Green Eating
Chia seeds (Salvia Hispanica) are smooth kerneled small round seeds, somewhat like mustard seeds in appearance, but pretty much tasteless. Nutritionally, they are almost completely fiber, protein and omega 3 fats. Their core attribute is that when soaked, even briefly, in fluid (water, juice, almond milk) they swell up and become sort of gelatinous, kind of pudding like. The picture to the left shows the seeds in water, just at the point when they start to swell- about 5 to 7 minutes after soaking. When ingested, the body can use them incredibly efficiently as fuel, and they make you feel very full for a long time.
We've been experimenting with them as part of a cleanse, and they are a delicious add to a plant based eating plan and an energetic lifestyle.
Chia Green Drink
The morning "green drink" is an invaluable part of healthy eating. I add 1 to 2 tablespoons of chia in the morning to fresh pressed or organic apple juice, water, 1 scoop of Green Vibrance (or similiar) and 1/2 banana in the blender and am energized and satisfied for hours.
Chia Enriched Cooler Beverage
You can add Chia to 3/4 unsweetened hibiscus tea, 1/4 red juice like pomegranate or blueberry-cranberry blend (we love R.W. Knudsen's), and drink throughout the day.
Chia Oatmeal Breakfast Pudding
If you're eating nuts and grains, soak uncooked oatmeal, chia seeds in almond milk, add cinnamon and agave or local honey to taste (local honey protects against seasonal allergies!). Allow to soak for ten minutes and then stir up for a delicious breakfast pudding. Try other flavorings and sweeteners, such as fresh blueberries or maple syrup.
Chia Sweet Potato Soup
Bake sweet potatoes (1 per serving) until soft, peel, cut into chunks, and place in blender. Puree with coconut milk (we use So Delicious brand). Make sure it's not coconut water and also not any of the canned syrupy kind used in curries! Add a little at a time until the soup is the consistency you want (this could be vegetable stock, too). Add salt, pepper, and 2 TB of chia per serving for a fresh and filling course.
Other Uses
You can sprinkle chia in yogurts, smoothies, or almost anything to get a boost of satisfying filling protein.
Happy healthy eating!
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Radiant Eating
Want to feel fantastic? Ready to create your most radiant powerful body, alert mind, clear skin and healthiest digestion?
Our radiant eating plan will help you get yourself super healthy, keenly alert and ready for anything.
But don’t take our word for it- just try this for 7 days and see how you feel. If you are like most people you will feel lighter and clearer and will notice positive changes in the first few days. You may also experience some detox symptoms between days 2 and 5, but once those pass, there are limitless benefits- so keep going. After 7 days, check in with your body, and then if you feel like continuing, recommit to another 7 days, just taking it in chunks. In this way, you can change this from a program to a way of life. Releasing a physical addiction, such as to sugar, can take up to 28 days.
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 As a green consumer, you are no doubt savvy to the trends in “green” food products that come and go. Health food stores are always carrying the latest superfood, superherb, or super cleansing products. Some may be completely viable, some may not be as much. With all of the branded products that come and go with the tides of eco-trends, there are a number of foods out there that have a legitimate history, a past, beyond just the shelf life of the companies that are growing with the current green movement. |
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It may seem difficult at first, but consider seeds as coming directly from inside a plant, rather than inside a paper envelope at the market. It’s really that simple!
When growing heirloom fruits and vegetables, choose the best plants from your garden for seed saving. Strong, healthy plants produce strong, healthy seeds and offspring. Also, allow plants to fully ripen before harvesting them for the seeds -- they too are more likely to grow than younger, weak seeds. Most vegetable seeds remain viable for three to five years when stored properly. |
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WHAT ARE HEIRLOOMS?
Once upon a time, in a land far far away, our ancestors raised fruits and vegetables in homegrown gardens in their yards, or even in shared spaces. It wasn’t difficult to grow enough food to feed the household, and often it was easy to grow enough food in the summer months to last through the cold season. Seeds were saved year after year so that each plant could be replanted for the next growing season. This process of saving seeds from grown plants and using them to replant results in the fruits and vegetables we call heirlooms. Heirloom plants, in the truest sense, are those that are passed down from generation to generation. |
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This is part of our continued look into making sustainable fish purchases. Casson Trenor, long time activist for sustainable fisheries, advisor to major corporations on purchasing and labeling policies, author of Sustainable Sushi, and co-owner of the Restaurant Tataki, gives us his very informed take.
Whether in the form of a tuna salad, melt or casserole, canned fish, especially tuna, is a staple food in many American households. But many of our readers wondered if buying canned tuna is hurting the oceans. The good news for fish eaters is that there are brands of canned tuna or salmon that are okay.
Casson: Canned tuna should be pole-caught, and the smaller the species, the better. So pole-caught skipjack tuna is best, followed by domestic pole-caught albacore. Anything that doesn't say "pole-caught" on it is going to be trouble. (editor's note: To understand the differences between Purse Seining, Long Lines and other forms of Commercial fishing- and why they do damage to the oceans, please see this page at the Monterey Bay Aquarium's site. It's immediately clear why pole-caught is the only sustainable method.)
Look for these brands:
 Wild Planet Wild Planet offers Tuna, Salmon and Sardines. The Company is committed to providing the finest tasting sustainably caught seafood while supporting the conservation of wild marine ecosystems. Online Ordering.
 American Tuna American Tuna is comprised of six fishing families from San Diego, CA. These families represent generations of fishing for albacore with the "pole & line" method.
Dave's Albacore Fresh, Canned and Smoked Fish, plus chowders. Dave's employs ecologically responsible methods available to harvest seafood. The process of harvesting both Dave's Gourmet Salmon and Albacore are among the most primitive and discretionary methods
Oregon's Choice Tuna, Salmon, Crab, Oysters, Shrimp and Pet Foods. Online Ordering.
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This is part of our continued look into making sustainable fish purchases. Casson Trenor, long time activist for sustainable fisheries, advisor to major corporations on purchasing and labeling policies, author of Sustainable Sushi, and co-owner of the Restaurant Tataki, gives us his very informed take.
GGO: Are there some supermarkets or chains that I can count on? In other words, where can I shop that the company’s fish buyer has done the hard work for me? Conversely, where would you avoid shopping?
Casson Trenor: Believe it or not, the best major chain in terms of sustainable seafood is Target. I know, I know -- you've probably never thought to buy seafood at Target. But a lot of people do, and they're actually making a good choice. Target has made some very positive steps and continues to push towards a fully sustainable seafood operation. |
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 Organic foods are grown, packaged, and processed with the integrity of the environment in mind. Supporting this food movement is to join an ever-growing consciousness of working and growing with the cycles of nature, rather than acting against them. Organic standards are in place as an attempt to protect, preserve, and restore the biological viability of our soils and waters, as well as the health of all consumers.
That being said, organic food is not a panacea for all things good. There are a few things that must not be confused with the term
“organic:” |
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 Smart shopping when it comes to organic prioritizing takes a bit of patience and planning, but with some simple tips, you can get started on your path to greener living.
Know your facts. There are numerous websites and organizations dedicated to consumer awareness of our foods, so take advantage of them to learn your stuff. At the end of the article are links to some great references; use these to further your education of what to buy and what to eat. |
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 Clearly, not everyone can afford to buy all of their groceries from strictly organic sources. The cost of organics is still appreciably higher than those of conventional groceries, and organics may not even be available to every consumer in their neighborhood produce market or grocery store. But buying strictly organic foods is not the only way to reach for greener foods. As with anything in life, there are appropriate places to splurge when possible, and appropriate places to compromise when necessary. It’s all about a balance. |
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