A whisper from the woods

Food For Thought, April 2024

Mar 29, 2024

Good health and a healthy environment

 

World Health Day is annually celebrated on the 7th of April.

Many countries worldwide consider health as a basic human right in their constitutions. Yet, governments often do not act accordingly, passing laws and regulations that further deteriorate the populationโ€™s health and access to health services.

There are many factors contributing to oneโ€™s health; our diet has a major role at play.

 

According to a WWF report, Bending the Curve, our diets are the leading cause of death all over the world. Unbalanced diets and lifestyles are responsible for the rising numbers of obesity, diabetes, and heart diseases. In fact, in 2020, when the report was published, 1 in 3 people were obese, while 1 in 12 suffered from hunger or was malnourished.

Another large study by the Lancet Commissions, Food in the Anthropocene, clearly states that โ€œUnhealthy diets pose a greater risk to morbidity and mortality than does unsafe sex, and alcohol, drug, and tobacco use combinedโ€.

 

Current diets are not only a direct risk factor for our health; they are also unsustainable. It is clear that food production is amongst the largest drivers of global environmental disruption, namely when it comes to biodiversity loss, climate change, freshwater use, interference with nitrogen and phosphorus cycles, among others. Our diets are, therefore, both directly and indirectly impacting our health.

 

The same report from The Lancet suggests that a largely plant-based diet should be set as a global reference. Vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, seeds, and unsaturated oils should make up the bulk of our diets, leaving little to no space for refined sugars and gains, and animal-based products.

 

Over the last decades, we have created very unhealthy habits when it comes to the way we eat. Changing that will take time, but it is imperative that we do so in order to enjoy good health and a healthy environment.

 

Golden Milk & Turmeric Latte

Recipe inspired by Pick Up Limes

Anti-inflammatory foods are our allies. They help us combat inflammation in our bodies.

It is important to understand what this means.

Inflammation is a defense mechanism by the body, helping us in case of illnesses. That would be acute inflammation and it is a normal, healthy bodily response. Chronic inflammation is another story entirely and can pose serious threats to our health.

Chronic inflammation is harder to notice but it persists over longer periods, being often connected to our environment, dietary choices, stress, and overall health. It may increase the risk of several diseases such as diabetes, cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, kidney disease, and heart disease.

 

Now, something that reduces inflammation is normally called anti-inflammatory. Turmeric with its active component, curcumin, ginger, and cinnamon are powerful, natural anti-inflammatories. Todayโ€™s recipe is high on anti-inflammatory foods, while sweet and comforting.

 

Ingredients:

Two servings

  • 240 ml (1 cup) of unsweetened soy milk
  • 240 ml (1 cup) of canned full-fat coconut milk
  • 1 tsp (3 g) of ground turmeric
  • 1 tsp (3 g) of ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp (3 g) of ground ginger
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) of pure vanilla extract
  • 2 Medjool dates, pits removed
  • 1 pinch of ground black pepper*
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) of Maple syrup (optional)
  • ยผ cup (60 ml) brewed espresso (optional, for the Turmeric Latte)

*Curcumin, the active agent in turmeric, isnโ€™t easily absorbed into our bodies. Combining it with black pepper can help to increase curcumin absorption by up to 2000%! And you wonโ€™t notice it at all.

 

Preparation:

Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend on high until smooth.

Pour this mixture straight into a saucepan. If your blender isn’t very powerful, or if you don’t like small fibers to remain in your drink, strain the mixture first when pouring it into the saucepan.

Bring to a gentle simmer on medium-high heat, stirring throughout. Taste test and add maple syrup if you’d prefer the drink sweeter. When warmed through, remove from the heat.

To turn it into a Turmeric Latte, add some brewed espresso to your cups if desired. Pour the golden milk into the cups, and enjoy!

 

Please share this. Thank you!

1 Comment

  1. Abdul Rashid Fatima

    I will like to learn from this application

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Other blog posts

Community Blog, October 2024

Every individual action matters, and we can all make a difference. Itโ€™s important to support sustainable, local products whenever possible. There are even apps that rate the sustainability and eco-friendliness of the brands we choose. Palm oil production has had devastating effects on wildlife, yet many popular brands still use unsustainable palm oil. A simple step you can take today is to remind yourself to shop consciously.ย 

Community Blog, October 2024

The theme for this yearโ€™s World Food Day is โ€œRight to foods for a better life and a better futureโ€. The term โ€œfoodsโ€ stands for diversity, nutrition, affordability, and safety. The idea is that a greater diversity of nutritious foods should be available for everyone so that every single citizen has the chance to lead a balanced and nutritious life.

Food For Thought, October 2024

Do not forget that your path towards a plant-based diet will necessarily be different than that of the person next to you, and thatโ€™s okay! Respect your rhythm, respect yourself and keep it up!

The path to plant based diet

I made a decision to stop eating meat and adopt a predominantly plant-based diet after listening to a talk on veganism at the Habit Alignment Key (HAK) retreat in Bendigo, Australia, in 2023.

Traveling with Trees, September 2024

The Baobab Tree in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe is incredible! You are literally traveling back in time thinking of this treeโ€™s history.

Food For Thought, September 2024

As a bread maker, I am often asked if I sell gluten-free (GF) bread and other baked goods. In fact, this is becoming increasingly common. It is my personal experience – through my work – that more and more people are restricting gluten consumption or setting it aside altogether.

Celebrating Youth Impact Through Tree Planting: A Collaborative Success Story

International Youth Day, celebrated each year on August 12th, is a powerful reminder of the incredible potential young people have to shape a greener, more sustainable future.ย 

Food For Thought, August 2024

A vibrant, fresh salad is all I want to eat during warm Summer days. There probably is a biological reason for that, as well as an interesting ecological response.

The Amazonian Agouti: Nature’s unsung gardener

A typical day for an Agouti involves wandering around the forest all day long, taking swims and hiding from predators such as Jaguars. These activities define their daily routine in their lush habitat.

Ask me (almost) anything, July 2024

My understanding about environmental management continues to evolve and change as we realize the extent of our global impacts on natural ecosystems. Looking for clues in the way animals and plants interact at the simplest level can lead to deep insight.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join our newsletter. Stay tuned to all our news. There is more to come.

You have Successfully Subscribed!