Wednesday, May 30, 2012

What's the difference between Organic and All-Natural?

In order to be an informed consumer, it pays to read labels.

Most food labels use the terms Organic and All-Natural interchangeably. The products containing these labels often appear in the same grocery isle. What is the difference?

By law, products that are organic must be grown and processed according to strict government standards. The companies that produce organic products are subjected to rigorous announced and unannounced inspections by 3rd party inspectors to ensure that the product is preserved and protected from the farm to your family's home. This is why organic products cost more.

When the USDA Organic label appears on a product, it must have been grown and processed without any pesticides, antibiotics, growth hormones and genetically modified organisms (GMO's) or artificial ingredients. The soil they are grown must not have been treated with toxic chemicals and pesticides for 3 years prior to harvesting.

As far as organic meat is concerned, federal regulations require that the animals are raised in living conditions that accommodate their natural behaviors; such as grazing on pasture and being fed 100% organic feed. They must not have had any antibiotics or growth hormones administered to them.

The term All-Natural assures the consumer that the product has had minimal processing and contains no artificial ingredients such as: preservatives, nitrates or nitrites, added msg, added hormones or sodium erythrobate.

If you would like to try Organic or All-Natural, great-tasting snacks, check out Jerky Direct.

It also makes a FATHER'S DAY GIFT for that FAVORITE MAN in your life!


Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Cancer needs 3 things to survive

I had mentioned in my previous blog that I had been away for a while. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in November of 2011. It has been a life-changing experience. It has also raised the question in my mind: Is cancer preventable? With all of the talk and hype about finding a cure for breast cancer, I can't believe more research hasn't been done on the concept of preventing breast cancer.

For me, that concept is late in arriving. But, perhaps I can help someone who may not have this disease prevent that from happening to them or someone they love.

Some things you can't control-like genetics and hormones that are found in almost everything that we eat. BUT, we can control WHAT WE EAT! 

I have been known to go to book sales at my local library. A few years ago, I found a book titled: The Breast Cancer Prevention Diet. It was written by Dr Bob Arnot. Some of you may remember that he used to be a regular on the TV show: 20/20 many years ago.

I discovered 3 things that breast cancer needs to survive. A high-fat diet; a diet that is high in sugar; and a person who is known to keep their emotions bottled up. I am also reasonably certain that stress plays a pretty big role in the last of the previous statements. 

With most of the population of the USA being over-weight or obese, I believe that there is A LOT that WE can do to prevent ourselves and our families from getting this dis-ease. Most people consume far too much soda pop. If we could eliminate that one thing from our diet and replace it with water, I believe we could considerably reduce our risk of getting breast cancer or any other cancer for that matter.

We could also take steps each day to exercise. It can be as simple as purchasing a pedometer and walking 10,000 steps a day-every day. This will also help to reduce our stress levels as well.

Eating a diet low in fat can also go a LONG WAY in reducing our risk. Eating more fruits and vegetables and minimizing our intake of saturated fats can help too. I, personally have taken margarine and red meat completely out of my diet during the past few months. It has made  HUGE difference in how I feel. I can honestly say that I am in better shape physically than I have been in in the last four years.

If you are looking for a healthy snack to add to your diet that is low in fat, high in nutrition and tastes delicious, you might want to check out Jerky Direct. Their jerky is BEST that my family has EVER TASTED! It does not contain any msg therefore it does not give me migraines like most of the jerky that is sold in my local supermarket. There are forty different flavors to choose from. There is even jerky for your pet.