It can be quite confusing to navigate the grocery store these days. Many foods are labeled with buzz words like Natural, Organic, Non-GMO & Free Range. But what do these "quality" indicators even mean and who decides when products can be labeled as such anyway? Unfortunately many of these terms are just marketing ploys to convince you that food companies have higher farming & production standards than they actually do. So for Step #5 of your New Year Nutrition overhaul I'm going to share a few key terms that you can look for when grocery shopping so that you can be better informed when spending your food dollars.
Key Terms to Look For & Why:
Organic
Non-GMO
Chemical Free
Pesticide Free
Herbicide Free
Locally grown is ideal
Avoiding toxic chemicals as much as possible is essential to protecting your body against illness and disease. Produce that is grown without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides are not only void of those such toxins, but are also packed with more nutrients which equates to more flavor & more health benefits! Added bonus... supporting organic farming practices also helps to protect our water systems, other species and the entire eco-system! ♥︎ Bees ♥︎ Pro-tip: Farmer's markets are almost always the best option for the purest and freshest foods. Be sure to talk to your local farmers about their growing practices as many are growing organically but aren't "certified" due to the high cost of certification. Want fresh LOCAL & ORGANIC produce delivered right to your door step? CLICK HERE to check out Farm Cart Organics.
Seeds, Nuts, Beans, Legumes & Grains
Organic
Non-GMO
Chemical Free
Pesticide Free
Herbicide Free
Preparation
Raw
Soaked & Sprouted
Lightly Toasted in quality oil
Soaking & sprouting seeds, nuts, beans, legumes and grains prior to consuming breaks down their protective coating, making them much easier to digest as well as allows their nutrients to be more easily absorbed and utilized by your body. Soaking and sprouting will also help to alleviate many common digestive symptoms such as bloating, gas, constipation and diarrhea. Click here for a guide to Soaking & Sprouting. Check out Lark Ellen Farm's Organic Grain-free Granola & Sprouted Trail Mix - made in Ojai, CA!
Animal Proteins & Fats
Pasture Raised
Grass-fed / Grass-finished
Wild Caught
Dairy
Pasture Raised
Grass-fed / Grass Finished
Full Fat
Raw (Yes raw! Click here to learn why.)
Animal products are not the problem,
factory farming is! Humans have evolved eating nose to tail animal products for the span of our evolution. But the animals that our ancestors consumed were raised on their natural diets, outside in the sunshine while getting plenty of exercise. The sad truth is that over 90% of meat & dairy produced in the USA comes from animals that are confined and treated horrendously. They are fed completely unnatural diets of processed GMO grains/corn/soy plus antibiotics and growth hormones. These animals are not well and consuming them is contributing to the rise in chronic illness. When consuming animal products, be sure to choose pasture-raised & wild caught options as they will be comprised of quality fats, proteins, and vitamins that are an integral component of a well-balanced, nutrient dense diet. Interested in learning more about a true Pasture Raised farming operation? Click here to check out Primal Pastures in Temecula. You can tour the farm & order directly from them too!
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