The Five Dirtiest Foods

Info that is very good to know! Read about "The five dirtiest foods", and learn how you can make them less dirty...

Jennifer :)

Small Planet Fund

It's that time of year again: the annual Small Planet Fund party and auction, which takes place in NYC on December 10th. For the past four years or so, I've donated a private nutrition consultation. If you'd like to upgrade your health while also helping an awesome organization, check out my listing on their auction page.

And of course, there are maaaany other goodies to choose from!

Learn more about the inspirational Small Planet Fund on their website.

Happy bidding!

Jennifer :)

Trader Joe's Newbie

I ventured into Trader Joe's for the very first time today. I know, you're probably thinking, "Where have you been, in the twilight zone?!" The one store here in NYC has been open for a couple years, and I think I did peek in once, but it was way too crowded. Nothing changed, it was shopping cart madness there today, but it was fun scanning the shelves looking for healthy bargains. Organic string cheese for my cheese-hungry daughter, organic almonds to make homemade almond milk, canned wild salmon, organic herb salad mix, etc. So much $ saved compared to my usual Whole Foods excursion! Granted, Whole Foods is a block away from me so that'll still be my #1 store. Trader Joe's though, it's like the IKEA of food shopping--cheap and with some corporate creativity still intact. If you have one near you, go and take a look around--I guarantee you'll come home with some new stuff to add to your nutritious repertoire.

Jennifer :)

Dollar a Day Diet

Once upon a time (well, last month actually), this couple out in California decided to try something--feed themselves for 30 days with just one dollar a day. More than one billion people in our world live on LESS than one dollar per day, so this experiment shed light on issues such food choices, consumerism, waste, poverty, social psychology, etc.

I had been thinking myself recently that it's insane how much my little family of three spends on food. But could I do it for $1 a day? No way. A friend is attempting her own challenge--$5 a day. Could I do that? Um, honestly, I don't think so.

First of all, I live in Manhattan, the most expensive city in the country. Secondly, I'm caught in a quality trap--it ironically costs more to eat organic and healthy. Thirdly, the best part of NYC life is enjoying its plethora of restaurants.

I will, however, look more closely at our food choices...and of course, if the economy makes the big downturn that is so feared, well, of course we'll be thinking more creatively!

Check out the couple's 30-day chronicle: onedollardietproject.com.

Jennifer :)

P.S. It's purely coincidental that the dude from the Dollar a Day Diet somewhat resembles the youtube neti stunt man from my last post!

Neti Pot Love, At Last

Goodbye warm weather, (a very reluctant) hello to the cold/flu season.

A congestion attack got me already--two weeks ago, I felt the sinus pressure building up to the point I thought my head was going to explode. Luckily I remembered my unloved neti pot tucked away in the closet. I had never previously gotten into a nasal rinse routine (hence why poor neti was in storage); this time though, playing in my mind were the anecdotes from friends who are long time daily "netizens" and swear that you can become so addicted that you want to take the pot on vacation with you. (With all the baby gear I have to travel with nowadays, that's kinda doubtful!)

Day 1, I swallowed more salt water than what came out the other nostril. Didn't give up. Went to youtube, watched some people making it look so simple. Tried it again Day 2...success! Now it's easy-peasy, as routine as brushing my teeth.

I won't get into "How To" details, there are other resources for that (youtube!), however I will just advise that you be patient, keep working on the perfect head tilt, and also that if you're super congested, a colleague gave me a great rinse recipe that incorporates baking soda--email me if you'd like the instructions.

Start now since it's easiest to learn how to do it when your nasal passages aren't blocked. And besides, it may very well keep you from getting sick this winter!

Jennifer :)

P.S. Do NOT try what this guy does at home, but watch this youtube video, if only for the cool music.

World's Healthiest Foods

For an amazing resource to learn the nutritional value of all kinds of fruits and veggies, check out this site for the World's Healthiest Foods. Or maybe you want to know what foods are high in such and such nutrient? Here's the breakdown. One more cool thing on this site: take the food advisor quiz to determine if you might be deficient in a particular nutrient. (Obviously the quiz is too simple to be perfect, but it might bring attention to something you previously neglected.)


Jennifer :)

Why Might French People Not Get Fat

Just back from three weeks in France, pondering how I could have eaten cheese and drank wine at EVERY meal and still come back to New York leaner than before. Some people claim it's that European food is purer than what's found here in America, however I don't buy that. I think there are as many pesticides/fertilizers/hormones in their food as ours (granted we have more awareness about it here in the States).

Okay, here goes...my theory is that "slow food" really is healthier food. Some of our family dinners lasted up to four hours. Aperitif hour, pause; then onto the series of courses, slow discussion leading the pace, along with the sprinklings of the aforementioned wine (rosé in our case, as is mandatory in South of France during summer!).

Lower stress levels also play a part, both with digestion, and with mindful eating. I've already noticed since our return that I go and grab snacks here at home without really thinking about it, hungry or not. In France, food revolves around meal times. The belly is so satisfied in-between meals that there's usually not much need for snacking.

Ah well, just theories! Let me know if you have your own theory to share with me.

Meanwhile, I'll also share a few healthy tips when traveling in France:

-Nearly every town, even the small ones, have a health food store, aka "Bio" shops. BioCoop is one great well known chain throughout France, however the best I encountered was LuberonBio, in the heart of Provence
-"Bio", by the way, is the French term for organic. Look for the symbol "AB", which stands for Agriculture Biologique.
-I sampled two great veg restaurants in Paris: Le Potager du Marais and Grand Appetit. Not the same standard of veg restaurants in New York or L.A., however both nice surprises!
-Even the standard boulangerie sells whole grain baguettes--you might not be able to slip them past a die-hard French baguette lover (as was the case with my love's father!), but they're deliCIOUS if you're already used to whole grain breads
-If you have a baby and are looking for eco-disposables in France, the ONLY brand I found were Moltex--super-expensive (especially for those of us shopping with the piddly U.S. $!) but a solid product. They're sold at many bio shops, or in Paris's groovy little eco-baby shop, Bébés en Vadrouille. As for food, organic baby food is pretty easy to find, under such brands of HIPP or BabyBio. A bit thicker than what we're used to here in the states, usually heavy on potatoes...however a nice stand-in for moments on the road when I couldn't cook Zoé's food myself.

Vive La France!

Jennifer :)

P.S. Just eat the cheese already.