YouTube Introduction

Ok I've started my YouTube healthy cooking blog! You'll see videos along with recipes in various places through out the site as time goes on! 

First up, my introduction video!

Facebook and Youtube with Matt

Want to get connected with real people who have a passion for gardening? Want tips, hints and advice?

You can get connected with some like minded people on Facebook or Youtube.
on Facebook check out the group called: Home Farm Ideas hosted by Matt D.

Or check out Matt's video blogs on youtube! Also titled Home Farm Ideas!

These are completely free of course! Join in and join us as we learn together about Organic Gardening!

What is Organic?

Do you buy Organic crops? Yes they cost a bit more, but are worth it. Try growing some of your own!

Organic:
Organic foods are foods that are produced using methods that do not involve modern synthetic inputs such as synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Organic Foods also do not contain genetically modified organisms, and are not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents, or chemical food additives.^[1]

What are GMO's?

Is this the first time you've heard of GMO? For some people it's a completely new concept. But trust me, this is something you want to know about and be aware of. Right now in the USA it's virtually impossible to avoid GMO's unless you grow all your own food, and never eat anything processed and never eat out at a restaurant.
So what are these GMO's? AKA: The Terminator Seed
Here is the definition from Wikipedia:
A genetically modified organism (GMO) or genetically engineered organism (GEO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. These techniques, generally known as recombinant DNA technology, use DNA molecules from different sources, which are combined into one molecule to create a new set of genes. This DNA is then transferred into an organism, giving it modified or novel genes. Transgenic organisms, a subset of GMOs, are organisms that have inserted DNA from a different species. GMOs are the constituents of genetically modified foods.



Monsanto Monsanto Monsanto, another one you want to remember. Monsanto is responsible for GMO's. They are the makers of Round up and Round up ready products. In my honest opinion we should avoid buying things from this company.

Monsanto is engineering seeds by splicing in DNA from bee's, insects etc into our food. The most commonly genetically modified foods are soy, corn and canola. They are doing this to make the crops resistant to bugs, so that they can grow more, but over time it stops working and they need to modify it even more. Do you think we were meant to have DNA from insects in our food? Do you think we should be "playing God" like that? I think when we mess with our food, we mess with our lives. Anyone else think there could be a connection between GMO's and Cancer? Or between GMO's and Obesity?

These seeds are strong and overpowering, they are slowly diminishing our natural seeds. GMO's are taking over.
However, many countries have OUTLAWED GMO's! Why hasn't America followed suit? Obviously there's a reason they are getting outlawed elsewhere.
I'd have to write a book to inform you on all the negatives of GMO's, and frankly I'm not going to do that. There are enough books and documentaries out there already. 

I suggest you check out some documentaries, many of them are available on Netflix.
The Bad Seed
King Corn

Additional information

Braggs

Organic Gardening

Yet another step in reaching ultimate health! 

Do you buy all of your own produce or grow your own?

I highly suggest you grow as much as you can! 

I live in a small apartment with about 2X10 feet of soil, but I do what I can! If I can do it, so can you! Many things can be grown in pots as well!

In my garden I have all organic non GMO crops. 

(What are GMO's? Look for future post)

I have two Strawberry plants in pots.

5 Green bell pepper plants (2 of which are in pots)

1 Cherry tomato 

1 Early girl tomato

Dill

Green onion

Mint

Sage

Rosemary

Lettuce

Cayenne peppers

Scale Stuck?

Plateau Tips

For those on 5&1

For most people, achieving success on this great program is simple and doesn’t require any counting of calories or carbohydrates. Here are a few tips that can help if you are experiencing slower weight loss or if you reach a weight-loss plateau at some point in your program.

• If you haven’t started exercising yet, now may be the time. Start slowly, and gradually increase time and intensity as your body allows. Remember, listen to your body! If you are already exercising, try picking up the intensity or frequency of your workouts.
• If you are exercising intensely, you may be pushing too hard- try to avoid exessive "huffing and puffing" while exercising.  Your body will store fat if you are overworking!
• In general, be aware of your total carbohydrate intake. If you are experiencing slower weight loss or hit a plateau, we recommend staying between 80-85 grams of carbs per day.
  • Try eating more "liquid" products for a few days, which are generally the lowest in carb content (aka Have a shake day!)
  • Choose meats from the leanest category and veggies from the lowest carb category for a week.
• Avoid eating a MF snack product and a green wrapper bar in the same day if you are experiencing slower weight loss or a weight-loss plateau.
  • Maintenance Bars (in the green wrapper) are higher in carbs than other Meals. 
  • MF Snacks are higher in carbs than most non-MF snacks
• If you like eating both snacks and bars, try to alternate days that you eat a MF snack with days that you eat a green wrapper Maintenance Bar. Refer to the list of non-MF snacks in your Quick Start Guide for more options.
• Ask your health coach about a support website to log your meals and be sure you are eating the lean meat and green veggie meal as it is recommended.  Get the link from your health coach.
• Make sure you are drinking half your body weight in ounces each day.  At least 64 ounces, but preferrably 100 ounces or more is best for getting off a plateau!
• Talk to your health coach about special products to add to your program that will help you burn more calories and increase your metabolism. 
• Make sure you are eating within a half hour of waking up, and never going longer than 3 hours between meals.

If you’ve tried these tips and are not getting the results you expected, contact your health coach for more ideas.


Credited to the website found here.

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