This has to be one of my favorite conversations that I have as a trainer and nutritional consultant. I love when people say "it's all natural" and I say so is a beavers anal glad but I don't want it in my food! Now that I've got your attention lol, you may think that I'm kidding but unfortunately it is a disgusting fact.
Beware of "natural flavor" and products labeled "natural". Once upon a time those words meant something but as quantity and shelf life replaced the quality of food the word "natural" actually means nothing and is a pure marketing technique used to make you think you're buying a quality product. This shift took place due to companies focusing on money, making things cheaper and extending their shelf life vs. giving you a healthy quality product.
Also something you may not be aware of is that "natural" labeled products are NOT regulated by anyone. They can contain antibiotics, toxic pesticides, growth hormones and many other things that do not have to be disclosed to call a product "natural". It's the same with vitamins and supplements these are NOT regulated either so buyer beware. Anyone can sell a product labeled "natural" and it could be anything but which is an absolute shame that our government allows such blatant practices.
Here's a few other "natural" ingredients you may want to check for...
1. Coal Tar (also known as yellow #5) which can be found in Kraft macaroni and cheese, candy, fruit snacks, Doritos and Cheetos to name a few.
2. Beetles (also known as Carmine) which is used as a "natural" food coloring in products such as ice cream, yogurt and many candies.
3. Beaver Anal Glands (also known as Castoreum) which is an FDA approved "natural flavoring" that can be found in raspberry, strawberry and vanilla flavored foods like ice cream, yogurts, candy and jellies.
So now that I've probably freaked you out a little and you'll be rummaging through your pantry shortly, remember we can't control what they put into our food but we can control what we put into our mouth.
Even the healthy foods like lean proteins, fruits and vegetables are all grown in soil that is depleted of the nutrients it once had back in the day before we started using all these pesticides and hormones used to "enhance" our food. Our fish and seafood are swimming in polluted waters loaded with chemicals. So bottom line, you're not going to avoid it completely but the less you ingest of these toxic ingredients the better your health will be.
On that note...what's for dinner? lol
Friday, November 14, 2014
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Soup Season is Here
The only thing I can actually appreciate about colder
weather is a warm, healthy bowl of soup chocked full of nutrients, vitamins
and vitality. The comfort that comes
along with snuggling up with a piping hot bowl of goodness almost makes the
cold weather tolerable.
Yesterday I came up with this amazing recipe that is absolutely jammed
with deliciousness and takes me back to my Polish roots. It’s quick and easy and freezes well so it’s
the perfect combination of a nutritious and delicious lunch or dinner. Whip up a batch tonight and let me know how you like it. Enjoy!!!
TGS "Unstuffed" Cabbage Soup
 |
| TGS Unstuffed Cabbage Soup |
Ingredients
1 ¼ pound 99% lean ground turkey breast
1 small head of cabbage, chopped into small pieces
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 - 30oz cans tomato sauce
1 - 32oz chicken broth
1 tablespoon Worchestershire sauce
¼ cup ketchup
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Directions
In a large skillet, brown turkey breast with onions and garlic. Meanwhile in another large skillet over
medium heat, add the cabbage, season with salt and pepper, add a little water; cover
and cook about 10 minutes or until cabbage is tender.
In a large soup pot add the remaining ingredients. Add the cooked turkey and cabbage mixture
when the cabbage is cooked and tender.
Bring to a boil then reduce to low and simmer 30 minutes to an
hour. Enjoy!
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