A Little Bit About Milk...Does It Do The Body Good?

When it comes to being healthy, we have been hearing an awful lot of people talking about the dangers of drinking milk and of the rise in people being allergic to lactose. Since becoming more aware of what I recommend to people, I thought it was time to take a look at milk. I am surprised by the different types of milk out on the market today and can see why some people are intimidated or unsure of what is good or bad for themselves and their families. Commercials on TV tell us how good milk is for us but are followed by commercials and news reports telling us that milk is bad. Without good solid facts it can be hard to make an informed decision about what to drink. So let's start off with facts and see where they lead us.

We, as humans are born under the classification of being mammals. We are given milk right from birth from the most natural of all sources. A mother's milk is full of everything a baby needs to gain optimum health in the early stages of life. However, this is also the point where babies are exposed to a multitude of other substances and chemicals. Most of  these substances are nutrients and vitamins that we need to grow at birth. In some cases however, it is not all healthy nutrients we pass along. We are everything that we eat and breast milk is no different as it is passed along to a baby. When doctors tell nursing mothers to be careful what they eat or what medications they take...it is because these products end up being processed by the body and in-turn are given to the baby.

This is where we have our first "wait just a minute" moment when we think of milk. It has been around for years upon years and our grandparent's grandparents drank it and told us about how it was healthy and good for us. Well the fact is, milk today is a far cry from the milk of years ago. Today milk cows are fed a steady diet of antibiotics, hormones and foods rich with with GMO's. As the increase of allergies and reactions to certain foods continues to grow, there is a corresponding pattern to the increase of products containing antibiotics, additives and other chemicals which we eat and drink. The connection of the increases in both areas is not a coincidence and is being investigated on a daily basis. As of today, while these tests are being done, the USA is one of a few countries which still uses grains containing GMO's to feed milk cows, while also allowing the use of growth hormones and antibiotics on the same animals. All three are known to be present in the milk we buy daily. It is now estimated that 1 out 10 people in the USA are lactose intolerant, meaning they have a hard time digesting lactose which is a sugar found in dairy products. The pasteurization process that milk undergoes to increase shelf life and decrease any bad bacteria will also kill off the natural enzymes. These enzymes help the body better absorb calcium and is a factor in why some people who are regular milk drinkers still develop the bone disease osteoporosis.

 

The good news is that milk can be purchased as organic, meaning that it comes from cows which have not been given chemicals, hormones or antibiotics. The same cows have also been fed a strict organic diet. Looking at a side by side comparison between conventional and organic milk highlight's the differences very well. Lets take a look...

Conventional Milk and Organic Milk are both pasteurized.

 

Conventional Milk and Organic Milk have almost the same nutrient levels.

 

Organic Milk comes from cows that have had not been pumped full of chemicals, hormones or antibiotics. Therefor the organic milk does not contain these elements, unlike conventional milk.

 

Organic Milk is environmentally better. Without the chemicals and fertilizers sprayed on the grass which is fed to the cows, other aspects such as cross contamination of nearby water areas or the effects on local wildlife are removed.

 

Organic milk cows are allowed to eat natural grass and are not kept confined to a barn and fed GMO filled grain. Conventional milk cows live in shaded barns, are treated with hormones, antibiotics and fed a supply of chemically engineered food.

 

Alternatives are now flooding the market and consumers have even more choices about the milk they put into their bodies. Soy Milk is a growing trend for wary consumers who are trying to look away from traditional milk conventional or organic. Soy milk is made from soy beans which have been cooked and soaked in water. The beans are then pressed and ground into a liquid. Soy milk is rich in protein and also comes in a variety of flavors. It does not contain the same amounts of calcium found in regular cows milk, so someone drinking soy milk should look for a calcium supplement. Unlike conventional milk, soy milk does nor contain lactose which makes it ideal for someone who is lactose intolerant. People with celiac disease or who are gluten sensitive need to be careful when drinking soy milk. Due to the soy being grown in the same fields as wheat crops or even next to wheat crops, gluten cross contamination is very high. Consumers should look for a soy milk that has been certified as gluten free. A second alternative to cows milk is Almond Milk, which is now widely available in many stores and also in different flavors. Lactose free and full of amazing vitamins, minerals and proteins almond milk is also low in calories. Advantages to almond milk continue, especially if someone is diabetic. Reduced amounts of carbohydrates and calories, means that the milk has a lower glycemic index which in turn allows the body to  digest the sugars more effectively thereby delivering energy in a more consistent form. Being dairy free makes almond milk a great vegetarian and even vegan substitute for regular cows milk. It is important to know some of the pitfalls when it comes to almond milk. Commercial made almond milk is filled with many helpful nutrients but also contains many added chemicals, thickening agents and additives. Almonds are expensive and these things are added into the milk to reduce the cost.

Writing this piece on milk really opened my eyes and made me see things in a more clear and concise way. It is one thing for all Chefs & Health Coaches to say that "we are what we eat", but in reality most of us take for granted the safety and wholesomeness of our foods. Doing the research on milk, I discovered that there are even more types of milk to buy which I didn't even begin to cover here. Coconut Milk, Hemp Seed Milk, Goats Milk and even more products are being introduced everyday. As a consumer with a family, I am giving my family organic milk at this point and using it when I cook. Society is quick to grab at the latest diet or gimmick and it is my opinion that being natural and sticking with the organic milk I find at the local market is the best way to go. If you are lactose intolerant or need gluten free products, take the time to look into almond milk or one of the other products on the market. As always, read your labels and do the research for yourself to decide whats best.

That's all for today everyone!! Coming up next is a piece titled Heat & Nothing But The Heat...care to take a guess at what I plan on talking about? It comes with recipes and info that is sure to get everyone a little hot under the collar. Enjoy your day and live your dreams!



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A New Beginning and A New Direction

A warm welcome to all of my returning friends and to all my hopeful new readers. Over a year ago, I began an amazing journey, which enabled me to pursue my dream as a Chef, a teacher and a writer. Dreams have a tremendous ability to shift and force us to change along with them. Thinking and seeing clearly can enable ALL of us to see the future and not just dream about it; to reach out and take hold of what we want and desire.

As I began writing, I noticed a trend in my own thinking going towards being healthier, not just with food but with all the aspects of my life. As I explored this thinking and did some research, I discovered some things that had a fairly big impact on where I was in life.

 I wasn't even close to eating healthy and most people I know were in the same place
 

 Many of the items that I thought of as healthy were in fact full of chemicals that are anything but healthy
 

 I was missing a spiritual connection in my world, for me though, this did not mean any sort of organized religion
 

 I had forgotten the simple pleasure of taking a deep breath in the morning and focusing on who I was as a person
 

The stresses in my life had a signifigant impact on everyone around me, which in turn caused them more stress and anxiety
 

...and there were even more of these discoveries!!

 

While this was happening, I took a step back and looked at where I had started and began to think on where I wanted to be as I moved forward. As I often do when I feel a little perplexed as to my own thinking I did two things. First I went and bugged Amy who was patient enough to point out that what I wanted was to express these feelings through my writing and food. Then I went over to my handy laptop and started to browse around, looking for some sort of sign. Imagine my surprise when I found the answers I was looking for!! An old friend from high school, Sandra Keros had a link on her Facebook page to a school out of New York, the Institute for Integrative Nutrition or as it known IIN (a quick note here, I would place that pesky 'tm' next to the name of the school, but can not find a button to do so as I type, sorry IIN). While all this was happening, I had another group of friends step up and really show me some positive support right from my first thoughts of going back to school. Christina, Danny, Peggy, Shannon and Amanda all said that it would be a great step for me and wished me luck. I hadn't even officially signed up for school and even more people were offering support. All of this led me to begin my new studies at the end of the October.
 

It was during the first couple of weeks that I discovered all the thoughts in my head were not actually bad, they were my bodies' way of telling me that I needed to make changes and open myself up to a more natural and healthy way of living. We, meaning myself, other students and fellow Health Coaches believe and practice Primary Foods. The focus is on the development of a healthy person from the inside and the outside. Relationships, Physical Activity, Career and Spirituality are all part of the Primary Foods that make us who we are. We include teaching on healthy food choices as well, along with a philosophy that not every diet is good for every person. Just like everyone is different from the people around us, the practice of being a Health Coach is about treating people as individuals and working towards goals that are designed for that person.
 

Since joining IIN as a student, I have strengthened my thinking about being and living healthier while discovering so much about who I am and now look at food and where it comes from much differently. I took a more focused look at what I perceived as my problems and this is what I came away with.
 

I was not a coffee drinker but I did drink a pretty high amount of soda, full of refined sugars, caffeine and chemicals that my body didn't need. Since cutting back on the intake of soda, I have noticed that I have more energy, think clearer, have become less irritable. All of this is much to the liking of my family and I have been able to lose weight as a result.

I began to read the labels of the food I was pulling off the shelf and was surpised by the volume of chemicals and ingredients that I could not begin to pronounce. Since this started, I now cook with more of a 'from scratch' style and foods are left whole to allow the natural taste to come through.
 

Spirituality can be defined in many ways, for me it was best stated as 'An inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being'. For me this turned out to be a two step process. First I discovered my inner path through just watching the trees and nature in all its different forms, a rainy day to sun shining on the water as I walk along the ocean. Secondly, this appreciation for something as simple as nature has led me to stop my day for even just a few minutes to breathe. Each morning I climb out of bed and spend a few minutes outside on the deck, I close my eyes and take slow deep breaths focusing on my own energy. At different times in the day, I pause and take the time to center myself by doing the same exercise all over. I have found this to be great stress therapy and it allows me to then go back to what I am doing with more energy and focus. I feel that it is important for people to realize that finding your own spirituality can come in many forms and it doesn't need to be the traditional form of going to church. It needs to be about what you feel and which path you want to find.
 

Stress -  when you think about it...we all have some in one form or another. It can come at us anytime of the day and has the ability to throw us completely off our planned day. Through the changes I have already made which include the stuff I just mentioned, the levels of stress seem to grow less and less each day. I don't know when it will come get me again, but through understanding myself better I can now manage my stress and still be productive throughout my day.
 

I would invite everyone who reads this to take a few seconds and give some thought towards your own goals, hopes and dreams. Listen to what your body is saying and more than anything...stop, breathe and enjoy life along with some good food!
 

Speaking of food, I am a Chef and my world does revolve around good eating. I did some research on finding out ways to make things that were gluten free over the summer and came across some ideas that have been combined many times and in many different forms. This Asian Chicken Salad is colorful, and easy to make. The best part of this, add in as many vegetables as you want. Part of learning to eat healthier is combining foods and adding a new twist into the mix. As an example, remove the snow peas and add in broccoli, or you could change the seseame seeds into pumpkin seeds and chicken to shrimp!!
 

Snow Peas are not only rich in fiber, they are aslo
low calorie and thanks to Vitamin K...They
also promote bone health!

Asian Chicken Salad

3 Cups Chicken Breast, cooked and shredded

1/4 Cup Snow Peas, remove strings

1/2 Cup Red Peppers, thinly sliced

1/4 Cup Red Onion, thinly sliced

1/4 Cup Carrots, peeled and thinly sliced

1/4 Cup Figs, chopped into small pieces

1 Cup Tahini Dressing

(Tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds and is gluten free)



Tahini Dressing

 

1/2 Cup Tahini

1/2 Cup Olive Oil, you can substitute sesame oil if you would like

1/4 Cup Tamari, make sure to read the label and verify that it is indeed wheat free. Soy sauce contains wheat products. Tamari may also be labeled as Gluten Free Soy Sauce

1/2 Tbs Fresh Ground Ginger

3 Tbs Fresh Lemon Juice

1/2 Tbs, Chopped Garlic

Sea Salt as needed

Did you know that Ginger soothes the stomach
and it also aides in the digestion of the food we eat

 Take the Snow Peas and dip them into hot water for 30 to 45 seconds and then quickly shock them with ice water to stop the cooking. For the Carrots, dip them into boiling water for about 3 minutes and repeat the cooling procedure. The idea is that the carrots become softer but still maintain that satisfying crunch. Combine all the ingredients into a large bowl and toss together. Pour half of the dressing over the top and again toss together. Add more dressing according to your own taste preferences. When ready to serve, top the salad with a tablespoon of black sesame seeds.



Thats all I have for today!! I hope that everyone will join me as I begin my journey towards being a healthier person. I am always available to anyone who has questions or if you feel that a one on one coaching session might help you out. Remember to take those few moments for yourself and read those labels. Have a fantastic day!! Also don't forget to see my page over at Facebook, which can be found by clicking this link Kitchen Time With Chef Sean

-Chef Sean Pike