Public Policy and Health News


Are you eating "Caveman Style?"


We're not talking actually hunting your own food, but we do mean truly eating what our Paleo ancestors ate? Like lean meat, veggies, fruits and healthy fats? Or if you want to look at it the other way -- no grains, no sugar, no dairy, and no legumes.   Our Dillon store Nutritional Health Coach, Beth, gave a brief intro to the Paleo/Ancestral way of eating in this interview.   
Posted 14 hours 23 min ago

Is the Federation of State Medical Boards Behind the Brutal Attacks on...


Via ANH The FSMB is an elite, highly influential, secretive private organization. We also believe that it is thoroughly corrupt. ANH Action Alert! Each of the fifty states, as well as the District of Columbia and the US territories, has laws that define the practice of medicine; each one delegates the authority to enforce those laws to a state medical board. State medical boards also adopt policies and create guidelines related to the practice of medicine. They have the power to revoke physician licenses for violating the state’s laws of the practice of medicine—subject to the boards’ interpretation of the law, which can be highly arbitrary. The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) is a private 501(c)(6) trade association that purports to represent the seventy...
Posted 1 day 7 hours ago

Why the Information on Stopping America's Obesity Crisis Keeps Failing


    "Lack of will isn’t the problem. It’s the absence of advice that might actually work. It's time to change the way we think about fat." ~Gary Taubes (Author of Why We Get Fat and What to do About it)   What if the healthy eating guidelines we've had for so long are actually making us gain weight? What if it isn't all about calories in / calories out?   Read about the real reasons why America is obese and what we can really do about it. The New Obesity Campaigns Have It All Wrong Learn how your body responds to the nutrients in the food you eat...and how to design your plate to help your body work like nature intended. Attend a FREE seminar at many Natural Grocers stores to learn How Your Body Really Works (or doesn...
Posted 3 days 5 hours ago

The Importance of Eating Breakfast


Did you eat breakfast today?     Anytime you skip a meal, especially breakfast, the body releases chemical messengers to stimulate the release of stored energy; this may include the breakdown of muscle mass for immediate energy. The body perceives this extended fast as starvation and essentially begins to eat itself to survive the “famine.” Non-essential body functions such as bone building and memory are impaired.   Additionally, this process induces the release of natural painkillers called endorphins, which mask the discomfort that would otherwise be felt. These endorphins make you feel pretty good, which is why many people think they feel good without breakfast, but really the body is struggling to function.   Read more in this article to learn why...
Posted 1 week 12 hours ago

You don't have to live life tired, stressed and caffeinated


  If you feel perpetually tired, stressed out, and can’t imagine living without caffeine, the problem may not just be too much to do and too little sleep.   The adrenals are small hormone-secreting glands located on each of your kidneys. They function as the body’s stress-response glands and release a variety of hormones to maintain homeostasis—biological balance—in response to stress. The more stress you experience, the harder your adrenals must work to protect you. Learn more...  
Posted 1 week 1 day ago

Honor thy (GMO) Farmer


Here at Natural Grocers we try to take a wide view of every issue to better understand all of the factors and circumstances that affect the success or failure of public policy.  Recently, we sat down with a group of farmers who plant genetically modified (GM or GMO) crops to get their point of view on the continued rise of organic agriculture.  Natural Grocers steadfastly determined to increase the use of safer, healthier, and more sustainable agricultural systems, but it is always helpful to listen to those who (may) think otherwise.  Below are our notes from these discussions.  Most of the links will take  you to our coverage of opposing arguments and hidden issues that may serve to call into question the point of view shared here...
Posted 1 week 2 days ago

Insider Bennet stiff arms Colorado organic community


Recently a delegation of Colorado businesses traveled to Washington, DC to meet with Senator Michael Bennet's staff to discuss the value of organic agriculture.   The group of five, representing over 3,000 employees, tens of thousands of customers, and hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue, planned the visit for months and came prepared with thoughtful analysis supported by reliable facts and figures.  As happened before, Bennet's staff failed to prepare for the meeting, gave us ten minutes of sparse attention while chatting about unrelated topics, then ended the meeting by hastily citing an emergency in the office.         We might as well not have gone.       It is tempting to read too much into the Senator...
Posted 1 week 6 days ago

Colorado Farmers Finding Farm Labor Hard to Find


  Anecdotal information indicates that Colorado agricultural producers, especially growers of fruits, vegetables and other labor intensive crops, are having increasing challenges recruiting and retaining qualified and dependable farm workers. Labor is a major expense in agricultural operations, and maintaining a reliable and skilled labor force at a reasonable cost is a notable business risk for Colorado produce growers.   CSU Extension convened a meeting of vegetable growers on January 20, 2012 in Longmont, Colorado at 10:00 and concluded over lunch at 1:00 pm. Seven producers attended representing vegetable farms in Northern Colorado from 5 – 3000 acres.   While our same size is low, likely the input gathered is representative of conditions on regional...
Posted 2 weeks 10 hours ago

USDA Announces Agenda for Spring NOSB Meeting in New Mexico


Complete info can be found at National Organic Standards Board web site.   
Posted 2 weeks 10 hours ago

USDA Announces Agenda for Spring NOSB Meeting in New Mexico


Complete info can be found at National Organic Standards Board web site.   
Posted 2 weeks 12 hours ago

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Nutrition & Health Articles


Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity


Celiac disease (CD) is a hereditary autoimmune response to the gluten proteins found in wheat, spelt, kamut, rye, triticale, barley, and perhaps oats. This means that when a person with celiac disease eats a gluten-containing food, the person’s immune system mistakes the gluten proteins as foreign invaders and produces an inflammatory response in the small intestine. The inflammation causes the intestinal villi (the finger-like projections responsible for nutrient absorption) to become flattened, greatly reducing absorption of nutrients from foods. A multitude of health problems can result.   Celiac disease is also called sprue, non-tropical sprue, and gluten sensitive enteropathy. Individuals with CD must eat a gluten-free diet to recover. There is also non-celiac gluten...
Posted 6 days 10 hours ago

Controlling Carbohydrates


  The sections below give approximations for the amount of carbohydrates in a particular food or food category. This is an easy way to control your carbohydrate intake without the stress of counting each bit! Whole, real food choices are best – organic, if possible. Controlling carbohydrates doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy whole grains or fruit, it just means that the amount needs to be monitored. Approximately 70 to 80 grams of carbohydrates a day is typically appropriate for those wanting to control carbohydrates for weight loss and overall health.   Bread, Grains, and Starchy Vegetables: 15 grams of carbohydrate per serving slice bread (1 oz) or one small roll ½ cup cooked cereal, pasta, rice, or other cooked grain ½ cup cooked dry beans...
Posted 1 week 7 hours ago

Kale Chips: A tasty alternative to potato chips


One small bunch kale 1 tablespoon olive oil Sea salt and Pepper to taste   Preheat oven to 350°. Rinse kale leaves and dry thoroughly. Tear leaves into large pieces, removing the thick stems as you go. In a large bowl, use your hands to massage the oil into the kale and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Arrange leaves on baking sheets in a single layer. Bake for 10-15 minutes, keeping a close watch to prevent burning. Remove from oven, cool, and enjoy!   Eat for the Health of It: Kale Kale is counted as one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables, and is one of the best food sources of vitamins A, C, and K. It is also a good source of several minerals, including calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, and iron. In addition to vitamins and minerals, kale is a fantastic source of...
Posted 1 week 6 days ago

Latest Vitamin D Suggestions Shift Toward Larger Amounts


How much vitamin D should you take? The latest word is substantially higher than the paltry recommendation of 600 IU daily from the U.S. Institute of Medicine.   Cedric F. Garland, DrPH, of the University of California, San Diego, and his colleagues analyzed the supplemental vitamin D intake of 3,667 men and women and their blood levels of the vitamin. Garland and one of his co-researchers, Robert P. Heaney, MD, are regarded as among the top vitamin D experts in the world.   Study participants reported taking vitamin D in amounts ranging from 1,000 IU to 10,000 IU daily.   According to Garland, daily intake of 4,000 to 8,000 IU daily are needed to reduce the risk of several major diseases – breast and colon cancer, multiple sclerosis, and type-1 diabetes – by...
Posted 1 week 6 days ago

So-Called Dangers of Vitamins


A professional colleague, Andrew Saul, PhD, makes an important point: “If nutritional supplements are allegedly so ‘dangerous,’ as the FDA and news media so often claim, then where are the bodies?”   You see, there aren’t any bodies. You can take lots of vitamins, minerals, and herbs, and the worst that might happen is that you’ll get an upset stomach. Of course, you’re far more likely to feel better and lower your risk of health problems.   According to Saul, not a single person died from dietary supplements in 2009, based on the latest information released by the U.S. National Poison Data System.   “The new 200-page annual report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers, published in the journal Clinical...
Posted 1 week 6 days ago

All in the Family - The brassica family of vegetables is a powerhouse of health...


Power often runs in families. Powerful families have certainly played a role in shaping our world, for better or for worse, but one of the most powerful families in the world – and the one that can most directly influence your life – is not in the history books, but is found in gardens, produce sections and, hopefully, your kitchen. The family in question? It is the brassica (Brassicaceae) family, also known as the cruciferous vegetables. Most people recognize that veggies are good for us, but this family of vegetables packs a particularly powerful punch.   Why so powerful? The brassica vegetables are rich in the usual suspects – vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants – but what makes this family really special are certain phytochemical compounds that are...
Posted 1 week 6 days ago

Summer Quinoa Pilaf with Shrimp


Serves 6   2 cups of quinoa (rinsed and drained well) 4 cups of water or broth 1 bunch of asparagus 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon lemon juice ½ cup fresh basil, minced ½ cup red onion, diced Sea salt and pepper, to taste   Bring water or broth to a boil over high heat in a medium saucepan and add the quinoa. Cover and reduce heat to low; simmer10 minutes. While the quinoa is cooking, prepare asparagus by discarding the tough ends and breaking each stalk into one-inch pieces. After 10 minutes of cooking the quinoa, quickly add the prepared asparagus and shrimp to the pot. Replace cover and simmer another 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to sit covered for an additional 5 minutes. Fluff with...
Posted 3 weeks 7 hours ago

Yerba Mate'


  “Drink of the Gods” Move over green tea, you have some serious competition!     What is Yerba Maté? Maté is a tea-like beverage brewed from the perennial tree Ilex paraguarensis grown mainly in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil. The name maté was derived from a native word for the gourd in which the beverage is traditionally brewed and yerba is Spanish for herb – hence yerba maté. This tea has a characteristic mature flavor that is slightly sweet, “smoky”, and alfalfa-like, similar to green tea (Camellia sinensis).1 In fact, yerba maté is often referred to as a “herbal green tea” since it provides similar antioxidants and nutritive values.3   Why Drink Yerba Maté? Yerba...
Posted 3 weeks 6 days ago

Natural Foods for Optimal Health


  An Educational Tool for Creating Your Best Diet     There is much wisdom in the saying, “You are what you eat,” and most health care practitioners agree that good health starts with a good diet. What you put in your body can influence whether or not you’ll develop heart disease, type-2 diabetes, cancer, or have a host of other health problems. Every meal is an opportunity to improve your health, but most people don’t realize just how simple healthy eating can be. Once you understand that the foundation for good health is dependant on supporting the body with an optimal amount of nutrients through whole, natural foods, and then learning how to combine those foods to get the most nutritional value, you can build the groundwork to support a healthy...
Posted 3 weeks 6 days ago

Magnesium - A Modern Day Mineral Superhero


  Just as Spiderman or Superman always appears when help is needed, the essential mineral magnesium is equally reliable in coming to the rescue to protect and support our bodies. Magnesium helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, heart rhythm, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong. Elsewhere in the body, magnesium helps regulate blood sugar levels; aids in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats to produce energy; promotes normal blood pressure; and is involved in neurotransmitter production, hormone production, and the synthesis of DNA and RNA. And ATP, the molecule that provides energy for almost all metabolic processes, exists primarily as a complex with magnesium. All in a day’s work for magnesium.   Most superheroes are heart throbs, and...
Posted 4 weeks 7 hours ago

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