I definitely wanted to touch on GMOs
and give you some more information considering the recent election and Prop 37
in California. Genetically modified
organisms (GMO’s) are just what the name implies. Organisms, in this case,
foods that have been changed genetically, altered genetically.
According to a report by Dr. Oz,
more than 80% of the foods we eat on daily basis contain one or more types of
GMO. And what’s more is that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
doesn’t require that these foods be labeled. The food manufacturers take
advantage of the cheaper costs of genetically modified foods and do not inform
you that these potentially dangerous food ingredients are in their products.
The benefits of GMO foods are that
these types of foods can be grown in less than optimal soils (thereby providing
less than optimal vitamins, minerals, and other vital nutrients.) My Dad is a farmer in Iowa and told me you can’t
even buy seeds today that are not genetically modified!! That scares me!! Another
alleged benefit is that there is less need for pesticides therefore making it
cheaper to grow foods. This allows for less expensive foods, although the
grocery prices are not lower!
Health Concerns with GM Foods
- Increase in allergies
- Increase in antibiotic resistance
- Problems with endocrine system
- Disorders of the reproductive system
- Increase in aging symptoms
Some countries, notably the European
Union does not allow GM foods to be imported. In addition, if their foods
contain more than .9% GM foods they must be labeled so the consumer knows
exactly what they’re getting and consuming.
The USDA and related government
agencies in our country argue against any labeling here on the grounds that
this would imply that GM foods are different. Well…..they are!!! Again, when it
comes to eating healthy and protecting your own health and that of your family
you can’t rely on anyone but yourself to choose the healthiest real foods that
are as close to the way God created them as possible.
While the list of GM foods is
undoubtedly growing, here are the most commonly found GM foods:
- Corn (which is in everything these days!!! High
Fructose Corn Syrup)
- Canola
- Alfalfa
- Soybeans (soy is NOT a health food!)
- Sugar Beets
I urge you to consider the potential
dangers of eating anything that has been altered from its original state and
consider the evidence now starting to come to light about their impact on your
health.
Avoiding GM foods can be a bit tricky since there are no warnings on the
labels. The following are my recommendations for keeping GM foods out of your
body:
- Avoid all foods with corn or canola oils or by
products.
- Look for and buy foods that are labeled GMO free.
- Shop for organic foods. (By law they must contain less
than 5% GM products.)
- Plant your own garden and eat fresh foods daily.
- Read and keep up on the latest GM foods
Need help cleaning up your diet? Schedule a nutrition consultation with me and I will help you avoid putting more toxins into your body!
Copyright, 2012, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or
Optimum Wellness MN, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or jackieamart@hotmail.com.
As a holistic
nutrition and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier
and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life.
You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships,
physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic
food and whole food) is.
This is a photo I took a few days ago of the dreaded cereal aisle in the grocery store.. I think it should be called the "cancer feeding" aisle!! Sugar feeds cancer cells and every single box is filled with this deadly substance! I cannot stress enough to stay away from this popular breakfast food!
In 1700, the average person consumed about 4 pounds of sugar per year. In 1800, the average person consumed about 18 pounds of sugar per year. In 1900, individual consumption had risen to 90 pounds of sugar per year. In 2009, more than 50 percent of all Americans consume one-half pound of sugar PER DAY—translating to a whopping 180 pounds of sugar per year! One gram of sugar equals 4 teaspoons of sugar! Think about it-your cereal box says it has 12 grams of sugar per serving.. that is 48 teaspoons of sugar! Would you sit down infront of the sugar bowl and eat that much plain sugar? Gross!! And most people eat more than one serving of cereal for breakfast!
Many people will say, “I don’t eat that much sugar.” The reason they’re wrong is that they’re not aware of the hidden sugars. Sugar is added to a high percentage of packaged, bottled, and canned goods. It also goes by many, many names. Additionally, refined wheat, rice, and other grain flours turn almost immediately to sugar once they hit your system.
So why does this matter? Sugar decreases your immune system function, is the primary source of obesity, and is the source of food for viruses, bacteria, and cancers. Research shows that cancer cells have 8 times as many receptors for sugar as they do oxygen. What this is saying is that every time you eat sugar, you are allowing cancer to develop and build in your body. With the massive increase in sugar con the rate of cancer has gone up exponentially since the 1700’s with 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women getting some form of cancer today.
Sugar is an addiction and part of a destructive lifestyle. While it may seem IMPOSSIBLE to avoid it, it’s not. As tough of an addiction as it seems, the craving for it also relinquishes quite quickly. Here is a great healthy alternative to your usual bowl of Raisin Bran or Captain Crunch!!
Grain-free "Cereal" Recipe:
Combine the following in a bowl-
*Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk or Coconut Milk
*Any type of berries
*Sliced almonds, walnuts, or pecans
*Chia Seeds
*Ground Flaxseeds
*Cinnamon
*Pure Vanilla Extract
Contact me for more great recipes and hidden sources of sugar!! 712.790.5883 or jackieamart@hotmail.com
Copyright, 2012, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or
Optimum Wellness MN, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or jackieamart@hotmail.com.
As a
holistic nutrition and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a
healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in
your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods
(relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary
foods (organic food and whole food) is.
http://www.optimumwellnessmn.com
Question:
"If I workout first thing in the morning should I go on an empty stomach, or what should I eat?
-Jimm from Eagan, MN
Answer:
Hi Jimm!! Great question!! The theory behind this is that your blood sugar levels are low when you're in a fasted state (after going all night without eating) which targets more fat burning.
Keep in mind that the majority of the "fuel" used during most exercise is not actually coming from the food you have just eaten. If you're working out at a moderate to high intensity you're using glycogen and fat that is stored in your muscles, liver, and fat cells. Typically, your body has enough of that stored fuel to last for one to two hours of intense work, or three to four hours at moderate intensity.
Therefore, if you are consuming a high quality diet, eating every three to four hours, your body may not need anything to eat before you begin your workout. Still, some people do have a hard time exercising without eating something first. Typically these people are more sensitive to changes in their blood sugar levels, which can decline during the first 15-25 minutes of their workout. It is this decline in blood sugar that causes dizziness, faintness, nausea or lightheadedness. This is especially true if you exercise first thing in the morning.Additionally, exercising on an empty stomach may not appeal to athletes as it will typically reduce overall performance. Professional athletes may also not be as concerned with fat loss.
I believe the best approach is to use some common sense and listen to your body. A number of individual factors can play a role, such as your age, when you last ate, whether or not you're pregnant, taking medications, your medical history, level of fitness, and the type of workout you engage in. For example, if you feel weak or nauseous while exercising on an empty stomach, you may want to at least eat a small meal before exercising.
*If you do need a little something before working out try a whey or hemp protein smoothie or plain greek yogurt and add your own berries, nuts and seeds!
Try Burst Training!!
The best and most efficient exercise is a high intensity, short duration work-out. This is BURST TRAINING! You give a short burst of maximal energy out put. When you do this type of work-out it produces a hormone HGH (human growth hormone). This type of work-out safely shocks the body’s physiology into becoming a muscle building, fat burning machine.
Instead of burning fat for an hour on a treadmill, a burst training session will spike your metabolism, produce HGH, and build lean muscle that will keep your body burning fat for up to the following 48 hours!!! The benefits to exercise and increasing muscle to fat ratio: increase energy, fat loss, improve heart and lung health, aid in elimination of toxins, improve libido, better sleep, fight depression and create better self image, manage blood sugar.
Please contact me to learn more about the link between exercise and your diet!
Copyright, 2012, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness MN, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or jackieamart@hotmail.com.
As a holistic nutrition and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.
http://www.optimumwellnessmn.com
It's cooling down at night and Fall seems to be just around the corner!! I love apple orchards, hayrides, pumpkin patches and wineries!! Sadly, apple season doesn't last forever, so it's important to buy extra apples to store for later in the year. Each variety of apples is different, make sure you ask your local orchard about the variety you are buying. Here are a few more generic storage tips to help your apples last into the cold winter months.
- Avoid storing apples with other fruits/vegetables. The gases naturally released by other fruits/vegetables can make apples soften.
- Placing apples in the refrigerator is great for short-term storage. But the refrigerator lacks humidity and can dry apples out. Place them in a perforated plastic bag (often what they are sold in). This will help trap some of the humidity.You can even add a damp paper towel over the bag for extra humidity.
- For longer term storage, you can put them in a cardboard box and keep them in a cool, dark place (like a basement or pantry). Its nice to close the box so it limits the airflow, but it doesn't need to be airtight.
- Avoid freezing the apples. Ideal storage is between 33-38 degrees Fahrenheit with humidity ranging between 80% and 90%.
- Try not to store apples with any bruises or soft spots, this will shorten storage life and cause more fruit decay in the whole group. To help prevent bruises, handle apples carefully and wrap them individually in newspaper before putting them in a box for storage.
Copyright, 2012, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness MN, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or
jackieamart@hotmail.com.
As a holistic nutrition and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.
http://www.optimumwellnessmn.com
Burst Exercise Training
When people think about exercising to lose weight they immediately think about spending countless hours of pain on the treadmill, spending hours in the gym, on the bike or in an aerobics class. While there are many cardiovascular benefits to aerobic exercise, it can actually be doing more harm than good. Cortisol is a stress hormone that is released during long aerobic work-outs. It actually increases fat storage and muscle break down. You are never going to lose the 10, 20, 50 extra pounds by designing your body to store fat and decrease lean muscle.
The idea of working out is to burn fat, increase lean muscle and supply your body with oxygen. The exact opposite of what aerobic exercise does for the body!
The best and most efficient exercise is a high intensity, short duration work-out. This is BURST TRAINING! You give a short burst of maximal energy out put. When you do this type of work-out it produces a hormone HGH (human growth hormone). This type of work-out safely shocks the body’s physiology into becoming a muscle building, fat burning machine.
Instead of burning fat for an hour on a treadmill, a burst training session will spike your metabolism, produce HGH, and build lean muscle that will keep your body burning fat for up to the following 48 hours!!! The benefits to exercise and increasing muscle to fat ratio: increase energy, fat loss, improve heart and lung health, aid in elimination of toxins, improve libido, better sleep, fight depression and create better self image, manage blood sugar.
HOW TO BURST TRAIN??? This is a work-out style; it can be done with almost any type of exercise. It can be done at home with little to NO equipment. It can be designed to push the most advanced athletes and it is as easy to do for any beginner. The more muscle groups that are involved in the exercise the better. Let me teach you how!
One Session (30 Minutes) $48
Package of 5 Sessions (30 Minutes Each) $255
Package of 10 Sessions (30 Minutes Each) $444
Copyright, 2012, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness MN, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or jackieamart@hotmail.com.
As a holistic nutrition and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.
