Food – Grand Traverse Woman

Coconut: The Most Sustainable Plant in the World

November 12, 2024May 14, 2022 by Grand Traverse Woman

We are living in a society where our natural resources are being heavily consumed every day, placing pressure on the planet & affecting environmental, economic & social systems. As consumers, we need to seek products that are more sustainable for our planet. So what do we really mean when we say ‘sustainable’?

The term sustainability relates to environmental sciences where the aim is to avoid being harmful to the earth & cease from depleting its natural resources whilst supporting long-term ecological balance. So where do we start? Let’s look at the humble coconut tree, which provides nutrition, fuel & shelter for many communities.

The cultivation of coconuts is one of the most sustainable practices in the world, as it uses every part of the plant for a myriad of different functions. Many different cultures recognise the significance of this tree for commercial & domestic uses & it is commonly known as The Plant of Life. Holistic uses of the coconut tree include:

Should you be gluten free?

May 5, 2023March 21, 2022 by Grand Traverse Woman

Going gluten-free has become increasingly popular over the last decade. It’s even considered hip to be “g-free”! But is it right for you? If you experience fatigue, headaches, bloating, gas or diarrhoea after eating wheat & gluten-containing products, you could be suffering from an intolerance & avoiding gluten will reduce these unpleasant symptoms. If your symptoms are very severe, you should be tested by your medical practitioner for coeliac disease, a condition that triggers an immune reaction & prevents the absorption of nutrients in your digestive system, causing malnourishment & damage to the small intestine.

According to Don Chisholm, author of “Have you got the Guts to be really healthy?” the reason why so many people have wheat & gluten intolerances is due to our current farming methods. Grains are quickly farmed with little time between harvest & planting. Crops are grown in soils full of toxic fertilisers & are genetically modified to be ‘tougher’ so they produce higher yields. These grains are full of toxins & anti-nutrients & contain little nutritional value. It is believed that grains grown in this way are causing gluten intolerances in so many people.

Spice Up Your Life With Cayenne!

May 26, 2022January 24, 2022 by Grand Traverse Woman

We all know of cayenne pepper as a hot spice to add to Asian cuisine. A member of the Capsicum family, cayenne is also known as cow-horn pepper, red hot chili pepper, bird pepper or red pepper. But what you may not know is the amazing health benefits cayenne pepper provides. A very high source of vitamin A, it also contains vitamins B6, E, C as well as minerals potassium & manganese.

Ever heard of the Lemon Detox Diet? Using cayenne as the active ingredient in a combination with lemon juice, maple syrup & water, this regime was spouted as a miracle weight loss – well it would if you weren’t eating any food at the same time! Despite the bad rap during the Lemon Detox fad, research has shown that cayenne can boost metabolism assisting with weight loss. Once consumed, cayenne pepper dilates the blood vessels & speeds up the metabolism with its active component called capsaicin. It also helps to suppress hunger & normalise blood sugar levels.

How to Choose Your Nut Milk

May 26, 2022February 14, 2021 by Grand Traverse Woman

Whether you’re allergic to dairy, lactose intolerant, or vegan, nut milks are a great alternative to cow’s milk. Highly nutritious & a great source of protein, nut milks come in a variety of options which each have their own nutrition & flavour profile.

Almond milk is high in magnesium & vitamin E. Interestingly, almond milk has half the calories of skimmed milk, is low in cholesterol & saturated fat.

Hazelnut milk is a great source of vitamins B1, B2, B6, A & E. It is also rich in folic acid. It also contains the most protein out of all the nut milks.

Cashew milk is a high source of vitamin K, iron & magnesium. It is also the easiest of milks to make.

Coconut milk (depending on your view if a coconut is a nut, seed or fruit!) contains as much dairy as cow’s milk & is a great source of vitamin D. The fat content comprises of medium chain saturated fatty acids which is a better form of fat as it helps to boost energy & metabolism.

It’s Time to Ditch the Diet!

May 26, 2022October 3, 2020 by Grand Traverse Woman

Nothing is more precious or priceless than your body & your health. We all have times when we want to indulge a little, particularly during the Silly Season & that’s ok. But holiday time is also a good opportunity to reflect on your habits, good & bad, & to make those small changes that can remain long term.

So where do we start?

Firstly, by reducing as much of the toxic burden on our bodies. Unfortunately, toxicity is unavoidable in today’s modern society. When we walk outside we are exposed to thousands of toxins via our lungs, skin & digestive system. Did you know we have a residual burden of over a thousand new-to-nature chemicals which are invented & released into the environment every year? We need to make choices not only about what goes into our mouths but what goes on our bodies as skincare, haircare, perfumes, makeup, deodorants & even toothpastes are full of synthetic toxic chemicals.

5 Reasons Why You Should Have Bone Broths

May 26, 2022January 14, 2020 by Grand Traverse Woman

Bone broths and stocks are found in every culture. Traditionally once the meat from the animal was consumed it was common to cook the remainder of the animal by simmering the bones, marrow, feet, tendons and ligaments with water and vegetables for a number of days. This method of slow cooking caused the bones and organs to break down releasing healing compounds such as collagen and amino acids and the liquid to become nutrient dense with minerals.

5 Reasons Why You Should Be Have Bone Broths
1. Nutrient dense – bone broths contain calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon & sulphur in forms which the body can absorb easily. This also means we can digest broths very easily.

2. Improves joint health – broths contain glucosamine & sulphur which help to reduce inflammation in the joints. Broths also contain collagen & gelatin which are released from the bones, skin & cartilage which help to maintain strong bones & joints.

3. Promote healing – particularly of the digestive system. Broths contain glutamine, an amino acid which helps to heal the lining of the gut & reduce inflammation in leaky gut syndrome or if suffering from food intolerances or allergies.

3 Reasons Why You SHOULDN’T Give Up Coffee in 2017

May 27, 2022November 21, 2016 by Grand Traverse Woman

We use coffee to wake us up in the morning & as a kickstarter for anytime of the day. Here’s 3 reasons why you shouldn’t give up your coffee as a New Years resolution:

1. Get a healthy heart: A study done by the Preventative and Clinical Investigations Centre, France showed that people who consume several cups of coffee or tea daily have lower blood pressure & lower heart rates than those people who don’t have them. It’s believed flavonoids may help to relax the blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure.

2. Lose weight: Research at Melbourne’s Griffith University shows that drinking coffee can help you to lose weight. The current PhD study is showing that a coffee in the morning is decreasing hunger & increasing fullness which in turn will assist in weight management.