8.3.12

It's Dangerous To Be A Woman.


We are living in a world where horrific violations of human rights still exist. It’s hard to believe, in this progressive era that is the twenty-first century. Sure, the holocaust is over. The transatlantic slave trade has been abolished. Many racial boundaries have been broken down, and, at least for now, the average American citizen seems to be under the impression that “the worst is behind us” as far as the history of injustice is concerned. This slumber can not last much longer. The process of globalization seems to be making the world smaller, awareness is slowly growing, and more people are waking up to the reality of what it going on in the world around us. Issues like human trafficking are becoming impossible to ignore.  As this awakening occurs, as more research is done, as more people seek out information... one thing becomes increasingly clearer: It’s dangerous to be a woman. 

Take a look at the statistics: 
-70% of the worlds' poor are women. 
-80% of the worlds' refugees are women. 
-75% of the worlds' sick are women. 
-2/3 of the worlds' workforce are women. 
-However, only 10% of the world's income goes to women. 
-1% of the world's property owners are women. 
-1/3 of all women have been sexually abused.
-At least 80% of the worlds’ estimated 27 million human trafficking victims are women.
-39,000 baby girls die annually in China because they are not given the same medical care offered to male babies. 
-Girls in India are 50% more likely to die than boys, between ages1-5, for the same reason. 
-3,000,000,000 girls are the victims of female genital mutilation each year. 
-2,000,000,000 girls worldwide disappear each year because of gender discrimination. 

History makes it clear that a majority of the great social injustices pervading many cultures, both in the past and in the present, have been directly targeted at women. Bound feet in China, female mutilation in Africa, the murder or ostracism of Indian widows, Islamic law regarding women... and the list goes on. Sex trafficking, honor killings, maternal mortality, domestic abuse, abortion. 
New York Times Journalist Nicholas Kristof writes; “The global statistics on the abuse of girls are numbing. It appears that more girls have been killed in the last fifty years, precisely because they were girls, than men were killed in all the battles of the twentieth century. more girls are killed in this routine ‘gendercide’ in any one decade than people were slaughtered in all the genocides of the twentieth century”. 

I suppose the next question is “why?”. What is the reason behind the oppression and exploitation of women? It has been said that the heart of the human problem is the problem of the human heart. I suppose part of the reason for the attack is simply that violent, evil oppressors find women an easy target. Women in most cultures are taught to be silent, weak, and afraid... and as such they are more vulnerable and easier to take advantage of than men. Psalm 10:2 describes the attitude of these oppressors vividly: “ In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises”. Simply put, women are abused because there are men whose hearts are wicked to prey upon them.
But yet the fallen condition of the human heart and the schemes of evil men are still not able to fully explain this vicious attack against femininity. This issue can be traced back to one of the very first events in human history- the temptation and fall of man. John and Stasi Eldredge write in thier book Captivating; “...In the Garden of Eden notice- who does the evil one go after...single out for his move on the human race? He could have chosen Adam... but he didn’t. Satan went after Eve.” John and Staci go on to say that they believe Satan has a “special hatred” for women, because a woman embodies the beauty and glory of God that he has fallen from and because a woman is the bearer of human life, which he seeks to destroy. Whatever the reasons behind it, I believe that it’s safe to say that the enemy does target and seek to destroy women. 

The question which naturally follows after considering such a fact is; “what are we going to do about it?” Ending injustice and violence against women isn’t just about rescuing victims of injustice and offering our aid. We’ve got to trace the problem to its roots. We’ve got to recognize it for what it is. We’ve got to challenge our culture, the media, religion, and tradition. We’ve got to break down the lies of the enemy regarding women, and acknowledge the ultimate enemy we’re up against in this fight. Only then will we see a change, rather than just dealing with the aftermath. 


3.3.12

Sweet Potato Breakfast Frittata

When I tell people that I try to steer away from grains and dairy in my diet, I often get asked; "well, whathteheck do you eat for breakfast?". It's true that not many traditional breakfast options are left once you take away cereal, milk, oatmeal, toast, grits, etc... but really, none of those options are really a great, nutritious way to start your day anyhow.

Some of my favorite breakfasts include:
Healthy grain-free muffins
Grain free pancakes
Hardboiled eggs
Fruit
Unsweetened Applesauce
Bacon or Sausage
Crustless Quiche
SWEET. POTATO. FRITTATA.

The combination of mega-doses of  beta-carotene, vitamin A, protein, and good fats in this dish make for a satisfying and energizing start to the day. AND it's delicious and I never get tired of it!  

1 Small sweet potato, diced very small
1 link of sausage
2 eggs
1 Tb coconut oil

Cook the sweet potato chunks in coconut oil until soft. add sliced sausage and cook an additional 2 minutes. whisk two eggs, pour into skillet with potatoes and sausage. Don't stir. When bottom is set, flip and cook the top!

 Easy, delicious, nutritious- Tada!


Book: Going Against The Grain

"To stay fit and free of disease, all of us should eat fewer grains. Some of us should eat no grains at all". This quote encapsulates the message of a fascinating book I recently read; Going Against the Grain by Melissa Smith. In her book, Smith refutes the widespread belief that grains are a vital part of nutrition, and offers solid scientific reasoning to support her view.

It's hard to get over the mindset that we NEED grains (even for me, despite the fact that I haven't been able to come up with even one good reason for continuing to eat grains, in all my research on the matter). The government, even, has sold us the idea that grains are necessary for good health- just look at the widely accepted traditional food pyramid! We're encouraged to consume a high intake of bread, pasta, and cereals. According to Smith, following this strategy will actually harm one's health.

Here's a short list of a few harmful substances found in grains:

Phytates: 
Phytates (or Phytic Acid) are found in grains and legumes. During the digestive process, Phytates bind to the magnesium, calcium, zinc and iron in your intestines and pull them out of your body! All of those "enhanced" cereals claiming to contain your daily dose of calcium or iron really aren't doing you any good, are they? 


Lectins:
Lectins are proteins found in grains that have been linked to health issues like celiac, leaky gut, and diabetes. Our bodies react to lectins aggressively, forming antibodies to attack the lectin... however, lectins are similar in makeup to some of our bodies' own cells. The antibodies that were created to combat lectin proteins actually end up attacking healthy cells!


Gluten:
Oh, gluten. Gluten is another type of protein found in grains.  Gluten is found in all grains, it's a myth that there are certain "gluten free grains". Dr Mark Hyman writes; "A review paper in The New England Journal of Medicine listed 55 'diseases' that can be caused by eating gluten. These include osteoporosis, inflammatory bowel disease, anemia, cancer, fatigue, canker sores, and rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and almost all other autoimmune diseases.  Gluten is also linked to many psychiatric and neurological diseases, including anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, dementia, migraines, epilepsy, and neuropathy (nerve damage).  It has also been linked to autism.". 


Anti-nutrients (pyridoxine glucosides):
So what about all those vitamins and nutrients that our bodies need, which are found in whole grains? There are better sources (try fruits and vegetables!). While it is true that grains contain certain nutrients, they also contain pyridoxine glucosides, or "anti nutrients", that keep those nutrients from actually nourishing your body, setting you up for health issues like anemia and autoimmune disorders. Need an example? Here's a lab study using rats that found that the pyridoxine glucosides contained in grains blocked vitamins from being absorbed into their livers.

So, with the knowlege that grains aren't a good choice, do we have to write off ever eating a stack of pancakes or a slice of cake? Definitely not! I've been able to make everything from muffins to cake to pancakes with nut flours and coconut flours- check my recipes tab for a few delicious options!