Choosing Vegan - for health, animal cruelty and environmental concerns
Posted by Rochelle Blank Zimmer, CHHC on Aug 31, 2010 | 7 Comments
“Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.” Albert Einstein
Family, culture, tradition and social attachments have a remarkable influence on what we choose to eat. Indeed it can be hard to argue a favorite childhood taste or meal that is filled with fond memories.
As children many of us were brought up sharing our lives with animals as favorite family companions. Our rooms were delightfully adorned with animal images on wallpaper, border trims, blankets and sheets. Hardly an item of clothing missed the stamp of a favorite furry friend. Most of us amassed an army of stuffed animals at an early age. We learned how to read, write, spell and do math with our beloved animals pictured in our books and on our flash cards. Aesop’s fables - stories that teach us about values and morality were all told to us, by animals.
As youngsters, we are taught to be nice to people and animals and not cause them any harm. Then stunningly, at an early age, we are served as meals, many of the very animals that have befriended us on our walls, toys, clothes and books. We quickly learned how to detach ourselves from what we were eating and how we were being brought up not to hurt other living creatures.
The choice to eschew animal food may sound radical to some, but to those that do, it seems radical to choose any other way. For some, becoming vegan occurs as a wake up call to a health issue that has knocked on their door. Vegan diets, backed by solid evidence of significant health benefits have stepped into the limelight in recent years as recognized alternatives to meat eating diets. T. Colin Campbell’s book – The China Study, points to irrefutable life saving health benefits of consuming a plant- based diet.
Doctors, scientists, nutritionists and health organizations including The American Cancer Society and The American Heart Association to name a few, have come forward speaking in favor of a plant based diet. With concern to the ever mounting obesity, high cholesterol, heart disease, type II diabetes and cancers that afflicts millions of Americans each year, a healthy vegan diet has gained favor because of the results it produces.
Add to that the already millions of people, avoiding flesh foods, who can personally attest to the health benefits of eating a vegan diet, (and to which I can personally be counted among). This past summer, several more notable public faces associated themselves with plant-based diets as Chelsea Clinton offered vegan cuisine choices at her wedding and Phil Mickelson announced a change to a vegetarian diet for an arthritis condition he is suffering from. People from all walks of life are preferring plant-based choices for many different reasons.
A growing awareness of massive animal abuse and torture along with widespread toxic environmental pollution, resulting directly from the animal factory farming methods practiced, has given way to powerful reasons for forgoing the eating of animal flesh. No one better speaks about this than John Robbins, in his acclaimed book, Diet for a New America
The conversation for veganism is becoming louder. From scorn and mockery to now, scientific praise for the health benefits that a vegan diet offers, to a global commitment of lessening our carbon footprints, to an awareness and shame for the enormous cruelties brought on to animals by ending their lives for our food, our thoughts and actions can lead to healthier more humane lifestyle choices. It’s still playing out slowly in term of our food choices at restaurants and public venues, but quietly in some of our kitchens and consciousness, changes are beginning to take place.
To Your Vibrant Health, Rochelle Blank-Zimmer, Your Holistic Health Coach and Your Natural Choice
For more info:
- Your Natural Choice Website
- Your Natural Choice Blog
- Central Jersey Holistic Health Examiner
- Here comes the lovely vegan green bride: Chelsea Clinton
- What will Phil do next? Going Vegetarian
Becoming Vegan - Are you curious why a plant based diet is best for you?
Posted by Rochelle Blank Zimmer, CHHC on Jun 15, 2010 | Be the First to Comment
BECOMING VEGAN
Are you curious why a plant based diet is best for you?
Thursday, June 17, 7:00 PM - Onsen For All - Princeton, New Jersey
Vegetarian Vegan is becoming more mainstream as well as enjoying news worthy attention because it provides healthy and nutritious alternatives that are changing people’s lives.
With many people seeking sustainable, kinder and healthier ways to live and eat, with heart disease, obesity, cancers and diabetics (to name a few) on the rise, exploring a vegan diet will offer bold health enhancing solutions.
Assuming you are curious…transitioning into a vegan diet will understandably open up many questions such as, what can I eat to satisfy my taste buds and nutritional requirements, how can I realistically change my preferences and why becoming a vegan would benefit me, our environment and all living creatures.
Are YOU ready to learn about something that could change your life?
Are you curious why a plant based diet is best for you?
Join Rochelle Blank-Zimmer - Your Natural Choice - Certified Holistic Health Coach, Health and Green Lifestyle Writer and Vegan speak about Becoming Vegan -
- Limited Seating
- Reservations required
- Online: Onsen For All
Phone - 609 - 924 -4800
4451 Route 27, Princeton, New Jersey
Class Cost: $25.00
Evening Bonus: Enjoying a few vegan appetizers
Eat Green Move Daily Live Well
CentralJerseyholistichealthexaminer.com
Nutritional Breakthrough Session - 609.495.5330
Why avoid pesticides and new link to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD
Posted by Rochelle Blank Zimmer, CHHC on May 18, 2010 | 5 Comments
ABC morning news reported on Monday, May 17, that the use of a pesticide, in commonly eaten fruits and vegetables has been linked to ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Andrea Canning, a news correspondent for ABC said that new research from a study which has been documented in the Journal of Pediatrics is suggesting that even the tiniest amounts of pesticides may affect the brain chemistry in children and has been linked to harmful effects on children’s development and ability to think and communicate. Dr. Philip Landrigan of Mt. Sinai School of Medicine said that exposure in early life can cause brain injury.
Like something out of a science fiction novel, the report went on to say that the pesticide, organophosphates, used in fruits and vegetables has been approved and registered by the U.S. EPA when used in amounts “determined to be safe”. Dr. Philip Landrigan continued by saying that “there is no need to panic”, that what is needed is for more testings, watching kids over a period of 5-6 years to determine if the link to ADHD is actually correct. The pesticide manufacturers, via a national association that represents them, agreed! (gee, no surprise there)
The ABC report ended by suggesting eating organic vegetables, strawberries, raspberries and peaches in particular, or washing or peeling your fruits and vegetables.
Waiting for a government agency to do the right thing by simply coming out and plainly saying - Pesticides are toxins and as such are harmful, not just for our children’s health but ours as well, is not a wait worthwhile.
Toxins or poisonous chemicals, and not just the ones in commercial foods but the many others found in non-food products, many of which show up in common household products should be avoided. Scientists now know enough about the long term effects of ingesting these chemicals to warn not using them. The EPA should be banning and outlawing the use of all pesticides and other toxins,because those products are causing all species and our environment harm. There is simply no justification to use pesticides and toxic chemicals which is good enough that is able to override our health interests.
Dr. Andrew Weil, medical doctor and renowned expert on holistic health spoke on behalf of the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and said that “Pesticides are toxins, they can’t be good for you and the only question to ask is how bad are they?” He answered by saying that pesticides are toxic to our nervous system, may disrupt endocrine functions in the body, increases risk of cancers and chronic disease.
To view the full 3 minute video of Andrew Weil speaking go to: Andrew Weil on EWG’s shoppers guide to Pesticides
The Environmental Working Group puts out a Shopper’s guide to Pesticides. On their dirty dozen list, meaning the fruits and vegetables that consistently test for the highest amounts of pesticides on them are these 12 food items, recommended as a must on your organic shopping list.
- Celery
- Peaches
- Strawberries
- Apples
- Blueberries
- Nectarines
- Bell Peppers
- Spinach
- Kale
- Cherries
- Potatoes
- Grapes(Imported)
While conventional knowledge suggests that you can wash or peel away toxins, this is not entirely true. Thin skinned produce such as the ones listed above in most cases can not be peeled. The ones that can be peeled suffer loss of valuable nutrients. Their thin skin offers no protection from the toxins and the toxins become part of the fruit. You can’t wash it away, at best you may remove some surface toxins but the rest will have already seeped into the fruit or vegetable and has become part of it. The EWG offers a list of the 15 cleanest available at EWG’s Shopper’s Guide, I personally opt for all organic whenever possible. To err on the safe side is a better side to be on.
For more info:
- Your Natural Choice Blog
- Your Natural Choice Website
- Central Jersey Holistic Health Examiner
- Environmental Working Group
- Strawberries
- Haven’t the time to be healthy?
Strawberry season begins in New Jersey & why you want them organic
Posted by Rochelle Blank Zimmer, CHHC on May 15, 2010 | 3 Comments
What’s better than the arrival of Spring? The arrival of Strawberries. Local New Jersey farms are ripe with this favorite berry, which is great news for those of you who enjoy your local seasonal bowls of berries.
The local season is short, so now is the time to pick up the first of this season’s strawberry crop at farm stands, farmers markets, Whole Foods or at the Whole Earth Center in (Princeton, NJ). Even Shop-Rite is carrying ORGANIC strawberries at very good prices. If you are lucky enough to still become a member of a local organic CSA (community supported agriculture) strawberries are awaiting.
Organic is the belly of beast here, and a very important consideration when choosing strawberries.
Here’s why. Strawberries are thin skinned creatures - they bruise easily and have lots of pores. Any sprays, pesticides or crap used on the strawberries will contaminate them. Their thin skin does not acts as protection and can’t be peeled off. Their many pores are openings for chemicals to easily pass through. You can NOT wash those toxic strays off strawberries or any berry for that matter because their skin is too thin.
If you eat berries that were sprayed with chemicals, those chemicals will go into your body, and not leave. Chemicals, as we have learned are known to cause cancers and other unpleasant life threatening diseases. So please don’t take a good food and turn it into a bad food by eating one that has been sprayed with chemicals. Instead of spending your dollars on tasteless vitamins and supplements, spend your savings on organic food and “eat your vitamins” via the healthy organic food you choose.
While, local is always my first choice, organic for strawberries and all berries are a must. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Strawberries were listed on their top 12 fruits and vegetables containing high residues of pesticides sprays. Go Organic.
When you do find yourself biting into an organic strawberry, after the intoxicating berry delicious taste hits your happy taste buds, here are some of the nutrient dense power benefits that your friendly strawberry will give you.
The strawberries’s deep red pigment tells you they are heart healthy friends, also rich in antioxidants( cancer crusaders). Perhaps that is why they have earned the symbol of romantic love. Easy to remember, anything that inspires love in your heart is good for your heart and health.
These very berries contain anti-inflammatory properties which could be of value to arthritis, asthma, and cancer concerns. They are an excellent source of vitamin C. Among the many talents that Vitamin C offers is it benefits for your immune system. Loaded with fiber, low in calories, only 45 per cup, these simple spring delights are berry worth biting into.
Paul Pitchford recommends in his book, Healing With Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition (3rd Edition)
I recommend eating Strawberries to your heart’s content. Note to mom’s - most kids love strawberries.
To Your Vibrant Health, Rochelle Blank-Zimmer - Your Natural Choice - Certified Health Coach
For more info:
KFC and Susan Kormen For the Cure, hook up to fight breast cancer - Are you kidding?
Posted by Rochelle Blank Zimmer, CHHC on May 3, 2010 | 7 Comments
“Buckets for the Cure” - How about Buckets of Hogwash?
It has been said often that truth can be stranger than fiction, and no more so than in the latest case of a dangerously misleading alliance. This one involves The Susan G. Kormen for the Cure; an organization that raises awareness of breast cancer, hooking up with fast food giant, Kentucky Fried Chicken to sell pink buckets of fried chicken.
Their campaign slogan “Buckets for the Cure” is absurd and profoundly deceitful. The game goes like this; for every bucket of KFC that someone buys, supposedly fifty cents goes to research for a cure for breast cancer.
What’s wrong with that? you might ask. For starters, raising money from a product that is linked to poor health is a bargain with the devil and the height of hypocrisy. KFC is not a healthy choice, period. If one chooses to eat it, that is their personal choice, but to suggest that by eating it, we can help find a cure to cancer is misleading, as well as dangerous to anyone who now might falsely think that fast food KFC has cancer health benefits.
In addition to the pharmacology mix of who knows what hormones and toxic chemicals were fed to KFC chickens, are the highly processed white flour, white sugar, salt, pepper, oil and monosodium glutamate (MSG- a neurotoxic flavor enhancer) used to make the frying batter. When you heat oil at high temperatures the oil becomes rancid. Additionally the starches used, create acrylamides, a toxic chemical by-product. The high saturated fat content alone, in KFC is one more anti-health ingredient. All of the ingredients mentioned have been linked to cancer, obesity, diabetes and or degenerative diseases.
So how could a cancer research organization, such as Susan G. Kormen align themselves with KFC? Suggesting to people to buy one of the very foods that is said be linked to cancer? This is an egregious insult to all those people and families of, who are valiantly fighting cancer who need support and trusted information on healthy choices for their diets.
So sadly, this type of marketing once again highlights the gross negligence of marketing misfits and corporations who are not looking after the health and welfare of the people they are speaking to but are only looking to line their pockets, after they have attempted to line our minds with fraudulent information.
If the goal is to find a cure for cancer then it is time to start aligning with people and corporations that are actually on board with products and services that promote cures and that actually do support health. Aligning with any other is like sleeping with the enemy. Not a wise choice.
For more information go to:
- The Colbert Report - Thursday, April 29, 2010 - video segment on Susan Kormen and KFC hook up. Very funny and well worth the watch of only a few minutes.
- NaturalNews
- Your Natural Choice Blog
- Central Jersey Holistic Health Examiner
- Your Natural Choice Website
- Essential Fatty Acids may be your breast’s best friend
My opinion and To Your Vibrant Health, Rochelle Blank-Zimmer, Your Natural Choice, and your Holistic Health Coach, helping you create Vibrant Health.
- PHOTO CREDIT - From NaturalNews
