Beware of empty calories, and artificial

Seeing the sugar lobby take up the Corn Refiners Association is amusing. Each peddles empty calories in the form of sugar or high fructose corn syrup. HFCS should be appropriately avoided as it-s artificial construct and introduction in the early 80s correlates too closely to the rise of obesity and the diabetis epidemic. It is downright dishonest to call HFCS natural, as the refiners aim to do. But it is also true that "˜an empty calorie is an empty calorie- and while some sweet in moderation can add to our taste, people aiming for a healthy diet should focus on wholesome ingredients that have nutritional depth. Hence KIND. March 21, 2009 Sugar Is Back on Food Labels, This Time as a Selling Point By KIM SEVERSON Sugar, the nutritional pariah that dentists and dietitians have long reviled, is enjoying a second act, dressed up as a natural, healthful ingredient. From the tomato sauce on a Pizza Hut pie called "The Natural," to the just-released soda Pepsi Natural, some of the biggest players in the American food business have started, in the last few months, replacing high-fructose corn syrup with old-fashioned sugar. ConAgra uses only sugar or honey in its new Healthy Choice All Natural frozen entrees. Kraft Foods recently removed the corn sweetener from its salad dressings, and is working on its Lunchables line of portable meals and snacks. The turnaround comes after three decades during which high-fructose corn syrup had been gaining on sugar in the American diet. Consumption of the two finally drew even in 2003, according to the Department of Agriculture. Recently, though, the trend has reversed. Per capita, American adults ate about 44 pounds of sugar in 2007, compared with about 40 pounds of high-fructose corn syrup. "Sugar was the old devil, and high-fructose corn syrup is the new devil," said Marcia Mogelonsky, a senior analyst at Mintel International, a market-research company. With sugar sales up, the Sugar Association last year ended its Sweet by Nature campaign, which pointed out that sugar is found in fruits and vegetables, said Andy Briscoe, president of the association. "Obviously, demand is moving in the right direction so we are taking a break," Mr. Briscoe said. Blamed for hyperactivity in children and studied as an addictive substance, sugar has had its share of image problems. But the widespread criticism of high-fructose corn syrup - the first lady, Michelle Obama, has said she will not give her children products made with it - has made sugar look good by comparison. Most scientists do not share the perception. Though research is still under way, many nutrition and obesity experts say sugar and high-fructose corn syrup are equally bad in excess. But, as is often the case with competing food claims, the battle is as much about marketing as it is about science. Some shoppers prefer cane or beet sugar because it is less processed. High-fructose corn syrup is produced by a complex series of chemical reactions that includes the use of three enzymes and caustic soda. Others see the pervasiveness of the inexpensive sweetener as a symbol of the ill effects of government subsidies given to large agribusiness interests like corn growers. But the most common argument has to do with the rapid rise of obesity in the United States, which began in the 1980s, not long after industrial-grade high-fructose corn syrup was invented. As the amount of the sweetener in the American diet has expanded, so have Americans. Although the price differential has since dropped by about half, high-fructose corn syrup came on the market as much as 20 percent cheaper than sugar. And it was easier to transport. As a result, the sweetener soon turned up in all kinds of products, including soda, bread, yogurt, frozen foods and spaghetti sauce. But with sugar newly ascendant, the makers of corn syrup are fighting back. Last fall, the Corn Refiners Association mounted a multimillion-dollar defense, making sure that an advertisement

Market targets special health needs or just desire to eat better

Elbert's Natural Food Market Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. It is closed on Sunday. Phone: 471-5071 Additional stores that focus on organic and heathy foods: Adele's Naturally, 2704 Lincoln Ave., 471-3144 Adele's Natural Foods, 3415 N. First Ave., 467-0295 Paradise Organics, 2700 Indiana 261, Newburgh, 842-0820 River City Food Co-op, 100 Washington Ave., 424-2735 Catherine "Charlie" Elbert Moran is a tiny young woman with curly hair, a quiet voice and a sweet laugh. She holds an accounting degree, is an entrepreneur, wife, full-time mother and business manager. She also has an allergy to MSG and tries to limit wheat in her diet. Organic asparagus Catherine "Charlie" Elbert Moran often carries her son Keller around with her as she performs her duties in Elbert's Natural Food Market. AIMEE BLUME / Courier & Press Catherine "Charlie" Elbert Moran often carries her son Keller around with her as she performs her duties in Elbert's Natural Food Market. DENNY SIMMONS / Courier & Press Autumn, left, and Wyatt Winternheimer, 5, get help from Charlie Elbert Moran, right, as they pick out a new box of vitamins at Elbert's Natural Food Market at 5614 East Virginia St. in Evansville, which Moran owns and operates. Winternheimer is careful about the products Wyatt uses because of his medical needs. Organic asparagus, left; organic wheat grass, below Organic romaine lettuce, below STORY TOOLS

Organic Foods vs. Conventional Foods

By Erika Bizousky Pd. 1 You're standing at the grocery store with two vegetables that look almost the same. The only difference is that one has a "USDA Certified Organic" sticker on it. So what's the difference between the 'conventionally grown' vegetable and the 'certified organic' one? There are many differences and similarities between these two foods, but which one is better for you and which should you choose to buy? Here is a good article that represents this issue: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/organic-food/NU00255 First, we should recognize how each of these foods is produced. The conventionally grown fruit has chemical fertilizers to promote plant growth, while organic farmers use natural fertilizers such as manure or compost. To reduce pests and disease, conventional farmers spray insecticides on their plants. Organic farmers used birds, insects, or traps to reduce pests and disease without the use of chemicals. Another difference is that conventional farmers also use chemical herbicides to manage weeds, and organic farmers either hand weed, till, or mulch to control their weeds. As you can see, the differences are mainly in how they are farmed. Organic and inorganic foods also have some similarities too. One of the most important similarities is nutrition. According to the USDA, no conclusive evidence shows that organic food is more nutritious than conventionally grown food. Although, some studies say organic foods are higher in antioxidants because of the lack of additives, pesticides, and MSG, according to The Soil Association. However, both of the foods meet the same quality and safety standards set by the USDA. Lastly, organic and conventional foods both have positives and negatives. Both might look the same, but did you know conventional foods are cheaper than organic foods? Conventional foods also last longer than organics because they often have waxes or preservatives on them. Organic foods do not have pesticides on them though. Conventional foods do and can have residue on them. This poses a small health risk with conventional farming. Organic farming is also said to benefit the environment by reducing pollution. If you'd like to be more eco-friendly, I suggest purchasing organic products. Most people say they cannot taste any difference between organics and non-organics, but that may be different for everyone. In conclusion, organic foods and conventional foods are both good to purchase, but I would buy organic foods. Even though they cost more, I would rather spend a little extra money to help the environment than buy cheaper foods that use pesticides. These can cause harm to the environment and possibly even the consumer. It is your own choice whether to buy conventionally farmed products or organic ones, but I hope I helped by telling you of the information needed to make a good decision. Resources supporting organic food: http://www.thehealthierlife.co.uk/natural-health-articles/nutrition/pros-cons-organic-foods-00313.html http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/14739.php Resources supporting conventional food: http://www.scionline.org/index.php/Pros_and_Cons_of_Organic_and_Conventional_Agriculture http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/organic-farming-no-better-for-the-environment-436949.html

Thrifty Foodie visits Govinda's Natural Food Buffet

Thrifty Foodie visits Govinda's Natural Food Buffet By: Steven Kwan Issue date: 3/25/09 Section: WildLife Stressful times often lead to desperate dining measures and that can mean reaching for that bag of burgers and fries from the nearest drive-through window. For those who seek savory solace without wanting to worry about their future waistline, there's Govinda's Natural Foods Buffet. This dining hideaway, located at First Avenue and Blacklidge Drive, offers a tranquil setting for anyone seeking a gastronomic bargain. The eatery, which is part of the Chaitanya Cultural Center, sets itself apart from the rest of the neighborhood with its Indian based architecture and serenity areas. There's a patio surrounded by palm trees where the tables are arranged symmetrically, which bring a sense of harmony. The bubbling water from the stone fountain and the chirping sparrows hiding in the shrubbery are pleasant enough to make a diner ignore the intermittent roar of cars racing by on First Avenue. Past the front door is a small boutique perfumed by incense where multihued saris, CDs of meditative music, books on meditation and self-realization, hand stitched cloth mandalas and figurines of Ganesh and Krishna line the shelves and walls and fill the display cases. The boutique leads to the buffet table, which is divided into the salad bar and the entre, soup and dessert items. With the student discount, the all-you-can-eat lunch and dinner buffets are easy on the wallet ($6.95 and $8.95, respectively). Despite serving only vegetarian and vegan food, Govinda's offers enough tasty flavors and varied textures to raise doubt in even the most ardent carnivore. The menu changes throughout the week - Sunday brunch, India Night on Tuesdays, and Vegan Nights on Thursdays being the exceptions - so regulars and newcomers can expect something different on each visit. One featured entre was sloppy joes with tiny dark rye rolls that served as the buns. Made from mung beans, bell peppers, tomatoes and traces of anise and coriander, the miniature joes brought up memories of school cafeterias and lunch ladies with their characteristic sweetness and texture. The ground mung beans served as the meat stand-in without calling attention to themselves. Unlike most sloppy joes, these did not have the greasy feel of rendered meat fat that can make them unappetizing after eating a few. Normally when a restaurant serves steamed vegetables they tend to be treated as an afterthought. They are often cooked until they turn to mush and lose their vibrant colors and, sadly, their flavors, which can be buried under gobs of butter or a ladleful of bchamel or Mornay sauce. Govinda's thankfully showcases their steamed vegetables unadorned, which allowed their essential flavors to come through clearly and cleanly with nary a grain of salt and pepper or streak of sauce in sight. Eating Govinda's steamed vegetables was like running into a long-lost love who had just returned from her travels. Unlike the wayward traveler, however, the vegetables were here to stay. At the other end of how vegetables can be treated are the Govinda's curries and dals. One night featured an eggplant curry and a yellow lentil dal. The eggplant was soft with its skin providing a slightly chewy texture. Stewed tomatoes added a red coat to the eggplant while sugar snap peas dotted the curry with green globes. These ingredients added a pleasant sweetness to the dish without being cloying, and the presence of anise offered understated support. The dal was cooked until it had a texture that contrasted the creaminess - like peanut butter but without the stickiness - and the tenderness of the lentils. When it comes to sweets, Govinda's doesn't hold back. There is an iced herbal tea sweetened with apple juice that did not overwhelm the flavor of the hibiscus and lavender flowers - well worth the cost of an extra dollar. One delightful dessert on display was the halavah, a dessert popular in the Balkans, Middle East, and Central and South Asia. Govinda's version had the warm, soft texture of cooked polenta - grits to those from the South - with the background flavor of tahini. Other ingredients included pineapple, coconut milk and vanilla, all of which melded together without one element dominating over another. The halavah had all the makings of a comfort dessert: soothing warmth, pleasing consistency (like cake soaked in a syrup) and a mild, addictive sweetness. It was hard to resist going for a fourth or fifth serving of this wonderful dessert. That it was vegetarian proved all the more amazing. For a lovely post-meal period of digestion, a diner can take a brief walk to the Certified Wildlife Habitat, an aviary that is home to two male peacocks, a white dove and numerous house sparrows. A few steps over, giant Japanese koi (up to 18 inches in length) meander in a pond laced with lush tropical trees and bamboo. The small waterfall transforms the pond into an oasis getaway in the middle of an urban jungle. When seeking solace in food, forego the burger and fries and consider a trip to the buffet table at Govinda's. Your wallet and stomach will thank you. Page 1 of 1 Article Tools

Is Natural Weight Loss Really Possible?

Natural Weight Loss Is Permanent
Only natural weight loss can be permanent. Going on diets and taking weight loss pills to eliminate food cravings is only temporary and leads to obesity.
Not only is natural weight loss safe, but you'll eliminate food cravings without taking weight loss pills.
Most weight loss systems are not natural, and that's why the "failure rate" is over 98%.
There are no diets whatsoever, which lead to natural weight loss, because every single diet slows down your metabolism, which means that when you go off the diet, you will eventually gain back more weight than you lost.
How many people do you know, who actually kept it off?
So, dieting is just not an option, if you want to keep the weight off for good.
Weight Loss Pills
Most weight loss pills or diet pills are nothing more than appetite suppressants, which help to take away food cravings so that you don't eat, or don't eat as much.
So in reality, what you've done by taking weight loss pills, is actually putting yourself on a very drastic starvation diet, during which your body is getting progressively more starved for nutrition, and also...
Your metabolism will slow down to a crawl, and that's your guarantee that when you go off the weight loss pills, you are going to blow up like a balloon, and eventually gain all the weight back, plus a few extra pounds as a bonus.
Food Supplements
Taking a safe and healthy food supplement that your body can absorb, can really enhance a good natural weight loss program, because the extra nutrition will help your body to become more nutritionally satisfied.
This will help to eliminate food cravings without taking weight loss pills. Cutting back on food cravings by becoming more nutritionally satisfied, means that...
You won't slow down your metabolism, and you won't have the same problem with regaining the weight.
The problem however...
Is that most food supplements are not absorbed very well by your body. When you take a Vitamin and Mineral supplement for example, most people are only able to absorb between 4 to 5%, so it's a total waste of money, plus...
If you are not absorbing the supplement, it will definitely not help to eliminate food cravings, so you're no further ahead.
In the Slim America Weight-Loss Project, we only recommend natural food supplements which are fully absorbed by the body. As a result, these totally safe food supplements really help to enhance and speed up our natural weight-loss program, and also...
Not only are food cravings greatly reduced, but our students are reporting lots of extra energy, more stamina, and are finding it much easier to stay away from junk foods which provide very little nutrition, but really help to put on the pounds.
Exercise for Natural Weight Loss
Proper exercise is an essential ingredient in any natural weight-loss program, because there is no way that the weight loss will be permanent without exercise, and that's a fact.
But here's the problem...
Over 95% of all the weight loss exercises, that people do in order to burn off fat, actually burn almost no fat whatsoever. Most of these exercises burn almost exclusively sugar, and that's why it's so hard to get rid of the fat.
For most people who are overweight, especially if you're obese, doing all the normal weight loss exercises like running, swimming, playing sports, using all the fancy exercise equipment in gyms, weight lifting etc., are practically useless for getting rid of fat.
Most of these exercises are very hard to do, require a lot of work, and a lot of sweating, for very little results. For sure, if you stick to it long enough it will certainly help, however...
The results are so minimal for most people that 99% of people will give up long before achieving any realistic results.
In the Slim America Weight-Loss Project, we only recommend walking for weight loss, however just normal walking is not very effective either.
In the Slim America Project, we actually teach 10 secrets about walking, which not only help to turn walking into a very effective fat burner, but more importantly, also helps to rebuild your metabolism.
Walking for weight loss has to be part of any natural weight loss system because it helps to turn your body into an effective fat burning machine, which will cause you to burn more fat during the whole day.
Complete Natural Weight Loss
Only a complete and natural weight loss system which is totally safe, without the use of weight-loss pills to eliminate food cravings, and which includes a good walking program will result in permanent weight loss...
And also...
You don't have to become a "health nut", to succeed!
Have a Great Life
Armand Dupuis is a Personal Trainer, Lecturer, Teacher, & Permanent Weight Loss Specialist, who has been a Serious Researcher into Human Consciousness for 5 Decades.