Why Grass Fed
April 22, 2009
April Recipes
April 20, 2009
Beverages
Salads
Chicken and More Spinach Salad
Steak Salad with Asian Chili Sauce
Lunches/Sandwiches
Hickory smoked double grilled cheese
Main Dishes
Vegetarian Lentil & Cheese Loaf
Bacon and Onion Topped Rib Roast
Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms Topped with Cheese
Kids’ Favorite Salmon Fish Cakes
Chicken Alfredo and Wild Rice Casserole
Ricotta stuffed baked Potatoes
Side Dishes
Braised Carrots in Maple Sauce
Snacks
Eat Your Antioxidants
April 18, 2009
Finding Antioxidants Naturally – Eat Your Antioxidants
As we all strive to become more health conscious, many have espoused the use of antioxidants as an essential part of their daily diet.
Antioxidants are essential because they are needed by the body to neutralize free radicals and stop them from impairing cells. Free radicals are known to be chemical substances that can cause cell damage. If this happens, it can lead to aging and even disease.
People are continuously searching for the best sources of antioxidants. Many people take supplements, and there are tons of bottles of them sold in stores every day. But there is no need to do that, and there are no supplements that can offer natural antioxidants; they can only be obtained from the foods we consume. Antioxidants shield cells from unstable molecules known as free radicals. These radicals come from different sources like pollution and smoke from cigarettes.
There are several examples of antioxidants. These includes vitamins C, E, A, beta carotene, and lycopene.
Vegetables contain the most common antioxidant required by our bodies. There are quite a number of vegetables that are well known as natural sources of antioxidants. These include broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, peppers, and others.
These are excellent choices that can benefit the body greatly. Vegetables with rich color are especially good to consume since they have phytonutrients. Green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale are two of the best. There are also vegetables that are rich in beta carotene like carrots and sweet potatoes.
Of course, some fruits provide high levels of antioxidants as well. Examples include berries, kiwi, prunes, watermelons, pomegranates, and apricots. Aside from vegetables and fruits, antioxidants can also be found in tea, most notably black and green tea. Drinking at least a cup every day can be very beneficial for the body.
Consuming fruits and vegetables as part of one’s diet regimen holds an assurance that you are contributing to a healthy lifestyle and, at the same time, helping to rid the body of free radicals which can cause cell damage.
When I told the newsletter subscribers that I interviewed an expert on the topic of grass fed animal products, I got a response from a farmer who appreciated my interest in this topic. I shared her comments below.
My guest this week is Jo Robinson of EatWild and author of Pasture Perfect: The Far-Reaching Benefits of Choosing Meat, Eggs, and Dairy Products from Grass-Fed Animals.
Eating animal products and meat from grass fed animals is the environmentally friendly choice.
Animals raised in confinement are unhealthy and not eating their natural diet. Therefore they require antibiotics and hormones in order to turn a profit for their owners. Their meat and milk is also much more likely to be contaminated with e.coli, salmonella and other pathogens.
When you buy meat and milk from a local, small farmer, you are supporting healthy green eating! Not to mention that grass fed meat is tastier and much healthier. One reason for this is because of the higher amounts of certain nutrients, such as Omega 3 fatty acids and CLA in grass fed.