Green Tea Today, Boiled Barley Tomorrow.

[misswrite]

Maui has no shortage of health food stores, and I often grab some kind of tofu-based lunch at the hot bar or organic, preservative-free fig newtons off the shelf. And I prefer that kind of food - not just because I know it's better for me, but because it TASTES LIKE FOOD. I like when my food actually tastes like, at one point, it was in the earth

Comments

[lo5an]

For a long time, the FDA was the gold standard of international health and safety. Funding issues and other problems have lead to a decline in recent years, but I think they're still a very reliable judge.

I believe that tea promotes health in several ways, but I'd prefer the FDA to make manufactures toe the line by requiring a high standard of evidence before allowing explicit health claims on labels and packaging.

Of course, I just finished reading The Poisoner's Handbook, which has a chapter or two that focus on the marketing of radium-containing products as health aids in the days before the FDA was given real power. That might be coloring my view a bit :-)

[misswrite]

I guess because the FDA doesn't do its own research, and relies on research conducted by whoever can pay for it (oftentimes big corporations), they aren't necessarily always getting to the truth...

Here was one interesting story I heard recently about the FDA making threats to a Walnut company, while allowing Doritos to claim their product was "heart healthy." It's since green-lighted the walnut company, thankfully.

http://www.gaia-health.com/articles201/000230-fda-says-walnuts-are-drugs-and-doritos-are-heart-healthy.shtml

[misswrite]

BTW, this "news" source seems totally biased, and I take it with a grain of salt. I heard the story on the talk radio show I listen to, and it was presented with less hysteria.

[misswrite]

Good call. First must summon up energy to make salad. Then must throw icky stuff in.

[dibsditch]

Since near-fasting has been my number over the past two weeks, I'm not that qualified, but--

You're right-on about the fast food. Moreover, I find if I prepare my meals I'm less hungry and they're more healthy.

Agua de alfalfa- delicious, according to me.
alfalfa
water. possible ice.
juice of one small variety lime
couple slices of pineapple
bunch of little round dark red seed things. Peppercorn sized. Not sure what they are called in either language?
sweetener --here's where Mexico gets unhealthy, throwing tons of sugar into it, but some honey would work
(optional, nontraditional- quarter cup of oatmeal or armaranto)

In a blender. Then strain. Make a liter.

[misswrite]

mmmm...what's armaranto??

amaranto

[dibsditch]

ah, that was a typo. amaranto (amaranth in English) is a protein rich cereal. Looks and tastes like styrofoam particles, but mixed with honey in a bar it makes for a good crunch and tasty.

Re: amaranto

[misswrite]

Hmm, I'll have to keep my eyes open for it. :)

[whyelaborate]

It can definitely be overwhelming. I have a couple of stand by super foods that I consider awesome and easy. Every morning I mix a table spoon of bee pollen in warm water with honey. Warm, not hot, because you don't want to destroy whatever active enzymes. Bee pollen is one of natures most perfect foods, it is a perfect protein, it has all nine essential amino acids, it boosts immunity, helps with allergies, the list goes on. Most people add it to smoothies. I invented the warm water with honey thing becausei don't really like to drink cold things. It is soothing and actually pretty tasty. Whenever I make a salad I generously sprinkle it with spirulina, which is an algae that contains all the trace minerals that most modern people are lacking. It is pretty much tasteless, but be sure to brush your teeth after eating it, it turns your mouth green. I drink coconut water whenever I a hung over or its a hot day or I've done a hard workout, straight out of the fresh young coconut. We buy them by the case, but they should be easier for you

[misswrite]

You need to write a book, girl! I just took notes on this comment (in my planner and will be with me the next time I visit my local health food store). I'm excited to introduce some more healthy habits into my routine! (So far I drink green tea every morning, I've been making lots of salads with green goodness and sprinkling flax seed in, and I've been taking fish oil (genetics tells me I've got a bad heart).

A note on coconuts: when I was in Vanuatu, I was told that doctors servicing US soldiers used coconuts as IV drips, because they were lacking other sanitary materials. :)

[laviemoderne]

FDA are worthless corporate shills, just like the rest of government.

One of the greatest things about being back in Hawaii is the access to healthy food and lots and lots of ethnic cuisine! Molto yum!