Betcha didn't know ...

So, who's feeling the after effects of too much Easter chocolate, hot cross buns, munchie foods and alcoholic beverages? I know a few who will be trying to be good this coming week, to make up for too much bad during these past 4 days!!

The worst that Adoring Husband and I did was eat chocolate mousse (sugar free, dairy free, gluten free - but full of delicious taste!) for dessert yesterday. We've had a no chocolate/eggs, no alcohol, no munchies Easter. All good healthy meals keeping us nourished and satisfied :)

I found this interesting article today that I know a couple of you will be interested in, and I know that many of you will not be the slightest bit interested lol.

What your food label really means

Added vitamins: One-dimensional factory versions of natural vitamins found in whole foods: ascorbic acid (man-made vitamin C) is usually synthesised from the fermentation of GM corn, while artificial vitamin E is commonly derived from petrol.

Soluble fibre: A healthier-sounding term for modified starch, which is widely used to reduce the quantity of more nutritious ingredients in processed foods, and keep down manufacturers’ costs.

‘Natural’ colourings: The only difference between these and artificial ones is that they start with pigments that occur in nature. Otherwise, they are made using the same highly chemical industrial processes, including extraction using harsh solvents.

Artificial ‘diet” sweeteners: Several large-scale studies have found a correlation between artificial sweetener consumption and weight gain. Accumulating evidence suggests that they may also increase our risk of Type 2 diabetes.

Enzymes: Used to make bread stay soft longer; injected into low-value livestock before slaughter, to tenderise their meat; and used in fruit juice processing to create a cloudier, more natural appearance.

‘Packaged in a protective atmosphere’: Food that has been “gassed” in modified air to extend its shelf life. It delays what food manufacturers call “warmed over flavour”, an off-taste that occurs in factory food.

Beef/pork/poultry protein: Collagen extracted from butchered carcasses, processed into a powder and added to low-grade meats. It adds bounce, increases the protein content on the nutrition label and, combined with water, is a substitute for meat.

Washed and ready-to-eat salads: “Cleaned” by sloshing around in tap water dosed with chlorine, often with powdered or liquid fruit acids to inhibit bacterial growth. The same tank of treated water is often used for 8 hours at a time.

‘Pure’ vegetable oil: Industrially refined, bleached, deodorised oils. Food processors often add chemicals to extend their “fry life”.

‘Natural’ flavourings: Even the flavour industry concedes that “there isn’t much difference in the chemical compositions of natural and artificial flavourings”. They are made using the same physical, enzymatic, and microbiological processes.

If you want to know more, (and a little warning .. it's a very long read), go here.

Something else that you might find interesting.

The Healthy Star Rating .. and you all know how I feel about that ...

If you're interested in reading an interesting argument against the validity of this rating, go here. If you can see the point of the argument and agree with it, you might like to sign the petition while you're there.

Meanwhile, the lovely Woman of Many Talents was kind enough to pick up my book from The Bay today and delivered it to me this afternoon.

The book is written by Honor Tremain, who was one of the speakers at the health seminar that we attended a couple of months ago. She is a qualified Nutritionist, a health writer and Nutrition Journalist. Her book is called "a diet in Paradise" - use your food as your medicine. 'Simple, easy, healthy ways to live and thrive'.

I've only briefly glanced through it, but it's a good quality book and I look forward to sitting quietly to have a good read before my studies recommence. Perhaps under a shady tree down by the river would be a nice way to pass a morning.

I'm off now to watch the rest of the footy.

Nite all.