Friday, April 29, 2016

Your game plan this weekend.

Your health struggles and obstacle emails continue to pour in - I'm going to spend this weekend catching up on all of them. Until then I want to give you a rapid fire game plan for the 3 most common issues I am hearing…

  1. Lack of Time
  2. Lack of Convenience
  3. Family is not on board

I can completely relate to each one of these and have worked hard to knock them out of my life too - although #3 is my biggest work in progress! These are real issues that we all face, and below are some strategies that have worked wonders for me. Feel free to share this email with any of your friends or family members that you know are struggling too and ask them to join our community here.

Make The Lack of Time Work For You By Planning Ahead

If you are lacking the time to shop and cook healthy food, it all boils down to planning. I could never stick to my busy schedule if I didn't have a solid eating plan in place. If you do the work just once, you will save yourself a lot of hassle during the week when you are super busy!

Each week, write out exactly what you are going to be eating for dinner every night for the next 7 days (if you know you will be meeting friends for dinner one night, put that on your schedule too).

Then add some breakfasts and lunches that you can repeat throughout the week. Here is a big list of Food Babe recipes that you can add to your weekly plan.

One big timesaver is to make enough dinner to have leftovers for lunch the next day - that way you only cook once and get at least 2 meals out of it. You can also eat the same breakfast every day for a week to keep the planning simple.

Use your meal plan to write out a shopping list so that you aren't going to the grocery store blind, and consider keeping a master list of the items that you pick up weekly.

Prepping some items early in the week such as dressings, spice mixes, sauces, cooked beans, meats, chia pudding and smoothie packs can help you throw together quicker meals. I like to make a big pot of soup on the weekends so that we have something healthy to eat throughout the week - just pair it with a salad and you've got a meal!

Tackle Convenience With Your Tried & True Go-Tos

Keep a list of healthier restaurants and of specific items that you can buy at the grocery store that are convenient and healthy, which you can pick up whenever you need something convenient to eat. You can keep this list on your phone or someplace that is always with you, so next time you find yourself hungry and away from home you will have some good options to refer to.

Develop a repertoire of at least 5 healthy meals that you can throw together quickly with a short list of ingredients that are usually in your pantry. That might sound like a daunting task, but it really is pretty convenient to throw together a veggie stir-fry or some rice & beans. Just pick some easy favorites and tack it on the fridge to remind you what to eat when you are too tired to cook anything crazy. Convenient healthy snacks include fruit, nuts, hummus, and veggie sticks (that you can chop up and keep in your fridge). Other convenient snack ideas are in this post.

Convert Your Family With Their Favorites

Above all else, remember that you don't have to be perfect! If you have family members that are resistant to trying new healthy foods, start out by just making healthier versions of foods they already love. I have several recipes on the blog that makeover favorites, like a Chick-fil-A sandwich, brownies, pizza, mac n' cheese, and burritos.

Serve these along with a healthy salad or some vegetables like broccoli (and eventually your family might start adding these to their plate too)! Over time, you will find that your family will start to crave these healthier real-food versions of their favorite meals, and it will be easier for you to venture out into more risky recipes.

Substitute healthier pastas, breads, cooking oils, and sweeteners in all of your recipes (and your picky family members won't even notice)! These are the brands I keep stocked in my pantry.

Invite your children to learn how to cook healthy food with you or to garden with you - it has been shown that kids are more interested in eating food that they've helped to grow or cook themselves!

This weekend, talk to your family about your health goals and that you want them to get involved. Communication and taking baby steps are the keys to success in this area! This will not happen overnight - again, this issue is a constant struggle for me!

On Monday, I'm going to tell you all about some resources that will give you some major help with these obstacles. Until then, I have little challenge for you…

If you haven't nailed down what your personal health goals are, spend some time this weekend thinking about it. Think about the things that are really important to you when it comes to your health what keeps you from succeeding.

Then, I want you to write these goals down. Writing them down is really important, because it makes your goals more realistic and easier to achieve!

Discuss your goals with your family or a loved one and ask them them to support you. Having someone else that has your back and will help to hold you accountable can make a real difference!

Watch your inbox on Monday for some additional resources and have a great weekend!

Xo,

Vani

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231

If you would like to stop receiving free food investigations, recipes and healthy living tips, click here.

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Grabbing the chips, cookies, ice cream, boxed foods….Ugh.

All I can say is WOW. Over the last two days, we have received thousands of emails detailing out such deep and personal stories, struggles and obstacles to healthy living.

In the responses that I've read so far, I am seeing some common themes. Hearing directly from you, I know that I can help - and major help is coming! Make sure to read tomorrow's email for some rapid fire suggestions to the struggles I am sharing with you here today.

Here's what I am going to address tomorrow:

  1. Many of you are saying that lack of time is standing in your way…

"My absolutely biggest hurdle is planning and having the ingredients on hand to get something to the table quick. Since we often don't all get home for dinner until after 6:30 pm and rise with the chickens at 4:30 am, when I hit the door I need something quick and easy so everyone has time for homework before bedtime." - Tracy

"My only obstacle is preparing healthy foods every day. I work 8 hours a day Monday through Friday… I find myself cooking the same things over and over again" - Mary B.

"For me, since I've been focusing on truly eating healthy, my biggest obstacle is time! I feel like the majority of my time is spent either thinking about what I'm making for dinner, grocery shopping, or the actual preparation. Throw in a juicing session in the morning, and I feel like I have to get up crazy early to do it all. I really need to figure out how to get organized and become more efficient with my time." - Kim W.

  1. Convenience is also a big obstacle…

"My biggest obstacle to eating healthier is convenience. I have 5 kids, lots of sports, windshield time and little time. We eat only organic but I still find that we eat organic junk! Meal planning, understanding what we should eat more of, and the ability to understand what the labels' actually say would really help!" - Elisa

"Convenience is my biggest obstacle. With a traveling husband, being pregnant, working full time, & raising a 3 year old, I find it hard to prioritize meals. I do my best to provide organic foods. But lately, I have found my cart to be full of Pirate booty's, veggie straws, sandwich fixings, Annie's fruit snacks, cereal, etc… You know, all the fast and easy food. We do incorporate fruits on a daily basis, but lately, if it's not convenient, we aren't eating it." - Julie K.

"My biggest struggle is making healthy foods my kids will eat and finding quick healthy snacks while on the go. Between soccer, basketball, piano, scouts, volunteering, and managing my own interior design business I long for the old days of drive thru dinners, eating in the car and onto our next activity. Now I have to be so much more creative, take up a lot more time in meal prep and sometimes after all that, the kids barely eat it and then fill up on trader joe cookies and ice-cream behind my back." - Rayna

  1. You are also telling me that you struggle with getting your family on board with your food choices…

"So my biggest struggle is getting my family on board with healthy eating, and leaving all the junk and processed stuff to a minimum. I have worked very hard to transition to an organic, non GMO, healthiest option lifestyle. So, when the kids are asking for ice cream, frosters, granola bars, mr noodles and the like… I offer what I have on hand in the form or a homemade option. Sometimes that is enough to satisfy them, but I get over-ruled on a lot of items because they are more convenient." - Lisa

"The second obstacle is my husband. He is NOT interested in eating healthy, losing weight, exercise, etc. AND he is the one who does the grocery shopping. He's pretty good at picking things up that I request (as long as he has a coupon for it) but over all it's processed, unhealthy, quick, sugary foods… I get tired of trying to cook one meal for myself and another one for he and our son. And having all that garbage in the house makes it so hard… I end up grabbing the chips, cookies, ice cream, boxed foods….Ugh." - Jennifer H.

"I would love for my family to eat only healthy real food. A couple reasons why it's hard is because my husband is addicted to easy processed food product. Also it's so overwhelming to even know where to start or what to get rid of first." - Rebecca M.

One thing is for sure: You wouldn't be here if you didn't want to provide the healthiest foods for yourself and for your families.

We can get there, but we need to support each other and provide each other with strategies to help us all be successful and to knock out these obstacles.

As I mentioned in my last email, next week I'll tell you about a resource that will help you hold yourself accountable.

In the meantime, I am going to send you a game plan before the weekend, so you can get started on breaking through those obstacles once and for all!

Xo,

Vani

 

 

 






P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231

If you would like to stop receiving free food investigations, recipes and healthy living tips, click here.

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

The struggle is real... {reply to me!}

In my email to you last weekend, I brought up a topic that might have been surprising since it wasn't about food - but about connecting with people. I think this is so important because many people have forgotten how great it feels to spend time with the ones they love, leaving them emotionally empty. Not only is it important to foster connections with others, but emotions are powerful. They affect your health and filter down into all areas of your life - wreaking havoc on your food choices and your overall progress and success in life.

I want each and every one of you in the Food Babe Army to be healthy and successful, and one of my biggest goals is to help you do that.

I want to connect with more of you on a personal level and also to help you to connect with each other! I am putting together an additional resource for you that will help us come together in a new way, and I can't wait to tell you about it soon!

It's not just emotions that are running on empty, but also our diets.

You know what I mean when you go to the grocery store and find it stocked up with an overwhelming abundance of nutritionless food-like products that only provide the basics for survival - calories to fill you up. When you eat these processed foods, you are not getting what your body really needs and are left craving more and more in a fruitless attempt to fill a nutritionless void.

These fortified, flavored, colored, enriched foods are completely devoid of the nutrition that our bodies require to feel and look our best and they are leaving us sick, tired, and overweight. Keep in mind, the food industry doesn't create these products with our health in mind. Their pockets are full and our bodies are empty!

In all of my researching about food and living a healthy lifestyle, there is one thing that I've learned without a doubt - there are no quick fixes!

There is no pill or supplement that is going to reverse the damaging effects of eating a diet full of these processed "empty" foods. You can't just put a patch on your arm, pop a pill, apply a special cream, or gulp down a powdered vitamin or protein drink. There really is more to it than that!

Achieving good health takes some dedication. You've got to make a commitment to yourself and take the time to choose whole, real food that will fill your body up with nutrition. When we are bombarded on every turn with processed garbage junk foods (including those disguised as health food) I know it isn't easy, but it can be done!

This is not something that comes easy to ANYONE, especially at first. I know that it can be tempting to eat whatever your friends are eating or to throw all caution to the wind and pick up something fast (and unhealthy) when we are tired or busy. But when you fully realize that your health is at stake, I've found it much easier to make the right choices.

All this got me thinking about obstacles and what keeps people from sticking to a healthy eating plan. Have you thought about this too? The first step to breaking through these obstacles is to recognize what they are - and so I have a little challenge for you...

Reply to this email and tell me what your biggest obstacles are to eating a healthy diet. I'd LOVE to hear from you!

I want to know what is standing in your way (or isn't) from choosing the right foods and eating healthy day after day. Here are some specific questions to get your thoughts flowing:

  • What are your goals for yourself when it comes to how you eat or your health? Do you have any or can you create some?
  • Do you know what foods are healthy to eat but have a hard time putting it all together? Or, do you just have no idea where to start and need help?
  • Do you struggle with sorting out which foods and brands are healthy at the grocery store or in restaurants?
  • Do you have kids who are picky eaters? Or a spouse?
  • Is it hard for you to find the time to do meal planning, shopping, or cooking?

I want to hear where you are at today! Your responses are helping me craft a plan to help you.

I can't wait for us to break through these obstacles together!!! Hope to hear from you soon.

Xo,

Vani

 

 

 

 

 



P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231

If you would like to stop receiving free food investigations, recipes and healthy living tips, click here.

Saturday, April 23, 2016

The healthiest thing you can do this weekend! (An urgent call to action)

I am sitting here in my hotel room in Asheville, NC - so grateful to spend time with my in-laws. (Yes - I actually love my in-laws - haha).

We decided instead of Christmas presents last year, we would book a little weekend getaway to spend time together – and so far it's been so much fun. We even did a little non-GMO doughnut taste test yesterday (you can see the picture on Instagram).

I know it's weird, writing you on a Saturday – but this email is urgent, because I have a fun impromptu challenge for you that will make your life better, but first, let's talk about some breaking research that I learned about recently.

A study published in the British Medical Journal concluded that loneliness is a bigger predictor of death than obesity. Yes. Loneliness actually increases the risk of heart disease by 32% and stroke by 29%!

We have a serious problem happening right now, we spend more time on social media, watching TV, doing busy mundane tasks and on the computer than we do with friends and family. We put priority to so many other things over our relationships. It's time for that change. So I have a challenge for you.

Invite some friends over for a real food brunch tomorrow. I know it's short notice. I know your house might be a mess. I know that you might need to go grocery shopping. But just do it. Real friends will never care about the mess in your house or lack of planning – just spend time together – shoot you could make brunch together and probably have a ton of fun doing it too.

And to help you with that I've got a round up of my favorite brunch recipes including a brand new one for you on the blog.

Take some inspiration from these recipes below, serve some great organic coffee, or tea, maybe some fresh juice, and make a huge bowl of fruit salad (choose 3 or 4 different fruits of the freshest stuff you've got at home or at the market) – maybe even stop by your favorite local bakery and pick up some goodies to make things easier on you…

To quote my friend Dallas Hartwig – "We need to reprioritize social connections and to address that distracted, isolated feeling that a lot of us have."

Let's stop loneliness together! Reprioritize your friends and family.

If for some reason you absolutely can't make this brunch happen tomorrow, try a lunch or dinner party later this week (here's my recipe link to help with that) – or schedule something for next week. Just do it and do it now - it might just be the healthiest thing you do all weekend. 

Xo,

Vani

P.S. I can't wait to hear about your get-togethers, make sure to reply to this email and let me know how it goes and how you feel after spending time with your friends! Would love to capture your feedback for an upcoming post to share and inspire others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231

If you would like to stop receiving free food investigations, recipes and healthy living tips, click here.

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

See What Happens When...

This week has been a bit surreal for me.

I'm celebrating the 5 year anniversary of FoodBabe.com (yeah!) and reflecting on all that has happened since I first started this blog. Never in my wildest dreams did I envision all that the Food Babe Army has come to be! Changing multi-billion dollar corporations for the better, educating families across the world about what's in their food and changing so many individual lives. To say I have my dream job, would be an understatement – there's nothing more in the world I would rather do.

The most rewarding part of it all is YOU.

That being said, I have a super inspiring story from a reader (actually two readers!) to share with you today. I know we all could use a little bit of motivation and I love reading real life stories of people who have succeeded at changing to a healthier diet and lifestyle – and are reaping the benefits! 

See What Happens When Two Twins Makeover Their Diet! {Lisa & Laurie's Story}

Although you can see a dramatic difference in the before and after pictures - the real change has come from within! Remember a healthy outside starts from the inside. 

Xo,

Vani

P.S. If you have a success story to share of your own - please let me know here. I can't wait to hear from you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231

If you would like to stop receiving free food investigations, recipes and healthy living tips, click here.

Monday, April 18, 2016

Organic.org

Organic.org


What To Eat In Springtime

Posted: 18 Apr 2016 01:34 PM PDT


The fast procession of Spring blossoms is dizzying -- Acacia and Loquats, Anemones and Redbuds, Violets, Primroses, Bluebonnets and Black Eyed Susans; Irises, Pear Trees, and snow white Yarrow. The flowers of this Season are too many to name. Come Springtime, there is just no stopping the momentum which propels all of life forward.

It is this incredible burst of green life which makes Spring the most opportune time to gather wild edibles and brew daily teas from the herbs growing just beyond your door. It is these plants which thrive in Springtime which have an astounding ability to reawaken the body and sharpen the mind, in preparation for the coming season of fullness. It is a time of deep green nourishment, and we hope you will join us, in drinking deep of all that spring has to offer through this verdant introduction to our favorite seasonal wild foods.

Violet

Viola spp.

Parts Used  //  Leaf + Flower
Energetics  //  Cool + Moist
Herbal Actions  //  Demulcent, Astringent, Vulnerary, Alterative, Nutritive


Violet tops the list of our favorite Spring edibles.  The leaves are pleasingly succulent and satisfying eaten raw and the flowers are mellow but fragrant with a subtle sweetness to them.  Wildcrafted Violet leaves + flowers are two of the star ingredients in our Healing Breast Oil. Used externally, this blossoming beauty helps to keep the lymph flowing smoothly, relieves tenderness and swelling, helps to prevent and resolve lumps, bumps, and other growths, and increases the suppleness and resilience of the skin of the breasts and nipples.  Also called Heartsease, due to both the shape of its leaves and its affinity for gladdening a heavy heart, Violets help to bring a subtle brightness back to the world during bouts of ennui.  Enjoy leaves and flowers eaten fresh on the trail or added to salads.  The Leaves can also be made into a truly unique pesto with an incredibly unique and indescribably delicious demulcent quality.  They're particularly rich in vitamins A and C and help to keep digestion and elimination regular with their nourishing mucilage.

Stinging Nettle

Urtica spp.

Parts Used  //  Leaves
Energetics  //  Drying, Stimulating
Herbal Actions  //  Anti-Inflammatory, Nutritive, Alterative, Rubafacient, Diuretic


Nettles is, perhaps, the most famous and infamous of all herbs.  Those who meet it unsuspectingly in the wild, don't soon forget their encounter.  The sting of nettles lingers for up to twenty four hours and can be likened to an electric buzzing as it dissipates. Historically, some have taken advantage of this irritating quality and intentionally undergone what is referred to as Urtication (for the latin, Urtica spp.).  Urtication involves intentionally stinging oneself with Nettles in order to bring circulation and immune factors to a certain part of the body.  It has been used to counteract joint pain, numbness (I can only laugh at this...), baldness, and more spiritual ills which have driven the Soul from a certain part of the body.  While I have never personally undergone Urtication, I am curious about attempting it on my increasingly overtaxed right thumb (thank you, iPhone),

Nettle is incredibly rich in minerals -- most notably calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron -- making it useful for addressing a wide range of complaints including adrenal fatigue, spasmodic cramping, anemia, and general weakness.  It is one of our favorite herbs to enjoy as a nourishing infusion and it combines well with Raspberry Leaf and Oatstraw for this purpose.   Note :: Do not try to eat this plant fresh unless you have been shown how by someone who has done so and remained unscathed.  Do not harvest leaves plant has gone to seed.  Enjoy the fresh leaves as a strong infusion or cook them with olive oil, garlic, and spinach for a real treat. Dried leaves can be powdered and added, to smoothies at a later date.  Oh, and we cannot sing the praises of our Wild Onion + Nettle Seed Finishing Salt loudly enough.  It is so good.

Chickweed

Stellaria media

Parts Used // Aerial Parts
Energetics // Cooling
Herbal Actions // Nutritive, Vulnerary, Demulcent, Diuretic, Anti-Inflammatory, Alterative


Chickweed is a true darling of Springtime.  It often grows in close quarters with Cleavers and the two make a winning combination as a daily tea to breathe life back into the body after a long winter's rest.  Chickweed is also a favorite herb to infuse in oils and salves for its incredible skin healing properties.  Used both internally as a tea or food and externally as a wash, salve, or oil, it is one of the finest plant allies for resolving longstanding skin conditions.  It combines particularly well with Dandelion and Rose to this end, particularly when the underlying cause is hepatic.  Easy to digest yet incredibly nutrient dense, it is a favorite food for restoring the body after illness or convalescence.  Super Abundant in most places where it grows, Chickweed can be enjoyed daily in salads, smoothies, and pestos.


Henbit

Lamium amplexicaule

Parts Used // Aerial Parts
Energetics // Mildly Cooling
Herbal Actions // Nutritive, Astringent, Vulnerary


Henbit is, at first glance, a diminutive and innocuous plant.  It grows tenaciously through cracks in city sidewalks, covers lawns and parks, and unfortunately, goes mostly unnoticed even by plant lovers.  It's taste is mild and mineral and its small purple flowers possess a subtly sweet nectar and seem to have a sense of humor about the world.  Add it to pestos, infuse it in vinegar, or enjoy it to other spring greens raw or cooked.  The entire plant is edible and quite tasty.  A strong infusion of the entire plant can be used as a compress to soothe bites, stings, mild skin irritations, and swellings.  And, as the name implies, Hens love it.

Spiderwort

Tradescantia spp.

Parts Used // Leaf, Stalk, and Flower
Energetics // Cool + Moist
Herbal Actions // Demulcent, Vulnerary, Nutritive


This succulent and mild blossom is coming up through the sidewalks and blooming in thickets in lawns and on by ways. She is cool and moist, sweet and tender. With a distinctly nourishing and demulcent quality, she balances the Vata nature of Spring with ease. Her prolific flowers can be enjoyed raw in salads or smoothies and and the young leaves and shoots can be cooked along with wild onions. Due to the mucilaginous quality of this plant (think okra) it can be added to soups, stews, and gumbos as a thickener. Additionally, this mucilage lends a cooling soothing quality making Spiderwort a great choice for helping to heal mild burns in a manner much like Aloe Vera. Pro tip, eat a few flowers along the trail and see what color they turn your spit!

Cleavers

Gallium aparine

Parts Used // Above Ground Parts
Energetics // Cool + Dry
Herbal Actions // Vulnerary, Lymphatic, Diuretic, Nutritive,  Alterative, Anti-Inflammatory


Cleavers encourages the flow of lymph throughout the body and can help to resolve fibrocystic tissue.  Helpful both internally as a tea and externally as a wash for eruptive skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and boils.  This incredibly prolific plant has an affinity for the urinary tract and kidneys and acts as a stimulating and soothing diuretic in cases of infection.  A relative of the dye plant Madder, the roots can be used to produce a red dye -- though this seems a futile endeavor considering the pithiness of the roots.  Enjoy above ground parts as a daily infusion to support lymphatic health in spring or combine with Turks Cap Leaf + Flower and drink freely as a strong infusion for irritation or infection of the urinary tract.

Wild Arugula

Eruca sativa

Parts Used // Young Leaves + Flowers
Energetics // Warm + Dry
Herbal Actions // Digestive, Warming, Aperient, Nutritive


Wild Arugula is a real treat in its immature "micro" stage. Peppery and stimulating, it makes the perfect addition to any late Winter meal. I especially enjoy it sprinkled over eggs, added to beans and rice, or as a simple salad tossed with lemon and oil and backed within a roasted winter squash. It can be enjoyed mature as well but becomes increasingly spicy as it grows larger. Try it in this state thinly sliced, sautéed, and added to a kale salad with bacon, dates, and blood oranges. One of the first flowers to emerge on the cusp of Winter and Spring -- the bright yellow blossoms make a for a sunny garnish when most edible flowers are still months away.


Wild Onions

Allium spp.

Wild Onions are one of the first feral foods to appear in Spring.  I am here in Central Texas, in Austin, where I was born and raised, and these tender alliums are everywhere!  My mother's lives just up the street from a remarkably vital stretch of water and wild.  Less than a quarter mile from a medium sized highway, this natural sanctuary so tucked away, feels like my own private Eden whenever I come to visit her.  The diversity of wild foods and medicines which thrive in this small haven is astounding.  The Wild Onions are some of the first to find their way onto my plate in Spring, along with cheerful dandelions blossoms and their delicious bitter greens.  Then there are the diminutive and tart Oxalis leaves, the creeping Dewberry now in bloom, the overgrown mats of Cleavers, and the Pecans overhead just beginning to leaf out. There are also sizable Trout in good numbers in the creek, and though I'm not yet much of an angler, they've piqued my curiosity.  All of  this against a backdrop of what is to me, an iconic Springtime vision -- a profusion of edible magenta blossoms covering the Redbud trees.

Harvesting wild onions is a deliciously grounding way to reconnect with the Earth as she grows more fertile with each passing day of Spring. I recommend finding a patch of damp earth, dappled with sun and shade, and placing one palm flat on the ground as you gently coax each bulb from its subterranean resting place. The soft sound and gentle release as the roots succumb to the pull of your hand, moving from soil to sunlight, is marvelously wholesome and satisfying. It is also a resplendent thing to have your fingers covered in wild dirt. I like to leave just a little bit of it on the bulbs rather than washing them too thoroughly. I am a strong believer that a little dirt is very good for you. If that sounds strange, I encourage you read more about that here.

Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale

Parts Used // Entire Plant
Energetics // Warm + Dry
Herbal Actions // Digestive, Hepatic, Aperient, Nutritive, Diuretic, Alterative


First and foremost, Dandelion is an excellent nutritive herb. Useful as both a food and a medicine, Dandelion is remarkably mineral rich and high in antioxidants A + C making it useful in some forms of anemia as well as for strengthening bones + teeth. The implications of including wild and mineral rich greens in your daily diet cannot be overstated--eat a salad of of Dandelion leaves and blossoms each day of Spring and you will surely notice a marked shift in your mood, cognitive function, energy, skin, digestion, and general connection to all that is Wild, within and without.

The leaves of the Dandelion are a potent diuretic which, unlike diuretic medications, works to replenish the minerals (read :: potassium) lost through urination and ultimately to strengthen the kidneys and entire urinary tract through its careful use.  Because of its diuretic effect, Dandelion is an excellent choice for treating Urinary Tract Infections when combined with increased fluid intake and soothing herbs such as Marshmallow Root or Cornsilk--an infusion of the leaves is preferred for this application.  The entire plant, but particularly the root, acts on the system as a mild laxative, or aperient.  It helps to move sluggish bowels, making it an excellent choice for the change of seasons.  Its regular use improves liver function significantly and can therefore have a profound and lasting effect on skin conditions, hormonal imbalances, and even conditions as significant as Hepatitis.  Through its action on the liver, Dandelion effectively cleanses the blood and supports optimal lipid and hormone metabolism.  The bitter taste of the herb itself speaks volumes about its uses.  The powerful bitter flavor promotes bile secretion and soothes indigestion--particularly when the imbalance is caused by impaired fat absorption and digestion.  Greasy stool is a strong indication that Dandelion may be of great use.  The root of Dandelion is also incredibly high in Inulin--a complex sugar which nourishes the beneficial bacteria in our intestinal tract.  Healthy gut flora effects everything from cognitive function to auto-immune processes, so drink up.  To optimize Inulin extraction, a long slow decoction of the root is preferred--combine with Marshmallow Root (soothing and nourishing to the intestinal tract) and Burdock Root (also full of Inulin) for a heavy hitting dose of the good stuff!


Note // Proper identification is of paramount importance. Please consult a
field guide or local wild foods expert before harvesting any new plants you not familiar with. Additionally, always ask permission and offer sincere thanks to the plants for their sustenance.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

2 min organic travel hack {New Video!}

I am super excited to share this new healthy trick & video with you today.

Watch the new video here.

Since I consume coffee or tea almost every single day and travel a lot, this hack is crucial to my wellbeing!

That's because conventional coffee & tea is typically imported and grown with large amounts of pesticides and insecticides, including some that are considered too dangerous to use in the U.S.

Not only do I want to avoid sipping on pesticides in the morning, but organic fair-trade coffee & tea tastes better too!

I also share a special tip on how to avoid that nasty creamer you find in most hotel rooms and coffee shops. 

So excited to hear what you think – Don't miss this fun video! Watch it now here.

See you in the comments!

Xo,

Vani

P.S. If you were on the last member only live webinar, this is the coffee hack I shared with you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231

If you would like to stop receiving free food investigations, recipes and healthy living tips, click here.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

No, not SKITTLES!

A lot people ask me if I am scared that PR firms hired by food and chemical corporations are actively trying to discredit me - At first I was, but then I realized something. This fight is so much bigger than what happens to me. It's not about me at all. I am actually very lucky.

I thankfully learned real nutrition, the dangers of processed food and regained my health. There are so many others out there that need to do the same (you might be on the path) - this is about them (and you) - so no matter how hard they hit at me, I stay focused on the millions out there that need this information and keep going no matter what gets thrown at me.

I really appreciate all of you out there who are taking the time to investigate your food and hold companies accountable for their actions. Doing this work is not for the faint of heart, it takes courage, bravery and letting go of the social pressures to conform (because God knows, eating a real food diet is not the norm!).

There's a reason they are watching everything we do - we are effective at winning. We've changed dozens of multi-billion dollar food corporations for the better with our actions - everyone from Kraft, General Mills, Starbucks, Subway and more... and the list is going to continue to get bigger, if you stay loud and keep sharing real food recipes, new habits and your lifestyle changes with your friends and family.

The more that you start paying attention to ingredient lists, the more you start to really notice that the majority of processed food on the shelves is made from primarily white/beige foods (wheat, soy, sugar, corn) which have been stripped of natural nutrients and artificially colored, flavored, and fortified with vitamins and minerals to resemble "food". These products are not real food at all - and your body can really tell the difference!

I know this first hand, as my health changed dramatically when I changed my eating habits and started filling my body with organic raw whole foods from all of the colors of the rainbow - leafy greens, red beets, orange carrots, purple cabbage, blueberries… as varied as possible!

The absolute best thing about eating this way is that the food industry hasn't adulterated your food with artificial colors, flavors, chemicals, pesticides, additives, preservatives, or BPA and other harmful packaging materials. But, it's also a great way to ensure that you are giving your body what it needs!

Eating an abundance of raw and colorful food is now one of the habits I live by, and I just posted a delicious new recipe on the blog that is full of colorful vegetables for you to try! It's anti-inflammatory and will rocket-boost your health! Check it out here.

Many of my other favorite recipes that can help you "Eat The Rainbow" are here on the blog as well:

If you want help with meal planning and more nutritious recipes like these, I invite you to join the Food Babe Eating Guide Program.
Meal planning & cooking at home with whole real foods is one of the best ways to stay alkaline, provide your body an abundant amount of nutrients on a daily basis, and prevent disease.

When you join, you'll get hundreds of pages of my tested tricks and tips to make healthy eating mindless, and a monthly meal plan full of Food Babe approved recipes and guidelines. You'll also get exclusive how-to videos and access to live group check-ins with me, where you can ask me anything.

I hope to see you over in the program here, and don't forget to eat the rainbow today!! AND I don't mean SKITTLES!

Xo,

Vani

P.S. Stay tuned for a really fun video tomorrow, where I'll show you one of my favorite healthy travel hacks. 

 

 

 

 

 

 



P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231

If you would like to stop receiving free food investigations, recipes and healthy living tips, click here.

Monday, April 11, 2016

Finally. A store-bought Mayo that has good ingredients!

Mayo isn't something that I eat very often, and only if I am super careful about the brand I choose. That's because the ingredient list on most store-bought mayonnaise is super unhealthy and goes something like this…

Soybean or Canola Oil… full of an abundance of omega-6 fatty acids that increase the risk of inflammation, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and autoimmune diseases.

Eggs… from large facilities where chickens are raised in cages, fed GMOs and antibiotics.

Sugar… derived from Roundup Ready GMO sugar beets that were designed to be sprayed with a herbicide that is linked to cancer.

Natural Flavors… that can be made from practically anything that comes from nature along with undisclosed ingredients like the solvent propylene glycol and the preservative BHA.

And a lot of Synthetic Preservatives that I don't care to put in my body.

The ingredients get EVEN WORSE when you check out the "low fat" or "fat free" versions that are loaded up with extra refined sugar, corn syrups, starches, and artificial thickeners. No thanks!

I had pretty much sworn off mayonnaise for most of my recipes, until my partner Thrive Market introduced me to a new brand of mayo that isn't made with any of those garbage ingredients. Not only is it made with cage-free organic eggs, but also with heart-healthy avocado oil!

Here's what I think is so great about it -

  • It's the only mayo in existence made from nutrient-dense avocado oil. This is so exciting because most brands that claim to be made with healthier oils like olive oil are watered down with GMO canola oil. This Mayonnaise doesn't contain any other oils and is true to their label!
  • Made with organic cage-free eggs and non-GMO ingredients
  • Locally produced in Southern California
  • Completely free of dairy, sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and gluten

Avocado oil is one of the healthier oils you can use in the kitchen. Not only does it taste delicious, but avocado oil is composed of about 70% monounsaturated fats - these are the "good fats" that help to regulate cholesterol and help your body absorb antioxidants and nutrients. It's a major upgrade from the health-wrecking GMO oils (corn, soybean, cottonseed and canola) found in almost all the other dressings that you'll find in stores.

Because I want you to be able to try this amazing product, Thrive Market has agreed to give you a free jar of this Avocado Oil Mayonnaise (while supplies last + $1.95 for shipping)!

And, they won't send you just some small sample jar either - you'll get an entire 12 oz. jar! Our sponsor Thrive Market has also generously agreed to give you a 15% discount on your first order! (If you are not a member of Thrive Market yet, no worries - they will also give you a 30 day trial free when you pick up your jar.)

Click here to claim your free jar + 15% discount on your first order (while supplies last!)

I used this mayo last night to make a simple piece of fish. I took a pound of red snapper, spread a small layer of this mayo on top, put sea salt, fresh lemon juice and zest, and black pepper on it - then baked it at 400 degrees in the oven for about 15 mins. It turned out fantastic and makes such a simple quick dinner!

To claim your free jar of Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil Mayonnaise, visit Thrive Market here.

Enjoy!

Xo,

Vani

 

P.S. This offer is for new members to Thrive Market - But if you are already a member of Thrive Market, you can still get a jar too! They will send you a jar along with your purchase of $50 or more in groceries next time you shop (while supplies last). Just follow this link to log-in to your Thrive Market account.

 

 

 

 

 



P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231

If you would like to stop receiving free food investigations, recipes and healthy living tips, click here.

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Cyber-stalking trolls and online harassment.

We are making a lot of people nervous.

Jobs are at stake, profits are declining, ingredient sourcing is shifting and change is in the air. We have a full-blown food revolution happening. Companies are becoming more transparent, dropping controversial ingredients and increasing the amount of non-GMO and organic foods in their offerings.

The chemical and food corporations who do not like this change are obviously upset – and that's why they'll do whatever they can to try to halt our progress.

There are a lot detractors who have banded together to stop the social media fire storm we food activists have created to educate the public about the impact of factory farming, GMOs and chemical additives in our food supply.

We finally have evidence of who's behind this opposition – and they are directly targeting us – The Food Babe Army!

In this very important brand new post, I will walk you through exactly what to do when you are attacked online for being part of the good food revolution.

Read it here.

After you've read this – please share this with your friends and family. We need to expose their tactics and tricks, and arm our loved ones with the truth!

Xo,

Vani

 

"No Mud, No Lotus" - Thich Nhat Hanh

 

***Join me and over 1 million fans on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.***

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231

If you would like to stop receiving free food investigations, recipes and healthy living tips, click here.

Monday, April 4, 2016

Organic.org

Organic.org


Don't Throw Away Those Silica Bags Any More!

Posted: 04 Apr 2016 03:35 PM PDT



The silica gel bags we often find in shoe boxes usually end up in the trash, just because we believe they're completely useless and even toxic.

However, the truth is that they are not poisonous whatsoever. Rather, they are filled with a substance called silicon dioxide which should not be eaten but can be very useful around the house. They're a non-toxic inert desiccant that will dry out anything around them. Here's how you can use them:

1. Put Them in Your Gym Bag

The main purpose of these little packets is to absorb any extra moisture and protect the item they are added to from growing bacteria or mold. Bacteria thrive in damp and moist environments so adding one of these guys to your gym bag will eliminate dampness and germs thus freshening it up. They can even remove a very foul odor.

2. Put Them Between Towels

Prevent your towels from getting damp and smelling unpleasant by putting a few of these in the towel cabinet.

3. Make Your Razors Last Longer

Instead of leaving your razor around in the bath where it's always wet put it in a plastic container with a few silica bags inside. It will make it last longer.

4. Save Your Drowned Phone

If you happen to drop your phone in water and it gets wet, don't lose hope! Instead of putting it in a jar of rice try the same with silica bags. Fill a jar with them and put your mobile in, it will be much more effective.

5. No More Foggy Car Windows

I absolutely adore this one, since foggy car windows cause me a lot of problems especially in this damp weather season. This goes to all you drivers out there; it's a true lifesaver in the winter. Instead of waiting for your windows to defog, which in older car models can take forever, put a bunch of these silica gel bags under your windshield from the inside immediately. You'll see that tomorrow your windows won't be foggy. It's the fastest way to stop your windows from fogging up and you'll save yourself the 10 extra minutes needed to clean them up.

6. Save Your Old Photos

Old photos usually deteriorate with time, which is really sad because they are the sole reminders of our past and are quite dear to our hearts. Put a couple of silica gel bags in your box of old photos to save them from the dampness that can ruin them.

7. Save Your Make Up

Every women needs to have a bag or two of silica gel in her make up purse to stop the powdery make up from curdling.

8. Save Your Jack-O-Lantern

Simply adding a silica bag  to the inside of your jack-o-lantern will extend its shelf life significantly. Nobody wants to smell a rotting pumpkin breaking down on the porch in the fall.
There you have it, 7 fun and useful tips which can make your life easier. Next time you buy something with silica gel bags in it don't throw them away, they can be quite useful. Can you think of another way you can use these bags, maybe you're already using them for something we haven't mentioned? Please share your thoughts and ideas, we can all learn something new.

Eat Dirt!

 

When I was younger, I was plagued with stomach problems. I sometimes missed school because of how awful I felt and later in my adult life it seemed everything I ate made me have that disgusting bloated feeling.

It wasn't until I learned about the processed food industry and began eating real nutritious food that these problems disappeared. That's because sugar, refined carbs, certain food additives and junk foods all contribute to poor gut health and cause inflammation. If only I knew then what I know now!

In our over-sanitized modern world, most of us aren't exposed to very much good bacteria, and this can be a problem. Most of our food has been pasteurized, irradiated, or chemically treated to kill bugs – but this also kills the good stuff. Our soil is depleted of good bacteria with the overuse of synthetic pesticides and other chemical contamination. Certain substances in our food have also been suspected to cause leaky gut syndrome – which creates tiny little holes in our digestive system organs that leak out the good bacteria we need to stay healthy and keep our immune system strong.

This is why we absolutely must do everything to restore the good bacteria in our guts.

Which is why I am thrilled to share details on my friend Dr. Josh Axe's new book EAT DIRT!

Check it out here.

You'll learn:

  • Everything you need to know about leaky gut and how to heal from it.
  • How leaky gut syndrome begins and the risk factors to look out for, along with preventative measures.
  • How to determine if you already have leaky gut.

I know you are going to love this book, it's a must read!

Xo,

Vani

 

 

 



P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231

If you would like to stop receiving free food investigations, recipes and healthy living tips, click here.