You may have heard this term: "GMO" and wondered what it meant. To a passer by, one may not take interest, but like I said, this journey we are on is teaching us how to do our research. It's teaching us how to stop, think, and look at the back of the package we are about to purchase. It's teaching us to ask the question: "Where did this come from?" This is also what I want to bring an awareness to the world, especially the Church.
I wrote in a previous post called, "Taste Test" that, when it comes to food, we usually ingest whatever we have access to. Yet, when we shop for a new TV or the best kind of car, we do our research to find the best. Why isn't it this way with the products we put into our bodies which then go into our bloodstream? Okay, so what is a GMO? Allow me to clarify, I am not a scientist, nor a doctor, nor am I a nutritionist. I am merely a consumer who is doing a little research and discovering things that could change my life for the better. The letters in GMO stand for: "Genetically Modified Organism."
In other words, it is an organism whose genetic material has been altered by genetic engineering. These techniques are also called Recombinant DNA Technology and they use DNA molecules from different sources. They are later combined into one molecule to create a new set of genes. You are probably thinking, "Uh, that doesn't sound good," and you are right. It doesn't sound like I want that inside of my body! Here's a good question: which would you prefer, real food or fake food? Easy, I want the real thing!!!! Of course, we all want the real thing. Yet, all across America today, we will be walking into grocery stores and picking out foods that we think are even good foods and instead will be ingesting quite a few genetically modified organisms without even knowing it. Ewww. Wanna know what some of them are? Here are just a few that I found. There are different categories of GMOs and here is a list of "high-risk crops" and "low-risk crops": What is a GMO? Now the next question you are probably asking yourself is: "What can I eat?" or "What is a non GMO product?" This is my next quest because there is a ton of information. Here is a link and a list of non GMO products but remember, it's best that YOU do your own research on what to put into your body: The Non GMO Project I will be writing more in the days to come on projects that you can find in your local community or Farmers Markets and am currently also on a search to find Non-GMO Farmers Markets and farmers who, not only grow organically, but their seeds have not been modified. In the mean time, here's what YOU can do. Keep doing the research. It also may be a good time to start growing your own garden. You can start small like a tomato plant or maybe some cucumbers. Anyone can do it!
The most important thing that is that you feel empowered. It's time for us to be stop being at the mercy of our grocery stores. It can appear that we have many choices when there really isn't. However, there is a choice that you, the CONSUMER, can make and that is to do something about it!! It's time to rise up and have a VOICE in this land. The more grocery stores hear that you want real, whole foods, the more they will succumb to selling better products. We want the real thing! Shout it from the top of the mountain!
Well one thing's for sure, we are a peculiar people. I mean, thinking about it, someone tells you something good about food and a good way to eat, and what works for some may not work for you. Yesterday, I have to admit was a very hard day. I had zero energy and felt like I was going to faint all morning. No, I am not pregnant. My conclusion? I am deficient in something and my body is trying to let me know that it needs something. The "whole" (no pun intended) idea behind this blog is that we would learn a better way of living regarding our diet. Please hear what I am NOT saying, "that everyone should do exactly what we are doing." We are a peculiar people in the sense that each of our body chemistries are different. We each have different DNA. This is what makes us individuals and God has made each of us with unique design. Amazing revelation. Here is also one of the main ideas of this blog: that food, not pills, but FOOD, which God made to nourish us, can help to HEAL our bodies. I don't have every piece of knowledge on it, but I know this is true. So, here is where it begins! I am doing the research from many resources. In addition, the internet is full of amazing discoveries about this topic as it is a growing trend among American consumers. It should be because our country has made some poor choices regarding food. What you can do as our friends: encourage us or join us by doing your research too! It's fun doing life the Kingdom way. Below you will see the trailer to a documentary we saw a few days ago that, well, it changed our lives for the better! If you have not seen this documentary, "Forks Over Knives," please do yourself a favor and watch it today. By the way, I am feeling better and after a Vitamin B12 supplement taken yesterday, I am getting back on track. Eating a plant based diet sometimes requires an extra dose of Vitamin B12, especially if you are a beginner. Another lesson learned. Now it's time to make a mixed berry smoothie this morning. Here's to good health and long life in Jesus' name!
Okay, NOW we are getting somewhere. Last night, I wasn't too sure of this whole thing. I even found myself questioning, "What the heck am I doing?" I felt pain in places I didn't know you could feel. However, in the morning, after making home made apple sauce/juice in the Vitamix using 2 whole apples and drinking a tablespoon of Apple cider vinegar, I began feeling much better! I am starting to feel a little better each day! Like I wrote yesterday, "things get worse before they get better," I know that sounds terrible, but if you can make it through the detox, there is a light at the end of the tunnel! It's true! Therefore, we got a great start with a smoothie my friend found called "Kalelicious." It is tasty and has a bright flavor. It requires the curly kind of kale, baby spinach, 1 or 2 lemons depending on how many people, fresh apple juice (made from a vitamix or juicer is better), one frozen banana, and we modified it by adding a little Simply Limeade, and Maca powder. After blending, you have yourself a tasty, nutritious smoothie! Maca Powder: The Great Discovery! Some interesting facts about Maca powder: Research reveals that, Lepidium meyenii, known commonly as maca, is an herbaceous biennial plant or annual plant from the high Andes of Peru and Bolivia. It's also grown in some parts of Brazil. It is grown for its fleshy hypocotyl (actually a fused hypocotyl and taproot), which is used as a root vegetable and a medicinal herb. One bag pictured below contains 100% pure raw maca powder that is certified organic, kosher, vegan and raw. Four alkaloids are present in maca that are known to nourish the endocrine system.
Maca root has been used as a stress-fighting adaptogen to increase stamina, boost libido (great for married couples) calm inflammations, clear skin conditions, and fight fatigue. It is also a nutrient-dense whole food full of vitamins, plant sterols as well as many good minerals, fatty and amino acids. You can find it at Whole Foods and a big bag will last you about 6 months or more. You start by only using no more than just a tablespoon a day for beginners. As your body adjusts, if is not sensitive to it, then you can increase it to more tablespoons a day for each person. However, too much Maca is not good for the body and a person can have negative side effects such as insomnia. A little bit a day will help give you energy and I am seeing these positive effects! Bon appetite everyone! Here's to a long and healthy life in Jesus' name!
I don't know where this quote: "It gets worse before it gets better" actually originated from but it wasn't from me. However, regarding health and detoxifying your body, this is a true statement from my personal experience. Today I feel kind of bad but working through it. They say when you first start something like this it takes awhile for your body to adjust. Most people quit before it gets better but I don't want to be in that statistic so I'm going to ride this wave out. What did I do to make my day a little better? I drank a tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar diluted with water and I made some home made apple sauce in the Vitamix! I placed 1 1/2 apples in and blended away. It took about 10 seconds. I love the Vitamix! Do I feel better yet? Well, it didn't take long before I did! ;) Let's see how the rest of the day pans out. As for the rest of the morning? I am going to take a 1/2 teaspoon of Chlorofresh (picture is listed below) to give myself a pick me up and minty fresh breath with it's minty flavor. In addition, we will be drinking an energizing smoothie today. We actually had a ton left over from yesterday and we placed it in empty water jugs. You have to do what you can do in the beginning with a limited budget. We couldn't go to the store again until today. Don't condemn yourself through the process for not being perfect. Step by step is the key. This quote is another one I love to brighten up your day: "People who do stuff, do stuff!" -Banning Leibscher. The goal is to start somewhere!
