Knowing Your Sources

The other night, I had the pleasure of a terrific (and private) fine dining experience.  Chef Jonathon Johnson (PapaBeav from Beavers) and Randy Rucker (Rainbow Lodge and Greensandbeans) came to a private residence to prepare a wonderful 6 course dinner.  We also were served (at least) 6 different Riazul Tequila cocktails to compliment each dish.  We had everything from Seviche to smoked Rabbit,  pulled pork and beans (Carnitas) , corn polenta with a mustard green marmalade, pumpkin Shrimp/flounder bisque and Churros with chocolate for dessert.  Each dish seemed more delectable than the next.  

When I talked to the chefs, they took me through the timeline of preparation.  The flounder and the fish was caught 2 days before and was very fresh.  In fact, Randy himself caught the fish in the Gulf.  And to that end the flounder was amazing.  Jonathon shops for fresh produce (Monica Pope's T'afia) when he prepares his menus.  He uses organic eggs, meat, and vegetables.  His goal is to support the local farmers and farmers markets in the area while of course, getting the freshest, best quality produce.  And yes, I CAN taste the difference!

Beavers uses grass fed beef in their food and offers a vegan selection on their menu.

This is a perfect example of looking for a dining experience where a chef values organic cooking and knowing the source of your food.  That being said, the carnitas had a great deal of fat, but it  had been marinating for many hours.  The meat was tender and the flavor pure heaven.  However, saturated fat IS good for you, so I say, "It's the holidays!  Have a little fat and be HEALTHY!!!"

For more information on your local farmer's markets, go to www.urbanharvest.com

A Votre Sante!

Jennifer

January is coming

As we enter the holiday season, let us remember to give thanks for a wonderful year and a new year ahead of us.  Let's remember to strive to respect our bodies, be mindful of what we eat and be open to new information.  Going forward look for blog articles on Sugar and Fats...especially the paradigm shift on these two subjects.  Sugar is quite dangerous (the average American consumes 150 pounds a year!!!) and we are learning more about the adverse effects each day.  And Fat is necessary and IMPORTANT, especially in it's unadulterated form.  

Happy Holidays to all of you!

Jennifer

Food, Inc at LuluLemon Athletica

Last week I held a terrific talkback after we screened the movie Food, Inc.  I think most of the audience (almost all had never seen the movie) were stunned in to silence.  And then the questions just kept going...the biggest question and most relevant of the night was, "How do I take what I see and apply it to how I live in a big city, like Houston?  Do I REALLY have control over my food choices?"  The answer is yes and I will tell you how.

Education is crucial to making strong choices on our health.  First, look for as much organic and unprocessed foods as possible.  Look for nutrient dense whole foods.  The more ingredients on the label, the more processed it is.  Most food contains a derivative of corn or soy.  If it does, put it back.  Do not subscribe to the big food industry's words "It's good for you.  It is cholesterol free, fat free, vitamin packed, etc."  Once a food is processed, it is stripped of it's natural nutrient.  Second, look for foods that are NOT GMO.  If it is genetically engineered, it must be put back.  GMO foods are linked to cancers, blood sugar handling issues (especially if it contains HFCS) and inflammation and heart disease.  And finally, buy foods that do not contain antibiotics, artificial dyes, nitrates or hormones.  If you are buying meats, opt for grass fed or better yet, grass finished beef.  Look for free range chicken and turkeys.  Opt for the humane treatment of animals.  Grass fed has more Omega 3's in it, vitamins A and E, and CLA (a healthy fat that has proven to be a cancer fighter).  I urge you to learn to cook easy simple meals and eat out less.  Eating out means that we have less control about knowing where are food comes from.  And it isn't convenient if we get sick.  Over 80 million people in this country have an undiagnosed endocrine problem...much of which comes from our food.

Be mindful of what you eat.  Eat slowly and in a parasympathetic state.  And be joyful of the quality foods you do eat.  Support your local farmers markets and farmers.  Buy their organic produce.  Go to www.urbanharvest.com for more information.

Eat well.  Stay well.  And remember, if it doesn't walk on land, swim in the sea, grow in the ground or fall from a tree, it's not food!

A votre Sante!

Jennifer

Next week, Nov 19 at 7pm (LuLuLemon Athletica in the Highland Village), I will be leading a seminar on Food, Inc.   This is a relevant film that discusses the problems in the food industry.  While the solutions are many but at times vague, the film touches on the economic disparity of the workers and farmers in this country in regards to competing with the large corporate machines that have the bulk of the food industry by a chokehold.

Come see this film.  I promise it will be both enlightening and engaging.  We will talk about politically correct nutrition, shopping for organic foods, and even how to maintain our health and weight over stressful times, like the holidays.  And afterwards, take care of a little shopping at Lulu!

See you there!

Welcome to HolHealth Therapy.  This blog has been created to talk about how to eat organically, protect your health and learn about disease.  Please keep checking in as I'll add more and more each week!

Watch for my blog on Food, Inc and Lulu Lemon Athletica's seminar on eating organically!

And remember, "If it doesn't walk on land, swim in the sea, grow in the ground or fall from a tree...it's not FOOD!"