I was talking with my husband yesterday about the simple changes people can make regarding what they buy in terms of it's quality for our health and sustainability and he raised the valid point that a lot of people think that they can't afford the higher price tag.
"I can't afford it"
"I don't have time"
"It's too difficult"
Too often we see excuses like these used to justify our chosen behaviours. I certainly accept that money can be tight, life can get busy and that change is uncomfortable but I don't see these excuses as being valid when the REAL reason is "It's not a priority."
In reality it all comes down to how we choose to budget these factors - how we choose to exert our energies, spend our money, and our time doing is a reflection of what we consider a priority.
See how it sits with you when you re-phrase "I can't afford healthy food for my child's lunchbox" to say "My children's health is not a financial priority."
I think this change in thinking is particularly important for the those that claim a healthy lifestyle is unaffordable yet continue to find money to fund alcohol, cigarettes, junk food and gambling. Or the busy busy people who have no time for a 30 minute walk but somehow have several hours free that they devote to watching rubbish on television in the evening.
So on this Thursday I encourage you to have a think about what your most common excuses are. Re-phrase them to acknowledge the facts these excuses reveal about your current priorities and decide to do what it takes to change them.
I really enjoy milk. If it's for dipping cookies, steaming for my coffee, pouring over cereal or blending into a smoothie I just think it tastes great.I was raised on a "skim milk is the best milk" principle and didn't really question it until a stint as a vegan where I discovered the soy milk alternative. I really liked soy milk, especially the chocolate variety, but once the stint was over I returned to my standard reduced fat cows milk drinking days.
When I decided to start living out my beliefs in living a sustainable lifestyle milk became a product to be carefully considered....
Why do we drink it? What's in it? How are the cows treated? Does it need to come from cows? Is it good for me? Is it a sustainable product in our world? These were all questions that I wanted answered before the next time I stood in front of the milk fridge at the supermarket.
Currently we are in the middle of "who can provide the cheapest standard milk" war between Woolworths and Coles which is devastating the Australian dairy farming industry. I find the whole thing disturbing because I realize that in order for these supermarket giants to provide a cheaper product we must be paying the price somewhere.
In dairy farming the price is paid by it's animals... The bobby (male) cows are separated from their milk producing mothers just hours after birth, transported while starved then slaughtered as an industry "waste-product" The dairy cows are pushed into producing milk at a faster rate and higher volume than ever before, reducing their uncomfortable life-span to over half the length it should be.
So what are our alternative options then? How can we make a change on a Tuesday when it comes to milk?
1. If you're buying cows milk from a diary farm, choose a product that is certified organic. I have found when it comes to ethical considerations that Barrambah Organics seem to have the highest standards. You can read more about their products (which include some delicious flavours of yoghurt too!) on their website here.
2. Try Almond Milk! From a health perspective as well as an ethical perspective almond milk is a product that does not get enough good press. I use the unsweetened variety to cook oats, make smoothies, and drink by the glass. Since it's made from protein rich almonds it packs a powerful nutritional punch and you can definitely rest assured that no cows were harmed in the making of the product.
Organic milk can be found in refrigerator of your supermarket while almond milk is on the long-life milk shelves.
I have been struggling to keep on top of this blog during university term time so I'm going to give the entries some more structure so it's easier for me to keep up with it. Starting this week I will post with the following categories in mind:
Monday: Message on a Monday: Superfood Spotlight (Current series) I will switch to a new series after 10 editions of each one. I am open to suggestions for any categories you would like me to focus on finding information on.
Tuesday: Change your ways Tuesdays: This post will focus on a simple suggestion or substitution that we can make towards sustainability and/or healthiness in our lives.
Wednesday: Whatever Wednesdays: A day to post up whatever I feel like at the time
Thursdays: Thought for a Thursday: A thought in the form of a quote, movie, image or idea to challenge and inspire you.
Fridays: Fitness Fridays: A blog post with ideas, stories or suggestions regarding fitness
Sundays: How good does this look? An image with this tagline attached :)
Up until recently I had never even heard of Kale. The first time I went to find some there was none at my local supermarket, or the next supermarket I tried. I found some at my nearest organic store. For $5 a bunch! I dismissed this as outrageously priced and left the store (with a $5 coffee from the organic cafe in hand - I certainly know how to prioritise my spending!)
Since then I've found a cheaper supplier and have a constant supply of Kale in the refrigerator. Why would I think having a constant supply of it is so important? Because it's health benefits make Popeye look foolish for choosing spinach as his staple green.....
So what is it? Kale is a vegetable similar to cabbage, with either green or purple leaves, though the central leaves do not form a head. It part of the Brassica Oleracea group which also includes brocooli, cauliflower, collard greens and brussel sprouts. There are many different varieties all with a slight variation in flavour.
Why does it deserve to wear a cape? First of all it is rich in calcium, lutein, iron, beta-carotene and Vitamins A, C and K. Secondly it is abundant in phytochemicals which have been associated with the prevention of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease & hypertension. Thirdly Kale contains provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, as well as helping the body's detoxification enzymes clear potentially carcinogenic substances out of your system. Good luck finding a medication or multi-vitamin that can achieve all that!
What can I do with it? You can use Kale as your green of choice in any circumstance where you might have used lettuce - like in sandwiches, salads, burgers and wraps. You can also steam or stirfry it as a side or main meal, put it in the oven with some spices to create crispy Kale "chips" or zip it through a juicer with some other fruit and vegetables for a power packed juice any time of day.
Sample Recipes: To view 15 super tasty looking Kale recipes click here.
Where can I get it and how much will it cost me? Obviously any fruit or vegetable will be cheaper and more readily available when it's in season. I've been purchasing mine for months at the local harvest market grocers for about $2.50 a bunch; though I also picked some up from Coles the other night for $4 a bunch. Check at your local supermarket but if you can't find it there definitely try the fruit and vegetable store as they're more likely to have a larger variety of produce. Or... grow your own!
1. Having qualities that delight the senses, especially the sense of sight.
2. Excellent; wonderful.
I've been thinking so much about this lately and its been really bothering me. Why do women find it so difficult sometimes to define ourselves as beautiful?
Is it because of the culture of negative advertising that bombards us with fears about what we're not?
The plastic surgeons, shampoo makers, diet pill creators and make up technicians actually want us to doubt our beauty. Generally they create advertisements that depend on this. See this girl? This photo-shopped, made-up, model thin, white-teethed, smooth-haired, flawless, fashionable girl? This is beauty. This is what is pleasing to the eye. And for each category within which you fall short? Well don't worry, we have a product for that.....
I shared a Dove commercial a few days ago which led me to discover some other wonderful efforts of theirs to create a culture of positivity and confidence in an industry that too often relies on our own self-contempt for their sales. Some of their video campaigns brought tears to my eyes....
Because we all deserve to look ourselves in the mirror each day, smile and say:
"I just wanted to let you know, you're looking beautiful today...."
