Food Faux Pas. Is what you’re eating real or fake food? Watch this incredibly educating video from CNN.
(Source: http://i.cdn.turner.com/)
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Friend: Why do you eat so healthy all the time?
Me: Why do you brush your teeth?
Friend: Ummm, because I feel disgusting if I don’t.
Me: Exactly.
Is dairy harmful? By Dr. Neal Barnard (as found on thekindlife.com)
Got milk? For decades, dairy industry advertisements have convinced Americans that cow’s milk is an appropriate—and even essential—food for humans. Americans have been led to believe that cow’s milk is necessary for healthy, strong bones. As it turns out, dairy products may have the opposite effect.
A new study published in the British Medical Journal found that people who consumed the highest amounts of calcium did not have a reduction in bone fractures or osteoporosis. In fact, those who consumed the most calcium (more than 1,137 milligrams per day) had higher rates of hip fractures and similar rates of osteoporosis, compared with those who consumed less. Researchers looked at more than 60,000 Swedish women over 19 years and concluded no significant benefit to consuming more than 700 milligrams of calcium per day for bone health.
Despite growing scientific evidence that dairy products are not necessary and that they may even be harmful, the federal government continues to recommend that we consume them. The U.S. Department of Agriculture just released its new food guide icon, MyPlate, to replace the food pyramid. The new plate image, which recommends increased fruit and vegetable consumption, still reserves a special place for dairy products. The government also continues to channel millions of taxpayer dollars to dairy producers each year through indirect and direct subsidies.
Just as the dairy industry has spent a fortune on ads convincing Americans that milk moustaches are stylish and that milk is nutritious, dairy lobbyists have convinced government officials to keep dairy products in schools and dietary guidelines.
The reality is that there is no reason for humans to consume cow’s milk—and there are many reasons to avoid it. Dairy products are packed with fat and cholesterol and may increase the risk of health problems ranging from asthma to some types of cancer. An elevated risk of prostate cancer incidence and mortality has been associated with dairy consumption and the same may be true for ovarian cancer.
Calcium is a necessary nutrient, but we can easily get enough from plant foods. The most healthful sources are green leafy vegetables and legumes, or “greens and beans.” And instead of harming our health like cow’s milk, these plant foods boost our immune systems and help us avoid chronic illnesses. Just think how much healthier our nation would be if everyone traded their milkshakes for green smoothies!
Great read. Very educational.
Simply Delish Braised Kale
Need a way to get more greens in your diet? Drinking greens in your smoothies not cutting it? Or do you simply crave something comforting that is tasty and good for you too? Look no further, this recipe is sure to please even the person who is not fond of kale. Trust me, this recipe is a winner. You will crave it! I have made it a few times in the last couple of weeks. I just love me some kale (Tuscan organic is my fave)! 
What you need: 1 bag Organic Tuscan Kale (pre washed and pre cut) 1 leek, washed thoroughly and diced 3 cloves of garlic, minced 1 large vein ripened organic tomato, diced 1/4 cup pine nuts (plus more for garnish) 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (organic preferred) Sea salt, black pepper to taste How you make it: 1. In a sauté pan (or any small pan, a skillet can work as well), pan roast the pine nuts over medium heat. Keep your eye on these babies, they can burn easily. Once roasted (slightly golden brown), remove from heat and set aside. 
2. Add olive oil to a wok or sauté pan. Toss in leeks and garlic and cook until translucent and aromatic. Add a pinch or two of sea salt and black pepper. 
3. Add bag of kale. Toss leeks, garlic and kale together. Let wilt. 
4. Turn slowly every few minutes. The kale will get slightly charred and smoky. 5. Toss tomato in. Let burst slightly and season with pepper and salt. 
6. Turn off heat. Let sit a few minutes. Toss in pine nuts and serve immediately. 
Enjoy this fab recipe! I’m sure you will love your greens after this dish! Peace, love, kale and no beef! Guramrit
Week One: 30 Day Green Smoothie Challenge
Greetings everyone! I hope all is well and that the new year is treating you right! Like I mentioned a few posts ago, I embarked on a 30 day green smoothie challenge. I started off excited, nervous and mostly nervous. I was afraid. I thought, how in the world can I survive replacing one of my meals with a smoothie? I was convinced I was going to starve.
I must admit the first few days were NO fun. I started my challenge with a smoothie for breakfast. Now, if you don’t know already the time between dinner and breakfast is the longest time you really go without food (hence breaking the fast). Having a smoothie for breakfast made me feel a bit weak at first. I felt hungry again within a few hours. I also realized that I was obsessed with this idea of having a big breakfast. Breakfast is actually one of my favorite meals of the day. I love the infinite possibilities for breakfast food. I think I just made myself hungry.
I have switched up the times of day when I have a smoothie. Some mornings I can tolerate a smoothie for breakfast, as long as I keep my lunch satisfying and nibble on a palm full of almonds or cashews to sustain me. I have had smoothies for lunch and even have had it for dinner. I’m only a week into the challenge and I just CRAVE a smoothie whenever I’m hungry. I have stocked up on frozen organic berries, mangoes, bananas, kale and spinach. I plan on making use of the recipes SimpleGreenSmoothies.com provides each week.
Here are a few of my favorite recipes (tweak them however you like!):
Super Green Berry Machine
What you need:
2 cups raw baby spinach (or kale)
3/4 cup organic orange juice
1 cup frozen organic strawberries/blueberries/mixed berries (whatever you like)
1 banana
1 tablespoon Udo’s oil (a vegan friendly Omega 3/6/9 Oil blend)
1 level scoop of Gary Null’s Green Stuff
1 teaspoon of Organic Bee Pollen/Chia Seeds/Hemp Hearts (whatever you like!)
How you make it:
1. Combine ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. You may need to add a little extra liquid to the smoothie to get a better consistency. Keep your OJ on hand! Organic only please!
Power Protein Smoothie (compliments of Simple Green Smoothies)
What you need:
1 banana
2 cups spinach
1 cup fresh strawberries
1 cup frozen blueberries
10 whole almonds
2 cups water (or unsweetened almond milk)
4 tablespoons vanilla flavored protein powder (try: Spirutein)
How you make it:
1. Blend well and enjoy! This smoothie is especially great for breakfast. 
I will be posting more smoothie recipes as the challenge continues!
Minus my 2 day encounter with the flu, I have really felt wonderful. The effects of having at least ONE green smoothie a day is incomparable. I have great energy, focus and feel phenomenally slim. I have been off of caffeine for a few weeks and I don’t miss it as much. The smoothies have really curbed the caffeine craving!
Keep on the look out for my updates on the challenge! 
Peace, love, and green smoothies (and no beef duh!).
-Guramrit
No Beef Here 