Thursday, May 3, 2012

Eat to Live Nutrition is Transfering to Wordpress!

Hello Friends,

I am transferring my blog to Wordpress. If you would like to continue reading Eat to Live Nutrition, please bookmark the new page or add it to your RSS feeds.

/http://eattolivenutrition.org/


Eat to Live Nutrition will be undergoing a fair amount of changes in 2012. In the past year, I've learned a lot of new information about nutrition, especially as it relates to women. I will be writing a lot more about how to increase your fertility with food and herbs and how to manage nutrition for two during pregnancy and the postpartum months for breastfeeding mothers. I will also be exploring how to manage food sensitivities, detoxification, blood sugar imbalances, as well as other topics.

Thank you for your continued support!

Warm regards,

Traci Goodrich
Holistic Nutritionist and Traditional Foods Educator



Wednesday, December 28, 2011

12 Strategies for a Healthier You in the New Year

As the new year approaches, many of us like to reflect upon what has worked and what hasn't worked in regard to our diets and how we take care of our bodies. Unfortunately, many of us think about our health but once a year. The New Year's Eve resolution often attempts to resolve whatever went wrong with last year's commitment to do things the right way.

Instead of trying to do things the right way, why not give your plan a little space, and maybe even allow some room for mistakes and the opportunity to start again if your original plan doesn't seem to be working?

Try implementing some of these strategies in the new year and see how you feel!

1. Give credit where credit is due. Acknowledge your successes from the previous year. Have you been eating more vegetables? Are you now reading labels and choosing foods that don't have any sugar or salt when it simply isn't necessary? Have you reduced your caffeine intake? Acknowledge whatever it is you do to improve your health in small ways.

2. Do not change your diet starting on January 1st. Start by eating the foods you normally do and pay particular attention to how some of these foods make you feel. Do you eat enough? Do you eat too much? Are you able to digest what you do eat? Do you have a blood sugar response that creates headaches when you eat certain foods? See if you can connect what you are eating to what you are feeling.

3. If you do anything this year, take a few days to record what you eat and how different foods make you feel. Do some some foods and drinks make you feel vital and alive, while others make you feel tired and generally stagnate your energy? Embrace the food journal!

4. Reduce and Replace. Do you drink too much coffee? Eat to many doughnuts? Salt everything you eat? Start by reducing the addictions: caffeine, alcohol, refined sugar, refined flour, and refined salt. Replace the addictions with something that you love that does not have the jolting effect that these items do.

5. Pay attention to the seasons. Recognize that there is a time for everything and that the dead of winter may not be the best time to be eating watermelon. Why is this? During the winter months, your body needs heat. Consume warm foods and warm drinks during the winter months. This does not mean consuming more hot chocolate or apple pie, instead, choose an herbal chai tea or baked apples with just a hint of cinnamon and butter.

6. Use your intuition and follow up by checking in with someone who knows. Do you feel "fight or flight" if you don't get regular meals? Does cheese sit in your stomach for hours? Do you feel irritable after eating wheat? Do you break out after eating certain foods? These are your body's cues that something isn't right with the way you are eating. If you can't figure it out, check in with someone who can!

7. Give your digestion a break. If you have managed to pinpoint a digestive issue in your food journal, the winter months are NOT the time to do a cleanse (I will outline a plan for a cleanse as we get closer to spring). Instead, try focusing on foods that are easier for you to digest but are going to keep you warm and your blood sugar in balance. Reach for cooked vegetables, vegetable soups, stews, and chili. Experiment with using bone broths instead of meat in your meals to give yourself a bit of digestive break without skimping on the protein.

8. Slow down. Take the time to prepare food and enjoy what you are eating. It doesn't have to be complicated. The winter months are the perfect time for one-pot meals. Ask yourself a few questions: Do you enjoy what is in your mouth? Would you make this meal for a friend?

9. Do you recognize when you are hungry? Do you recognize when you are full? Learn to pay attention to your body's cues.

10. Drink more. Many of us are dehydrated and need to drink more water, herbal tea, kombucha, coconut water or other beverages that replenish our cells and keep us alert. Next time you are tired in the afternoon reach for some mineral or coconut water and see if this helps.

11. Eat regular meals and focus on the quality of food you eat over the quantity of food. Experiment with eating 75% of your meal and leave some room in your stomach to simply breath.

12. Move your body. Try getting into the habit of going for a walk after you eat to help aid digestion and to keep you breathing. For many people, moving needs to come before any changes are made to the diet.


What is the right way, anyway? There is no right way, simply do what works for you. Stay with a few of these strategies until it feels right for you to move on. Make sure you feel comfortable making the changes. For some people this will be a week, for others a month, while others still will spend the winter months working on just a few of these steps. It's OK to be where you are.

I would love to know how you plan to take care of yourself in 2012. The comments section is great place to support and encourage each other. Please share your experiences with all of us!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT CLASS

"Focused on Food: Finding a Weight that is Healthy for You"

Description:

"A busy lifestyle doesn't have to lead to poor eating habits, weight gain and frustration. Instead of committing to a fad diet for the new year, commit to a new way of eating by learning about real food that supports the health of your body and learn about the foods that might be sabotaging your best efforts. This class will teach you the fundamentals of whole foods nutrition and steps that you can take to create a plan that is right for you. Everyone is an individual. Learn more about what your body needs to feel better, look younger and have more energy for yourself and to share with others in 2011!"

When:

Tuesday, January 18th, 6:00 to 7:30

Where:

Sunnyside Holistic Group, 2450 SE Belmont, Portland, OR 97214

Cost:

$35 To secure a slot in class, registration payment must be received by January 16th.

Payment options:

PayPal

Cash and checks are also accepted.

Make checks payable to Traci Goodrich.

Sunnyside Holistic Group
2450 SE Belmont
Portland, OR 97214

Contact:

Traci Goodrich, NTP at 503.233.7064 or etlnutrition@gmail.com


***Discount Winter Wellness Special on Nutrition Consultation Services:

15% discount on nutrition consultation services through the month of January.

Friday, November 5, 2010

HOLIDAY EATING SURVIVAL GUIDE

Family, friends and co-workers are well meaning when they offer you special treats over the holidays. Unfortunately, the best of intentions can sabotage your efforts to eat well and to choose healthful foods for yourself and your family.

Between Dad’s world famous peanut butter fudge and Aunt Leona’s mouth-watering lemon cream pie, you’ve got your work cut out for you!

Your job is one of choice. I recommend some of the following strategies to help you find an appropriate balance. Here are some steps to limit over-consumption of holiday food and to avoid the unnecessary weight gain that is so common during the holidays.

START IN YOUR OWN HOME

If you make your own home a safe haven of healthy foods, you will be doing yourself a favor. Holidays often offer a buffet of any kind of sweet or savory treat you can think of.

I suggest going through your cupboards and your refrigerator and throwing out the refined and processed foods (white sugar, white salt, white flour) you see and replacing them with whole healthful alternatives (see the article “Great Beginnings Always Start with Leaving Something Behind” for more details on how to get started with your home cupboard and refrigerator cleanout).

By eliminating the amount of processed and refined foods in your own home, you can feel a little better about saying yes to the occasional treat when you are at a holiday function.

If it’s tradition in your home to make a few treats, try and use unrefined ingredients in the recipes. Reach for fruit, 100% maple syrup, molasses or raw honey to sweeten dishes, and remember a little goes a long ways! You can make treats that taste delicious without overloading your body with sugar.

DON’T FORGET THE BASICS

Eat balanced meals and choose foods that support your health. This may sound simple, but it often falls by the wayside during the holidays. You still need to eat fruit, vegetables, healthy fats, whole grains, protein, and calcium-rich foods to be a healthy person.

Get regular exercise to maintain your level of fitness. I don’t recommend trying to lose weight during the holidays, instead I recommend maintaining a stable weight.

INDULGE A LITTLE, NOT A LOT

I encourage you to set some limits on how much sugar and refined food you choose to eat during the holidays to 3X a week or less. It’s a good starting place considering the amount of food that is often offered.

Remember, you don’t need to say “yes” to everything that is placed before you at a dinner party. Instead, decide what you would like to indulge in. Choose one or the other.

When at the buffet table, choose smaller portions. You can always return if you are still hungry, but decide if you are hungry or if you are just trying to clean your plate.

Share what you do decide to indulge in. There is nothing wrong with having a bite or splitting a piece of pie instead of having your own.

ACCESS, ABUNDANCE AND PARTIES

Parties are for socializing, I recommend placing this before the buffet table, by arriving to the party with something in your stomach. You will feel much better when you do reach for a small nibble of something you would like to enjoy.

Avoid being peer-pressured. You know when you are hungry and you know when you are full. It’s ok to say, “No thank you, that was delicious, but I am full”.

If someone gives you some treats as a gift, have a piece of whatever it is, and either freeze the rest or throw it away (I promise you, they will never find out).

TEMPERANCE

Above all, please remember to be kind to yourself over the holidays. Special times spent with family and friends are meant to be enjoyed. If you follow a few simple steps and take some precautions along the way you can indulge a little and enjoy the festivities a lot while feeling happy and guilt-free.



Thursday, September 23, 2010

Fall Class with Sunnyside Holistic Group

Recently, I joined a wellness center called the Sunnyside Holistic Group. I will be meeting with clients and teaching classes at this new location. On Monday, October 25th, from 6 PM to 8 PM, I will be teaching a nutrition class in the community room of this new location. Please read further if you are interested in participating in the class!

 

Eat to Live Nutrition presents:

A class taught on essential nutrition as the foundation of good health. Instruction provided by traditional foods cook and nutrition consultant, Traci Goodrich.

The Necessary Evils: Sugar, Salt and Fat

 Are sugar, salt and fat indulgences or are they necessary to life? Do you want to learn about eating real food that actually supports the health of your body, and also tastes good? Are you tired of being on a diet that simply does not work? Part nutrition education and part cooking demonstration, students will learn how to eat to maintain good health and vitality.  A food demonstration with samples will be provided based on recipes and meal plans created by the instructor. Students will leave with a packet of information to assist in their transition to eating healthier traditional food.


When:  Monday, October 25th, 6 PM to 8 PM

Where:  Sunnyside Holistic Group, 2450 SE Belmont

Contact:  Traci Goodrich, NTP

503.233.7064 or etlnutrition@gmail.com       

Cost:  $35  Class size is limited. Registration is required.

Monday, July 5, 2010

THE CULTIVATION OF LOCAL SPROUTS

Picture of  Jonah Fertig, cooperative owner and co-founder of Local Sprouts Cooperative

Mission Statement of the Local Sprouts Cooperative:

"Local Sprouts focuses on using local and organic ingredients to build connections to our community, to grow sustainably, to support Maine farmers, to protect our environment and to build our local economy. We are a worker-owned cooperative that believes in creating a democratic and equitable business to serve our workers and our community."

AN ALTERNATIVE BUSINESS MODEL

I must admit, the idealist in me was really excited to hear about the existence of the Local Sprouts Cooperative in Portland, Maine. In a nutshell, the mission of Local Sprouts is to provide the community with access to quality local food, while at the same time, serve as a positive example of an alternative business model where workers have ownership in the business. Currently, there are just three worker-owners and numerous volunteers. Worker-owners are able to participate in this business model after a 3-month review and are given the option of joining the cooperative after 6 months with a modest investment, work-trade or a combination of the two.

Local Sprouts is the first Community Supported Kitchen in Maine, and their business model is based on San Francisco's successful Community Supported Kitchen Three Stone Hearth. As a worker-owned business, Local Sprouts also reminds me of many of the worker-owned cafe collectives in Portland, Oregon, such as the Red and Black Cafe, and the now defunct Back to Back Cafe and Redwing Coffee and Baking. Upon a recent visit, I had the opportunity to speak with cooperative owner and co-founder Jonah Fertig about the evolution of the Local Sprouts Cooperative.

FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS 

In its early stages, the cooperative didn't have a cafe space, but they did have a certified kitchen and did catering for area nonprofits and served as a community supported kitchen where members of the community were invited to invest $100 and were give $110 credit to order from rotating weekly menus. Member were able to order online and do pickups at the Public Market House.

The cooperative used the pre-order system for about a year and a half, before they decided to open a cafe. Jonah Fertig said, "It's about how to develop and support your community. What does your community want?" Apparently the community wanted a cafe. 

EVOLUTION OF A BUSINESS

Fertig talked at length about the outpouring of volunteer efforts from the community to create the space, boasting that over 200+ volunteers participated in the build-out of the cafe--and it shows. The cafe itself is beautifully designed. Clearly, a lot of attention went into creating this cheerful and inviting space, and there are many  artful touches--from the mosaic of a tree at the entrance to the handsome hand-crafted wooden furniture that still maintains the integrity of being a tree. The space has a very organic feeling. Fertig explains that the majority of capital for the creation of the cafe was raised from private donations, CSK memberships and local low-interest loans.

Now, the cafe has a menu with something for everyone, pleasing herbivores, omnivores and carnivores alike. Fertig claims that as much as 80-90% of the food is locally-sourced and the cafe uses food from many area-farms and the business strives to support local agricultural and conservation efforts in the region. Some businesses Local Sprouts supports include Turkey Hill Farm, Freedom Farm, Fishbowl Farm, Kate's Butter and Mainely Poultry to name a few that were listed on the cooperative's website.

THE COOPERATIVE AS A COMMUNITY RESOURCE

The cooperative has a strong history of providing food for events and working with area nonprofits by either donating or offering discounted food when possible. Fertig explains that Local Sprouts is interested in being a resource for area school and nonprofits. The cooperative also offers classes and teaches people to cook using local food to increase awareness about local food. 

Fertig also talked about the inspiration for a community space and the desire to serve as positive cooperative business model for the community. Fertig explained, "the cooperative wants to demonstrate a different system, where food is localized and people can make a real difference on a global scale."


INVEST IN YOUR COMMUNITY

As a native of Maine, I can't help but be intrigued by how the food culture in Maine has evolved in the past 10 years. My memories of food from childhood consist of lots of haddock chowder, fried seafood and french fries, and sweets galore including blueberry pie, whoopie pies, strawberry shortcake, no-bake cookies, ice cream and fudge. Now, cities like Portland, Maine are rolling with the times, connecting people to healthy local, regional and organic food. The importance of buying food from your own region has become crucial. So do yourself a favor by eating better and supporting your community. The Local Sprouts Cooperative is just one business in Portand, Maine that is doing just that. The food system is circular and by supporting businesses that support local food the money stays in the community and supports the local economy.




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Sunday, June 13, 2010

COMMUNITY SUPPORTED KITCHENS AND PUBLIC DEMAND


"Peasant food has been the smartest, thriftiest, and most nourishing food available to us. Simple, seasonal, and regional foods are what we are meant to live on."

Tressa Yellig

chef and proprietor of Community Supported Kitchen (CSK), Salt, Fire and Time


The local food culture in Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon has a thriving local food culture. It's no wonder, with a 12-month grow season and some of the most fertile soil in the country. Local farmers benefit from the supply and demand created by the general public. Renegade chefs are flocking in droves to the Willamette Valley, to be part of a food revolution that offers quality ingredients to the local consumer. With a variety of purveyors to choose from, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and Portland Farmers Market offerings abound, providing chefs with the raw materials to support a population of people who are demanding local, seasonal and organic food.

It is the existence of this local food culture and the support of the regional agricultural system that drew local chef and proprietor of Community Supported Kitchen (CSK), Salt, Fire and Time to the area. Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Tressa Yellig about community supported kitchens, how she got her start and why people should be supporting the four CSK's that are in existence.

CSK defined

Yellig explains, the technical definition of community supported kitchen is, "a community scale model for food preparation" and that this is the only common link between the four community supported kitchens that exist in the United States today. As sole proprietor of Salt, Fire and Time, with a handful of volunteers, Yellig has her hands full cooking nutrient-rich food for 30+ families, teaching classes, and hosting events, not to mention the recent addition of a low-key cafe that is volunteer-run. The cafe offers a small selection of simple, traditionally-prepared foods that nourish. Think of a plate with dense bread and homemade butter, flavorful sauerkraut with texture and an egg made your way and you have the idea.

Yellig's influences, and how she got her start as a chef

Yellig credits her grandmother, who was a traditional German chef, as among her first culinary influences. Yellig claims that it was not a participatory process in the kitchen, as her grandmother maintained secrecy, and did not divulge trade-secrets, as family recipes were a prized possession. Yellig also credits her uncle, who was a farmer, as a significant influence.

Although Yellig acknowledges her family experience as playing a significant role in the development of her food philosophy, she also comments on the process of educating herself, acknowledging the Slow Foods movement and the Weston A. Price Foundation, as fundamental sources of information, and Sally Fallon's Nourishing Traditions cookbook.

In New York, Yellig complemented her self-education by working for herbalists and attending the Natural Gourmet Institute. Yellig explains that she had the desire to do work that was healing, and at one point, thought about becoming a naturopathic doctor before attending the Natural Gourmet Institute.

Although the Natural Gourmet Institute, in some ways, formalized her education as a chef, Yellig recognized that she really had already learned the fundamentals of cooking well before she attended this school, and credits her personal experiences, mentors and the learning that she did on her own, as being a substantial part of her education. The Natural Gourmet Institute provided her with some valuable contacts and the opportunity to intern at Three Stone Hearth and work with Natural Gourmet Institute alumni and mentor, Jessica Prentice.

In the trenches

From New York, Yellig headed west to do an internship with Three Stone Hearth, a community supported kitchen in Berkley, California, and the first of its kind. Positively influenced by the Full Moon feast series, established by Jessica Prentice, Yellig was able to learn by watching and participating in a large scale operation that provided feasts for 50 to 100 people at a time. The labor was volunteer-based, and the business model supported 5 worker-owners full time. Yellig explained that the start-up money for this business was established with private donation-based funding and the great success of this business was in the excellent reputation of the worker-owners, and the community-based resources the chefs were able to access. According to Yellig, this cooperative was not only able to pay back $100,000 of borrowed money but able to pay themselves a salary within 1 year's time, which is incredible for any business in their first year.

From here, Yellig went on to do formal paid work as an Executive Chef in Mendocino, leaving her volunteer kitchen manager position with Three Stone Hearth in Berkeley. As Executive Chef for this restaurant, community-minded Yellig worked with local purveyors and farmers to create meals for the public. These connections in the community led her to become the manager of the local farmers market and to become better connected with the agricultural community.

All points head north

From California, Yellig witnessed the migration of great chefs as they ran to the promised land. As a smaller city, with an already thriving food scene, Portland became popular. Access to local food, was a public demand. In similar fashion, Yellig chose Portland to be the location of Salt, Fire and Time because of the already established community support, and existing scene that was largely supported by the public. Yellig also noted the lower cost of living and the lack of taxation as being incentives to move.

Existing Community Supported Kitchens

To sustain CSK's as a movement, the public will have to be involved. Yellig invites the consumer to participate in the "life cycle of the business" by supporting 1 of the 4 CSK's in existence, and to engage in a community movement. If you want to get to know know Salt, Fire and Time stop by the kitchen and make yourself known.

Check out a CSK near you:


Salt, Fire and Time (Portland, OR)

Sweet Deliverance (New York, NY)

Three Stone Hearth (Berkeley, CA)


Some reasons why you should support your local CSK

The food purchased through a CSK is often the best use for your "eating out" food dollars.

The food purchased through a CSK is nutrient-rich, meaning, you are getting your vitamins and minerals, without using a supplement.

The food purchased through a CSK is traditional, and good for what ails you. Just ask your Grandmother, who had the right idea by placing sauerkraut beside the sausage on your plate.

The food purchased through a CSK is local, seasonal, and organic, thus it supports regional agriculture, the systems of the body as well as your local community.

The food purchased through a CSK supports your own good health and that of your family.

The food purchased through a CSK saves you time, which benefits the working public.

The food purchased through a CSK saves you money. As businesses, CSK's benefit from wholesale discounts; a soup that would cost $34 dollars to make at home, only costs you $16 from a CSK. Your food dollars go into long term food costs, with better quality ingredients that would cost you 2x's as much in the store.

And last but not least, the food purchased through a CSK allows you the opportunity to support revolutionary changes that are occurring in regard to food culture. As a consumer, you are demanding a higher quality product, thus making other food providers stand up and take notice, and supply the same quality ingredients. The principles of supply and demand are simple: as a consumer, if you demand high quality health-supporting food, you will get it, and at a cheaper price, because of the competitive market we live in.

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Eat To Live Nutrition by Traci A. Goodrich is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.