Let Them Eat Yodels

April 18th is the last best chance for Congress to reform the Farm Bill for at least a year. For a compelling and beautifully written case for why we, the health-conscious readers of Spoonfull, should care check out this article by Michael Pollan, author of "Omnivore's Dilemma."

The bottom line: By subsidizing the over-production of a handful of crops (those that happen to be the raw inputs to nutritionally worthless processed foods) and discouraging the local growers of virtually everything else, the Farm Bill results in a world where ring-dings are cheaper than produce.

We get the worst of this bargain every day--either in the check-out line at Whole Foods or in line at the drive-thru (when we're too broke to 'buy local'). Now Congress is trying to pass a Farm Bill which gives the junkfood coalition another sweet deal, but Bush, who is actually on the right side of this issue, has threatened to veto the bill absent substantial changes. It will be interesting to see what happens.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Does a Body Good

Has anyone else out there heard/read about the benefits of Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar? Supposedly a few teaspoons a day in some water can cure whatever ails you. What IS this vinegar, you ask? Here is what the website says:

Certified Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar is unfiltered, unheated, unpasteurized and 5% acidity. Contains the amazing Mother of Vinegar which occurs naturally as strand-like enzymes of connected protein molecules.

The long list of internal and external health benefits includes the following: supports healthy immune systems, helps control weight, promotes healthy skin, promotes digestion (ahem fiber post from earlier), and relieves muscle pain. I have even read that it helps with allergies!!

Miracle drink or crock of you know what? I decided to try it out for myself. Last month, I started the day with 2 teaspoons of the vinegar in a glass of cold water. It tasted sort of gross at first, but then I started to like it and it even started to taste refreshing! Without going into too much detail, I found that it does INDEED help with digestion. I also found that I was not starving by lunch, and I stopped craving my usual cup of caffeine first thing at work... Pure coincidence? Possibly... But I stopped drinking it all last week because I had a cold, and sure enough, some zit bombs have flared up this week... Hmmmm...

What do other people say, you might wonder? Well, I haven't found anything that says it's a hoax. EarthClinic.com seems to think it's for real. For more information from the Bragg people, click here. Try it out and let me know what you think. It may not look pretty, but it could work tiny miracles.

fiber: it's good for me and poo!

BUTT if, like me, you often skip breakfast, eat a lean cuisine for lunch (and sometimes dinner), you probably aren’t getting enough fiber in your diet. So, it’s kind of an uncomfortable topic to broach, but I want to bring the topic of digestive health to the forefront. According to studies from the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, North Americans consume less than 50% of the dietary fiber levels required for good health.

A-ha! Enter the fiber supplement. There are many types of dietary fiber supplements available -- in pills, powder, yogurt, and chewable forms! Side effects may include feeling bloated or having gas, but you can cut back on the doses if these issues occur (i.e. don’t start experimenting with a fiber supplement the weekend of your first trip away with that new boyfriend). And the benefits far outweigh any embarrassment you might experience. Fiber can prevent constipation, lower your risk of digestive conditions (ahem! hemorrhoids), control blood sugar levels (reducing the risk of diabetes), and help curb your appetite to help with weight loss or maintaining a healthy weight! And though the American Cancer Society has conflicting headlines on their webpage: “Studies Find High-Fiber Diet Lowers Colon Cancer Risk" and “Fiber May Not Reduce Colon Cancer Risk,” the previously listed benefits are worth exploring a fiber supplement (or adding more fiber to your diet naturally). Until next time, stay regular y’all!

Hocus-Pocus

First of all I have to just say, C-Mase, you are 2 cool with this blog and doing a mighty fine job and the posts are so entertaining and informative. (Shanz, I knew it was you below the moment I saw the words "Ms. Meyers.")

Anyway - my thoughts instantly turned to a 'Spoon Full of Sugar' as soon as I read an article in the current "Glamour" (Salma Hayek edition.) It's called "Health Hoaxes Not to Fall For." The blurb says that according to the American Cancer Society, there is NOT sufficient evidence to conclude that "antiperspirants, underwire bras and underarm shaving (!)" may cause cancer. Of course I believe it's better to be safe than sorry, which is why I have given up both deodorant and pit-shaving. (Ba-dum-bum.) Glamour's so-called health hoaxes also include:

(on my honor as a student i am copying and pasting from the actual article)

"Tampons are toxic!
Some e-mails claim tampons contain asbestos to promote bleeding (so you’ll buy more). Says Newark, New Jersey, ob-gyn Sharon Mass, M.D.: Tampons don’t contain asbestos. Period.

Carmex is addictive!
Urban legend e-mails say the lip balm contains drying ingredients—even ground glass—that make lips drier and turn people into Carmex junkies. Simply false, says dermatologist Zoe Draelos, M.D. What does dry out lips? Licking them a lot.

NutraSweet is nutra-sick!
Alarming missives assert that NutraSweet, aka aspartame, has caused an epidemic of lupus, multiple sclerosis and cancer. But the Food and Drug Administration says current research shows aspartame is safe (except for people with the genetic disorder phenylketonuria, who can’t metabolize it).

Rapists sterilize women!
Scary e-mails claim rapists prowling your town are using a drug called Progesterex to sterilize victims—so perps can’t be identified by paternity. The truth? No such drug. Hoaxers love to prey on female-specific fears, which actually distract you from other important health issues, says Marc Siegel, M.D., author of False Alarm: The Truth About the Epidemic of Fear."

OK, I'm back, and I still believe Diet Coke and its aspertame absolutely just has to be a carcinogen but I figured I'd share this so we can be aware of what MAY be hocus-pocus and continue to cast our spells on the things that could actually hurt us.

Downward Dog

I only shop at Whole Foods. Take multi-vitamins that are $35 a bottle and I have given in to Mrs. Meyers cleaning products (geranium or lavender).

To say the least, I cannot afford anything I have mentioned above. Still, I go into debt over the promising world of organic fruit and all natural shampoo. In fact, I recently fell further into my financial black hole when I succumbed to an Equinox membership.

Note: I do not workout on any sort of monthly basis. This spa haven, masking as a gym, screamed out to me, "I will better you (and decorate the cardio room with orchids and Calypso candles)!!" I was sold.

Today on my day off, I decided it was time to put some of that credit card debt to use and trudge over to the 10am Pilates class. Although I remained in tabletop position while all of my classmates' legs were beautifully extended in a linear fashion, I did feel that I was doing a body good. And this was only my first visit. As class came to an end, our perfectly proportioned instructor Jules (who I could only assume was a granola tree hugger), asked us all to sit upright and cross our legs. She offered some advice that was anything but the hippie rhetoric I was prepared to answer with an eye roll. She said, 

"Lets all find ourselves in the mirror. If you don't like what you see, change it. If you do like what you see, accept it."

Jules! I love a good poignant and realistic nugget of wisdom before noon.

The field is flooded with contradictory advice debating the effectiveness of vitamins, the safety of this product or that. But I can say with confidence, taking fish oil capsules and opting for fresh greens instead of TV dinners isn't doing me more harm. 

So, I think I will take Jules' mantra to heart. Accept my obsession for $6 organic, dark chocolate bars and good red wine. Work to change the things I do not like. I think I will go back to Pilates tomorrow...

Green Products Test Positive for Toxin

In the words of Will Ferrel in Anchor Man, I have an urgent and horrifying news story: A specific carcinogen has been found in a number of "green" products that I use. I bought these products thinking that I was doing myself and the environment a favor. According to the LA Times,

Many items that tested positive for the carcinogen are well-known brands, including Kiss My Face, Alba, Seventh Generation and Nature's Gate products, sold in retail stores across the nation... Of the 100 products tested, 47 had detectable levels of 1,4-dioxane, which the Environmental Protection Agency has declared a probable human carcinogen because it causes cancer in lab animals.

It turns out that the carcinogen is a by-product created during the manufacturing process when two different chemicals are combined -- It is not intentionally added to the product. Here is what the article says to look out for:

... because the vast majority of shampoos, soaps and other consumer goods do not carry the USDA organic seal, it's nearly impossible for buyers to know whether the ones they use contain 1,4-dioxane because the chemical is not listed on ingredient labels. Products most likely to contain the compound usually list polyethylene glycol or compounds with the syllables PEG, short for polyethylene glycol, -eth or -oxynol-,according to the FDA.

One thing to keep in mind is that regular soaps, detergent, etc probably contain more harmful ingredients than these natural/organic products... So in away you might still be harming yourself LESS with the natural products... Hopefully the USDA will eventually regulate on all natural products so we will know that the USDA sticker = good. To read the full article, click here.

Hat Tip: Davin O'Regan

vitamin virgin

You stop by the pharmacy on your way home from work. All you really need to do is pick up some shampoo and another box of tissues. Next thing you know, you find yourself standing in the vitamin aisle surrounded by colorful packaging marketed to women in soothing shades of pastel pinks and purples. You think to yourself, “I really should starting taking vitamins.” But where do you start? Conflicting studies come out everyday detailing new multivitamins or dietary supplements. Some scream: “Calcium supplements prevent colon cancer!!” And then, Eric Jacobs, a senior epidemiologist and vitamin specialist with the American Cancer Society says, “There is no vitamin or mineral supplement proven to reduce the risk of cancer."

Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA), the dietary supplement manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that a dietary supplement is safe before it is marketed. The FDA is responsible for taking action against any unsafe dietary supplement product after it reaches the market. After it reaches the market?! Generally, manufacturers do not need to register their products with the FDA nor get the FDA approval before producing or selling dietary supplements.

I’m confused. Some people swear by them. Others say they are a scam. The Food and Drug Administration doesn’t regulate vitamins until they hit the shelves and (I assume) a consumer reports an issue. Still, I find myself, especially as we get closer to the big 3-0, thinking that I really should start taking a supplement or multivitamin. Especially with my diet I know I’m not getting enough of the nutrients I need to stay healthy (a’la a lean cuisine for lunch and some leftover chinese for dinner).

Personally, I want to make a grab for the Flintstone chewables of yesteryears (http://www.flintstonesvitamins.com/) and just call it a day.

Plant Detox

While waiting in the check out line at Whole Foods on Saturday, an article on how to detox your apartment caught my eye. According to the article, certain plants can help detoxify the air by slurping in harmful substances and fumes like formaldehydes and other toxins in rugs, furniture, etc... and emitting what all plants emit: oxygen. One of the main toxin absorbers was the common house fern. These plants are low maintenance, and they help clean the air. Real Simple (http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/content/0,21770,693366,00.html) has a good article about house plants. Check out Daily Tomorrow (http://www.dailytomorrow.com/2008/02/23/daily-detox-indoor-plants-for-cleaner-air/) for examples of the most effective plants for removing indoor air pollutants.

Goji Berries -- Hot or Not?

Also known as Wolfberries, these little dried fruits are praised for their many micronutrients and phytochemicals said to possibly reduce the risks of some forms of cancer. Has anyone tried these things? My mom eats them by the bag now. She thinks they are delicious, and so do some of my other friends, but I didn't think they tasted that great. They are chewy like raisins and not as sweet as cranberries. I can see how they would taste good on salads though. There seems to be some concern over pesticides and fungicides used when growing goji berries in China and Tibet, so check to see where your goji berries are from before chowing down. Has anyone else heard anything about these magical fruits?

A Spoon Full Of Sugar- Not Saccharin!

Although the below article is in relation to weight loss, I think it's important that we all consider what artificial sweeteners do to our bodies. Women especially drink diet soda and use chemically manufactured products every day and it is BAD for you! Think twice before you skimp on calories and load on chemistry.

A Purdue University study found that artificial sweeteners might actually foster weight gain by confusing the body in a way that makes it harder to burn calories. In the study, one group of rats were fed yogurt sweetened with glucose, a simple sugar with the same calories as table sugar. Another group received yogurt with saccharin. The saccharin group went on to consume more calories, gain more weight and put on more body fat. Other artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose and acesulfame K could have similar effects, the study said. The findings come on the heels of a separate study that linked diet soda consumption to an increased likelihood of metabolic syndrome -- a combination of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes that include abdominal obesity, high cholesterol and blood glucose levels, and high blood pressure. When humans prepare to eat, their metabolism revs up and body temperature rises. The Purdue study found that the rats used to the saccharin had a smaller rise in body temperature after eating a sweet, high-calorie meal because their bodies were expecting fewer calories. Study authors Susan Swithers and Terry Davidson said they think this response both led to overeating and made it harder to burn off sweet-tasting calories.

The research might explain why other studies about the effects of artificial sweeteners on weight have largely been inconclusive, Swithers said. It might also explain in part why obesity has risen in parallel with use of such sweeteners. People can still count calories to regulate intake and body weight, Swithers said, although she acknowledged that it requires more conscious effort than consuming inherently low-calorie foods.The findings were published the February issue of Behavioral Neuroscience, which is published by the American Psychological Association.

sweating cancer?

first of all, catherine, you are so hip. like, oh my blog, i almost lost it when i saw you'd created this. this is my first time blogging, and i think i'm in love with it. thoughts on the deodorant issue. you know i have hyperhidrosis? see link: http://www.sweathelp.org/English/ so i'm always using SUPER HEAVY DUTY deodorant and even a solution that is pretty much just aluminum chloride. and i'm putting it on, like, 3 or 4 times a week before bed. i definitely think this could affect me down the road...and that is frightening. but which is worse? the fear of sweating in my day-to-day social interactions? or cancer? no one could seriously justify something so superficial with an elevated risk of developing cancer??!!...but then again, look at the tanning beds or terrible diets...things women partake in to look better that eventually make take a toll on their health...just a thought.

what a great idea!

I'm always looking for ways to make my life healthier, and having lots of ideas and reviews in one place will really make things easier. Can't wait to follow my new favorite blog!

To Smell or Not to Smell

All-natural deodorant. The thought sends shivers down the spines of many women. Does it really work? Will I stink? Will I smell fine but still be sweaty? Does regular deodorant cause breast cancer? Well, according to the National Cancer Institute, there is no conclusive evidence that deodorant or antiperspirants cause cancer; however, while a number of studies show no correlation between breast cancer and deodorant/antiperspirant, this study is interesting:

Findings from [one] study examining the frequency of underarm shaving and antiperspirant/deodorant use among 437 breast cancer survivors were released in 2003. This study found that the age of breast cancer diagnosis was significantly earlier in women who used these products and shaved their underarms more frequently. Furthermore, women who began both of these underarm hygiene habits before 16 years of age were diagnosed with breast cancer at an earlier age than those who began these habits later. While these results suggest that underarm shaving with the use of antiperspirants/deodorants may be related to breast cancer, it does not demonstrate a conclusive link between these underarm hygiene habits and breast cancer.

I also found this (from the same article above) interesting:

Aluminum-based compounds are used as the active ingredient in antiperspirants. These compounds form a temporary plug within the sweat duct that stops the flow of sweat to the skin's surface. Some research suggests that aluminum-based compounds, which are applied frequently and left on the skin near the breast, may be absorbed by the skin and cause estrogen-like (hormonal) effects. Because estrogen has the ability to promote the growth of breast cancer cells, some scientists have suggested that the aluminum-based compounds in antiperspirants may contribute to the development of breast cancer.

So what now? Should you buy all-natural deodorant? I don't know. I try to use all-natural deodorant, and the best one I have tried so far is the JASON brand. I am currently trying out Alba, but it is really sticky and I only use it when I know no one is going to be smelling me anytime soon. It does smell good though. I still use regular deodorant/antiperspirant for work, but I have gone from using one with a large percent of aluminum to one with less... Hopefully it is doing some good. No matter what, the idea of plugging your pits with aluminum every day doesn't sound like it can be that good for you.

Has anyone else out there tried any good all-natural deodorants?

Welcome!

Allie - Remember how we were talking about sharing tips and ideas on how to stay healthy?? Well, I thought I would start a blog that we could use to do that! Then everyone can tune in, and we will have an on-going record of everything! What do you think??!!