This list rates different fruits and vegetables based on their pesticide residue; the ones at the top of the list should be bought organic--unless you want to consume 30+ pesticides when you are trying to be healthy! Also the "Dirty Dozen" and "Clean Fifteen" is a good guide:
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Though strict paleo diets exclude dairy completely, most appear to embrace the movement toward raw, unprocessed dairy. Yogurt has the potential to be very nutritionally beneficial not only because of its calcium and protein content, but also because of the live cultures of good bacteria it contains. However, finding the right kind of yogurt is highly difficult for a variety of reasons: confusing jargon, tendency to pick low-fat/non-fat products, little description of cow treatment and diet; etc. Yogurt is at its best when bought directly from a farm with grass-fed dairy cows. However, few of us have access to such yogurt (not to mention it can be pricy too!). Originally, I was a promoter of Cabot Greek Yogurt (Lowfat plain) because of its high protein content and Vermont Origin. Yet, after watching Food Inc. and learning about StonyField yogurt, I began to reconsider my preference. StonyField offers organic yogurt, which means its cows are grass-fed for a greater part of the year. Furthermore, after doing some web surfing, I found that Cabot's cows are more than likely not grass fed. I recently purchased StonyField Smooth and Creamy Organic Plain Yogurt made with WHOLE MILK. (KEY WORK=WHOLE MILK=LEAST PROCESSED=HEALTHIEST OPTION=DON'T BE FOOLED BY LOWFAT AND NONFAT LABELS!). It definitely has a better taste and I feel better eating it knowing that the cows are fed properly and live in healthy conditions. I am also interested to see if there is a full fat plain GREEK version to up my protein intake.
NOTE: Plain yogurt is definitely not tasty by itself--but it allows you to make your own, healthier flavors. I enjoy adding fruit, cinnamon, honey, nuts, or even my paleo pumpkin banana squares! Today I watched another documentary on the costs of having an industrialized food system. It is super disturbing how farmers doing the correct practices are held at a disadvantage simply because larger food corporations have the funding and political leverage to support themselves. Biggest moral=we can vote with our dollar for products that are produced in a moral and ethical way, and businesses will adjust themselves according to what we--the customers--want. Visit this cite for more information: http://www.takepart.com/foodinc/action
We picked up our raw milk last Tuesday. It is absolutely delicious and you can literally taste how healthful it is with every sip. I normally have trouble digesting dairy, but as predicted, the raw milk has caused me zero issues! My nutritionist said it can be used as an excellent post-workout recovery food with some organic chocolate! Yum(: I have not tried that yet, but I have been having it with my breakfast or as a night time snack.
Maybe this is why raw milk is so hard to buy! Just watched this documentary on Netflix; it reveals how the USDA has made raw milk the most regularized product to sell next to marijuana! ($&@*#Why?!) Over the years the government has gotten increasingly controlling over what people can consume and who they can buy it from--and this is ironically making us all less healthy. It appears as if the government wants to get rid of local agriculture all together, so larger, industrialized, (not to mention inhumane) food businesses can take over. Fight back and buy local, organic products!
Yesterday my dad and I stocked up on meats! One Earth Health Food Store in Shapleigh has amazing prices for high quality meets ($5.99/Ib for ground beef from Findview Farm, $2.69/Ib for FreeBird chicken thighs)! Keepin' It Local, which is just down the road, also has high quality meets, though they are slightly more expensive.
My mom and I also put in an order for raw milk at One Earth. It is really hard to find places that sell raw milk, but One Earth orders the quantity you want and shipments come in weekly. It should be in by Tuesday--super stoked! I have never tried it! |
AuthorHi, I am Cat Ledue and am currently a senior in high school. I am a born and raised Mainer with a passion for nutrition, running, and any activity in the outdoors! Archives
April 2015
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Follow me as I live out a busy, high school schedule while adhering to a paleo lifestyle!
My version of paleo: grass-fed, pastured, and organic meat sources, wild-caught fish, fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, tons of healthy fats (coconut oil, olive oil, flax seed oil, grass-fed butter, etc.), some natural sweeteners (raw honey, cinnamon, grade B maple syrup, etc.), and full fat, grass-fed dairy (all bought local or organic when economical and feasible). Excludes legumes, grains, and processed dairy (though I do have specific types of minimally processed yogurt).
In order to better understand nutrition and athletics, among other related topics, I am doing a research project and will compile my findings into a meaningful, creative presentation.