’re brave – I always use tons of garlic!)
  • 4 medium carrots, thinly chopped or grated
  • 2  pounds/1 kg  good quality grass-fed ground beef or bison
  • 1/2 cup rice milk (or organic raw cows milk if you are ok with dairy)
  • 1 tablespoon medium curry powder or garam masla
  • 1 small apple , finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 3/4 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup seedless organic raisins
  • 2 tablespoons chutney (find Mrs Balls South African chutney at World Markets)
  • 3 medium organic or pastured eggs

Cook onions and garlic over medium heat in oil until onions are transparent. Add ground beef and carrots. Cook until lightly browned and crumbly.

Add curry, apple, salt, pepper, turmeric, vinegar, raisins, chutney to the beef mixture and mix. Spoon the mixture into a greased baking dish and bake for 30 minutes in preheated 350°F oven.

Beat eggs with milk and pour over the cooked meat and bake for a further 30 minutes.

Serve with brown rice, steamed veggies and extra chutney.

Serves: 6