Category Archives: Nutrition

Thoughtful Thursday Maximize Health Benefits: Focus on Organic Dirty Dozen & Clean Fifteen

Posted on by
Reply
Photo by Mark Stebnicki on Pexels.com

As awareness of health and environmental issues continues to grow, more people are turning to organic produce to reduce their exposure to pesticides and support sustainable farming practices. While buying all organic can be costly, alternatively you can focus on certain fruits and vegetables to maximize the benefits.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) publishes two primary lists every spring, the “Dirty Dozen” which is safest to buy organic and the “Clean Fifteen” which is safest to buy conventionally.

Here are some tips on making shopping for organic produce easier on the wallet:

  1. Shop Seasonally: Organic produce is often cheaper when it’s in season.
  2. Visit Farmers Markets: Local farmers markets can offer fresh, organic produce at competitive prices.
  3. Join a CSA: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs allow you to buy shares of organic produce directly from local farmers.
  4. Grow Your Own: If you have space, growing your own organic fruits and vegetables can be a rewarding and cost-effective option.
  5. Prioritize the Dirty Dozen: Focus your organic purchases on the produce listed in the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Dirty Dozen, which highlights fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide residues.

By prioritizing these key fruits and vegetables, you can significantly reduce your pesticide exposure and enjoy healthier produce. Making informed choices about organic options supports sustainable farming and contributes to a healthier planet.

Would love to hear from you! Share your experiences and tips on buying organic produce in the comments. For example: How do you prioritize your organic purchases? Do you have favorite markets or creative ways to save on organic options? Let’s foster a community of shared knowledge for healthier, sustainable choices✨

Hope you found this post useful, thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy💖

Thoughtful Thursday Lemon Love: Unleashing the Power of a Citrus Superstar

Posted on by
Reply
Photo by Elle Hughes on Pexels.com

Lemons are a versatile fruit that offer a myriad of benefits and uses beyond their tangy flavor. Rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and various nutrients, lemons are a powerful addition to your daily routine.

I grew up with a lemon tree in the backyard, and my mom was very creative in using lemons in tasty recipes I loved making them one of my favorite fruits.

From boosting health to enhancing flavors and even household cleaning, lemons are an incredible multitasker. Let’s dive into the many ways you can benefit from this citrus superstar:

Health Benefits:

  1. Boosts Immune System: The high vitamin C content in lemons helps strengthen your immune system, warding off colds and infections.
  2. Aids Digestion: Lemon water can stimulate healthy digestion by encouraging the production of bile and improving liver function.
  3. Promotes Hydration: Adding lemon to your water can make it more flavorful, encouraging you to drink more and stay hydrated.
  4. Improves Skin Health: The antioxidants in lemons help fight free radicals, promoting clear and glowing skin.

Culinary Uses:

  1. Flavor Enhancer: Lemons add a burst of flavor to both savory and sweet dishes, from salads and marinades to desserts and beverages.
  2. Preservative: The acidity of lemons makes them a natural preservative, perfect for preventing the browning of fruits and vegetables.
  3. Baking: Lemon zest and juice are common ingredients in baking, adding a fresh and zesty flavor to cakes, cookies, and breads.

Household Uses:

  1. Natural Cleaner: Lemons have antibacterial and antiseptic properties, making them an effective natural cleaner for cutting boards, countertops, and appliances.
  2. Deodorizer: Lemon’s fresh scent can neutralize odors, making it a great choice for freshening up your kitchen, fridge, and garbage disposal.
  3. Polish: Lemon juice mixed with baking soda can create a paste that effectively polishes metal surfaces, leaving them shiny and clean.

Incorporating lemons into your daily routine can boost your health, enhance your meals, and freshen up your home. With their numerous benefits and versatile uses, lemons truly are a remarkable fruit.

Hope you found this post useful today🍋 Thanks for stopping by!

Share the Happy💖

Thoughtful Thursday Best-ever Beefless Stew

Posted on by
2
Photo by Egor Kamelev on Pexels.com

With the cooler temps finally here in the South, I wanted to try a new vegan soup recipe. But I wanted something really hearty that would be filling and I found it. This is a recipe for “Best-ever Beefless Stew” with portobello mushrooms taking the place of beef. If you’re not a fan of portobellos, I’m sure you could use another type of mushroom that would taste just as good.

I gotta say this was one of the most delicious and satisfying stews I’ve ever had! A few things I would change to the recipe is to add a little salt and pepper to taste and it also calls for fresh parsley as a topping. But I wasn’t too crazy with flavor of the parsley with the stew. I would recommend giving it a try anyways and see for yourself, you may end up liking it.

This recipe was published in the latest Forks Over Knives, “100 Best Plant-Based Recipes,” 2021 and it can also be found on their website “Best-ever Beefless Stew.” It was really easy to make with everyday ingredients.

Forks Over Knives 100 Best Plant-Based Recipes 2021 image 0

If you’re interested in purchasing a copy of this issue, it’s available on the Forks Over Knives Website.

Hope you’ll give this tasty recipe a try 😊

Thanks for stopping by!

Share the Happy!!

“Health is the first form of Wealth. Invest in yours by eating whole, unprocessed foods.” ~ Dr. Axe

Thoughtful Thursday Homegrown Alfalfa Sprouts

Posted on by
4
Photo by Maria Vidaurre

Alfalfa sprouts are mild flavored and very nutritious to eat. Studies have shown they are a high anti-oxidant, anti-aging food source. These little sprouts can help fight cancer, lower cholesterol and diabetes, prevent osteoporosis and more.

I used to buy fresh living alfalfa sprouts at my local grocery store but sadly they stopped carrying them. So I decided the freshest and safest way to get them was to grow them myself. I’ve tried several sprouting trays and they don’t always produce the best results.

Getting frustrated, I decided to go back to basics and try using a large, wide mouth mason jar with a sprouting lid. This is working beautifully and is very easy. I only need 1 Tbsp of seeds and in about 4 days, I have fresh organic alfalfa sprouts that are delicious and crisp. The sprouts can be stored in the fridge for about 4-6 days.

Alfalfa Sprouts taste great on salads, sandwiches, in smoothies and anything else you can think of. Below are instructions to grow your own spouts and links to Amazon.com for the supplies.

Instructions to Grow your own Sprouts:

  1. Fill a wide mouth mason jar with 2 cups of cool, fresh water and add 1 Tbsp of High Mowing Organic Alfalfa Seeds (I’ve had good results with this brand, the seeds are sourced in the United States). Cap the jar with a sprouting lid and soak the seeds for 8 hours. Then drain and rinse the seeds keeping the lid on. Store the jar upside down, in a bowl, at an angle so water can continue to drain.
  2. Rinse and drain the seeds with the lid on once in the morning and once at night. And again store the jar upside down, in a bowl, at an angle.
  3. Repeat step 2, everyday for about 4 days until your sprouts are ready.
  4. On the last day, depending on the light in your kitchen, you may want to move the grown sprouts to a window where they can get indirect sunlight to make them a little more green. You only need to keep them there for a few hours and then store them in fridge until you’re ready to eat them (also, I rinse the seeds before eating to remove the hulls).

I hope this inspires you in some way!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy 💖

Below are links to Amazon.com for the supplies:

High Mowing Organic Alfalfa Seeds

High Mowing Seed Sprouting Jar Lid

Wide Mouth Mason Jar

“Those who think they have not time for healthy eating, will sooner or later have to find time for illness.” ~Unknown