Monthly Archives: April 2022

Resources To Reduce Your Ecological Footprint

by MiraBPA, environmenteco-friendly, environment, plastic, resources

Bioplastics may seem like an alternative to reduce plastic pollution. They are being touted as the best replacement because it is supposed to break down. However, it turns out that many bioplastics are made with GMO corn. Since I try to avoid GMO foods it bothers me that this product is still finding its way into the environment.

Some bio-degradable plastics have a mystery ingredient that helps them to break down faster. Researching it on the internet I come up with the information that that chemical is “proprietary” and so does not need to be shared with the general public. Other information states that it may “leave some toxic residue but the environmental impact is lessened.” This, again, is not something that I want touching my food or in our environmentl.

Resources

These are products which will help me continue to reduce my environmental impact; something I consider to be an important part of the balance to a holistic life.

Grocery Bag

Bring reusable grocery bags! One of my challenges these days is to not use the thin plastic bags that the grocery store gives out in the produce section. Here’s a great video on making produce bags from old t-shirts.

Glass & Stainless Steel Straws

Plastic straws are definitely not a good choice for the environment; it turns out that Americans use as much as 500 million straws per day! That’s a lot of plastic waste that’s not breaking down, getting into the environment, and possibly harming wildlife. To avoid plastic straws you can purchase reusable straws that are easy to wash and use again over and over. There are a number companies making these straws in either glass, metal, or silicone. The glass straws are available from a company called Strawsome.

Bring Your Own Takeout Container

When it comes to dining out there are a lot of companies who use styrofoam or plastic containers. Definitely not an eco-friendly option. Other companies offer cardboard or recycled cardboard containers. While these are definitely a better option than plastic or styrofoam, they’re still single use containers and environmentally still have a higher impact.

A better option is to bring your own container from home. While it does take time and attention to remember to bring your own container this is a big win for the environment as you can wash and re-use your container over and over. Plus it’s one less disposable container winding up in the landfill.

Cloth Napkins, Sandwich Bags

We do use cloth napkins in our house. Not 100% of the time. When I have a party I confess I buy paper because I just don't have that many cloth napkins. But on a daily basis it's cloth and we have a good size, mismatched collection.

When talking about the idea of reusable sandwich bags I came across only one resource for food-safe plastic fabric. If you decide to make your own reusable sandwich bags please do not use PUL or oilcloth, neither of those is acceptable for food contact.

When it comes to wrapping sandwiches, or even covering foods in a container, one of the best options, instead of plastic wrap, is to use beeswrap. These are cloths that have been treated with beeswax in order to make a pliable, re-usable wrap. Although they are somewhat expensive at the grocery store, they’re actually quite easy to make at home using this DIY Beeswrap Kit (note: this kit includes a specially blended mix of beeswax, pine resin, jojoba, and coconut oil for a flexible, reusable food wrap, you simply add your own fabric).

Gums

If you chew gum did you know that chances are you’re actually eating plastic? Yuck! That’s because most chewing gums are made with polyvinyl acetate. Apparently, the only brand of gum currently available that is 100% chicle and plastic-free is my favorite Glee gum. According to their website Glee gum is: plastic free and has no artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives. It’s also aspartame-free (it’s made with xylitol) as well as non-GMO and vegan. There’s not even any plastic in their packaging because they use cardboard.

One step at a time

When it comes to making these kinds of eco-friendy choices it can seem a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re trying to do it all at the same time. When I’m working with clients I encourage them to remember that we make sustainable change by working on new habits one step at a time. If you try to change everything at once it's too much. You are trying to remember and be consistent about too many things. You are not learning and setting those new habits.

Take me for example…while I may forget from time to time to put my bags back into the car I do use them the vast majority of the time. I've also gotten very good about telling cashiers that I do not need a bag if I am only purchasing a few products and can easily carry them when I've forgotten my bags. That was my first big eco-friendly step. Little by little I added others. You can do the same.

Pick one thing that is important to you. Practice and develop that habit. When you are comfortable that you are utilizing it the majority of the time, move on to another one. Slow and steady is the way to make effective, long-lasting, positive change.

There's so much plastic in our environment that we often don't even see it. It's become part of the background.

Read on to learn more about BPA, where it hides, and some strategies for supporting your health amidst the sea of plastic that surrounds us.

Related story: Can You Recycle #5 Plastics?

[expand title="Sources"]

"No One Knew How Many Plastic Straws Americans Use Every Day. Then A 9-Year-Old Kid Did The Math". Money, 2022, https://money.com/how-many-plastic-straws-used-every-day/.

Terry, Beth. "Chewing On Plastic? Yum! » My Plastic-Free Life". My Plastic-Free Life, 2010, https://myplasticfreelife.com/2010/01/chewing-on-plastic-yum/

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Stay Well-Hydrated For Summer

by Miradrinks, health, summer, waterhydrate, national drinking week, summer

With summer just around the corner and temperatures rising it's important to stay well-hydrated during the summer months. Most of us don't drink enough water in the first place, add in the higher temperatures and more outdoor activity, it all adds up to sweating more, leading to more fluid loss and potential dehydration. Dehydration can cause a large number of physical problems from headaches and migraines, to constipation to deep fatigue or loss of energy.

What to drink

Before you reach for that cheap 54-oz Big Gulp think about what your body needs in terms of hydration. It certainly doesn't need all that sugar. An 8-oz can of Sprite claims that it has 26 g of sugar, multiplied by 6.75 to equal a 54-oz drink, that comes to 175.5 g of sugar, not to mention all those chemicals. If you're drinking sugar-free, you are taking in even more chemicals. And let's not forget that caffeinated sodas would deliver a jolting 155 mg of caffeine.

Other popular summer drinks include the thought of a refreshing cold beer on a hot day, or perhaps a wine spritzer or an alcopop. But it's important to remember that alcohol is a diuretic; this means you lose more body fluids when you drink it. So even though after spending the day in the hot summer sun that beer, wine cooler, or mixed drink seems cool and refreshing, it won't help you stay healthy and hydrated.

The hydration factor

To figure out how much hydration you need, calculate your body weight. Divide that in half for the number of ounces needed to be properly hydrated. Divide that number by 8 to get the number of cups of fluid.

For example:

150 pounds
divided by 2 = 75
divided by 8 = 9.4 cups

Take that number, divide it by four and then set a “hydration alarm” approximately every two hours. When the alarm goes off put your beverage in front of you with the goal to drink it before the alarm goes off again.

Remember that this does not mean plain water. Too much water is not healthy either as it can dilute your electrolyte balance. Soups, herbal teas, food with lots of liquid (like watermelon), plus water all count towards a daily hydration goal.

May 1-7 is National Drinking Water Week!

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Rehydrate and refresh

Choose drink choices that are actually good for you. Here are a few suggestions:

Water – always good, water is exactly what your body needs. For a refreshing change to plain water add a slice of citrus to your water. For a cool and cleansing taste try slices of peeled cucumber or even a sprig of mint.
Iced tea – although tea does have caffeine if you make your iced teas with green tea you'll be getting less caffeine overall. Or you can use herbal teas which have no caffeine and are delicious and enjoyable.
Spritzers – adding your favorite juice to cool seltzer water with some ice and perhaps a slice of fresh fruit can be a great way to stay hydrated. The usual proportions are 30% juice 70% seltzer. Just be sure to choose juices that are 100% juice, no additives, no preservatives, no colors. If you are using concentrated juice you will need to adjust the proportions to your preference.
Agua fresca – these cool and tasty drinks, originally from Mexico, are made by taking blended fresh fruit, usually melons, and combining them with water, sugar, and a splash of lime juice. Because there is sugar, with both the fresh fruit and the added sugar, these should be consumed in moderation. There is a delicious recipe posted below.
Lemonade or limeade – made with citrus juice, water and sugar this can be very satisfying and cooling. If you make it yourself you control how much sugar is in it. There are a wide number of tasty recipes available online.

Agua Fresca

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

3 cups of melon (cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew, etc), seeded, peeled and diced
1 1/2 cups cold water
2 tablespoons evaporated cane juice crystals
juice of 1-2 limes

Instructions

Blend melon to a pulp in the blender
Strain pulp to remove fibers
In a pitcher mix together water and sugar until sugar crystals dissolve
Add melon juice
Add lime juice to taste
Serve over ice

Containers

Instead of relying on the availability of drinks on the road, one of the best things you can do to stay hydrated is taking your container with you. Don't drink from plastic containers if you can at all avoid it due to issues with BPA. To learn more watch my interview with Lara Adler, The Environmental Toxins Nerd.

Glass or stainless steel containers are your best bet. My personal favorite is Glasstic, a shatterproof plastic cylinder around a glass center cylinder. Easy to take apart and wash in the dishwasher, the company claims these are the last water bottle you'll ever need. I bought three over two years ago and they're still going strong. Get 10% off with this link!

Lara is also teaching about the issues with water contamination & filtration since 2012. Learn more from Lara and check out her brand-new e-course, PURE: Finding The Best Filter, For The Purest Water. She created it to educate and empower you, so you can find the very best water filter for your situation.

Learn More on my Ebook: Hydration For A Healthy Life

Discover the secrets to staying hydrated and maintaining a healthy lifestyle with "Hydration For A Healthy Life". Learn about the importance of water, electrolytes, and alkaline beverages, as well as tips for staying hydrated year-round. Plus, enjoy delicious recipes for infused waters that make hitting your hydration goals easy and enjoyable.

Whether you're a fitness enthusiast or simply looking to improve your overall health, this eBook has everything you need to keep your body running smoothly. Grab your copy now and drink up to a healthier you!

Can You Recycle #5 Plastics?

by MiraBPAplastic, recycling

Are you wish-cycling?

The recycling symbol on the bottom of the plastic doesn’t necessarily mean that it can automatically be thrown into your recycling bin. The number five grade of plastic indicates polypropylene (PP).

It is found in a wide number of containers including yogurts, cottage cheese, cream cheese, ricotta cheese, margarine (although you should not eat this), as well as some ice cream containers. It also includes toothbrushes, plastic plates, medicine bottles, ketchup bottles, and more. They are even in your Brita water filter.

Wish-cycling is the practice of throwing everything, even these #5 plastics, into your recycling bin in the hopes that it will all be recycled. Unfortunately, because they can’t be recycled it can either slow down the line or contaminate it to the point that all the other products cannot be recycled either.

Recycling PP

There are a few options to recycle number five plastics. One of which is Preserve, a company based in Cortland, NY.

Preserve sells products made from recycled #5's such as toothbrushes, razors, tableware and kitchenware. And when you are done using those products they can be recycled even further into plastic lumber. All of their products are designed to stay out of the landfill and reduce environmental impact.

They also have a recycling program and they want your #5 plastic products. According to Preserve their recycled products use 54% less water and 75% less oil than creating virgin plastic; they also release 64% less greenhouse gasses. After using the product you clean it and then deliver it to your nearest Whole Foods.

If you don't have a Whole Foods near you, Preserve will accept mailed packages of #5 plastics. This is a great way to help save the planet and to help support recycling efforts. Although Preserve does not reimburse for mailing costs you could consider banding together with a group of friends and mailing a large amount together. Shipments must be by ground and should be sent to:

Preserve Gimme 5

823 NYS Rte 13

Cortland, NY 13045

The sad truth is that you can't avoid exposure to plastics and BPA. It's too pervasive in our environment. You can, however, be aware of where it can be found and make positive changes. Learn more in my e-book!

Read

Related story: Using Plastic Containers Could Be Making You Fat

Using Plastic Containers Could Be Making You Fat

by MiraBPAanxiety, BPA, obesity, plastic

Plastic, it's all around us, a significant part of our modern lives. From hangers to toothbrushes, hairbrushes, storage containers, toys, and decorative accessories we live our lives surrounded by plastic.

One plastic ingredient that is still receiving a lot of news coverage is Bisphenol A, also known as BPA.

What exactly is BPA?

BPA is a building block for making plastic and plastic additives. Discovered in 1891 it is highly used in polycarbonate plastic items such as shatterproof bottles, CD's and DVD's, eyeglass lenses, and medical and dental equipment. It has also infiltrated our food packaging which can bring serious health risks.

A large part of the concern about BPA is that it is now known to be part of a category of endocrine interrupting chemicals called obesogens. Simply put an obesogen gets into our body and causes harm by reprogramming stem cells to turn into fat cells, or altering gene function.

A study published in 2009 in Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology stated, “The recent dramatic rise in obesity rates is an alarming global health trend that consumes an ever increasing portion of health care budgets in Western countries. Recent research implicates environmental risk factors…evidence points to endocrine disrupting chemicals that interfere with the body's adipose tissue biology, endocrine hormone systems or central hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis as suspects in derailing the homeostatic mechanisms important to weight control.”

In plain English, our exposure to BPA may be one of the factors that is contributing to the growing epidemic of obesity.

Obesogens also have the ability to mimic estrogen and its effects on the body. This estrogenic effect may be linked to reproductive abnormalities, breast cancer, prostate cancer and even diabetes. Unfortunately, in spite of the knowledge of how bad BPA is for us, it still permeates our food chain. At the end of 2010 Canada acknowledged BPA as a toxic substance for both humans and for the environment; their government is working to remove it from use.

The use of BPA in our modern environment can be overwhelming. One high exposure source of BPA is the thermal paper lining credit card receipts, the BPA makes the paper printable. Unfortunately it also flakes off easily when we touch the paper, allowing transfer to anything you touch or ingest afterwards. When you receive credit card receipts fold them inward so that the printed side (the side with the BPA lining) is more contained. If the receipt is printed on both sides, which is happening more and more, try to handle the receipt as little as possible.

What can you do to decrease your exposure

1.Avoid products that are known to be most contaminated by BPA. Canned foods are a big health hazard as the lining in most cans has BPA in it.

There are a few brands that claim to be BPA free but unfortunately, an article from Consumer Reports, December 2009, showed that some companies which claimed to have BPA free cans still had trace amounts of the chemical in their product. The report went on to state that those foods in plastic containers with metal pull-off lids, specifically Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli in Tomato and Meat Sauce, had BPA levels that were 1.5 times higher than the same product in a metal can.

2. In addition to canned foods, plastics that are marked with a number 7 recycling code and any unmarked plastic containers are highly likely to be made with BPA.

Even products in glass jars may contain BPA in the lid. As a matter of fact those people who process their own food at home thinking that they are avoiding exposure may not be aware that Jarden Home Brands, the manufacturer of Ball, Kerr, Golden Harvest, and Bernardin brands, admits that there is some BPA in its lids.

Although it is a small amount, BPA is most highly released under heat and pressure, both conditions which are met during the canning process. (In fairness it is important to note that the plastic storage lids made by Jarden do not specifically contain BPA) It is important to avoid these containers in order to reduce your exposure. Soups and other products are now available in cardboard packaging which does not have BPA.

3. Other BPA containing products can include plastic bottles, plastic lined metal bottles, sippy cups, a lot of microwavable cookware, and plastic bags.

Using unlined stainless steel drinking bottles and cups can avoid exposure. When purchasing lunch-meats at the deli, re-wrap them into wax paper or food safe BPA free containers (either glass or metal). If possible choose containers that have metal, wood, glass, or silicone lids in order to avoid the exposure to plastic.

4. Nutritionally, aside from removing as much BPA from your environment as possible, one of the dietary changes you can make is to increase your intake of folate.

Research from Duke University shows that increased folate intake by pregnant mice negated the harmful effects of BPA exposure. Good sources of folic acid are dark leafy greens such as kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, swiss chard, mustard greens and turnip greens. Folate can also be found in asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, and lentils. Adding generous amounts of these whole foods to your diet is a healthy way to help protect your health.

It is important to be mindful of the different ways that BPA exposure exists in your environment. With these tips, you can help limit and control your exposure.

In addition to being a hormone disruptor, early exposure to BPA and other chemicals – even ones developed to be environmentally friendly – can increase the risk of issues such as anxiety, depression, inattentive behavior, aggression, and hyperactivity.

Learn how to decrease your exposure to these toxins! Discover which detoxifying foods can help your body release them.

This eBook comes with a free bonus section covering edible packaging.

Get a Copy!

Related story: Can You Recycle #5 Plastics?

The Dirty Truth About Toilet Paper: Eco-Friendly Alternatives

by Miraenvironmentbidet, environment, toilet paper

The United States leads the world in toilet paper consumption. We go through something on the order of 36 billion rolls of toilet paper! Creating that much TP requires:

Approximately 473,587,500,000 gallons of water
253,000 tons of chlorine
More than 17 terawatts of electricity

That doesn’t even address how much of an impact the packaging and transportation are. And all of that TP, with all of its associated costs and environmental impact, gets flushed down the loo to be processed in a waste management plant.

Environmental impact of using toilet paper

Toilet paper is cheap and convenient but it costs planet earth a great deal. That’s why I’m sharing what you really need to know about the environmental impact of using TP.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not opposed to it. I’m not suggesting we go back to rags, or worse yet, leaves, but there is a way to use less TP that’s good for you and the environment. Let’s start by examining the issues:

1.Forest Degradation

According to my research 27,000 trees are destroyed daily just to make toilet paper. That would be mature trees that have some height to them and which doubtless produce a fair amount of oxygen and habitat. We need our trees, anything that helps more of them avoid being pulped into paper is a good thing.

2. The carbon footprint of toilet paper made from virgin pulp

Speaking of pulp, next are all the chemicals required to take a tree and turn it into the fibers used to make the actual paper.

Creating TP using 100 percent virgin fiber generates three times as much carbon as products made from other types of pulp.

4. The process of cleaning and preparing pulp requires lots and lots of water

It takes 12 or more gallons of water to go through the process needed to make just one roll of toilet paper. That 32 roll super pack? That’s the equivalent of 364 gallons of water. Sure you’re using a little extra water when you wash before you wipe if you’re using a bidet, but I’m pretty sure it’s not 12 gallons worth.

5. Chlorine is used to bleach the pulp and turn it white

And the not so lovely finish is what it takes to make our toilet paper look white. Bleach derivatives, and in some cases formaldehyde (used to make the toilet paper stronger when exposed to water).

Recycled paper products typically use far less toxic bleaching methods, such as processed chlorine free (PCF) This bleaching process totally avoids chlorine, instead of using oxygen, ozone, and hydrogen peroxide. However these chemicals are still added to the paper that you’re using to wipe your sensitive parts.

How can you help?

Use sustainable toilet paper and get a bidet!

Recycled Toilet Paper

There are several brands of toilet paper, like Green Forest, 365 Everyday Value, Earth First, Natural Value, Seventh Generation and Tender Joe’s Bath Tissue that have minimal impact on forests. The six brands mentioned below use recycled waste paper to make toilet paper and do not use chlorine to bleach pulp.

Source: Skene J, with significant contributions from Vinyard, S. THE ISSUE WITH TISSUE: HOW AMERICANS ARE FLUSHING FORESTS DOWN THE TOILET. https://www.nrdc.org/. Published February 2019.

Bidet

It turns out that if we all switch to using a bidet, we could save 15 million trees plus hundreds of millions of gallons of water. That’s why after hearing Miki Agrawal talk at the Mindshare conference I decided to give the whole Hello Tushy bidet thing a try.

She promises that it’s easy to put together and can be attached to almost any toilet. After playing a weird solo version of toilet twister in my itty-bitty toilet space it turns out that she’s right. All it takes is a screwdriver and following the directions. Plus, it works great! Now I’m wondering why I didn’t get one sooner.

Top three benefits of using a bidet

Here in the US, we don’t tend to use bidets, but I think that’s about to change. Especially if there’s less and less tissue in each package.

Here are just a few of the top benefits of using a bidet:

Cleaner: Because you’re rinsing the area before wiping, it’s cleaner and there’s less bacteria when you wipe
Less tissue: By cleaning first, you use less TP. One resource I saw claimed that you could use up to 75% less toilet paper
Eco-friendly: Less TP use means less trees being cut down to make it and less water used to create it

Cleaner, saves money, and environmentally friendly. That sounds like a triple win in my book!

I swear the more I research this stuff to answer your questions the happier I am that I purchased a HelloTushy for my home.

Join me and help reduce the impact on the environment.

[expand title="Sources"]

Miki Agrawal - -https://mikiagrawal.com

Armstrong M. Infographic: The U.S. Leads the World in Toilet Paper Consumption. Statista Infographics. Published October 5, 2018. https://www.statista.com/chart/15676/cmo-toilet-paper-consumption/

Bidets Save 15 Million Trees Annually—So Are We Using Them? - Rinseworks".Rinseworks, 2015,https://rinseworks.com/new/bidets-can-save-15-million-trees-annually/. Accessed 20 Oct 2021."Guidance On New PFAS Reporting Rule For Manufacturers".Green Science Policy Institute, 2021, https://greensciencepolicy.org/news-events/blog/guidance-on-new-pfas-reporting-rule-for-manufacturers.

‌Business PK CNN. Your toilet paper roll is slimming down. CNN. Accessed March 30, 2022. https://edition.cnn.com/2022/03/08/business/toilet-paper-roll-shrinking-inflation/index.html

‌Skene J, with significant contributions from Vinyard, S. THE ISSUE WITH TISSUE: HOW AMERICANS ARE FLUSHING FORESTS DOWN THE TOILET. https://www.nrdc.org/. Published February 2019. https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/issue-tissue-how-americans-are-flushing-forests-down-toilet-report.pdf

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What's In Season: April Produce Guide

by Mirafruit, grocery, seasonal, vegetablesapril, seasonal fruits, seasonal vegetables

Spring is here and brings with it new foods that are at their peak of freshness. How many of these in-season foods can you add to your diet every day?

Click on the links to find recipes boasting affordable, nutrient-rich, and better-tasting seasonal produce.

Artichokes

Native to the western and central Mediterranean, artichokes are low in fat, rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals like vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, phosphorus, and magnesium.

Moreover, artichokes are among the richest sources of antioxidants. These delicious thistles are usually served as a hot vegetable with a sauce or as a cold appetizer.

Asparagus

Asparagus is native from Siberia to southern Africa. It is high especially high in vitamin K and folate, essential nutrients that help lower blood pressure and support healthy pregnancy.

Asparagus is low in calories, high in fiber, and contains 94% water, making it ideal for your digestive health. You can easily incorporate it into your diet; you can add it to salads, omelets, and it also makes a great side dish!

Broccoli

Broccoli, also abundant in January and February, is a superfood native to Europe. Low in calories and packed with many micronutrients, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, broccoli has a reputation for helping to boost immunity and promote heart health.

The Institute for Functional Medicine suggests eating 2-3 cups of broccoli per day. Broccoli can be eaten cooked or raw. When cooking, it can be sautéed, steamed, roasted or air fried. If you plan to serve it without cooking, it's great for salads or dips.

Cauliflower

Not many vegetables contain choline. Cauliflower, along with broccoli, is among the sources of this nutrient that most people are lacking. Although the body makes some choline, we still need to consume choline-rich food to get enough.

Consuming a sufficient amount of choline may reduce the risk of several health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and dementia.

If you're following a low-carb diet, cauliflower is a healthier choice to replace grains and legumes in a wide variety of recipes. I often like to curry cauliflower for a change of taste. The flavors of curry go well with cauliflower and greens. You can also try my autumnal cauli-mash recipe with roasted, crunchy Brussel sprouts.

Leeks

Leeks are an ancient crop and are native to eastern Mediterranean lands and the Middle East. Its close relatives are onions, shallots, scallions, chives, and garlic.

Low in calories but high in nutrients, such as magnesium and vitamins A, C, and K, leeks also contain some fiber, copper, vitaminB6, iron, and folate.

They're widely used in soups and stews. You can also enjoy leeks in dips, salads, and quiche.

Lettuce

Lettuce is a nutritious vegetable in the aster family. Although it comes in many varieties, this leafy veggie, in general, is rich in vitamins K and A. Note that red leaf lettuce is higher in antioxidants.

Most lettuce varieties, such as iceberg and romaine, are eaten fresh and often served in salads, wraps, and sandwiches.

Mushrooms

Mushroom is a type of fungi, but the term “mushroom” is used to identify edible sporophores. It is considered a vegetable for cooking purposes.

Mushrooms also come in a lot of different shapes, sizes, and colors. The most common types found in the grocery are shiitake, portobello, button, oysters, and crimini.

They are a rich source of antioxidants, potassium, beta-glucan, and B vitamins for heart health and copper for bones and nerves.

My favorite way to eat mushrooms is by tossing them into eggs, soup or using them to create my no-bean chili recipe.

Pineapples

ineapples are delicious tropical fruits native to the Caribbean islands and Central and South America.

They are low in calories and loaded with antioxidants and compounds that can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, improve digestion, lower the risk of cancer, boost immunity, ease arthritis symptoms, and speed up recovery after surgery or vigorous exercise.

Serving one cup of fresh pineapples along with your usual breakfast or blending frozen pineapples into smoothies is a refreshing way to start your day!

Radish

Radish varieties are an excellent source of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Compared to other root vegetables, they have fewer carbs and calories.

Strong immune system, better digestion, and increased bile production are just a few of the many radishes' health benefits. Note that radishes are generally safe to eat, but people with thyroid problems must consume them in moderation.

Using Daikon radish root to substitute for ramen noodles is my personal favorite!

Rhubarb

Rhubarb is classified as a fruit by the USDA. It is a good source of antioxidants, vitamin K, and fiber. Note that rhubarb may be high in oxalate and best to avoid if you are prone to kidney stones.

Due to its sour and slightly sweet taste, its fleshy, tart leafstalks are usually sugared for use in pies, jams, and crumbles.

Spring Peas

Green peas are actually not a vegetable. They are part of the legume family, consisting of plants that produce pods with seeds inside. Other examples of legumes are lentils, chickpeas, and beans.

What makes peas unique is their high protein content. Half a cup of peas contains 4 grams of protein.

Note that raw peas contain higher antinutrients that may disrupt the absorption of some nutrients. So it’s best to eat them fully cooked, fermented, or soaked.

When eating fresh, in-season produce, don’t forget to wash it first. Click here to get your toxin-free fruit and veggie wash!

[expand title="Sources"]

https://www.britannica.com/plant/pea

https://www.britannica.com/search?query=asparagus

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/rhubarb

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/asparagus-benefits#TOC_TITLE_HDR_8

https://www.britannica.com/plant/Asteraceae

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6259877/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2841576/

https://www.britannica.com/plant/rutabaga

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/rutabagas

https://www.britannica.com/plant/turnip

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/turnip-nutrition

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/284815

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270435

https://www.britannica.com/plant/leek

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/leek-benefits

https://www.britannica.com/plant/cauliflower

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-pineapple

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-cauliflower

https://www.britannica.com/plant/broccoli

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/broccoli

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266765

https://www.britannica.com/plant/Brussels-sprouts

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-brussels-sprouts

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/284765

https://www.britannica.com/plant/Brassica-olerace

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Detox Your Body The Food Way

by Mirahealth, vegetablesdetox, recipes

It is no secret that we are surrounded by toxins. They're in the air we breathe and can be on food on our plates. Chemicals and heavy metals fill the environment around us in sometimes harmful quantities. But do you really need an expensive detox diet or cleanse?

Just about every media source from TV to the internet to magazine covers is telling us we need to detoxify. But cleansing your body isn't just about getting rid of the bad stuff. It's also an opportunity for you to take care of yourself, nurturing your body so you can look and feel your best. It starts with a real food diet.

Long-time readers will know that I encourage cleaning up the chemicals in your diet, eating whole foods, and the use of alkalizing beverages and foods. I am not a fan of painful detox methods, extreme caloric reduction, or detox methods that cause you to feel ill. I believe you should not feel bad, physically or mentally, while trying to support your body during a cleanse.

It is possible to eat well and support your body and good health while adding detoxifying foods.

This top ten list gives you my suggestions for foods and nutrients to add to your diet, plus links to delicious recipes:

Cilantro - an excellent and tasty way to cleanse the body, ridding it of heavy metal accumulation.

Cruciferous vegetables - broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, bok choy, cabbage, rutabaga, turnip, and radishes all support the liver which is important for detoxification.

Fiber - supports a healthy digestive system which in turn helps with elimination when transporting toxins out of the body. Good fiber choices include beans, fresh ground flax seeds, and whole grains.

Folate - found in dark leafy greens, calves liver, lentils, beans, and asparagus, has been shown to help counter the effects of BPA in the system.

Garlic - high in sulfur garlic helps to dilate the blood vessels so they don't get blocked, it's also anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial.

Green tea - high in anti-oxidants it supports the liver and helps with hydration.

Lemons - have an alkalizing effect on the system, also add the juice to foods rich in iron to increase bio-availability.

Wheatgrass - an excellent detoxifier that is also high in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Selenium - helps to rid the body of mercury while protecting against free radicals, found in codfish, tuna, egg yolks, beef, shiitake mushrooms, lamb, and Brazil nuts.

Water - pure, clean water helps to flush the body of toxins.