Minimum age for energy drinks - While teens may be upset about it I think this is a good idea. A better idea would be to get rid of these kinds of drinks altogether. Banned overseas and with some reports linking these drinks to consumer deaths it is not something to take lightly.
Eat for happiness - often we think we're eating for happiness when we're actually eating for pleasure. Sadly we're also unaware of the effect that this can have on us. My friend Trudy Scott, Food Mood Expert and author of The Antianxiety Food Solution points out that many people with depression, anxiety, and other neurobiological disorders frequently do better when they change their diet. Perhaps it's time we all learned to eat for happiness.
Fruit and Veggie Prescription - As the saying goes, 'Let food be thy medicine." And in D.C. providers at one health care clinic are encouraging just that, food as preventive medicine. I love the thought that people are getting prescriptions which they can use at farmer's markets. This will hopefully encourage them to return on a regular basis and to being to use whole foods, fresh foods, as part of their diet. Hopefully this program will spread across the country. It is already possible to use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or what used to be called food stamps, at farmer's markets. I believe encouraging people to connect with their local farmers, rather than a fast food joint, the better off everyone will be.
Plastic Pollution - I've written before, here and here about plastic, its impact on our environment and on our health. We've cut back tremendously on how much we use but it still surrounds us, from our toothbrushes, deodorant containers, freezer bags, and remote controls to the sewing machine, packaging on items we buy, dvd covers, and food containers. It's very very difficult to get rid of plastic in our life. This article showing the overwhelming amount of plastic that finds its way into the ocean it mind-boggling. Time to get Beth Terry's book Plastic Free: How I Kicked The Plastic Habit and How You Can Too to find more ways to bump it up a notch.
Expanding the season: I was happy to see this blurb about more farmer's markets being open for a winter season. While most people tend to think of farmer's markets as providing fresh spring and summer foods (think lettuces, tomatoes, peas, peppers, strawberries, and such) there is a whole season that has been bypassed. Farms can, and do, also produce a bounty of fall and winter crops that are so delicious and bursting with nutrients. Winter squashes, root crops, and citrus fruits are just a few. If more farmer's markets are able to expand their season it means more sales for the farmer, more fresh, local food for you. It's a win for everyone.
Here's a video of an American farmer talking about his concerns about the state of farming in this country and global climate change.
In addition to the impending publication of The Pantry Principle there are some exciting developments coming up for my newsletter which will be offering some content not found here on the blog. If you're not already signed up, now's your chance.
photo: mconnors
No comments:
Post a Comment