August Meal Planning Contest

Toxins in Your Tea

Tea is renowned for numerous health benefits, and can be a calming and warm morning ritual, however closer examination of popular tea companies reveals a little more might be in your cup.  Many brands contain pesticides, toxins, artificial ingredients, flavours, and GMOs.

Most tea is not washed prior to being put in bags, meaning any pesticides the plants were treated with can end up directly in your cup.  For this reason, it makes sense to consider buying organic tea when possible.  An independent lab revealed that 91% of Celestial Seasonings teas tested had pesticide residues that exceeded US limits.  Some of the residues included propachlor and propargite, which have carcinogenic properties.  Steeping your tea bag in hot water increases the leaching capabilities of anything on the tea itself.

Teas listing artificial flavours may be using products derived from the fractional distillation of crude oil or coal tar.  Unfortunately natural flavours may not be much better as that term is vague and may apply to anything that is chemically derived from a natural substance.  Some teas even list cornstarch or soy lecithin—typically genetically modified crops that you wouldn't even think to associate with tea.

Aside from the ingredients it is also important to consider the packaging.  Silky mesh bags may contain plastics that could leach phthalates in to your tea when exposed to boiling water.  Paper bags may be treated with epichlorohydrin, a chemical mainly used in production of epoxy resin and as a pesticide.  Lab tests show that when in contact with water, this chemical becomes carcinogenic, and has also been shown to interfere with male fertility and suppress the immune system. 

For a more detailed analysis of your favourite brand check out this blog post.

Grilled Halibut with Mango Salsa

(Serves 2)

3/4 cup diced mango

1 TBSP cilantro, minced

3 TBSP fresh lemon juice, divided

2 roma tomatoes, seeded & diced

1/8 tsp sea salt

Ground black pepper to taste

1/4 cup white onion, chopped

2 tsp olive oil

1/4 tsp paprika

2—6 oz fillets of halibut or other firm white fish

salt and pepper to taste

1. Salsa:  combine mango, cilantro, 2 TBSP lemon juice, tomatoes, salt, pepper and onion.  Combine and set aside.

2. Combine 1 TBSP lemon juice, olive oil, and paprika in a shallow glass dish.  Place fillets in dish, turning once to coat.  Let sit 15 minutes.

3. Preheat grill to med-high heat.  Coat with olive oil and season fish with salt and pepper and place on grill, about 3 minutes a side.

4. Serve with mango salsa.

Bug Bite Relief (for all those itchy bites we got last month!)

It seems pretty much impossible to enjoy the summer without sustaining at least a few bug bites.  Relief is around the corner with these suggestions:

· Apply cooled tea bags to the bite, the tannins act as an astringent to reduce swelling.

· For a body covered in bites soak in a warm bath with 2-3 cups of apple cider vinegar to relieve itching.

· Make a paste with witch hazel and baking soda to relieve swelling and itching.  Apply to site of bite.

· Swelling is relieved by ice.  If itching is the trouble try heating a metal spoon under hot water and applying to bite—make sure the spoon isn't hot enough to burn.

· Apply peppermint oil to the bite.  The tingling, cooling sensation provides relief. Ask us about Tei Fu oil.

Back to School is Just Around the Corner… Time to Get Organized

It’s hard to believe the school year is mere weeks away from beginning again.  As much as it feels like a chance to renew, and it’s exciting to start something new, September is often a source of stress and calamity for many.  However, a little planning and preparation in August can go a long way.

Þ Organize supply lists and any class schedules you may already have and any documents needed for registration—also include those needed for extracurricular activities.

Þ Set up an begin filling in a family calendar if you do not already have one.  Keep a copy visible where everyone can see it.  Use colour coding for each family member or activity type.  If you’re a tech savy family consider an electronic version that syncs between each family member’s phone or device.

Þ Mornings can be the most hectic time, see where the load could be lightened by night before preparation:

· lay out dishes or ingredients needed for breakfast the night before.

· where possible prep breakfast food and lunches ahead of time.

· for young children, decide together on outfits the night before.

· gather backpack items the night before—shoes, gym clothes, permission slips, homework.

Þ Homes with multiple children may wish to employ a bathroom schedule for the morning.

Þ If children are attending a new school, or you have recently moved plan out and time the route to school ahead of time.  The first day of school is not the time to realize you haven’t accounted for morning traffic.

Þ Go through clothing and school supplies to avoid over or under buying.  Make a list and budget before going to the stores and stick to it.  Donate, store or discard clothes that do not fit, or are in bad repair.

Þ Get in the habit of creating weekly meal plans, prepping what you are able to on less busy days.

Þ Set up a filing system to keep track of school paperwork and volunteer activities.

Þ If your summer routine has relaxed bedtimes and waking times, take a few weeks to re-establish school year routines.

Þ Young children may benefit from eating and snacking at times that correspond to the school schedule to avoid any surprises.

Þ Follow Dr. Chelsea’s care recommendations.  Maintaining your care is of utmost importance during busy and stressful times.  Keep your appointments!