Chickens Are Eating Arsenic? Time to Buy Organic
Prozac. Tylenol. Benadryl. Though these may sound like the contents of a medicine cabinet, they are in fact the chemicals that are being routinely fed to industrially farmed chickens. According to Nicholas Kristof’s recent New York Times article “Arsenic in our Chicken?”, it gets worse: researchers have also discovered the presence of arsenic and banned antibiotics in poultry feathers.
As it turns out, feeding chickens trace amounts of arsenic reduces infections and improves the pinkish hue of the meat. Though there’s no evidence yet that these low levels of arsenic are harmful, the practice is still illegal in the E.U. and Canada – and as of last week, Maryland is to become the first state in the U.S. to ban arsenic in chicken feed.
As for Prozac, Tylenol, and Benadryl, Kristof reports that they are all used as sedatives to reduce anxiety among factory-farmed chickens. Crowded and often brutal conditions result in birds that are in constant distress, a state that stunts their growth and results in tougher meat. To counteract the drowsiness caused by these sedatives, chickens are also fed caffeine so they can stay awake longer and continue eating.
Health Food Store Tour: Meat Substitutes and Soy Proteins
Hi there! I’m Christy Goldfeder, Health Coach and IIN Graduate, Class of 2006. Join me on IIN’s virtual Health Food Store Tour, where I’ll give you weekly tips on how to shop healthfully. Come back each week as we stroll through the aisles to discover which foods are the healthiest.
Meat Substitute and Soy Protein
If you are vegetarian or vegan, there are many protein alternatives to choose from these days. Here’s what I look for when I want a meatless meal:
The whole deal: There are many benefits to adding plant-based proteins into your diet, but eating overly processed proteins erases some of those benefits. So look for items that have fewer ingredients.
GMO-free: A genetically modified organism is one that has genetic material from unrelated organisms (i.e., fish gene in a tomato). GMOs are supposed to help breed hardier plants by helping them become resistant to drought, herbicides or pests.
But what does it mean for our health? No one really knows, but I would avoid GMOs as much as possible.
Scroll down to see some of the meatless protein options and recipes:
A Hearty, Healthy St. Patty's Day Menu
To some, March 17th is merely a day to wear green and drink Guinness. But to others, particularly those of us who come from a long line of Celts, the holiday ranks up there with Christmas. Between handfuls of chocolate coins, generous servings of corned beef, and an endless flow of green beer, the shamrock spirit will be in full force this weekend. It’s a festive and fun celebration, but health-conscious, it is not.
Here are a few twists on the traditional St. Patty’s Day menu so you can stay healthy and still get your Irish on!
Skinny Green Smoothie
Instead of sipping on soda or beer, opt for a delicious green smoothie to keep you energized all day long. IIN grad Holli Thompson’s recipe from her blog, Nutritional Style calls for detoxing, immunity-boosting ingredients such as kale, cucumber and grapefruit.
Healthy Living Guide: Long Beach
Welcome to Long Beach California! Home to beautiful beaches, unmatched views of the Pacific, and of course, the Integrative Nutrition Mega Conference! We couldn’t be more excited to be in Long Beach this week, and can’t wait to meet all of you at the conference this weekend. Long Beach is truly a beautiful port town, and a healthy one at that! We’ve put together a list of our favorite healthy restaurants and activities in the area for you, so way not call up a few of your fellow IINers and set a dinner date while you’re in town?
Can’t join us for the Integrative Nutrition Mega Conference? We’ll miss you! But not to fear, we’ve got healthy options in your town too!
Restaurants
 |
Au Lac This cozy restaurant specializes in “Humanese” food – a term coined by Au Lac’s chef himself. Humanese is the belief that everyone is created equal and we must have respect for all animals, plants, and each other. Au Lac has a Humanese-friendly, vegan and raw menu. |
 |
Green Temple This vegetarian restaurant is just outside of Long Beach, in Redondo Beach, but it’s worth the drive out of town. The serene atmosphere and delicious, vegetarian menu makes for a delightful dining experience. Even if you aren’t vegetarian, we are willing to bet you’ll want to come back to Green Temple time and time again! |
Healthy Living Guide: Los Angeles
From the New York Skyline to the to the San Francisco Bay, we’ve come a long way since we started our healthy living guides. This week, we’re finally arriving in sunny Los Angeles, California! With its palm tree lined streets, pristine beaches and Louis Vuitton clad celebs, there really is no other city like LA. Once you get off the beaten path (and out of the traffic on the 101) you will find that Los Angeles is so much more than just Hollywood. The city has so many outdoor activities, beautiful year-round farmers markets, and healthy restaurants to offer. Here are a few of our favorite hangouts in LA.
Not in the LA area? Check out our Healthy Living series for options in your area.
Restaurants
 |
Pressed Juicery Created by IIN graduate, Carly Brien, Pressed Juicery is the best place in all of LA to get fresh pressed, organic juice. Stop into one of their 3 locations for a delicious green juice, or if you're in need of a serious detox, participate in one of their juice cleanses - 6 fresh juices, plus 2 supplemental beverages delivered to you daily! |
 |
True Food Kitchen At True Food Kitchen, the entire menu is centered on the principals of IIN Nutrition Expert, Dr. Andrew Weil’s Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Food Pyramid. The menu is packed with healthy whole grains, proteins, and nutrient rich vegetables – you can’t go wrong, no matter what dish you choose! |
Healthy Living Guide: San Diego
Located in the southern most tip of California, San Diego is one of the most desirable locations to live in America. And it’s no surprise; just one look at the pristine beaches, palm trees, and carefree residences soaking up the sun is enough to convince anyone to call San Diego home! The city also has a strong health and wellness movement, with dozens of yoga studios, state parks, surf beaches, and health food cafes! If you are in need of a little R&R, San Diego is the perfect spot to kick back and relax on the beach, green juice in hand!
If you’re planning a trip to San Diego - and you should - here is a list of our favorite healthy hang-outs in the area, along with some beautiful state parks that capture all of the beauty of Southern California!
Not able to make it down to San Diego? Check out the healthy options a little closer to home in our Healthy Living Guide series!
Restaurants
 |
Café Gratitude Café Gratitude has several locations throughout California, each serving 100% local, organic, and vegan fare. The food is free of refined sugar, flour, and additives. They also have several raw options on their menu. |
 |
Casa De Luz This Macrobiotics restaurant was founded on the philosophy of living the best life you can by feeding your body the best possible foods. The chef creates balanced and organic meals for optimal health. For a delicious, always vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-free meal, head over to Casa De Luz. They also have a location in Austin, TX! |
Healthy Living Guide: San Francisco
San Francisco is one of my all-time favorite cities. From the cable cars rumbling down the steep streets to the top of the Golden Gate Bridge peaking out of the fog, how could you not be charmed by this picture perfect city? One of my favorite things about San Fran is the diversity of its neighborhoods. Looking for an authentic slice of pizza and unrivaled views of the city? Head over to the Italian district, North Beach. If you’re in the mood from some boutique shopping, head over to Filmore Street in Pacific Heights. And of course, a trip to San Francisco wouldn’t be complete without a jaunt through Chinatown, which happens to be the largest enclave of Chinese culture in America.
Like many cities on the West Coast, San Francisco is a health-minded city with no shortage of healthy restaurants, parks, and farmers markets. Here is a list of a few of our favorites in the area – make sure you check them out next time you are in the Bay Area!
Not planning a trip to San Francisco? Check out our other Healthy Living Guides for healthy options a little bit closer to home.
Restaurants
|
Café Gratitude Café Gratitude has several locations throughout California, each serving 100% local, organic, and vegan fare. The food is free of refined sugar, flour, and additives. They also have several raw options on their menu. This is the perfect place for a relaxed brunch or lunch with friends in the funky Mission district of San Fran. |
 |
Roam This burger joint serves delicious burgers made of 100% grass-fed beef, free-range turkey, or all-natural bison as well as organic veggie burgers. They source their ingredients locally and pair the burgers with delicious Straus Family Creamery Shakes, house-made sodas, local brews, or wine and kombucha that they have on tap! |
Healthy Super Bowl Recipes – Enjoy Your Favorite Game Day Snacks Guilt-Free!
Puppy Bowl VIII, I mean, Super Bowl XLVI Sunday is upon us! Whether you are cheering for New York or New England (or even if you’re just in it for the commercials) there is one thing that we can all agree on: good snacks are an absolute must.
It may seem like a daunting task to whip up healthy snacks that will satisfy a houseful of hungry football fans, but rest assured, it is possible! We’ve put together this list of healthy Super Bowl recipes that are great alternatives to all of your favorite game day snacks and are guaranteed crowd pleasers!
If you like BBQ wings, try….
If you like French fries, try…
If you like sliders, try…
If you like chili, try…
If you like potato chips, try…
If you like vegetables with ranch dip, try…
Yogurt Dill Dip with Vegetables
If you like hummus, try…
If you like pizza, try…
If you like trail mix, try…
If you like 7 layer dip, try…
If you like artichoke dip, try…
If you like nachos, try…
If you like chips and guacamole, try…
If you like chocolate chip cookies, try…
Peanutty, Chocolately, Coconutty, Popcorny, Sweet and Salty Cookies
If you like brownies, try…
Gluten-Free, Vegan Chocolate Chip Blondies
Now that you’re armed with snacks, you’re all ready to host a healthy Super Bowl for all your favorite football fans!
Healthy Living Guide: Sacramento
Ah, Sacramento! California’s State Capitol, delta town, seat of the 19th century gold rush, and the town where the Pacific Railroad began. It’s also my old college town, a place where me and my friends spent our afternoons picking sour Seville oranges from the old trees lining downtown’s gorgeous streets (yes, harvesting is both legal and encouraged!), strolling in the camellia gardens at the Capitol, and scouting the perfect bowl of menudo in the hundreds of muy authentico Mexican restaurants that dot the area.
Located in Northern California’s fertile Central Valley, Sacramento is an agricultural powerhouse. The city itself is home to some of the biggest urban citrus groves in the nation. Past the city limits, farms dominate the landscape. Popular area crops include rice, all manner of nuts, vegetables, orchard fruits, berries, and melons. There are also wineries, cheese makers, beer brewers, marmalade makers (using the above mentioned Sevilles) and other food artisans. You can taste it all at any of the area’s farm-to-table restaurants that are so popular. Or, visit one of the local farmer’s markets, roadside produce stands, tasting rooms or pick-your-own farms.
But food isn’t all Sacramento has going for it. With its temperate climate and soft breeze—made possible by the surrounding Sacramento, American, and San Joaquin rivers— Sacramento is an outdoorsy town. Be prepared to cycle along some of the hundreds of miles of dedicated bike lanes, jog next to the one of the rivers, canoe or raft, swim, stroll through historic Old Town, ski in the nearby Sierras, hike through foothill nature preserves, or join one of the Frisbee or soccer games that are always being played in one of the hundreds of area parks.
Looking for healthy options in your town? Check out the rest of our healthy living guides!
Restaurants
 |
Sugar Plum Vegan Café This vegan cafe and bakery is home to some of Sacramento’s most beloved vegan dishes and baked goods! Sugar Plum is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—but we can’t get enough of their Sunday brunch menu! The Tofu Frittata and Hempy Blueberry Pancakes are simply outstanding. |
 |
The Green Boheme The Green Boheme is a very popular spot among Sacramento’s health-minded community! They serve healthy, gluten free, raw, vegan dishes at their café; many with a delicious Asian flare. The café also hosts raw cooking demonstrations, food plans and raw food cleanses! |
Healthy Living Guide: Portland (Oregon!)
Continuing down the Pacific Coast, our next stop is Portland, Oregon! I’m lucky enough to call Portland home and couldn’t be more excited to share some of my favorite healthy hangouts with all of you!
Recently, Portland has come to be known as quite the food town, and a healthy food town at that. It is truly a locavore’s paradise (see video at the end of this post!), with almost all of the popular and trendy restaurants serving only local, organic dishes. In addition to the booming restaurant scene, Portlanders have taken their food obsession to the streets in the form of dozens of food cart pods littered around the city.
When we’re not eating in Portland, we’re out enjoying the natural beauty that is the state of Oregon. With the majestic Cascade Mountain Range only a short drive away in one direction and the Pacific Coast in the other – not to mention the miles and miles of forests, trails, rivers and lakes in between – there is never a shortage of outdoor activities in the area!
Now that I’ve (hopefully) successfully sold you on a trip to Portland, check out our list of healthy restaurants to try while you’re there. Can’t make it to Oregon? Check out our other Healthy Living Guides for recommendations in your area!
Restaurants
 |
Vita Café Vita Café is a long time Portland favorite, serving mostly vegetarian and vegan food, along with some all-natural, hormone-free meats and eggs, since 1999. All ingredients are organic and locally sourced from the Northwest. Everything on the menu is delicious, and as a bonus, kids eat for a buck every day from 5 to 7 pm! |
 |
Blossoming Lotus This café specializes in Asian-inspired cuisine with a vegan or live food twist. They are located on the Willamette River in Portland’s Irvington District, and are open for lunch, dinner and Sunday Brunch. All of the meals are nourishing and delicious, but we especially love the Live Pesto and Portobello Pizza! |
