ADVANTAGES OF BUYING AND EATING ORGANIC FOOD Everywhere around the world, there is an increasing awareness regarding healthy habits about not only the food we eat but also about the impact it has on our planet. About 30 years ago, it was very rare to meet someone who is vegan, while veganism hit an all-time high in 2020. Up to now, industrialized production methods have clearly shown severe limitations such as a worldwide contamination of the food and water by persistent pesticide residues and reduced nutrient and flavor contents through low-cost intensive food production and/or processing. Because of this, we become more and more aware of the impact our food has on our bodies, and we continue to optimize this by switching more and more to organic food alternatives. This has some great advantages, not only for your body but also the world around you. However, did you know that there are also some disadvantages of organic food that you might not have heard of? In this article, I share the advantages and disadvantages of organic food. Organic produce is great, not only for your body, but also because of the reduced carbon footprint. Read here exactly why. PESTICIDES: One of the biggest differences between organic and non-organic food is that the amount of pesticide residues in organic food is 94–100% less compared to non-organic food. This also means that regular food can contain a lot of pesticide residues and, as not all food available is organic, wash all your food before consumption to avoid the intake of pesticides and the possible impact this might have on your body. MINERALS: Food produced that is certified organic has a higher mineral content. Both magnesium and iron are significantly higher in organic food. Organic produce also contains more anti-oxidant micronutrients such as phenols and salicylic acid compared to non-organic food, which means organic food is better for your body as it has a higher nutrient content. ANIMAL PRODUCTS: Next to animal products containing a higher level of polyunsaturated fatty acids, the circumstances in which the animals are much friendlier. They need to be able to range freely outdoors (‘zero-grazing’, where cows are kept indoors and fed cut grass or other feeds like soya, is banned under organic standards). They need to have space to express their natural behaviors, which reduces stress and disease. They can only graze and forage on natural, organic grasses and other crops. These can only be treated with natural fertilizers, and synthetic pesticides are severely restricted. This ensures that the animals produce healthier products. And organically grown animals obviously don’t receive any antibiotics. WHERE CAN YOU GET PLANT-BASED PROTEIN? Proteins are made up of amino acids and there are 20 of them in total. The human body is able to synthesize or create 11 of them – the remaining 9 are known as “essential amino acids” because they must come from your diet. A complete protein is one that contains all 9 of those essential amino acids and there are several plant foods that fit this description such as quinoa, buckwheat, hemp, and soy. In addition to providing the building blocks for healthy muscles and tissues, plant protein may also be beneficial for weight loss. Plant-based proteins tend to be lower in calories and fat than animal proteins but higher in fiber and essential nutrients. By swapping plant proteins for animal proteins, you can reduce your caloric intake and boost your daily nutrient profile. You may need to consume a variety of plant proteins to get all of the essential amino acids, but that’s also the best way to make sure you get all of the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients you need. While most plant foods contain a small amount of protein, certain foods are richer in this essential macronutrient than others. Here are some of the top sources of plant-based protein: Almond Butter (8g per serving) Amaranth (9g per cup) Black Beans (15g per cup) Buckwheat (6 per cup) Chia Seeds (4.5g per ounce) Chickpeas (14.5g per cup) Take a look at the foods on this list and ask yourself how many of them you already include in your regular diet – you may be surprised! Not only are these food rich in plant protein, but they are easy to incorporate into your diet. Try making a kale salad tossed with fresh quinoa and toasted pumpkin seeds or enjoy a hearty lentil and kidney bean stew. You can also add things like almond butter, chia seeds, nutritional yeast, and spirulina to smoothies and shakes for a quick protein boost. Whether you want to lose weight, improve your health, or just follow a healthier diet, plant-based proteins are an important piece of the puzzle. Make an effort to include the foods listed above in your daily diet and enjoy the benefits that plant proteins have to offer! Flowering tea with healthy habit flowering teas are a combination of edible flowers and green or black tea leaves that have been formed into a bulb. The tea leaves and flowers are dried and shaped into balls and then sealed for freshness. To rejuvenate them, simply place the ball in boiling water. The leaves unfurl and reveal the floral petals within causing it to look like a blooming flower. The tea leaves steep the water delivering a wonderful aroma and a flavor unparallel with traditional tea bags. While all of this is very pretty, especially when viewed in a glass tea mug or teapot, the health benefits coupled with the delicious taste is why flowering teas are the latest rage in the health-food industry. Green tea is a great source of antioxidants. Green tea leaves contain flavonoids and catechins which have been scientifically proven to protect human cells from diseases and provide anti-aging qualities. Other popular properties found in green tea are theanine which reduces stress, improves mood and can have a relaxing effect on the brain. Add those in with the wonderful medicinal properties many flowers contain and you'll see why more and more people are buying Flowering teas for more than the taste. See our article on Edible Flowers for making Blooming Teaballs to find out many more benefits. Here are a few examples of how blooming tea balls with edible flowers can help you. Some popular blooming tea flavors are Jasmine, Lavender, Lily, Marigold, and Chrysanthemum. Jasmine helps prevent bad breath which is reason enough to drink, but it also helps regulate blood pressure. Lilies are great for helping you get a good night's sleep while adding moisture to the lungs and soothing nerves. Roses are great for your skin and blood circulation. Chinensis and Yellow Chrysanthemums eliminate toxins. Add those holistic abilities to Green Tea, which contains strong antioxidants, and it's easy to understand how cells and their DNA are protected better from damage that can lead to cancer. Flowering Tea balls aid in supporting cancer prevention and it's all healthy, prescription-free and tasty! But don't just focus on how great you look. Focus on how smart you are becoming too. Drinking Blooming Tea has been shown to boost brain function. Studies report Flowering Tea drinkers experience better cognitive and motor skills. It helps you focus more clearly, be more alert and helps prevent neurological disorders associated with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Even your joints and muscles will appreciate you drinking Flowering Tea because of the anti-inflammatory properties you'll be ingesting with each sip. High concentrations of polyphenols in food and drink intake has been shown to discourage the development of arthritis by up to 50%. What over the counter medicine has promises like that? Blooming tea's anti-inflammatory properties will help you move around without joint pain as you age... so drink up! Spices and Herbs That Can Help You Stay Healthy Herbs and spices make food tastier while boosting your health,you should be cooking with herbs and spices regularly and, if possible, using several at a time. Herbs, like basil, are the leaves of a plant, while spices, like cinnamon, are usually made from the seeds, berries, bark, or roots of a plant. Both are used to flavor food, but research shows they’re chock-full of healthy compounds and may have health benefits.Herbs and spices fight inflammation and reduce damage to your body’s cells,That’s because each one is rich in phytochemicals, which are healthful plant chemicals.Adding herbs and spices to your diet has another benefit: “Because they’re so flavorful, they make it easier to cut back on less healthy ingredients like salt, sugar, and added fat.If you’re new to cooking with herbs and spices, Moreno recommends trying a pinch at a time to figure out which ingredients and flavor combinations you like. Here are some standouts to think about adding to your next meal: Cardamom. This sweet, pungent spice is in many pumpkin spice mixes. It’s known to soothe an upset stomach, and lab studies show it may also help fight inflammation. One more perk? Of all spices, cardamom is especially high in minerals like magnesium and zinc, Chili peppers. Fresh, dried, or powdered, chilies will give your food a kick. They also may boost your metabolism and help keep blood vessels healthy. One possible reason is capsaicin, the compound that makes them spicy. Cinnamon. Cinnamon is great because it’s sweet but very low in calories and sugar-free, it’s easy to find and not expensive, and you can add it to almost anything, including coffee and tea. Health Benefits of Nuts Nuts are widely touted for their great taste and convenience, but their taste isn’t the only thing that makes them popular. Scientists have long touted the health benefits of making nuts a regular part of your diet. There are many varieties of nuts. Raw mixed nuts usually contain a range of almonds, pistachios, cashews, walnuts, hazelnuts, and more. They’re readily available at almost any grocery store or gas station and pack a serious nutritional punch. Experts have cited many other reasons to add nuts to your diet, including: Weight Loss: Nuts are largely composed of fats, which might seem counterintuitive for weight loss. However, the fats in nuts are almost entirely unsaturated, which means they leave you feeling more satisfied after eating, helping you eat less over time. Studies have even found that people who eat nuts frequently are at a lower risk of gaining weight than those who seldom eat nuts. Diabetes Control: Scientists from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have found impressive reasons for recommending regular nut consumption as a way to manage diabetes. In a controlled study, people with type 2 diabetes who ate more than five servings of nuts per week lowered their risk of heart disease by as much as 17%. Improve Cholesterol: Nuts also play an important role in regulating cholesterol. Scientists have found a direct correlation between eating nuts at least a few times per week and the reduction of LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the body. Improved cholesterol is associated with less risk of stroke or cardiovascular disease. Not all mixes of nuts are equally healthy. For example, some are covered with large amounts of sodium or dusted with flavorings that may reduce their nutritional value. Raw nuts are usually the best bet in terms of sheer health.