Another Reason To Eat Your Veggies

According to a new scientific study from the University of Oxford, vegetarians have new ammunition in their anti-meat crusade. The study claims that the risk of hospitalization or death from heart disease is 32 percent lower for vegetarians than for people who eat meat and fish.

The Oxford researchers examined 45,000 volunteers from England and Scotland, an enormous sample size. Of this group, 34 percent were vegetarian. This high proportion of vegetarians is rare, making this particular study unique in reaching its conclusion.

Other factors which contribute to heart disease such as age, smoking, alcohol, physical activity, socioeconomic background, and education level were taken into account. Afterwards, the researchers arrived at the figure of 32 percent, the amount of reduced risk of heart disease for vegetarians.

In the study, vegetarians had lower blood pressures and cholesterol levels, as well as a lower body mass index (BMI) and fewer cases of diabetes.

 

Source: Environmental News Network

Meatless Monday (Sort of)

This is not my typical Meatless Monday post but I think it’s worth sharing. I am against energy drinks (for my own personal reasons) but I have often wondered about the likes of sports drinks. Especially when comparing the price of Pedialyte and Gatorade…….what’s the big difference? When I came across this article I thought it was a great read for parents.

The major difference between energy drinks and sports drinks is Caffeine content! Both have tons of sugar but because of caffeine levels, energy drinks can be dangerous for teens and younger children. The amount of caffeine in energy drinks can be 3 to 4 times as much as a large can of soda.

Sports drinks don’t contain caffeine but do contain electrolytes. Electrolytes are used by our cells to maintain electrical impulses. When electrolytes are lost during vigorous exercise they can be replaced by those in sports drinks, thereby restoring balance to your body’s systems.

However, sports drinks weren’t intended for teens after an hour of basketball practice, but for athletes doing intense exercise for an hour or more. According to the article, children and teens should rehydrate with water. And in the case of a sick child, with less sugar and more electrolytes, Pedialyte is still the best option.

So the take home message is that energy drinks are no-no for kids, sports drinks should be limited and water is always the best bet.

Source: MNN

Photo: Shape.com

Meatless Monday

Here are some fun facts about our Meatless Monday veggie of the day, Broccoli. Broccoli is one of the healthiest green vegetables. It’s versatile, inexpensive and tastes great.

Broccoli has been cultivated for more than 2000 years. Cultivation is believed to have originated in Calabria, Italian. This is the origin of the Italian name “Calabrese.”

Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Brussel Sprouts, and Kale are all of the exact same species of plant! Many folks don’t believe this as they look so different…. but how does a Poodle compare to a Great Dane?

The name “broccoli” comes for the Latin word brachium, which means “branch,” or “arm.” Broccoli has only been grown in America for about 200 years and for much of that time it was considered exotic. Until the 1920′s, broccoli was virtually unknown by most Americans. Broccoli production in the U.S. increased 700% between 1971 and 1991 and is continuing today.

Broccoli is a “cool weather” crop and does poorly in hot weather. Because it is tolerant to cold, it is available year ’round in the U.S.

The American film producer, Albert R. Broccoli, (April 5, 1909 – June 27, 1996) famous for producing the James Bond movies, claimed his family invented Broccoli. This has been judged a highly dubious claim by most experts.

Broccoli comes in a variety of colors, ranging from deep sage all the way to dark green and purplish-green.

Tom “Broccoli” Landers  holds the current world record for eating 1 pound of broccoli in 92 seconds.

Source: Swampy Acres Farm
Photo: Electric Tree House

Meatless Monday

Today we continue the “Easy ways to eat more veggies (and fruits)” series, featuring tips on how to get move veggies into your busy lifestyle.

Find veggie alternatives for a less-healthful ingredient. Instead of serving tacos in flour tortillas, serve them in iceberg lettuce leaves or artisan lettuce “cups” (think lettuce wrap). Instead of stuffing tuna salad into a pita, serve it over a green salad. Load up that omelet with diced tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers and scale back the cheese.

Source: Tammy’s Recipes

Meatless Monday

Today continues the  “Easy ways to eat more veggies (and fruits)” series. So for the next few Meatless Monday’s we’ll give you tips on how to get move veggies into your busy lifestyle.

 Today’s Tip:

 

Give fewer options at meal times or snack times, and include veggies. If you serve a dinner of three different foods,  you’ll end up eating more of each item than if you serve five foods. Unless you’re serving several vegetable dishes, limit the choices for everyday dinners and snacks and your children will surprise you by eating more — because they’re still hungry. Only buy/offer healthy snacks and if they’re hungry, that’s what they’ll eat. (I have definitely found this to be true.)

Source: Tammy’s Recipes

Photo: Full Plate Cooking Lessons

Meatless Monday’s

Today starts a new series on “Easy ways to eat more veggies (and fruits)”. So for the next few Meatless Monday’s we’ll give you tips on how to get move veggies into your busy lifestyle.

 Today’s Tip:

 

Prep ahead. This one is key: Make sure your fridge is stocked with ready-to-eat veggies. Whether this means cutting carrot sticks by the bag-full or buying baby carrots, do what it takes. Celery, carrots, bell peppers, cucumbers, and sugar snap peas are some of our favorite fresh vegetables. Another tip is to put the veggies out so you can see them, use clear containers in the fridge or place them on the counter so they’re in eye-sight. Have your favorites ready so when you’re hungry, you grab them. I also find its easier if I wash grapes and cut melons so that I have a healthy snack when I’m on the go or waiting for dinner.

 

Source: Tammy’s Recipes

Photo: Health.com

Meatless Monday

Because I absolutely love infographics this image made the cut but you have to keep in mind this info is based on a 2011 survey conducted on Facebook. Not very scientific but looking at the data made me think about the following:

• How difficult would it be to marry someone who doesn’t share the same eating lifestyle?
• Have I ever taunted a vegetarian with meat? (I hope not)
• How higher incomes and more education didn’t increase “veganism”.

What thoughts come to mind when you see this graphic?

 Source: This Dish is Vegetarian

 

Memorial Day Tips

 Memorial Day is around the corner and with this holiday comes lots of backyard BBQ’s! Here are some tips on how to make your festivities as eco-friendly as possible.  

• Instead of getting supplies from a chain grocery store, support your local farmer’s market.  Walk or bike there to make it an even greener shopping trip.  Or if you have a garden, use your own organic ingredients.
• Keep pesky mosquitoes away by using an organic bug spray/repellant.  You can also set out a cup of sugar water away from the crowd for the mosquitoes to flock to instead of your guests.
• Serve your food with reusable or biodegradable plates, cups and utensils.
• Use cloth napkins that can be washed and reused.
• Set up recycling bins next to the trash can so guests will know to recycle.  Clearly label the bins by paper, plastic and aluminum. 
• If you are using a charcoal grill, use lump charcoal made from natural and sustainable wood.  Avoid using lighter fluid if possible. 
• Use biodegradable plastic trash bags to clean up unrecyclable items. 
• Send your guests home with plenty of leftovers to avoid food waste. (Remind them to bring reusable containers with them)
• Clean the grill using soap and water (and elbow grease) instead of using harsh chemicals. 
• Compost any leftover food scraps in a special compost pile in your back yard. Don’t compost? Save the scraps for a neighbor who does.

Source: Energy Ace 

Feature Friday

Happy Friday! Answer the following questions correctly for a chance to win a Recycled and Recyclable travel mug.  To enter simply comment on this post with the correct answers by noon on Monday, May 14.

Choose the answer you feel is best for the environment.

1. Its lunchtime and you’re late for a meeting so you’re reduced to eating fast food. Do you:

a.  Order at the drive-through

or

b.  Park and head inside to place your order

2.  So to make up for your fast food lunch, its time for a healthy dinner, salmon. At the fish counter , you choose:

a. Atlantic

b.  Wild caught fromWashington,Oregon or California

c.  Neither you skip the fish counter and buy canned

Good luck and be on the lookout for the correct answers next week. Have a great weekend.

 

And the winner is………………..

Here are the answers from Friday’s  giveaway.

1. On average, how fast do you drive on the highway:

a.  55 mph

b.  65 mph

c.  75 mph

Fuel efficiency decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. For every 5 mph you drive over 60, you pay an additional 31 cents a gallon. In Atlanta, you could possibly be run over on the highway for going 60 mph but with the current price of gas an additional 31 cents a gallon could also take you out!

2.  When your vehicle needs a bath, do you:

a.  Grab the hose and bucket and do it yourself

or

b.  Go to a car wash

Washing your car at home creates a toxic brew of oil, gasoline and detergent that enters storm drains and flows directly into rivers, lakes, streams and drinking water supplies. Most commercial car washes use recycled water and drain their used water into a sewer system or oil/water separator.  This way the sludge is treated before it’s discharged into nature. They also tend to use less water than DIY jobs (up to 60% less).

I did get both questions correct this week.  Remember the question asks what is BEST for the environment.

 And the winner is (imaginary drum roll)………

Johanna Newbold

Thanks to all who participated.