What's New in Natural Foods

In This Issue

New Language for Healthy Hearts
Diet for a Healthy Planet
Vegetarian?
Fun February Meals

Hi Everyone,

Wishing you a happy and healthy heart in the month of February: National Heart Month, Valentine's Day and 2010 Mardi Gras. As might be expected, I'm more interested in the healthy heart part, so I'll introduce you to a little known, but hugely important component of heart health – CLA. This issue also addresses the trend toward plant-based diets as a reaction to environmental concerns, along with nutritional considerations for vegetarians. Caring for hearts – physically and emotionally – that's what February is for.  

New Language for Healthy Hearts

Here's a new one for you: conjugated linoleic acid, better known as CLA. You'll find this cardio-protective nutrient in the meat and dairy products of ruminant animals (the kind that chew cud) such as cows, bison and sheep. CLA is an anti-inflammatory fatty acid and studies have shown that it prevents blood platelets from collecting in the arterial walls of humans, reducing the risk for atherosclerosis (plaque build-up). Animal studies have also shown that CLA helps prevent heart disease and slows its progression.

Get your CLA
Grass-fed animals have more than five times as much of this beneficial fat than their conventional counterparts. Yes, grass-fed animal products are more expensive, but you get what you pay for. Appreciable amounts of CLA are not found in any other dietary sources. Note: beware of synthetic CLA found in supplements – it doesn't provide the health benefits natural CLA does, and some studies have found that it may have harmful side effects. 

If you have reason to be concerned about the health of your heart – and we all should – you can learn more new, eye-opening information my class: Handling Heart Health with Nutrition, on Wednesday, February 10th at the Wedge Coop in Minneapolis. Bring your questions and get some answers.

Diet for a Healthy Planet

Despite evidence of the health benefits provided by grass-fed meats and dairy products, there is a growing trend toward eating plant based diets because it's believed that it's better for the environment. Is it possible to include animal products in your diet and still be environmentally conscious? Yes.

Sustainable farming is good for the environment
Who wouldn't be appalled and want to protest the way factory farmed animals are raised? The practice is bad for everything concerned: the environment, the animals, the farmers, and our health.

Instead of supporting factory farms, you can buy naturally raised animal products that are farmed sustainably on pasture. In fact, this is one of the best things you can do for the environment! Truly sustainable agriculture can only happen when there are animals of the farm because they return fertility to the soil, unlike crop farming, which depletes soil fertility. And by supporting those farmers who are doing it right – raising animals humanely and taking care of the land – we can protect the environment from the ravages of industrial agriculture.

Eat Wild
Learn more about the benefits of grass-based farming, by visiting Eat Wild, where there's a handy state-by-state list of grass-based farms that sell directly to consumers. Eating animal products raised on pasture provides vital nutrients that we're hard pressed to find elsewhere (such as CLA), and supports healthy rural communities. Another way to consider the issue.

Vegetarian?

All this talk of grass-fed meats and dairy reminds me to address my vegetarian friends. I followed a vegetarian diet for many years when I was younger, and I understand the impulse to do so. And while I don't recommend the vegetarian diet, I do want my vegetarian clients to be as healthy as possible.

Be Mindful of Nutrition
Meat is a very nutrient dense food, and if you choose not to eat it, be sure you're getting those nutrients elsewhere. Simply replacing meat with a protein sources such as soy product or beans will still leave you nutritionally deficient.

Because the subject is such an important dietary concern, I've designed a new class called "Vegetarian?" for those who are considering becoming a vegetarian, those who already are, or those who cook for someone who is. This class teaches the nutritional basics for vegetarians and how to help prevent common health-related consequences of vegetarian diets (digestive distress, mood issues, inflammation and endocrine dysfunction). We'll also talk about the issues surrounding the ethics of eating animal foods. The class is February 3rd at the Wedge Coop in Minneapolis and advance reservations are required: 612-871-3993.

Fun February Meals

This month I am featuring heart-healthy recipes in the Dinner with Jennette meal plans, including recipes such as high-CLA "Bison Taco Salad," omega-3 rich "Salmon with Lemon-Caper Sauce" and "Beef Stew with Red Wine and Heart," for a natural source of co-Q10.

Other meals this month provide fare for the holidays – Mardi Gras and Valentine's Day – with recipes such as "Pasta Louisianne," (one of my all time favorites!) and "Chicken and Kumquat Tagine" (finally learn what you can do with a kumquat).

Spread the word to the vegetarians AND meat-eaters in your life by using the forwarding link at the bottom of this page. And if you have feedback for me, I'd love to hear from you or see you at a class.

Best,
Jennette