What's on the Outside Counts, Too!

Until I was pregnant with Little Bear, I never thought twice about what was in the soaps, cosmetics, lotions, or other body products that I used.  The fact that everything that goes on your body eventually ends up in your body was not something that I concerned myself with - at all.  I was the biggest fan of yummy-scented Bath and Body Works products, paraben-laden name-brand hair products, and tons of other stuff drenched in the "bad" ingredients that I now steer away from.

Straight from FDA website...

I thought that if the FDA allowed it to be sold, it must be (at least mostly) safe.  After tons of research (online, not in a lab - I missed that calling a long time ago) and as a much wiser and more cynical person, I've learned that it's almost always better not to trust your health and well-being to someone else, including the government.

Did you know that the FDA doesn't even regulate the cosmentic industry? In fact, no one does! That's not to say that the government and the consmetic companies have bad intentions or are intentionally harmful, but I'm just not willing to give control of my health over to companies who, as they arguably should be, are out to make a dollar (or a billion). Why wouldn't they use toxic chemicals that make their products cheaper and seem more effective to consumers if it made more money for their shareholders?

I'm also not saying that it's necessary to go 100% natural and give up all of your beauty favs, but it's at least worth thinking about. Rather than undergoing a full beauty overhaul - which can be super expensive since body products and cosmetics are generally NOT cheap - I, for the most part, phased out my products one-by-one as they ran out. I kept a few guilty pleasures (ahem, Got2b Powderful Texturizer), but have switched out most of my beauty regimen for all (or mostly all) natural products. I found my new favorite brands, and haven't missed my old ones one bit! For the most part, there truly is a natural alternative that works just as good if not better than its conventional counterpart.

As a guide, I use the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Database to look up products and check their toxicity rating.  EWG is an independent company based out of California that does not receive any funding from any cosmetic or beauty product corporation. Along with great articles about product safety, they've rated thousands of products from 0 to 10 based on the available research (or lack of research) that's been done on the products' ingredients. This is such a great, free resource for learning more about the effects your beauty products could be having on your health.

If you're strapped for time, the EWG has put together a few quick-reference guides:

• List of major ingredients to avoid listed by product type and
• Printable pocket guide of the worst ingredient offenders in general.

Some biggie ingredients to avoid are parabens (a common preservative), PEGs, sodium lauryl or laureth sulfate (in most soaps, but it wreaks havoc on your skin), oxybenzone (in sunscreens and other SPF products, but is linked to cancer), and phthalates (linked to male infertility, among others).

I know it seems like a lot, but your health is so worth it!

As a cautionary aside - be careful with labels that claim that a product is "organic" or "natural," because often times the actual list of ingredients only contains some organic or natural ingredients. I've been duped by misleading labels enough times to be very skeptical about products with these claims (especially from brands that also make conventional products). If you're going to try the natural body products, take the time to read the ingredient list before making your purchase!

Some of my favorite brands that I've found to be pretty trustworthy with all-good ingredients are:

Yes to
Burt's Bees
Shea Moisture
La Mellite
Bare Escentuals
Kiss My Face
Mrs. Meyers
Seventh Generation
California Baby
Yes to Baby Carrots
100% Pure

Not Everything Causes Cancer!

I was at Target looking at a new cosmetic line that they are carrying that is supposed to be more natural and pure than conventional brands. I picked up a moisturizer and saw "methylparaben" on the ingredient list. I commented to the product spokeswoman that I was surprised to see a paraben preservative in a line that was advertised to be even somewhat natural with all of the research linking them to cancer. Her response was, "Yeah, but everything causes cancer these days." REALLY?

I am so tired of hearing this excuse for not making healthy choices! NO, not 'everything' causes cancer! YES, most processed, altered, "foreign,"fake foods/products probably are linked to cancer. But, I highly doubt that we'll ever see a study linking quinoa or coconut oil or organic carrots to cancer.

It's very unfortunate that the vast majority of the grocery and health products available do have ingredients that are cancer-linked. But, it's inaccurate to think that it would be impossible to make healthy choices and avoid a good bit of the risk-raising products.

Since so many of our food and health products are filled with GMOs and artificial everything, it's true that a huge majority of the available foods/products are dangerous at some level. The pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides used on conventionally grown crops, and the manmade artificial colors, preservatives, and flavors that are put in so many non-organic, processed foods, and the GMO feed, appalling farming techniques (feeding corn and chicken feces to cattle!), hormones, and antibiotics associated with modern animal production are the real problem.

It's not fair to say that "everything causes cancer" or that "there's a new study everyday saying that a food/product is unsafe." In reality, more accurate statements would be that "everything artificial causes cancer" and that "there's a new study everyday saying that an artificial food/product is unsafe. I'd hardly say that veering away from artificial, refined, and processed food and health products is far from impossible.

When the only goal of conventional food production is to make the most money while spending the least, would you really expect that the products that come out of this industry to be beneficial to your health? It's generally only after newly-invented, manmade products have been on the market for a while that researchers (and consumers) start to notice the harmful side-effects of these products. **Cue the daily reports on which products are unsafe and cancer-causing**

That's my rant for the day/week(?)... What is your take on the topic?

Reminder: Please Help Support This Blog!

I have a quick (and easy) favor to ask of y'all:  If you didn't already know, I make the money to help support this blog through the affiliate links that I post here.  I wish I could say that I made enough to call it "income," but it pretty much just pays for my hosting and email fees.

As you're finishing up your holiday shopping, I'd be super grateful if you'd start your Amazon.com, Groupon, and Vitacost shopping at one of my posted links (any third party link in the right column of the blog is a money-generator for the blog).  Even if you're not actually shopping for the item that the Amazon link takes you to, anything that is purchased after you've clicked the link should qualify as an affiliate purchase.

It's a heavy shopping time of the year & every little bit helps!

Cheers & Merry Christmas, Y'all!!

(Stupid) New Facebook Protocol...

I started last week with a mini resolution to avoid calling everything stupid.  I way overuse the word, and it sometimes makes me just plain grumpy.  Stupid car.  Stupid people (not y'all!).  Stupid computer.  Stupid.  Stupid.  Stupid.  I really like the word...  However, I've consciously done a pretty good job of not using it the past week.  Until the new facebook page rules came out....  Stupid new facebook.

I know that there have been several rumors circulating about facebook charging folks to use the service (my whole world might just end) over the past few years, but this is for real.  As of now, facebook pages will have to pay to "promote" each of their statuses just so that the fans who already like their pages can see their updates.  This is so asinine that the stupidness of it doesn't even need discussing.

Here's an example:

As you can see, only 150 of my over 2,000 facebook fans were shown this status update.  However, I can pay $10 to have facebook pop it up in 1,800 of my fans' newsfeeds.  SO -- I can get as many fans as I want, but even after y'all have decided to like my page and follow my updates, facebook will only let you see my updates if I pay $5 or $10 PER UPDATE to show it to more fans.  I realize that facebook is a (now publicly-traded) company that's just trying to make a profit, but REALLY facebook?

Those of us with "not for profit" pages are really left up a tree here, because the few bucks that I make from y'all using my affiliate links (thanks, by the way!) certainly will not yet come close to covering even one "promoted" update per day. 

So, what can you do?  First, complain to facebook!  There is much to be said for a well-written complaint letter/email...  But, for now, there are ways that you can make sure that your favorite pages show up more often, even without promoted statuses.  The algorithm that facebook uses to determine which statuses will be shown to whom and when weighs pretty heavily on how interactive a page's user has been.  If you like, comment, and share the content often, the page's content will show up in your feed more often. 

You can also go to a page's profile and hover your mouse over the "liked" button at the top right of the screen.  When the little menu pops up, make sure that "show in newsfeed" is selected.  This won't guarantee that you will still see all of that page's updates, though, so you'll still want to be as interactive as you can with the pages your care about!

Also, utilize other means of info-gathering.  Subscribe to your favorite pages' mailing lists for updates, follow them on twitter, pinterest, google +, etc.  You may just have to manually check the page's updates (but be sure that the top of the timeline feed says "posts by page" so that it doesn't just show the day's highlights.

I know that most of this seems like useless info for personal users without a facebook "page," but the content that you see in your newsfeed has been drastically altered.  I'm a big fan of staying informed and knowing how to be a few steps ahead of the system, so consider yourself warned!

I'm stepping off of my (somewhat angry) soapbox now.  The step is open... what do you think about the changes?

A Hot Dog a Day...

I know... hot dogs, mmm... bacon, double mmm... turkey sandwiches, mmm... glazed ham, mmm...

I don't think that you could give two flips about a natural lifestyle and not be at least somewhat aware of the dangers of eating processed meats.  But, what exactly is the risk?  For me, at least, it would take a whole heck of a lot of data and a pretty high increased risk of some pretty nasty diseases before I'd give up bacon.  Mmmm, bacon...

So, you're going to have to hear me out on this one, because I know most of you are probably already up in arms.  Give up bacon?  Hot dogs?  Sandwich meats??  Yes, yes, & yes. 

Why are we blaming the bacon?  Processed meats contain some form of nitrites or nitrates.  Sometimes it looks like "sodium-nitrite" or "sodium-nitrate."  In it's natural form, nitrates are relatively harmless.  But, when ingested, our bodies convert a portion of the nitrates to nitrites to nitrosamines, which react with the proteins in the meats and damage our DNA cells.  Ergo, cancer.  In fact, one of the main toxins in tobacco is a nitrosamine.  Both highly concentrated, short-term doses and low doses over a longer term are dangerous.

The most obvious danger of processed meats (anything containing nitrates or nitrites - bacon, ham, most deli meats, sausage, hot dogs, & canned meats) is colorectal cancer.  There really isn't much debate about whether this is a risk.  It just is.  LiveStrong.com reports that "A diet high in processed meat may increase your risk of colon cancer by as much as 20 to 50 percent."  There is still some dispute as to how much of a role your overall lifestyle affects your risk, since often times an unhealthy lifestyle is linked to higher levels of processed meats.

A more newly discovered effect of processed meats is a higher risk of pancreatic, stomach, and esophageal cancer.  There is more and more evidence of these links, but researchers are still not in agreement as to what extent nitrites and nitrates are to blame.  The stats that really caught my attention came from a study published in the British Journal of Cancer.  The study analyzed data from 11 trials and 6,643 patients with pancreatic cancer and found that the risk of pancreatic cancer increased by 38% for every 3.5 ounces a person added to their daily diet.  These numbers are sobering.  Even at half that intake (less than one hot dog per day), a person's pancreatic cancer risk is increased by 19%.

I know that the widely-held sentiment these days is that "everything gives you cancer."  <The errors in this belief are for another (soapbox) post>  So, I imagine that most of you are still completely tuned out - or have completely quit reading by now.  In which case, there's not much else I can say.  BUT, for those of you still with me, here's the kicker...

New studies are now showing that in addition to the various cancer-causing powers of nitrates and nitrites, these chemicals are also responsible for an increase in Alzheimer's Disease.  The Organic Consumer's Association explains that a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease has found that the sharp increase in Alzheimer's Disease in the US corresponds directly to "a massive rise in fertiliser and processed food sales."  They are referring to nitrogen-containing fertilizers that are being found in the form of nitrites in relatively high concentrations in water runoff.

More concrete data points to the connection between nitrate, nitrites and what is being called, "diabetes of the brain."  An extensive study has shown that "very low, limited exposures to nitrosamines (the type found in food) cause Alzheimer’s-type brain degeneration, dementia, diabetes, fatty liver disease and obesity. Adding high fat to the diet made the disease-causing effects of nitrosamines much worse."  Essentially, the nitrates and nitrites will deprive a brain of insulin.  This results in the "starvation" of brain cells and a vastly reduced mental capacity.  The mechanics of this are not easily summarized, but an article by Dr. Suzanne DeLaMont on DoctorOz.com does a really great job of explaining the idea.  If you have a few minutes, you won't regret reading it!

The good news here is that avoiding nitrites and nitrates (or at least heavy doses of them) is relatively easy.  There are several brands that now making nitrite/nitrate free versions of your favorites - bacon, sandwich meat, ham, etc.  All you have to do is read the label.  Look for nitrites, nitrates and ingredients containing the words "nitrites" and "nitrates."  Any meat in a can (including canned soups) that is not organic probably contains them, too.  You are probably safe with your canned fish, though.  Beer and non-organic produce also have the culprits, but I'm not willing to forgo my beer (yet, at least).  The key is to reduce your exposure as much as possible.

Any thoughts from you guys?  I'm curious about your stance on these little devils and what swayed your opinion!

Why Didn't They Warn Me?!

There are certain things that I've decided are "hidden" secrets of momdom.  Seasoned moms know them, but either choose not to tell new moms or just take them for granted because they've become such an expected part of life.

BUT, these things need to be recorded.  To be shared.  To be explained.

As soon as I found out I was pregnant with Little Bear (who I swore was a girl until the second gender ultrasound pronounced him officially a boy), I bought several pregnancy and new mom books and subscribed to every major milestone/prep blog and website available.  I like to be prepared.  I like to know what I'm getting in to.  And, I NEED to feel at least somewhat in control of what's happening.
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In all of this sometimes manic reading and learning, there were things that I swear I was never warned about.  Or maybe they seemed so far-fetched that I assumed they never really happened to real moms.
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Consider this a warning!  Even if it sounds awful and horrible, and you think that it could never happen to you, you must believe that it can - and that it very likely will!
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With that being said, here are the things that I wish someone would have told me before I found out the hard way {heads-up, some are a little graphic}:

• Your boobs may leak.  Yep, you'll be sitting there in class/at work/at dinner and lactation will be the farthest thing from you mind - until you look down and notice that the entire front of your shirt is soaked.  WHAT THE HELL!!! Whatisthis!!!  Oh, yeah, you'll find out later, boobs can leak while you're still pregnant.  Consider yourself warned.  {Solution:  keep a sample pack of boob pads on hand at ALL times while your pregnant.  I was only 24 weeks along when this happened to me...}
• The first ultrasound.  Uhm, yeah... When you see new moms getting their ultrasounds on tv, it's the nifty little wand that they rub around on your tummy. Not so much.  The first (and maybe second) ultrasound is actually transvaginal.  If you're not expecting it, it's a not-so-good shock and leaves you feeling more than a little violated.  That's all I'm saying - Google it if you want more info (I suggest not selecting google images for that search...)
• You may get horrible acne.  Even if you've never been one to break out, something about all of the crazy pregnancy hormones can cause you to break out - badly.  Don't worry, though, because on one else will notice once you look like you've eaten a whole watermelon patch.
• Morning sickness can be more like an awful, trimester-long hangover. Yay!
• "Cravings" can sometimes feel like an insatiable need to eat something with no idea what something is.  Until you figure out what it is, nothing else sounds good.  You will want to kill anyone who tells you to just eat anything or who tries to solve the problem by listing random foods in hopes that one sounds good to you - none of them will.
• When your water breaks, it's not a one-and-done deal.  Nope.  Every contraction after for quite a while will cause more water to leak.  For me, it was a lot of water.  I honestly thought that I was peeing myself every time I had a contraction.  {Solution:  get a pack of Depends (adult diapers) and slip one on once labor starts.  You do NOT want to be in the middle of the produce department feeling like you're wetting yourself repeatedly.}
• After the baby is born, you will have what basically equates to the longest and heaviest menstrual period you've ever had.  It's almost like something from a nasty horror movie.  They'll give you big-o weird pads (think 10 overnight maxis all stuck together) at the hospital, but you're much better off just buying a pack of Depends and hauling them with you.  You probably think I'm joking, but I'm not.  Seriously - get yourself some Depends.  You can thank me later... Actually, send daddy to go get them.  It's pretty embarrassing to buy them, and he owes you.  For the rest of your life, he owes you.
• Don't even bother taking non-maternity clothes to the hospital with you, because there is no way in H-E-Double-Hockey-Sticks that you will be wearing them home.  Yeah, it's maternity clothes for a while.  Sorry.

It may sound like a gross, awful road (sometimes it really is), but there is NOTHING in the world like holding that amazing little bundle for the first time.  In that instant, you will (almost) forget everything that you've been through.  Until next time...

Since every pregnancy is different, you may have a whole different list of surprises - exciting, I know!  What do you wish someone had told you before you were pregnant?

Frozen Fruit Margaritas

A few weeks ago, I had one of those days...

The day started with an entire cup of coffee poured on the changing table, in the laundry hamper, in the dresser drawers, and all over the carpet/rug in Little Bear's room...  An entire box of organic Cheerios smashed into the kitchen floor, the discovery that my favorite beer had been discontinued, a grocery store tantrum (by Little Bear, not me - I promise) & a shattered glass pint jar of raisins later...  Momma needed a drink. 

All of this happened while I was getting the carpet cleaner to clean up the
coffee from his bedroom floor... About 2 seconds after I snapped the picture,
his hand violently swished the cereal ALL over the floor.

Finally home, I headed to the pantry and checked the top shelf.  Nothing.  Well, almost nothing.  I had one bottle of tequila left from our housewarming party 3 years ago & a bottle of melon liquor.  Ugh.  We had no mixers & my days of tequila shots were short-lived and long-gone.  What to do?!

Frozen fruit margaritas!

As if my frustration with the day wasn't enough, there was a weird plastic cap thing on the top of the tequila.  It was some sort of seal, but I could not for the life of me get the damn thing off.  I snapped a pic and texted it to Husband (who was, of course, out of town for the weekend).  No help.

What's that saying?  Where there's (a desperate enough mom and) a will, there's a way?  Something like that.  One butcher's knife and a plastic cap stabbing later, BINGO!

I ended up having to strain the tequila through the mesh strainer from my wine aerator into my measuring (shot) glasses, because there were little bits of plastic all in the bottle...

Anyhow - on to the recipe!

Ingredients

• 5 cups of frozen fruit (I used about 4 cups of peaches and 1 cup of blueberries)
• 1/2 cup tequila
• 1/2 cup juice (I used mango nectar)
• 1 medium lime, juiced

Directions

Combine everything in the blender and mix on high until it's all smooth.  You may need more or less juice, depending on the moisture content and temperature of your fruit.

This is easily one of the best margaritas I've ever had - soooo refreshing!  It could easily be made with rum for a frozen daiquiri or with vodka for a frozen cocktail.  YUM!

{Guest Blogger: Holding the Distaff} Soul Food

I love food. I especially love eating it.

Few activities are as pleasurable to all five of my senses. Good food looks beautiful, draws me in with its scent, has wonderful texture and of course tastes delicious. It even sounds good. Crunchy food would not be nearly as satisfying without the sound of something splintering into pieces as it is crushed between my teeth.

I find it hard to believe that eating is for nutritional sustenance alone. If you’ve ever stayed at a hospital or a college dorm, what do you miss most? Family and homemade food, often enjoyed together.

Yes, food is good.

And yet food and food production is related to so much that is bad: eating disorders, obesity, destruction of the environment, even famine and war.

During my adult life I’ve been a relatively healthy eater. I eat my broccoli, try to avoid frequenting McDonald’s on a regular basis and maintain a healthy weight. But it wasn’t until recently—the past two or three months, really—that I was even remotely interested in all of this organic, unrefined, greenish stuff. You see, I’m the Multitasking Convenience Queen. And, as I’ve mentioned, I’m already relatively healthy. Until a couple of months ago, I was much more motivated by great deals and easy meals than any of the arguments I had heard about converting into a modern hippie.

Then I started thinking about food on a spiritual level.

Did I just freak you out? Who is this weirdo guest writer on Living Unrefined anyway?

I’m not a pastor, guru, theologian or anyone like that. I’m just your average American housewife/mom—sharing with you what truly motivates me to prepare the best food for my family. I offer a Christian perspective. Even if that’s not your thing, I hope you keep reading because you may find some relevant motivation anyway.

In the account of creation in Genesis, God entrusts mankind with “ruling over” the rest of creation—specifically, everything that lives. (See Genesis 1:27-31). A lot of debate over the centuries has surrounded that statement. I’ll just offer my common sense opinion: that means taking care of the earth and maintaining its ecological balance, not destroying it for irresponsible, selfish consumption. I mean, come on. Even The Lion King got this one right.

And guess what - our bodies are just as much a part of creation as any other component. True, like everything else, they will ultimately decay. But that’s no excuse not to honor and take care of what God said was “good” and “created in his own image.”  The New Testament also reflects this obligation in the following passages:

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, NIV

 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31, NIV

 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1, NIV

Why did God create us with the need to eat? He didn’t have to. Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think he’s up in the heavens grilling cheeseburgers, so he can chow down over Memorial Day weekend. Eating requires us to kill and consume parts of creation. That doesn’t seem to make sense. Does it?

Jesus had no problem with eating. He even said that heaven will be like a big banquet (see Matthew 22 and Luke 14). What was the last major event of his life before the crucifixion? The Last Supper, which was indeed a feast.  And how did he command us to remember him? By eating bread and wine, otherwise known as the Lord’s Supper.

I think God wants us to eat so that we can simultaneously enjoy his creation, take care of it, enjoy our human relationships and be reminded of his generosity. It’s a regular way to worship him. One of the ways he illustrated this in the Bible was by instituting the Sabbath, or the seventh day of rest. Much more than simply a day to kick back and watch football, it was a day to delight with him in all he made.

In Levitical law, not only were there Sabbath days, but Sabbath years so that the land could lie fallow (the original organic farming!). Sabbath was instituted not just for humans but for plants and animals. Feasts and celebrations were built around Sabbaths. Ultimately, communities coming together, delighting in creation, and eating some killer food was a great way to worship the Creator (I owe much of this understanding to a book called Living the Sabbath by Norman Wirzba).

That was the Old Testament. As a practicing Christian, I don’t think I’m required to follow all the specifics of Levitical law, which were instituted for a particular time and place. But I do still need to put the law’s spiritual principles into practice.

Practically, that means that to enjoy food the way God intended it, I believe I should:

• Receive all food as a gift from God with humble gratitude.
• Enjoy food as often as possible in a community setting. That means eating around the table as a family without distractions and regularly inviting others into our home to share meals.
• Consume food that was produced in a responsible way, socially and environmentally. That means buying more local, organic food and less prepackaged mystery food. It also means cooking more from scratch (not my natural talent).
• Consume food that is good for my body, in moderate portions.
• Share good food with others who need it.

I’ve been more actively and intentionally trying to do this for a couple of months now, and believe me, it’s difficult. It’s inconvenient. It can be more expensive. It’s frustrating.

But I’ll tell you one thing—I’ve had some mighty satisfying meals with my family and friends. Not only were they pleasurable to all five senses and better for our bodies, but— as contrived as this might sound — they were also good for the soul.

Much thanks to Lindsey at Living Unrefined for letting me share some of my thoughts with you. If you liked this post, please visit my blog, Holding the Distaff. I write about all sorts of topics related to home and family, but if you want a little more related to this post, check out these posts: Inspiration if You Have a Culinary Impairment…, Do I Have Time/Money/Energy/Power to be Socially Responsible? and Healthy Habits.

Couponing the Natural Way

If you've been following my facebook page, you know that I am a huge couponer - you also know that you won't find coupons for Pop Tarts, Cokes, or Twinkies on my page!  As much as I love (and need) to save money, there are some things that just aren't worth sacrificing.  Feeding my family foods that I know are safe and healthy is an incredibly important responsiblity to me.  I take this very seriously and don't waiver no matter how great the sale temptation may be.  Just because you can buy a box of mac and cheese for free doesn't meant that you should!

So, exactly how do you coupon for real food?

• Forget buying Sunday papers.  If you are truly committed to providing real food for your family, the number of usable coupons isn't worth the cost of the paper and the time it takes to clip the coupons.  Plus, the "awesome" coupons in the ads just add extra temptation to buy bad groceries!


• When you do find a good deal, stock up!  I'm not going to lie, all-natural or organic deals are few and far between.  So, when you come across a great deal, buy a lot (but not so much that it'll expire before you can use it).


• Check your favorite stores' websites for in-store coupons. These stores will often coordinate their coupons with current manufacturers' coupons.  When this happens, you can really save money.  (Whole Foods, Target)


• Save money in other places.  I know it seems like retreat from grocery couponing, but it's not!  It's just readjusting your focus.  Look for great deals on paper goods, cleaning products, cosmetics, etc., because it's much easier to find deals on the natural versions of these items than on natural groceries.  When you're saving money in other places, you'll have more to spend on organic groceries.  If you get a couple of $15 boxes of vitamins for free, that's $30 more to spend on food!


• Look for "money-maker" coupons.  Although these coupons are usually not going to be for things that you actually want to use, when you're getting money back, you can use it towards your organic groceries.  There are tons of food banks that are more than willing to take your extras.


• Check the coupon sites regularly.  I check coupons.com & redplum.com daily to see if there are any new coupons available.  If you don't have time to do the leg work yourself, follow a coupon blog or two.  My page only posts all or mostly all natural coupons, but be careful if you're following other sites, because the bad food deals can be super tempting!


• Follow your favorite brands on facebook.  They post high-value coupons on their pages often, so keep an eye out.


• Don't forget about the daily deal sites!  There are tons new online organic shopping sites (yay!), and they are often using daily deal sites to promote their sites.  I've ended up with $250 of Seventh Generation diapers for only $40 by using daily deal vouchers.

As far as couponing goes, that's about it.  Look out for another post about general money-saving tips for shopping and living organically, though!  Even if coupons are hard to come by, you really can still eat organically on the cheap - my family is living proof of this!

*SIGH*

Husband:  What's a cow say?
Little Bear:  Mooooo
Husband:  What's a sheep say?
Little Bear:  Baaaaaaa
Husband:  What's a dog say?
Little Bear:  Oof Oof
Husband:  What's Mommy say?
{My eyes dart across the room}
Little Bear: *SIGH*

Confession:  I am a sigher.  A compulsive, exaggerated sigher.  There's nothing like the honesty of a kid to kick you while you're down, right?  I sigh over everything.  It's my go-to response to anything that is not wholly awesome.  I really don't want Little Bear to grown up thinking that Mommy is always put out by him or annoyed with him, though.  I suppose I'll add it to the list of things that I need to work on...

What was your not-so-glorious moment of the week?  We promise not to laugh... too hard!

{Guest Blogger: Overworked Supermom} I'm Ready to Be a B*#$&!

I think I owe it to myself to become a "B" ... well, a skinny b*%&#, at least. I've been inspired and am now on a mission to look and feel my best.

Here's the thing. Due to a variety of medical maladies, I've been overweight and unhappy with my outward self for several years. This isn't about vanity (although I would love to look uber hot), but my health.

Me, 13 years ago. I was slender, healthy and happy. Today, that poor girl is buried under additional, unneeded pounds. I must save her!

About three years ago, I had a miscarriage. It’s worth noting that a few months later, I got pregnant and had a beautiful, perfect baby boy. Even still, the miscarriage got me thinking. There are a plethora of reasons I could have lost my baby. Chromosomes didn't jive together, God felt it wasn't the right time and/or my body isn't "up to code."

I know how hard I've worked to lose what I have over the years, so I'm not blaming myself per say, but I know that I can do even more to get myself healthy.

I can't rely on others to get my butt in shape — this task is up to me. Only I decide what goes in my mouth. It's up to me to make better choices for my health.

With that in mind, I set out to learn more about living healthy. Obviously, I keep up with Living Unrefined, but I’ve also spent some time reading these:

The Skinny Bitch phenom was started by two beautiful vegans hell-bent on getting their no-nonsense advice out for all to hear. Their straight-to-the-point advice and "slap in the face" attitude really grabbed my intention. Put down the candy bar? Okay! Of course I don't want a fat ass forever! You're so right, SBs!

The Organic Food Shopper's Guide is a really informative book that explains how to shop for, store and utilize your food to the fullest potential. I've been pouring over it, compiling a shopping list of my organic "must haves." Plus, I've already set aside quite a few recipes to try next week. Yum!

The Student's Vegetarian Cookbook intrigued me. It's written with the poor college student in mind, but why not have a poor writer take full advantage of its secrets? It teaches you how to use common ingredients in a more healthful, tasty way — who couldn't use that advice? (They also have a vegan companion book available, but I'm not too interested… yet.)

I'm not going vegan or fully vegetarian — anyone who knows me I can eat the crap out of some ribs or homemade hamburgers! — but I am converting to a more organic, less meat lifestyle. It amazes me that I've put crap in my body for 29 years ... and I'm not talking about the sodas and candy (though I'm beyond guilty), but things that we've been told were good for us: milk, veggies full of pesticides and meat with more problems than I care to discuss. These are things we've always heard in the background of society, but never paid much mind to. Well, my mind is beginning to open. It's time for a new way of life.

I just want to become the healthiest version of myself possible. I want to enjoy the nutrients my food has to offer, without all the crap (or less of it, at least).

Has anyone ever tried eating all organic and/or vegetarian/vegan?
What was your experience with it?

—Supermom OUT

Overworked Supermom is a real life supermom! Maybe not all the time, but she sure does try. Between working full-time and being a mommy, she still finds time to write, craft, cook and joke about life in a positive way. So check out Overworked Supermom on facebook, twitter, pinterest, and her blog!

Lunch... Ugh.

I hate lunch.  Honestly, I'm guilty of just skipping it entirely sometimes.  It's such a pain!  Breakfast is easy - eggs, toast, waffles, pancakes, etc.  Dinner is fun, and there are tons of options.  But... Lunch... I hate lunch.

I never feel like cooking anything mid-day, I don't eat lunch meat or other processed meats (so bad for you!), and there are only so many pb&j's that I can handle in a week.  Plus, I can never quite get my creative foodie juices flowing in the vast expanse between breakfast and dinner.  Never.  I hate lunch.

Before Little Bear was eating solids, it was easy to just eat a protein bar or skip lunch all together.  But now I am forced to come up with a lunch every. single. day.  I hate lunch.

So... My solution is this post.  I need your help!!!  I've racked my brain and done some searching around, and I've put this (scarse) list together.  I'd love to keep it growing with your ideas.  If they are quick and follow the "unrefined" rules, I'll add them to the list!

Sandwiches

• Egg Salad
• Chicken Salad (with crockpot chicken)
• Peanut Butter & Jelly/Honey/Agave/Fruit Puree
• Grilled Cheese
• Avocado & Mayo
• Tomato on Toast with Mayo
• Whole Wheat Pita Pockets

Tortillas

• Bean, Cheese & Rice (make and freeze ahead of time)
• Cheese Quesadilla
• Leftover Meat (chicken, beef or pork) Quesadilla

Eggs

• Sliced Hardboiled Egg with Frozen Veggies
• Leftovers Frittata (great with brown rice or pasta and cheese)
• Egg Salad with Fruit and/or Veggies

Pasta

• Simple Pasta Salad (whole wheat pasta, mayo, frozen veggies)
• Frozen Whole Wheat Ravioli (cooked) and Marinara Dipping Sauce

Light Eats

• Cheese Sticks/Cubes and Sauteed Zucchini or Squash "Sticks" with Greek Yogurt Dip
• Cottage Cheese with Fruit/Applesauce
• Sushi Rolls
• Veggies/Pita with Dips
• Hummus and Dippers

And, that's it, folks.  That's about it for our lunchtime rotation around here.  Aside from reheated leftovers from last night's dinner, we don't have much lunchtime excitement.  WHICH IS WHY I NEED YOUR IDEAS! I'm literally begging y'all for some better lunch suggestions!  Leave them in the comments, email them to livingunrefined@gmail.com, or come see me on facebook.  I'm waiting :)

Calling All Bloggers!

I would love to get a few posts up from guest bloggers!  There are so many things that are just better from a second point-of-view.

If you're interested, email me at livingunrefined@gmail.com or hit me up on facebook.  I'm open to just about anything:  food post, natural living, natural eating, holistic health, DIY project... Maybe even your personal struggles with trying to follow a natural diet?  Really, anything goes!

I'll absolutely link the post back to your blog/facebook page to send some traffic your way!  I'm also up for exchanging posts and writing something for your blog, too - just to mix things up :)

Cheers & happy writing!

Buying Beyond Organic {Part I: Whole Grains}

So your label says "organic," huh?  That must mean that its good for you, right?  I mean, companies wouldn't use a buzz word like "organic" unless the product is good for you, right? ... *sigh*

What organic means is that there weren't any pesticides, herbicides, GMOs, or other artificial ingredients used in the processing of the product.  So, yes, you are at least avoiding most toxic chemicals and icky additives by buying organic.

If we're getting technical, the USDA defines "organic" as food that is

produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations.  Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones.  Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled ‘organic,’ a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards.  Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.

Consumer Brochure, USDA National Organic Program.

So, by means of reverse reasoning, food that is not certified organic may be treated with "fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge" and may involve bioengineering or ionizing radiation.  Fabulous.  I think I'll stick with my organic/grass-fed or locally-raised foods.  Yeah, thanks.

While buying organic is a huge step in the right direction (I haven't seen any organic Twinkies on the shelf lately), it's not the end-all, be-all in healthy eating.  There is so much more to consider!

I plan on doing a multi-part series on this topic (buying beyond just "organic").  Today's post is on Whole Grains - why they're important and how to spot them.

I originally planned on also detailing they whats and whys of whole grains myself, but then I happened upon this post by Lisa Leake of the 100 Days of Real Food blog.  She has so much good stuff there that it just seems unnecessary to rewrite almost the same exact info out here.  You really, really need to click over and read her entire post!  For the purposes of this post, though, here are a few whole grain basics that you really need to understand:

• There are 3 parts of a "grain" - the germ, bran, and endosperm.  The germ and the bran contain the majority of the nutrients and fiber and all the "goodies" of the grain.  The endosperm is full of calories and low in nutrients.
• Whole grains contain all three parts of the grain.
• Refined grains have had the germ and the bran removed.  All a refined grain is left with is the endosperm.
• Although, for example, white flour and whole wheat flour are both made from the same plant, the processing and the removal of the healthy parts of the grain render two products with vastly different nutrient compositions.

The refined grains are in a state that our bodies were simply not designed to process.  The starches are much simpler and are stored by our bodies at a much higher rate.
So, how do you know for sure what  you're getting when you buy flour, corn, rice and oat products?

First, you CANNOT trust the wording on the front of the packaging.  In reality, words like "multi-grain" and "whole grains" on the packaging mean little to nothing.  "Multi-grain" simply means that multiple types of grains were used in making the products.  It has nothing to do with whether or not those grains are whole grains.  And, "whole grains" can simply mean that some of the grains used in the product are whole grains, but the food can still be mostly or nearly all processed grains.

The first thing you should do is flip your package over (ignore the nutrition label and all other package markings), and look for the ingredient list.  If the words "whole grain" are not in the name of each grain ingredient, it is NOT a whole grain.  "Wheat flour" does NOT equal "whole wheat flour."
That's it!  There's really not big secret, it's just a matter of getting past what the manufacturer wants you to think their product is and getting to what it actually is.  Your biggest (and easiest) weapon in picking good, wholesome whole grains is the ingredient list.
Here are some examples of sneaky labels and exactly what you should be looking for:



Kids' snacks with whole wheat AND refined white flour.



Refined flour and whole wheat flour side-by-side. The refined flour (left) has a very tricky label: "Certified 100% Organic Hard Red Spring Wheat" is really just plain ol' refined white flour that meets the organic certification standards. NOT healthy!

Whole Wheat Pasta

Processed, refined pasta

Rice won't say "whole grain" on the packaging, but "brown rice" is the whole grain version. If the package just lists "rice" without "brown," it's the unhealthy refined white rice.

 NOTE:  Oats are almost NEVER refined.  Whether they're instant, rolled, steel-cut, or quick oats, they are almost guaranteed to be whole grain (even oat flour)!

Ch-ch-ch-CHIA!

As a kid, I coveted the little sproutable terra-cotta planters and couldn't wait to experience the magic of the Chia Pet! I was actually in college when I finally got my very own Chia (an elephant), and it did not disappoint! Eventually the plant died, and, not wanting to dish out the money for replacement seeds, the clay creature disappeared into the sea of stuff lost in my frequent moves...

Now that I'm a much wiser "adult" I adore Chia for completely different reasons... In my teens and early 20's things like fiber, antioxidants, and Omega-3's were nowhere on my radar, but are now the reasons that I am (completely) obsessed with chia seeds! Yes, they are the same seeds responsible for the little green bushes you can grow on animals, presidents, and other characters. {sure wish I could find my lost chia elephant now...}

I've been eating chia seeds almost every day for well over a year now, and have converted several friends along the way. Chia really is one of my favorite healthy habits. It's so good for you and is soooo easy to work into your diet! Chia seeds

• have more antioxidants than blueberries,
• have more Omega-3's than flax,
• have tons of fiber,
• help "keep things moving" to relieve and prevent belly bloating,
• slow the breakdown of carbs, and
• help your body prevent dehydration.

If you're not sold yet, you seriously just need to give chia a chance! There are several ways you can eat it AND it's really cheap! The 12 ounce bags run between $6 and $8.
Here are some of the ways we eat chia in my house:

• For Parker, I sprinkle a teaspoon on a pb&j sandwich.
• I also mix it with apple juice and let it set overnight (1 part chia to 2 or 3 parts juice) - it will thicken and tastes like chunky jello, yum!
• Every morning with breakfast, I stir 2 Tablespoons into 8-10 ounces of juice or chocolate almond milk and then either drink right away or let it set for about 15 minutes and thicken.
• Occasionally, I'll mix it into yogurt or pour it over cereal.
• To bump the nutritional value of a meal, I'll just mix some chia right in to the final meal - risotto, macaroni and cheese, quinoa... you name it, we've probably had chia in it.
• My friend Laura mixes hers into instant grits in the morning (genius! - could also be done with instant oatmeal).

The possibilities are endless! I premix some of mine with bee pollen granuals and then band a 1/8 cup scoop to the jar to make getting both in the mornings a little easier.

Woes of GMOs

Head's up:  This is a more serious post than usual.  There aren't many random musings or jokes that are appropriate with a post like this, so I'm going to keep it keep it direct.

I've had several conversations with various friends and family lately about the subject and have been really surprised about the massive misunderstanding about exactly what a "GMO" is.  I'm pretty sure that if most people really understood (even on a very basic level) what is happening with our food when it is "genetically modified," there would be a much larger uproar against the practice.

GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organisms.  This is slightly misleading, because it brings to mind the centuries'-old practice of cross-pollinating, grafting, and selective breeding, which has always been considered safe and even "natural."  NO, no, no, no, no - this is NOT what the term GMO refers to!

Genetically Modified Organisms have been altered at a DNA level in a lab by a scientist.  There were most likely no farmers involved and there is NOTHING natural about this process.  Scientists literally take genetic material from one plant/animal and introduce it into the genetic material of another.  The result is a mutated organism that would NEVER exist on its own outside of the lab (Council for Responsible Genetics).

An estimated 80% of processed foods contain GMOs (JustMeans).  The big GMO crops are corn, soy, cotton, and canola.  Odds are, if the food contains one of these ingredients (as do 90% of foods found in the grocery store) and it's not organic, it's a GMO.  Your meat and dairy are probably not GMO-free either.  Much of the feed given to livestock and other farm animals is genetically modified, as well.  The GMO feed actually changes the composition of the meat and dairy products that comes from these animals.

These crops are infused with the DNA from bacterium to make them ultra resistant to herbicides and/or produce their own pesticides.  Yep.  Your dinner can produce it's own pesticides.  As if the crap that's sprayed on our crops isn't bad enough already, let's make a plant that makes its own pesticides and eat those chemicals, too.  Also, let's make a plant that allows us to spray unlimited amounts of toxic herbicides on it without harming it.  The more we can spray (and eventually eat) the better, right?

I know I promised there wouldn't be any of my own musings here, but I literally want to yell dozens of nasty four-letter words when I think about this.

In my fact-checking for this post, I was really surprised to read about some of the disgusting animal creatures that have been produced (yes, produced - not born, not grown - produced).  For example, the Institute for Responsible Technology reports that "spider genes were inserted into goat DNA, in hopes that the goat milk would contain spider web protein for use in bulletproof vests."  You can read more about these combinations here.

If the bare illogicalities of the GMO industry hasn't hit all the way home for you, consider the fact that every study that has been relied upon in the defense of GMOs has been conducted, interpreted, and funded by the companies who created and stand to profit (greatly) from their continued use.  Again, the GMO "food" has a genetic make-up that is entirely foreign to this world.  Our bodies simply are not designed or adapted for consuming and processing these genetically mutated organisms.  For more info, check out this article from NonGMOProject.org about the very questionable GMO studies conducted by Monsanto.

Most other developed countries have already outlawed or substantially regulated the production and distribution of GMOs (including Japan and the European Union).  Not the U.S.!  We continue to give patents, funding, and approval encouraging the continued development and growth of the GMO industry.  Again, %$#&!

Aren't they worth it if people who would otherwise starve to death receive food?  Don't GMO crops help to feed the hungry?  Of course GMO food is better than no food at all (but only by a very slim margin...)  But NO, GMOs have NOT been shown to yield larger crops or more nutrient-dense food as promised.  The only advantages that this science experiment of an industry has been able to create are crops that won't die when sprayed with ungodly doses of herbicides and that can create their own pesticides.

GMO FAIL!!!!

Startin' 'Em Young...

I'm going with a literal "spill-it" for today's Spill-It Saturday: I've debated whether or not this spill-it is just too "bad mommy" to share, but I've decided that if it makes another mom feel less guilty about her mishap then it's worth sharing...

After a very long day, I had a glass of wine in the bathroom with me while I gave my little guy his bath. I set it on the bathroom counter a few inches from the edge and forgot about it. It was about half-full.

As is routine, we did the towel off to room to PJs thing. And, as is routine, he bolted out of the room like a man escaping from bath time prison (such a tough life!). I was picking up his room when I realized that he was way too quiet.

"Parker?" . . . "Parker!" . . . "PARKER?!"

No reply.

I rounded the corner at the end of the hall and found my little gremlin wildly waiving my (now empty) wine glass in the air. Apparently, his zone of reach has increased significantly this week! BAAAHHHHH!

*Close eyes* *Breathe* *Breathe again* *One more time*

My first thought (after "Is he ok," of course): What the heck am I going to tell the folks in the ER when I take my 17-month-old in for alcohol poisoning?!
I snatched the glass and ran through the living room to the bathroom. THANK GOODNESS! There was wine ALL over the floor, the bathroom rug, the door, the carpet and the clothes that he was wearing before bath time. It seriously looked like a murder scene, but that terrible mess meant that little buddy didn't actually consume any of the wine. *WHEW*

Tuesday: 1
Mommy: 0

Ready for round two...

DING

Any stories you're willing to share? I'd love to hear them!

Spill-It Saturday: My Secret Stash

I'm spilling a not-so-healthy secret today... the contents of my (locked) treat drawer. This is actually relatively picked-over after the crazy stressful past two months!

95% of my diet may be unrefined, natural and healthy, but the other 5% keeps me sane :)
Anything you wish to spill this week?

Cheap Tricks

I know that eating organically and living naturally can be expensive.  But, trust me, it can be done cheaply.  For the past 2 years, my family has totally avoided fast and convenience foods, cooked almost totally from scratch, and done so on a shoestring budget.  Not every grocery item in my house is totally organic, but - with careful planning and lots of thought - the chemical damages are mitigated to the extent that our finances allow.
I'd love to share some of the tips and tricks for cutting the grocery bill AND the processed/artificial foods at the same time!

• Buy frozen produce.  Outside of the limited items that are in season, frozen produce is fresher (it's usually frozen right after harvest, so it retains more nutrients than the produce that has been sitting in storage for weeks), cheaper, and it won't spoil before you use it.  There is nothing worse than opening the fridge and seeing a $4 head of organic broccoli wilted and molding, because you didn't get around to using it...

• Know which conventional (non-organic) items are on the "really bad" list and which are "not so bad."  If you know which items are considered safer in their conventional form, when pennies get tight you know where to compromise.  Here's the full list of produce ranked by the EWG - I've all but memorized the list by now, but they also have a smart phone app that you can download to reference on the go!
• Compromise on items you usually use less of and items that are just crazy expensive in organic form.  Things I don't normally buy organic:  cheese, butter, steaks, pork, and avocados.
• Do not compromise on items that you use in larger quantities or that have been found to be more dangerous.  Things I always buy organic:  MILK (so important - think about how much you little ones drink!  I have a friend in the dairy business who told me to NEVER buy conventional milk because it's just plain gross), chicken (think about it:  absent serious genetic modifications and hormones, chicken breasts should not be a size DD), juice (conventional apple juice, for example, often contains levels of ARSENIC up to 3 times the level legally allowed in drinking water), and "Dirty Dozen" produce.
• Shop the bulk section at a natural grocery store.  I buy all of my beans, rice, flours and other grains this way.  The bags are a super big pain, so empty them into glass (Mason-type) jars when you get home.  You can label them with a sharpie and add any cooking instructions from the bulk bins (often the bin will say, for example. "2 parts water to 1 part quinoa").

• Buy cheaper cuts of meat.  A whole organic chicken usually runs around $10, but can easily be stretched to 2 or 3 meals.  Stick it in the crockpot during the day, and you'll have yummy organic chicken for almost any recipe by dinner time.
• Use cheap fillers like organic whole-grain rice, pasta and beans to stretch an otherwise expensive meal.  Also, when I make chicken pot pie, shepherd's pie, and many other meat-based meals, I frequently double the (frozen) vegetables and cut the meat back significantly. 
• Learn how to substitute or forego ingredients that you don't have on hand.  If a recipe calls for a fancy ingredient that you don't normally buy, substituting something you do have can really save money.  Why purchase and keep a bottle of cardamom in the pantry if you only use it once every couple of months?
• Shop the sales and stock up.  I currently have about 10 pounds of grass-fed ground beef in my freezer, because my local market ran it on sale for $3.99/pound a few weeks ago.  It does take extra time and planning to do this, but it's so worth it!
• Avoid foods that are convenience-packaged.  The single serving of coffee in a K-cup or instant oatmeal packets are generally way more expensive than if you buy them in larger quantities.  If you need the convenience for on-the-go, consider pre-packaging your own single-serving packets on the weekends in reusable containers/pouches.

If you'll entertain my ramblings for just a few more minutes, I'd like to have a quick soapbox moment :)


If you still think that feeding your family unprocessed, organic foods is too expensive, think about other areas that maybe you can cut costs to make-up for it.  If you can afford a $15 bottle of shampoo, then why is a $6 gallon of milk too expensive?  Cutting one night of dining out at a mid-priced restaurant can save around $30 just for dinner for 2.  With that $30, you could easily make 3-4 organic dinners for the whole family. Often the price of "convenience foods" (individual snack packs, premade frozen dinners, etc.) is equivalent to the price of its unprocessed counterpart - you just have to be willing to put in the extra few minutes of prep time.  I know time is also a scarce commodity, but, again, it comes back to priorities.


If your priorities are not on eating real foods and using fewer household chemicals, that's totally your decision.  I'm truly not judging anyone for making this decision - I just want to make people think.  With the growing body of research and just plain ole common sense pointing away from chemically-laden and super-processed foods, shouldn't good nutrition and good health take precedence?

Tricky, Tricky

I could write a whole book on this one, but I've really been frustrated with it this week so just a quick rant for now.

It seems like as the market for natural products grows (yay!), so does the prevalence of misleading product labels (boo!). I understand that it is not the big companies' jobs to make sure that we are making the best choices for our health, but do they really have to twist every word and even exploit possible syntax confusion just to make an extra sale?

To me it comes down to integrity. It just goes to show that you really have to own your own health. You cannot rely on other people or companies to make smart decisions for you. Reading ingredient labels is key, because packaging claims are simply not dependable. If you don't know what an ingredient is, look it up (or ask me and I'll look it up for you)!

I put some pictures together, but I left off the company names. I did this because there are so many companies who use misleading labels that I didn't want to single out just a couple to make my point. I'll probably be writing a product review about some of these shortly (let me know if there are other products that you have questions about - I'll be happy to try them out/read up on them!).