Another day another food recall

Well if you haven't heard already heard there is another food recall. 
http://www.timescolonist.com/health/Hands+chips+dips+Salmonella+scare+could+spark+wide+snack+recall/2646614/story.html

This time it involves HVP and samonella. Another food additive:

"Acid-hydrolyzed vegetable protein, or HVP,is produced by boiling cereals or legumes, such as soy, corn, or wheat, in hydrochloric acid and then neutralizing the solution with sodium hydroxide. The acid hydrolyzes, or breaks down, the protein in vegetables into their component amino acids. The resulting dark coloured liquid contains, among other amino acids, glutamic acid, which consumers are more familiar with in the form of its sodium salt, monosodium glutamate, or MSG. It is used as a flavor enhancer in many processed foods.A similar product, from dairy origin, is hydrolyzed whey protein. Other sources of glutamate, sometimes used in conjunction with HVP, include autolyzed yeast extract and hydrolyzed yeast extract. Because of the high levels of MSG in hydrolyzed vegetable protein, people sensitive to MSG should avoid hydrolyzed vegetable protein. In the case of soy sauce, a residual of the soy protein hydrolyzation process creates the carcinogen 3-MCPD."

Now after reading that why would you intentionally eat it? Most processed food for that matter.  I think its about time that we stop eating processed food and start eating a more whole-foods diet. If we did then there would be less and less food born illness' and better options available to us in the market. Processed food is the slow death of our population and while it may be the easy way out it in the long run it isn't.

So for today I want you to go and look in your cupboard and pantry and see how much of this HVP is in there and choose to willingly get rid of it. Then go and enjoy an apple.

Namaste.

Relationships with food

Why is it the one continous relationship in our lives so destructive? What is the acceptance we are looking for in food?

I have had a very powerful, destructive, and disconnected relationship most of my life.  And as such developed Eating Disorders since I was 9 years old. To young to know the beauty and harmony that a relationship with food could have. Now that I am older eating is not something I enjoy but I love food and the sensuous seduction it brings to my life. And preparing that food for my family and friends beings me the joy I would not otherwise find in food.

Alot of people prepare food for their families without thinking about the impact it will have on them. How it manifests in each individual right down to a cellular level and becomes who they are.  So when you prepare food for others practice mindful preparation, think about what it will be, be in that moment and focus. Whenever I think about others not following this I think of the commercial where they feed the dog from a can and its this plop of greyish brown food that is so unappetizing that you wonder how any dog would eat it.

2 words in the Yogi tradition that we all need to bring to our lives and our relationships with food: satya - honesty; and brahmachary - moderation.

Get in touch and be honest about your relationship with food and how it is all powerful in your life.  Don't let that relationship control you, find the power you have within to make each meal what you want. Trust the wisdom you have inside and let it come through.

So today go find an apple and enjoy each and every bite.  Be in the moment.

Namaste.

Subjects of interest to blog about on this journey

Moment to moment approach to living rather than looking ahead and setting goals.

Trusting the intelligence inside of me.

Journey into eating more locally.

Weighing in - is it really necessary to everyday life or can it be used more as a healthy living guage on a weekly or monthly basis.  Being obsessed with weight.

Power foods and how to incorporate more of them into my life.

Self-care and pampering.

Kalos Kai Agathos - the singular balance of the good and the beautiful.

Reading lists.

Why am I worthy of getting healthy?

Mindful eating.

Build your vision and allow yourself to do the things you really want to do.

Computers

Day 1

It was recently pointed out to me that I spend alot of my time with the computer or the tv and not alot of time with others.

Lets examine this...

I have always been a lonely only and before the technology was available I spent it with books.  I blieve that from a young age it manifested in me as agorphobia (http://www.healthline.com/adamcontent/agoraphobia?utm_medium=ask&utm_source=smart&utm_campaign=article&utm_term=Agoraphobia&ask_return=Agoraphobia)

And now as a rational adult I now have a name to attach to it.

As I got older and the technology developed I became more isolated and chose this path.

5 years ago we were transfered here and with no support or family around me the computer became my life-line.  As I reached out to others around me and met with dismal failure or worse the more and more I turned to the only thing that didn't judge, lecture, or leave me on a regular basis (don't get me wrong I love my DH and what he has chosen to do). 

I think I would have spent less time with the computer had it not been for this, and then I was introduced to FB! A way to spend a day doing really nothing, yet connecting to the world around me.  I know, I have power over it and can walk away but why? It's social networking and entertainment and  don't have to suffer through the day-to-day interactions with others.  The only downside is being unfriended and not knowing the reason why and I know Iam guilty for it as well.  Or seeing someone elses post and not being able to help them.  But I am fine in this world.  Stop judging me. 

By the time other individuals entered into my world I had already left them behind and moved on.  It takes 21-days to forge a new habit and after 4 years my reality has changed.

So that is my rant.  I may spend alot of time here but at least I'm not alone.  I don't want to be judged or controlled by the decisions you make about when I am welcome into your world.

So thought of the day is.... Can I spend less time on the computer and more time doing other activities? Reading perhaps. My choice.

Tomorrow I would like to examine relationships to food.

Namaste on this this journey and welcome.