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It is so Simple

At Klesick Farms we say, “Healthy eating made simple.” We also say, “Eat Better, Feel Better.” Sadly, most Americans are eating out of a plastic bag, a can or a box (ouch!). A lot of the food budget goes to packaged food, fast food or packaged fast food, and as a result our national health is getting worse.

Ironically, the antidote is to not eat “their” food. What is “their” food? The stuff in the middle of the grocery store—high carb, high sugar and low fat. Just try walking through the grocery store and try to buy a snack without sugar in it!

When a family makes an intentional choice to not eat packaged food, nutritional benefits go up. They go up because the family will be eating something to replace those carbohydrate-heavy foods with vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and proteins. (The proteins can be vegetarian or meat-based—based upon your choice.)

Close your eyes and just imagine the calm around all the schoolyards of our communities if PROCESSED SUGAR was not on the menu for breakfast, lunch, dinner and a bedtime snack. Shoot, just imagine the calm around the house!

Last week, I actually brought in an old fashioned sugar bowl filled with sugar for a talk I was giving. I also brought in the makings for an old fashioned lunch – a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a low fat single serving chocolate milk. Do you know how much sugar is in this good old fashioned lunch? Remembering that 4 grams = 1 teaspoon, and assuming the body processes carbohydrates into glucose (sugar), here’s what I found:  2 slices of wheat bread = 28 grams; 2 tablespoons peanut butter = 15 grams; 2 tablespoons strawberry jam = 20 grams; 8 oz. low fat chocolate milk = 24 grams; total carbs (sugar) = 87 grams divided by 4 grams (1 teaspoon) = 21.75 teaspoons of SUGAR!

We would be better off putting the sugar bowl back on the table and adding our own sugar to our plain, unsweetened food.

There is no way that we could pour that much sugar on our cereals, sandwiches or in our coffee!

I think the sugar bowl in America has moved from the table to our waistline!

The good news is that the waistline can “trend” the other direction if we eat more vegetables, fruits and non-packaged foods. In fact, if we committed to eating the recommended 6-9 teaspoons of sugar a day (yes, a day!), we would see dramatic health changes in ourselves and other Americans!

But eating healthy is a spiritual decision. It takes will power and determination to eat differently. As far as I can tell, eating more vegetables, fruits and non-packaged foods looks like a good strategy to be healthier. If we are healthier, we are more than likely happier!

 

Providing good food for you and your family,

Tristan

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Peas and Pears

As I spend more and more time in the field, I love that the farm is coming alive. Spring is like a magnet – it draws me from a deep restful slumber to a “Yes, I am ready for spring” experience. These daily spring walks invigorate my soul. I know what is about to happen. It has been the cycle of my life for the last 18 years, yet it is always fresh, always new, and always CRAZY!

If we are going to maintain or increase our health, what we eat will be important. And, let’s face it, we are going to eat. Why not eat the good stuff? I am a huge proponent of, “If we eat better, we will feel better.”

As spring marches forward, so does the bounty of the local harvest! Every day, as I wander through my fields, taking mental notes, noticing the garlic, fruit buds, dandelion blossoms, honey bees and other insects, the signs are clear. Soon I will be orchestrating a beautiful symphony of local, organic, and nutrient-rich food.

Bon Appétit

tristan-sign

Tristan Klesick

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Our Food System Is Broken

We care more about our air and water quality than we do the food we eat. Last time I checked, we need to breathe, drink and eat. My cynical side says, “This means the coal lobby isn’t as strong as the sugar lobby.”

The EPA is lowering the boom on coal, but the FDA and the USDA are doing the old “wink-wink” when it comes to our food. The American food supply has been coopted by the sugar and processed food industries, with the blessing of the FDA and the USDA. But what has been the result of this high carb, high sugar, low fat experiment? An unhealthy American population!

The only way we are going to change our personal health is by not buying corporate America’s food! Only by removing the profit from Coca Cola, Pepsi, Starbucks, General Mills, etc. will the health of America change. When we intentionally stop eating their processed “food” they will respond. Of course, first they will advertise more to promote “the benefits” of their products. Then they will lobby Congress to protect them from the consumer, but finally they will produce healthier and more nutritious processed foods to earn your business back. They will do this not because they love you or care about your health, but because their pocket book is hurting! It’s simple. NO SALES, NO PROFIT.

If we are going to effectively change our food system and take it back, we are going to have to do it one bite at a time, by saying “yes” to more organic fruits and vegetables, and better quality dairy, meat, and wild fish.

The easiest way to win this war on our health (waistline) is to not eat their processed sugar laden products! If we consciously choose to not eat their food, we will win this battle. It only takes a 5% shift in their sales and they will respond.

And do you know what else? If you cut back on processed foods (a.k.a., sugar foods), you will avoid eating GMOs.

And do you know what else? You will lose weight just by not eating processed foods.

And do you know what else? You will feel better (after a few days as your body detoxifies) because you are eating better.

WOW, am I ever fired up! If we cut out sugar, we change the food system for everyone, and we will feel better and healthier!

Give it a try this week. Intentionally cut out sugar. Your body will thank you.

Cheers to your health,

Tristan