8 American Foods Banned In Other Countries

You have heard, "innocent until proven guilty," right? It is an approach that works well for our justice system, but it is not a good approach for our diets.

Thinking that things are safe just because they are on a store shelf, allows dangerous chemicals to permeate our food supply. Because most people expect organizations like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to protect us, it is surprising to learn how many everyday foods contain additives that have been banned in other parts of the world. 

While the human body is resilient, the fewer known carcinogens and toxins you can expose your family to the better - especially when there are so many healthy and affordable alternatives readily available. My company has been a Godsend to us because we learn about these things before the mainstream public. I am passionate about getting the word out. People have a right to know!

Here are 8 products you should eliminate from your home and diet.. 

Finding substitutions

Giving up products your family loves might be easier with a few recommendations. Here are some substitutions on which you can rely.

1. Wild Salmon

The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch guidelines offer several sustainably harvested choices for salmon lovers including wild-caught Alaskan Salmon, Washington Salmon, and Oregon Salmon. 

2. Soda

Try a natural soda like Zevia or make your own seltzer and add fresh organic lemon or organic lime juice! 

3. Bread

Many commercial bakers, including Best Foods, Inc. (maker of Arnold, Entenmann’s, and Orowheat brand breads and rolls), Pepperidge Farm, and Pillsbury, have switched to bromate-free processes. In addition, some supermarket chains, like Giant, do not use bromate. Bromate is listed as a carcinogen in California, and Proposition 65 requires baked goods sold in California to bear a store-level cancer warnings if they contain dangerous levels of bromate. As a result, most California bakers have switched to bromate-free processes. Many breads throughout the United States are now being labeled bromate-free. If you do not see a label that makes it clear a product does or does not contain bromate, try to avoid products that contain “enhanced flour" to be safe. 

4. Jello 

Love Jello but don't want the artificial dyes? Mama Natural offers her DIY organic jello recipe using juice. 

5. Chips

Go to any natural food aisle and you'll find a host of olestra-free and artificial dye-free chips. Some of our favorites include Terra Chips (made with vegetables and dyed with juice), Stacy's Pita Chips, and Good Health Avocado Oil Kettle Chips.

6. Cereal

Cereals are another product category with dozens of delicious toxin-free options - including "junk food" cereals that kids love like Cinnamon Harvest Kashi and Gorilla Munch. Make your own corn tortilla chips!  They taste better and they have no preservatives.

7. Milk

When it comes to milk, look for milk that specifically states it is rBGH-free or buy organic (which has to be rBGH-free by law). It is more expensive, but worth the extra cost if you can afford it. Try almond or coconut milk -- you might just love it!

8. Chicken 

As with milk, the most "natural" (a.k.a. containing the fewest chemical additives) version of chicken is organic. For ethical reasons, you should also consider buying humanely raised meat and poultry when possible. 

By keeping an eye out for some of the most dangerous chemicals, and making a few substitutions next time you shop, you can reduce your family's exposure to dangerous chemicals and help support companies that are working to provide safer and more sustainable food. 

Thank you to Green Mom and her guide for the succinct organization of the basic info!

Do You Need A Detox?

Our bodies naturally detoxify everyday as part of a normal body process. Detoxification is one of the body’s most basic automatic functions of eliminating and neutralizing toxins through the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph and skin. Unfortunately in this day and age, with the pollution found in the air, water and food we eat, our bodies have a hard time keeping up. Our chemicalized diet with too much processed foods, vegetable oils and trans fats, non-organic foods, caffeine and alcohol radically changes our internal ecosystem.

Body systems and organs that were once capable of cleaning out unwanted substances are now completely over-loaded to the point where toxic material remains inside our tissues. Our bodies try to protect us from dangerous substances by setting it aside, surrounding it with mucous and fat so that it will not cause an imbalance or trigger an immune response (some people carry up to 15 extra pounds of mucous that harbors this waste).

Detoxification through special cleansing processes is the best way to assist your body’s natural self-cleaning system. It is especially important for immune-compromised diseases like cancer, arthritis, diabetes and chronic fatigue. However, even if your diet is good, a spring cleanse can revitalize your system and rid your body of harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites. Here are some simple detox tips to get you started...

source: Hungry for a Change

4 Simple Detox Tips

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1. Drink More Water

Too often we misinterpret thirst for hunger. Our signal for thirst may cause us to eat as we mistake it for hunger pains. Reach for water first and make sure you are well hydrated before eating any meal throughout the day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Where possible make sure to drink your water at least 30 minutes before eating as this will allow time for the water to properly penetrate the cells of your body and hydrate your stomach lining in preparation for proper digestion. I like to add lemon juice and apple cider vinegar to my water or green it up with barley grass powder, wheatgrass powder, spirulina or chlorella.

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2. Add A Green Juice To Your Day

Green juices are an amazing way to add life giving and detoxifying plant chlorophyll to your bloodstream. As Jason Vale says in 'Hungry For Change', "juicing is the ultimate fast food, it is a 15 minute nutrient express to health". Some of my favorite and simple green juice recipes include:

Green Juice Recipe Ideas:

- Celery, lemon and pear (or apple)
- Celery, cucumber, lemon (leave the skin on) and pear (or apple)
- Celery, cucumber, kale, lemon and pear (or apple)
- Celery, cucumber, lemon, parsley and pear (or apple)

I also like to stir whatever green powders I have laying around the house into my juices to green them up even more! Again try barley grass, wheatgrass, spirulina or chlorella powders.

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3. Add More Parsley and Cilantro (Coriander) To Your Diet 

Parsley and cilantro (coriander) are very powerful natural green plant foods for detoxing heavy metals out of your body. Add these amazing herbs to juices, salads, soups and meals.


 Heavy Metal Detox Pesto Recipe:

• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/3 cup Brazil nuts (selenium source) or macadamia nuts
• 1/3 cup sunflower seeds (cysteine source)
• 1/3 cup pumpkin seeds (zinc, magnesium sources)
• 1 cup fresh cilantro (corriander)
• 1 cup parsley
• 2/3 cup cold pressed olive oil
• 4 tablespoons lemon juice (Vitamin C source)
• Big pinch of sea salt and or dulse flakes to flavor

Soak the seeds and nuts over night to release the enzyme exhibitors. Process the parsley, cilantro (corriander) and olive oil in a blender until chopped. Add the garlic, nuts, and seeds, salt / dulse and lemon juice and mix until the mixture is finely blended into a paste. Store in dark glass jars if possible. It freezes well also if needs be. Enjoy!

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4. Breathe Deep Into Your Abdomen 

Deep breathing, where you fill your belly and expand your diaphragm downwards, is one of the most powerful exercise you can do to activate your lymph system which helps to detoxify your body. Think of your lymph system as your own personal garbage removal system (which most of us will need in full steam after the holiday season). Practise 10 deep slow breaths counting 4 seconds in, 8 seconds hold and 8 seconds out. You can do this exercize watching the TV, walking the dog, during meditation or whilst practising yoga.

According to the 'Tao of Breathing' up to 70% of our body’s waste products are eliminated via our lungs and the rest through the urine, skin and feces. When the efficiency of our lungs is reduced due to poor breathing less oxygen is available to our cells, it slows down the flow of blood which carries wastes from the kidneys and lungs. Our lymphatic system which fights off viral and bacterial invaders is weakened along with a slower digestive process.

Breathe long slow and deep in a mindful state as often as possible.

source: Hungry for a Change

Apples, Cilantro and Mushrooms, Oh My!

Apples are now at the top of the Dirty Dozen as the fruit or veggie highest in pesticides. Buy ORGANIC apples, if possible.

And for the first time, cilantro is also on the list. Testing by federal scientists found 33 unapproved pesticides on 44% of the cilantro samples tested -- the highest percentage of unapproved pesticides recorded on any item since EWG started tracking the data in 1995.  

Mushrooms also make their first appearance on the Shopper's Guide as part of the Clean 15.

 

Source:
EWG