Last Minute Father's Day Gifts

Some of us procrastinate.   It doesn't mean we don't love the dads in our lives  We are just a bit slow trying to decide on the perfect gift to show our appreciation for all they do.  So, if you are looking to avoid another bottle of cologne or necktie, stop in at Food for Thought for something out of the ordinary!  While we are partial toward the BBQ Sword, we do have other fun ideas from an Airplane stationary set to wine accessories to a Yodeling Pickle.   

 Happy Father's Day to all those amazing dads out there!

Congratulations Patty!

She is the winner of our superfoods supplement sweepstakes!  Be sure to check back Monday for your chance to win fab prizes!

The Sunscreen Blues

I can still hear the chants of “ghost girl, ghost girl” every time I prepare to head outside and catch a few rays of sun. My eerily fitting nickname was a constant reminder of my pasty skin and how I needed to look more like my naturally tan kindergarten friends. But as I've aged and finally learned that achieving anything more than a “glow” would be impossible, I have also learned of the dangers associated with sun worshiping. After years under the sun, many are finding that their tans have a price tag- skin damage. My mother, always conscience of the newest dangers, would slather on tubes and tubes of the highest SPF to ensure that my skin would stay safe from even the slightest tinge of pink. But researchers are now discovering that not only can the sun’s powerfuln UVA and UVB rays are to blame, but your sunscreen could be as well.

According to the researchers at Environmental Working Group, many of the leading sunscreens contain Vitamin A and its derivatives which are being linked to an increased speed at which malignant cells are developing. Many sunscreens use the ingredient because of its anti-oxidants which help prevent the aging of skin. However, when used on skin directly exposed to sun light, Vitamin A is being found to aid in the growth of cancerous tumors. The EWG has not only uncovered the dangers of Vitamin A in sunscreens, but also overstated claims of SPF ratings. While ghostly white cream might prevent obvious burns, it won’t protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Many companies are misleading consumers by listing SPF ratings over “50” and even reaching as high as SPF “100”. With a false sense of security, people are rubbing on the cream and staying out longer, increasing their risk for skin damage. These misleading, and often times harmful, chemical sunscreens are finally being brought to the spotlight and exposed.

However, there is new hope in mineral sunscreens. Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide are becoming skin's best friend in the light of the sun. Sunscreen lines such as “Caribbean Sol”, “Alba”, and “Jason” are free of Oxybenzone (a disruptive hormone that can enter the bloodstream) as well as Vitamin A, and its derivatives.

After pushing aside my childhood dream of bronze skin, I've come to accept the risks associated with staying out in the sun and taking my sunscreen for granted. So listening to a close friends words of wisdom, when the “ghost girl” song trills in my mind, I think to myself, “pasty is tasty”.

Frozen Banana Ice Cream!

I love watching "Good Eats" on the Food Network, hosted by Alton Brown. I watch it almost every night and always get so excited about his recipes but have yet to actually TRY one. So, for the first time i'm experimenting with his rendition of "Frozen Banana Ice Cream". It's the perfect time of year for it and would be great for anyone who loves ice cream but can't eat eggs and doesn't want to give up the dairy. And from what I have found online you could make it vegan as well. Whats great about this recipe is that it doesn't require an ice cream maker, which I have been putting off buying. I have so many other tools in my kitchen that I rarely dust off and use(i.e, the dehydrator, the stand mixer, the Foreman Grill). This list goes on and on. But you WILL need a food processor. You will also need:

6 Organic Bananas
1 1/2 cups Heavy Whipping Cream
1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
1/2 tsp Vanilla
1/4 c. Agave Nectar (add more to your liking)

First, you must freeze the bananas with their peels on until they are rock hard. Take them out and put in a bowl to let thaw. Freezing them first has something to do with the cells in the banana changing once frozen. Let thaw, remove the peels and put in the food processor. Add the lemon, the agave and the vanilla. Slowly drizzle in the whipping cream to create an emulsion (like when you make salad dressing). Continue to blend until creamy. At this point you want to set in the refrigerator to cool down to at least 40 degrees before putting it in your ice cream maker. This is where my bus stops. I live in No More Appliance'ville, remember? So at this point you would put the soupy mixture in my freezer. About every hour take the mixture out and give it a good stir. It will start to harden around the edges. The final product is a yummy, creamy frozen dessert tasting much like a banana split! A batch will make over 4 cups of ice cream which can be made for a little over $1 per cup. That's a bargain for organic ice cream! And the variations on this recipe are endless!

You can click here to watch Alton work his magic.

Vegan Wednesday!

Eat In The Raw's Parma vegan cheese is now available at Food For Thought!!

Available in original and Chipotle Cayenne flavors. Parma is made using only organic raw walnuts, nutritional yeast, celtic sea salt, and LOVE.Also, check out Food for Thought's new expanded vegan section, featuring lots of products from Dixiediner.com.

Gluten-Free Living Seminar!

It's almost here, but there's still time to sign up!

As the first installment of our "Basics" series, the Gluten-Free Living Seminar aims to outline the basic information of living a gluten-free lifestyle. This includes what gluten is, reasons why you (or a loved one) could be, or should be, leading a gluten-free lifestyle, what foods you can and cannot eat, and supplements and skincare that are available for those living a gluten-free lifestyle. Chipotle will be catering the event, there will be lots of samples to eat around the store, and, of course, an opportunity to shop!

Even if you do not eat a gluten-free diet, I would highly recommend attending: Celiac disease is estimated to affect every 1 in 133 Americans and gluten intolerances are estimated to affect 1 in every 7 Americans! Considering intolerances can change through-out a lifetime, it is highly likely that you or someone you know fits into one of these categories!

The Gluten-Free Living Seminar is free and there are no age limitations! It takes place this Thursday (June 17th) from 7-8:30 pm! Call the store or stop in to RSVP!

Super Sweepstakes!

Looking to get healthy? Try this week's giveaway from Genesis Today! Sample packet includes 4 oz bottles of 4 Total Nutrition (it includes a liquid multi-vitamin, mineral and herbal dietary supplement), 4 Energy and 4 Sleep & Relaxation! It's sure to make you feel healthy, relaxed and ready to take on the summer!

Interested in winning? Enter your name & e-mail address in the comment section of the blog! Remember, pick-up is available in-store only!!! Good luck!

Manic Monday Recipe: Burrito

The weekend is over and it's back to reality! Each Monday we will post an easy recipe, either for the crockpot, quick fix or five ingredient or less recipe. Here's to eating healthy, simply!

Guilt-Free Burrito

This recipe can be completed from start to finish in 30 minutes!

Ingredients:
1 cup white basmati rice
1 1/2 cups water or vegetable stock
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 can refried beans
1 avocado, seeded and sliced
1 large tomato, chopped
2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
1/4 cup diced red onion
1/2 cup grated vegan mozzarella
4 large whole-grain tortillas
Vegan Sour Cream
2 cups chopped lettuce
Directions:
1.  Place the rice in water in a medium-size pot and bring to boil.  Cover and lower the heat to a simmer.  Cook for 10 minutes.  Turn off the heat and allow to sit for 5 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed.
2.  While the rice is cooking, place the beans in a small pot over low heat.  Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  You may need to add a small amound of water and watch that it doesn't boil.
3.  Warm the tortillas on a griddle or in a large saute pan.  Prep the remaining ingredients as indicated.
4.  Build your own burrito!

 
Recipe found in The 30 Minute Vegan

Fleas Be Gone!

Looking for natural and safe ways to protect your fur-children from the constant worry of fleas? We have plenty of simple, clean and natural solutions!

#1. Flea Free herbal flea powder from WiseWays™ Herbals.

This 3oz. bottle contains Diatomaceous Earth as its main ingredient, which is known as a mechanical insecticide. The fine powder absorbs lipids from the waxy outer layer of insects' exoskeletons, causing them to dehydrate (see here for more detail). The product can be sprinkled on animals, their bedding and on the floors inside. You can find it in our Health and Beauty section for $5.89

#2. Diatomaceious Earth Outside Relief from Dr.Goodpet™.

The 1.5lbs container comes for $8.95, with each pound covering approx. 500 square feet. Outside Relief is a chemical free pesticide, making it environmentally friendly as well. The powder can be mixed with water to apply directly to the ground, yard, and around/under all plants (caution: avoid spraying or sprinkling on leaves, as it is not safe for beneficial insects like bees and lady bugs).

Interestly enough, this product can also be used internally by your pets when added to food as an anti-parasitic. Dogs digest 1tsp in each bowl of food daily for 90 days while cats can have 1/2 teaspoon in food daily for 90 days as well. This can be found in both our health and beauty section, as well as our pet area on Aisle 2 of our grocery room!

#3. PetGuard®'s Natural Cat and Dog Collars

Each box contains 1 non-reusable, herbal collar for insect/flea relief. The cat collar, at $4.99, contains Pennyroyal, Eucalyptus, Cedarwood, Citronella, and Rosemary. The dog collar, at $4.29, contains Pennyroyal, Eucalyptus, Cedarwood, Citronella, Rue, Rosemary and Lavendar. The essential oils used from tree and plant bases help keep fleas at bay. This can be found in both our health and beauty section, as well as our pet area on Aisle 2 of our grocery room!

#4. Make your own repellent using essential oils!

Here's an example for your pet dog

Mix the following ingredients into a clean, empty container that is easy to use:

--1/2 oz. of extra virgin, cold pressed Olive Oil (Don't use mineral oils!)

--10 drops of texas cedarwood essential oil (or Rosemary, Eucalyptus)

Apply to the region of their back between their shoulder blades.

Remember! Essential oils must be diluted, especially when being used on animal skin, which is much more sensitive than our human skin. That is why they should be mixed with the Olive Oil, or any other clean, cold pressed cooking oils.


I hope this information helps loving pet owners invest in chemical-free, nontoxic flea control. Stop by our store if you have any questions and have a happy Monday!