Food Facts - the Good Stuff

GARLIC: Garlic is an amazing source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are essential for good health. It has anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties and has been proven to help lower blood pressure. It can even be used as a natural alternative to aspirin. Throw a clove into a green smoothie - raw!

GRASS-FED BEEF: More than 50% of the meat is this country is sourced from CAFOs (Confined Animal Feeding Operations)? CAFOs tend to be very crowded and this causes the animals to become stressed, aggressive and sometimes sick. At least 80% of CAFOs give their animals antibiotics regularly -- and those antibiotics make their way into our bodies when we eat the meat of those animals. Stick to grass-fed whenever possible! It's worth the extra $$.

LIVER: Liver is one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat. Despite its bad press (that it is a storage organ and therefore contains toxins and that it is too fattening), liver is actually amazingly healthy and healing. Organ meats contain between 10 and 100 times more nutrients than muscle meat. And, liver contains healthy fats, particularly if it is from a grass-fed or pastured animal. No need to feel guilty eating foie gras…nibble away!

TURMERIC: My favorite spice! Not only is turmeric tasty, but it is also one of the best things you can eat to prevent cancer, due to it's primary nutrient, curcumin. Check out my Butternut Squash Soup recipe for a great way to get your daily dose of turmeric.

INDUSTRIAL SEED OILS: There is no such thing as a canola plant! The word canola is an acronym of sorts. It is short for CANadian Oil Low Acid. It is produced from the rapeseed, which is the same plant that mustard gas is made from. The same plant is also used to make biodiesel. Does that sound like something we should include in our diets? Try to eliminate all processed seed oils -- like canola, soybean, vegetable and cottonseed. Opt for coconut, avocado or olive oil instead.