Healthy Home Foods Blog

Recently, an alarming study was published establishing the negative link between BPA and the reproductive health of young women and girls around the globe.

Bisphenol A, more commonly referred to as BPA, is a hormone-disrupting chemical that is used in hard plastics like consumer packages, baby products, clear water bottles and food storage containers. It’s been lurking for quite some time until the Environmental Protection Agency concluded that it was harmful to humans, particularly those in the developmental stages of life.

However, only five states in the USA have banned its use, despite it being shown to appear in over 90% of urine samples taken from average Americans in an independent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control. BPA is harmful in that it mimics estrogen in the body, causing irregularities in hormone levels in females and males.

So for those families’ not eating organic foods or using hard plastic baby bottles, drink cups and containers – the affects are already starting to show in the alarming rate of young girls who are experiencing puberty at much faster rates. According to the recent story which aired on Fox News in August “Research has found the chemical can leach into food and beverages when containers are heated and could pose a health risk at extremely low exposure levels, especially to infants and young children. There have been more than 200 published studies linking BPA to a number of medical problems including breast and prostate cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, childhood obesity, neurological problems in infants and young children, early puberty, and immune and sexual dysfunction.” (http://health.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/07/29/efforts-to-ban-chemical-bpa-picks-up-momentum/) Girls are maturing as young as 8 years old and young women are heading into menopause in their early forties; at much earlier rates as a result of harmful chemicals found in our nation’s food sources.

So what can the average family do to prevent damage to their reproductive health?

First, let’s start with not purchasing foods that come in BPA laden containers and don’t store or serve foods in hard plastic containers – choose glass or other natural materials instead. That goes for baby products as well. Containers that say “BPA free” should be your first choice.

Second, choose only natural and organic foods that are prepared without the use of chemicals, hormones or BPA packaging for the ultimate in health benefits.

Third, demand that grocers take down any products that come in BPA containers and ask for organic alternatives instead. Remember, it’s up to you to make sure that your health is preserved and that your children grow up the way nature intended.

Need a reliable source of healthy organic foods for your family? Choose the convenience of home delivery from Healthy Home Foods by calling (843) 277-3663.

Summertime is the perfect time to try some of the all natural meats that Healthy Home Foods sells. While they are delicious on their own, adding a marinade or dressing made from natural ingrediants adds the final touch to any meal. Here are some tips for using marinades for summertime delight with your Healthy Home Foods products:
Grilling marinade will be made of three basic ingredients; Oils, Acids, and Seasonings. These three categories are the beginning of a grilling recipe that you create. Oils will not penetrate meat, they’ll simply coat the surface. However, many of the most flavorful oils have low temperature “smoke points”, not the best choice for the grill so they are not always the best choice when cooking natural meats.

Acids and seasonings will dictate the flavor of your grilling marinade. Acids are used because of their ability to tenderize items. This is largely overstated, though. Acids have a SLIGHT tenderizing effect, but not enough to make a big difference in your grilling marinade. The acids most effective at tenderizing tough cuts of meat are from tropical fruits like mango and papaya, but most often tomato products, vinegar, wine, or soy sauce are used.

Choosing the right cut of meat to marinate is the most important step. A cup of ketchup in a marinade will not make a tough cut of meat magically tender. Don’t expect your grilling marinade to turn tough beef into filet mignon, it won’t happen. Acids will break down connective tissues, but it’s the intense direct heat of the barbeque grill that will toughen and dry meats quickly. That’s why it’s important to choose a tender cut of meat to grill, because the cooking method of grilling won’t tenderize your item, regardless of which grilling marinade you choose.

The general rules of marinating Healthy Home Foods meats are easy:

1) Longer = Stronger. The longer you marinate something, the stronger the flavor

2) Thicker = Longer. The thicker the product, the longer you’ll need to marinate it.

3) Tender = Shorter. A tender product will not need to be marinated as long.

4) Cooler = Cooler. ALWAYS marinate under refrigeration to keep bacteria growth down.

5) Acid resistant container = No Brainer. ALWAYS marinate in plastic or glass, never in copper or reactive metals.

A grilling marinade is perfectly matched for a dry cooking process like grilling. The marinade will add flavor and moisture for the quick, intense heat of the barbeque grill. You can create your own complex flavors of oils, acids and seasonings and invent the latest grilling marinade.

Used with permission from:

Chef Todd Mohr who is a classically educated chef, entrepreneur, educator and entertainer. The chef wants people to “Burn Your Recipes” and cook with basic methods. Free yourself from the written recipe with his cooking DVD series, “Burn Your Recipes, Volumes 1, 2, and 3. http://www.webcookingclasses.com/does-your-grilling-marinade-have-these-3-simple-elements/cooking-classes/