Question I get asked all the time: Where do you get your Protein?
Updates on: The Porcupine Mountains and the toxic coating 'Apeel'
I cannot tell you how many times I have been asked, where do you get your protein? Being that I have been on a vegan, whole foods diet for over 27 years, I am asked this question many, many, many times. I know people are always hearing that the only place to get protein is from meat and animal foods, but that is just simply not true. I know that the TV and the news media (that controls all the narratives) is always saying that you need this huge amount of protein and that you can only get the proper amounts from animal sources. It is sad that we have been lied to so much.
Since I had been asked this question so many time in my 27 years of teaching cooking classes, I came up with my standard answer that covers all the bases. Everything that grows out of Mother Earth contains protein. That means everything I eat has protein in it. Every time I sit down to eat, everything on my plate has protein in it.
What is protein?
Proteins are complex molecules found in almost all living things. Proteins are the best source of raw materials for the vital processes of growth and repair.
They are the building blocks of the human body, found abundantly in the muscles, tendons, blood and organs. However it is not protein itself that we need in our bodies but the components of protein known as amino acids.
In the process of digestion, the body breaks down proteins into amino acids. The amino acids supplied by foods, along with those recycled internally, are reassembled by the liver, creating the proteins required by the body for the repair of cells and tissues, for growth and to maintain metabolic processes.
Of the twenty-two amino acids needed to maintain health, eight of them, known as the essential amino acids, can be obtained only from food. The body is able to manufacture the others from various substances.
How much protein do you need?
You need 10 to 15% of your daily intake of food to be protein. (Some think that is a high estimate.)
If you eat too much protein it can result in too much urea, uric acid, fat and cholesterol in the body tissue and the blood. Excess acids and fat in the blood can wash away stores of essential minerals such as, iron, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, and calcium.
How much protein: Website about what is the normal numbers when tested:
https://labs.selfdecode.com/blog/total-protein-test/
The normal ranges for adults can vary slightly between labs, but they are generally about 6.0 to 8.3 g/dL (60 to 83 g/L)
Everything that grows out of mother earth contains protein. All foods consumed in their whole form that are grown contain protein. That includes, whole grains, vegetables, beans and even fruit has protein, although very small amounts.
Rolled oats have a high amount of protein. Every morning, I have soup that has rolled oats in it. It is far better to have oats with vegetables then fruit.
List of amounts of protein in foods often eaten all are based on 1 cup of the food: (unless stated):
Soybean: 31 g.
Tempeh (4 oz.): 22.4 g.
Lentils: 18 g.
Whole wheat flour: 16 g.
Pinto beans: 15 g.
Chickpeas: 15 g.
Black beans: 15 g.
Rolled Oats: 11 g.
Tofu: 9.1
Quinoa: 8 g.
Millet: 6.1g
Kasha (buckwheat): 5.7 g.
Cauliflower (½ of a head): 5.5 g.
Collard greens: 5.1 g.
Brown Rice: 4.5 g.
Broccoli: 3.7 g.
Corn: 3.5
Mushrooms: 3.4 g.
Kale 2.5 g.
Daikon: 2.4 g.
Sweet Potato: 2.3 g.
Miso (1 T.) 2.2 g.
Dulse (1 T.): 1.6 g.
Carrots: 1.2 g.
Beets: .8 g.
Website to look up nutritional information for food, tells you how much protein is in food:
https://www.nutritionix.com/food/peanut-butter
Update on the toxic coating ‘Apeel’:
I have been writing and talking to as many people as possible about the toxic coating called ‘Apeel’ that is being put on our produce. I wrote 8 blogs about ‘Apeel’ last year. Please go back and read to get educated about how toxic this coating is for our health. Since then, I have talked to a couple stores to ask if they will carry any produce with this toxic chemical coating.
The Better Health Store (Michigan based health food store)
I know the produce manager for all the stores in Michigan. He assured me that he will reject any produce that has ‘Apeel’ on it. The Better Health Store will not sell produce with this toxic coating.
Kroger
I called Kroger twice to ask about their produce. Twice I was told that their Kroger brand and Simple Truth Organic produce will not have the toxic coating ‘Apeel’ on them.
Meijer
My sister, who buys apples regularly at Meijer’s (a Michigan based store) thinks that she recently bought some apples with ‘Apeel’ on them. She told me that there was this noticeable coating on the apples and it seemed like a thick wax coating was on the apples also. She observed that the apples she was normally buying were different. At the time I am writing this blog, I have not yet called Meijer. It is on my list of things to do. I will keep everyone updated on what I find out in future blogs.
Website that has a list of stores and if they carry produce with ‘Apeel’:
I recently found a resource with a list of stores and what their stand is on carrying produce with ‘Apeel. Here is some of the information from that website:
Costco: Costco partnered with Apeel as far back as 2018 but recently stopped carrying any produce treated with Apeel. Their corporate produce department said they have no plans to ever sell produce treated with Apeel again. The Limoneira lemons they carry are not treated with Apeel.
Whole Foods: Whole Foods would not give a clear or straightforward answer on if they source produce treated with Apeel. I spoke to three produce departments, three customer service representatives, and three corporate offices. One corporate office said Apeel's Edipeel and Organipeel food coatings meet Whole Food's safety standards. I went and looked at the produce and could not find any items treated with Apeel.
Kroger: Kroger claims that produce items sold under their own label are not treated with Apeel food coatings. However, Kroger is not able to speak about or certify other produce brands that they carry. This policy applies to all of their locations and all of their subsidiaries as well including Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Foods Co, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Gerbes, Jay C Food Store, King Soopers, Mariano’s, Metro Market, Pay Less Super Markets, Pick’n, Save, QFC, Ralphs, Ruler, and Smith’s Food and Drug. Kroger confirmed that other produce brands they carry are treated with Apeel. Kroger could not verify if their Simple Truth private label is treated with Apeel.
Target: Target carries produce treated with Apeel including avocados, cucumbers, asparagus, apples, and citrus fruit.
Fresh Thyme: Fresh Thyme does not source any produce that has been treated with Apeel and has no plans to change this policy.
Link to the rest of the list of stores and if they will carry produce with ‘Apeel’
https://myhealthforward.com/blogs/my-health-forward-blog/apeel
Update on The Porcupine Mountains:
Did you know this pristine wilderness area, The Porcupine Mountains, is in danger of being ruined by a mine? A mine that would create a huge disruption to the forest, create a lot of noise and light pollution, and could possibly pollute the largest supply of fresh water, Lake Superior?
If you have been reading my blogs you would know about what is happening in the Beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan in our most treasured state park, The Porcupine Mountains.
The Michigan Strategic Fund held a meeting on Feb. 27th on a proposed $50M grant to the Copperwood Mine. This funding would not only more than double the company's bank account, but an official State endorsement would trigger a wave of new investors and bank loans, possibly giving the company the capital it needs to finally begin construction on the closest sulfide mine to Lake Superior in history.
The last meeting Feb. 27: That was a beautiful meeting today. There were more than 190 attendees, and around thirty individuals spoke up, not in "opposition," but in impassioned advocacy for Lake Superior, the Porcupine Mountains, and all the surrounding majesty. Heartfelt thanks to everyone.
The next meeting: Join us on Saturday, March 23rd, at 11 a.m. CDT (12 noon ET) for our third ProtectThePorkies Virtual Town Hall. After campaign updates, we have the honor of hosting Dr. Al Gedicks — a living legend in the field of water protection — who will be sharing a presentation on his many collaborations with Indigenous Nations to defend water resources from metallic sulfide mining threats. The presentation is sure to inspire our own efforts and will be followed by an open discussion.
To attend the meeting,
To find out more about this project,
To sign the petition to stop the mine from ruining the Porcupine Mountains: Protect the Porkies website: https://protecttheporkies.com/home
Upcoming Cooking Classes:
Easter Sugar Free Candy Treats
Thursday, March 21 6:30 to 8 PM (ET)
Virtual through Zoom $36
Sign up: https://www.macroval.com/cookingclasses.htm
You can cook along in your kitchen.
Don't miss out on all the Easter chocolate treats, make your own sugar free ones.
Menu: Chocolate Peanut Butter Raisins Treats rolled in Crushed Peanuts, Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars garnished with Celtic Sea Salt and Chocolate Marshmallow Easter Eggs Treats.
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