I used to hear the word ‘cleanse’ as if it was a 4 letter word. It taunted me, teasing me to consider trying it, knowing the whole time I would have to make some serious compromises from my normal routine.

Could I stick to it? How could I manage juicing and raw foods while at work? Would the hubs be supportive?  Would I spend more time in the bathroom than anywhere else? Would I be satisfied, or feel hungry the whole time?

I remember the first cleanse I ever tried four years ago.  It was a horribly unstructured cleanse ordered by my doctor to address poor adrenal and liver function and help get my digestive system back on track. I stumbled through it, not prepared, and didn’t fully understand how to take advantage of the tools and support that was available to me. So needless to say, my first experience was a bust.

Fortunately, I didn’t let that define my opinions of a cleanse.

And when I met a couple here in Austin that are running an incredible Raw Foods company, and offered to have me join their upcoming Group Cleanse, I was intrigued. I had been thinking about trying another cleanse for a while, but was a little intimidated to go about it on my own. So, I sucked it up and registered for their group cleanse. No turning back now!

Choosing the right group for a cleanse.

As I just mentioned, I’ve recently discovered an amazing group of people who are passionate about helping people transform their lives through healthy eating and better lifestyle choices. They believe in helping us get to the root of our health issues through cleansing programs that strengthen the body, help kill off bacteria and metal toxicities and just generally make you feel great.

I discovered the group I will be joining the Group Cleanse for while in Whole Foods one day looking for a chocolate treat I could eat – it had to be gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free and Organic. And like the incredibly knowledgeable staff at Whole Foods often do, they were able to guide me to a product that would rock my world.  These amazing Chocolate Goddess Clusters remind me of a dense macaroon, but without a noticeable coconut texture, and quickly became my favorite indulgence.

So when I started researching New Earth to learn about their other products, I discovered a cleanse they were putting on for a Spring Jumpstart. By the way, if you want to try some of my favorite raw snacks that helped me get through the cleanse, you can click the image below and head over to our store online to pick them up – I highly recommend you do!

What did I experience?

Day 1: I was unprepared to be out of the house most of the day, so I felt a bit tired and hungry much of the day. Need to do a better job of being prepared for the rest of the week! I stopped by my favorite Juice Bar in town and stocked up on some green juice to get me through the day.

Day 2: I was better prepared since I stopped off at Whole Foods and stocked up on some fresh fruits and veggies. A bit of sticker shock over the bill though I hope I love this cleanse!

Woke up feeling good, but about the same as I usually do, so wondering if I’ll start to notice a little more energy throughout the week. Stayed full all day since I was better prepared and enjoyed some recipes such as a classic green juice:

1 green apple
1 inch knob ginger
5 large stalks celery
1 cucumber
1 large handful parsley
5 stalks kale

Snacked on some raw crackers by 2 Moms in the Raw with some guac around dinner time. Feeling good and satisfied!

Day 3:  no more energy in the morning than I typically wake up with, but head is clearer. I did notice that I was feeling a bit more emotionally vulnerable throughout the day though.  Today I added some carrots into the diet and followed this recipe as well as the green juice from above….

3 large carrots
1 beet
1 green apple
4 large stalks celery
1 large handful of spinach, parsley, or other dark green
1 small cucumber
1 inch knob ginger

Day 4: I noticed I’m sleeping really well now and not waking up in the middle of the night. Yay! Also, definitely feeling clear headed in the morning but again, no more energy.  I decided I wanted to chew something today so I made a simple salad with julienne carrots, cucumbers and zucchini and used some fresh lime juice for a dressing. Today I added another new juice recipe into the mix:

Summertime Mojito: A virgin mojito that is fresh, simple, and delicious!

1 cucumber
1 large pear
1 large handful mint
½ lime

Feeling really good today, and glad I decided to give the raw foods and juice cleanse another try!

Day 5: Woke up feeling good with a little more energy today! Emotions are better (not as raw) and feeling great. Today I wanted to add a little sweet juice to my routine so I tried this one and totally recommend it! Not too sweet but gave me a satisfying sweet flavor alongside the green juices I keep drinking.  On a personal note, my bowel movements are stable and I’m peeing more frequently than usual, so I’m avoiding any liquids too close to bedtime.

1 large pear
1 apple
1 cup pineapple, cubed
4 large stalks kale
1 cucumber

Day 6: I’m feeling confident and happy, and made some raw crackers in the dehydrator I borrowed from a friend. They weren’t bad, but I’m glad I have some store bought goodies on hand too! For dinner I had some guac and crackers alongside a beet juice:

1 apple
4 large carrots
1 beet
1 inch ginger

Day 7: Woke up feeling great, but my emotions are right on the surface again. I have a class today for the group cleanse and I’m excited to see what they suggest we do to keep a portion of raw foods into our diet as my goal is to keep at a 50/50 ratio of cooked and raw foods.  I decided to finish out the cleanse with a combo juice I made up:

2 apples
4 large carrots
1 beet
1 inch ginger

1 cucumber

Delish!

Day 8: Today I wasn’t as hungry as I had been on the previous days, but I still kept up with my juices and just avoided the raw snacks. My emotions are good and I’m definitely continuing to have a clear head!

Day 9: Slept like a baby last night and I woke up feeling great. We have another group class today and I’m looking forward to the recipes they share. I’m’ so glad I’m doing this as apart of a group. It’s been really helpful to share in my experiences with the other group members and learn how much better they feel since most of them are on their second or third group cleanse. Here’s a new juice I added into the mix today:

2 Granny Smith apples
1 McIntosh apple
1  pear
5 kale leaves
1 cucumber
4 celery stalks
1/2 cilantro bunch
1  lemon (optional)

Day 10: I made it! The last day of the cleanse is here, and I’m heading out this morning to a final group class. I did notice that I’m feeling a little vulnerable (emotionally) but otherwise I’m doing great. Slept great, head is clear, energy is high and I’m so glad I did this. It’s such an amazing feeling to know I can do it!  Here’s my new favorite juice blend:

What does a cleanse do for me?

Eating raw foods and consuming an abundance of fresh leafy veggies and fruits through juicing give me a sense of energy and awareness that I don’t have otherwise.  I wake up refreshed, I have an easier time at work, my emotions feel more balanced and I sleep better at night.

I’m happier, more energized and any hints of anxiety or emotional ups and downs are gone. Though I will say that if you’re approaching a cleanse form a typical American diet rich in sugar and grains you will probably experience some emotional clearing (meaning you may be a raging bitch or weeping basket-case for a day) but that will pass and you will be on the other side of it feeling better, more balanced and motivated to keep on the path!

So, would I recommend a 7 day raw food and juice cleanse? ABSOLUTELY!

My overall experience was positive and I felt great, had a clearer head, lost a couple pounds of water weight and slept better than I typically do. I’m planning to keep up with a goal of a 50/50 ratio cooked to raw foods, and I bought a dehydrator to make some flat breads and crackers. I’ll share some of the recipes I’m trying as I keep on this raw food path and definitely recommend a cleanse for anyone who wants to give your system a nice little reboot

Have you followed a raw food or juice cleanse? I’d love to hear your experience too!

Welcome to the NEW food allergy advice column, Get “Schooled” on Food Allergies with PTO Mom! Candy Richards shares some tips on how to make sure your child is safe in school as enrollments for the next school year are in full swing.

It’s that time of year again! It’s time to call your school to schedule a meeting to discuss the accommodations for your child with food allergies.

You should discuss with the school nurse what options you have regarding different food allergy management plans.

Here are a few options:

Food Allergy Medical Management Plan

(This plan should be part of the Individualized HealthCare Plan (IHP) and Emergency Care Plan (ECP)) developed by a student’s doctor and family. It outlines the proper procedures and should be signed by the student’s allergist, family doctor or certified registered nurse. This plan should include some information such as the student’s date of food allergy diagnosis, specific medical orders and emergency contact information.

Emergency Care Plan (ECP) (This plan is based on the information provided in the student’s Individualized Health Care Plan (IHP) and describes how to recognize a food allergy.

-usually coordinated byt the school nurse and should be distributed to all school staff who have responsibility for the student.

Individualized Health Care Plan (IHP) (This plan uses the process of assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation to determine a plan of action for the student with food allergies)

-provides written directions for school health personnel to follow in meeting the individual student’s healthcare needs. While parental/guardian involvement is not required, I recommend you are involved as much as you feel necessary.

504 Service Agreement  (This plan outlines accommodations, educational aids, and services a student with food allergies may need in order to have equal access to educational opportunities as students without food allergies.)

- a plan of services developed under

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to protect those with “disabilities” from discrimination. These plans can be used when schools are receiving federal funding.

If you do not know where to start, contact you child’s school now to get the process going for next school year. Good luck!

Have a question regarding Peanut, Tree Nut or Other food allergies in school? Want to suggest a topic for me to discuss? Follow Me on Facebook @ www.facebook.com/ptomom or Contact me @ pto_mom@aol.com and follow my Inspiredeats column here.

Get “Schooled” on Food Allergies With PTO Mom!

*All information on this page is not to be taken instead of medical advice.*

I remember the first time I ever had mole sauce; I was visiting some friends in San Diego and we went to a highly recommended Mexican restaurant that served some incredibly delicious food – as authentic as we’ve ever had in Mexico. And when I asked the waiter what he recommended, he didn’t hesitate to suggest the Chicken Mole as his favorite. So I took his advice, placed the order, and so began my love affair with Mole sauce.

Over the years, I’ve tried to replicate it, but never been successful, though I keep at it in an ever-stubborn quest to get that perfectly balanced flavor that I still crave. And since we’re managing a couple food allergies around here, it’s nice to have a dish that feels more exotic than it is, which is one of the reasons I adore Mole. Not to mention that it’s a great way to sneak in some anti-oxidant rich Cocao into your diet!

And while I love mole sauce, I know it’s an acquired taste for many people, so when I make it for our son I use a variation that he prefers which leaves out the peppers and pumpkin seeds, and relies on peanut butter to give a toasty flavor to the sauce. I hope this version works well for you too, and would love to hear your thoughts on it below. Remember, this isn’t authentic Mole, but it’s a great way to get your kids to love it!

Guest writer Margaret Conner of The Wellness Pantry shares her story of their third grade son going gluten-free.  I just love how mature he is about his journey and why he’s happy to be allergy-free. It sounds a lot like my little guy too! So read on to see what it’s like to live gluten and dairy free, straight from a 3rd graders mouth! 

The Truth about Going Gluten-free, in the 3rd grade. Yep, we are taking you behind the scenes and heading to the source: the gluten-free 3rd grader. Since I often get asked by clients what it’s like to transition your kid to a gluten-free diet, I decided to interview my son a year or so after he’d gone gluten-free in the 3rd grade.

Here is what he shared:

 1.    What was it like to switch to a gluten-free diet?  Was it hard to change what you ate?

           Well it was hard at first with my sister in front of me eating stuff I couldn’t. It takes some getting used to, I think the worst part was that I had already tasted the Ice cream and the Pizza. Our house is gluten-free and pretty much dairy-free so its easier to not feel bad about missing gluten if I’m at home.

Though it also took some time and they developed more food that was gluten-free my mom found a lot of it. So now it’s a lot easier because I can get my gluten-free pizza and etc., though I still want some gluten once in a while.

 2.    What is it like at school and around your friends when you may not eat the same sorts of food they do?

               Well it was really similar to my family, it took some getting used to. It started out terrible with all my best best friends eating not gluten-free things and then you’ve got to tell them. Thinking they’ll think you’re some weirdo. It’s very tempting to not mention it and eat all gluten things, but it actually went down well with my friends instead of thinking that I’m a weirdo they actually had sympathy that I became gluten-free.

 3.    What are some of the things that have made you stick to eating this way?

           Because they make me feel bad

 4.    What are some of your favorite things to eat now?

                Usually types of meat and fruits + vegetables. I also like these special chicken fingers but if you look around in small special sections in grocery stores you may find some good things.  

 5.    Is it hard to stick to eating this way?  Why or why not?

Well it usually is kind of difficult but most of the time it depends more on where you’re eating and the options. If I eat at my house it is really good because my mom has all these good healthy gluten-free + diary free* foods and she will cook them and serve them very fresh as opposed to a fast food place where really all I can have is a burger no bun and maybe fries witch is not at all fresh nor healthy and you really get sick of having it after a while.

6.    What advice would you give to other kids who are changing to a gluten-free diet?  Is there anything that might make it easier for them to make the change?

                There is a lot of advice I could give them but I’ll start with something that’s very important witch is you have got to hang on, you have got to listen and take it seriously, you have to wait a year with the diet because trust me it will get better.

 7.    Did you notice any changes with your body or your behavior when you changed how you ate?  What changed?

              Yes, I did. I got a lot happier because I had no more problems with my stomach. My math brain also got faster and it took a lot more to get me angry.

So there you have it, the straight dope. There are a lot of good tips and tricks for getting your kids gluten-free in a painless way. I’ve done it for my own kids and now countless other families. For starters, here are a few of the more popular gluten-free treats my clients like (treats are a biggie for kids changing to a GF diet and nice to have on hand for birthday parties, etc.) and a basic recipe or two to get your started.

You can learn more about how the Wellness Pantry can help you by visiting her site here. 

Think you don’t like or need Coconut Water? Perhaps you think it’s just another latest craze? Nick Garcia, Holistic Nutritionist, shares his thoughts on why it’s a must-have for everyone (and sheds light on why Hawaiians are never thirsty

The Many Benefits of Coconut Water

Most people think I’m crazy when I recommend coconut water over regular water. You may be thinking “but, we are mostly composed of water, NOT coconut water” or “don’t the experts recommend drinking 8 glasses of water per day?”

These are common questions I receive when recommending coconut water. In this article, I will reveal the 4 BEST reasons to drink MORE coconut water (and maybe second guess the regular water you are currently drinking).

It not only satisfies thirst but invigorates the body and brings about a sense of well-being and renewed health. I encourage women who are pregnant or nursing to consume as there are many beneficial minerals and nutrients for a healthy mom and baby.

Coconut water contains a variety of nutrients including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, enzymes, growth factors, and other nutrients.

Coconut Water > Water

The one substance in coconut water that makes it healthier than water is…

Well, before I give you the benefits of coconut water I want to clear a few things up:

1.)    Today’s drinking water is not created equal compared to the drinking water of 1000 years ago.

2.)    Our bodies are WAY more toxic than they were 1000 years ago.

3.)    I am not going to tell you to ONLY drink coconut water.

So, if you drink toxic, not so ideal water in a toxic, not so ideal body, well I’ll just say that two toxics don’t make a detox!

Hawaiians Are NEVER Thirsty

Hawaiians refer to coconut water as “noelani” or “dew from the heavens” and I must agree, coconut water is quite heavenly.

Have you ever heard a Hawaiian say “I’m thirsty”? Me neither, although I’ve never been to Hawaii…or met anyone from there, but I assume they have amazing coconut water there.

I choose and over all recommend coconut water over most water for a few different reasons. 1.)

1.)    Electrolytes: Coconut water contains electrolytes superior to normal water. Minerals: Magnesium, Calcium, and Potassium are in abundance in coconut water. One fascinating property of coconut water vs. normal water is that the electrolyte content closely resembles that of human blood plasma, your blood plasma, as I’m fairly certain ONLY humans read this blog.

The quality of most the tap and bottled water we consume is inferior to coconut water, as distilled water is stripped of almost all mineral activity and tap water is full of outside toxins. By consuming hydrating liquids that promote a positive electrolyte balance your “requirement” for water lowers, since your “intake” (of electrolytes) increases. Simple and delicious.

2.)    Organ Health: Organ health is vital for all metabolic functions to work optimally, including fat loss and overall health. Does coconut water positively affect the organs? Why, yes it does:

• Heart health, by increasing overall blood circulation and reducing arterial plaque damage
• Reproductive health, through increased blood flow, blood sugar, and stress hormone reduction
• Kidneys, electrolyte balance is crucial for kidney health
• Bladder, reducing bladder infection through healthy kidney promotion
• Brain, providing adequate blood glucose to enter. The brain ONLY uses glucose for energy, coconut water contains the “perfect” sugars

If you can think of ANY other organ or organ system I failed to mention, you better believe coconut water can improve the function.

3.)    Increase Workout Effectiveness: Coconut water can be enjoyed as a pre-workout drink, during and post-workout for energy and recovery. Assuming not consuming any calories around your workout will burn the fat that you currently have, will result in the opposite. Exercise, especially exercise that is actually beneficial, like resistance training, requires FUEL = Food = Calories = Coconut Water.

Maintaining proper and balanced blood sugar levels before, during, and after a workout will increase your ability to burn excess fat, build lean muscle, and feel great (endorphins!).

The calories in coconut water flow in your blood stream quickly and efficiently by entering the cells providing energy (ATP) to fuel your workout and recover from your workout.

*Side Note: People with low blood sugar issues can improve glucose levels with a few swigs of coconut water.

4.)    CYTOKININS: The one thing that makes coconut water healthier than water is…CYTOKININS. I’m literally yelling this word, which is why I am typing in upper-case.

What the heck are Cytokinins?

Cytokinins regulate certain cellular functions that reduce damage to the mitochondria of the cell. Remember, we are made up of trillions of cells that die and regenerate every day without even realizing it, this is essentially how and why we age.

Any way you can slow down the process of free radical production, the substances that cause cellular damage and oxidative stress you can age slower, more gracefully, and more importantly healthier.

The possibilities are endless!

I generally avoid brands that are “Made From Concentrate” as well as actively drink 100% coconut water that is “Pulp-Free.” The pulp CAN be disruptive to digestion, which slows down during workouts and times of stress.

Any questions, comments, concerns, etc…holla at me in the comment section!

-Nick, Your Wellness Coach/Chef

P.S. MY favorite brands of coconut water are C2O, Amy and Brian’s, and ONE.

P.P.S If you think (or know) you don’t like coconut water, try the flavored brands like ONE, with added pineapple flavor/juice. Many people seem to “tolerate” these until they can acquire a taste for straight from the coconut, coconut water.

Nick Garcia, Holistic Nutritionist offers a 3-month all-inclusive coaching program that uses real food to improve metabolic health, lose weight, and improve overall health and vitality.

Click here for more information

Love Chocolate? Good – it’s actually good for you!

Chocolate has more antioxidants than blueberries, green tea and red wine, and nearly eight times the antioxidants found in strawberries. Cacao has more antioxidant flavonoids than any food tested so far, including blueberries, red wine, and black and green teas. In fact, it has up to four times the amount of antioxidants found in green tea. Dark chocolate has been shown to lower high blood pressure and LDL cholesterol and Cacao contains antibacterial agents that fight tooth decay. Yay

More reasons to enjoy raw cocao.

Here’s why you’re reading this post

The Magnesium Connection.

John Pinette is an actor and comedian who seems to be on an effort to clean up his diet, and was apparently diagnosed as wheat sensitive. He has some hilarious clips about his journey along this path, poking fun at vegans in a clip about buying 10 pound bags of almonds to make a vegan burger, but the one below cracks me up since I live this life every day.

John makes light of the fact that he was told by Doctors to avoid wheat and gluten, and when he checks out the list of what gluten is found in, he seems to think its nearly impossible to manage.

“Do you eat a lot of gluten? I don’t know what gluten is, but I would say Yes. I’m fairly certain I’m mostly gluten.” He continues on -  “Do you know what has gluten in it? Everything! Check again, maybe it’s just Cancer – how am I going to live?”

John Pinette: Still Hungry “Gluten” Clip

Yes John, it’s a challenging life to live, but thanks to so many amazing efforts by people to produce safe products, raise awareness and help us live safe lives, it’s absolutely manageable. Not only is it manageable, but it’s the only way I would choose to live! We’re happily gluten-free, and raising a healthy, active and loving gluten-free child.

Life is good, even when gluten-free. I might even say it’s good because we’re gluten-free

Every once in a while I fine tune a recipe to the point that both guys in the house admit they like it.  Neither one of them is very good at sugar-coating their thoughts on my dishes, so when I do get something right, I’m always excited to hear them tell me they like it. My little guy will offer a bit more excitement in his tone than the hubs will. Hubs tends to taste it, mumble something about it being ok and then moves on to whatever he finds more appealing than tasting my allergy-free concoctions (which at times is just about anything else he can find to do).

To be fair, since these guys not only taste test my recipes, but also all the products we feature in our happybelly monthly kits, I can understand the occasional tasting-fatigue. But tonight was different.

Tonight I shared a treat I’ve been working to perfect off and on for a few months now. I started making a whipped Coconut Milk treat last year, when I was looking for a dairy-free topping for my berries, and read that Coconut Milk makes a nice alternative option for those of us avoiding cow’s milk. And while I would carefully follow the details of the recipes I found online, I could never quite master the fully rich, creamy and “whipped” effect that I was seeking.

That is, until tonight. So tonight when I sat down to a bowl of heaven (aka whipped coconut milk), I noticed the hubs headed over to the kitchen and inspected the remaining whipped cream on the counter. Without saying anything, he dipped a finger in and tasted it, while at the same time, the little guy came over to the table and asked what I was eating. Before I could answer him, he dipped a pudgy finger into the desert and licked it, taking the smallest of tastes at first. Then before I could object, another little finger went into the bowl, and this time came out with an even bigger scoop. And as he gave me a hug and wished me good night, I noticed he was lingering in the hug a bit longer than usual, so I casually asked him if he was swiping more of my desert with the arm that wasn’t draped over me. “Um, well, sort of. Ok, yes, but it’s really good mom!” And then he ran off to brush his teeth while the hubs  told me I was “getting better at this one”. Gee honey, thanks!

Whipped Coconut Milk

So, here you go – my finally perfected version of a whipped coconut milk treat. Note that the best version was reached when I let the can sit opened in the fridge for 3 nights, rather than the last versions which I only left for 1 night. This time around I kind of forgot about it and let it sit for 3 nights before I made it on the 4th day, and since I used the same brand and method as I have before, I’m confident that was the key ingredient.

That, and sheer will to finally make a kick ass dessert that would rival my old fave – Cool Whip. Man, I love it when I get them right!

Step 1: Add maple syrup and vanilla to coconut milk

Step 2: whip the cream until fluffy (about 30 seconds)

Last week I wrote about the Healthy Life Summit, and how I was excited to listen to so many amazingly gifted folks who are on a mission to clean up our health talk about some of their most passionate topics. I listened to Chris Kessler talk about managing better sleep patterns and healing through sleep by focusing on melatonin levels, and Donna Gates, author of Body Ecology talk about how important healthy gut flora is and how we can address autism and other diseases through better nutrition and the use of probiotics.

But if you missed a presentation you really wanted to see, you can still take advantage of the savings – until April 3rd at midnight, you can save 60% off the total package price, and enjoy 35 different sessions including our favorites below.

• Jenny McGruther of Nourished Kitchen on making real food affordable
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• Donna Gates, author of The Body Ecology Diet – Conquering Systemic Infection: Essential to Good Health
• Heather Dessinger AKA Mommypotomous dishes on beauty products safe enough to eat!
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Do you check your egg labels before you buy them, or do you just grab for the cheapest carton you can find? I was somewhere in the middle until I learned that the labels are more of a marketing ploy than a real indication of how the chickens live. Some of you might not care much for the chicken’s conditions, nor do you worry about how that affects the health and nutrition content of the eggs, but I figure if you’re a fan of our site you probably fall more on the side of at least wondering why you should care, so this one’s for you.

Feed mixed with marigolds or paprika lends its tone to hen’s eggs. (Photo: Mike Harrington/Getty Images)

What’s really behind the labels on those cartons?

About a year ago I was talking to a friend, who was telling me that she buys her eggs from the local farmers market because she trusts that the chickens were truly ‘free roaming’. They  have an opportunity to live outdoors, in the open air, and roam the land as chickens are meant to, creating a happier environment for the chickens, and (many believe) produces a better tasting egg.

But isn’t that what “cage free” means, I asked? Suddenly feeling  naive since I’m a pretty savvy marketer by day job, and hate to think that I’ve had the wool pulled over my eyes.

No, she said. All it means is that they aren’t in a cage.  But it doesn’t mean they can’t be crammed into a building, free of a cage, but still in such packed quarters that they can’t actually roam, and offered only a small little space outside that doesn’t fit one tenth of the number of chickens in the building.

So what is the ideal situation for a chicken? And what does that mean to the health of the eggs we eat?

Pastured Eggs.

In Michael Pollan’s book, In Defense of Food, he makes a point that “pastured” is the optimal egg label to look for. These eggs come from chickens that roam the “pasture”, grazing on grass, enjoying fresh air and living free of cages or large, cramped quarters. Unfortunately, they can be hard to find at some grocery stores. In fact, many don’t carry them at all,  so you may have to look at your healthy grocer or shop the farmers market to find some that are truly “pastured”.

And remember, ‘pastured’ means they roam free on the land, eating grass and enjoying a happy, healthy life, thus, producing healthier, more delicious eggs.

Many of you now know, and embrace, the idea that the diet of the animals we eat strongly influences the nutritional quality and healthfulness of the food we get from them, so the conditions of the chickens absolutely affects the quality of the eggs they produce.

Healthier chickens, defined by diet and living conditions = more nutritious eggs!

Watch this PBS Video that does a great job of explaining the difference in labels, with visuals of the definitions that we’re discussing.  I love the visual quality of this video, which makes it much easier to understand what the conditions truly are like.

Watch 2013 Festival | The Story of an Egg on PBS. See more from PBS Online Film Festival.

Now that you’ve seen the video, let’s break down the real meaning behind common egg labels based on information provided by the USDA and Humane Society.

Common Egg Labels by Definition:

Definition ‘Certified Organic’: the birds are kept uncaged inside barns or warehouses, and are required to have outdoor access, but the amount, duration, and quality of outdoor access is not at all regulated (therefore it could be minimal and low quality). They are fed an organic, all-vegetarian diet free of antibiotics and pesticides, as required by the USDA’s National Organic Program.

Definition ‘Free Range/ Roaming’:  this indicates that shelter was provided with unlimited access to food, fresh water, and the outdoors (which may be fenced and/or covered). This label is regulated by the USDA, but there are no specific requirements around the duration or quality of outdoor access, so this could simply mean there is an opening to a small, crowded dirt yard.
‘Cage Free’:  this label indicates that the chickens were able to freely roam a building, room, or enclosed area with unlimited access to food and fresh water. Note: often, no outside time is provided & there are no specific requirements around how many chickens per square foot are allowed.

‘Vegetarian Fed’:  these birds are not fed animal byproducts, but this label does not say anything about the animals living conditions (i.e. caged vs. outside time) or what else they are fed.
‘Pasture Raised, Pastured’:  due to the number of variables involved, the USDA has not developed a federal definition for pasture-raised products. Generally speaking though, ‘pastured’ means the animals had access to a green field (not just any field) and in turn likely provide high-quality nutritious products. Since this term is not currently regulated there is no way to know for sure unless you directly ask the farmer (at the market).

‘Natural‘:  as required by USDA, meat, poultry, and egg products labeled as ‘natural’ must be minimally processed and contain no artificial ingredients. However, the natural label does not include any standards regarding farm practices, such as how a chicken is housed and fed, and only applies to processing of meat and egg products.

Heart healthy eggs.

Remember, chickens, like us, are what they eat. Any number of studies reveal that chickens raised in a wholesome way, with plenty of time outside to roam and forage, lay eggs that are higher in omega-3s, vitamins D and E, and beta-carotene, which our bodies convert into vitamin A. They are also lower in cholesterol. Bonus points for healthier eggs! Read more here from Take Part to learn what you can do to help with better labeling.

And support your local farmers  – it’s the best way to keep us (and our animals) safe and healthy. Plus it’s just a good thing to do

When you first walk into their modern, sleek dining area you’re greeted by  one of the friendly staff at Beets, who waves their arms at the tables and invite you to pick your favorite spot.  Armed with a cold bottle of purified water and some glasses, she’ll drop off crisp fresh water and a menu that at first glance, might have you a bit nervous. After asking if you’ve ever been here before, she’ll mention that they’re fully raw, vegan and gluten-free and suggest you take some time to browse the menu, and let her know if you have any questions. And yes, you’ll likely have some questions.

If you’re new to a raw foods bar, the concept of raw, fresh foods can make you feel a bit nervous and leave you a little unsure whether you’ll actually feel full. Since the typical American diet tends to lean towards carbs and meat-based proteins, one look at the menu at Beets might have you thinking you’ll need a double dose to feel satisfied. And while I understand why you might think so, the truth is that Beets menu is packed with hearty meals that satisfy your cravings, and keep your belly full with wholesome goodness. The fiber-rich meals will help keep you satisfied, and their juices are a perfect complement to any meal. We love Sylvia’s Favorite, a blend of Coconut water, bananas and cranberries that pairs perfectly with any dish. Or if you’re craving something a little more dessert-like, grab a Choco A La Na Na featuring almond milk, raw cocao, dates, bananas and spices that brings out the inner child in you.

Some of my favorite dishes are the ELT, Beets’ take on the BLT features a delicious sprouted almond sunflower flatbread, spread with a creamy cashew dijonaise, layered with crispy spiced eggplant “bacon”, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and high-vibe sprouts, served with crispy veggie chips and kraut. Another favorite is the Raw Rueben, made with sunflower flatbread layered with 1000 island dressing, kraut, marinated portabella mushrooms, caramelized onions, and Swiss cashew cheeze.

Today, I chose the Asian Style Noodle Salad, made with napa, red and green cabbages, kelp noodles, sea vegetables, daikon radish, bok choy, broccoli, carrot, scallions, cilantro, tossed with Sweet n’ Spicy Miso Dressing, garnished with gomasio. Yum!

As I was finishing up my lunch, I overheard a guest who had just sat down ask if they serve diet coke. No, the waitress answered nicely, but we have Coconut Water, Herbal Tea and fresh juices.  The guest said she’ll stick with water and turned back to the menu after giving her husband a look that I know all too well. She was clearly skeptical about whether Beets was the right choice for them.  I might expect this type of guest to approach eating at Beets, without embracing the true meaning behind their concept, to be lost on the reasoning behind shunning an overly processed, toxic-rich soda. Would she embrace the raw, cold-pressed juices and delicious soups, or would she be dissapointed in the options?  After she spent some time browsing the menu, they finally placed their order. Though I couldn’t hear what they ordered, I’m curious to see how they react to their meals, so I decide to wait a moment to watch as their meals arrive. Do they love the fresh flavor profiles, and the imaginative display? Will they love the rich, exploding flavor bursts form raw foods as much as I do?

I watch, interested, as the get their lunch, waiting to see the expression on her face as she takes her first bite, then another.  She looks at her husband, and smiles. He nods, and they both take another bite. Yep, it seems Beets has two more happy, satisfied customers.

And just as I thought about the power of raw foods to help us heal, and how Beets is helping people to transform their thinking on the benefits of eating raw, I noticed the gentleman sitting next to me. He was dressed in a suit, and I overheard him tell the waitress he was visiting Austin from Houston.  After I heard him comment about how good the soup was I struck up a conversation with him; I was curious what this well-dressed businessman in from Houston thought of our little raw foods bar. To my delight he was amazed at how much he loved the raw Carrot, Ginger, Curry Soup, and was happy to ask me about the history of Beets. Did I know what the motivation was for opening it was?  How long they were open? Was there any real competition in Austin for them?

As I shared what I know of their history, from reading the literature on their tables, he smiles, looks around and comments that he would love to have a Beets in Houston.

You can check out their menu and read more about the story behind Beets on their website, and be sure to check with them for cooking class schedules and special holiday menus.

Unfortunately, children who have food allergies are often excluded from school events that have to do with food. Sometimes the teachers don’t think to ask if the food is safe for everyone in the classroom while planning the event or the PTO/PTA don’t think to accomodate everyone.

This tends to happen a lot and unfortunately, most of the time, we cant do anything about it.

Q: “When my son started 1 st grade, he was constantly coming home crying because he was left out of a classmates birthday party celebration with the class. He brought in cookies that wasn’t safe for my son. I felt so bad listening to him tell me about how everyone ate them in front of him and he just sat there with his hands in his pockets because the teacher told him to do that for his safety. I wanted to scream. How do you help your child feel included in things you have no control over?” -Jamie T.

A: I completely understand how you and your child may feel right now. Have you tried to talk with your child’s teacher about a “safe snack bag” to be kept in the classroom for situations such as this one? I would try that first. Explain to the teacher that you do not want your child excluded from the celebration. Provide a travel size package of “wet one” wipes to clean your child’s area after the celebration is over so he doesn’t come in contact with any of the allergens. Making the child put his hands in his pocket while the celebration is going on may calm the teacher’s nerves but it will make the child feel as though they are being punished for having a condition they cannot control.

Q: “My daughter is allergic to peanuts, strawberries and milk. To ask for a nut-free classroom would be pointless,a s she has multiple food allergies. How do I make sure she is not excluded from school events when food is involved when the food is constantly entering the classroom? – Matthew M.

A: In situations where a child has multiple food allergies, I always suggest if it is possible to make the classroom food-free. Ask if during celebrations, they can encourage non-food related activities and items (ex: stickers, face paintings, crayons, etc). If it is possible to make the classroom food-free that would have the best outcome. If that is not an option, or the school doesn’t want to do that route, try to be as involved in the classroom events as possible. Volunteer to be “classroom dad” and volunteer during occasions when you know that there will be a celebration (ex: Halloween, Valentine’s day, etc). I also advise that you provide the classroom with some safe snacks to keep in the teachers desk in the event that someone brings something in that is not safe for your daughter.

Q: My son was recently excluded from a school event for “his own safety”. They had a birthday celebration in the classroom with cupcakes. He is allergic to milk, eggs and wheat. Because of these being in the cupcakes, and him being in contact with them, the teacher sent him to the office to give the secretary some papers. (This was merely an excuse to get him out of the classroom.) The teacher later told me why he did that. What should I do so my son doesn’t feel left out?- Kathy J.

A: When teachers purposely exclude a child for “his own safety” is not only completely wrong but it hurts the child more than they realize. Unfortunately, this will happen from time to time because some people just don’t understand how to work with the condition instead of against it. I would definitely talk to the teacher, one on one, and discuss your concerns with how he handled the situation so it doesn’t keep happening. Put a plan in place that you both can work with so your child can be in the classroom during these special occasions. Try to give as many suggestions to the teacher as possible to help the teacher understand the allergy and how to handle situations like this. Good Luck!

Q: “My daughter is in class with a boy, who she loves dearly, that has nut allergies. She doesn’t have any food allergies herself. I am a member of the PTA and help plan a lot of the school events. This boy’s mother is very adamant about food allergies so I want to make sure that I don’t hear her wrath, lol.  How do I make sure that he is included in the activities while also not posing a threat to his health?” - Anonymous

A: You sound like you are speaking about my son and me, lol. Let me first say that I am extremely touched that you would even try to understand and go out of your way to help this boy feel included because you, yourself, are not a food allergy parent. It is admirable of you to try to educate yourself on this, so I thank you on behalf of all of us food allergies parents. As for making sure he is included, I would first develop a list of “safe” snacks, candies and foods that are 100% safe for nut allergy sufferers. If you do not know where to start, ask his mother. I am sure she would be touched to know you care enough to ask and will be willing to help so her child is safe. Once you have a list of safe foods, try to provide everyone that is involved in the planning of PTA events with a copy. This will help with the communication on the proper foods. When planning events, do your best to plan non-food related activities. This will keep everyone’s mind at ease. Remember though, some non-food items contain nuts (ex: lotions, soaps, bird seed, etc) so please always check ingredients.

The question below is quite offensive but I felt it needed to be added to see how some parents react to the accommodations of children with food allergies to keep them from being excluded.

Q: “Please do not be offended at my next statement but why should I go out of my way to provide accommodations to a child with food allergies? I understand it is serious but if we have to accommodate for them then they are getting special treatment. Shouldn’t they just deal with it and work around it? I don’t mean to be hostile but I don’t feel like I should have to go out of my way and go to a thousand stores to find “safe” foods when the parents of the food allergy kid can provide them for their child and I can buy what I want to for the classroom party.” – Debbie K.

A: I understand your frustration however this is not about accommodating a food choice like being vegan. This is about accommodating a child’s life threatening condition to which they have no control over. Providing a safe alternative is something most food allergy parents do, for the safety of the child, however it means the world to the parents and the child when people care enough about that child’s life to make sure there is no chance that child could die from a “birthday celebration” of their classmate. Here is a suggestion for you to accommodate a child with food allergies; send in non-food products for the celebration and leave the cupcakes at home to be celebrated with the family or send in stickers, pencils, crayons etc; all of which can be bought at the dollar store. If you have to send food, because your child really wants to do that for their special day, I understand that. In that case, maybe ask the teacher if there are snacks, that they know of, that are definitely safe. Give them a few days in advance, so they can ask the food allergy parents for a safe food idea, or to provide them with time to provide their child with a safe alternative so you can buy whatever you want. In the end, it is about the happiness and SAFETY of the students so please be understanding that this is not a life choice; it is a life threatening condition.

Thank you all for you questions!

Have a question regarding Peanut, Tree Nut or Other food allergies in school? Want to suggest a topic for me to discuss? Follow Me on Facebook @ www.facebook.com/ptomom or Contact me @ pto_mom@aol.com and follow my Inspiredeats column here.

Get “Schooled” on Food Allergies With PTO Mom!

*All information on this page is not to be taken instead of medical advice.*

How to make non-toxic, allergy-free Easter egg dyes: 

 

 

 

And there you have it! Safe, non-toxic egg dyes that your kids will love

Guest writer, Rebecca Evans shares her newest find; a dairy, nut & soy-free cheese alternative that she loves. 

I have found that the older I get, the less my body is able to digest milk. In fact, it has gotten to the point where although I’m not allergic to dairy products, I treat myself as though I do have an allergy, because I have found that after consuming dairy, I feel sick, sluggish and experience cramping sensations.

Avoiding milk is not the challenge it used to be: today we can choose from soy, rice, almond, hemp and coconut milk to make up for what we were missing. Butter isn’t tough to substitute either, thanks to brands like Earth Balance, which offer vegan varieties.

But what to do about cheese? That, my friends, is the million-dollar question.

Although I have tried soy cheese (and been disappointed for the most part), I really do try to shy away from it, simply because as a vegetarian I don’t want to consume too many soy products. Variety is the spice of life, and I’m pretty sure variety is also healthy, too! Well, it took a lot of investigating, but I managed to find a brand I love and enjoy, called Daiya! 

They make fake cheese, fake cream cheese, and pizza that is not only dairy free and soy free, but also gluten, egg, peanut and tree nut free! I didn’t think I would ever have the good fortune in my lifetime to stumble upon such a wonderful company that not only understood those with food allergies/sensitivities, but also was able to provide a tasty finished product that I would want to have again and again!

As much as I wish I could swear off even fake cheese (in a similar vein to vegetarians/vegans who have “graduated” and look back on Boca burgers with disgust), I truly appreciate the option to have a tasty spread on my raisin bread toast every morning, or enjoy a pizza that reminds me of what I used to eat. For those with restrictive diets (for whatever reason), it is always nice to know that we have options!

You can check out their site here and learn where to buy their products, as well as more about their other products. Go check them out!

Rebecca Evans is a freelance writer, and knows firsthand what it’s like to have a partner with food allergies. You can find her on Facebook , Twitter and her blog, Living the Hi Life