I "wonder" what's in that stuff!?!?

My dear, sweet sister (DSS) is suffering from some issues that landed her in the hospital this week. A perforated colon. Thank God she’s responding well to treatment and it doesn’t look like she’ll have to endure surgery.

When I was talking to her yesterday, checking up on her progress, she shared that her doctor told her that this affliction is primarily an American thing, caused by our persistent and constant consumption of processed foods.  All the time saving devices and strategies that litter our world leave us with less and less time, amazingly enough. The thing we seem to have little left over time for is taking care of our bodies. Nothing unique to DSS – this is epidemic in our entire society.

During our conversation I asked if there were changes she was going to have to make to avoid having this problem again in the future.  Her response: eliminate processed foods.  (Music to my ears!!!)

But what exactly are processed foods??? According to About.com, “Processed foods have been altered from their natural state for safety reasons and for convenience. The methods used for processing foods include canning, freezing, refrigeration, dehydration and aseptic processing. ” Our society is such that darn near everything falls under the “processed” flag. But there are different levels and categories of what type of processing is harmful versus not.

Twinkies, Wonder Bread, Doritos.  Obviously bad processed foods.  They’re made with refined grains that have been stripped of their nutrients, then “enriched” to put some of those nutrients back in before being filled with chemicals and artificial colors and flavors to make something that resembles food.

But even foodstuffs that we think are better for us are still processed. Things like Cheerios, instant oatmeal, canned vegetables.  They have ingredients that Mother Nature did not naturally include – preservatives (often made of some chemical compound), high levels of sodium, artificial this and that.

Some processing methods, however, aren’t necessarily so bad. Frozen vegetables, for instance. Obviously processed since they don’t come off the plant frozen. But if you read the label, and the only thing inside that plastic bag or box is what you think is supposed to be there – the whole food and nothing more – then it’s probably safe and wholesome.

So really, what this comes down to is not that DSS should avoid every single processed item of food – but should stick to whole foods primarily. And eliminate anything that falls under the “convenience food” category. As I’m sure she would agree – there’s nothing convenient about being laid up in the hospital.  So switching up her diet will be a big undertaking to be sure, since so much of what populates our pantries has hidden ingredients that nature did not intend for us to eat.

I’m certainly no patron saint of whole, unprocessed foods. But due to having a lot of food allergies, I have to be very careful of what I consume.  And DSS’s hospital stay is a wake up call for me to be even more vigilant.

I have no idea why there's ketchup in my refrigerator. I don't eat ketchup. Must have been left-over from a guest...

My fridge is mostly filled with whole ingredients (save for the juice & hummus!)

Full Disclosure:  This is what’s in my refrigerator right now. Not perfect, but not too bad either. A whole chicken, some ground turkey, organic salad mix, lemons, avocados, carrots, broccoli, celery, hummus, some fresh herbs, milk, butter, eggs, juice…  Beer. 

My vices include Minute Maid’s Blueberry-Pomegranate juice and Sabre’s Garlic Hummus.  And as I noted in the first picture – I have no clue why there’s ketchup in my fridge.  But looking closer, I see that there are a few condiments in the door…  Lord only knows how long they’ve been there because I don’t know when last I used any kind of condiment. Probably time those got thrown away since they’re probably long past expired anyway.  I love salad, but I don’t drown it in goo.  Salad dressing, for me, consists of a fresh squeezed lemon and some basil olive oil. Maybe a shake of Parmesan cheese.

My pantry is another story altogether. Canned veggies galore, dry milk, various sugars, etc.  But also, tons of dry grains like whole wheat, whole oats, rices, beans, barley, lentils…  Lots of good wholesome stuff in there, too, besides the canned veggies.

So the long and short of it is that I really need to take a harder look at what I’m consuming, so that I don’t end up with intestinal issues like DSS. And hopefully I can offer her moral support and positive influences as she takes up a whole new world of eating.  There’s a definite reason that whole foods are better than processed, and it comes down to our health.  God only gave you one body.  Treat it like a temple!

So next fall I will be looking for a new method of storing my root vegetables that does not include sand or moisture.  I should be able to save some of the carrots for the horses, but they’re mostly lost.

Ugh.  Bummer.  Chalk one up for learning experiences…

Over the holiday break a reader watched my video on long term grain storage and commented with some questions on storage containers.

Thanks for showing us how you store your grains and encouraging us to be better prepared! What size mylar bags did you use to where 2 could fit in 5 gallon bucket? I too wanted to not use one bigger mylar bag for 5 gallon bucket to have less opened up at once. Would you say putting 3 bags would not be good? Also could I store the 2 mylar bags in a rubbermaid roughneck plastic bin? If not, why is that? Thanks for sharing and all your help!

Thanks for your questions, Shari!

I bought my mylar bags in bulk a couple of years ago, but if I remember correctly they were either one gallon or 1.5 gallon bags – fitting two per bucket (my memory is leaning more toward the 1.5 gallon).  I would say that you could use as many bags as you want to fill a bucket – it all depends on how much and how fast you’ll be using whatever’s stored in that bucket.  If you don’t go through a lot of whatever you’re storing, then definitely go with smaller bags so you don’t have the item open to the elements for longer than necessary.  The #1 enemies to food storage are light and air.  That’s what makes them spoil.  So if, like me, you’re only feeding one or two people you’re not going to be burning through the individual items.  So smaller bags are better so you can keep your food fresh longer. If you have a family of six, and you’re using larger amounts of the items, then it makes sense to use bigger bags.

Another thing to keep in mind is how much the bags cost.  The more bags you use, the higher the cost.  Unfortunately mylar bags aren’t super duper cheap. Depending on the size, they can cost anywhere from a few dimes to a coupla-few bucks each.  Of course, the smaller the bag, the less it costs.  So you’ll just have to do some math and figure out what’s best for your budget and your usage needs.  A good source of mylar bags is USA Emergency Supply. One product they offer are mylar bags with a zip-lock top.  I like these!  They’re definitely a bit more expensive, but they also offer a way to re-seal the bag while the item is being used.  You can heat-seal the very top of the bag initially, then once it’s open and being used, use the zip-lock to keep the contents fresh.

As far as using a Rubbermaid bin to store your bags… well, unfortunately I’m not well versed on Rubbermaid bins. Most plastic products have a number on the bottom that refers to its recyclability.  That number refers to the material the container is made of – some, like soda bottles and whipped cream tubs are safe for food.  Others are not.  For those that are not considered food-safe, even if the item is contained in the mylar bag, I would still not advise using it to store the sealed bags. You can find a list of the numbers and if they’re food safe at http://ecovillagegreen.com/903/what-do-the-plastic-recycling-numbers-mean/.

You may be wondering why – even if the food is stored inside a bag before being in the bin, you shouldn’t use it.  Well, it all comes down to chemistry and all that brainy stuff.  I asked a similar question on a forum a few years ago when I was first beginning to store food. The answers that came back eluded to the gas permeability of the bags.  Air molecules are bigger than gas molecules, so I’m told, and therefore may be able to pass through the bag and into your food, thus contaminating your food with toxic nasties. Now, is this true?  Got me.  I’m no brianiac when it comes to science – but it sounds good!  What it comes down to, I suppose, is whether you’re willing to risk if it’s true or not.  I think of sometimes when you get a cheap plastic tub, and it smells super chemically – that’s probably not safe.  That smell is indicative of the toxic gases being emitted from the plastic.

So first I would say take a look at the type of plastic the bin is made of and check the number against the list linked above.  If it’s a number that comes back as food safe – then go for it.  If it’s a number that equates to non-food safe, then you have to ask yourself if you’re willing to risk it.  In the end the food will probably still be edible – but will it be contaminated is the question. Many plastics are being linked to cancers these days.  So it’s better to be safe than sorry.

I go to the bakery counter at a local grocer and buy left over frosting buckets for about $1.50 each. You can buy brand spanking new ones from places like USA Emergency Supply, but they can be pricey compared to my used ones from the Bakery.  The Bakery buckets come with lids and are more often than not clean.  They may smell like butter cream or chocolate… but if that’s the worst of it, I’m a-okay with that!

If you decide to go with the Rubbermaid bins, one other consideration you might want to make is how big the bin is.  Those buckets I use end up being pretty heavy when they’re full of grain.  Close to 25 pounds each.  Not an impossible weight – but at the same time I don’t want to carry them more than a few feet to move them around.  So if you go with something that would hold a larger quantity, keep that in mind if you ever have to move them around.  Or heck, even for stacking them.  You could end up crushing the bottom container if you stack them more than two high.

So I hope this helped answer your questions.  And I’m glad to hear you’re starting to store food.  It’s never a bad idea to have that little insurance policy in the pantry.

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As the saying goes:  “I have a dream.”

But my dream doesn’t include a big house in the suburbs.  The newest car.  A boat. A big important job with a big important title.  Walk-in closets…

My dream includes a tiny place to lay my head at night.  A small paycheck to provide my basic needs.  A minimal footprint to honor the earth and tread lightly.

Coming out of a time when our country experienced unprecedented growth.  When success equaled the biggest and best. It feels refreshing to focus on the little things in life and to start dreaming small.

There are times when big dreams can be exhilarating.  But sometimes small dreams are the ones that hug your heart and seem more manageable.

I’ve had enough of big and unmanageable. It’s time to embrace the little things and start dreaming small.

When I feel like dreaming big again, I’ll dream of a giant garden.

This is my little inspiration…  (Isn’t that the best little dream ever???)

Pioneer Woman, Ponca City, Oklahoma

A month of silence.  How refreshing!

A month of contemplation.  How insightful!

And now, a new year of transformation and freedom.  How exciting!

I don’t often venture out on New Years Eve.  I don’t drink much, and by nature I’m a rather quiet and introverted person.  So my typical New Year’s Eve – last night included – consists of contemplation and setting intentions for the new year ahead. I like to spend the cusp of the turn in meditation, asking the universe to help me understand my intentions for what they are – places in my life to grow and progress.

Notice I said “Intentions,” not “Resolutions.“

Resolutions seem too definite for my character to embrace – looming deadlines and guilt when they don’t come to fruition. I don’t believe in the “lose weight,” “get organized” kind of intentions…  they more often than not lead to failure.  I do not embrace failure well.  Besides, I’m already pretty organized. 

“Intentions,” however to me, offer space for change, opportunities to lapse, and prompts for rejuvenation and progression. A trail to evolution. A softer approach. And we all need to treat ourselves with a softer hand and more love.

My words of inspiration for 2012 are Freedom and Transformation.  And within those inspirations lie the following Intentions:

• Observe a weekly “Sabbath” – a day of quiet and rest. A day to read, introspect, be silent and refrain from technology.
• Stretch – whether by official “yoga,” or simply allowing my body to expand and open up to breath and breadth.
• Do not bring home work – I rarely ever do it, and it leaves me with a sense of guilt as I look over at my tote bag. 
• Take lunch – leave the office and get outside.  Walk, sit, breathe, observe.  Rejuvenate mid-day, daily.
• Separate home and work – change clothes when I get home at night. Leave my shoes at the door. Wash my face. Leave the outside world outside my back door. My home is a place of renewal and love, not a place to dwell on what happens outside its four walls.
  
• Create an exit strategy to leave OWAA by the end of the year.  This is one of only two definite goal/deadline based “intentions” on the list.  Realizing that my current job causes me to lose patience too often, to lose sleep frequently and to lose my soul to stress and aggravation and agitation.  It’s time to look beyond and find a source of spirit-embracing life that leaves me refreshed, encouraged and enthusiastic. Fulfilled.
  
• Drink more water – in the form of fresh water and herbal tea.  I already drink a lot, but we can always use more. (Notice, no set quantity, just “more.” This leaves room for daily interpretation.)
• Cook my meals and stop eating out so often. I have a pantry filled to the brim – time to embrace it more fully.
• Stop purchasing out of boredom.  I have a house filled with books, music, craft supplies… And outside my back door, I have a ranch with endless places to walk, wildlife to observe, fresh air to breathe.  There’s no excuse to be bored.
• The last one’s a biggie, and definitely “definite”: Accumulate $11,000 in savings by Dec. 31, 2012.  This will help me to realize the other goal-based intention on the list – to leave my job by the end of the year.

Have you set any intentions for the new year?  Have you brainstormed any ways to embrace yourself with love over the next 12 months?

Well…  It’s Sunday.  Time to envelop myself in silence for one more day.  Tomorrow is my last day off on the winter break, and my plan – my intention – is to cook up a storm so I have no excuse to eat out this next week.

Happy 2012 to you and your family. 

How exciting to have a clean slate at our fingertips.  This year will be a good year for us all.  I can feel it in my heart.

I think I’ll paint my intentions on a clean canvas this morning.  How symbolic…

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 4,100 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 3 trips to carry that many people.

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Lake Superior Ice Cone - early 1980s

Not such a white winter anymore.

A peaceful place to rest…

Found on We <3 It