When Does Organic Actually Matter?

I've seen some people just go nuts buying organic. Some people may even make you feel like you're going to hell for not eating organic. The question becomes: is it really necessary? From what I've read from Dr. Furhman, Dr. Cousens, and others, it is worth buying the organic stuff depending on the food item.

The rule of thumb seems to be, if you're going to eat the peel, then you should buy organic. This means, if you're going to buy a inorganic apple, then you should peel it before you dive into that thing. Why? Because the toxins from the pesticides cause cancer, and the skin absorbs to brunt of it. Conversely, if you buy an organic apple, just house that peel. You can probably even eat the sticker.

For things like strawberries and blueberries, you're screwed. You should only buy organic. It turns out the most toxic natural food on the planet is an inorganic strawberry, stay away from those. There is no peeling organic berries, unless you're a psycho path. Plus too many of the toxins get into the fruit anyway.

Finally, there is a taste benefit to organic. Organic carrots for instance taste sweeter. I've also noticed organic apples taste better as well, although that's pretty subjective.

Soy Sauce Replacement

A good amount of recipes seem to call for soy sauce. Mrs. Bragg's Liquid Aminos makes a good substitute to salt-saturated soy sauce.

Harvest Grains, Spinach, and Tofu

A friend of mine gave this recipe. It keeps well and is good to have multiple times.

• 1 Bag of Trader Joe 's Harvest Grains
• 1 Pound of frozen spinach
• 1 package of extra firm tofu
• 2 low sodium vegetable bullion cubes

Boil 4 cups of water with bullion cubes. Add in harvest grains, spinach, sliced tofu, and cook on low. Add low sodium hot sauce, or Himalayan or Celtic salt. Makes about 4-5 meals.

Kale - Best Food on The Planet

What would you choose you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life? Most people probably wouldn't choose kale. Perhaps one of the most under-eaten foods, there seems to be no question that Kale contains the most micro nutrients of any food on the earth. My first exposure to Kale was in my grandmother's famous Portuguese Kale soup. Accompanied by chourico, potatoes, and salt, it is one of the most unappetizing looking dishes you can have. If you throw away the chourice, these Portuguese people of old were on to something. It is interesting to note that my grandmother said that she or my grandfather would never eat the chourico in the latter part of their life, because of the way they felt from it. It is interesting to think they continued to eat the soup without the main Portuguese ingredients. Maybe their bodies were craving the kale in their old age. Or maybe I'm just a total bullshitter, but it's worth pointing out the story.

Quick High Nutrient Lunch

Here is a good tasting meal and one of the highest nutrition valued in "Eat for Health" by Dr. Furhman. I had this for lunch today with a big red delicious apple, and it's definitely a keeper.

• 1 pound of spinach
• 1 pound of brussel sprouts
• 1 onion chopped
  
• 14.5 oz can of chopped or diced tomatoes
• 4 cloves of minced garlic
• 2 pinches of Himalayan salt (regular salt kills you)
  
• pepper

Steam the spinach and brussel sprouts with water in a covered pot. Water saute onion and garlic. After everything is soft, combine in the pot and add all other ingredients.

The Protein Myth

Which has more protein, the steak or the broccoli? According to Dr. Furhman, the broccoli has more protein per calorie. It seems a bit hard to believe, but it's true. Now, to move onto chicken, chicken wins. However, Dr. Furhman recommends eating at least a pound of greens per day. If we actually eat a pound of greens a day, then we will be getting our fill of protein. Add a couple cups of beans to the mix, and you're getting just as much protein in that alone. Plus, you'll help avoid the cancers associated with eating chicken on a frequent basis.

Almond Milk

I've been drinking quite a bit of soy milk. Mainly because I eat oatmeal for breakfast most days. Another reason is simply because the Silk brand Vanilla tastes pretty good. The only problem is, I've read nothing but bad about having too much soy. I haven't grown boobs or anything yet, but consensus on the estrogen issue doesn't sound good. Fortunately, I've heard that almond milk is actually good for you. I tried making my own by soaking some almonds over night. It was ok, but I'm not sure I have the time for it. Last week at the grocery store I noticed Blue Diamond vanilla almond milk. The stuff is delicious, and I don't feel as bad as I did with the soy milk. You're probably better off with the non-vanilla version, but the stuff tastes pretty damn good.