Food Wax

Today was a very busy day in the Larson kitchen. As I prepare to head back to my day job (or the one that earns me a paycheck), I'm trying to get as much baking done as I can because 1) it distracts me, and 2) I've just been having so much fun trying different recipes and seeing how the husband and baby respond. Today was an exceptional day. I started off the afternoon baking Zucchini Brownies from a favorite blog of me: www.athomewithginac.com. I really made these for a friend who is in the hospital, but of course, I couldn't give him ALL of them, so we selfishly kept the rest of them for ourselves. Mine aren't as pretty as Gina's, but they tasted so incredible.  They almost didn't come to be, however, because I nearly ate all the batter :)

As those baked, I cut up eight gala apples to make Crockpot applesauce...can you say, Yes Please!! No peeling, no baking, and no sugar!! You place enough water in the Crockpot just to cover the bottom and then toss in your apples. Cook on low for six hours. These almost leads me to tonight's post, but I'll get to it in a minute, I just want to finish with our afternoon of cooking. 

For dinner, I made burgers from a friend's cow. And when I say 'friend,' I mean a poor college student intern who has had to put up with me the last three months...(yes, her family owns many cows). The cows are all grass fed; the taste is a bit different, but we are getting used to it. It agains reminds me of how important the diet of the animal is that we are eating (they are supposed to eat grass after all, right?) Grass fed beef has higher levels of omega-3 fats which is just another good reason to eat this type of meat. The burger was simple: kelp salt, pepper, oregano, and a few sprinkles of Herbamare seasoning. On the inside of the burger, a surprise piece of smoked mozzarella cheese! Mmmmmm so yummy and Jackson couldn't eat his fast enough!!

And I have to brag that he ate more broccoli than both me and Jeff!!

Okay, on to tonight's blog...so I used to buy my organic apples from Costco. I LOVED that they provided healthy organic produce, until one fateful day they didn't have the organic apples (they ran out). So I ended up at my favorite store, PCC, to buy their much more expensive apples. Right off the bat, I noticed a difference: there was no wax coating the fruit. When I got home and finally tried one, I couldn't believe the taste different. The fruit was much sweeter and more vibrant than any other apple I had eaten at Costco. Since then, I've been meaning to research fruit waxes to see why they are used and if they are harmful. Here's what I have found:

• Waxing primarily helps limit water loss, preserve the look of the fruit, prevent mold growth, and extend shelf life. 
• The waxes on food are similar to those used to shine floors, furniture, shoes, and vehicles. Derived from petroleum and natural sources, they often contain some combination of paraffin, shellac, carnauba, polyethylene and synthethic resins. Due to its high melting temperature, the wax cannot be washed off and often used as a vehicle for applying bactericides, fungicides, growth regulators and dyes.
• The FDA has limited research on the safety of waxes and are labeled "generally recognized as safe." 

As much as I wanted to, I couldn't find any definitive evidence that the waxes are bad for us, but most of it was anecdotal and not based on anything than personal opinion. My opinion is that the wax seems to distort the taste. I also am such a purist, that I don't believe I should be putting chemically made waxes in my body. I did read that using vinegar is helpful to wash off the wax, but I haven't tried it, because I'm now a convert to the local, non-waxed organic variety :) 

I also just added "My Favorites" from Amazon.com. I thought this might be helpful for some of you to find some of my favorite things. I'll keep updating it, but there's a pretty good list of things right now. Full disclosure: I get a little kickback when you use my link to purchase. 

Blessings in the Garden...

So I just have share a quick little story: we found our first tomato this morning!!! Jackson helped pick it right before dinner. I was going to put it on our salad, but then I had a thought. What if I cut it up right in front of Jackson? Maybe my non-tomato eating son will actually want to eat it? Well wouldn't you know, Jackson ate the whole thing! (well, Jeff and I did get a bite or two) But literally I couldn't cut him pieces fast enough. All I have to say is that this is why we have a garden; the power of growing something in your own backyard is truly amazing.

Mmmmmm....Chlorophyll.....

Okay, so just a quick post tonight...Did you know that you can eat carrot greens?!?! I did not until just the other night! I am just so proud of our carrots from our garden, that I couldn't bear to waste the greens, so I did a little research and turns out the greens, although a bit bitter, are full of chlorophyll, which helps to fight cancer! So, I just chopped them up and added them to the dish I was making. And then I did it again tonight. They do have a bit of a different taste to them, but if you chop them like you would parsley you'll hardly notice. You can stir them into your dish or just garnish on top...I feel healthier already! (sort of)

PS: You may have trouble finding greens since most grocery stores chop them off, but you will find many a topped carrots at the farmers market or PCC...

Back to Reality...

So we returned from our sunny, sunny vacation to dreary rain, totally Seattle-style. But, the day was brightened up by picking the many yummy veggies ready to eat from the garden. We picked carrot and sweet onions to make this for dinner tonight and then Jeff and I celebrated our reunion by enjoying the new So Delicious Coconut Ice Cream without added sugar! Oh my gosh, the mint chocolate chip was unbelievable. There was only one ingredient that I didn't know about that I had seen in several places, but never took the time to look up. It's carrageenan. Have you heard of it? Well here's some info: It is a seaweed extract common in the Atlantic Ocean near Britain, Continental Europe and North America.  

Things like liquids and cheese can be even more problematic, because their natural inclination is to separate, foam, melt, precipitate, et cetera, especially after they bounce down the road for a thousand miles.

That's why many foods contain chemicals known as gums. Two gums that are pretty familiar are gelatin and corn starch. If you look at processed food, you see all sorts of other gums like carrageenan, xanthan gum, cellulose gum, locust bean gum, agar, and so on. Food scientists (not cooks -- food scientists make processed foods) use these substances for four main reasons:

1. They thicken things: Ice cream, marshmallow fluff, pancake syrup, etc., all benefit from thickening.
2. They emulsify things: They help liquids to stay mixed together without separating.
3. They change the texture: Generally, a gum will make something thicker or chewier.
4. They stabilize crystals: A gum might help prevent sugar or ice from crystallizing.

Now, there are some concerns with this ingredient, although it does seem to be all natural in that it comes from seaweed. There was a study that connected carrageenan to cancer in mice, although it was a different "grade" of carrageenan than is used in food. But the lead researcher still had concerns regarding the type that is used in food. Dr. Weil reports that it would be a good idea to avoid products containing this ingredient and I have to say that I agree. It will be particularly important to look out for this ingredient if you eat a lot of soy products, as it is very common in these foods. Thankfully, there is an alternative! Larry and Luna's brand of coconut ice cream is so yummy you won't believe that it's not real ice cream. They have fantastic flavors but they do use agave as a sweetener, which is also an ingredient to consume conservatively, and they are a bit higher on the calorie count. However, this brand of ice cream is so creamy and rich, a few bites will do you just fine. 

As we're getting into the house remodel (we just found out that we will be without countertops for two weeks) and I am returning to work, I'm hoping to continue the blogging on a weekly basis...see you soon!

The Hidden (but maybe not so hidden) Dangers of French Fries

Okay, so we all know that french fries are not the healthiest option when it comes to food. But we still LOVE them! Even I, who stays away from greasy, fried foods 99% of the time, is so deeply tempted by french fries on my hubby's plate, that I have to at least try one (or five), ya know, just to make sure they taste good. Well I stumbled across an article on the hidden dangers in this beloved food. It's called acrylamide (sounds healthy, doesn't it?) In my research for this blog, I have to say that for once, the  FDA has taken an appropriate stance on this. Acrylamide is found in foods that are cooked at 280 degree Fahrenheit and greater. Sadly, potato chips and french fries were found to have the highest concentration of this chemical because it is created during high heat baking, roasting, and frying (cigarette smoke is the other big producer--sad to have such popular food lumped in with nasty cigarette smoke). It is also produced industrially for products such as grout and plastics, but it also to make cosmetics (here's my blog on safe cosmetics) At this link, you can find out how it's produced, since I'm going to focus on why it's so awful for us. Acrylamide is regulated in our water system by the EPA to keep it to a safe amount. Wait...hold up. A safe amount? This is a chemical that has links to cancer, and there's a safe amount? And now I'm back to why I despise most of our government programs. Here's my blog on safe water for more information on that. But sad news for the FDA is this: although they took a stance on this chemical and even held some meetings dating back to 2002 through 2005, they never seemed to come to a conclusion as to what to do (according to their website). There was no widespread release of this information. (Did you hear about it? I didn't...) This was a Swedish Study that began the whole discussion years ago. From the FDA:

On April 24, 2002, researchers at the Swedish National Food Administration and Stockholm University reported finding the chemical acrylamide in a variety of fried and oven-baked foods. The initial Swedish research indicated that acrylamide formation is particularly associated with traditional high temperature cooking processes for certain carbohydrate-rich foods. In response to concerns about the potential risk of foodborne acrylamide based on the known toxicity of acrylamide at much higher doses than those seen in foods, the FDA began to analyze a variety of U.S. food products for acrylamide. 

But guess what, no company has to disclose that acrylamide is present in their product...why? Because it's a by-product of processing, not an ingredient (here we go again with why I hate the FDA). This is just another reason why, as a country, we need to get back to our roots and return to eating whole, unprocessed foods whenever possible). Acrylamide can be absorbed through skin, breathing in, or consuming foods. Remember that "regulated water"? 60% of what comes in contact with our skin gets absorbed into our blood stream, so with every shower you are absorbing minute amounts into your body. Another reason to "go green" and shorten your showers (shh...don't tell my husband I said that).

Okay, so back to why this chemical is so awful for us:

Several animal studies have linked it to cancer; albeit in high doses, but there hasn't been any tests at lower doses and who knows exactly how much is a "high dose" let alone how much we're actually exposed to on a regular basis. There was one human study that resulted in a "positive association" between acrylamide in food and breast cancer.

 "The findings show a positive association between an increased acrylamide-haemoglobin level and the development of breast cancer after adjustment for smoking behaviour. The risk of breast cancer doubles with a tenfold increase in the acrylamide-haemoglobin level. A tenfold increase in the acrylamide-haemoglobin level corresponds more or less to the difference measured between the women with the lowest and highest exposure. The study also shows a stronger association for estrogen receptor positive breast cancer."


http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080111231742.htm


So what can we do? Well, for one, avoid fried foods when you can, and of course, don't smoke! But acrylamide also hides in unusual places...I wanted to paste the table the FDA created that lists out the foods and the amount of this chemical that is present in them, but it was just too long. But I STRONGLY encourage you to view this link. Here's just a few of the hidden places acrylamide is lurking: Gerber baby food (even their organic brands), Enfamil Formula, Similac Formula (among other brands), Beech Nut baby foods, Boca Burgers, every brand of potato chip, General Mills and Kellogg's Cereals, certain brands of soy sauce, roasted and smoked almonds (certain brands), Ghirardelli's unsweetened cocoa, Libby's canned pumpkin, and just about every brand of coffee...

I could go on and on, but I'll let you skim through it, as it is truly disappointing. So many "healthy" processed foods were on there, which bummed me out.

The moral of the story, be very careful of what you eat. It will be impossible to avoid this chemical all together unless you are on a raw diet, so moderation is key.

Here's to healthy eating!

A New Way To "Farm" Fish

Early this week, my parents, my hubby, and the little one headed up to Redfish Lake for the afternoon and to enjoy an early dinner at the wonderful restaurant at the lodge. Two of the menu items were for salmon (one of my favorite foods), but before ordering, I had to find out if the fish were farmed (bad!!) or wild caught (less bad!). The waitress reported that the salmon was ocean farmed. What? I had not heard of this, so I knew immediately that I had some research to do.

Ocean farmed fish means that the fish were raised in their native waters, but caged in. They feed on their normal food but are protected from prey. NPR wrote a great article (they are not always my favorite news source, but they did a good job here) that addresses the specifics ("farms" occur many miles from the coast to lessen the environmental impact than typical farms) but also the controversy regarding the fact that the fish that are being farmed are major predators and that breeding them in captivity puts stress on the ecosystem. 

The drive behind this new wave of farming is that demand for fish has increased so dramatically in the last few years that the natural supply can no longer keep up with the demand. This is a fairly new practice of raising fish and seems like it would have the same concerns (albeit very few) as wild caught fish (mercury is still a concern even in wild fish). Until we have some research assess the mercury content of these fish, I'd say that they are okay to eat in moderation (like on a very special night out). I will however, continue to only buy fish at my local PCC because they actually test for mercury in all the fish they sell, so that I can rest assured that the levels are zero. 

Lymphatic Vacuum Massage....say what?!?!?

Okay, so I had the craziest thing done to me the other day (at the encouraging of my mom...). I had lymphatic vacuum massage, otherwise known as Vacumie. If you have read my previous posts, you know my frustration with my face (I mean, I'm 29 years old and I'm struggling with acne?!?! Really!?!?!). Well, my mom works with a reflexologist in Sun Valley who also uses a vacuuming technique (similar to cupping which is an old healing method used for thousands of years all over the world) that stimulates the lymphatic system. Her hopes are that if we empty the toxins from my body, it can help my skin heal itself. The lymphatic systems aides in the immune system in destroying pathogens and filtering waste, removes excess fluid, waste, debris, dead blood cells, pathogens, cancer cells, and toxins from these cells and the tissue spaces between then, and it works with the circulatory system to deliver nutrients, oxygen and hormones from the blood to the cells that make up the tissues of the body. So with that knowledge in hand, I walked into this appointment not having a clue what was coming my way...

Oh yes, it's really a suction machine. And by that I mean it literally sucks up your skin...craziest thing I've ever seen! The idea is that because fat cells store toxins the movement of the vacuum over the skin helps to break up the fat cells as well as bring blood to the cells to help temporarily increase circulation to help flush out the toxins into the lymph so that they can be excreted from the body. An added bonus?? It helps with the dreaded cellulite!! Woot-woot! (Cellulite is hardened fat cells)...Well, except that you have to do it somewhat frequently (which the Larson budget does not allow for). The whole procedure took two hours and was not relaxing in the least (in case you were wondering). 

I'm not sure if it will work (it's not an immediate fix), but I will tell you that it made me break out a bit in weird spots on my face, so maybe that means it is pulling out toxins? Not sure, but it was a cool experience.  Here's a video if you are more curious about it. This service is offered everywhere, just Google it, you won't believe how common it is in spas and in naturopathic facilities. 

Let me know if you have tried it or have questions :)

I've Missed You!

Okay, okay, I know, I haven't been around much and I apologize profusely, but we've been really busy...

learning to jump... (not sure if the video will work, but I hope so because it's so darn cute!)

 Meeting truck drivers from across the country....

 visiting Snoqualmie Falls

 Learning to drive a car with Isa...

 Ah....the dreaded (but welcomed!) house remodel...

 Trying on Daddy's shoes

 The Kla Ha Ya Days Parade with Grandma and dear friends Jamie and Isa

 Sharing giggles with cousin Claire

 Maple Bacon Ice Cream....yummmmm

 Ah, more remodel projects...hardwoods throughout the house!

Our POD arrives! We are having the hardwoods refinished, so out goes all the furniture!

Helping Daddy do some work! (He actually has the screwdriver accurately in the screw hole)

Playing at the park

Painting!! New colors are various shades of gray...yours truly did the painting while hubby had basketball practice...
There were several nights of 12-1am bedtimes...passed the time by watching America's Got Talent...

Our first garden carrots!

Okay Mama, but I'm VERY busy right now...

And LOTS of bubble fun!

Cabinet choices...

more choices...

Summer vacay officially begins with pool time at the Airport Mariott

Sleepy time at the hotel...

The first hike of the trip

Jackson enjoys a well earned rest after the hike was completed...all that hard work requires a snack break!

I've been trying to spend time off the computer as well...but I'll be back to the blogging world soon!