Making up for lost time, I'm posting another interesting National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine article

This is about glyphosate, an ingredient in certain herbicides:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3945755/

Blessings to your health and wellness,

Andrea B.

Interesting article on National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine's website

This is the link to an intesting article about the relation between food allergies and IBS that I thought you all may appreciate: 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1774228/

Here's to your health,

Andrea B.

Zucchini Corn Fritters with Dilled Cashew Sour Cream

Zucchini Corn Fritters with Dilled Cashew Sour Cream

Thought you all might enjoy the dairy free "sour cream" portion of this recipe, although the corn fritters look appetizing as well.

Healthy Holidays,

Andrea B.

Roasted Red Bell Pepper and Artichoke “Tapenade” - Go Red For Women

Roasted Red Bell Pepper and Artichoke “Tapenade” - Go Red For Women 

I thought this recipe may be useful as an appetizer for the Holidays - enjoy!

Happy, Healthy Holidays,

Andrea B.

Interesting article about allergies and GMO

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1241560/  This link is to an article regarding a study that was done in this regard that I thought some may find interesting, although it is a bit heavy on the medical technology lingo. 

Be healthy,

Andrea

Interesting article about organic food

The case for organic food http://www2.tbo.com/news/opinion/2012/sep/10/naopino1-the-case-for-organic-food-ar-490092/

I apologize for not posting to this blog lately, but my mother passed away a few months ago and I have been very busy handling all that entails, as well as grieving, of course.  However, I found the article, which the above link will take you to, very interesting and thought you all may as well.

To your health,

Andrea B.

First Super Weeds, Now Super Insects -- Thanks to Monsanto

First Super Weeds, Now Super Insects -- Thanks to Monsanto 

The above link is to an article about health and GMO that I thought you all may find interesting. 

Be healthy,

Andrea B.

"Feeding prisoners genetically modified soy products may be 'cruel and unusual' punishment"

Feeding prisoners genetically modified soy products may be 'cruel and unusual' punishment - This is a link to a very interesting article. Eating soy may not be as much of a concern for men's health, but according to a study available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21854827 consuming soy may be of concern for women being treated for breast cancer. As many of you have probably read in my prior e-mails and/or posts, soy consumption was a concern for my mother over 20 years ago when her oncologist advised against her consumption of soy products, because she had a type of breast cancer that fed on estrogen and he was concerned that the components of soy that may have similar hormonal activity to estrogen may feed the cancer cells. When she has tried a soy product here and there since, she always notices symptoms from eating the soy, such as itchy sores on her face that would not heal, an ashen gray complexion and severe fatigue. When she stopped eating the food containing soy, the symptoms would improve. Therefore, for this and other reasons, we believe that in addition to the concerns she faced regarding soy when she was a breast cancer patient, that she is also allergic to soy. However, soy is in so many food products that it has become very difficult to avoid. Also, back when she was being treated for breast cancer, the soy products were less likely than they are these days to be genetically modified; this raises a whole separate area of concern for those who are advocates for labeling of genetically modified food and/or food additives in the United States and those who believe that genetic modification of food and food additives is what has caused allergies to foods that are genetically modified to increase.

I wish you the best of health this Thanksgiving and always,

Andrea B.

Celebrate National Clean Out Your Fridge Day With These Food Swaps

Celebrate National Clean Out Your Fridge Day With These Food Swaps

Who knew there was a national clean out your fridge day? Anyway, I enjoyed some of the food swap advice in this article and thought you all may as well.

Happy almost Thanksgiving,

Andrea B.

The 4 Best and 3 Worst Sweeteners to Have in Your Kitchen

The 4 Best and 3 Worst Sweeteners to Have in Your Kitchen

I seldom agree with the health articles on Yahoo.com. However, I believe this one is very informative, so thought I would share.

Best of health to you all,

Andrea B.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100127095945.htm

I just found this interesting article on a recent study regarding good bacteria and the immune system:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100127095945.htm

Personally, I believe taking probiotics has helped me with digestive system issues too.

Andrea B.

EAT LOCAL! In Your Own Backyard

Check out this great article I found on local, home gardening here in Sarasota, Florida:

EAT LOCAL! In Your Own Backyard

Enjoy,

Andrea B.

USDA seeks comments on organic label claims

USDA seeks comments on organic label claims: "The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking comments on draft guidance for the labeling of products that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients."

I am glad to read in the aforementioned article that the "USDA seeks comments on organic label claims". However, as I have mentioned previously in this blog, I would much rather see them focus on making those who use genetically modified ingredients label their products accordingly, so people will no longer be blind to this issue and can, therefore, make more informed choices regarding their food purchases.

In concern for your health,

Andrea B.

Cell-destroying protein to boost cancer fight: scientists

Cell-destroying protein to boost cancer fight: scientists

The above link is to an interesting article regarding some new research into modifying our own immune system's natural defense in order to fight cancer cells and other diseases. This sounds great in theory, but I am concerned that doing so without knowing what all the implications of modifying our own natural immune defenses are may have unexpected side effects, such as only being able to fight what the defenses are modified to fight and nothing else. I wish there was more research into cancer prevention through natural means, as well as finding treatments and/or cures. That would not benefit the drug companies who are usually the ones that fund much of today's medical research, but one can dream.

Here's to your health and well-being,

Andrea B.

Enzymes

I've just begun taking a dietary enzyme supplement, due to some digestive discomforts that occur when I eat certain foods and I have to tell you, my uncomfortable digestive symptoms have lessened from doing so.  Too many of the foods that we consume are cooked, canned, processed, etc., so that doesn't leave much room for the benefit of naturally occurring enzymes.  Do any of you use enzyme supplements?  Any success stories?

Fish oil linked to increased risk of colon cancer in mice | MSU News | Michigan State University

Fish oil linked to increased risk of colon cancer in mice MSU News Michigan State University

I just found this article published today on the Michigan State University's website and find it to be of much concern, as I was of the belief, as many people are, that taking fish oil supplements is a healthy practice to help lower triglycerides and reduce risks of heart attack and stroke. However, this research suggests that excessive fish oil supplementation may increase the risk of colon cancer. The article does, however, state that a recommendation should be developed regarding guidelines for how much fish oil is too much to take and that only those who are low in omega-3 fatty acids should be considering this type of supplementation at all; very interesting. I imagine these new findings will spark further research in this regard. Unfortunately, we will have to wait and see.

In concern for your health,

Andrea B.

Organic Farmers Claim Soybean Victory

Organic Farmers Claim Soybean Victory

The above link is an interesting article about the organic soybean industry in regard to soymilk. Since part of this blog involves dairy-free issues, I thought you may find this article of interest. As you all know, I try to avoid all soy, even the organic kind. However, I would much rather see organic, American grown soy sold in the U.S. than the genetically modified kind that dominates our market, so I am glad to hear of this victory.

Here's to your health,

Andrea B.

7 Worst Pizzas in America

7 Worst Pizzas in America

The article available via the above link is interesting. However, it does not take into consideration that the "Worst Pizzas" are not only the worst because of their caloric, fat and/or salt content, but also because the majority of these products contain soy. I find it even more frustrating that just about every frozen pizza does, even ones that carry claims of being "healthy" in their brand name and/or labeling. Fortunately, there are alternatives, since I find that making pizza dough, or any dough for that matter, from scratch is difficult and time consuming. One only needs to search the internet to find pizza dough products that are "soy-free". Many of these product's websites will provide information on local organic or health food stores that carry their products.

I recently read a very disturbing statistic on the website of a connection of mine whom I have mentioned previously in this blog, Dianne Gregg, the author of "The Hidden Dangers of Soy". The statistic was that 80 to 90 percent of U.S. planted soybeans are genetically modified. So, what do you think the odds are that the soy in these frozen pizza products is genetically modified as well? I would say the odds are pretty high that it is. Of course, they do not have to say so in their labeling in the U.S. and that is only one of the many reasons that I try to avoid soy.

I also avoid soy, due to the phytoestrogens that it contains. When my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer 20 years ago, her oncologist told her to avoid soy, because her cancer was the type that feeds on estrogen; better safe than sorry. After 6 months of chemotherapy and a mastectomy, my mother has been a cancer survivor for 20 years now, thank God (and I mean that literally)! That was really my wake up call about soy and the more I learn about it, the more I say "no thank you".

I hope you found this information helpful, as living without pizza is a place this half Italian gal would rather not go.

Here's to your health and to pizza,

Andrea B.

What’s REALLY in Those McNuggets (And Why the FDA Doesn't Care) by Sylvia Anderson - Nutrition - InsidersHealth.com

What’s REALLY in Those McNuggets (And Why the FDA Doesn't Care) by Sylvia Anderson - Nutrition - InsidersHealth.com

The above link is to an interesting article about the ingredients in McNuggets. Find out what Silly Putty and McNuggets in the United States have in common by clicking the above link.

Here's to your health,

Andrea B.

Is That Plastic Container Safe?

Is That Plastic Container Safe?

The article available at the above link gives some great advice on how to avoid the harmful chemicals that some plastics can leach into our foods.

Here's to your health,

Andrea B.