I hope your readers don't confuse Stevia and Splenda. Splenda (sucralose) is a artificial sweetener originally marketed by J & J, who sold it off for 300 million dollars. Why? In my view, hidden liability. It contains 3 Chlorine molecules and leaves a metallic taste in your mouth. Some believe that it causes GI inflammation that allows other toxic molecules that are harmful to be absorbed through the lining of the intestines. All the studies that J & J did were of short duration. I wonder why?
For the reluctant gardener, why not grow fresh sprouts on your kitchen counter? We love clover, protein mix, and more. Ready in 4 or 5 days. So easy. No special lights or soil needed. Healthy stuff. Buy non-GMO, organic seeds.
Oso is beautiful, as well as his fowl friends. We left sugar a while back but have replaced it with Monkfruit - in particular Lakanto brand. As with many things, I wonder if it's still as "clean" as it used to be. Curious your thoughts on this?
I found pure monk fruit in a small container called NuNaturals- it’s expensive but it lasts forever. I looked up a while back about Erythritol- it’s a byproduct from corn. I swear everything from the corn byproduct is bad lol. But that corn lobby sure is very busy shoving their byproducts into other things and earning more money..
Yep, erythritol is listed first! It doesn't stay on my shelf long in most cases so not sure about flavor potency. After living in Maui for years, I'm wondering if I shouldn't just find a minimally processed cane sugar (if that even exists!) and stop trying to substitute. Thanks for the reply Dr Jill.
For a delicious all-natural sweet treat, freeze peeled whole bananas and put into a zip lock bag. When ready for your treat, pop a banana out of the freezer, slice thin, then eat. Yummy!
Maybe you could let a few slices thaw, mash if you like, and then put the juice in your tea (haven’t tried it, but the juice certainly will be sweet).
Two years ago it was an article from Dr. Malone that prompted me to snap out of it, spruce up the back yard a little, and plant some vegetables and eventually flowers. Mixed results on the vegetables over the last two seasons, but with every setback comes the question of why, and how to do better next time. Is my soil really that poor? Why did the squash plants zoom up in a promising flourish, then wilt and die? Have pool-related chemicals, perhaps accumulated in surrounding soil over the years, been a factor in my disappointments? Did I over-water? Might squash vine borers and tomato hornworms be persuaded to leave my plants alone? Etc.
Here and elsewhere I've seen reports of imminent fertilizer shortages and what may follow. I enjoy what tomatoes, squash(es?), peppers, cucumbers I've been able to harvest the last two years. At some point last year I checked caloric values for these, and was surprised by how very small they are. Not enough to sustain in a period of food shortages. I don't find much in the way of more calorie-dense alternatives at Home Depot or the local plant nursery. It'll take more effort on my part than just loading up a trunkful of pots and seeds, and plopping them in the purchased soil. That's what I just got around to doing a couple of days ago. A new season brings new hope for produce, calorie-dense or not.
What to grow? Growing potatoes and sweet potatoes for calories.
Consider keeping chickens/poultry. If you really want to go self-sustaining, ducks can live completely on grass and bugs - yet still produce lots of eggs...
Actually the,safest artificial sweetener is probably saccharin.. Diabetics used it for many decades without seeing any cancer risk. But hey, all that money to be made over false danger claims. Got cyclamate too which was also falsely claimed to be carcinogenic.
Thank you for this review of ways to contribute to our wellbeing!
Snacking! Am, these days constrained by the need for thinned blood (bilaternal pulmonary thrombosis with warfarin). Green leafy veggies pose problems. That said a great answer and saving grace are raw veggies. Cherry tomatoes, yellow squash, celery sticks, carrots, cucumber, berries, coliflower. Im indulging in orange and yellow peppers, but not sure theyre really safe. So - no chips, et al snacks. Just handy dandy veggies.
I am so lucky my Mom kept us very short on sugars. I do get cut up watermelon pieces 2/day to deal with any desires. Beyond that, thanks for the discussion. I don't have any sugar or sweeteners in house at this point. Just some frozen berry tarts for celebrations and crises.
Much appreciate your tips! Will try harder to get to the farmers markets this year. I am aware there are farmers who take orders and make regular deliveries. It would be helpful if they could make their availability and offerings known. Will try and clue Mollie in. This should be MAHA promoted strategy as well, but I have no way of sharing the idea with them.
Think you might enjoy this. My wife was assembling a shelf unit on the deck and grousing about a missing hammer. Fixed the cats dinner and the young cat did not show up. Was on a chest on the deck. Picked him up and there was the hammer! Why do you suppose he had not hopped down to eat??? Playing hide the thimble with a hammer?
Greetings from the Thumb Coast of Michigan! Thank you, Dr. Jill, for today's article on food sourcing and how to discern between the real and true and the fake and the false. We have located locally two meat sources. The first is our farrier, who raises only grass-fed beef; the second a meat shop which buys only meet organically raised and does its own butchering on-site. whenever we have the option, we purchase locally sourced honey for sweetening home brewed beverages but continue to rely on various sugars when baking. Vegetables that we cannot raise we purchase as you suggested from local farmers market and known growers locally. Summer meals are easy and simple: salads, salads, and more salads from our own gardens, fresh organic fruits and vegetables, supplemented with bite sized bits of beef or chicken or hardboiled eggs. Dried legumes are stored in glass jars and always at arm's length to bulk up a salad! Keep the anecdotal comments coming! Your knowledge and experience are far wider than mine and I always find a new path! Slainte!
Great article and I too appreciate the Stevia information. I’ve been using it for years but noticed awhile back that it was taking more of it to obtain the same sweetness level and that the “ingredients “ list had increased! I will try this Stevia you mentioned. Loved the photos! Papa is beautiful!!
I'm sorry, but this post reads like an ad for amazon.com.
Buy your stevia on Amazon. Buy your books on Amazon.
As a lifelong "Amazon refuser," absolutely NOT. **Amazon is the everyday epitome of neofeudalist centralized control, and I have complained to multiple websites with varying political leanings over the past 20+ years about their affiliations with/links to Amazon.** Even the American Red Cross now often "rewards" blood donors with small-value Amazon gift cards, which I refuse to accept. A few years ago, I read that approximately 80% of USA households have Amazon Prime memberships. What does the Bezos plantation put in the water to make the vast majority of the population so compliant with their retail dictatorship, which has been accused of book censorship as well as destroying (or at least harming) exponential independent businesses? The primary reason that Amazon became a multinational monolith is because people are, well, lazy. I buy things locally and online, but never, ever from Amazon or its associated businesses, such as Whole Foods and Zappos. Decentralizing the economy is one of the best ways to preserve what freedoms remain. Since I was 20 years old, I have said that in the United States, we have more everyday power as purchasers than we do at the ballot box. Vote wisely!
If you have not already done so, please read "The Everything War: Amazon’s Ruthless Quest to Own the World and Remake Corporate Power," which was written by a business journalist:++
++Sadly and paradoxically, this is one of the few book reviews I found for the title that did not also contain links to Amazon. Where, oh where is Rod Serling?
If you don't live near a library that has it or an independent bookstore, biblio.com is also a decent online alternative to Amazon and its smaller precursor, Barnes & Noble. (as a caveat, use caution and don't buy from Biblio "drop shippers," or you may receive an Amazon envelope).
As for food, familiarize yourselves with the "dirty dozen" produce list and buy organic for those items ranked highest in pesticides and chemical fertilizers, such as spinach:
After listening to Dr. Bryan Ardis's episode on how Stevia causes obesity and infertility, I threw ALL my organic green stevia powder out. I follow several doctors that basically reject main stream medical today. What's frustrating is that I run into conflicts with info from doctors I trust, where one says one thing about this or that, and the other doc says the opposite. Well, I've learned to train my taste buds to love bitter, plain or sour. If I absolutely need a sweet fix......a little local organic honey does the trick for me. Thank you for your info and insight.
Looking SO forward to the new book! And thanks for the stevia info!
I hope your readers don't confuse Stevia and Splenda. Splenda (sucralose) is a artificial sweetener originally marketed by J & J, who sold it off for 300 million dollars. Why? In my view, hidden liability. It contains 3 Chlorine molecules and leaves a metallic taste in your mouth. Some believe that it causes GI inflammation that allows other toxic molecules that are harmful to be absorbed through the lining of the intestines. All the studies that J & J did were of short duration. I wonder why?
Prince Caspian is amazing.
Can’t wait for the book!
Love the photos! Thank you!
For the reluctant gardener, why not grow fresh sprouts on your kitchen counter? We love clover, protein mix, and more. Ready in 4 or 5 days. So easy. No special lights or soil needed. Healthy stuff. Buy non-GMO, organic seeds.
Lots of sources, including:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=organic+sprouting+seeds&crid=26IY0YDMUOIH&sprefix=Organic+sprout%2Caps%2C239&ref=nb_sb_ss_p13n-expert-pd-ops-ranker_ci_hl-bn-left_1_14
True Leaf Market: https://trueleafmarket.com/collections/handy-pantry-products
Oso is beautiful, as well as his fowl friends. We left sugar a while back but have replaced it with Monkfruit - in particular Lakanto brand. As with many things, I wonder if it's still as "clean" as it used to be. Curious your thoughts on this?
Monk fruit has the same issue as stevia; what is usually sold in the grocery store is cut with erythritol. But Amazon to the rescue again - do a search on pure monkfruit. Lots of options come - such as: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Pep-sweetener-Erythritol-Monkfruit/dp/B0D8MY635N/?th=1
JGM
I found pure monk fruit in a small container called NuNaturals- it’s expensive but it lasts forever. I looked up a while back about Erythritol- it’s a byproduct from corn. I swear everything from the corn byproduct is bad lol. But that corn lobby sure is very busy shoving their byproducts into other things and earning more money..
Yep, erythritol is listed first! It doesn't stay on my shelf long in most cases so not sure about flavor potency. After living in Maui for years, I'm wondering if I shouldn't just find a minimally processed cane sugar (if that even exists!) and stop trying to substitute. Thanks for the reply Dr Jill.
PS - ordered this! Thx
For a delicious all-natural sweet treat, freeze peeled whole bananas and put into a zip lock bag. When ready for your treat, pop a banana out of the freezer, slice thin, then eat. Yummy!
Maybe you could let a few slices thaw, mash if you like, and then put the juice in your tea (haven’t tried it, but the juice certainly will be sweet).
Two years ago it was an article from Dr. Malone that prompted me to snap out of it, spruce up the back yard a little, and plant some vegetables and eventually flowers. Mixed results on the vegetables over the last two seasons, but with every setback comes the question of why, and how to do better next time. Is my soil really that poor? Why did the squash plants zoom up in a promising flourish, then wilt and die? Have pool-related chemicals, perhaps accumulated in surrounding soil over the years, been a factor in my disappointments? Did I over-water? Might squash vine borers and tomato hornworms be persuaded to leave my plants alone? Etc.
Here and elsewhere I've seen reports of imminent fertilizer shortages and what may follow. I enjoy what tomatoes, squash(es?), peppers, cucumbers I've been able to harvest the last two years. At some point last year I checked caloric values for these, and was surprised by how very small they are. Not enough to sustain in a period of food shortages. I don't find much in the way of more calorie-dense alternatives at Home Depot or the local plant nursery. It'll take more effort on my part than just loading up a trunkful of pots and seeds, and plopping them in the purchased soil. That's what I just got around to doing a couple of days ago. A new season brings new hope for produce, calorie-dense or not.
What to grow? Growing potatoes and sweet potatoes for calories.
Consider keeping chickens/poultry. If you really want to go self-sustaining, ducks can live completely on grass and bugs - yet still produce lots of eggs...
Actually the,safest artificial sweetener is probably saccharin.. Diabetics used it for many decades without seeing any cancer risk. But hey, all that money to be made over false danger claims. Got cyclamate too which was also falsely claimed to be carcinogenic.
Is that the pink packet?
Have no idea. Never have used artificial sweeteners.
Thank you for this review of ways to contribute to our wellbeing!
Snacking! Am, these days constrained by the need for thinned blood (bilaternal pulmonary thrombosis with warfarin). Green leafy veggies pose problems. That said a great answer and saving grace are raw veggies. Cherry tomatoes, yellow squash, celery sticks, carrots, cucumber, berries, coliflower. Im indulging in orange and yellow peppers, but not sure theyre really safe. So - no chips, et al snacks. Just handy dandy veggies.
I am so lucky my Mom kept us very short on sugars. I do get cut up watermelon pieces 2/day to deal with any desires. Beyond that, thanks for the discussion. I don't have any sugar or sweeteners in house at this point. Just some frozen berry tarts for celebrations and crises.
Much appreciate your tips! Will try harder to get to the farmers markets this year. I am aware there are farmers who take orders and make regular deliveries. It would be helpful if they could make their availability and offerings known. Will try and clue Mollie in. This should be MAHA promoted strategy as well, but I have no way of sharing the idea with them.
Have a successful and rewarding weekend! Bestest!
Think you might enjoy this. My wife was assembling a shelf unit on the deck and grousing about a missing hammer. Fixed the cats dinner and the young cat did not show up. Was on a chest on the deck. Picked him up and there was the hammer! Why do you suppose he had not hopped down to eat??? Playing hide the thimble with a hammer?
Amazing! One would think laying on a hammer would be uncomfortable. At least it clues you re other missing objects check under cat, :)
Greetings from the Thumb Coast of Michigan! Thank you, Dr. Jill, for today's article on food sourcing and how to discern between the real and true and the fake and the false. We have located locally two meat sources. The first is our farrier, who raises only grass-fed beef; the second a meat shop which buys only meet organically raised and does its own butchering on-site. whenever we have the option, we purchase locally sourced honey for sweetening home brewed beverages but continue to rely on various sugars when baking. Vegetables that we cannot raise we purchase as you suggested from local farmers market and known growers locally. Summer meals are easy and simple: salads, salads, and more salads from our own gardens, fresh organic fruits and vegetables, supplemented with bite sized bits of beef or chicken or hardboiled eggs. Dried legumes are stored in glass jars and always at arm's length to bulk up a salad! Keep the anecdotal comments coming! Your knowledge and experience are far wider than mine and I always find a new path! Slainte!
Great article and I too appreciate the Stevia information. I’ve been using it for years but noticed awhile back that it was taking more of it to obtain the same sweetness level and that the “ingredients “ list had increased! I will try this Stevia you mentioned. Loved the photos! Papa is beautiful!!
Hi... What about 'Sweet Leaf' Sweet Drops. Pure Stevia except for 'Natural Flavors' ?
I'm sorry, but this post reads like an ad for amazon.com.
Buy your stevia on Amazon. Buy your books on Amazon.
As a lifelong "Amazon refuser," absolutely NOT. **Amazon is the everyday epitome of neofeudalist centralized control, and I have complained to multiple websites with varying political leanings over the past 20+ years about their affiliations with/links to Amazon.** Even the American Red Cross now often "rewards" blood donors with small-value Amazon gift cards, which I refuse to accept. A few years ago, I read that approximately 80% of USA households have Amazon Prime memberships. What does the Bezos plantation put in the water to make the vast majority of the population so compliant with their retail dictatorship, which has been accused of book censorship as well as destroying (or at least harming) exponential independent businesses? The primary reason that Amazon became a multinational monolith is because people are, well, lazy. I buy things locally and online, but never, ever from Amazon or its associated businesses, such as Whole Foods and Zappos. Decentralizing the economy is one of the best ways to preserve what freedoms remain. Since I was 20 years old, I have said that in the United States, we have more everyday power as purchasers than we do at the ballot box. Vote wisely!
If you have not already done so, please read "The Everything War: Amazon’s Ruthless Quest to Own the World and Remake Corporate Power," which was written by a business journalist:++
https://www.porchlightbooks.com/products/everything-war-dana-mattioli-9780316269773
++Sadly and paradoxically, this is one of the few book reviews I found for the title that did not also contain links to Amazon. Where, oh where is Rod Serling?
If you don't live near a library that has it or an independent bookstore, biblio.com is also a decent online alternative to Amazon and its smaller precursor, Barnes & Noble. (as a caveat, use caution and don't buy from Biblio "drop shippers," or you may receive an Amazon envelope).
As for food, familiarize yourselves with the "dirty dozen" produce list and buy organic for those items ranked highest in pesticides and chemical fertilizers, such as spinach:
https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty-dozen.php
After listening to Dr. Bryan Ardis's episode on how Stevia causes obesity and infertility, I threw ALL my organic green stevia powder out. I follow several doctors that basically reject main stream medical today. What's frustrating is that I run into conflicts with info from doctors I trust, where one says one thing about this or that, and the other doc says the opposite. Well, I've learned to train my taste buds to love bitter, plain or sour. If I absolutely need a sweet fix......a little local organic honey does the trick for me. Thank you for your info and insight.
Suggestion: You might try allulose as a sweetener. It is known to be actually good for the body.