Difference between organic and bio-dynamic?

- Organically grown foods go by the basic principle of organic farming which is to make great food, that not only tastes great but retains nutrients.
– They do this without using artificial fertilizers, synthetic chemicals, hormones, genetically modified foods or growth promoters.
– Bio-dynamic foods are a “hippier” version of organics, it goes one step further and takes into account, the food, crops, soil and even solar system!
– Crops are planted at certain times of the moons cycle and it’s all about looking after the soil.
– It’s a little more energetic if you like. They’re all about adding vitality to the plants, animals, soil and environment.

What does free-range mean?

- This is often about livestock and poultry, and it means they’re allowed to roam in a more natural environment, there is freedom of movement.

Why buy fair-trade?

- Buy choosing to get fair-trade products, you know that the money is going back into the community where the products are sourced.
– You’re avoiding products that use child slave labour, unfair and unethical labor techniques, lots of environmental issues goes on with some crops.
– Ones to always buy fair trade: chocolate, coffee, sugar, tea, grains (rice, quinoa)

Nutrition Information: how to read it?

- Try not to be too scared of fat, carbs and protein. Best not to get too caught up in calorie counting.
– What you need to look out for are numbers, chemicals, additives and preservatives. It shouldn’t read like a chemical class.
– These guys are the nasties that the body finds hard to breakdown, plus they’re pretty much void of health benefits. You want to always go for whole foods, it’s what the body thrives on!

Supplements? Do they work? Can they replace a healthy diet?

- In the perfect world our bodies would thrive off a diet rich in whole foods. However, I believe that in times of stress or when immune system is compromised supplements can become very handy! When your body needs an added boost, go for it.
– It’s important to know that taking supplements doesn’t make you healthy. Being healthy is all about good foods and great lifestyle. Supplements at times can be a nice accessory to a healthy lifestyle, to be used in conjunction. When choosing supplements, go for ones without sugar (looks for naturally sweetened like stevia or agave), watch our for artificial flavours and colours! A health practitioner will usually put you on high quality supplements.

Label Myths:

- Low fat: often when the fat is pulled out, the product doesn’t taste as good, so manufactures will need to add sugar and flavours to make it taste better! Which is making the products unhealthy. Plus you need the good fats to absorb the fat-soluble nutrients like vitamin D. So with your milk and yoghurt, full cream is always best.
– Sugar free: Same thing with sugar, you see sugar free and think it’s healthier or it will make you skinny! Lie! Most of these sugar free products are sweetened with artificial sweeteners like aspartame, which are not good for your health, linked to a truckload of brain issues including alzimers, Parkinson’s, depression and even brain tumours! Plus it decreases serotonin in our brains, dropping our moods and making us feel flat, what’s the first thing you want to eat when you’re down? chocolate and carbs, so it’s really indirectly leaving to weight gain! Sugar free is not the way to go! Full sugar is easier for your body to assimilate (as a treat).
– Foods fortified with vitamins, we see it on bread, chocolate drinks, “added vitamin B”, “added iron”. Yes, it’s great that they’re added them, but it’s better that we get these things from the natural sources and from whole foods! Way healthier and the body finds vitamins in natural forms easier to assimilate and absorb!
– It’s pretty simple, go back to the basics and eat things which are unrefined! Go for whole foods (fruit, vegg, nuts seeds, organic meats) and you’re set!