Use Banana Peels to Nourish Plants & Keep Away Pests

Bananas are loaded with Vitamin B6, manganese, biotin, potassium, and copper, not to mention a great source of fiber. Studies have shown that bananas also help regulate blood pressure, are good for the heart, and help support a certain type of good bacteria, called bifidobacteria, in the gut.

Read more fascinating health benefits from & studies about bananas from The World's Healthiest Foods.

Did you also know that the peels help feed your plants, especially roses and tomatoes?  Chop up the peels and bury at the base of the plant once a month. You can even put them in the blender with some water and pour on the soil around the plant. The peels decompose with ease, and help give any plant in your garden some essential nutrients, including micronutrients that plant life needs. The chopped peels also repel aphids, so you get a double dose of goodness for your plants, and save some space in the landfill. Since the peels decompose so easily, those of us who are a little lazy can just throw the peels on the dirt. However, whole peels could attract rodents, where chopped or blended peels do not.

The Dangers of Caramel Coloring

TODAY'S TIP: Readers often ask if caramel coloring has gluten (it can). It can also contain a carcinogen called 4-Mel. Long-term studies have shown that it CAUSED lung cancer in mice. 

Caramel coloring can be derived from different grains, including barley (high in gluten) &/or corn. In the U.S, it appears to be mostly corn derived. As for the amount of gluten in caramel coloring, there are 2 sides of the argument here - one claims that gluten proteins (or other proteins) are distilled down too far to cause a reaction, while the other side questions this, since there is not testing or laws in place to prove otherwise, and also because there are a significant number of people whose personal experience is that they do react (allergic reaction or celiac reaction) to caramel coloring and other highly distilled grain products.

However, it isn't just people w/ celiac or allergies who should avoid it, we all need to for the sake of our health. Many soy sauces (many restaurant soy sauces list it as the 1st or 2nd ingredient), imitation maple syrup, cola, gravy, etc. contain caramel coloring that uses 4-Mel. And major brands use 4-Mel, acc. to a Consumer Reports study. One can of certain sodas can contain very high amounts, and most soda drinkers drink more than one can per day.

I hate the word, "should", but there are simply to many people w/ cancer and immune issues to softball this one.

Previous studies of 4-MeI have found long-term exposure to the chemical caused lung cancer in mice, according to the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. That prompted the state to add 4-MeI to its list of potentially toxic chemicals under Proposition 65, which requires warning labels on products containing concerning levels of the chemical -- in this case 29 micrograms of 4-MeI per can or bottle.

Caramel coloring chemical linked to cancer found in "too high" levels in some colas

ByRyan JaslowCBS NewsJanuary 23, 2014, 12:13 PM

• Dr. Oz, also did a segment on products containing 4-Mel.  See it here.
• Here's the story on NPR: Potential Carcinogen In Colas Has FDA Reviewing Data
• The LA Times: Pepsi One contains higher level of carcinogen, report says

Nutrition Tip: Winter Squash Makes Good Carbohydrates & Unique Anti-Inflammatory Starches

Roasted Pumpkin

About 90% of the winter squash's total calories comes from carbohydrates, and according to The World's Healthiest Foods, a site I love, about half of those carbohydrates are starchy, although not all starch is the same. Here's what WHF says about this:

Many of the carbs in winter starch come from polysaccharides found in the cell walls. These polysaccharides include pectins—specially structured polysaccharides that in winter squash often include special chains of D-galacturonic acid called homogalacturonan. An increasing number of animal studies now show that these starch-related components in winter squash have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, as well as anti-diabetic and insulin-regulating properties.

When I started the GAPS diet, which in the beginning eliminates all grains, I had some problems regulating my blood sugar. Holistic Nutritionist Brooke Kaufman advised me to add roasted, winter squash to my diet (for GAPS roast without any oil). This immediately helped and has become a beloved staple ever since. You can do a lot with squash from baking to roasting, to saving and roasting the seeds. Brilliant.

Nutrition Tip: Winter Squash is Good "B" Eats

Spaghetti Squash - Roasted

This week's FEATURED FOOD is WINTER SQUASH. It's high in B-complex vitamins like B2, B6, folate, pantothenic acid (B5), B1 & B3 AND the B-vitamin like compound d-chiro-inositol that researchers expect has a regulatory effect on blood sugar. That's alotta B's!

Acorn, Butternut, Pumpkin, Kabocha, Hubbard, Turban, Spaghetti (pictured)... just a few varieties to give you some squash love.

Featured Food: Figs

This week's featured food: FIGS. They are one of the most ancient fruits with some nutrient power, including fiber, potassium, manganese, vitamin B6. The body needs vitamin B6 for more than 100 enzyme reactions involved in metabolism. Vitamin B6 is also involved in brain development during pregnancy and infancy as well as immune function.

Adam & Eve may not have known this, but FIG LEAVES can be eaten, too. "They have repeatedly been shown to have antidiabetic properties & can actually reduce the amount of insulin needed by persons with diabetes who require insulin injections." Don't have direct links to the studies, but World's Healthiest Foods (George Mateljan Foundation) has some great info.

Use Figs in these recipes:

Roast Chicken w/ Figs, Thyme, Garlic, and Sweet Potatoes