ⓒ iStockPhoto - qbanczyk

Yes, but only partially.  When a non-organic vegetable is steamed, some amount of surface-level pesticide residues will be carried off from the vegetable and into the steam. This amount might be fairly small, however, depending on how tightly the pesticide residues are bound to the surface of the vegetable. It is very important not to over-steam vegetables, since many valuable water-soluble nutrients - including unique phytonutrients - can be lost in this way.

To eliminate as many pesticide residues as possible from non-organic vegetables, those vegetables should be gently scrubbed with a natural bristle brush under clean water (”clean” in this case meaning water that is not itself contaminated with pesticide residues and other potential toxins). Only loosely bound, surface pesticides can be removed in this way. I recommend you gently scrub and clean all non-organic fruits and vegetables using apple cider vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. Simply spray each on separately, rinse twice and dry. Follow these simple steps and you will always have cleaner produce at your disposal the way nature intended it to be. (continue reading…)

ⓒ iStockPhoto - sjlocke

Halloween is yet another hurdle one has to maneuver regarding food allergies.   It can be “tricky” but it is important to have a plan that covers school parties, trick or treating and beyond.  In order to make this celebration a not-so- scary one, check out a few of these suggestions.

School Parties

• Attend the party to insure proper safety.
• If you can’t be there, speak with the teacher in advance.  Bring in safe snacks that your child can eat.
• If you don’t want your child to feel left out by eating something entirely different, you can provide a safe snack for the entire class instead.  (Check out Dr. Lucy’s cookies, www.drlucys.com).  Each individually wrapped package comes with three cookies and is very tasty.
• If you are friendly with any of the other parents, encourage them to bring in safe snacks, i.e. apples, grapes etc.
• If the class receives goody bags, encourage room parents, and/or the teacher to fill them with small prizes instead of candy/food.  Pencils, erasers, small activity books, key chains all make great gifts.  (continue reading…)
  

©iStockphoto.com - Floortje

A study published in this month’s Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that only 1 in 20 adults eats the recommended three servings of whole grains daily. The USDA’s recommendations for whole grains - that half of the grain products consumed are whole grain - seriously lowballs the level for health.

Many breads, pastas and even crackers come in whole-grain versions now, but  If you’re looking to up your whole grain intake, think beyond whole wheat to these five tasty, convenient ways to sneak more whole grains into your diet. (continue reading…)

©iStockphoto.com - SharonDay

This combines the flavors of warm apple pie in a hearty, healthy breakfast cereal for chilly autumn mornings. Using certified gluten-free oats makes this appropriate for those on a gluten-free diet.

Rolled oats make a thicker, heartier cereal; however, quick-cooking oats cook up faster for a busy morning. Save a little morning prep time by chopping the apple the night before and sprinkling it with lemon juice to prevent browning in the fridge overnight. (continue reading…)

©iStockphoto.com - lisegagne

I sometimes hear arguments to the effect that a certain substance is in a dangerous nonfood product, so the substance is dangerous and should be roundly avoided. At their most extreme and intellectually dishonest, these arguments take the form of “Diammonium phosphate is in flame retardant, plant food and commercial white bread, so you might as well be eating garden fertilizer when you eat Wonder Bread.” White bread might not be good for you, but not because of the diammonium phosphate.

Interestingly, the equivalences don’t usually go the other way. People - Green Diva Mom included - extol the alternate uses of common kitchen ingredients, yet we don’t argue that, because vinegar makes an effective glass polish, vinaigrette is effectively eating window cleaner. (continue reading…)

ⓒ iStockPhoto - kristijahn

Egg recalls have made people more concerned when purchasing eggs. From the packaging, you would never guess hens are mistreated with pictures of peaceful roaming chickens. Egg companies print wording like: cage free, certified humane, certified organic, fertile, free range, free roaming, natural, omega-3 enriched, united egg producers certified, vegetarian-fed and more.

What do all these labels mean? Some of the labeling isn’t verified through a third party. According to Mercy for Animals, 90% of egg laying hens spend life on factory farms in tiny wire cages where they can’t perch, walk, spread their wings or do any of the natural behaviors for their entire lives.

The life of a factory hen is a disturbing one. First the females and males are separated and then the males are disposed of: thrown away, gassed, or ground up and processed into chicken feed, and then fed to the hens. (continue reading…)

Bring on the tastes of fall! The winter squash and pecans pack this full of vitamins, minerals and healthy fats. These have a lengthy baking time, but the preparation is minimal.

2 acorn squash

2 large apples

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

1/2 cup raisins

1 tablespoon oil (melted coconut, walnut or extra-virgin olive) (continue reading…)