Did You Know...

Are GMOs safe?
 "In 30 other countries around the world, including Australia, Japan, and all of the countries in the European Union, there are significant restrictions or outright bans on the production of GMOs, because they are not considered proven safe. In the U.S. on the other hand, the FDA approved commercial production of GMOs based on studies conducted by the companies who created them and profit from their sale"

www.nongmoproject.org/consumers/about-gmos/

Nutrition  

I'd like to talk about one of my favorite subjects:  Chocolate!  Yes I have the Peace Out Sugar Facebook page, and yes I work with many clients to eliminate added sugars from their diet.  So let me specify that I am not talking about commercial candy bars or processed chocolate-like products.  Cacao (raw chocolate), the root of all chocolates, is what I am getting at here.

Cacao is nutrient and antioxidant-rich.  It has a significantly higher ORAC (antioxidant rating) rating than both blueberries and dark chocolate.  Cacao benefits just about every part of the body, especially fighting for heart and brain health.  Also a help against osteoporosis due to high magnesium content.  Adding in mention of mood boosting effect, cacao is quite the soldier.

You may have seen cacao nibs in your local healthfood store.  If you've tasted them, you quickly realize that zero sweeteners have been added.  I like to throw them into my protein shakes for a denser consistency and boosted nutrient content.  Sunfood is a trusted company that makes also cacao powder, cacao butter, and cacao paste,

Cold pressed cacao helps maintain natural nutrient and antioxidant content.  Two companies that are extremely aware of how to properly process thier natural, non-GMO, organic cacao are Sunfood & Nibmor.  Great product to add to your shopping list if you are avoiding gluten, dairy, GMO's, and sugar.

If you would like to learn more about cacao, here is a link with some great info and a cool little video clip.  It is comforting to know the story behind your food and know where it is coming from.  Interesting enough, Mayans and Aztecs used to use cacao as money.  My Mexico trip this week is actually for cacao studies ;) 

Natural Health 

Recently the University of Adelaide has been able to show how peppermint can be used to relieve IBS.  IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome) is characterized by symptoms such as abdominal cramping, bloating, diarrhea and constipation.  Symptoms vary and are not the same in every case. 

Peppermint has been used in IBS treatment for many years, however more evidence is helping with exactly why and how it works.  Researchers are reporting that peppermint activates an "anti-pain channel in the GI tract". 

Organic peppermint tea is readily available in healthfood stores, and actually has quite a refreshing taste and aroma.  Our family tradition is to have peppermint tea after a holiday meal to help us digest, another benefit of peppermint. 

Lynn has all kinds of organic mints growing at the farm, the smell is so revitalizing I'm salivating just writing this.  If interested in buying loose dried peppermint, please visit her website www.Lynnsorganics.net, email herbalady@sbcglobal.net,  or give her a call at 203.484.9679. 

As a side note, peppermint has always been a great deterrant for me when I'm having an urge to eat sweets.