Pay the Farmer, Not the Pharmacy

Share your thoughts We know about vitamins, minerals and all the phytonutrient goodness in them but we worry about lack of protein. Don’t. Edamame, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Spinach, Avocado, Asparagus and even the delectable Potatoes are good examples of proteins in vegetables. Eat the colors of the vegetable rainbow. There is a pot of gold at the end of it! Thanks for tuning in to "Pay the Farmer, Not the Pharmacy"! Hosted by Meera & Ashok Vasudevan Stay Connected #PayTheFarm...

Share your thoughts Collagen, Calcium, Phosphorus, and Vitamin D are each crucial for bone health as we age. Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body that forms the scaffolding that gives our body its structure and strength. Calcium homeostasis is an even distribution of Calcium in the bones and is crucial for skeletal health. This process is aided by Phosphorus and Vitamin D that ensures the absorption of Calcium in our body. Vitamin C, amino acids, zinc and Copper are...

Share your thoughts A very small dietary change can make a huge difference to the quality of our lives. Pollen, pets, dust mites and foods are common triggers for skin allergies and/or asthmatic episodes. Sometimes a hyperactive immune system triggers a battle between our antibodies and some foods, creating all the familiar allergy symptoms. Some allergies including eczema are alleviated by avoiding dairy, gluten, peanuts, eggs, honey and highly processed foods. Some of these ar...

Share your thoughts For those who suffer it, migraines are a painful, unexpected & debilitating condition. They are often genetic with no known cure. Common triggers are stress, lack of sleep, hormonal changes, alcohol, hunger etc. There is not enough evidence that some foods can cure migraines. Results widely vary from person to person. For instance, coffee is known to help some, harm others. So, what is one to do? Find out more at www.csaw.co/blog.php Thanks for tuning in to "Pa...

Share your thoughts The bustling hawker centers, food carts and street stalls are a major source of the wafting aromas of South east Asian cuisine across the region. Deeply influenced by Chinese, Indian and Islamic culinary traditions, Malaysian food is both a melting pot and a distinctive mosaic with a cornucopia of colors, tastes and flavors. In turn, Malaysia has lent its influence to the uniquely Peraaaa nakan cuisine of Singapore. Also known as Nyonya, it is a blend of Chinese, Ma...

Share your thoughts S.E Asia’s 11 countries with 650 million people and $10 trillion in GDP is a rich confluence of cultures. Despite colonization by the British, French, Dutch and the Spanish; it is the Chinese and Indian heritage that runs deep in its art, culture, ethnicity cuisine and traditions. Yet each country has retained a distinct cuisine that brings to the surface the richness of local flavors with the influence of Buddhist, Muslim and Hindu culinary traditions. Join us tod...

Share your thoughts The Incas, Mayans, ancient Chinese, Indians, Mediterraneans had long ago figured out that “we are what we eat”, and correspondingly built up a staggering knowledge of plants, nutrition and their impact on our wellness. In many ways scientists today are still playing catch up as they point out goodness of chemicals & molecules in foods through “analysis”, “evidence-based science” and “observation”. This newsletter is committed to providing you evidence-base...

Share your thoughts Studies have proven beyond doubt that the Mediterranean diet reduces risks of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes, cancer and even lowers the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and stroke. Wow! When we think of the expression “Kitchen Pharmacy” it is difficult to find a better example. The Mediterranean Diet though, is more than just about food. It’s a way of life. People there eat better and live healthier lives than almost anywhere on the planet. Let’s look a...

Share your thoughts It is impractical to count the daily calories we eat. So, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 2000 to 2500 calories/day is largely anecdotal. Also, it is crucial where these calories come from: simple carbs or complex carbs, plant or animal proteins, saturated or unsaturated fats. And computing this is equally hard. So, the effective regimen is to start from our everyday baseline and make incremental changes to both quantity and quality of calories in our food. Even ...

Share your thoughts When we think of herbs and spices the one word that jumps out is versatility. Its colorful, fragrant, medicinal, umami and finds its way in flavored and infused waters and in your balconies as more than just ornamental plants. Dyes, foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, fragrances and toothpastes- you can run from spices, but you can’t hide! Join us as we discover some of the spice & herb remedies. Find out more at www.veggieit.com/fightcovid19 Thanks for tuning in...

Share your thoughts It’s today self-evident but scientists are still piling evidence upon meta-studies and more research upon research on the dangers of processed meats and it’s link to cancer. It's a bit reminiscent of the tobacco industry in the 60s and 70s. There have been congressional hearings & WHO proclamations to try and steer the world towards a healthier diet and environmentally friendly plant-based foods. Only 8% of the world population is vegetarian but these numbers are skyro...

Share your thoughts We all grew up on milk and know its calcium, vitamin, mineral rich & contains the sugar, Lactose. But today almost 2/3rd of the human population have difficulty digesting lactose. That’s one of the triggers for Veganism which is, deep rooted, spreading and indubitably healthier for the planet and the people. Plant based dairy can often substitute the goodness in milk while skipping lactose. Soy, Almond & Cashew are good sources of dairy and a treasure trove of nutr...

Share your thoughts When we think of Vitamin C, let's imagine vegetables, not supplements. It (Ascorbic acid) is arguably the most familiar of all vitamins. Just a tiny amount daily, this antioxidant, apart from building immunity & fighting infections also helps form bone cartilage, blood vessels & muscles. Green peppers, potato, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower and lemon are all Vitamin C rich vegetables. Vitamin C also helps absorb & store iron. The next time you have iro...

Share your thoughts We each have our favorite herb (Thyme, basil, cilantro) & spice (Turmeric, Pepper, or clove) that we like to somehow blend into our foods. But the trick is to use many of them together. They are synergistic in their effects. For instance, a little pepper with Turmeric better releases the magical curcumin. Dozens of spice nutrients are released into our bodies in the presence of other herbs and spices. So, go ahead & create your own spice blend. Thanks for tuning ...

Lentils have a long shelf life. They’ve been found intact 2400 years later! The nutrition stays locked too. Their insoluble fiber helps lower cholesterol & prevents blood sugar spike. When magnesium, a wonderful mineral in legumes enters our body, it relaxes arteries & veins improving oxygen & blood flow. Diabetes, cardiovascular, gut health- take your pick. Lentils are magical if consumed regularly.Find out more at www.veggieit.com/fightcovid19

Let’s use this time at home to get healthier, happier and even save some money. Time to evaluate basics, including what we eat, what we drink and what we snack on. Today, let’s look at our favorite snacks- seeds & nuts. They don’t have the sodium, fat, sugar, synthetic chemicals or the price tag of junk food. Instead, they have fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Find out more at www.veggieit.com/fightcovid19

How many different flour varieties do we have in our pantry? They are likely months old (some a year!) and with little exception they are now nutritional featherweights but starch heavy. These flours are basically processed grains and often unhealthy when old. So why not use this period at home to make flour? It's as easy as 1-2-3. 1.Lightly roast whole grains in your pantry. 2.Cool. 3.Grind fine. Flour ready. Use it fresh and anyway you like.     Find out more at www.veggieit.com/fightcovid19

Our penchant for eating our favorite fruits throughout the year is probably not getting us the full nutritional benefits we deserve. Don’t be surprised if the apple you eat is a year old and preserved, the bananas artificially ripened and even oranges may be colored orange (using approved dyes!). It’s not just foods that are being processed but fruits as well! So it’s best to eat fruits that are local, in season and if you can afford it, organic. They cost more but you are not ingesting dyes, preservatives and chemicals.So we say, pay the farmer, not the pharmacy

Rice, Breads, or Meat are often center of the plate while vegetables are in a modest corner. Time to flip it. Move vegetables front & center and that too choose those that are in season. Add color to your plate or salad as well. Nature has given vegetables color for a reason. It is virtually impossible to find such a wide variety of macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, in any other food group. Cook ‘em your style but go easy on the dressing. Find out more at www.veggieit.com/fightcovid19

There is a silent global revolution gathering speed in agriculture. It goes by many names: precision farming, hydroponics, aeroponics, vertical farming, urban farming, indoor farming, aquaponics etc. It represents the convergence of agriculture, genetics & information technology and promises to usher in a new era of food security, nutrition and a reduced carbon footprint.This new technology can release the full genetic potential of seeds aided by artificial intelligence, precisely targeted nutrition, the use of ultraviolet light and the right physical environment including temperature, moisture, humidity. Without the need for soil, rain, open air or in some cases even sunlight these plants can grow indoors, in media like peat or coconut moss and out of season and with very little water.This controlled environment makes plants healthier and less susceptible to disease from water, air, soil and insects.  Yields for plants like green leafy vegetables and some vine crops like tomatoes, cucumber and Peppers can reach 100 times conventional farming without the use of synthetic fertilizers, toxic chemicals like pesticides and weedicides.The global food security solution may finally be within our reach. Today we dig a little into hydroponics.Find out more at https://www.livfreshfarms.com