Wednesday Play and Health

WEDNESDAY PLAY
One thing is for sure, this family loves their sunshine! Although it's actually a 'cold' (high is in the fifties) day outside today, we couldn't resist. After chores and schoolwork was done, we headed outside for some scootering and tire swinging.

Ahh, yes. Do you smell what's cooking in my kitchen at the moment? (I know you can't. Just play along.) :) In the crockpot is an organic roaster (chicken) with carrots, potatoes and onions. I'm cooking it in some chicken stock and it smells delish! I also baked up some banana bread this morning with the help of two little chefs (they love to help measure and taste test). I used 1/2 white flour and 1/2 whole grain flour. I've baked things with whole grain before many times. Some things taste great and some...well, I just can't get the word 'cardboard' off my mind when eating it...like pasta.

HEALTH

Most of you know (if you read this blog) that my New Year's resolution is to really look at labels and find out where our food is coming from. I'm also researching some of the hazardous things we do in cooking and preparing food.

I've been researching the following:

- effects of microwaving food (especially in plastic containers...NOT good for you)

- ingridients that aren't good for self-cleansing (Sodium Laureth Sulfate is one, it has many names though)

- aluminum...also not good for you. It's in deodorant, medications, lipstick, baking powder, self-rising flour, salt, processed cheese, cake mixes, foil, flatware, soda cans, etc.

- pesticides in food

- where I can buy local food

- growing our own food/chickens (can't wait for those fresh eggs!)

- hormones in meat and dairy

- how I can substitute foods high in protein for meat. Meat is expensive and eating fish and poultry is much better for you than red meat. It's also hard to find good, organic meat.

- trying to cut back on how much plastic we use. I went to Goodwill a few weeks ago and bought a bunch of glass plates (50 cents each and they were nice!) and some glasses to replace our plastic cups. I have yet to obtain some bowls and small plates for the kiddos.

- I've been learning about soy and the many controversies about it (there's soy in EVERYTHING)

- MSG

- I've been experimenting with some different recipes

- Organic couponing online

Oh, the list goes on. It's amazing how when you really start researching, you find out some scary stuff. I've also been learning how everything is DRIVEN by MONEY (even in the food industry)!!! The FDA is not your friend folks. It's so easy to just eat what you're used to eating because it tastes good or because every other American eats it, so it must be okay. You have a coupon for it so buy it. People wonder why there are so many health problems out there...cancer!, obesity, liver disease, heart attacks, and the list goes on. Eating healthier is not more expensive. I'll share. Our grocery bill fluxuates, but let's just say that I spent the same amount on groceries last week than I did previously when I bought the less healthy food. 1 box of Ritz crackers is $4.00! 1 box of Oreos is also $4.00. I can buy 6 mangos with $4.00! My kids (especially Lincoln...he'll choose broccoli over any sweet...Avonlea is a different story) love mangos.

I loved watching CNN last night and seeing how Mrs. Obama is fighting for childhood obesity rates to go down and diminsh...go girl! Bill Cosby (can't say enough about this man...can he run for President next time?!!!) has also co-written a book about it and was interviewed last night, along with Mrs. Obama. They are desperately trying to change cafeterias in the U.S., giving healthier options. Let's get rid of the candy and soda machines folks! That's a start.

Okay, so I could go on and on, but I won't. It's just something that I'm passionate about. Some scripture that I've been reading today is from Daniel 1:3-21. It talks about how Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were training for the king's service and were summoned to eat the king's 'royal food', but Daniel asked...

"Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in , the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king's service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom."

I have heard some argue that the Bible teaches that we should be vegetarian and eat no meat. I have been reading up and have found no evidence to support this topic fully.

Well, duty calls and I must get some more things done today. If you want to learn more about health and some of the issues that I've addressed today, you can visit Brittany's blog over at 4 Little Men and Girly Twins. Scroll down and check out her 'health news' link for some awesome ways to make healthier changes in your life.

I haven't exactly felt the love in the comments section lately. If this 'health stuff' doesn't interest you, please feel free to share your thoughts/comments (politely). If this 'health stuff' does interest you, let me know and please share some of your own information!