A recent European conference on breast cancer discussed the importance of diet and lifestyle in breast cancer prevention for all women, not just those with a family history of the disease. Women who achieve (and maintain) a healthy weight and exercise can avoid breast cancer more than obese and sedentary women. The healthcare industry in Europe is shifting their focus from treatment (which is the best it can be right now) to implementing behavior change in their patients. Yay! I hope America follows suit.
Ladies, are you at your ideal weight for you height and body type? Are you exercising regularly? If the answer is no, get some support and make it happen. Your life depends on it.
Read the entire article here.
Americans eat more meat now than ever before, mostly due to the low cost made available by mass production farming. What does this really cost you? When farm animals are mass produced for food, they are:
1. Kept in cramped, unhygienic (read: poop-fest) quarters.
2. Not allowed proper muscle development to keep meat soft and chewy.
3. Given mass amounts of antibiotics to ward off disease.
4. Fed corn (a mass produced grain) and often animal carcass.
If you eat meat, you probably don’t want to eat all of the caca listed above too. Look for labels like ‘grass-fed’ and ‘free-range’ to ensure you are not adding these toxins to your system. Yes, it costs more money but not if you balance it with a vegetarian meal the next day. Eat a little less meat (like our grandparents did) and add more veggie dishes in your diet. Your body will thank you!
This week I bought a big bunch of arugula. According to “Greens Glorious Greens!” by Johnna Albi & Catherine Walthers, arugula is one of the most nutritious greens. It leads the pack in calcium content and is also rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene. Most folks associate calcium with dairy, but you can get a good supply of it from greens as well. I sauteed the arugula in olive oil, with lots of minced garlic and some chili powder. It took 5 minutes to prepare! I also added some leaves to a bean burrito. Arugula has a kick to it, so heads up & enjoy! If you have a favorite arugula recipe, please send it along.
I’ve been reading “The Urban Homestead” as a guide to my spring projects. I recommend this book to anyone with a sense of DIY-ness, at any level. From growing herbs indoors, to raising chickens in the city, to making your own household cleaners, to going-off grid, this book is a great resource for the urban dweller. The authors empower the reader to connect with the earth in a way that is accessible and affordable. As for me, I started eggplant, basil and tomato seedlings today and will plant carrots and lettuce soon. I’m also working on a two-tier compost pile. Stay tuned for updates on these projects and click here for a complete guide of resources in conjunction with this book.
Photography by Kelly McCabe
The first cooking class from Marian Isel Wellness took place this weekend and I am proud to report it was a success! Our very chill and beautiful group made delicious, nutritious and 95% organic soups (Spinach Lentil, Cuban Black Bean and Curried Carrot), two side dishes and a dessert. The evening consisted of good food, good music, good conversation & company. I want to show that healthy, vegetarian cooking can be affordable, easy and tasty. I am repeating this class on March 26th from 6:30 to 9:30, contact me for registration details!
Continue reading ‘Cooking Class Was A Success!’
Today, two different events led me to the documentary film, Food, Inc. First, one of my clients told me she watched it last night and couldn’t believe what she saw. She said: “To think that being an educated person, who avoids the pitfalls of fast food joints and liters of soda cannot have a reasonable assumption that their food is safe and healthy in the most “powerful” country in the “first” world is the great terrorism of our day.” Second, Oprah had Michael Pollan on her show discussing the film and his latest book, “Food Rules”. I could go on for days, but the most important fact I took from today’s show and the film is that this is really a consumer’s issue, and once we know the facts, the choice is up to us. We get to vote three times a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) how much pesticide is used in our food, how workers are treated and compensated, the impact the food we eat has on our environment and whether we pay more money on food now or on getting sick later. Wake up, America! The choice is in our hands.
How many times have you piled on extra salad dressing, yogurt, cookies, chocolate, muffins, cheese, etc. etc. etc. and told yourself you are all good because it’s low-fat? The truth is, many low-fat products are really high in sugar- much higher than their full-fat counterpart. The extra sugar is added to make the product taste better. So while there may indeed be less fat in whatever you’re eating, the added sugar spikes your sugar levels way up only to soon come crashing down (leaving you craving more sugar) and eventually, ends up turning to fat in your system anyway. In the end, you are better off having a reasonable portion of the full-fat item. Next time you are at the supermarket, compare labels and see for yourself.
Si*Sé released their new EP today, titled “Gold”. This is the NYC group’s third studio album. As always, vocalist Carol C sets me adrift a wave of memories and emotions, grounded in sensuality. If you’re in need of some dance therapy, head straight to the album release party this Friday and call me in the morning. All this goodness can be yours by clicking here.
From now until May 6, The Lower East Side Girls Club will be accepting your used (and beautiful, clean & stylish) dresses for their annual ‘Gowns for Girls’ event. Gowns for Girls provides free prom dresses to neighborhood girls. Yes, this is part of my Throw Out 50 Things project. Ladies, I know you have some party dresses you are not wearing! Why not donate to a good cause? Don’t live in the NYC area? Click here. If anyone knows of a similar service for young men, let me know.
L.E.S. Girls Club
56 East 1st Street
New York, NY 10003
Donations accepted M-F 11am-6pm
Hummus is a great and tasty way to add a non-meat based protein to your diet. This Middle-Eastern dish is made with chickpeas, tahini (made from crushed sesame seeds), garlic, lemon juice, olive oil and salt. Check labels to avoid brands with extra perservatives and sugars. Skip the chips! Include a serving of your daily veggies by chopping up carrots, celery, and bell peppers. Remember if you’re not buying organic, use a vegetable spray wash. Got a blender? Try making your own recipe!