Before you throw anything away, ask these questions:

• Can this be recycled?
• Where can I take this?

Not Sure What to Do With Certain Items? Can it be Recycled?

Sometimes you may not know if certain items are recyclable, or where to take certain items that are unusual or hazardous. I have a fabulous website to share with you. Go to Earth911.com and type in the description of the item and your zip code. It will give you a list of local places that accept your recyclable item; if it’s acceptable with your curbside recycling program, it will even say so!

If the items aren’t recyclable, sometimes certain places will take them and find ways to use them or distribute them appropriately. Here are some common examples of items you may have questions about and can look up on Earth911.com:

• Batteries
• Car batteries
• Cassette tapes
• Cell phones
• Computers
• Gift cards
• Packing peanuts
• Paint
• Phonebooks
• Plastic bottle caps
• Styrofoam
• Televisions
• Toner cartridges
• Video tapes

So before you toss out ANYTHING, go to Earth911.com and check on your item. Who knows? You just might save it from the landfill!

Read all the posts in the Healthy Living series by clicking on the icon on the left.

You have probably heard that plastics contain dangerous chemicals such as Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, which mimic hormones in your body. They have been linked to ailments ranging from reproductive problems to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Hopefully you’ve taken steps to avoid BPA, like using only stainless steel drinking bottles or glass food storage containers.

But did you know that there is BPA in the lining of food and beverage cans as well? Yes, it’s true. The resin linings of tin cans contain bisphenol-A. Canned tomatoes are likely to have even higher levels of BPA; the high acidity of tomatoes causes more BPA to leach into food.

Can-Free Tomato Solution? Pomi Tomatoes in a Box are BPA Free

Thankfully there is an easy way to avoid BPA from canned tomatoes: Pomi tomatoes come in a BPA-free box!

Pomi tomatoes come straight from Italy and they contain one ingredient: tomatoes. Italy’s standards for tomatoes and farming all fresh produce are much stricter than here in the U.S. Here are some more great reasons to choose Pomi tomatoes:

Why Pomi Tomatoes are a Great Choice

• All natural: The only ingredient is tomatoes!
• Pesticide free: Pomi grows their tomatoes without pesticides; many consider it to be an organic product because of this.
• Non-GMO
• Grown in accordance to the EU’s regulations for eco-sustainable agriculture
• Packaging is recyclable and BPA free
• No preservatives, water, artificial flavor, additives, or citric acid
• Low in sodium

You can read more by going to www.pomionline.it and clicking on the British flag at the bottom.

My Thoughts

When I first opened the box, all I could smell was fresh tomatoes! If I didn’t know any better, I would have said they were straight from the garden. Seriously, they smelled that great. And when I used them in a meal, they tasted as good as the tomatoes my mom canned from her garden! I was very impressed!

Where to Buy Pomi Tomatoes

I have seen Pomi tomatoes in my local Whole Foods. But if you aren’t fortunate enough to have a store that carries Pomi tomatoes, you can always find them on my favorite online store: Amazon.com!

Go to Amazon.com now and buy Pomi’s Strained Tomatoes and Chopped Tomatoes. You will have peace of mind from buying a safe tomato product and you will be very happy with the taste! Enjoy!

[Disclosure: I received some samples of Pomi tomatoes from the marketing firm Think Cannon.  With that being said, the comments and opinions above are purely my own.]

Read all the posts in the Healthy Living series by clicking on the icon on the left.

Here is another great recipe find from a Whole Foods flier. This meal is a great summer option; it is light, cool, and easy to make. It is also high fiber, sugar conscious, gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and vegetarian – truly a meal for just about anybody!

You can also use whatever beans you have available; use what’s on sale, what’s in your garden, what you need to use up, or what your neighbor gave you.

Why I Like This Meal

We love that this is another vegetarian meal (it’s vegan, too). Quinoa is a complete protein so this is a full meal for us, or I should say a complete meal for us. It is on the light side. It could also be used as a side dish; it is my current favorite dish to bring to potluck meals.

• Pros: This meal is super easy to prepare and it only takes about 15-20 minutes. It is a cool, refreshing meal to have in the summer. It’s a great vegetarian option.
• Cons: None that I can think of. (Unless you want to count the fact that my newly-picky 3 year old won’t eat this meal, or any meal with beans. He used to eat this meal before he started this picky phase, though.)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup uncooked quinoa
• 1/2 lb green beans, trimmed, cut into 2″ pieces, cooked and rinsed in cold water
• 1 1/2 cups frozen shelled edamame, thawed
• 1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers
• 1  (15-oz) can salad beans, drained
• 1/2 cup Italian dressing
• 1 tsp dried tarragon
• Salt and pepper to taste

I use all organic ingredients

Directions:

1. Rinse quinoa in water and drain.
2. Bring two cups of water to boil in small pot. Stir in quinoa, reduce heat, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender and liquid is absorbed (10-15 minutes). When finished cooking, uncover and let cool.
3. Cook green beans in small pot to desired tenderness. When finished cooking, let cool.
4. In large bowl, combine quinoa, green beans, edamame, red peppers, salad beans, dressing, tarragon, salt, and pepper and toss well.
5. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Note: To save time, I make this in the afternoon. I combine all ingredients while they are still warm and then refrigerate the entire salad for a few hours until dinner time. It works well!

the finished salad - yummy!

Note: I don’t use red peppers since I’m not a fan of them. But if you like them, I’m sure they would add something extra!

Read all the posts in the Healthy Living series by clicking on the icon on the left.

When I first came across this recipe, the ingredient combinations weren’t something I was used to and did sound a bit odd. But I decided to try it and I’m glad I did – it was delicious!

Why I Like This

• Pros: This is a really easy recipe, especially if you have the chicken cooked ahead of time. It is also light and cool, which tastes great during the hot summer. Oh, and my 3 year old gobbles this up!
• Con: There was no picture to look at and I was confused by the directions for cutting the pita, so I guessed. And my pita was not cooperative and very crumbly. Hopefully you have better luck with your pitas.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt
• 1/2 cup chopped green chilies
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 4 pita pockets, cut in half (not all the way through)
• 3/4 lb. skinless, boneless chicken tenders, cooked and shredded
• 1/2 cup chopped red onions
• 1/2 cup peeled and chopped cucumber
• 1 mango, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 cup shredded lettuce

Note: I didn’t use chilies or onions.

chicken, cucumber, mango mixture

Directions:

1. Combine mayonnaise, yogurt, chilies, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Mix until completely blended.
2. Generously spread mayonnaise mixture on inside of pita pockets.
3. In a medium bowl, combine chicken, red onions, cucumber, and mango. Toss until mixed.
4. Divide chicken mixture among pitas.
5. Sprinkle with shredded lettuce and serve.

finished results (it would look nicer if my pita wasn't crumbling apart)

If you try it, let me know what you think!

Read all the posts in the Healthy Living series by clicking on the icon on the left.

We are in the middle of summer and for many people that means more picnics, barbecues, birthday parties, graduation parties, family reunions, class reunions, camping trips, hikes, bridal showers, baby showers, or just nights when you don’t feel like doing the dishes. What do all these occasions have in common? They are all reasons we buy disposable plates, cups, bowls, and utensils.

Facts About Disposables

• Approximately 64 billion paper cups and plates are discarded every year in the USA
• Approximately 73 billion styrofoam plates and cups are discarded every year in the USA.
• Approximately 190 billion plastic containers and bottles are discarded every year in the USA.

Problems With Disposables

• Paper disposables are made from wood fiber and are causing the destruction of millions of acres of forests.
• Plastic and styrofoam disposables are made from petroleum-based chemicals, are pollution causing, and are non-biodegradable.

Definitions

• Biodegradable: A product will break down into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass within a reasonable amount of time in the natural environment.
• Compostable: Biodegradable, but with an added benefit; when they break down, they release valuable nutrients into the soil, aiding the growth of trees and plants. These products degrade within several months in an industrial composting facility and produce no toxic residues.
• Sustainable: Process or state that can be maintained at a certain level indefinitely.

It is environmentally-preferable to use disposable products that are labeled ‘compostable’ rather than just ‘biodegradable’.

Importance of Choosing Biodegradable and Compostable Disposables

Biodegradable and compostable food service disposables provide a sustainable alternative to the styrofoam, plastic, and paper products.

• They are made from readily renewable sources like bamboo, leaves,sugarcane fiber, corn, and potato.
• They take less energy to manufacture.
• They are not made from toxic or pollution-causing sources.
• They can be composted to reduce the amount of waste generated.
• They can also help reduce waste collection bills in counties and cities, which have a food waste/green waste pickup.

Verterra Dinnerware: Made From Fallen Leaves

Verterra dinnerware is made from fallen leaves; how cool is that?! The leaves are collected, steamed, heated, and pressurized. The plates are produced in India where the type of palm leaves used are plentiful.

Verterra dinnerware comes in plates and bowls. Although somewhat pricey (~$1.25/plate), they are by far the best looking eco-friendly disposable plates. They would work well for any occasion where you wanted a little extra-special flare. They are durable and do not absorb the food they touch. Although the company is not legally allowed to recommend reuse, customers have hand washed them and reused them several times (up to 10 times). They are also sun resistant, oven safe, and microwave safe (within reason).

Benefits:

• Non-Toxic: Made from only two products: fallen leaves and water. They contain no plastics, glues, lacquers, or any other kind of adhesive that would potentially leech into food.
• Sustainable: Verterra is made from fallen leaves, steam, heat and pressure only. No plants or trees are cut down to make Verterra. The fallen leaves are otherwise usually burned.
• Biodegradable: Will completely biodegrade in two months when placed in a landfill or compost bin.
• Compostable: Verterra dinnerware is BPI-certified compostable and tests show that compost that contains Verterra enhances plant growth over 15%.

StalkMarket Dinnerware: Made From Sugarcane Fiber

StalkMarket is headquartered in Portland OR and makes compostable products from bagasse, a sugarcane fiber-based paperboard. They make a wide array of plates, bowls, and cups.

Their products are microwave and freezer safe, as well as grease and cut resistant. They are also non-chlorine bleached. They are similarly priced to other disposable items (~$0.12/plate (9″)), which allows you to make a positive product selection.

Benefits:

• Sustainable: Made from sugarcane fiber, a rapidly renewable resource.
• Bidegradable: 100% compostable in approximately 30-90 days in a commercial composting facility. Home compostable as well.
• Composable: Certified compostable by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) and ASTM.

World Centric Dinnerware: Made From Wheat Straw, Corn Starch

World Centric makes compostable food service disposables for use in schools, hospitals, and restaurants as well as for home use. Their dinnerware products for home use include bowls, several styles and sizes of plates, and utensils. Their plates and bowls are made from wheat straw – not trees. Some bowls are made from bagasse, the sugarcane fiber leftover after juice extraction. Their utensils are made from non-GMO corn starch. As the company likes to say, they are “Made from plants, not petroleum”.

They are unbleached and are light brown in color. They are reasonably priced, approximately $0.56/plate (10″).

Benefits:

• Sustainable: Corn, sugar cane, and wheat straw fiber used to make their products are annually renewable resources. Additionally, less energy is used to make their products (they can make three plates or bowls vs. one styrofoam).
• Biodegradable: Their products will biodegrade in various amounts of time, but do require composting for biodegradation. (Corn starch utensils, 6-12 months in a commercial composting facility, 12-18 months in your backyard; wheat straw plates and bowls, one month in a commercial composting system, three months in your backyard.)
• Compostable: Cornstarch products are certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute. The bagasse or wheat straw products are ASTM 6400 certified.

Bambu Dinnerware: Made from Organic Bamboo

Bambu Veneerware is made from 100% organically grown bamboo, peeled directly from the bamboo stalk. They make plates in three sizes, utensils, and sporks intended for single use. (They do make other products that are for the home/reuse.)

They are on the pricier side (~$1.35/plate (11″)) but are nice looking plates; they could be used for ‘fancier’ events such as weddings or other catered events.

Benefits:

• Non-Toxic: There are no harmful bleaches or dyes in this product.
• Sustainable: Bamboo is a renewable resource.
• Biodegradable: Biodegrades in 4-6 months.

Bare Dinnerware: Made from Bamboo, Sugarcane

Bare by Solo makes several types of disposable plates.

The renewable dinner plates are made from plant-based renewable resources (bamboo). They are cut-resistant, microwave-safe, and free of bleaches, dyes, inks, an fragrances. They cost approximately $0.21/plate.

The special occasion plates are made from annually renewable sugarcane and are compostable at commercial composting facilities.

Reusables Are Best, Smart Disposables are Second-Best

With all this talk of disposables, I feel it’s important to remind ourselves that reusable plates are best; ideally we don’t want to throw anything away. But we live in a throw away society and there are times when disposables might be a good option. But please consider treading lightly on the Earth if you do choose disposables; choose some of these biodegradable and compostable options. A slightly higher price (in some cases) is a small price to pay for our Earth home.

Read all the posts in the Healthy Living series by clicking on the icon on the left.

Because many toddlers and children seem to be picky eaters, many parents supplement their children’s diets with a multi-vitamin. But if you choose a children’s vitamin common on grocery store shelves you are probably getting a synthetic vitamin that not only may not help them as much as you think, but is also filled with stuff that may actually harm them. Mike Adams from NaturalNews.com actually lists synthetic vitamins as one of the 20 things more dangerous for children than lead paint in toys.

Problems With Synthetic Vitamins

• Synthetic vitamins are not as readily absorbed by the body as whole food nutrients are. Your body can absorb vitamins when all parts of the complex are present. In the case of a synthetic, isolated nutrient (a fraction of a vitamin), your body must supply the other parts of the complex, thus creating more work and deficiencies.
• Synthetic vitamins (especially for children) often contain harmful ingredients, such as artificial flavors, artificial colorings, sugars, artificial sweeteners, hydrogenated oils, and preservatives. (For example, check out the ingredients for Flintstone’s Complete and Centrum Kids.)
• Synthetic vitamins often contain allergens.

Whole Food Supplements

Whole food supplements are made from concentrated whole foods. The vitamins in these supplements are not isolated; they combine a variety of enzymes, coenzymes, antioxidants, trace elements, activators, and many other unknown or undiscovered factors all working together synergistically to enable this vitamin complex to do its job in your body.

Dr. Mercola provides more information about whole food supplements vs synthetic.

Phytonutrients

We have all heard about the vitamins and minerals we need, like Vitamin A and C, but not much is talked about the phytonutrients in food. Phytonutrients come from plants and act as anti-oxidants, cancer inhibitors, immune system boosters, and reduce genetic damage due to pollution and environmental toxins. To get the thousands of phytonutrients, we need to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables in all colors; a rainbow of nutrition.

Natural Whole Food-Based Vitamins for Kids

When I look for supplements, I look for ones that are as close as possible to its natural form. (I want to remind you to read my disclaimer. I am not a medical doctor and you should always consult your physician for medical advice and opinions before you try any of these ideas. I am providing this information for educational purposes and sharing what works for me.)

Here are a few children’s vitamins that I think are good:

New Chapter Organics EveryKid

This multivitamin is in powder form (in packets) and comes in three flavors: Brilliant Berries, Awesome Apple, and Goodness Grape (sold exclusively at Whole Foods). We use this vitamin for our three-year-old son. We open the packet and sprinkle half of it in some applesauce. You can also dissolve it in water or they can eat it plain, right out of the packet!

We love that New Chapter EveryKid is organic! They are also gluten free, vegetarian, and contain no artificial colors or flavors. The fruit powder blend includes organic strawberries, cherries, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries.

New Chapter provides some information on children’s health.

Amazing Grass Kidz SuperFood

Another whole food-based vitamin in powder form is the Amazing Grass Kidz SuperFood. It comes in two flavors, wild berry and chocolate, and you can buy it in a canister or a box of individual serving size packets. You can mix the chocolate powder with milk or water; you can mix the wild berry powder with water, juice, or in a smoothie.

Amazing Grass combines 33 rainbow colored fruits and vegetables to take advantage of all those phytonutrients. For example, here are some of the whole food ingredients: Organic Wheat Grass, Organic Barley Grass, Organic Alfalfa, Asparagus, Lima Beans, Green Peas, Kale, Kiwi, Organic Spinach, Organic Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Green Beans, Zucchini – and those are just the Greens!

It contains so many nutrients from whole foods that just one 6 gram serving has the antioxidant equivalent to three servings of fruits and vegetables. Amazing Grass provides the list of ingredients and nutritional breakdown.

Here are some other great features:

• Low sugar
• No artificial colors, flavors, fillers, or other unnecessary ingredients.
• Non dairy, Gluten free, Decaffeinated
• Non-GMO, Vegan
• Certified Organic

Dr. Fuhrman Pixie-Vites

This is another vitamin that is in powder form (in a packet). The berry flavor is sure to be loved by kids; they can eat it right out of the package, or it can be mixed in food, water, or juice. Pixie–Vites contain no artificial sweeteners, flavors or colors, no corn syrup, no preservatives, no wheat, no gluten, no soy, no dairy, and no aspartame. There is no isolated vitamin A or beta carotene.

They only use whole food extracts from over 30 high–nutrient vegetables and fruits with nature’s full spectrum of carotenoids and phytochemicals. Some of the ingredients are pineapple, broccoli, carrots, tomato, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, celery, kale, spinach, strawberry, watermelon, radish, cantaloupe, cherry, onion, papaya, peach, pear, leek, yellow pepper, and pomegranate!

You can view the fact sheet for more information and to view the nutrition label.

For more information, you can read Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s thoughts on children’s health and see his vitamin advisor (for adults and kids).

Hero Nutritional Wholefood Yummi Bears

This vitamin comes in gummy form, which is sure to be a hit with kids. Of course, you’d want to be sure your child is able to chew and swallow safely and doesn’t treat them like candy (eating more than the daily amount).

Wholefood Yummi Bears are made with certified organic vegetable and fruit concentrate, which includes the following: Apples, Blackberry, Blueberry, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Papaya, Parsley, Plum, Purple Grape, Raspberry, Spinach, Tomatoes.

Yummi Bears are free of:

• Yeast, wheat, milk, egg, soy, salt
• Peanuts, shellfish, gluten, casein
• Artificial colors, artificial flavors, salicylates, and preservatives.

Yummi Bears also come in an Organic vitamin, but it is not whole food-based.

Food First

With all the talk of vitamins, it is important to remember that we really should be getting our nutrition from a wide variety of healthy, real foods; vitamins are not meant to be a replacement for food. I think we tend to rely too heavily on our supplements to provide what we need. While they are good to have, let’s not forget how important a healthy diet is.

Read all the posts in the Healthy Living series by clicking on the icon on the left.

Back away from the bacon. Hold off on that hot dog. Don’t touch deli meat sandwiches.

After reviewing 7,000 studies covering links between diet and cancer, the World Cancer Research Fund came out with a bold conclusion: Processed meats are too dangerous for human consumption.

What is Processed Meat?

Many people may not know the difference between processed meat and non-processed meat (fresh meat).

• Fresh meat has only one ingredient – the meat! Fresh meat is refrigerated, has a very short shelf life, and is usually packaged in simple wrappers.
• Processed meat has many ingredients and is usually packaged for long-tern shelf life. These products almost always contain sodium nitrite, a cancer-causing chemical additive.

Dangerous Chemicals in Processed Meat

Sodium nitrite is a chemical additive that meat companies use as a color fixer; it turns the meat bright red makes it look fresh.

• It is highly carcinogenic once it enters the human body, wreaking havoc on internal organs, especially the liver and pancreas.
• It is widely regarded as a toxic ingredient. The USDA actually tried to ban this additive in the 1970s but was vetoed by food manufacturers who complained they had no alternative for preserving packaged meat products.

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is another dangerous chemical found in most processed meat products.

• It is an excitotoxin, which means it overexcites your cells to the point of damage or death, which leads to neurological problems such as migraine headaches, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Lou Gehrig’s disease.
• It also leads to loss of appetite control, obesity, infertility, and reproductive disorders.

In addition to these chemicals, the animal fat used to make processed meat contains toxic chemicals, heavy metals, environmental pollutants. Fat tissues tend to concentrate whatever pollutants are found in the diet of the animal.

Processed Meat Connected To Cancer

The link between consumption of processed meats and cancer is very strong. After a five-year project spanning 7,000 studies, cancer researchers published their conclusion in the World Cancer Research Fund’s report, Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective (2007). They declared that all people should immediately stop buying and eating processed meat products and that all processed meat should be avoided for life! The report can be downloaded free at dietandcancerreport.org.

The chemical additives in processed meats are known to greatly increase the risk of:

• Pancreatic cancer (67% increased risk)
• Colorectal cancer
• Breast cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Leukemia (74% increased risk)
• Brain tumors
• Diabetes (40% increased risk)
• Heart disease

Do You Need a Visual Reason Not to Eat Processed Meat?

Mike Adams from NaturalNews.com provides some, um, interesting photos of processed meat in his Mystery Meat Macrophotography article.

How To Protect Yourself

1. Boycott processed meat for life. Do not buy it, eat it at a restaurant, or at social events. Do not let your kids eat it at school.
2. Read ingredient labels and do not buy meat that contains sodium nitrite or monosodium glutamate (MSG).
3. If you want to eat meat, choose only fresh, organic, free-range meat.
4. Educate yourself!

• You can read more about dangerous chemicals in the food supply in the book Grocery Warning System by Mike Adams. Or download his free Honest Food Guide from HonestFoodGuide.org.
• Check out the book The Hundred-Year Lie: How to Protect Yourself from the Chemicals That Are Destroying Your Health by Randall Fitzgerald.

As Mike Adams from NaturalNews.com says:

Processed meats promote cancer. There is simply no question about the scientific validity of that statement, and anyone who disagrees with it is either working for the meat industry or hopelessly behind the times on their nutritional research.

No industry wants to admit their product is unsafe. Remember tobacco companies insisting cigarettes weren’t bad for your health? The processed meat industry is no different. So you have to make your own decisions. Educate yourself so you can make the best decisions when you shop for food. Saving money now may be costly to your health in the future.

Read all the posts in the Healthy Living series by clicking on the icon on the left.

(photo courtesy Afonso Lima)

I recently shared with you the dangers of artificial colorings, especially for children. By now, perhaps you’ve seen how prevalent artificial colorings are, especially in non-food items. If you are ready to take the next step and remove artificial colorings from your life, here are a few things you can do:

Read Labels

Read the ingredient labels of all the products you buy (not just food) and avoid artificial colorings. It may take a little time to figure out better options, but it is absolutely possible and really not too difficult. Health food stores are a great place to look for safer alternatives.

The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) has a Brain Food Selector that you can use to find information about the dyes in your child’s favorite foods. While you are there, check out their Smart Guide to Food Dyes for more information on health concerns for children from artificial food dyes.

If you need a medication and are not sure if it contains colors, you can check online at rxlist.com. If your medication is made with colors, contact a compounding pharmacy to see if they can do it without all the colors. A list of compounding pharmacies can be found at iacprx.org.

Natural Food Colorings Do Exist!

Natural food colorings are a way to add coloring to foods without the negative side-effects found in artificial colorings. Natural food colorings are derived from various fruits and vegetables and therefore high in bioflavonoids, antioxidants, and polyphenols which are beneficial when added to your diet. For example:

• Blue is often made from red cabbage and glycerin.
• Red is often made from red beets.
• Yellow is often made from turmeric.
• Orange is often made from beta carotene.

Where to Buy Natural Food Coloring

Here are a few brands I have found:

• India Tree Natural Decorating Colors come in a pack of three colors: red, yellow, and blue. They are sold at Whole Foods for about $20 and online at Amazon.com; however that link is for a set of two packages. Maybe you could split the order with a friend?
• Seelect Tea offers many colors in their line of natural food colorings; they even have some organic, vegan, and gluten-free colorings. Amazon.com carries a few colors and Nature’s Flavors carries quite a few more. Of course you can buy them from their website, too.
• Chefmaster has a line of natural food coloring which is also gluten-free. You can find them online at Baker’s Nook.
• Nature’s Flavors was one of the first companies to develop natural food colorings. Most of their food colorings are kosher, gluten-free, organic, and vegan.

I bought the India Tree pack of colors at Whole Foods when I made my son’s birthday cake; I was very happy with how well they worked!

Alternative Items for Parties and Events

When holidays and special events come around, it seems to also mean food with coloring! But there are ways to still have some sweet treats without the synthetic dyes.

• India Tree also makes many colors of decorating sugars (sprinkles) for the top of cakes and cupcakes. They even make some in the shape of snowflakes.
• Amy over at Crunchy Domestic Goddess wrote a great article with instructions on dyeing Easter eggs naturally.
• For more Easter egg dying tips, you can check out Organic.org.

I bought a pack of the India Tree natural colorings when I wanted to make my son’s birthday cakes this year. The following two cakes were made by me and the icing was colored naturally – even the painted-on flames!

How to Make Your Own Food Coloring

You can make your own natural food coloring by using certain foods. Some popular choices are:

• Avocado
• Beets
• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Raspberries
• Turmeric

For my son’s birthday last year, I used frozen blueberries to color the icing. I was hoping for blue, but as you can see it turned out more like lavender.

Here are some ideas for homemade coloring, by color:

• Green: Juice some vegetables like kale, parsley, or spinach. For a lighter green blend in avocados. Matcha Green Tea Powder also works.
• Pink/Red: Juice berries, cherries, cranberries, red pepper, beets, dark red tomatoes, pomegranate juice, chili powder, or paprika powder.
• Purple/Blue: Juice blueberries, blackberries, juiced or boiled red cabbage, radicchio, eggplant skin, acai juice, black or purple grapes.
• Yellow/Orange: Juice yellow beets, yellow pepper, pineapple, carrots, or turmeric powder.
• Brown: Coffee powder, cocoa powder.

Choose produce that is dark or concentrated in color. And keep in mind those fruits and veggies that are known for staining; they are perfect for making food coloring!

Read all the posts in the Healthy Living series by clicking on the icon on the left.

Recently I’ve told you about a few food additives that are detrimental to one’s health and should be removed from your diet: high fructose corn syrup and MSG. I hope you have been reading food labels and steering clear of items with those ingredients. I have a new food additive for you to be aware of and also start removing from your diet: artificial food colorings.

Health Concerns Regarding Artificial Colorings

Listed on Mercola.com as one of the 12 food additives to avoid, artificial colors have been linked to many health issues:

• Cancer and brain tumors: In fact, more than one artificial color has been banned and pulled off the market over the last several decades because it was ultimately found to cause cancer. The safety of those still allowed on the market is highly questionable.
• Allergies, asthma, rashes: As long ago as 1985 some of the artificial colorings, especially Yellow 5, were associated with side effects such as allergies, asthma, and urticaria (hives). The connection between Yellow 5 and asthma was the reason the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first required it to be listed by name on ingredient labels. Even today some medications for asthma actually contain these colorings and other chemicals known to cause bronco-constriction.
• ADHD, hyperactivity, and other disruptive behaviors: The effects of these artificial colorings may be more pronounced in children since they are still growing and developing and their systems may be more sensitive to the effects.

The FDA still considers these artificial colorings acceptable in food. Maybe that’s because the FDA receives compensation from the manufacturer for every pound of food dye it certifies (not inspects). (Details are in 21 CFR part 80.) This sounds like a conflict of interest in regard to the safety of these dyes.

Some groups, including the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), insist artificial food colorings aren’t safe and want them banned. In 2008, the CSPI petitioned the FDA to ban artificial food dyes linked to behavior problems.

Behavior Controversy

The issue of whether or not artificial colors contribute to behavioral problems in children has been disputed for many years. In the 1970s Dr. Ben Feingold, a San Francisco allergist, reported that his patients improved when their diets were changed (by removing syntheic dyes, artificial flavors, and several preservatives). He also noticed a marked increase in the ADD/ADHD classification after the mass introduction of food colorings into our society. Many people, including the processed-food industry, reacted to Feingold’s claim with skepticism, saying the reported successes of his diet could be due to something else, and not necessarily to the absence of certain chemicals in the food.

Newer Study Shows Link

However, a 2007 study published in the British medical journal The Lancet concluded that a variety of common artificial food colorings, as well as the preservative sodium benzoate, do cause some increased hyperactivity and decreased attention span in a wide range of children, not just those for whom over-activity has been diagnosed as a learning problem.

That study also indicated that artificial food colorings do as much damage to children’s brains as lead in gasoline, resulting in a significant reduction in IQ.

As a result of the study’s findings, the British Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued an immediate advisory to parents, warning them to limit their children’s intake of additives. Also, artificial food colorings were set to be removed from hundreds of products in the UK, as reported in 2008 in the British magazine The Independent. Not surprisingly, the U.S. has not issued any similar warnings.

What is in Artificial Food Coloring?

• They are made from petroleum (derivatives of coal tar and petrochemicals). These chemicals are in no way made to be ingested by humans or any other animal.
• They contain heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, and mercury. Scientists agree that there is no safe level of exposure to lead. Lead accumulates in the body from multiple exposures over time and from multiple sources. You can also view the lists for each coloring on the FDA’s website. (Just click on the numbered link to the left of the color name.)

According to toxicologist Barbara G. Callahan, PhD, DABT, of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, “Lead exposure among children is a particular concern because their developing bodies absorb lead at a higher rate and because children are particularly sensitive to lead’s toxic effects, including decreased I.Q.” Lead exposure also represents a heightened risk among pregnant and nursing women because lead passes from the mother to the developing fetus or infant.

Why is Artificial Food Coloring Used?

Artificial food colorings provide no nutrition or benefits to the consumer; only benefits to the manufacturer.

• They are cheaper than natural colorings and have a longer shelf life.
• They make food brighter which makes us want to buy it.
• They provide identity to foods.
• They mask natural variations in color.
• They offsett color loss due to light, air, extremes of temperature, moisture, and storage conditions.
• They are used for decorative or artistic purposes.

Where Are Artificial Food Colorings?

They are everywhere! If you buy packaged food at mainstream grocery stores, there is a good chance there are food colorings in much of the food. They are in obvious places like candies, sodas, and many bright foods. But they are also in places you might not think about, like blueberry bagels, vitamins, and salmon.

What Should I Look For?

There are nine certified color additives approved for food use in the United States; seven for general use in food, two for exteriors of food. They are either dyes or lakes; dyes are water soluble and lakes are the water insoluble form of the dye. They will be listed on an ingredient label as follows:

• with ‘FD&C’ preceding the color (FD&C stands for Food, Drug, and Cosmetic)
• abbreviated, with just the color
• the color followed by ‘Lake’ (if the lake form is used)

For example, you might see FD&C Blue #1, or just Blue 1, or Blue 1 Lake.

Here is a list of the seven current artificial food colorings as well as common places they may be found and some related health concerns :

• Blue 1: Found in pet food, beverages, candy, baked goods, icings, and syrups. Linked to tumors, cancer, and ADHD in children. Banned in Finland and France.
• Blue 2: Found in pet food, beverages, candy, and baked goods and linked to cancer in mice.
• Green 3: Added to candy and beverages, this coloring has been linked to bladder cancer.
• Red 3: Used to dye cherries, fruit cocktail, candy, and baked goods and has been shown to cause thyroid tumors in rats. Also used as a pesticide to kill flies’ eggs (maggots) in manure piles (source: US EPA).
• Red 40: The most widely used food color; used in sweets, drinks, and condiments. Connected to cancer in mice. Banned in Denmark, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, and Norway.
• Yellow 5: Used in snacks, cereals, jams, instant noodle, cake mixes, and candy and causes allergic reactions, asthma attacks, migraines, blurred vision, anxiety, and behavioral problems (worsening of hyperactivity and attention-deficit) in children.
• Yellow 6: Found in beverages, sausage, baked goods, candy, gelatin and linked to tumors of the adrenal gland and kidney. This color is banned in Norway and Sweden.

Here are the two artificial colors approved for use on the exterior of food:

• Orange B: Used in casings or surfaces of frankfurters and sausages.
• Citrus Red 2: Used on skins of oranges not intended for processing.

Also, watch out for carmine. Cochineal, also known as carmine, is made from dried, ground up red beetles and is used as a coloring ingredient in yogurt, ice cream, juice drinks, and many other grocery products. Obviously, it is neither vegan nor vegetarian. It has also been known to cause severe, even life-threatening, allergic reactions in rare cases. You can read government discussion about labeling foods containing carmine.

Other Products Containing Artificial Coloring:

Artificial colors aren’t just in soda and junk food. Here are a few other places to be on the lookout for artificial colorings:

• Medications: D&C colors are permitted only in cosmetics and in medications (and given to sick children) and are often allowed to have twice the amount of lead contaminant as colorings allowed in food. Tylenol Infants’ Concentrated Drops (grape) contain D&C Red #33 and FD&C Blue #1.
• Vitamins: Many vitamins, especially children’s vitamins, contain artificial colorings. For example, Flintstones vitamins contain Red 40, Yellow 6, and Blue 2. (They also contain aspartame.)
• Salmon: Some farmers add red food dye to their salmon to make them appear more appetizing.
• Cosmetic items: Shampoo, lotion, soap, chapstick, toothpaste etc. can all contain artificial colorings. For example, Johnson&Johnson Baby Shampoo contains D&C Yellow 10 and D&C Orange 4.
• Oranges: Some manufacturers dip oranges in Citrus Red No. 2 in order to give them a brighter orange look. This is not used on oranges that are processed for juice, but on those we sit down to eat.
• Sports drinks / Rehydration drinks: Sports drinks (like Gatorade and Powerade) are loaded with artificial colors and they have no purpose other than to make the product look more appealing. The same is true for re-hydration solutions like Pedialyte.
• Fruit juice cocktails: Fruit punch, cocktails, and other mixture juices can have artificial colorings added. For example, Sunny Delight contains Yellow 5 and 6.
• Cheese: Some companies add coloring to their cheese to make it brighter.

Surprise! Artificial Coloring in Foods You Wouldn’t Expect

Here are more foods that you might not think have artificial food colorings in them just by looking at them. This shows how much you really have to read the ingredient labels on everything you buy:

• Kraft’s Guacamole Dip gets its greenish color not from avocados (there are almost none) but from Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Blue 1. (It also contains MSG, partially hydrogenated oils, and sodium benzoate, among others.)
• Kraft Macaroni and Cheese contains Yellow 5 and Yellow 6.
• The blue bits in Aunt Jemima Blueberry Waffles are blue thanks to Red 40 and Blue 2, not real blueberries.
• Girl Scout Cookies don’t outwardly seem like they would have artificial colorings in them, but several of the cookies do indeed contain artificial colorings. Caramel deLites and Peanut Butter Patties each contain Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, and Blue 2.

Gone From the U.K. But Good for the U.S.?

The CSPI reports that many big companies sell different versions of foods in the United Kingdom with natural food colorings, while in the United States they contain artificial coloring. For example:

• Mars has eliminated some or all of the dyes from its Starburst Chews, Skittles, and M&M’S candies in Britain, but not in the United States.
• In the UK, McDonald’s strawberry sauce for sundaes are colored with actual strawberries; however in the United States, the same strawberry sauce is colored with Red 40.

My Thoughts

Some children have strong reactions to artificial colorings and others not at all, indicating there are individual differences in how well your body can tolerate the assault of artificial additives. One theory is that the additives may trigger a release of histamines in certain sensitive kids.

Regardless, I believe that artificial colorings (as well as other food additives such as preservatives and sweeteners) should be avoided as much as possible, especially with children, regardless of whether they have an obvious effect or not. They have no nutritional value and can carry long-term health risks. Really, it’s an easy step to take. It may mean a bit more effort on your part to shop for better options, but isn’t your health worth it?

Even if you think a little can’t hurt, what are the possibilities for exposure in any given day? For example, is your child drinking a sports drink or a fruit juice with coloring? Does their antibiotic contain coloring? What about the macaroni and cheese you made for dinner last night? What are the cumulative effects of this exposure? Are you willing to take that risk?

What Now?

So start reading the ingredients labels on everything you buy, and start saying NO to anything with artificial colorings. Soon I will have a follow-up article showing you how to avoid products with artificial coloring, alternatives for different items and events, where to buy natural food coloring, and even how to make your own!

As always, let me know if you have any comments or questions!

More Information:

• Tartrazine FD&C Yellow #5 on Feingold.org
• FD&C Coloring Research Information on Feingold.org
• Research on Food Dyes and Flavorings on Feingold.org
• Artificial Food and Cosmetic Coloring – A Hidden Source of Toxic Metals on bluedominoes.com
• The Unhealthy Truth: One Mother’s Shocking Investigation into the Dangers of America’s Food Supply–and What Every Family Can Do to Protect Itself by Robyn O’Brien

Read all the posts in the Healthy Living series by clicking on the icon on the left.

Cheesy lentils is probably our family’s most often used staple meal; we have it at least every other week due to its simplicity and great taste! This is a great meal to work into your rotation, especially if you are looking for an easy meal.

Why I Like This

We usually have these ingredients on hand so this is often a meal we can fall back on if plans change. There is practically no work involved with this meal! This is also a great gluten free meal, as well.

• Pros: This meal has the quickest preparation time of any I know: 5 minutes! And after you toss everything into the oven to bake, there is nothing else to do – easy!
• Con: The cooking time is one hour. So while it is quick and easy to prepare, you have to wait awhile before it’s done.

Ingredients:

Try to use organic ingredients, if possible.

• 1 cup green lentils
• 1 cup brown rice
• 1 box vegetable broth (32 oz.)
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1. Rinse lentils and rice and place in 9″ x 9″ x 2″ casserole dish (or whatever you think will work).
2. Add vegetable broth and stir.
3. Cover and bake in oven at 375° F for 50 minutes.
4. Remove from oven and sprinkle grated cheese on top.
5. Cover and place back in oven for 5-10 more minutes, until cheese starts to turn golden brown.
6. Remove from oven, uncover, and let it sit for a few minutes.
7. Serve with a salad or some vegetables.
8. Enjoy!

Read all the posts in the Healthy Living series by clicking on the icon on the left.