Yearly Archives: 2010

38 posts

broccoli sprouts

The Best Sprout: Broccoli

The proven cancer-preventer, sulforaphane, is present at extraordinary levels in broccoli sprouts. Sulforaphane is an antioxidant that protects cells from harmful free radicals associated with cancer and heart disease. Sulforaphane is present in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale.  The highest concentrations of sulforaphane are in broccoli sprouts. They contain 20-50 times more sulforaphane than a serving of regular broccoli. Growing Sprouts Many people do not attempt to grow sprouts because they think it is difficult or time-consuming. Growing sprouts is very easy to do. Simply soak the […]

The Western Diet: Smart for Profit, Dumb for Health – Part 1

The more people believe in something, the more accepted it becomes. The more we think something to be “wrong” the less acceptable it becomes. We eat the way our parent’s taught us, what tastes good, what is convenient, and hope that we stay healthy. We don’t know why we practice a specific behavior if we never stop to question it. Most people do not pause to question their dietary choices until they become sick. Meat and Milk The meat and dairy industries, fast food restaurants, the government – even your […]

Poisonous Berries

Berry Edibility Tips

Did you find berries growing on the trail and wonder if you can eat them? Here are some tips to help you decide. These Berries are Not Safe to Eat Nearly all white, green, and yellow berries are poisonous. Never eat the berry (or the leaves) from a plant that has a milky sap. 50% of red berries are poisonous, so eating them is only worth the risk if you can positively identify it. Avoid leaves or seeds with an almond-like scent, a characteristic of cyanide compounds. These Berries are […]

Know your Food

It is a good idea to get into the habit of asking yourself these questions about your backpacking food: Where did it come from? How was it produced? Does it contain genetically engineered ingredients? It it Organic? Conventional? Natural? We’ll explore what some of these terms mean here. The “Natural” phenomena Food manufacturers know consumers will pay a premium for minimally processed, wholegrain products. And to many of us, the word natural implies wholesome earth grown ingredients. Yet, nothing could be further from the truth. Regrettably, many food manufactures stamp […]

Please…don’t serve me “fresh” strawberries in January

 “Fresh” Strawberries in January? I’ll pass. But, a preserved strawberry? As long as it was grown organically and preserved without sulfites, color enhancers, or preservatives.  Few people may be that fussy even though these concerns are valid. Choosy eating is not pompous. Following a careful diet requires discipline and knowledge. Patronizing only in-season, locally harvested food is challenging depending on where you live. A January winter might leave you with only squash and carrots as fresh crop choices. This is why preservation, such as freezing and drying are important. The […]