A repost of an earlier effort, modified in time for Xmas.
In these troubled times, Ned is moved to reiterate, with increased vigor, his ten best food recommendations to his many friends and followers. Bon appetit! (List not in any particular order.)
10. Goat milk kefir: loaded with goodness, packed with happy, friendly bugs, this stuff is nectar. Avoid kefir from cow's milk. Just not the same. Free your mind from concerns about its cost. A little goes a long way.
9. Vegetable juice (low salt): remember that low sodium is not always low salt since some brands simply substitute potassium chloride for sodium chloride, and Ned is concerned about upsetting one's potassium balance. Vegetable juice is a low-calorie, high nutrient marvel, packed with stuff you might find hard to get in other common foods. And even has lots of fiber. A can't miss food. Ned likes the stuff sold by Trader Joe's even though some might not like the slightly lemony taste.
8. Apples: A wonder fruit, especially if you can get organic ones, non-red or golden delicious varieties. Loads of fiber and bioflavenoids. The old folks didn't say 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away' for nothing. May even help lower your blood pressure.
7. Cruciferous vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts. Great nutrition, low calories, and easy to eat. Marinate broccoli and cauliflower, and eat cabbage as coleslaw mixed with a little carrot. Cauliflower can also be broiled with some cumin and butter or olive oil. Again, get organic if possible. Try this tip: buy a container of coleslaw from your favorite deli, then mix an equal part raw coleslaw from those friendly plastic packages. Cuts down on calories and just as good.
6. Blueberries: you just can't beat 'em for taste and nutrition. Buy them or pick them in the summer and dry them. Freeze a few packages for the winter, too.
5. Spinach: makes great salad, easy to cook. Great sauteed with garlic, or just mix with a little salad dressing. Be sure to get organic if possible, since the industrial spinach is doused with all sorts of bad stuff.
4. Game meat: buffalo, venison, elk: For those who eat meat, the best way to get it. Usually raised in small operations and much of it is local, so win-win. And buffalo don't mess up the soil like cattle. Besides, they are smarter than cows. Remember to eat only a little because we don't want any more cruelty than necessary and you need a diet that is mainly veggies and whole grains anyway.
3. Oats: Ned's secret weapon and the source of much Celtic inspiration over the centuries. High in protein, and soluble fiber. Mix it with game meat for a tasty meatball, and use in cobblers and cookies with only enough sweetener to qualify as dessert.
2. Coffee and tea: Great drinks, and good for you. organic, shade grown coffee varieties help local peoples and the planet. Tea has lots of bioflavenoids and antioxidants, and coffee is good for you, like so many other things, in moderation. Do not overdo it.
1. Tomatoes: Fresh is great, especially if you can pilfer some from a friend's garden. But cooked may be even better since cooking concentrates the antioxidants. Goes with most anything.
We will have other foods to add later, but for now, eat these and get healthy!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Food Poisoning (kids)
In the latest issue of that invaluable magazine Harpers is found this shocking fact: the three highest calorie sources for American children, in increasing order are, baked desserts, pizza and sodas. Perhaps Congress should quit worrying about that mote in our food eye ("recalls" and such) and concern itself with the toxic trash that is going into our kids every day.
More good foods
Ned recommends whole grain crackers like RyKrisp because of their high fiber content, low fat, whole grain composition, low salt, seeds, good protein and low calorie content. In general, Ned recommends only those rare packaged foods with few ingredients, and these qualify. Certainly Ned recommends his friends avoid crackers with enriched flour and lots of salt and fat, regardless of whatever else they contain.
Ned also recommends dates, whole, but in moderation, because they contain lots of fiber and minerals and not really too much sugar, considering all the other toxic sweet stuff out there.
Ned also recommends dates, whole, but in moderation, because they contain lots of fiber and minerals and not really too much sugar, considering all the other toxic sweet stuff out there.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Ned in trouble--food illness
On one of Ned's favorite sites, politicalwire.com, Ned has gotten into trouble for saying that the Food Safety Act being passed by Congress is fixing a problem that doesn't exist. His friends immediately jumped on him, leading Ned to understand that he should have elaborated. His point was that this country already has arguably the safest food in the world, and the proposed Act will basically just allow the feds to mandate recalls, which are now voluntary. Certainly people die from tainted food, but the numbers are hard to come by. The CDC says about 1,800 for sure, but it doesn't say how many are from improperly prepared or handled foods, which Ned suspects represent the lion's share. Certainly most food borne illness is from industrially-produced foods at large, centrally located facilities that require hundreds or even thousands of miles of transport. Ground meats are a "prime" culprit here, which can be avoided by avoiding ground meats from industrial sources. Eggs are another problem. But eggs have a natural protective skin that keeps the egg fresh without refrigeration unless they are washed, then they must be refrigerated of course. Ned advises his friends to buy eggs in small quantities from local sources. Some pathogens are attributed to vegetables, and again these can be minimized, but not eliminated, by buying from local sources and organic if possible. Keep away from raw milk and unpasteurized juice.
Ned's point is this: we already have safe food if people use their heads and only buy stuff that is good for you.
Ned's point is this: we already have safe food if people use their heads and only buy stuff that is good for you.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
AVOID THESE FOODS
As we go into the latest phase of the "holiday" season Ned would like to reiterate that there are many foods that one should just avoid, and many of these are holiday staples. Here are some:
* Mashed potatoes: high in calories, especially when mixed with milk, half and half or cream, and/or butter and salt. Potatoes are healthy foods served with skins and without all the accessories, but how often do we get them that way?
* Candied yams: we all know the nasty dishes that start with something wholesome and then become something fit only for the undead, and candied yams qualify. The worst are those with marshmallows on top. ghastly and guaranteed to put on the pounds. Get your antioxidants and Vitamin A any other way.
* Dressing: Ned doesn't care what kind, or what it's served with, be it turkey or chicken. it's all toxic, unless made with whole grain ingredients, chestnuts and stock. But there's no such thing.
* Fruit salad with sour cream, whipped toppings, and/or marshmallows. Absolutely disgusting and toxic. Besides, most of the fruit is canned or packed in sugar syrup. Now, fruit salad made with FRUIT--that's another matter.
* White rolls, especially the ones from a store: Once in a while these things might be OK, but given that they are usually paired with all of the above, they are toxic and should be shunned.
* Giblet gravy: 'Nuf said.
* Store-bought pies, especially those with bottom crusts. They are almost always made with bleached flour and contain almost no nutrition given the sugar.
* Cake of any kind.
* Milk chocolate: too much sugar, etc. Dark chocolate (more than 75% cocoa OK).
* Egg nog, except in tiny quantities: Too obvious to explain.
And be careful of almost anything else except vegetables, fruits, whole grain breads and organic meats.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND MAY WE ALL LIVE TO SEE BETTER TIMES.
* Mashed potatoes: high in calories, especially when mixed with milk, half and half or cream, and/or butter and salt. Potatoes are healthy foods served with skins and without all the accessories, but how often do we get them that way?
* Candied yams: we all know the nasty dishes that start with something wholesome and then become something fit only for the undead, and candied yams qualify. The worst are those with marshmallows on top. ghastly and guaranteed to put on the pounds. Get your antioxidants and Vitamin A any other way.
* Dressing: Ned doesn't care what kind, or what it's served with, be it turkey or chicken. it's all toxic, unless made with whole grain ingredients, chestnuts and stock. But there's no such thing.
* Fruit salad with sour cream, whipped toppings, and/or marshmallows. Absolutely disgusting and toxic. Besides, most of the fruit is canned or packed in sugar syrup. Now, fruit salad made with FRUIT--that's another matter.
* White rolls, especially the ones from a store: Once in a while these things might be OK, but given that they are usually paired with all of the above, they are toxic and should be shunned.
* Giblet gravy: 'Nuf said.
* Store-bought pies, especially those with bottom crusts. They are almost always made with bleached flour and contain almost no nutrition given the sugar.
* Cake of any kind.
* Milk chocolate: too much sugar, etc. Dark chocolate (more than 75% cocoa OK).
* Egg nog, except in tiny quantities: Too obvious to explain.
And be careful of almost anything else except vegetables, fruits, whole grain breads and organic meats.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND MAY WE ALL LIVE TO SEE BETTER TIMES.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Fruits not fruit juice
Ned reminds his friends to eat plenty of fruit, especially organic apples, and avoid excessive consumption of high-sugar and high-calorie fruit juice. He also suggests drinking plenty of vegetable juice, especially the low-salt kind (not necessarily low sodium, as some makers simply substitute potassium chloride for sodium chloride). He also recommends dried fruits like blueberries, cherries, and figs, all of which are high in antioxidants, minerals, and fiber.
And if his fiends can find low-sodium broth on sale, its a great way to use those odd bits of onion and carrot and parsley left lying about. Dump in some dried basil and garlic granules as well. Pepper and salt to taste (but not too much salt!).
Bun appetit!
And if his fiends can find low-sodium broth on sale, its a great way to use those odd bits of onion and carrot and parsley left lying about. Dump in some dried basil and garlic granules as well. Pepper and salt to taste (but not too much salt!).
Bun appetit!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Holiday reminders
As the dreaded holidays loom closer and closer, Ned reminds his friends to try to choose foods that like us rather than just settling for foods that we like. Many people could avoid putting on those pounds if they ate abundant fresh fruit instead of heavy desserts, and drank vegetable juice, avoiding fruit juice because of the concentrated sugar.
Remember to look for low salt (not just low sodium) vegetable juice, like the stuff in big bottles from Trader Joe's.
One other thing: Ned has noticed with growing alarm the tendency on the part of grocery stores to put out free food samples at eye level to grubby little rug rats, who promptly start playing in the food, wiping their germ-and-snot-laden hands all over it. Remember it is flu season so avoid any such food, and bring the health issues to the attention of store personnel. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Remember to look for low salt (not just low sodium) vegetable juice, like the stuff in big bottles from Trader Joe's.
One other thing: Ned has noticed with growing alarm the tendency on the part of grocery stores to put out free food samples at eye level to grubby little rug rats, who promptly start playing in the food, wiping their germ-and-snot-laden hands all over it. Remember it is flu season so avoid any such food, and bring the health issues to the attention of store personnel. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Good Diet News
Good diet news from Down Under--but maybe not for Krispy Kreme employees. The KK subsidiary in Australia has apparently decided to declare bankruptcy, meaning that the Australian diet will no doubt see a measurable improvement. Now, maybe KK will fold here, or turn into some sort of organic, healthy dessert place (if that is not oxymoronic, of course).
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Thunder Bowl
The Neds thank The Adobe Bar in Taos for the inspiration for this great recipe. Thunder Bowl is basically beans and rice with a lot of other good stuff.
Start by cooking a cup of brown or black rice in 2 cups of water. While it is cooking, saute an onion with two Anaheim chiles, or some other green chile you like. Add to this some garlic or garlic granules to taste. Cook in butter or olive oil until translucent and the chiles are soft. Add a cut up tomato without the juice and seeds, and cook a bit longer, but don't cook the tomato too much. Mix a can of black or pinto beans with the chiles, onions, tomato, and heat.
Make some guacamole with an avocado, as much of the juice of one lime as you like, some finely chopped onion and as much chopped cilantro as you want, stems removed. Add as much hot sauce (Ned likes Tabasco green chile sauce) and salsa as you want.
When the rice is done, put some rice on your plate and slop some of the chile and beans mix over it. Add some guacamole, some salsa and grated goats-milk mozzarella or other low-salt cheese and enjoy. Makes enough for two. Ned doesn't use tortillas because most of them are just empty calories. If you like tortillas and you can get sprouted grain tortillas, have a couple of them, too.
Start by cooking a cup of brown or black rice in 2 cups of water. While it is cooking, saute an onion with two Anaheim chiles, or some other green chile you like. Add to this some garlic or garlic granules to taste. Cook in butter or olive oil until translucent and the chiles are soft. Add a cut up tomato without the juice and seeds, and cook a bit longer, but don't cook the tomato too much. Mix a can of black or pinto beans with the chiles, onions, tomato, and heat.
Make some guacamole with an avocado, as much of the juice of one lime as you like, some finely chopped onion and as much chopped cilantro as you want, stems removed. Add as much hot sauce (Ned likes Tabasco green chile sauce) and salsa as you want.
When the rice is done, put some rice on your plate and slop some of the chile and beans mix over it. Add some guacamole, some salsa and grated goats-milk mozzarella or other low-salt cheese and enjoy. Makes enough for two. Ned doesn't use tortillas because most of them are just empty calories. If you like tortillas and you can get sprouted grain tortillas, have a couple of them, too.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
More good eats
Ned would like to enlarge his post of yesterday on good healthy foods to eat. In no particular order they are:
10. Bananas: everyone knows about bananas but everyone may not know that industrially-grown bananas are very bad for the environment. Thus, Ned recommends that his friends buy only organic bananas whenever possible. Bananas have lots of potassium and some vitamin C and fiber. But they also have a very high glycemic index; therefore Ned recommends his followers eat bananas not as a snack (Ned hates that word, by the way) but only with other foods, especially whole-grains to slow their absorbtion rate.
9. Cinnamon: this spice has all sorts of good stuff in it and so Ned recommends getting all you can. Try it in coffee and dusted on whole-grain breads. Also make sure to put it in any recipes for cobblers or other desserts.
8. Cumin: Another great spice--full of antioxidants. Great mixed with game meat for meatballs or in rice or dusted on anything you like. Cook with butter or olive oil with onions and garlic. Experiment!
7. Turmeric: Ditto for cumin. Try it in coffee, too.
6. Cardamom: ditto: try it in coffee--great!
5: Salmon: Everyone knows that salmon is good for you because of omega-3s and protein, but you need to eat only wild-caught because the farm-raised is prey to parasites, and generally bad for the local marine environment. Also, since salmon is a carnivore, they feed the farmed animals wild-caught fish, so the impact is doubly bad.
4. Kale: A great green, full of minerals and vitamins, especially if one eats organic, locally-grown kale. Cook briefly with olive oil and garlic, and try some of the good seasonings listed above to see if they fit.
3. Figs: Ned loves figs: many people don't like the texture, so try them dried, but in moderation. They are loaded with minerals and fiber. Organic, of course, if possible.
2. Whole-grain bread: Try making your own with a bread machine you bought at a used stuff store, and mix lots of oats into it. There are plenty of recipes on line, but go easy on the salt.
1. Pinto beans: Ned likes the canned ones, organic of possible. Great for you with minerals, protein and fiber. Mix with whole-grain rice, tomatoes (or salsa), onions, cilantro, and cheese if you like, and you have an extremely wholesome meal. Avoid the enriched-wheat tortillas: use corn if you need a tortilla.
10. Bananas: everyone knows about bananas but everyone may not know that industrially-grown bananas are very bad for the environment. Thus, Ned recommends that his friends buy only organic bananas whenever possible. Bananas have lots of potassium and some vitamin C and fiber. But they also have a very high glycemic index; therefore Ned recommends his followers eat bananas not as a snack (Ned hates that word, by the way) but only with other foods, especially whole-grains to slow their absorbtion rate.
9. Cinnamon: this spice has all sorts of good stuff in it and so Ned recommends getting all you can. Try it in coffee and dusted on whole-grain breads. Also make sure to put it in any recipes for cobblers or other desserts.
8. Cumin: Another great spice--full of antioxidants. Great mixed with game meat for meatballs or in rice or dusted on anything you like. Cook with butter or olive oil with onions and garlic. Experiment!
7. Turmeric: Ditto for cumin. Try it in coffee, too.
6. Cardamom: ditto: try it in coffee--great!
5: Salmon: Everyone knows that salmon is good for you because of omega-3s and protein, but you need to eat only wild-caught because the farm-raised is prey to parasites, and generally bad for the local marine environment. Also, since salmon is a carnivore, they feed the farmed animals wild-caught fish, so the impact is doubly bad.
4. Kale: A great green, full of minerals and vitamins, especially if one eats organic, locally-grown kale. Cook briefly with olive oil and garlic, and try some of the good seasonings listed above to see if they fit.
3. Figs: Ned loves figs: many people don't like the texture, so try them dried, but in moderation. They are loaded with minerals and fiber. Organic, of course, if possible.
2. Whole-grain bread: Try making your own with a bread machine you bought at a used stuff store, and mix lots of oats into it. There are plenty of recipes on line, but go easy on the salt.
1. Pinto beans: Ned likes the canned ones, organic of possible. Great for you with minerals, protein and fiber. Mix with whole-grain rice, tomatoes (or salsa), onions, cilantro, and cheese if you like, and you have an extremely wholesome meal. Avoid the enriched-wheat tortillas: use corn if you need a tortilla.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Ned's Ten Fine Foods
In these troubled times, Ned is moved to reiterate, with increased vigor, his ten best food recommendations to his many friends and followers. Bon appetit! (List not in any particular order.)
10. Goat milk kefir: loaded with goodness, packed with happy, friendly bugs, this stuff is nectar. Free your mind from concerns about its cost. A little goes a long way.
9. Vegetable juice (low salt): remember that low sodium is not always low salt since some brands simply substitute potassium chloride for sodium chloride, and Ned is concerned about upsetting one's potassium balance. Vegetable juice is a low-calorie, high nutrient marvel, packed with stuff you might find hard to get in other common foods. And even has lots of fiber. A can't miss food. Ned likes the stuff sold by Trader Joe's even though some might not like the slightly lemony taste.
8. Apples: These are a wonder fruit, especially if you can get organic ones, non-red or golden delicious varieties. Loads of fiber and bioflavenoids. The old folks didn't say 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away' for nothing.
7. Cruciferous veggies: the broccoli, cauliflower guys with cabbage. Great nutrition, low calories, and easy to eat. Marinate broccoli and cauliflower, and eat cabbage as coleslaw mixed with a little carrot. Cauliflower can also be broiled with some cumin and butter or olive oil. Again, get organic if possible. Try this tip: buy a container of coleslaw from your favorite deli, then mix an equal part raw coleslaw from those friendly plastic packages. Cuts down on calories and just as good.
6. Blueberries: you just can't beat 'em for taste and nutrition. Buy them or pick them in the summer and dry them. Freeze a few packages for the winter, too.
5. Spinach: makes great salad, easy to cook. Great sauteed with garlic, or just mix with a little salad dressing. Be sure to get organic if possible, since the industrial stuff is doused with all sorts of bad stuff.
4. Game meat: buffalo, venison, elk: For those who eat meat, the best way to get it. Usually raised in small operations and much of it is local, so win-win. And buffalo don't mess up the soil like cattle. Besides, they are smarter than cows. Remember to eat only a little because we don't want any more cruelty than necessary and you need a diet that is mainly veggies and whole grains anyway.
3. Oats: Ned's secret weapon and the source of much Celtic inspiration over the centuries. High in protein, and soluble fiber. Mix it with game meat for a tasty meatball, and use in cobblers and cookies with only enough sweetener to qualify as dessert.
2. Coffee and tea: Great drinks, and good for you. organic, shade grown coffee varieties help local peoples and the planet. Tea has lots of bioflavenoids and antioxidants, and coffee is good for you, like so many other things, in moderation. Do not overdo it.
1. Tomatoes: Fresh is great, especially if you can pilfer some from a friend's garden. But cooked ma be even better since it concentrates the antioxidants. Goes with most anything.
We will have other foods to add later, but for now, eat these and get healthy!
10. Goat milk kefir: loaded with goodness, packed with happy, friendly bugs, this stuff is nectar. Free your mind from concerns about its cost. A little goes a long way.
9. Vegetable juice (low salt): remember that low sodium is not always low salt since some brands simply substitute potassium chloride for sodium chloride, and Ned is concerned about upsetting one's potassium balance. Vegetable juice is a low-calorie, high nutrient marvel, packed with stuff you might find hard to get in other common foods. And even has lots of fiber. A can't miss food. Ned likes the stuff sold by Trader Joe's even though some might not like the slightly lemony taste.
8. Apples: These are a wonder fruit, especially if you can get organic ones, non-red or golden delicious varieties. Loads of fiber and bioflavenoids. The old folks didn't say 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away' for nothing.
7. Cruciferous veggies: the broccoli, cauliflower guys with cabbage. Great nutrition, low calories, and easy to eat. Marinate broccoli and cauliflower, and eat cabbage as coleslaw mixed with a little carrot. Cauliflower can also be broiled with some cumin and butter or olive oil. Again, get organic if possible. Try this tip: buy a container of coleslaw from your favorite deli, then mix an equal part raw coleslaw from those friendly plastic packages. Cuts down on calories and just as good.
6. Blueberries: you just can't beat 'em for taste and nutrition. Buy them or pick them in the summer and dry them. Freeze a few packages for the winter, too.
5. Spinach: makes great salad, easy to cook. Great sauteed with garlic, or just mix with a little salad dressing. Be sure to get organic if possible, since the industrial stuff is doused with all sorts of bad stuff.
4. Game meat: buffalo, venison, elk: For those who eat meat, the best way to get it. Usually raised in small operations and much of it is local, so win-win. And buffalo don't mess up the soil like cattle. Besides, they are smarter than cows. Remember to eat only a little because we don't want any more cruelty than necessary and you need a diet that is mainly veggies and whole grains anyway.
3. Oats: Ned's secret weapon and the source of much Celtic inspiration over the centuries. High in protein, and soluble fiber. Mix it with game meat for a tasty meatball, and use in cobblers and cookies with only enough sweetener to qualify as dessert.
2. Coffee and tea: Great drinks, and good for you. organic, shade grown coffee varieties help local peoples and the planet. Tea has lots of bioflavenoids and antioxidants, and coffee is good for you, like so many other things, in moderation. Do not overdo it.
1. Tomatoes: Fresh is great, especially if you can pilfer some from a friend's garden. But cooked ma be even better since it concentrates the antioxidants. Goes with most anything.
We will have other foods to add later, but for now, eat these and get healthy!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Vitamins
Ned is fresh from his 2-hour stint at his local food co-op, where he serves as sanitizer and recycler--sort of an all around Igor. On his way out after his exhaustive but productive stint, Ned noticed ruefully all the boxed "organic" foods which are toxic to health: Indian-style concoctions loaded with fat and salt, for example, and "organic mac and cheese," not to mention dry cereals full of salt and sugar. Ned cautions his friends to remember to avoid "food" in boxes whether organic or not.
He also noticed a row of multivitamins, and shook his head remorsefully at the idea that millions of people are taking such pills instead of eating a good diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fermented dairy products such as goat's milk kefir, and a modest amount of protein from meat (if that is to one's taste), legumes, and seafood, carefully chosen so as to be as environmentally benign as possible. If Ned's friends were to eat a decent diet, they would have no need of "multivitamins", only remembering to take Vitamin D in winter.
Good health, and remember to eat what likes you, not necessarily what you like.
He also noticed a row of multivitamins, and shook his head remorsefully at the idea that millions of people are taking such pills instead of eating a good diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fermented dairy products such as goat's milk kefir, and a modest amount of protein from meat (if that is to one's taste), legumes, and seafood, carefully chosen so as to be as environmentally benign as possible. If Ned's friends were to eat a decent diet, they would have no need of "multivitamins", only remembering to take Vitamin D in winter.
Good health, and remember to eat what likes you, not necessarily what you like.
Ned's Lunch
Ned would like to share his lunch (figuratively speaking, of course) with his many friends, because it illustrates something he has long championed: taking a long time to eat. In this, Ned was aided because his lunch consisted of coarsely-chopped, blanched vegetables--carrots, broccoli, red and green peppers, red onions--, coleslaw, a small ripe tomato pilfered from a friend's garden, a little ceviche made of bits of bay shrimp and pollock, and so reasonably sustainable, and a small apple. This was accompanied by a modest glass of Trader Joe's vegetable juice. Now, the virtue of this meal was that, in addition to being extremely nutritious, it took Ned a long time to physically chew the food, unlike an average "fast-food" meal consisting of fries and a burger, or a slice of pizza.
Ned once again urges his many friends to remember his adage, "eat what likes you, not necessarily what you like."
Ned once again urges his many friends to remember his adage, "eat what likes you, not necessarily what you like."
Friday, September 10, 2010
Healthy Eating, American Style
Readers will perhaps consult Ned's "sister" post, Ned Pepper's Outrages, for a discussion of the habits of Very Obese People in Taos, that Ned observed with wonder and chagrin on his recent trip. Today, however, Ned has been made aware of a new report by the CDC in Atlanta, concluding that the American diet is even worse than we believed. If one is to accept the report, about a quarter of Americans get two servings of "fruit or fruit juice" per day, a woefully inadequate amount. But this report is in fact FAR WORSE than it seems.
Ned's readers will recall that he has repeatedly warned them against consuming large quantities of fruit juice due to its high sugar content. For example, one 8-ounce serving of orange juice has about 150 calories and many grams of fructose, which can cause insulin levels to spike if not taken with other foods. Better to eat an orange instead, and as much of the white interior pulp as possible, since this stuff has lots of antioxidants in it.
Ned encourages his readers to drink vegetable juice, and seek out low salt (NOT low sodium, since this stuff simply replaces sodium chloride with potassium chloride: READ THE LABEL). If Ned's readers have access to Trader Joe's, the Trader has a very good low salt vegetable juice with lads of minerals and vitamins for a very reasonable cost.
The report goes on the lament the fact that, not content with getting little fruit, Americans generally eat very few vegetables. Ned recommends at least 10 servings of vegetables (including vegetable juice of course) per day, and more if possible. And remember, CORN IS NOT A VEGETABLE!
Ned's readers will recall that he has repeatedly warned them against consuming large quantities of fruit juice due to its high sugar content. For example, one 8-ounce serving of orange juice has about 150 calories and many grams of fructose, which can cause insulin levels to spike if not taken with other foods. Better to eat an orange instead, and as much of the white interior pulp as possible, since this stuff has lots of antioxidants in it.
Ned encourages his readers to drink vegetable juice, and seek out low salt (NOT low sodium, since this stuff simply replaces sodium chloride with potassium chloride: READ THE LABEL). If Ned's readers have access to Trader Joe's, the Trader has a very good low salt vegetable juice with lads of minerals and vitamins for a very reasonable cost.
The report goes on the lament the fact that, not content with getting little fruit, Americans generally eat very few vegetables. Ned recommends at least 10 servings of vegetables (including vegetable juice of course) per day, and more if possible. And remember, CORN IS NOT A VEGETABLE!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Profuse apologies
Ned offers profuse apologies to his many healthy followers and assures them that, on his forthcoming trip to Taos, NM, he will amass a veritable army of health and fitness arcana for their astonishment, amusement and edification. In the meantime, be content with the knowledge that Ned has not been idle: no, he has picked 19 pounds of blueberries and devoured about a quarter of them, freezing several pounds and drying the remainder. He is also working his way through a box of apples from his suppliers in the Yakima Valley.
Ned recommends his followers regale themselves with salmon patties and a nice white wine. Make the patties with a 7 1/2 ounce can of wild caught salmon, 1/4 cup of oats and an egg. Add finely chopped onion if desired and enjoy on a sprouted grain bun with mustard, avocado and tomato.
Bon appetit!
Ned recommends his followers regale themselves with salmon patties and a nice white wine. Make the patties with a 7 1/2 ounce can of wild caught salmon, 1/4 cup of oats and an egg. Add finely chopped onion if desired and enjoy on a sprouted grain bun with mustard, avocado and tomato.
Bon appetit!
Friday, August 20, 2010
400 million eggs
Ned likes eggs, and does not subscribe to those fear mongers who decry egg consumption due to some trumped-up hysteria about cholesterol. Eggs are a nearly perfect food, with high quality protein, and, if raised humanely, can be a great addition to anyone's diet, especially those who wish to reduce their consumption of meat.
OTOH, Ned believes in buying local eggs from places that raise happy chickens. His belief in the intrinsic value of local humanely grown eggs was further vindicated today (Aug 20) when the NYT reported that 400 MILLION eggs have been "recalled" from grocers' shelves due to the possibility of bacterial contamination. These eggs were produced by industrial-scale, non-humane egg factories in Iowa, from where the eggs are shipped all over the country. Ned asks his readers to kindly imagine the suffering and pure waste involved in packing chickens into metal cages so small the birds can't move, producing 400 million eggs and then throwing them away.
If we needed further evidence of the virtue of buying a few, locally-grown, humanely-raised eggs at a time, we have it here. And Ned advises his readers not to be overly concerned with saving a few pennies by buying industrially-produced eggs.
OTOH, Ned believes in buying local eggs from places that raise happy chickens. His belief in the intrinsic value of local humanely grown eggs was further vindicated today (Aug 20) when the NYT reported that 400 MILLION eggs have been "recalled" from grocers' shelves due to the possibility of bacterial contamination. These eggs were produced by industrial-scale, non-humane egg factories in Iowa, from where the eggs are shipped all over the country. Ned asks his readers to kindly imagine the suffering and pure waste involved in packing chickens into metal cages so small the birds can't move, producing 400 million eggs and then throwing them away.
If we needed further evidence of the virtue of buying a few, locally-grown, humanely-raised eggs at a time, we have it here. And Ned advises his readers not to be overly concerned with saving a few pennies by buying industrially-produced eggs.
Monday, August 2, 2010
NED'S FRUIT ADVENTURES
Ned has several fruit trees, but the most prolific is a golden plum tree. For the past few days Ned has been picking and eating plums, but the dern tree seems to be growing them faster than he can pick and eat them. So, in self defense, he has started peeling and freezing them. Here's how.
The plums must be peeled because the skin is very tart. They are easy to peel but are not freestone so must be cut off the pit, which is very bitter. The golden fruit is sweet as honey. Ned spent an hour this morning peeling and freezing them, and now has three bags full in the freezer. He dumps the skin and pits in the composter. They make great cobblers in the winter. Ned figures he has at least three bags left to fill and freeze and that is after eating as many as he and Mrs Ned can, and leaving some on the tree for birds, squirrels and bugs to eat.
He also has a sad little apple tree but very productive, and some creeping berry vines that produce small, raspberry-like fruit, orange in color, with smaller seeds than raspberries.
Last, but NOT least, there is one productive fig tree and the figs are golden and wonderful. Last year, Ned dried many figs.
So, Ned has much fruit to eat in the summer and fall.
The plums must be peeled because the skin is very tart. They are easy to peel but are not freestone so must be cut off the pit, which is very bitter. The golden fruit is sweet as honey. Ned spent an hour this morning peeling and freezing them, and now has three bags full in the freezer. He dumps the skin and pits in the composter. They make great cobblers in the winter. Ned figures he has at least three bags left to fill and freeze and that is after eating as many as he and Mrs Ned can, and leaving some on the tree for birds, squirrels and bugs to eat.
He also has a sad little apple tree but very productive, and some creeping berry vines that produce small, raspberry-like fruit, orange in color, with smaller seeds than raspberries.
Last, but NOT least, there is one productive fig tree and the figs are golden and wonderful. Last year, Ned dried many figs.
So, Ned has much fruit to eat in the summer and fall.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
FINGER FOOD
Ned wonders how many of his followers are concerned about the supposed widespread occurrence of food-borne diseases, and bad eating habits by kids, and adults, too. Assuming such diseases are rampant, Ned offers a few common-sense methods by which his friends can avoid most such unpleasantness.
First, buy local food as much as possible, and avoid ground meat. Most of the tainted ground meat that sickens thousands a year is industrially grown and mixed from many sources in plants hundreds if not thousands of miles away. Buying locally grown (or 'growed' as one of Ned's associates once remarked) is the best way to avoid meat-related sickness.
Next, avoid trying those samples of food that seem to be proliferating in groceries. Ned asks his friends to imagine the grubby little hands, fresh from their little noses or worse, that have been pawing those samples. And, of course, Ned counsels buyers to avoid bulk bins at the lowest levels in bulk sections, unless the food is something bland and harmless like flour. The lower level bins are the most likely to have been pawed over by grubby little carpet vermin whose parents seemingly couldn't care less. If you can't resist samples, ask your grocer if they will place the samples out of reach of the rug rats.
As an aside, Ned advises to avoid finger food. This stuff gives sends the wrong message to kids who generally ape whatever grown-ups do. If you eat finger food, that's what they'll want too. And most finger food--chicken "fingers", pizza, fries, fish sticks, etc, are pretty unhealthy to begin with. Never mind raw vegetables: kids won't eat those unless they are slathered in some sort of dip, equally unhealthy. And eating fruit slices with their hands is unsightly and unsanitary, besides being bad manners, or is Ned being overly insensitive to the emotional needs of four year olds?
Ned has seen kids who will eat most everything with their fingers if they can, eschewing a fork: cereal, fruit, bites of pancake, toast, you name it.
So let's agree to try to avoid eating food with our fingers if we can. Let's rediscover the beauty and utility of the knife and fork.
First, buy local food as much as possible, and avoid ground meat. Most of the tainted ground meat that sickens thousands a year is industrially grown and mixed from many sources in plants hundreds if not thousands of miles away. Buying locally grown (or 'growed' as one of Ned's associates once remarked) is the best way to avoid meat-related sickness.
Next, avoid trying those samples of food that seem to be proliferating in groceries. Ned asks his friends to imagine the grubby little hands, fresh from their little noses or worse, that have been pawing those samples. And, of course, Ned counsels buyers to avoid bulk bins at the lowest levels in bulk sections, unless the food is something bland and harmless like flour. The lower level bins are the most likely to have been pawed over by grubby little carpet vermin whose parents seemingly couldn't care less. If you can't resist samples, ask your grocer if they will place the samples out of reach of the rug rats.
As an aside, Ned advises to avoid finger food. This stuff gives sends the wrong message to kids who generally ape whatever grown-ups do. If you eat finger food, that's what they'll want too. And most finger food--chicken "fingers", pizza, fries, fish sticks, etc, are pretty unhealthy to begin with. Never mind raw vegetables: kids won't eat those unless they are slathered in some sort of dip, equally unhealthy. And eating fruit slices with their hands is unsightly and unsanitary, besides being bad manners, or is Ned being overly insensitive to the emotional needs of four year olds?
Ned has seen kids who will eat most everything with their fingers if they can, eschewing a fork: cereal, fruit, bites of pancake, toast, you name it.
So let's agree to try to avoid eating food with our fingers if we can. Let's rediscover the beauty and utility of the knife and fork.
Friday, July 23, 2010
SALMON PANCAKE ETC
Ned and Mrs Ned announce their latest culinary triumph, or at least their latest decent concoction: salmon pancake with braised kale. Here's the recipe:
1 can (7.5 oz) canned Alaskan wild caught salmon, unsalted. Open can and remove bones and excess slimy black skin. Pour liquid into a bowl and add 1/4 cup quick oats. Add 1/4 - 1/3 cup finely chopped onions, preferably sweet onions. Add 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper or to taste. Add salmon and mash with fork into mixture. When well mixed, add one egg from happy hens. Mix well.
To a hot cast iron skillet, add 1 generous pat unsalted butter. When sizzling, add salmon mixture and cook at medium-low heat until half done. Then place skillet under broiler at 400 degrees and finish. Serve with Food For Life buns, organic mustard, avocado slices and medium salsa if desired.
For kale, remove stems on 2 cups organic kale, and chop. In stainless skillet, saute 1/2 c onion and 1 tsp garlic powder in olive oil until onion is translucent. Add kale and cook on low heat with an ounce or so of sherry until kale is tender.
Serve kale with chopped tomato.
We tried this with a bottle of Gruet brut rose.
Enjoy!
1 can (7.5 oz) canned Alaskan wild caught salmon, unsalted. Open can and remove bones and excess slimy black skin. Pour liquid into a bowl and add 1/4 cup quick oats. Add 1/4 - 1/3 cup finely chopped onions, preferably sweet onions. Add 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper or to taste. Add salmon and mash with fork into mixture. When well mixed, add one egg from happy hens. Mix well.
To a hot cast iron skillet, add 1 generous pat unsalted butter. When sizzling, add salmon mixture and cook at medium-low heat until half done. Then place skillet under broiler at 400 degrees and finish. Serve with Food For Life buns, organic mustard, avocado slices and medium salsa if desired.
For kale, remove stems on 2 cups organic kale, and chop. In stainless skillet, saute 1/2 c onion and 1 tsp garlic powder in olive oil until onion is translucent. Add kale and cook on low heat with an ounce or so of sherry until kale is tender.
Serve kale with chopped tomato.
We tried this with a bottle of Gruet brut rose.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Of watermelons
Since childhood, Ned has had a love/hate relationship with the watermelon. He sold them as a boy at something like 35 cents each. He even ate them regularly until adulthood, when he decided to shuck off all things Southern. But, since Ned has retained an open mind, he would like to recommend watermelons to his followers looking for nutritious food, with a few caveats:
First, and foremost, Ned advises buying local and organic: local is important here as the transport cost is environmentally high.
Second, Ned advises to eat the watermelon down to the skin as nearly as possible, since the rind contains much that is good for you.
Third, Ned advises to buy watermelons from areas that don't need intense summer irrigation, and this would exclude the southern Great Valley and Mojave Desert of California. Here, immense quantities of water are used to grow mainly surplus crops, and this is water from the Sierra rivers where the fish need it more than the cotton.
So Ned suggests his southern and eastern friends find local watermelon, organic or 'no spray', and eat it UP. Both yellow and red melons are chock full of nutrition.
First, and foremost, Ned advises buying local and organic: local is important here as the transport cost is environmentally high.
Second, Ned advises to eat the watermelon down to the skin as nearly as possible, since the rind contains much that is good for you.
Third, Ned advises to buy watermelons from areas that don't need intense summer irrigation, and this would exclude the southern Great Valley and Mojave Desert of California. Here, immense quantities of water are used to grow mainly surplus crops, and this is water from the Sierra rivers where the fish need it more than the cotton.
So Ned suggests his southern and eastern friends find local watermelon, organic or 'no spray', and eat it UP. Both yellow and red melons are chock full of nutrition.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
PINA COLADA OR GINA KOLATA?
SUPPOSE YOU HAD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN A PINA COLADA AND A GINA KOLATA? What would you do?
Now, this absurd question is only slightly less preposterous than an opinion piece in today's NYT written by someone identifying herself as Gina Kolata. The article is titled, "Whether A Child Lights Up or Chows Down." The piece, such as it is, goes on to cite "experts" who debate the relative demerits of both teen smoking and child obesity. They conclude (wait for it) that both are bad.
But before he could even get into the gristle of the article (for there was, sadly, little meat), Ned was irked by the silly use of directional suffixes-- you know, 'sign OFF ON,' 'chow DOWN', 'knock it DOWN', 'light UP,' or Ned's favorite blood pressure increaser, 'listen UP.' But let that pass.
The topic of the article was encapsulated in the first sentence "If you had to choose one public health problem to attack, which would it be: teenage smoking or childhood obesity?"
To which Ned immediately replied, why should he have to choose? This is what the logicians call a false choice.
Both are severe health problems and both could be easily addressed. One could raise the price of cigarettes to confiscatory levels, ban their use outside the home, and prohibit tobacco companies in this country from paying dividends until they pay the entire cost of smoking related health problems. Childhood obesity could be addressed by restoring activity to grade schools, introducing healthy school lunches, taxing sodas, banning sugary drinks and 'snacks' from schools (a no-brainer, to Ned) and educating parents on the toxicity of most of what passes for industrially produced food in this country, among other things. But of course, little of that was mentioned.
Ned wonders how someone, whose expertise is not provided, got to write such a non-article in the first place. Is she the wife/girl friend of the opinion page editor? Does she have something over the NYT management? Because Ned cannot think of a better way to waste a quarter of a page in the Sunday Week In Review section that a piece like this, unless it is to write pieces on the LeBron James "story" or the latest item in the sad saga of Lindsay Lohan.
Oops, they did that too.
Now, this absurd question is only slightly less preposterous than an opinion piece in today's NYT written by someone identifying herself as Gina Kolata. The article is titled, "Whether A Child Lights Up or Chows Down." The piece, such as it is, goes on to cite "experts" who debate the relative demerits of both teen smoking and child obesity. They conclude (wait for it) that both are bad.
But before he could even get into the gristle of the article (for there was, sadly, little meat), Ned was irked by the silly use of directional suffixes-- you know, 'sign OFF ON,' 'chow DOWN', 'knock it DOWN', 'light UP,' or Ned's favorite blood pressure increaser, 'listen UP.' But let that pass.
The topic of the article was encapsulated in the first sentence "If you had to choose one public health problem to attack, which would it be: teenage smoking or childhood obesity?"
To which Ned immediately replied, why should he have to choose? This is what the logicians call a false choice.
Both are severe health problems and both could be easily addressed. One could raise the price of cigarettes to confiscatory levels, ban their use outside the home, and prohibit tobacco companies in this country from paying dividends until they pay the entire cost of smoking related health problems. Childhood obesity could be addressed by restoring activity to grade schools, introducing healthy school lunches, taxing sodas, banning sugary drinks and 'snacks' from schools (a no-brainer, to Ned) and educating parents on the toxicity of most of what passes for industrially produced food in this country, among other things. But of course, little of that was mentioned.
Ned wonders how someone, whose expertise is not provided, got to write such a non-article in the first place. Is she the wife/girl friend of the opinion page editor? Does she have something over the NYT management? Because Ned cannot think of a better way to waste a quarter of a page in the Sunday Week In Review section that a piece like this, unless it is to write pieces on the LeBron James "story" or the latest item in the sad saga of Lindsay Lohan.
Oops, they did that too.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
COLESLAW
It is time to speak of coleslaw. This is a magic food, but like so many magic things it can both aid and harm, so Ned's readers must beware. Coleslaw has two attributes that should recommend it to all who are seriously concerned about their health: first, it is made of raw ingredients, so the antioxidants and other goodies are not degraded by cooking. Second, it is made predominantly with cabbage, both white and purple, and carrots, both of which are loaded with nutrient, low in calories, and are foods one can enjoy from conventional sources, since Ned is aware that not all his acolytes can always afford organic food. But cabbage and carrots have relatively low doses of pesticides. Moreover, they tend to be available year round. And finally, raw coleslaw can be purchased ready made: Ned is aware that it is much too tiresome to make on its own. Ned buys coleslaw from his local deli, where he knows the ingredients, and adds 1 part packaged coleslaw, Dole's or others, to 1 part premade coleslaw with dressing. Since it is the dressing that adds the calories, Ned believes that by cutting premade coleslaw with dressing, with raw coleslaw mix, he reduces the calories by 1/2 while preserving the flavor.
Ned also suggests that when dining out, his followers ask to substitute coleslaw for fries.
NEVER EAT FRIES UNLESS COERCED BY MALEVOLENT ALIENS AS A CONDITION OF SURVIVAL.
So eat more coleslaw, and stay healthy.
Ned also suggests that when dining out, his followers ask to substitute coleslaw for fries.
NEVER EAT FRIES UNLESS COERCED BY MALEVOLENT ALIENS AS A CONDITION OF SURVIVAL.
So eat more coleslaw, and stay healthy.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
THE BEAUTY OF ORGANIC STRAWBERRIES
Ned would like to extol the beauty of organic strawberries. It is a berry that Ned can eat, since the seeds are of such small size that they do not drive him mad with rage (Ned also recommends blueberries). But the strawberry is a wolf in sheep's clothing, as organic strawberries are among the most nutritious of all fruits. And a ripe strawberry is, like a thing of beauty to Keats, a joy forever. Moreover, their goodies are concentrated so one doesn't ingest too much sugar at the same time as one is ingesting all those antioxidants and bioflavenoids. Ned recommends Driscoll's strawberries if his friends cannot get local ones.
HOWEVER, it is vital that Ned's faithful followers eat only organic strawberries, since industrial strawberries contain among the highest doses of pesticides, fungicides, and other nasty stuff, of any common food. Moreover, conventional strawberry growers "sanitize" the soil by pumping in methyl halides. Methyl bromide, their poison of choice, has finally been banned from civilized countries, the last of course being the US, but it has been replaced by methyl iodide, which if anything could be more nasty than methyl bromide.
So Ned admonishes (with great respect) his readers to forego the few pennies they save by buying conventional strawberries and do the right thing for the growers, the planet, themselves and their offspring, and always buy organic.
HOWEVER, it is vital that Ned's faithful followers eat only organic strawberries, since industrial strawberries contain among the highest doses of pesticides, fungicides, and other nasty stuff, of any common food. Moreover, conventional strawberry growers "sanitize" the soil by pumping in methyl halides. Methyl bromide, their poison of choice, has finally been banned from civilized countries, the last of course being the US, but it has been replaced by methyl iodide, which if anything could be more nasty than methyl bromide.
So Ned admonishes (with great respect) his readers to forego the few pennies they save by buying conventional strawberries and do the right thing for the growers, the planet, themselves and their offspring, and always buy organic.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
TEN RULES TO GOOD EATING
Did you notice how many people publish lists?
Ned is no exception. So here are ten rules for healthy eating, in no particular order.
1. Drink plenty of water, but not with meals. Dilutes your digestive juices.
2. Drink alcohol sparingly with meals. Alcohol is OK, but it's too easy to drink a lot with meals. Ned believes in having a glass of wine or even two, who's counting? before and perhaps a bit with, your meal, then a glass of rum after.
3. Take your time with a meal. Try to take a bite, then put your fork down and chew your food. Repeat. A meal ought to take a half an hour AT LEAST.
4. Discover the attributes of tea. Ned drinks tea every morning. It doesn't matter what kind of tea--black, white and green all have excellent nutrition. Ned likes his tea with an ounce of heated soymilk. Ned admits he is partial to chai, and this stuff has even more nutrition.
5. Have nut butter instead of peanut butter on homemade bread for breakfast, with fruit. Ned likes almond butter, but sunflower butter is excellent, too. Many stores, Fred Meyer, for example, have machines with which you can grind your own nut butter.
Try a hit or two of kefir as well.
6. Don't salt your food. Food has plenty of natural sodium. It's OK to add a little salt to food you are cooking, but be careful. Many ingredients already contain salt.
7. Try to buy organic, shade grown and/or fair trade coffee, if you drink coffee, and limit yourself to one cup per day. Ned likes coffee with soymilk, and try it with cinnamon and cardamom.
8. Eat plenty of fruit, preferably fresh. Avoid fruit juices, because they contain so much sugar.
9. Buy a food dryer at a thrift store and dry your own fruit in season. Last year, Ned dried blueberries that he and Mrs Ned picked, cherries, peaches apples, asian pears and figs from his tree. Ned also froze golden plums and used them to make cobbler. Great dessert, low in nasty calories and good for you.
10. Avoid "fast" food. For so many reasons. They are usually bad for you, consisting of unhealthy ingredients, and too easy to eat rapidly. This encourages overeating.
Ned is no exception. So here are ten rules for healthy eating, in no particular order.
1. Drink plenty of water, but not with meals. Dilutes your digestive juices.
2. Drink alcohol sparingly with meals. Alcohol is OK, but it's too easy to drink a lot with meals. Ned believes in having a glass of wine or even two, who's counting? before and perhaps a bit with, your meal, then a glass of rum after.
3. Take your time with a meal. Try to take a bite, then put your fork down and chew your food. Repeat. A meal ought to take a half an hour AT LEAST.
4. Discover the attributes of tea. Ned drinks tea every morning. It doesn't matter what kind of tea--black, white and green all have excellent nutrition. Ned likes his tea with an ounce of heated soymilk. Ned admits he is partial to chai, and this stuff has even more nutrition.
5. Have nut butter instead of peanut butter on homemade bread for breakfast, with fruit. Ned likes almond butter, but sunflower butter is excellent, too. Many stores, Fred Meyer, for example, have machines with which you can grind your own nut butter.
Try a hit or two of kefir as well.
6. Don't salt your food. Food has plenty of natural sodium. It's OK to add a little salt to food you are cooking, but be careful. Many ingredients already contain salt.
7. Try to buy organic, shade grown and/or fair trade coffee, if you drink coffee, and limit yourself to one cup per day. Ned likes coffee with soymilk, and try it with cinnamon and cardamom.
8. Eat plenty of fruit, preferably fresh. Avoid fruit juices, because they contain so much sugar.
9. Buy a food dryer at a thrift store and dry your own fruit in season. Last year, Ned dried blueberries that he and Mrs Ned picked, cherries, peaches apples, asian pears and figs from his tree. Ned also froze golden plums and used them to make cobbler. Great dessert, low in nasty calories and good for you.
10. Avoid "fast" food. For so many reasons. They are usually bad for you, consisting of unhealthy ingredients, and too easy to eat rapidly. This encourages overeating.
SITTING AND EATING
In Ned's local paper, the Gazette Times, there's a story today that encapsulates why most people in this country will face the challenge of obesity at one time or another. The article is headlined, "Looking For Food, in all the right places" and is unfortunately password protected, so his readers will just have to settle for Ned's summary. In it, local residents are pictured riding a trolley from one local restaurant to another, sampling food and drink at each. Most of the riders are overweight, some are clearly obese, and most of the meals are unhealthy. Here is a sample: burgers, chicken paprikas with noodles, pizza with refined flour, crab in cream sauce. All "washed down" with alcohol or sugary drinks. Now, his readers know that Ned does not demonize alcohol, but certainly suggests its use in moderation.
Ned understands why local businesses would like to encourage locals and visitors to patronize their establishments, and certainly riding is better than driving if one intends to drink alcohol.
But, what about a community walk, centered about a cluster of local restaurants and bars?
Or, what about a visit to a health club to start with a supervised workout before embarking on eating and drinking?
Or a community bike ride featuring local restaurants?
Or a bike ride on Sunday morning exposing participants to the rituals of each local cult? Sorry, that was off topic.
Happy 4th.
Ned
Ned understands why local businesses would like to encourage locals and visitors to patronize their establishments, and certainly riding is better than driving if one intends to drink alcohol.
But, what about a community walk, centered about a cluster of local restaurants and bars?
Or, what about a visit to a health club to start with a supervised workout before embarking on eating and drinking?
Or a community bike ride featuring local restaurants?
Or a bike ride on Sunday morning exposing participants to the rituals of each local cult? Sorry, that was off topic.
Happy 4th.
Ned
Friday, July 2, 2010
NEW HEALTH DRINK
Ned would like to report on his newest liquid discovery: BLACK RUM.
Now black rum is about as similar to other kinds of rum as honey is to piss. So, even if you hate other rums (as does Ned BTW), you may love black rum. Ned recommends two types, but only one are you likely to run across in your average liquor store.
Ned likes HANA BAY BLACK RUM: Hana Bay calls itself Hawaiian, and in fact there is a Hana Bay on Maui, but Ned believes the rum is actually made in California. Never mind. It is cheap and tasty. Tastes great by itself (I am not kidding) and wonderful with pineapple juice and crushed ice.
Ned also likes CRUZAN BLACKSTRAP RUM: This stuff tastes like refined blackstrap molasses with a kick. Ned muses whether it is a very nutritious drink as well, given that blackstrap molasses is loaded with minerals.
Ned ecommends Cruzan Blackstrap with soymilk. Mix one part vanilla soymilk with 1 1/2 parts rum. Add crushed ice or an ice cube.
Best of all: it's only about $17 a bottle and it is OFTEN ON SALE.
Please do not share this information as it may make the drink hard to come by.
Ned thanks you, and have a "happy 4th."
Now black rum is about as similar to other kinds of rum as honey is to piss. So, even if you hate other rums (as does Ned BTW), you may love black rum. Ned recommends two types, but only one are you likely to run across in your average liquor store.
Ned likes HANA BAY BLACK RUM: Hana Bay calls itself Hawaiian, and in fact there is a Hana Bay on Maui, but Ned believes the rum is actually made in California. Never mind. It is cheap and tasty. Tastes great by itself (I am not kidding) and wonderful with pineapple juice and crushed ice.
Ned also likes CRUZAN BLACKSTRAP RUM: This stuff tastes like refined blackstrap molasses with a kick. Ned muses whether it is a very nutritious drink as well, given that blackstrap molasses is loaded with minerals.
Ned ecommends Cruzan Blackstrap with soymilk. Mix one part vanilla soymilk with 1 1/2 parts rum. Add crushed ice or an ice cube.
Best of all: it's only about $17 a bottle and it is OFTEN ON SALE.
Please do not share this information as it may make the drink hard to come by.
Ned thanks you, and have a "happy 4th."
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
ORGANIC JUNK FOOD?
Yes, Ned assures his readers that there is such a thing as organic junk food, and it is only infinitesimally better for one than conventional junk food.
At my local co-op, where I am privileged to work one day a week, the shelves are stocked with food in cardboard boxes. Ned cautions his readers to be extremely wary of such "food", processed as it is, and generally bereft of redeeming social virtues.
Let's take crackers for example. Most are made of processed grains, even though they may shout "whole grain!" on the box. Ned's rule of thumb is a simple one: if the crackers contain any "unbleached" or "enriched" flour, avoid it. Furthermore, any package of "food" that has more than 4 lines of ingredients, should be approached as warily as a rabid dog. Next time you are at the store, pick out some packages of crackers and count the number of ingredients. You might well be amazed and will almost certainly be chagrined.
Ned is also wary of "veggie" burgers, those generally frozen wolves in sheep's clothing. Ned's problem with them is, first, their generally high salt content. Second, unless they are organic, they probably contain GMO soy. Third, they probably contain very little protein, and, if one is going to substitute such fare for meat, one had better be aware of the protein content, especially if one is working out to improve one's sadly neglected physique.
The same caution should be applied to most packaged breads, unless you can find some from a local baker. But even then, the primary ingredient is likely to be "unbleached" flour, whether organic or not. Contrast that with the ingredients in Ned's Irish Soda Bread from an earlier post: whole wheat flour, oat flour, currants, oats, baking powder, buttermilk, yeast and brown sugar (which serves as food for the yeast). Basically seven ingredients, all of which are known to the average person.
Ned also cautions his readers against serving sizes and salt content, especially in such seemingly benign foods as salsa and granola. In granola, serving size tends to be 1/4 to 1/2 cup. Who eats such a miniscule amount? Certainly not Ned. Salsa must be approached carefully because of the high salt content, among other things, since the serving size is generally 2 Tablespoons.
Back to Ned's original point: there is such a thing as organic junk food; in fact, the shelves are groaning with it.
Be wary. Let Ned know of any particularly egregious examples you discover.
At my local co-op, where I am privileged to work one day a week, the shelves are stocked with food in cardboard boxes. Ned cautions his readers to be extremely wary of such "food", processed as it is, and generally bereft of redeeming social virtues.
Let's take crackers for example. Most are made of processed grains, even though they may shout "whole grain!" on the box. Ned's rule of thumb is a simple one: if the crackers contain any "unbleached" or "enriched" flour, avoid it. Furthermore, any package of "food" that has more than 4 lines of ingredients, should be approached as warily as a rabid dog. Next time you are at the store, pick out some packages of crackers and count the number of ingredients. You might well be amazed and will almost certainly be chagrined.
Ned is also wary of "veggie" burgers, those generally frozen wolves in sheep's clothing. Ned's problem with them is, first, their generally high salt content. Second, unless they are organic, they probably contain GMO soy. Third, they probably contain very little protein, and, if one is going to substitute such fare for meat, one had better be aware of the protein content, especially if one is working out to improve one's sadly neglected physique.
The same caution should be applied to most packaged breads, unless you can find some from a local baker. But even then, the primary ingredient is likely to be "unbleached" flour, whether organic or not. Contrast that with the ingredients in Ned's Irish Soda Bread from an earlier post: whole wheat flour, oat flour, currants, oats, baking powder, buttermilk, yeast and brown sugar (which serves as food for the yeast). Basically seven ingredients, all of which are known to the average person.
Ned also cautions his readers against serving sizes and salt content, especially in such seemingly benign foods as salsa and granola. In granola, serving size tends to be 1/4 to 1/2 cup. Who eats such a miniscule amount? Certainly not Ned. Salsa must be approached carefully because of the high salt content, among other things, since the serving size is generally 2 Tablespoons.
Back to Ned's original point: there is such a thing as organic junk food; in fact, the shelves are groaning with it.
Be wary. Let Ned know of any particularly egregious examples you discover.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
MAKING YOUR OWN BREAD
My friends (and you ARE my friends) Ned wishes to change your life by encouraging you to make your own bread. Do not be misled by those who tell you that bread is an unhealthful "fattening" food. This a libelous and preposterous claim. Now, if one were to slather jelly, cream cheese, peanut butter, etc onto industrially-produced bread, that, like french fried potatoes, would be an unhealthful food.
But we digress.
First, get yourself a bread maker, one of the great inventions of the post-war (pick any one) years. And the good part is, most everybody you know has either gotten one as a gift, or bought one, and was too lazy to use it. They will give it to you, or you can buy one for a few dollars a a thrift store.
Now if you can plug in a cord, you can make great bread. Here's how.
Ned's Irish Soda Bread
Place 2 1/2 cups ww flour into a bread machine. Add 1/2 c oat flour.
Add 1/2 tsp baking powder, and, if you must, 1/4 tsp sea salt
Add 1/2 c currants and 1/2 c quick oats
Then add 1 c buttermilk (BGH free or organic)
Set your bread machine on "Mix" and let this stuff mix for a couple of minutes then turn off.
In a plastic or glass cup place 1/2 to 2/3 c water and warm slightly in a microwave--maybe 10 seconds. Make sure it isn't too hot. Just slightly warm is perfect. Add 2 TB brown sugar and dissolve. Add 1 package dry yeast, or one tablespoon. Mix and let set until the mix starts to bubble, about 5 minutes.
Add yeast mixture into bread maker with original ingredients, turn on, set on "quick bread" setting if you have such a setting, and go away.
Come back in about 3 hours and you have a perfect loaf of healthy bread.
You can vary the recipe if you wish by deleting oat flour or substituting something like spelt flour.
Enjoy! and
Let Ned know how it turns out.
But we digress.
First, get yourself a bread maker, one of the great inventions of the post-war (pick any one) years. And the good part is, most everybody you know has either gotten one as a gift, or bought one, and was too lazy to use it. They will give it to you, or you can buy one for a few dollars a a thrift store.
Now if you can plug in a cord, you can make great bread. Here's how.
Ned's Irish Soda Bread
Place 2 1/2 cups ww flour into a bread machine. Add 1/2 c oat flour.
Add 1/2 tsp baking powder, and, if you must, 1/4 tsp sea salt
Add 1/2 c currants and 1/2 c quick oats
Then add 1 c buttermilk (BGH free or organic)
Set your bread machine on "Mix" and let this stuff mix for a couple of minutes then turn off.
In a plastic or glass cup place 1/2 to 2/3 c water and warm slightly in a microwave--maybe 10 seconds. Make sure it isn't too hot. Just slightly warm is perfect. Add 2 TB brown sugar and dissolve. Add 1 package dry yeast, or one tablespoon. Mix and let set until the mix starts to bubble, about 5 minutes.
Add yeast mixture into bread maker with original ingredients, turn on, set on "quick bread" setting if you have such a setting, and go away.
Come back in about 3 hours and you have a perfect loaf of healthy bread.
You can vary the recipe if you wish by deleting oat flour or substituting something like spelt flour.
Enjoy! and
Let Ned know how it turns out.
Monday, June 28, 2010
MAKING YOUR OWN PIZZA
Ned counsels his friends to make their own pizza, and it's not as hard as one might think. The "trick" is to buy premade organic pizza dough, roll it "out" and put whatever one wants to eat, on the crust. Ned is very fond of organic whole wheat crust, but will gladly buy all-spelt crust from his local whole foods eatery. Here's what you do.
Preheat your oven to 450. Heat is essential.
On a baking sheet, rub a little olive oil. Then roll out the pizza dough, making sure it is not too thick. Turn up the edges a bit. On the dough, sprinkle a bit of extra virgin olive oil and some finely chopped basil oregano and rosemary, fresh of course if you can get it. Add your ingredients. Ned is partial to marinated mushrooms, roasted red pepper, artichoke hearts, black olives, and marinated garlic. But readers may want to add seafood or meat. Ned avoids most meat that is suitable for pizzas, especially "pepperoni," which he considers similar to cyanide in its effect on the human body.. He then adds dollops of soft goat cheese. Avoid the faux parmesan and mozzarella. Then he adds slices of fresh tomato, and presses the tomato into the existing ingredients. Note that he uses no "pizza sauce." Purists may want to drizzle a bit more olive oil, then bake at 450 for 15-20 minutes.
"You'll never go back,baby."
Preheat your oven to 450. Heat is essential.
On a baking sheet, rub a little olive oil. Then roll out the pizza dough, making sure it is not too thick. Turn up the edges a bit. On the dough, sprinkle a bit of extra virgin olive oil and some finely chopped basil oregano and rosemary, fresh of course if you can get it. Add your ingredients. Ned is partial to marinated mushrooms, roasted red pepper, artichoke hearts, black olives, and marinated garlic. But readers may want to add seafood or meat. Ned avoids most meat that is suitable for pizzas, especially "pepperoni," which he considers similar to cyanide in its effect on the human body.. He then adds dollops of soft goat cheese. Avoid the faux parmesan and mozzarella. Then he adds slices of fresh tomato, and presses the tomato into the existing ingredients. Note that he uses no "pizza sauce." Purists may want to drizzle a bit more olive oil, then bake at 450 for 15-20 minutes.
"You'll never go back,baby."
Sunday, June 27, 2010
KEFIR
Ned has become a devotee of kefir, that luscious yoghurt-like drink loaded with probiotics, protein, and nutrition. He favors goat's milk kefir, plain of course. Ned admonishes his readers to avoid the sugary, flavored kefirs with the same disdain he hopes they apply to flavored yoghurts. Added sugars, with no added value. If one prefers a little sweetness in one's kefir, why not add a bit of blackstrap molasses, or pomegranite juice. Remember, we seek those foods which like us, and should be less concerned about foods that we like since flavor preferences are created and maintained by industrial food producers. And be sure to get organic if possible, but certainly kefir made with no BGH.
Now, Ned admits these drinks seem pricey. In fact, Ned today paid $5.99 for a 1 quart container of plain goat's milk kefir. However, Ned knows many friends who think nothing of paying $6-7 and more for a glass of wine in a bar, and then wouldn't think of leaving less than a dollar or even two as a "tip" to the person who labored to pour the wine from the bottle into their glass and bring it to them.
So let's try to keep things in proportion, shall we?
Now, Ned admits these drinks seem pricey. In fact, Ned today paid $5.99 for a 1 quart container of plain goat's milk kefir. However, Ned knows many friends who think nothing of paying $6-7 and more for a glass of wine in a bar, and then wouldn't think of leaving less than a dollar or even two as a "tip" to the person who labored to pour the wine from the bottle into their glass and bring it to them.
So let's try to keep things in proportion, shall we?
Saturday, June 26, 2010
READ THE LABEL, PART 2
Ned would like to emphasize in this post the importance of reading food labels and avoiding packaged foods loaded with salt, refined grains and sugar, or high-fructose corn syrup. But reading labels may not always be as easy as it seems. As the late, beloved Rosann Rosannadanna once said, "It's always something!" And it is with labels, too.
Take salsa. Ned's many followers may think that reading salsa labels is cut-and-dried. Not so. This is even more lamentable since potentially salsa is one of the more nutritious processed foods one can eat. Here's the rub.
You need to carefully understand the portion size.
Most salsas list nutritional content for a ridiculously small serving size. This has two effects: it masks the salt and sugar content and it makes the real nutrition, like Vitamin C, seem miniscule. Take for example a salsa Ned had tonight. Lowish salt at 70 mg per serving, but the serving size was 33 grams, or only a couple of tablespoons.
Who eats two tablespoons of salsa? The same person who eats one chip Ned supposes.
But consider that the salsa Ned ate contained 3 grams of sugar per serving. Since the serving size was 33 grams, the stuff is 9% sugar by weight. Too much.
On the other hand, the serving size of many vegetable juices is either 4 or 8 ounces, and the calories per serving is around 25. Fantastic ratio, especially given the high nutritional value of vegetable juices.
So remember everyone to read the labels but BE CAREFUL OF THE PORTION SIZE.
Bon appetit.
Take salsa. Ned's many followers may think that reading salsa labels is cut-and-dried. Not so. This is even more lamentable since potentially salsa is one of the more nutritious processed foods one can eat. Here's the rub.
You need to carefully understand the portion size.
Most salsas list nutritional content for a ridiculously small serving size. This has two effects: it masks the salt and sugar content and it makes the real nutrition, like Vitamin C, seem miniscule. Take for example a salsa Ned had tonight. Lowish salt at 70 mg per serving, but the serving size was 33 grams, or only a couple of tablespoons.
Who eats two tablespoons of salsa? The same person who eats one chip Ned supposes.
But consider that the salsa Ned ate contained 3 grams of sugar per serving. Since the serving size was 33 grams, the stuff is 9% sugar by weight. Too much.
On the other hand, the serving size of many vegetable juices is either 4 or 8 ounces, and the calories per serving is around 25. Fantastic ratio, especially given the high nutritional value of vegetable juices.
So remember everyone to read the labels but BE CAREFUL OF THE PORTION SIZE.
Bon appetit.
Friday, June 25, 2010
MAKING YOUR OWN GROUND MEAT
Ned doesn't really trust ground meat from industrial sources, nor does he eat beef or pork from any source, whether grass-fed, organic or not. Pigs are too smart to eat, and cows are too bad for the environment. Besides, eating too much meat can cause urea build-up in susceptible people.
However, Ned is not a vegetarian. He just doesn't eat much meat. He also often makes his own ground meat, using lamb or buffalo.
Here's how:
If you have a food processor it's easy. If not, go to your local Goodwill or thrift store and buy one for Christ's sake.
Buy some lamb or buffalo stew meat. Out here in Oregon we can get locally grown lamb and buffalo. Venison, elk and caribou is also good if you can get it. Some of Ned's friends like emu, which we can get locally as well. (Ned hasn't really developed a taste for emu, but let that pass.) Inspect the meat and cut off any large bits of fat and gristle. Take them to your back yard if you have one and leave it for the crows. Then, and this is the "trick", put the stew meat in the freezer, after separating the pieces. Leave it in the freezer until the meat has just begun to freeze. You want it firm but not rock solid. Remove the meat, put in the food processor and pulse until you have a ground consistency you like. Remove and mix lamb with some oats or oat bran and finely-chopped onion. You can also add garlic and cumin or whatever the hell you like.
For buffalo, Ned would add garlic, onion and perhaps some chipotle, (although Mrs Ned doesn't like chipotle very much).
Cook but don't burn, and serve (with avocado, tomato, etc) on sprouted grain buns. Ned likes the Ezekiel ones we get in the frozen food section.
Goes well with any red wine. Lamb is really good with pinot noir of course.
Serve with some sauteed vegetables--whatever you can get in season: Ned likes asparagus (lots of rutin--recall a former post), broccoli rabe or any other kind of rabe, or sauteed kale, collards, bok choy, etc. Then finish with one or two of Ned's oatmeal cookies.
Bon appetit.
However, Ned is not a vegetarian. He just doesn't eat much meat. He also often makes his own ground meat, using lamb or buffalo.
Here's how:
If you have a food processor it's easy. If not, go to your local Goodwill or thrift store and buy one for Christ's sake.
Buy some lamb or buffalo stew meat. Out here in Oregon we can get locally grown lamb and buffalo. Venison, elk and caribou is also good if you can get it. Some of Ned's friends like emu, which we can get locally as well. (Ned hasn't really developed a taste for emu, but let that pass.) Inspect the meat and cut off any large bits of fat and gristle. Take them to your back yard if you have one and leave it for the crows. Then, and this is the "trick", put the stew meat in the freezer, after separating the pieces. Leave it in the freezer until the meat has just begun to freeze. You want it firm but not rock solid. Remove the meat, put in the food processor and pulse until you have a ground consistency you like. Remove and mix lamb with some oats or oat bran and finely-chopped onion. You can also add garlic and cumin or whatever the hell you like.
For buffalo, Ned would add garlic, onion and perhaps some chipotle, (although Mrs Ned doesn't like chipotle very much).
Cook but don't burn, and serve (with avocado, tomato, etc) on sprouted grain buns. Ned likes the Ezekiel ones we get in the frozen food section.
Goes well with any red wine. Lamb is really good with pinot noir of course.
Serve with some sauteed vegetables--whatever you can get in season: Ned likes asparagus (lots of rutin--recall a former post), broccoli rabe or any other kind of rabe, or sauteed kale, collards, bok choy, etc. Then finish with one or two of Ned's oatmeal cookies.
Bon appetit.
VEGETABLE JUICE
Ned would like to remind his many followers to drink vegetable juice. There are many kinds but he has found the tastiest and most nutritious to be tomato-based juices, preferably organic, but in this case, the benefits of drinking vegetable juice so far outweighs any negative impacts from pesticide residues that organic is not essential. Besides, organic veg juice tends to be very expensive.
A tip: If you live near a natural foods store or co-op, see if they will give you a deal on a case. Same for a big grocery store.
IMPORTANT: AVOID VEGETABLE JUICES SATURATED WITH SALT. READ THE LABEL. IF THERE IS MORE THAN 200 MG PER SERVING (AT LEAST 4 OUNCES) AVOID IT.
Ned is also a bit leery of drinking pure carrot juice. He wonders if its possible to get too much Vitamin A.
Finally, even if the drink seems to you to be expensive, remember that a good vegetable juice is better for you than a multivitamin, so if you are taking multivitamins, consider ditching them and spending the money on vegetable juice.
Another tip: If you can get the juice in glass, it's probably better for you than drinking it from plastic containers or those metal ones lined with plastic that may be toxic. This is especially important for acidic vegetable, or even fruit, juices, as the acid can leach toxins from the plastic. What kinds? Well, many of the compounds that can leach from plastic are estrogen-mimic chemicals. Not good.
A tip: If you live near a natural foods store or co-op, see if they will give you a deal on a case. Same for a big grocery store.
IMPORTANT: AVOID VEGETABLE JUICES SATURATED WITH SALT. READ THE LABEL. IF THERE IS MORE THAN 200 MG PER SERVING (AT LEAST 4 OUNCES) AVOID IT.
Ned is also a bit leery of drinking pure carrot juice. He wonders if its possible to get too much Vitamin A.
Finally, even if the drink seems to you to be expensive, remember that a good vegetable juice is better for you than a multivitamin, so if you are taking multivitamins, consider ditching them and spending the money on vegetable juice.
Another tip: If you can get the juice in glass, it's probably better for you than drinking it from plastic containers or those metal ones lined with plastic that may be toxic. This is especially important for acidic vegetable, or even fruit, juices, as the acid can leach toxins from the plastic. What kinds? Well, many of the compounds that can leach from plastic are estrogen-mimic chemicals. Not good.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
VITAMIN D
Ned would like to say a few words about sunshine and Vitamin D. Skeptical as he is of any epidemiological-based health claim for some compound, Ned feels that the evidence for the value of Vitamin D is so overwhelming that we have to take it seriously. This means we need to get more sun.
But there's a problem: Most people when they get into the sun first slather themselves with sunscreen, thinking that if they don't they will get skin cancer and drop dead. If you do, you virtually eliminate your skin's ability to absorb D. Well, skin cancer is a concern but of far greater concern is lack of Vitamin D.
Here's one way to get your D and still protect yourself from cancer: WEAR A HAT.
Then, expose your arms and legs to the sun and you will absorb loads of D if you do not use sunscreen. BE CAREFUL NOT TO BURN. About 20 minutes exposure is good on a sunny day.
But remember: at the latitude most of us live (33 or above) we don't get enough sunshine between October and April to make much D, so we ought to take supplements.
Now, what is the first rule of supplements? TAKE THEM WITH FOOD.
We should be on Vitamin D, maybe 1000 IU's, between October and April, and thereafter try to get plenty of sun, taking care to keep our head covered, because that's where the danger from skin cancer is the greatest.
If you have health coverage, get your blood tested for Vitamin D deficiency. You'd be surprised how many people have it and don't know it.
But there's a problem: Most people when they get into the sun first slather themselves with sunscreen, thinking that if they don't they will get skin cancer and drop dead. If you do, you virtually eliminate your skin's ability to absorb D. Well, skin cancer is a concern but of far greater concern is lack of Vitamin D.
Here's one way to get your D and still protect yourself from cancer: WEAR A HAT.
Then, expose your arms and legs to the sun and you will absorb loads of D if you do not use sunscreen. BE CAREFUL NOT TO BURN. About 20 minutes exposure is good on a sunny day.
But remember: at the latitude most of us live (33 or above) we don't get enough sunshine between October and April to make much D, so we ought to take supplements.
Now, what is the first rule of supplements? TAKE THEM WITH FOOD.
We should be on Vitamin D, maybe 1000 IU's, between October and April, and thereafter try to get plenty of sun, taking care to keep our head covered, because that's where the danger from skin cancer is the greatest.
If you have health coverage, get your blood tested for Vitamin D deficiency. You'd be surprised how many people have it and don't know it.
Rutin and Quercetin
Ned generally doesn't believe in the value of supplements if taken in the absence of a good diet. nor does he believe in the value of multi-vitamins for most Americans since they are just substitutes for a good diet. OTOH, some supplements like flavenoids can be of use. Here are two: rutin and quercetin.
People who say 'An apple a day keeps the doctor away' may be right. Apples are one of Ned's wonder foods, but be sure to eat organic ones if possible to avoid pesticide residues. One compound in apples is very intriguing: quercetin. This is a flavenoid which has been shown in at least one test Ned is familiar with to reduce blood pressure. It is also found in tea, onions, the rinds of citrus fruits, and a plant called lovage. It may have many other benefits as well.
Another compound which may be of use is rutin, which could be good for your circulation. It is found in citrus fruit, some berries, and other fruit rinds.
These supplements can be purchased as pills, but Ned believes if you take them you should take them along with foods that naturally contain the substance in question. In other words, take quercetin with apples.
The point is to eat enough organic fruit to ensure that your body has enough of these life-sustaining compounds.
One last thing: ned likes pulpy orange rind, the slightly sweet white stuff inside the skin--the kind you get with navel oranges. The pulp is good in itself and contains a wealth of beneficial compounds.
Remember:EAT LOTS OF FRUIT, BUT DON'T DRINK EXCESSIVE FRUIT JUICE DUE TO THE SUGAR CONTENT AND CALORIES.
People who say 'An apple a day keeps the doctor away' may be right. Apples are one of Ned's wonder foods, but be sure to eat organic ones if possible to avoid pesticide residues. One compound in apples is very intriguing: quercetin. This is a flavenoid which has been shown in at least one test Ned is familiar with to reduce blood pressure. It is also found in tea, onions, the rinds of citrus fruits, and a plant called lovage. It may have many other benefits as well.
Another compound which may be of use is rutin, which could be good for your circulation. It is found in citrus fruit, some berries, and other fruit rinds.
These supplements can be purchased as pills, but Ned believes if you take them you should take them along with foods that naturally contain the substance in question. In other words, take quercetin with apples.
The point is to eat enough organic fruit to ensure that your body has enough of these life-sustaining compounds.
One last thing: ned likes pulpy orange rind, the slightly sweet white stuff inside the skin--the kind you get with navel oranges. The pulp is good in itself and contains a wealth of beneficial compounds.
Remember:EAT LOTS OF FRUIT, BUT DON'T DRINK EXCESSIVE FRUIT JUICE DUE TO THE SUGAR CONTENT AND CALORIES.
Some goooood foods
I have lost nearly 15 pounds over the past 6 months by going to the gym to work off my growing outrage at the disappointments in the Obama administration and the bad weather in Oregon. I have found the elliptical machine to have been the most effective for me. I am now working on weights, and I figure in another 6 months I will no longer be ashamed to venture out uncovered. But exercise is one thing: eating another, and they are both essential to good health. I am taking no prescription medication and hope to keep it that way.
Ned's first rule of eating is to free one's mind from likes and dislikes, because these are mainly created by industrial food manufacturers. Eat what likes you, and don't worry so much about what you like.
Cut down on salt. The average American consumes two to three times the optimum sodium intake, mainly from processed foods.
Cut down on meat, especially industrially grown meat. This stuff contains additives that are not good for you, are bad for the environment and bad for the animals. I avoid all beef and pork, whether industrial or organic.
Max "out" on vegetables, and try to get organic when possible. Stop worrying about price, since you spend very little on fresh food anyway.
Cut back on fruit juices. They may contain nutrients, but they have so much concentrated sugar that they can mess you up. f you must drink fruit juice, make it organic and cut it 1:1 with water.
Drink vegetable juice. It's the elixir of life, but go for the low-sodium kind.
Eat lots of fruit, but be careful of eating industrially-grown fruit like apples, strawberries, and peaches, as they are dosed with pesticides. Avoid industrial bananas since they too are dosed with pesticides. Get organic ones and don't worry about the extra ten cents. If most people saw a nickel on the street they wouldn't bend over and pick it up.
Avoid processed grains! Make your own bread. It's easy if you get a bread machine from your local Goodwill or equivalent.
If you must eat pizza, buy pre-made crust from a local whole foods store or co-op, the kind you roll out and bake at home, and make it yourself. Read labels and avoid processed flour and salt.
READ LABELS. This is a key recommendation.
Here are some of my recommended foods in no particular order. I will post recipes if demand warrants it later.
Blueberries
Strawberries (organic only)
Apples (organic if possible)
Bananas (organic only)
Arugula
Broccoli
Coleslaw--buy if with dressing from a local deli and cut it with equal parts packaged coleslaw like Dole's.
If you eat meat: buffalo, venison (eat the damn things up and get rid of them!), lamb, a little chicken is OK now and then.
Sheep's milk and goat's milk cheeses. Watch the salt!
Kefir and plain yoghurt, organic if at all possible!
Butter, organic or at least no BGH!
Olive oil.
Eggs if from happy hens --eggs are wonderful food
Fish--I like wild-caught salmon and don't be afraid to buy it canned from Alaska (look for the cans with no added salt), and mackerel. Calamari is good too but almost impossible to cook so I get it when I go out. Very sustainable. Squid breed and die.
I eat a little shrimp but it isn't very sustainable so go very light.
Asparagus in season
Kale and chard are great and great for you.
Tomatoes are a wonder food but get organic if you can.
Figs
Nuts and seeds are great for you but only in moderation because of the calories. I like brazil nuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds ( a wonder food) and sunflower seeds. Walnuts too.
More later.
OATS AND OATMEAL COOKIES
Ned believes strongly that oats are a wonder food. Oats are loaded with fiber, much of it soluble. They contain lots of protein as well. Quick oats are easy and can be used in lots of recipes. Bur Ned cautions everyone to avoid processed foods making health claims because they may have some oats in them. Cereals, for example, with their added vitamins, sugar and salt should be avoided. In fact, Ned counsels everyone to avoid any cereals in boxes. Eat oats in stews--they make a great thickening agent in lamb stews, for example. They are also marvelous in salmon patties. Use 1 can wild caught salmon, add 1/4 cup oats, some finely chopped onion and one egg. Mix well, and cook as an omelet. Great and great for you.
Ned also recommends oatmeal cookies, but not the crap that you buy in packages. Make your own: it's almost ridiculously easy, and if you use cocoanut butter it's healthy and easy to prepare. Use butter if you wish: it's just harder to mix.
Here's an easy recipe: 2 cups quick oats, 1/2 cup cocoanut butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar or blackstrap molasses, 1/2 cup ww or spelt flour, 1/2 cup currants, 1 tsp vanilla and 1 tsp cinnamon. Add 1/2 tsp baking powder. Mix well. Then add 1 egg. All this should be organic of course if you can get it. Use a large tablespoon to drop lumps of dough onto a baking dish. You should be able to get about a dozen cookies. Bake at 360 for 10 minutes, then turn the oven off and leave in for another ten minutes. Remove immediately. If they are too crunchy for you, reduce cooking time a bit.
You will love them.
Ned also recommends oatmeal cookies, but not the crap that you buy in packages. Make your own: it's almost ridiculously easy, and if you use cocoanut butter it's healthy and easy to prepare. Use butter if you wish: it's just harder to mix.
Here's an easy recipe: 2 cups quick oats, 1/2 cup cocoanut butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar or blackstrap molasses, 1/2 cup ww or spelt flour, 1/2 cup currants, 1 tsp vanilla and 1 tsp cinnamon. Add 1/2 tsp baking powder. Mix well. Then add 1 egg. All this should be organic of course if you can get it. Use a large tablespoon to drop lumps of dough onto a baking dish. You should be able to get about a dozen cookies. Bake at 360 for 10 minutes, then turn the oven off and leave in for another ten minutes. Remove immediately. If they are too crunchy for you, reduce cooking time a bit.
You will love them.
WELCOME TO NED'S HEALTH AND FITNESS
NED'S health and fitness is a complimentary blog to Ned Pepper's Outrages. If you are mad as hell like Ned, you will need to stay healthy.
In this blog, Ned will pass along tips on eating right, and on foods to avoid. He will discuss getting in shape and staying in shape for genders of all ages.
Here's Ned's first tip: GET IN SHAPE, NOT BY TRYING TO DIET, BUT BY A COMBINATION OF DIET AND ACTIVITY.
TIP: YOU CANNOT WALK YOUR WAY TO HEALTH. Contrary to what you may have been told, in Ned's estimation you cannot lose weight and get in shape by walking. It just doesn't do enough for you. You must exercise vigorously several times a week. Ned goes to a gym about 6 times a week.
TIP: SUPPLEMENTS DO NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR NUTRITIOUS FOOD. BUT IF YOU INSIST ON TAKING VITAMIN AND/OR MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS, TAKE THEM WITH MEALS.
TIP: DON'T BE WATER CRAZY. You don't need to be sipping water 24/7. Ned's brother once went on a "kick" of drinking 7 liters of water a day. Naturally he wanted to use filtered water. But the expense and trouble proved too much. And it did him no apparent good at all.
TIP: TRY TO STAY ON YOUR FEET AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. SITTING IS NOT GOOD. Ned admits this is hard to do, so just be aware of it.
More later.
In this blog, Ned will pass along tips on eating right, and on foods to avoid. He will discuss getting in shape and staying in shape for genders of all ages.
Here's Ned's first tip: GET IN SHAPE, NOT BY TRYING TO DIET, BUT BY A COMBINATION OF DIET AND ACTIVITY.
TIP: YOU CANNOT WALK YOUR WAY TO HEALTH. Contrary to what you may have been told, in Ned's estimation you cannot lose weight and get in shape by walking. It just doesn't do enough for you. You must exercise vigorously several times a week. Ned goes to a gym about 6 times a week.
TIP: SUPPLEMENTS DO NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR NUTRITIOUS FOOD. BUT IF YOU INSIST ON TAKING VITAMIN AND/OR MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS, TAKE THEM WITH MEALS.
TIP: DON'T BE WATER CRAZY. You don't need to be sipping water 24/7. Ned's brother once went on a "kick" of drinking 7 liters of water a day. Naturally he wanted to use filtered water. But the expense and trouble proved too much. And it did him no apparent good at all.
TIP: TRY TO STAY ON YOUR FEET AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. SITTING IS NOT GOOD. Ned admits this is hard to do, so just be aware of it.
More later.
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