When to buy organic produce

There are certain fruits and vegetables that contain more pesticide residues than others. This article on Yahoo! Mobile and this one from Time magazine give some tips on when to consider buying organic vs. regular produce.

Antioxidants

Most people are aware of the importance of antioxidants in their diet, but which foods are high in these beneficial compounds?

Well, here's a few:

• Dried plums (prunes)
• Dark berries (blueberries, blackberries, acai, etc.)
• Dark grapes and grape juice
• Dark chocolate (60% cacao or better, without excessive sugar and saturated fat, and in moderation).
• Red wine

A small portion one or two of these every day will provide a fine boost to your system.

Fresh air and movement

For those who have to work inside most of the day, grab on to the value of getting some fresh air at least once a day. Take 15 min during your lunch break and walk around the block, a trail, or whatever, take some deep breaths along the way, and get some fresh air and sunshine. Vitamin D is supplied by moderate sun exposure and a little exercise helps keep your joints flexible and functioning - so go for it!

Big picture resources

These two films are worthwhile views for gaining a better appreciation of healthy eating and making wise food choices that will assist feeding earth's growing population in the decades ahead, too. You may not agree with every premise presented in these films, but I guarantee they'll open your thinking to new possibilities about nutrition, sustainability, and making a difference by what you bring home to eat:

• Food, Inc., 2008 - on Amazon and Netflix.
• Vegucated, 2011 - on Amazon.

Another under appreciated topic: Fresh, potable water for a thirsty world. See Fred Pearce's book for an stimulating presentation about the concerns and potential on this front, too.

Big Natural Brands

Success brings visibility - and visibility brings mergers and acquisitions. The corporate parents of some of these originally natural brands was eye opening to me and I suspect you'll find it so, too :-)

Eleven out of eleven for better health and longevity

I can share from personal experience that this article from US News/Health scores an eleven out of eleven for its list of lifestyle tips leading to improved health and longevity. Actually, I'll add one more - a strong spiritual grounding with an active belief in a loving and beneficent higher power - that's right, God does exist. Furthermore, if you believe that God cares for you and is helping you, you will be happier and healthier for it!

Dairy-free diets?

There are differing opinions concerning the consumption of dairy products. In general, however, all parties agree that dairy products provide an important source of calcium. Some people are better off with little or no dairy intake, due to lactose intolerance or other conditions. I personally feel that dairy is less useful to seniors than younger people, as milk proteins are harder to digest and calcium and other nutrients can be sufficiently obtained from other sources. In my case, I limit my dairy intake to whatever I happen to get from prepared foods and baked goods, and I skip drinking milk "just because" or as a dietary staple. I get sufficient calcium from fresh vegetables and a routine multivitamin, and I've had no problems after reducing my milk and cheese consumption. I also feel that milk is pushed hard on the U.S. consumer, because its lobby is strong, and they have established milk as a key component to a healthy diet, when in fact we can get by with less. But that's just my personal opinion, you're welcome to differ! For some interesting perspectives, see this article on the Livestrong website.

Recommended Health Resource

David Servan-Schreiber's Anti-cancer, A New Way of Life offers many health and nutritional tips that are good in general, not only for cancer patients or survivors. A short and worth-while read that will give you ideas to leading a more balanced, fulfilled, and healthy life.

Michael Pollan's "The Omnivore's Dilemma"

Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma is a book about food that will cause you to re-think your dietary options and choices.  One of the first works to build a case for the "Buy locally, eat sustainably" approach to better nutrition. The discourse on the killing and eating of animals suffers from analysis to paralysis, but it will help anyone to work through that question personally, too.

Nutritious cook book

Rebecca Katz's Cancer-Fighting Kitchen cookbook has remarkable recipes for nutritious meals. Her recipes are easy to make and use fresh, wholesome ingredients. Highly recommended to augment your usual diet or to focus around healthy choices!