Friday, 14 August 2015
Thursday, 13 August 2015
Dirt Poor: Have Fruits and Vegetables Become Less Nutritious?
Dirt Poor: Have Fruits and Vegetables Become Less Nutritious?
Because of soil depletion, crops grown decades ago were much richer in vitamins and minerals than the varieties most of us get today
Martin Poole, Digital Vision/Thinkstock
Dear EarthTalk: What’s the nutritional difference between the carrot I ate in 1970 and one I eat today? I’ve heard that that there’s very little nutrition left. Is that true?—Esther G., Newark, N.J.
It would be overkill to say that the carrot you eat today has very little nutrition in it—especially compared to some of the other less healthy foods you likely also eat—but it is true that fruits and vegetables grown decades ago were much richer in vitamins and minerals than the varieties most of us get today. The main culprit in this disturbing nutritional trend is soil depletion: Modern intensive agricultural methods have stripped increasing amounts of nutrients from the soil in which the food we eat grows. Sadly, each successive generation of fast-growing, pest-resistant carrot is truly less good for you than the one before.
A landmark study on the topic by Donald Davis and his team of researchers from the University of Texas (UT) at Austin’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry was published in December 2004 in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. They studied U.S. Department of Agriculture nutritional data from both 1950 and 1999 for 43 different vegetables and fruits, finding “reliable declines” in the amount of protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin (vitamin B2) and vitamin C over the past half century. Davis and his colleagues chalk up this declining nutritional content to the preponderance of agricultural practices designed to improve traits (size, growth rate, pest resistance) other than nutrition.
“Efforts to breed new varieties of crops that provide greater yield, pest resistance and climate adaptability have allowed crops to grow bigger and more rapidly,” reported Davis, “but their ability to manufacture or uptake nutrients has not kept pace with their rapid growth.” There have likely been declines in other nutrients, too, he said, such as magnesium, zinc and vitamins B-6 and E, but they were not studied in 1950 and more research is needed to find out how much less we are getting of these key vitamins and minerals.
The Organic Consumers Association cites several other studies with similar findings: A Kushi Institute analysis of nutrient data from 1975 to 1997 found that average calcium levels in 12 fresh vegetables dropped 27 percent; iron levels 37 percent; vitamin A levels 21 percent, and vitamin C levels 30 percent. A similar study of British nutrient data from 1930 to 1980, published in the British Food Journal,found that in 20 vegetables the average calcium content had declined 19 percent; iron 22 percent; and potassium 14 percent. Yet another study concluded that one would have to eat eight oranges today to derive the same amount of Vitamin A as our grandparents would have gotten from one.
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What can be done? The key to healthier produce is healthier soil. Alternating fields between growing seasons to give land time to restore would be one important step. Also, foregoing pesticides and fertilizers in favor of organic growing methods is good for the soil, the produce and its consumers. Those who want to get the most nutritious fruits and vegetables should buy regularly from local organic farmers.
UT’s Davis warns that just because fruits and vegetables aren’t as healthy as they used to be doesn’t mean we should avoid them. “Vegetables are extraordinarily rich in nutrients and beneficial phytochemicals,” he reported. “They are still there, and vegetables and fruits are our best sources for these.”
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Monday, 3 August 2015
My experience with Back To Eden Gardening With Wood Chips
There is a reason why I`ve not been on my blog for so many weeks. We were very busy with our new garden project this spring. As any new initiative it takes usually a grate effort to start and going on when facing challenges.
Last year our family failed with looking after our allotment which was located far from the house and as not convenient ended up neglected, covered with weeds and finally abandoned .
When still missing a taste of real organic veges but not provided with an efficient time and gardening experience but just having a little space of a back garden covered with a wild lawn, we needed something different. A few months ago our friend, a Christian missioner, shared with us an idea of a pallets supplemented by wooden chips. He convinced us that we didn`t need a large piece of arable land to obtain a satisfactory harvest. We picked up the idea that if people changed their mind on farming, it would be possible to feed the whole world with available resources placed on the area equal in size of Texas(!). Intrigued by this perspective we decided to work it out on a small scale.
It involved some DIY in the beginning (done by my husband) to build planters from pallets.
Then we filled it up with 3 layers: soil, compost and wood chips.
My handy man put some drainers on the bottom of the planters to collect `compost tea` i.e. excess of water, reach in nutrients, in order to recycle it when watering.
In the meantime I seeded vegetables in trays keeping them on window sills as a green house still remained only in my dreams. After few weeks I replanted seedlings into planters` compost outside and topped up with wooden chips.
For the benefits of using wooden chips see the video:
https://youtu.be/ji9XL4LXosE
Saturday, 2 May 2015
8 DIY Blackheads Removal Tips You Can Do at Home
Apr 30, 2015 10:36 AM EDT
(Photo : Elecbullet/Wikimedia)
Blackheads are not only unsightly; they can also block the pores of the skin. Blackheads are mostly made up of bacteria, sebum, and dead skin, according to Medical News Today . If not removed, blackheads can develop into pimple or acne because of accumulated bacteria.
Skin care products that treat blackheads may be too expensive, time-consuming, or too harsh on the skin, so here are eight DIY blackhead removal tips you can do at home.
1.) Tomato
Tomatoes are a good source of citric acid and Vitamins A and C. It is also a natural antiseptic which makes it an effective blackhead remover because it de-clogs the pores, according to LetHow . You can use the combination of a tomato's juice and peel as facial treatment and put the mixture on your face where the blackheads are located.
2.) Lemon
Lemons are a great source of hydroxy acids that are useful in exfoliating the skin, preventing clogged pores inducing the production of collagen, improving skin texture, and hydrating it as well. According to Beautylish , combining lemons with a sugar scrub will help get rid of the blackheads.
3.) Honey
Honey is a wonderful natural remedy for blackheads. According to Home Remedies For Life , honey contains antioxidant, antibiotic, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties. These combined will help you achieve a smooth, soft, and blackhead free complexion.
4.) Egg Whites
According to The Love Vitamin , egg whites contain selenium which helps minimize acne. The protein helps reduce wrinkles and tightens the pores as well! This idea is easy and cheap as all the ingredients you need are lying around the house!
5.) Baking Soda
Baking soda has been praised time and time again for its multipurpose utility. Aside from its many wondrous uses, it is also an effective blackhead treatment! Nature's Nurture says baking soda is a good exfoliant and helps neutralize your skin pH, leaving you with smooth and soft skin.
6.) Apple Cider Vinegar
ACV isn't only good for the health; it's also good for the skin. According to Lulu & Sweet Pea , apple cider vinegar helps in clearing away blackheads because of its antibacterial and antiseptic properties while balancing the pH of the skin.
7.) Green Tea
There's more to green tea than just being a revitalizing health drink ass it also helps keep the blackheads away! Everyday Life explains that green tea contains high levels of antioxidants and can reduce the inflammation of the skin.
8.) Cinnamon
Cinnamon spice can help banish blackheads because of its high level of antioxidants and antimicrobial properties. According to Sifa's Corner , cinnamon can also increase production of collagen and blood flow. Using this in a scrub will not only get rid of blackheads but also acnes, pimples, and flaky skin.
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