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Introduction To Nutrition for the ILP kit

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Here is the saga of raised beds… as well as some tree removal and cute kid.

Big changes..

Ahh… the raised beds!

So many projects… such a long life!

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I wrote this unedited review for Natural Foods Merchandiser.

The premise is that I am critiquing the response from an employee at a natural foods store, regarding dry beans vs. cooked beans.

Secret Shopper Question:

DS: Hi, could you tell me whether there are any nutritional differences between these canned and dried organic pinto beans?

GT: [Giggle] Honestly, I have no idea.

DS: Do you know why anyone would choose one over the other?

GT: Well, I’ve read that dried and frozen beans are better but I really couldn’t tell you why. When you look at the nutritional data on the back, it shows that these canned beans have more sodium but a lot less dietary fiber and protein. The dried beans seem to have a lot more vitamins and minerals.

Seth’s Response

Three things occur to me as I read this brief encounter.

One, I like the honesty. Don’t make something up to look good.

Two, some training on this would prevent the employee from giving mixed messages. You just said that you don’t have a clue, then you said that you have read some things about it.

Three, what are the facts about this?

On the first point, I have seen too many employees attempt to explain complex dietary theories, like Macrobiotics, to a customer. It’s likely that the employee is into health. It is likely that they want to share it. It is likely that the customer is in a hurry. Therefore, no interested in the whole story. Give the employee a formula for answering these kinds of questions. Here is an example.

Foirmula for answering nutrition questions:

1. Repeat back the question
2. Take a moment to consider the question
3. Reply with an honest and direct response
4. If you do not know, ask customer if she would like to get a second opinion from another more seasoned employee

To the second point then, you avoid the split between “I have no clue” and “I have read that.”

The facts on this one are:

1. Well, a significant nutrition difference is the amount of nutrition for your money. A 15 oz. can equals ¾ cup dry beans (1 ½  cups cooked). 4 cups of cooked beans (from dry) for under a $1.00 vs. 15 oz. for $1.50 for canned is average.
2. The employee hit the nail on the head with sodium. As Dr. Katz recently pointed out, 80% of the sodium Americans eat does not come from the salt shaker. It is added.
3. Some cans are lined with bisphenol-a. What? It’s a plastic that has been shown to effect hormones.
4. Soaking beans in water reduces phytic acid more effectively than cooking alone. This would be my priority point, more important than any other. Phytic acid binds minerals. You get less nutrition when you eat the phytic acid. I don’t know how the canned beans were prepared. Probably without soaking at very high heat. They retain phytic acid. It may seem like nutrition geek speak, but as a nutritionist & health coach, that is what I would tell my clients. Especially vegetarians.

A few other non-nutrition related facts to point out:

1. Less waste, bulk beans are the greener choice
2. Dried beans taste better home-cooked.
3. There is more variety to choose from in dried.
4. Canned beans are great to keep in the pantry for a pinch.

This is relevant to natural foods stores that may want to prepare their employees for excellent responses to a variety of questions.

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Friends,

How much food can I produce on a city home lot in the next five years?

What if half the people that had lots converted 10% of their lot to food production?

What would it mean for Health? Economy? Family? Community?

As a health coach, I have been grinding on these questions for years. So, after dreaming about it, I decided to roll out a long term experiment.

Now, I finally got around to documenting some of the work here on film and photo.

I’ve been documenting most everything in a journal for yearly review, but am really excited to share this endeavor with you via media channels.

Raised Beds in the Backyard

First, I hope to get feedback from all of you experienced permaculture, gardener, farmer, soil builder, types.

Second, I want to inspire more people to build health from the ground up. Literally.

The most profound health supportive activity is gardening. I am so serious. After coaching hundreds, or maybe thousands now (?), of people on health and nutrition, I have come to the slightly disturbing and clear reflection that most people could have a richer, fuller healthier life with a small garden.

I guess that is not so surprising. But it is a whole new way to work with someone. I don’t know how to help more people have this lifestyle. This is my way to begin to learn about how to teach others, while I learn too!

City Homesteading Fits Perfectly with HomeSchool!

I will be posting a movie over the next couple days. It is taking my MacBook a long time to complete the edits ( I need more memory). The PowerBook remains free though, so I can get these uploaded now.

Anyway…

I love teaching our girls. That is a major WIN for us too. Kids love to grow things. They are helping to start seeds. The witness the germination. They see the seeds turn into sprouts, then full bloom plants.

They know the basics of compost, how to use tools safely and they spend time outdoors with mom and dad.

Paloma with Starters, Hardening Off for Transplanting, 60 Tomatoes, (4 Variety), 35 ish Kale, Tomatillos, Eggplant

You see, it is an Integral Health practice. If you take Integral Life Practice and apply it to the way we hold our City Homesteading project, you really see a multi-dimensional growth practice par excellence!~ Physical. Mental. Subtle Body. Community. Culture. Family. Nature. It is exquisite.

I first presented gardening as a quintessential Integral health and nutrition practice at an Integral Institute meeting back in 2008. The seeds were planted long ago (puns).

Since my parents were really into “back to nature” and “Whole earth Catalogs,” I grew up with a half acre garden, fruit trees, chickens, and what is now known as “permaculture.”

Of course, I want to support you in living a great life too. I’ve learned that greatness does not lie in perfection, it lies in forgiveness, compassion, commitment, persistence and humility.

If you are a health coach, nutritionist or other health pro, check out Indestructible Success: The P3E PRoject http://p3eproject.com/

And for men, ages 25 to 40, interested in living an outstanding life, check out The Men’s Mastery Course: Best Year of Your Life Program. http://www.mensmasterycourse.com/

yours in service,

Seth

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Wow!

It is that time of year again my friends.

Time to plan our Spring Cleanse program.

This year, I am doing the same 6 week program, with a simplified format.

We are going to begin on May 1st. We’ll meet Saturday morning. There are three times. 9, 10 & 11 AM, Central Time.

Each session will be 50 minutes long. 9 to 9:50, 10 to 10:50, 11 to 11:50. Note that 10 minute difference. This allows me to prepare for the next call.

We are going to use updated curriculum and the Ultra Clear program.
The curriculum is based on a truly Integral approach. Consider it Nutrition for Integral Life Practice.

If you register in January, the cost is $197.
If you register in February, the cost is $247
If you register in March or April, the cost is $347

REGISTER EARLY. It helps me plan and prepare to serve you best.

Register Here:

Spring Cleanse Early Registration

So to recap:

Spring Cleanse 2010
Begins May 1st. Saturday mornings. 9,10,11 AM Central Time.
We are going to use the wonderful curriculum that we have been honing for the last three years.

It is an honor and privilege to serve each of you. I love this time together.

It gives me great satisfaction to support your health and your contribution to the world.

Seth

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Hi Download the:

Building.Blocks.High.Energy.Lifestlye
Free PDF Map of High Energy

And print it out where you can see it often!

Seth

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Hey friends,

Here is a free two week Detox and Immune Boost Dietary program.

I decided not to do a teleconference fall cleanse program this year, but will be ready to do a solid 6 week course in the spring.

Join me then!

In the meantime, here is the download, just click the link and your PDF will open up.

Best,

Winter Boost and Immune Detox

ps. Don’t forget to check out the Holiday Special on Healthy, Fast and Cheap

http://sethbraun.com/blog/seths-book-healthy-fast-cheap/

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Healthy Fast and Cheap Webcast Ep 1

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