Hippie Food Review

 

I recently tried a few new foods that my sister would call "Hippie Foods."  While I would encourage others to try them for themselves, here's my take on Kombucha and Quinoa.

Kombucha

"Kombucha tea is a fermented drink made with tea, sugar, bacteria and yeast. Although it's sometimes referred to as kombucha mushroom tea, kombucha is not a mushroom — it's a colony of bacteria and yeast. Kombucha tea is made by adding the colony to sugar and tea, and allowing the mix to ferment. The resulting liquid contains vinegar, B vitamins and a number of other chemical compounds." - Mayo Clinic

When I tried this drink the other day, I didn't drink enough to feel any effects, good or bad.  I did however walk away with a good taste in my mouth.  Like many things, the reports online are conflicting. 

Some claims go as far to say that drinking this tea daily will prevent cancer or the exact opposite direction saying that the ceramic jars this drink is often made in can give you lead poisoning.

Personally, I'm not sold either way but it's on my list of things to try once I get back in the states and have a permanent place to live again.

Quinoa

Quinoa, one of the newest "Super Foods" has been on my foodie list for a while, but it wasn't until this week that I actually got to try it.  It has a rather high protein content, contains all nine essential amino acids, and is gluten free.

When I cooked my quinoa, I followed the basic instructions, two parts water, one part quinoa.  While I wouldn't say I loved it enough to go on an all quinoa diet, I did enjoy it.  It was rather bland cooked and served this way, but could be easily used as a base for other recipes or spiced up to be eaten on its own. 

My concern with quinoa goes back to the economic problem that seems to be arising from the rapid increase in first world consumption of a less developed country staple crop.

"As the price has risen quinoa is consumed less and less in Bolivia. It's worth more to them [the producers] to sell it or trade it for pasta and rice. As a result, they're not eating it any more." In other words, farmers are starting to see quinoa as a product that's too valuable to eat—they can use the proceeds from selling to buy cheaper, but less nutrient-dense, staples like white rice. There's also a status issue—quinoa was once a subsistence product, and when people pull out of subsistence mode, there's a tendency to switch to higher-status foods, even if they're less healthy. (See the full article here. )

In my World Agriculture and Economics class at Colorado State University, we talked about this.  Is it ethical to help drive up the prices of staple foods in less developed countries to bring these super food here?  Does the economic advancement from the rising prices count for more than the effect of making it harder on the poor to purchase this staple? 

When it comes down to it though, eating Quinoa is a personally decision.  Where do you stand?

Chaco Love

A few years ago, if you asked me about Chacos, I would have gone off about how there was no reason to spend over a hundred dollars on a pair of sandals.

I would have then proceeded to tell you that the only reason people buy them is so they can match their "The North Face" jackets, eat Qdoba and live in Colorado Springs .... a rather harsh, unrealistic view I got of Chaco patrons my freshman year in one of the campus ministry groups.

Over time however, I talked to person after person who loved their shoes and oddly enough, didn't live in Colorado Springs.  My stereotype was busted.

After going to New Zealand and picking up a love for hiking and the outdoors, I decided I needed to invest in some new shoes.

Reluctantly, I went down to the neighborhood JAX store where to my surprise, I fell in love with Chacos.  Although it did take two sales associates to find me the right pair and help me adjust the straps to my feet, I found the Cinderella fit.  But I still wasn't sold.  Being that I am not one to spend a lot of money on clothes, I left the store empty handed.  I really liked the way they molded to my feet, but I wasn't quite sold on their value.

Fortunately for me, my subconscious took over the decision making that weekend.  After dreaming about them two days straight and being unable to shake them from my mine while I was awake, I returned to the store.  While I cringed as I handed over the Benjamin to cove the cost, I was so excited to own them that I switched them out for my old shoes before jumping on my bike and heading home.

Almost a year later, I am still in love with these shoes!

Top 10 reasons I love my Chacos:

10.  I spent too much money on them not to fall in love with them.
9.  The soles have some mean traction on snow/ice/mud.
8.  You can wash them by throwing them in the shower with you.
7.  The one strap that runs throughout the entire shoe adjusts to custom fit abnormal feet.
6.  Sweet tan lines... if I tanned
5.  I can get away with wearing them as pseudo dress shoes.
4.  They encourage messy behavior
3.  They make me feel like an explorer while going about my everyday life.
2.  1 year later, they're still chugging along beautifully when most shoes don't last me 4 months.
1.  I did the my first Half Marathon wearing these babies.

BEFORE....

BEFORE....

AFTER!!

For me, Chacos are just another example of proving wrong my own preconceived notions with personal experience.

A month a go, I decided to go No 'Poo to test the idea that I had to use shampoo and conditioner to keep my hair clean.  While I was rather skeptical when I first heard about it, I'm now a believer.  

Here's what my hair looks like today, 30 days after I started No 'Poo without any styling at all.

I think it's a winner.

Here's to the bohemian life! Cheers!

Ditching Shampoo

I eat organic food in four situations:

1. When it's on sale for cheaper than the conventionally raised products (college student budget)
2. When it comes from my parents/grandpa's garden (again, cheap )
3. When someone else buys it (SUPER cheap )
4. When the only option is organic and I REALLY want it

This is a at my Grandpa's farm <3

I am not going "crunchy" with some aspects of my life because I am afraid or worried about the safety of products here in the United States, or believe the fallacy that if it's not Organic/Natural/Hormone Free/Free Range/Not from Concentrate, that it's going to kill me.

I trust the producers and government agencies that strive to keep consumers safe.
I have worked in a GMO research lab.
I grew up raising my own animals and plants for food.
I have researched the meanings behind the labels and know the loopholes. (If you haven't, you should.)

In fact, I am thankful everyday for conventional farming and the advancements in science that have helped to exponentially increase production for this growing world.  Without them, we wouldn't be able to feed the billions of people around the globe. (Undernutrion, Malnutrition and Starvation are NOT problems resulting from an inadequate world food supply but rather distribution and poverty.)

Our food supply is safe and affordable because of these advancements.

Thank you Jesus for researchers, farmers and ranchers. <3

I do however recognize the benefits of making things myself.  In order to help keep foods longer and increase the convenience factor, we add preservatives.  Looking at things like canned soups, you can see the negative effects of the increased shelf life in the sodium. If I can save my sodium intake for things like pickles by making my own soup, why wouldn't I do it?  By making things myself, I am able to add what I think is necessary and leave out what I do not need.

I also really like being creative.

Here's the link to this recipe!

I love my weekly bread baking sessions because I can justify taking time to make something with my hands.  It fills my apartment with the smells of home and often gives me a much needed break from school.  I don't need to add any preservatives because without the middle men, that bread is being eaten before it even cools off.
I find fulfillment in being able to cook a meal from scratch for people I love, knowing that I gave part of my time, talent and treasure to nourish their bodies and often, satisfy a sweet tooth.

So when I heard about No 'Poo, a method for taking care of your hair without commercial shampoos, I was curious to learn more about it. I've discovered a hippie/bohemian/crunchy streak in my body that runs to my core.

I have long, curly, auburn hair that I hardly go a day without shampooing and conditioning. My fear is that if I go longer, it will be unmanageable and finally drive me to chop it off in a fit of rage, subsequently killing my great grandma of a heart attack next time I go home..... And I LOVE my grandma!

I did my research though, reading articles, blogs and emails from people who hadn't shampooed their hair in years, and their stories sucked me in.

Here's some of my favorite reads on the subject:
- No 'Poo To You, Too!!!
- NBC News - Ditching Shampoo: A dirty little beauty secret
- No 'Poo FAQ
and so many more!

So on April 9th, I decided to give it a shot for for a few months and see what happens.

Here's my No 'Poo plan:

- Baking soda and water mix to wash my scalp and roots.
- Apple Cider Vinegar and water mix for the ends
- Wash on the W's (Wednesdays and Weekends)
- No blow drying, straightening, or styling products
- Occasionally try things like brewed teas or lavender for an extra touch

Why I'm Giving it a Shot

I'm headed to Europe in 65 days (whoop whoop! Getting excited!) where I will be traveling for six months, living with families in Northern Ireland, England and Norway through the IFYE program.  I figure that being able to wash my hair with common household products will make it easy for me to find what I need wherever I go.  My plan at this point is to travel taking only what I can fit in my hiking bag.

The No 'Poo method also requires less washings per week (don't worry, I'll still be showering).  I'd like to think I'm a quick shower taker, but with long hair, it can take a while to lather, rinse and repeat.  Environmentally speaking, I'll be saving water; Economically speaking, I'll be saving time, which in itself is very valuable.

As a person on a pretty limited budget, I also see this as an chance to save a pretty penny by reducing  my hair expenses significantly.  I can't get shampoo and conditioners that I like for less than $15.  A bottle of vinegar and box of baking soda cost me less than $5.  Using only 2 tablespoons of each a week, they will last for quite a while.  Take out the other hair products, blow drying and straightening costs and this looks like a beauty secret for the savviest of shoppers.

Last of all, I'm an adventurer.  I love trying new things.  When I was researching, I discovered that this was a rather low risk investment.  If I decide to stop No 'Poo somewhere down the line, I can go right back to my old routine, no harm done.

So here's to exploring the something new and ditching the shampoo. <3

Frolicking

I wish I didn't care what people thought of me.

When I told B.P. this, he told me it's easy.

You just do it. Stop trying to be what people imagine you to be.

So this is me....

trying to care less without losing my ability to care.

I am a free spirit,
a traveler,

a wanderer,

but not because I'm lost.
I know
my final destination
but not the path
or
even the next step.

But I will get there,

eventually,

taking the scenic route,
soaking in the beauty,

treading the trails,
pushing the pedals,
holding the the sissy bar.

I will chase down the sun
and run to the plains to watch the stars uncloak
their splendor,
their sparkle,
the pin holes in the sky.

I bask in the thrill

of finding,

of flying,

of falling,

of fast rushing air

of filling my lungs yet again.

I question

more often than most

not because others are wrong

but because

I want to understand

not just memorize,

not just regurgitate,

not just learn the right words.

I want to know people,
understand what they say,
what they don't say,
what they feel

what they fear to allow themselves to feel.

I yearn for their stories,
the relationships,
the revelations,
the mundane beauty of daily life
explored through thankful eyes and beating hearts.

I want to rescue,
hug,
love,
wipe away the tears,
fix their broken hearts and broken minds,

rewrite the lies

that they are
unworthy,
unwanted
and unloved,
replacing them with the truth.

I know loss

I know pain

I know lonely

I know the back slide,

confusion and uncertainty

but

I also know

growth

belonging

peace

and forward motion.

I am more than a

GPA,

a degree,

a gender,

a family name,

a religious group,

an economic status,

a race,

a vote,

a relationship status,
a job status
or a facebook status.

I am loved equally

yet uniquely

by The Creator,

The King,

Daddy God.

I am a blithesome bohemian, 

destined to do something

that will ripple through a place,

and a time,

in the perfect time

in the perfect situation

that I will likely stumble upon in my frolic.

Because freedom leads to frolicking

frolicking to finding

finding to forward motion.