Kid's Healthwatch: Aspartame

I admit it, I was addicted. I wanted anything and everything with artificial sweetners. I remember the satisfaction I would get by drinking my first Diet Coke of the day...the first of six before bed. I'd gobble down treats with words like "Nutra-Sweet" and "Equal" on the label, secretly delighted I was keeping my sugar count low.

On February 7th, 2008 my sugarless life changed. My neurologist --who originally was convinced I had Multiple Sclerosis-- told me about the research coming out on aspartame and its similarity in symptoms to MS. I was instantly stripped of my Diet Cokes and yummy treats....cold turkey.

Here's the skinny on aspartame. It consists of three molecules joined together:

-50% phenyl alanine, an amino acid found in food, which can be neurotoxic in high quantities
-40% aspartic acid, also an amino acid found in food.
-10% methanol or methyl alcohol, which is also called wood alcohol. Free methanol can be quite toxic in low quantities. It is metabolized into formaldehyde (a known neurotoxin and carcinogen) and formic acid (the poison in ant stings).

Over 75% of the complaints made to the FDA's Adverse Reaction Monitoring System have been about aspartame.

Some of the more common side effects are: headaches, migraines, seizures (several pilots have had to stop flying because of aspartame induced seizures), hyperactivity (especially in kids), anxiety, aggresiveness, and severe depression.

Dr. Christine Lydon wrote an article about apartame for Oxygen Magazine and stated this troubling fact:

"Prior to birth and during the first 12 months of life, the blood-brain barrier is incomplete; thereby allowing dangerous excitotoxins, such as aspartic acid and phenylalanine, free access to the nervous system. Additionally, the concentrating effects of the placenta are able to magnify the levels of phenylalanine in the blood by as much as four-to six-fold in a fetus. Fetal phenylalanine has the potential to reach levels that kill cells in tissue culture. It's not much of a stretch to presume these concentrations harbor the threat of birth defects in the developing infant. Experimentally, it has been determined that infants are four times more sensitive to excitotoxins than adults. During the first year of life, irreversible brain damage can occur through agents contained in breast milk. Despite this, the American Dietetic Association still recommends aspartame for pregnant and nursing women."

I suggest you do your own research, and come to your own conclusions. As for my family, we are aspartame free. I drink about (6) La Croix sparkling waters a day. Occasionally, we have an awkward moment when my kids (ages 1 and 4) are offered an artificially sweetened treat at a playdate, but other than that, I'm the only one that knows the difference. I feel it everyday.

For more information, follow this link, that contains 50+ articles on aspartame.

Veggie Side Dishes

These two recipes were submitted by my grandmother --Joan Baker. I haven't tried them yet, but I'm sure they're great since everything she makes is wonderful!

Brussel Sprouts

4 cups brussel sprouts halved

1 cup water

1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped

1 tsp. sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

8 oz. water chestnuts, drained and diced

1 tbsp. butter

Bring water, parsley, sugar, and salt to a boil. Add sprouts. Simmer 6 to 8 minutes and drain. Add chestnuts and butter. Reheat.

Carrots and Celery

1 lb. carrots

1 lb. celery

1/4 cup butter

1 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp. sugar

1/2 tsp. ginger

1/2 cup cooking sherry

1 tbsp. minced fresh parsley

Saute carrots and celery in butter. Keep turning until well coated. Sprinkle with seasoning. Add sherry and simmer 5 minutes. Add 1/4 cup water and simmer covered 15-25 minutes. Remove cover and cook over medium heat until liquid has evaporated. Sprinkle with parsley and enjoy!

Quick & Dirty Salsa

This is one of my most coveted recipes. I've never made this salsa without someone asking for the recipe. My friends, Jamie & Thea Gyde made it for my family-- along with mass quantities of delicious TexMex food-- and I was hooked.

Quick & Dirty Salsa

(2) 14.5 oz. cans of mexican stewed tomatos

(2) Beefsteak tomatoes, or (4) Roma tomatos roughly chopped

1 bunch cilantro leaves

1 head garlic

1 medium onion roughly chopped

1 lime squeezed

1 lemon squeezed

Pickled jalapenos to taste, and 1/4 cup juice

(2) Tbsp. Redwine Garlic Vinegar

Puree in food processor or blender and enjoy.

*To make green salsa: Substitute tomatillos for stewed tomatos and red tomatos. Tomatillos must first be boiled for 12 minutes and then husked before putting in the blender.

Organic Coupon Tuesday 7/29/2008

It's Organic Coupon Tuesday and I've found a really sweet deal.

Buy any combination of the following products by 9/30/08 and receive a $5 Barnes and Noble Gift card for $10 worth of receipts, or a $10 Barnes and Noble Gift card for $20 worth of receipts.

Click here for more details.



You can pair this with some of the following coupons to make it sweeter:

-Earth's Best website has (2) $1 off coupons.
-Publix has a $1 off Earth's Best Organic Sesame Street product in their Back to School flyer found at the front of the store.
-Publix has a $1 off Garden of Eatin' Tortilla chips coupon in the Back to School flyer.

Please post if you know of any other coupons for these products.

Organic Value Mondays -7/28/2008

Welcome to Organic Value Mondays! Each week, I will summarize the deals for organic food from the weekly advertisements. For additional savings, sign up for organic coupons from Hot Coupon World, or print coupons from these manufacturers. Please let me know if I missed your favorite store, or if you find any additional deals.

Publix
Organic Cherries $5.99 lb.
Organic Tomatoes 2 for $4.00 ($2.99 each)
Organic Peaches $1.99 lb.
GreenWise Top Sirloin Steaks $7.99 lb.

Sam's Club
Bertolli Organic Pasta Sauce (3) 24 oz. jars $5.37
100% Organic Beef Rib-Eye Steaks (16) 6 oz. steaks $78.88
100% Organic Boneless Pork Chops (16) 6 oz. chops $77.88
USDA Organic NY Strip Steaks (4) 6 oz. steaks $40.22
100% Organic Chicken Burgers (32) 4 oz. burgers $75.88
100% Organic Classic Beef Burgers (32) 4 oz. burgers $60.22
100% Organic Extra Lean Beef Burgers (32) 4 oz. burgers $64.66
100% Organic Turkey Burgers (32) 4 oz. burgers $72.88
Marques De Paiva Organic Brazillian Coffee (2) 2.5 lb. bags $28.84
Silk Vanilla Soymilk (3) 1/2 gallon cartons $7.12
Stonyfield Farm Organic Milk 1/2 gallon $3.12
Organic Baby Carrots 5 lbs. $5.66
Organic Spring Mix 1 lb. $3.98
Organic Rasberries 12 oz. $3.87

Sweet Bay
Organic Peaches $1.99 lb. ($2.99 lb.)
Organic Cherries $3.99 lb. ($4.99 lb.)

Whole Foods
Robert's American Gourment - Pirate Booty 2 for $4 ($2.69 each)
Michael Seasons Potato Chips 2 for $5 ($3.29 each)
Wellshire Farms Organic Pork Bacon $4.49 ($5.49)
Wellshire Farms Organic Turkey Bacon $4.49 ($4.99)
Whole Foods Market Cornish Game Hen $4.99 ($5.99)
Allegro French Roast Whole Bean Coffee $9.99 ($10.29)
Yerba Mate Drink 3 for $5 ($2.49 each)
Annie's Homegrown Bunny Cereal 2 for $6 ($3.99 each)

Winn-Dixie
Winn-Dixie Organic Milk $3.89
Winn-Dixie Organic Tomato Juice 2 for $5
McCormick 100% Organic Spices 30% off
Wholesome Organic Sugar $2.99

Organic Grocery Scorecard 7/27/2008

My trip to the Farmer's Market was a total dud. The only organic vendor there was selling t-shirts. She told me the market doesn't sell organic food in the summer because it spoils faster. To say I was disappointed is an understatement. The next closest market is about an hour away, so I guess I'll be buying my organic produce at the grocery store for now.

Organic Food

Vidalia Onion $1.29 lb.
Avocado $1.99 each
Kiwi $.79 each
Orange $1.99 lb.
Carrots $1.89 (16 oz.)
Blueberries $3.49 (6 oz.)
Mangos $1.29 each
Red Grapes $3.99 lb.

Total: $16.72

Non-Organic Food

Vidalia Onion $1.29 lb.
Avocado $1.50 each
Kiwi $.50 each
Orange $1.69 lb.
Carrots $1.69 (16 oz.)
Blueberries $2.99 (6 oz.)
Mangos $1.29 each
Red Grapes $2.49 lb.

Total: $13.44

Difference in Cost: $3.28

For the most part, the price difference isn't bad this week, but I was not impressed with the $1.50 per lb. price difference for the red grapes.

Friday Market Guide -- July 25th, 2008

Happy Friday Everyone!

The best tasting and most nutritious food is the food grown closest to your home. It supports local farmers, is cheaper, and helps the environment (less transportation pollution). I'll be hitting the farmer's market this weekend, and shopping for some seasonal goodies. To get a specific list of the food in-season in your state, please click here and click on your state. I live in Florida, so here is my list:

Asian Pears, Avocado, Bananas, Blackberries, Cantaloupe, Endive, Escarole, Grapefruit, Guava,
Limes, Mangoes, Mushrooms, Okra, Onions, Oranges, Papaya, Passion Fruit, Peppers, Potatoes, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes


I will be interested to see how this list fares at my local Farmer's Market. You can find your local market or co-op at the Local Harvest website. I will post my purchases, and how the costs compare to the organic produce department at my local supermarket (I go to Publix).


Have a great weekend! Be sure to email me any organic deals you find. Also, if you have any great recipes for seasonal produce send them my way, and I'll post it on my site under your name.

Kid's Healthwatch Thursday: Pesticide Exposure

Spending for organic food is worth it when it comes to our children. Their developing bodies are especially vulnerable to toxins found in our food and environment. Switching to organic food has an immediate effect on the body. Within 36 hours, pesticides may no longer be detected in a child's urine. On my website Project Green Girl, I have an article titled "Go Organic" which lists the produce with the highest levels of pesticides. This is a great list to start with, and the cost is minimal.

Recent Studies:

• A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition tested 815 2-year olds, and found those with an organic dairy diet experienced less eczema and wheezing than those consuming non-organic dairy.
• The BBC reported in 2006 that pesticide exposure from food can cause depression and memory problems.
• An organic plant-based nutrition program is believed to help ADD sufferers.
• Pesticide levels in children raise in the winter when more food is imported.
• Amniotic fluid and breast milk can pass pesticides to the fetus and infant, so the mother should also follow an organic diet.

For more information:

• "Organic Diet Cuts Kids' Food Pesticide Levels" from WebMD.
• "Organic A Choice For Our Children" from Dr. Greene.
• "Children And Organic Diet"--This is a must read if you're still not convinced.
• "Got Milk? How About Local Organic Milk?"--A short article from NRDC that tells you everything you need to know about milk.
• "Children's Exposure to Pesticides and Related Health Outcomes"--A very comprehensive article from the EPA.

Organic Freebies

Here's some freebies I found for organic products. Many of the samples also include a coupon.

• Dandy-Lyon Bites: Free healthy kid's snack.
• Explorer's Bounty Coffee: Free 1.75 oz. coffee sample.
• Wenaewe Pet Food: Free sample.
• Pollen Power!: Free sample of bee pollen.
• Teeccino Herbal Coffee: Free sample.
• Citrus Made Simple: Free sample.
• Hands On Book for Kids About Zebras: Free Ebook and project packet.
• Vegetarian Starter Kit: Free kit from PETA.
• Mothers of Organic: Free Welcome packet with recipes, newsletters, recipes, and giveaways.

Bruschetta Chicken w/ Leeky Pasta

This dish is one of my family's favorites. You can easily substitute the chicken cutlets for sliced eggplant. Enjoy!

Bruschetta Chicken

Ingredients:

4 Chicken Cutlets (or sliced eggplant)

Italian Panko Crumbs (can substitute Italian breadcrumbs)

1 cup Buttermilk

Olive Oil

1 container of cherry tomatoes sliced in half

Fresh Basil chopped

3 Garlic Cloves minced

1 cup White Wine

1 Tbsp. Butter

Dip cutlets into a shallow bowl with buttermilk and then roll in the panko crumbs. Coat skillet with olive oil, and add cutlets to skillet heated to medium-high. Cook approximately 3 minutes per side until cooked through. Put cutlets on a plate and set aside.

Add white wine, butter, and garlic to skillet. Cook until the wine is almost evaporated. Add tomatoes and cook 2 minutes. Add basil for 30 seconds.

Arrange cutlets on plate and pour tomato mixture over it.

*To cut calories: eliminate the buttermilk and butter.

Leeky Pasta

Ingredients:

1 Package whole grain angel hair pasta cooked

3 leaks

3 cloves garlic minced

1 Tbsp. butter

Olive Oil

Grated Parmesan Cheese

Salt & Pepper to taste

Thoroughly wash the leeks. You can soak them in water to remove all the dirt if that's easier. Slice leeks like green onions, and then cut in half again. They should be in half circles. They will all break apart during the cooking process.

Add some olive oil, the butter, and garlic to a skillet at medium heat. When heated thoroughly, add the leaks. Cook until the leeks get brown and a little crisp. They usually are a combination of brown and green. Add the pasta and toss until it is coated in the leeky mixture. Take off the heat and add salt, pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese. Serve with the chicken.

*To eliminate calories: limit the amount of olive oil and cut out the butter.

Save Money With Organic Coupons

I used to think clipping coupons was a waste of time until I discovered the website Money Saving Mom. Last week I saved $28 at the grocery store, and $18 at CVS. I've also got about 15 freebies coming to me in the mail. At Target, I spent a total of $4.50 for a 64 count of Pamper's diapers and an extra large Pamper's baby wipe refill pack. Consequently, I bought 5 sets of these before they stopped letting me use double coupons.

My point is that couponing works. These cost savings allow me the freedom to buy organic products without increasing my grocery cost. I've started compiling a list of organic manufacturers that have coupons on their sites. Most of them offer $1 off coupons. Please post a comment if you know of other sites.

1. Brown Cow Farm: Coupon for yogurt.
2. Earthbound Farm Organic: They have a whole section for coupons, giveaways, and contests.
3. Health Valley Organic: You can sign up to receive coupons.
4. Horizon Organic: $1 off milk coupon.
5. Earth's Best: $1 off 10 jars of babyfood.
6. Organic Valley Farms: Several $1 off coupons for milk, cheese, soy products, and cottage cheese.
7. Stonyfield Farm Organic: a whole page of $.50 - $1.00 coupons for milk, yogurt, YoBaby, icecream, smoothies, etc..
8. R.W. Knudsen Family Juices: $1 off an 8 pack of juice boxes.
9. Coleman Natural: take their survey and receive $5 in coupons.
10. Seventh Generation: I know this isn't food, but they have $6 in coupons on their site.

I'll post more coupon sites as I find them. Please feel free to share what you find with me.

Join me tomorrow on Recipe Wednesdays for a fabulous recipe for Chicken Bruschetta and Leeky Past.

Organic Grocery Scorecard 7/21/2008

I hit Publix today --my local grocery store-- to see how organic prices faired against the regular products. Here's the price difference for my bill.

Organic Food

Oranges $2.69 lb.

Blueberries $3.99 (6 oz.)

Apples $2.99 lb.

Carrots $1.99 (16 oz.)

Vidalia Onion $1.29 each

Chicken Cutlets $5.59 lb.

Chicken Broth $2.99 (32 oz.)

12 Large Eggs $2.00

Total: $23.53

Non-Organic Food

Oranges $1.99 lb.

Blueberries $2.99

Apples $2.49

Carrots $1.69

Vidalia Onion $1.29 each

Chicken Cutlets $3.99 lb.

Chicken Broth $2.59

12 Large Eggs $1.69

Total: $18.72

Difference in Cost: $4.81

Who says that organic food is so much more expensive than regular food?

Reading Organic Food Labels

Every time I go to the grocery store I have every intention of buying organic food, but then I look at the prices and end up buying the non-organic version. I get confused with all the different labeling types-- free range, organic, made with organic ingredients, natural, etc. --that I'm not sure what I'm buying. After a little digging, I found out how to read the labels:

If the label says:

1. 100% Organic: by law this food contains only organically produced ingredients with no synthetics.

2. Organic: 95% of the ingredients are organic, and the remaining 5% can be non-organic and/or synthetic.

3. Made with Organic Ingredients: at least 70% of the ingredients are organic and are approved by the USDA.

4. Free ranging or Free Roaming: This label is a little misleading. While most of us have images of animals roaming free outdoors all day, this is hardly the case. Producers are required to let the animals outside once a day...could be 1 hour....could be 5 minutes. Purchase with caution!

5. Natural or All Natural: This is a meaningless label. It could mean the food contains no artificial colors, or anything really. Don't believe the hype!

6. Made with Real Fruit: This means it contains a small amount of real fruit. The same can be applied to whole grains.

7. Organic labels for seafood: The USDA has no set standards for labeling seafood, so this label can be applied at will.