Big thanks to Breanna for passing along this article from The Toronto Star. 

Writer Vanessa Lu reports on the idea of growing organic food in public spaces like on the side of the Gardiner or on grassy medians like those on University Avenue. 

It’s a great idea, but I’m not sure I would be so enthusiastic about eating a salad that had been washed in commuter traffic pollution.  The idea of growing locally is great, but it has to be practical and I just don’t see how this would work.  

In addition to the problem with pollution, who would do the weeding and other necessary care for the plants? How would the food be sold? How would theft be prevented? Would it cause yet more rodent infestations in our city?  

Details aside, I love the idea of garden sharing. I do not have any green space and it’s something I dearly miss once summer hits the city.  Does anyone in the Annex need help in their garden?  I would be interested in an exchange of labour for food!

So last week I wrote about how disappointing carob “chocolate” is in place of chocolate.  Thanks to Jane–who suggested I try Dance in the Rain Chocolate–I found some fantastic, organic, guilt-free chocolate. 

This week, my friend Nicki suggested cocoa bean chips.  Since the chips are made from whole, cracked cocoa beans, there are no unwanted extras like white sugar or other nasty additives or preservatives. The chips are not sweet at all, but they provide all of the chocolate-y goodness I sometimes crave and they smell so good!

The cocoa chips do not get two thumbs up over the Dance in the Rain chocolate, but they’re a good alternative and better than carob! 

Thanks to Panos Voudouris on Flickr for the pic!

I saw a great video that Meghan did and I wanted to share it with you guys:  

Did you guys ever do science experiments in grade school? You know, the kind where you have to enlist your parents to help you out? Well it seems I’ll be doing another one this year. In an effort to get some great local food, I’m going to make like Meghan and try to grow some of my own veggies in my apartment…and I’ll be asking my dad to help. 

Wish me luck!

I enjoy chocolate.  Whether it’s milk, dark, plain, bubbled or filled with dried fruit and nuts–I like it all.  As much as I like it, I’m not crazy about it.  I’m not one of those women who, if I’ve had a bad day, crave chocolate. If I’m PMS-ing, I would rather have a savoury, salty something rather than a chocolate bar. But every so often, I enjoy a high-quality piece of European chocolate.

Much like “cheese”, “chocolate” is something that I would rather not eat.  ”Chocolate” is nothing like chocolate. It’s kind of dry, powdery and it does not melt on the tongue like regular chocolate.  It doesn’t smell like chocolate and it certainly does not taste like chocolate.

But people argue that carob is a healthier substitute.  Carob-chocolate contains no caffeine,  does not contain large amounts of sugar, butter and/or cream, and since there are no fermented cocoa beans used, there is less likelihood of additives or  contaminants in the product. 

Obviously, no one should be eating heaps of chocolate, but on average there are only about 30 grams of caffeine in a chocolate bar–the same amount of caffeine contained in two cups of green tea. 

The verdict is two big thumbs down for “chocolate”. I would rather never eat chocolate again than munch on this sorry substitute. With all of the variety available to us these days–organic, free trade–am I really hurting anyone (myself included) by indulging in this decadent treat every few weeks?

Plus, there are some organic chocolates that are made with raw cane sugar, butter and other whole, organic ingredients. With these options available, I think I will keep chocolate in my diet, but as an occasional treat.

The Telegraph UK had a really interesting article on Detoxing last week. It begins with a question: 

“Everyone around me seems to be on some sort of fashionable new-year detox. I don’t need to lose weight, but I do feel a bit sluggish and my skin’s not great, so I was thinking of giving it a go. Is a detox really necessary and, if so, what’s a user-friendly approach?” 

The above question is then answered by a registered Dietician, a General Practitioner (M.D.), and a Facialist.  

I found the Dietician’s and the GP’s response the most compelling.  The dietician begins by saying that: “the body detoxes naturally via the liver and through the respiratory tract and urinary system, but after a period of indulgence it doesn’t do any harm to be kind and nurturing to your body for a few days.”  

The GP agrees and remarks that: “Detox is not a medical treatment, but a lot of patients enjoy the pampering aspect or even the harshness of the ‘treatment’, as it empowers them, making them feel they are doing something positive to look after themselves. If you think you might enjoy a day drinking tisanes and having mud baths, why not?”

I always find it refreshing when professionals agree on something.   A cleanse/detox) will not ‘fix’ health problems, nor should they be used solely as weight loss tools, but if they help kick start healthy change or even assist with motivation, then so much the better.

I found the GP’s observation that some patients enjoy the ‘harshness’ of the treatment interesting.  When I was cleansing, I noticed the same thing.  I sensed that for some people, pleading ‘cleanse’ was the easiest way to maintain a very strict diet while masquerading as something healthy.  Cleanses are great for people who appreciate the power and control experienced with exercising will power and deprivation.  Note that I am not suggesting that everyone on cleanses has disordered eating or is even dieting, but I do think that cleansing can provide a sense of accomplishment.  I noticed it within myself.  My relationship with food was dramatically different when I was cleansing–I didn’t worry too much about calories or fat because I knew that everything I was eating was quite healthy.  Now, without the confines of my cleanse, I’m already starting to feel a loss of control.  Without the rules, I feel like I’m on the brink of over eating.  On the one hand, I don’t want to “cleanse” forever, but I think I will have to retain some of Meghan’s guidelines because I feel safer being bound by them–I feel like I have more will power.  

So, yes, cleanses are a bit trendy right now and while they’re not strictly necessary, in moderation they won’t do any harm and may just be an impetus for change in your life.  I have an amazing friend who is trying to make some changes in her life in terms of food and exercise.  She knows that she can’t ‘cleanse’ forever, but she thinks that starting one might just be what she needs to get going. I can’t agree more. And it doesn’t have to be eight weeks long–even a weekend of vegan meals and no caffeine/alcohol might be enough.

Again–I love hearing what you think.  Please share in the comments section.

It’s fairly easy to stick to the guidelines of a cleanse when you’re in the safety of your own home.  Things get complicated if you’re leaving for a mini-vacation and even a day-trip.

If you can find a vegetarian/vegan spot then you’ll have no problem, but other options include Asian and Indian restaurants because they tend to offer a lot of veggie options.

If it’s only a day trip, the best option is to pack your own food.  Here’s a list of what I tend to bring with me if I’m out for the day:

 Raw (unsalted) nuts like almonds or cashews.  I do not recommend pistachios or peanuts since they tend to absorb a lot of toxins in the soil and so do not offer the same nutritional punch as other varieties.

Hard fruit: Apples are a safe bet.  They may get a bit bruised after bouncing around in your bag for a few hours, but will still be edible–unlike a banana.  If you’re careful, tangerines are also a good option.  I tend not to bring veggies with me because I don’t like them at room temperature. If it doesn’t bother you, carrots, celery and radishes are great on-the-road options.

Dried fruit offers contrast in texture and flavour to trail mix, but beware that it is very high in sugar and harmful for your teeth.  The other problem is that it’s harder to gauge how much fruit you are eating when it’s dried–this can leave you feeling bloated and constipated.  Remember to drink extra water if you indulge in dehydrated fruits and veggies.

Granola: Nature Valley bars are a great treat. Since they’re individually packed, they are not messy.  While they are processed, the ingredient list is bearable and they do come in a variety of flavours. The best bet is to make your own granola, but if you don’t have the time and are willing to shell out a bit of cash, then opt for the bar. 

If you can eat bread, try to find one made from whole grains. If you’re off wheat, try a gluten free version, rye or substitute a rice cracker.  Bring some organic peanut butter along and you have yourself a tasty lunch.

Water, water, water:  Pack more than you think you’ll need–even if it’s heavy.  If you’re sitting in a car, bus or plane for any length of time, you will get dehydrated–especially due to air filtering, cooling and heating systems.  It’s great to have extra water on hand in case you have some sort of spill or want a bit of freshening up before you arrive at your destination; a splash of water to the face can make a huge difference.  Another bonus of drinking water is that keeps breath fresh—you never know who you might meet!

If you have any suggestions, please pass them on!

Last week I had two friends over for lunch–Sonya and Melina.  They both brought food for me to try: Sonya brought spiced cashews, which were amazing. Melina brought Kamut mini-pretzels.  Kamut contains no wheat and it is slightly sweeter and higher in protein than modern wheat–and can be used as a wheat substitute. 

I’m not a huge fan of regular pretzels: I find the massive salt crystals a bit intimidating and I hate that they leave my mouth so dry, but after weeks of not having any real snack food, I thought the kamut alternative was great.  

In terms of fat, sodium, carbohydrates and sugars, there’s not much between them.  In 28 grams of kamut pretzels there are 110 calories, 1 g fat, no cholesterol, 320 mg of sodium, only 2 g of fiber and 1 g of sugar.  In 45 grams of the President’s Choice Blue Menu multigrain pretzel alternative has 170 calories, 0.5 g of fat, no cholesterol, 390 g sodium, 2 g fiber and 1 g sugar.  The major difference is the ingredient list.  The kamut pretzels have a much shorter ingredient list and all of the ingredients are whole foods like unbleached kamut flour and organic barley.

Obviously, pretzels are a treat–and while the kamut pretzels are not nearly as pleasing in colour, texture or saltiness, they are the “healthier” choice.

The final verdict is that kamut pretzels get one thumb up–they’re not great, but as an alternative they’re great.

It’s hard to cut out caffeine, but if you’re looking for a quality, tasty alternative, head to Blue Banana in Kensington Market.  Tea 4 You has a stall in this market and they sell a variety of loose-leaf teas in convenient 100 g bags. Prices range anywhere from about $5 to $21 (I tried Madagascar Almond tea, $12/ 100 g).

I’m a big fan of black tea (usually taken with milk), but on Jen’s advice, I also tried the red, caffeine-free Rooibus Cappuccino.  It has a strong, rich flavour and if you’re in the first few days of a caffeine-strike this is definitely the way to go.  You will probably still suffer from some physical withdrawal, but at least you’ll  get some authentic coffee-ish taste without having to resort to decaf, which tastes no better  than dish water.

I’m quite picky about herbal teas; I despise ones that taste like hot juice.  I was really impressed by this brand, though, and highly recommend it to you.

Big thanks to Jen who mentioned “Food Politics: Personal Responsibility vs. Social Responsibility – A Lecture by Marion Nestle”

is taking place at U of T’s Hart House today.  It begins at 7 pm and tickets are only $10 (students are free). I wish I could be there but I have class.  If you go, please let me know your thoughts and I will post them on Thursday. 

For some interesting reading on Sugar, click  here and look for the heading “ The Threatened Lawsuit from the Sugar Association of America.  In 2002, Ms. Nestle received a letter from the Sugar Association, Inc., (SAI), accusing her of making false and defamatory comments about sugar. She responds with a stellar letter of her own and makes short work of the SAI’s claims and the threatened lawsuit.   

For more info on Marion Nestle, click here.

I was reading Best Health Magazine online today and their web editor, Kat Tancock, made a great point about portion control.  She refers readers to an article in the Globe and Mail that compares portion sizes from cookbooks from the 1930s to their counterparts today.  Interestingly, dinners that used to serve eight now only serve four or six. 

I apologize for the short post, but this article is worth the read.  Post-cleanse, even I’m eating healthy, whole foods, I will still have to work on portion control. Of course, the better the food is in terms of quality or wholeness, fat content, etc, the more liberal I could be with portions. 

Dressing aside, can anyone really over indulge on salad?